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Artwork for Ancestor's Footprints

Ancestor's Footprints with Bernice Alexander Bennett

Bernice Alexander Bennett
Genealogy
African American History
Slavery
Black History
African American Genealogy
Dr. Matilda Evans
Plantation History
Family History
DNA Testing
Identity
Louisiana
Civil War
Homestead Act Of 1862
Midwest African American Genealogy Institute
Early County Massacre
Racial Justice
Community History
University Of South Carolina
Preventive Medicine
Family Legacy

Welcome to Ancestor's Footprints—the podcast where the past comes alive! Whether you're a curious beginner, an avid genealogist, or someone who believes that uncovering family history is a lifelong journey, this show is for you. With each episode, we'll bring you incredible stories, expert insights, and practical tips to help you trace your roots and connect with your heritage. I’ve lined up passi... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes367Founded14 years ago
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Artwork for Ancestor's Footprints

Latest Episodes

"The Story Lives On: Tracing Freedom, Faith, and Family Through Generations."

Today's episode will feature Carol Turner who is a descendant of the historic Quander, Carter, Ford, Jasper, Lucas, Robinson, and Cherokee families. Her ancestry includes ... more

Ancestor's Footprints is featuring author Terry J. Ligon’s groundbreaking book "Enslaved on the Trail of Tears: Race, Removal, and the Transformation of Indian Territory." His research challenges common oversimplifications about the Trail of Tears by... more

The Choctaw Freedmen of Skullyville - Uncovering an Oklahoma Ghost Town

This episode will explore the story of Skullyville a once-thriving capital of the Choctaw Nation that faded into obscurity. Unlike the freedmen communities in Spiro, Fort Coffee... more

Today's episode features a new book: Behind the Gavel: Lessons from Chief Justice Bernette J. Johnson. This book is co-authored by Chief Justice Bernette J. Johnson and the Honorable KaTrina Chantele Griffin.”

“This inspiring book introduces young r... more

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Recent Guests

Terry J. Ligon
Historian, genealogist, researcher, and author
African American Genealogical Society of Northern California; Choctaw Chickasaw Freedmen Association
Episode: Enslaved on the Trail of Tears with Terry J. Ligon
KaTrina Chantelle Griffin
Author, community advocate, and public servant
Orleans Parish School Board
Episode: Behind the Gavel- Lessons from Chief Justice Bernette J. Johnson and KaTrina Chantelle Griffin
Bernette Johnson
Chief Justice, Louisiana Supreme Court (retired)
Louisiana judiciary
Episode: Behind the Gavel- Lessons from Chief Justice Bernette J. Johnson and KaTrina Chantelle Griffin
Rick Voight
CEO and Co-Founder of Vivid-Pix; Publisher of Reunions Magazine
Vivid-Pix
Episode: Memories That Heal: How Family Stories and Photos Can Support Healthy Aging with Rick Voight
Warren Eugene Milteer Jr.
Associate Professor of History at George Washington University; award-winning scholar and author
George Washington University
Episode: Freedom in the Age of Slavery: A History of Free People of Color in Virginia with Warren Eugene Milteer Jr.
Andrew Lawler
Acclaimed journalist
Author of A Perfect Frenzy
Episode: 1776: The Forgotten Fight for Freedom with Andrew Lawler
Michael A. Willis
Award-winning author, speaker, consultant, blogger, and genealogy instructor
Independent genealogist with focus on Louisiana research
Episode: When Your Ancestors Choose You: Finding Binky with Michael A. Willis
Adriene Holder
Chief Attorney of the Civil Practice at the Legal Aid Society; third great-granddaughter of Celia
Legal Aid Society; Celia Newsom Legacy Foundation
Episode: Celia: Justice After Death with Adriene Holder, Esq., and Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge
Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge
Second great granddaughter of Celia; founding president of the Celia Newsom Legacy Foundation
Celia Newsom Legacy Foundation
Episode: Celia: Justice After Death with Adriene Holder, Esq., and Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge

Host

Bernice Alexander Bennett
Host of Ancestor's Footprints; interview-based genealogy show focusing on family history, archival research, and historical context.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 42 ratings
  • Well-presented wealth of information

    Ms. Bernice Alexander Bennett is a warm and articulate host who selects fascinating guests and is a wonderful interviewer. I find value in every show and am very thankful for this resource.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WeAreNotAmusedEither
    United States5 months ago
  • Great show

    I absolutely love this show. It offers information, wonderful interviews, and encouragement to people interested in researching their family or community. Bravo and I love Bernice’s voice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Texas Olivia Pope
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great Show about not

    Great Show about not only about family history but our American History.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Saffronia66
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great show!

    Always interesting!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tap529
    United States11 years ago
  • Gr8 podcast

    Its a gem of a program with far reaching topics and guests. The host is an absolute joy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Abio_H
    United States11 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the host's warmth and strong interviewing style.
The show is consistently engaging and informative for both beginners and pros.
Guests cover a wide range of history topics with depth and accessibility.
Episodes are informative and encourage active genealogical research.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Enslaved on the Trail of Tears with Terry J. Ligon
Q: So let's start off with, many people learn about the Trail of Tears in a very simplified way. What are some of the myths or oversimplifications that your book challenges?
The episode challenges the idea that removal was only a Cherokee Nation event or a single, uniform march, highlighting multiple tribes, routes, and the central role of enslaved people who accompanied native households; it also debunks the myth of nameless enslaved individuals by showing how these lives can be named through careful archival work.
The Choctaw Freedmen of Skullyville with Angela Walton-Raji
Q: What resources helped you reconstruct these stories besides the Dawes rolls?
She highlights WPA Slave Narratives' Oklahoma counterpart, the Indian Pioneer Project, and various local archives that together reveal interviews, school records, church histories, and personal narratives of Freedmen in Skullyville.
The Choctaw Freedmen of Skullyville with Angela Walton-Raji
Q: What first inspired you to research and write about the Choctaw Freedmen of Skullyville?
Her discovery began with family history—finding enrollment records and recognizing surnames tied to Skullyville, which led her to explore a broader, underrepresented history of Freedmen in the Choctaw Nation and the lasting legacies of those communities.
Freedom in the Age of Slavery: A History of Free People of Color in Virginia with Warren Eugene Milteer Jr.
Q: What motivated you to write this book, Freedom in the Age of Slavery, A History of Free People of Color in Virginia?
I wanted to address a gap in the historical record by examining Virginia's long-standing and influential yet underexplored population of free people of color, and to place their experiences within the broader evolution of laws and social structures across the state and region.
When Your Ancestors Choose You: Finding Binky with Michael A. Willis
Q: How did the discovery of Binkey shape your research approach?
Finding Binkey and the realization that she and others were connected to larger property and family networks compelled me to shift from simply enumerating people to tracing property, kinship, and business ties that defined enslaved communities and their enslavers.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ancestor's Footprints

What is Ancestor's Footprints about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A genealogy-focused show that centers on personal histories, archival research, and community memory. Across episodes, conversations with historians, genealogists, and educators explore enslaved ancestry, emancipation, race, trauma-informed healing, and how to turn family stories into public history. Notable throughlines include meticulous archival methods, intergenerational storytelling, and practical tips for tracing lineage and reclaiming narratives; several guests bring legal, educational, or civic angles to preserve and honor heritage. The format often pairs narrative family histories with broader historical context, making it engaging for both dedicated researchers and curious newcomers.

A standout aspect is the consistent emphasis o... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Ancestor's Footprints?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ancestor's Footprints:

1. Conversations with Kenyatta
2. The Daily
3. IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
4. DNA Surprises
5. The Don Lemon Show

How many episodes of Ancestor's Footprints are there?

Ancestor's Footprints launched 14 years ago and published 367 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Ancestor's Footprints?

Recent guests on Ancestor's Footprints include:

1. Terry J. Ligon
2. KaTrina Chantelle Griffin
3. Bernette Johnson
4. Rick Voight
5. Warren Eugene Milteer Jr.
6. Andrew Lawler
7. Michael A. Willis
8. Adriene Holder

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