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Artwork for Ancestor's Footprints

Ancestor's Footprints with Bernice Alexander Bennett

Bernice Alexander Bennett
Genealogy
African American History
Slavery
Plantation History
Historical Interpretation
Louisiana
Public Perception Of Slavery
Homestead Act Of 1862
Isley Walden
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Moses Williams
Family Legacy
Land Ownership
American Missionary Association
Parchman Farm Prison
DNA Testing
Resilience
Civil Rights Movement
New Orleans
Mississippi

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes367Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryPersonal JournalsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Ancestor's Footprints

Latest Episodes

"Our Claiborne Parish: A Family History Research Project of Communal Kinship” traces the evolution of a family-led inquiry into a community-centered preservation model.Tracing six generations in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, her work has become a livi... more

Gather at the Table: The Healing Journey of a Daughter of Slavery and a Son of the Slave Trade is the chronicle of a shared journey toward racial reconciliation. Informed by genealogy, it deals with race, social justice and healing from the traumatic... more

Building Justice Through Ancestry: Archives, DNA and the New Infrastructure for Liberation

This episode will focus on how genealogy and ancestry research can serve as tools for justice and liberation, particularly for Black and Brown communities acr... more

Becoming a Good Relative shares remedies for the debilitating shame that can overtake white Americans when we face our peoples’ colonial past and our current complicity with systemic white supremacy. It offers a unique methodology, supported by Afric... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Regina Califa Calloway
Founder and creative director of nzoCALIFA Presents LLC; leader of Our Claiborne Parish project
nzoCALIFA Presents LLC
Episode: Our Claiborne Parish: Family History Project of Communal Kinship with Regina Califa Calloway
Sharon Leslie Morgan
Avid genealogist and founder/webmaster for ourblackancestry.com
ourblackancestry.com
Episode: Gather at the Table Revisited with Sharon Morgan and Thomas Norman Dewolf
Thomas Norman Dewolf
Author of Inheriting the Trade; featured in Traces of the Trade
Traces of the Trade / Coming to the Table
Episode: Gather at the Table Revisited with Sharon Morgan and Thomas Norman Dewolf
Christopher Smothers
Historian and genealogist working on issues of ancestral reclamation and justice
Descendants United (Director)
Episode: Building Justice Through Ancestry with Christopher Smothers
Hilary Giovale
Author and speaker focusing on racial healing and accountability.
Episode: Becoming A Good Relative with Hilary Giovale
Kathy Lynn Marshall
Author and genealogical detective uncovering her family's history.
Author of Finding Grammie's Secrets
Episode: Finding Grammie's Secrets with Kathy Lynne Marshall
Ric Murphy
Historian, educator, author, and filmmaker
Society of the First African Families of English America
Episode: America's Forgotten Patriots of the Northern Theater with Ric Murphy
Melanie S. Morrison
Author, speaker, and racial justice educator with decades of anti-racist work experience.
Duke University Press
Episode: Becoming Trustworthy White Allies with Melanie S. Morrison
Melvin J. Collier
An award-winning genealogy researcher, blogger, speaker, and author with over 30 years of experience, specializing in enslaved ancestor research
Episode: From Fragments to Foundation with Melvin J. Collier

Host

Bernice Alexander Bennett
Host of Ancestor's Footprints

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 Statesa month 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 States10 months 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.

Not just about family history, but about American history as a whole.
The host has a great online presence and makes episodes engaging.
Great show with wonderful interviews and helpful research tips.
Always interesting and well-produced.
Well-presented wealth of information and a warm host who selects fascinating guests.
A gem of a program with far-reaching topics and an engaging host.

Top History Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Gather at the Table Revisited with Sharon Morgan and Thomas Norman Dewolf
Q: What does reconciliation look like in practical terms, beyond just being nice to one another?
Reconciliation is the outcome of honest history, restorative justice, and authentic relationships; it requires ongoing, courageous work, accountability, and actions that address harms, not just words or sentiment.
Gather at the Table Revisited with Sharon Morgan and Thomas Norman Dewolf
Q: How did the experience affect your relationship and your understanding of each other as people from different backgrounds?
The process forced us to be brutally honest, confront biases, and learn to communicate openly about fears and judgments; watching each other's humanity emerge in places of tension helped deepen trust and reshaped our perspectives on race and history.
Gather at the Table Revisited with Sharon Morgan and Thomas Norman Dewolf
Q: What were you hoping to achieve by the 6,000-mile journey and how did you begin outlining your path?
We mapped out personal genealogies to identify places our ancestors came from, created an itinerary, and decided to test the healing model in real life through direct, sustained dialogue and shared experiences, even though it was difficult and sometimes uncomfortable.
Building Justice Through Ancestry with Christopher Smothers
Q: How can archival records and DNA support things like land claims and heirship property recognition?
They provide lineage proof which is essential for legitimizing claims related to ancestry and property.
Building Justice Through Ancestry with Christopher Smothers
Q: What does it look like to build real infrastructure for this kind of research across government agencies, archives, and public institutions?
Infrastructure involves not just systems, but people supporting a common goal, ensuring access to historical records.

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?

This show centers on genealogy, family history, and community storytelling, often weaving personal recollections with broader historical context. Episodes frequently explore archival research, DNA in lineage work, and reparative justice or reconciliation themes, featuring genealogists, historians, and authors who help listeners trace lineage, uncover hidden narratives, and connect individual families to larger social histories. A notable strength is the willingness to tackle difficult topics—racial history, trauma-informed research, and ethical storytelling—while offering practical tips for building archives, reading records, and elevating marginalized voices. The format and guest roster suggest a strong appeal to serious hobbyists and prof... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Ancestor's Footprints?

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

1. IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
2. Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen
3. The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast
4. Ancestral Findings
5. Ancestors and Algorithms: AI for Genealogy

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. Regina Califa Calloway
2. Sharon Leslie Morgan
3. Thomas Norman Dewolf
4. Christopher Smothers
5. Hilary Giovale
6. Kathy Lynn Marshall
7. Ric Murphy
8. Melanie S. Morrison

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