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Family Tree Talk

Family Tree Talk

Family Tree 81 Episodes Aug 17, 2026

Nathan knows nothing about his ancestors. Helen knows almost everything about family history. Join them as they delve into Nate’s family’s past. Will there be any skeletons in his cupboard? Join us for genealogical facts, figures and how-to information, heavily laced with speculation, surmise, stories and waffle as Family Tree's Nathan Ward embarks on his family history journey aided and abetted by Family Tree Editor Helen Tovey. 99% family history guaranteed.

Episodes

Building up a family in the mid 1800s
Building up a family in the mid 1800s Aug 17, 2026 2863 Tune in to Family Tree Talk as Nathan Ward shares details of his forays into the 1841 Census. Turns out it wasn’t half as scary as he’d thought and he’s now busy piecing together the puzzles of a potentially blended family. In the process he’s encountered eight (or more) children (two of whom are called James), he’s deliberating on merging two duplicate ancestors, and he’s begun collecting ancesto
How to quickly pick up your family history research again
How to quickly pick up your family history research again Aug 10, 2026 2326 Tune in to this week’s episode of Family Tree Talk as podcast cohost Nathan Ward shares the details and delights of picking up his family history research again. The past few weeks have seen him researching context; now he’s super-happy to be back to tree-building and dusting off his core family history skills. Join him and cohost Helen Tovey as they discuss what Nathan’s been up to and the best w
The importance of revisiting memories
The importance of revisiting memories Aug 3, 2026 2663 Where to start with this most complex of topics – our memories? Perhaps the best place is the kitchen of Janna Helshtein’s grandma, where – half a century ago – we see her preparing her much loved pickle recipe, with little Janna looking on. Perhaps you too have memories you keep with you, some happy, some not so. Tune in and take a trip down memory lane and take a look at the unique place that me
Inspiration… or perspiration? What powers family history?
Inspiration… or perspiration? What powers family history? Jul 27, 2026 2835 Tune in for this week’s Family Tree Talk with podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey. When doing our family history there is so much to discover isn’t there!? Sometimes it’s easy… and sometimes less so... But learning from other family historians is always a valuable experience. This week Nate and Helen take their hat off to some awesome pod-listener advice, share some of the tidbits from the
The joys of juggling research resources
The joys of juggling research resources Jul 20, 2026 2664 Tune in to the latest episode of Family Tree Talk as podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey chat family history. Nathan’s been hunting for an elusive WW1 airfield and delving further into his grandfather’s life. Helen’s been dusting off research notes from a few years ago… and deciding that this time she really is going to solve the puzzle of her 6x great-grandfather. We’d love you to join us
What is ‘The Story of You?’
What is ‘The Story of You?’ Jul 13, 2026 2008 What makes you tick? What are the experiences that have changed the course of your life … That have made you who you are? How did you pick yourself up when times were tough?Those who come after us would love to know the answers to these things…. But are you in danger of leaving the story of your own life a blank chapter in your family history.Tune in this week as podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and He
Why getting the family talking is so IMPORTANT
Why getting the family talking is so IMPORTANT Jul 6, 2026 2336 Family Tree Talk podcast co-host Nathan Ward loves aeroplanes. Long has he wished to have an aviation connection in his family tree. And it was when he recently got the family talking that the clues – which would lead to his wish becoming true – gradually came out into the light. Tune in to hear about his recent family history discoveries and the power of chatting to parents, aunts, uncles, siblin
How do you know when you’ve got it right, or not…?
How do you know when you’ve got it right, or not…? Jun 29, 2026 3106 Join podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey for this week’s Family Tree Talk chat, as Nathan shares where he’s got up to in his research. He’s looking at 4x and even 5x great-grandparents 🙌, but is feeling a bit unsure about the details he’s finding… Has he got it right or not? Together they mull over ideas to help with clarity and confidence about putting the pieces together and making sure
Grandfathers are ancestors too! (Save the clues before it’s too late)
Grandfathers are ancestors too! (Save the clues before it’s too late) Jun 22, 2026 2438 You know the feeling when you’ve been researching all those great-great-grandparents… but you’ve not really looked into the generations that are closer at hand, because you ‘already know them’. This is the spot that Family Tree Talk podcast co-host Nathan Ward found himself in this week. Tune in as he and Helen Tovey share ideas for gathering clues about those family members that people remember…
Not doing as much family history as you want?
Not doing as much family history as you want? Jun 15, 2026 2584 ‘Don't beat yourself up for not doing as much family history as you want,’ says podcast cohost Nathan Ward. ‘Yes, even if you're doing a little, you're still winning,’ agrees Helen Tovey.Join Nathan and Helen this week for your next dose of family history chat - and encouragement to keep going, even when it can feel as though you have the world of genealogy tasks you’d like to do. When that sense
How the family history community makes all the difference
How the family history community makes all the difference Jun 8, 2026 2571 Join podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey for genealogy chat. This week Nathan Ward is continuing on the trail of his great-grand uncle Alexander MacKay. Feeling a little stuck where to turn next, he tentatively asked listeners for help… and they have come up trumps. Tune in for family history discoveries, learning points, and to see how a family history helping hand makes all the differenc
Why is it so difficult sometimes?
Why is it so difficult sometimes? Jun 1, 2026 2391 Once we start on family history we all soon realise that it’s not that easy-breezy experience that we sometimes see portrayed on the telly. But, nonetheless, it can shake our confidence in our ability if we can’t find the info we need. This week on Family Tree Talk, cohost Nathan Ward weighs up the info he’s found, and not found, with Helen Tovey. Has he forgotten those family history search skill

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