Pennsylvania: Stashed-Away Secrets and Forgotten Family (with Jessica Rae) | Episode 117

What happens when a simple hint on your family tree uncovers a decades-old secret?In this episode of Stories That Live In Us, host Crista Cowan (The Barefoot Genealogist) sits down with nurse, history lover, and content creator Jessica Rae to discuss a discovery that changed her life forever. While researching her maternal line, Jessica stumbled across a U.S. federal census record that listed her great-great-grandmother, Susan, not in a household, but as an "inmate" at Mayview State Hospital—a historic mental institution in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.What followed was a deep dive into an incredible story of immigration, extreme poverty, domestic abuse, heartbreaking loss, and a system that often silenced vulnerable women. Jessica shares how Susan immigrated alone from Slovakia at just 17, lost four babies to the hardships of early 20th-century Pittsburgh, and was ultimately committed to an institution for over 30 years—a fact hidden from her own grandchildren.In this episode, you’ll discover:The Census Clue: How a routine search on Ancestry unspooled a massive family secret.Susan's Resilience: The harsh realities faced by immigrant women in the Pittsburgh steel mill era.The Stigma of Mental Health: How the 1930s medical and legal systems dealt with trauma, abuse, and poverty.Healing Generational Trauma: Why breaking the silence and sharing these difficult stories on social media breeds healing rather than shame."I come from thousands of years of women who have survived and overcome the odds that were against them... I have found myself in this work." — Jessica RaeWhether you are hitting a brick wall in your own genealogy research or hesitant to wade into the "messy" branches of your family tree, Jessica’s journey will inspire you to reclaim your ancestors' truth with empathy and courage.Links & Resources:Follow Jessica Rae on TikTok/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_jessica_rae/Learn more about Stories That Live In Us and celebrate America's 250th birthday with us: https://www.cristacowan.com/blog?tag=podcast〰️ 🌳 🧬 〰️  🎧 Ready to discover more stories that could transform your family connections? Subscribe to 'Stories That Live In Us' wherever you get your podcasts, and leave a review to help other families find their path to deeper connection through family history. Together, we're building a community of families committed to preserving and sharing the stories that matter most. 🖼️  Ready to get your family tree out of your computer and onto your wall? Visit FamilyChartmasters.com to create a family tree chart that will help your family share stories for generations.♥  Want more family history tips and inspiration? Follow me @CristaCowan on Instagram where I share behind-the-scenes looks at my own family discoveries and practical ways to uncover yours!