Know Your Ancestors

Megan Hillyer

I’m Megan Hillyer, professional genealogist and host of Know Your Ancestors. This podcast is about more than building a family tree, it’s about discovering the strength, belonging, and healing that come from knowing your lineage. Each episode is an invitation to explore the power of your ancestors’ lives and how their stories can shape and guide your own. At its heart, this podcast is about one truth: when you know your ancestors, you know yourself.

  1. 1D AGO

    An Origin Initiation: Charlie Eve’s East London Roots

    Watch on YouTube Ep 61: Public historian Charlie Eve (@thehistorymagpie) spends his days uncovering hidden stories from Britain’s past — but what happens when the history turns personal? In this episode, Charlie joins me to talk about working-class history, storytelling, and why ordinary lives matter just as much as kings and wars. Then, I guide him through an Origin Initiation — a focused exploration into his own East London family line. In just a few hours of research, we uncover industrial brickfields, shipyard labour, crowded households, early loss, and lingering questions that still shape the generations that followed. This conversation isn’t just about records.It’s about identity.About place.About understanding where you fit in the larger human story. If you’ve ever wondered what your own family line might reveal, this episode will leave you thinking. Follow Charlie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehistorymagpie TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehistorymagpie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578938292994 If you'd like to book your own Origin Initiation, go here: https://knowyourancestors.co/origin Follow Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganhillyer TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meganhillyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganhillyer/

    49 min

  2. FEB 25

    Your Origin Story (Part 2): Immigration, Trauma & Generational Patterns

    Watch on YouTube Ep 60: Last week, I talked about inheriting traits from our ancestors. In this episode, we go deeper. Your Origin Story isn’t just about noticing patterns — it’s about exploring the full arc of your lineage. We look at immigration, occupation, land, trauma, resilience, and the historical forces that shaped the lives of your direct-line ancestors. Because when you understand what they lived through, you begin to understand yourself differently. In this episode, I share: What a 4, 5, or 6-generation Origin Story actually includesHow occupations across generations can reveal patternsWhat immigration years can tell us about push-pull factorsHow land, colonization, and displacement fit into your storyThe role of trauma and epigenetics in generational inheritanceWhat integration and guided connection look like This isn't a printed family tree. It's multi-month, multi-generational research and integration work - bringing context, narrative, and meaning to the people who shaped you. Ready to Begin? All Origin Stories begin with an Origin Initiation. We meet to clarify your goals, and I complete 2–3 hours of focused research to see what’s possible in your lineage. Origin Initiation is currently $297 and increases to $500 on March 1. Learn more or book your spot: https://knowyourancestors.co/origin Mentioned in this episode: Podcast with Mark Wolynn: Your Family's Suppressed Trauma Is Affecting You + How to Heal it For GoodRootstech: March 5-7 in SLC or Online Connect with me: Instagram TikTok Facebook

    21 min

  3. FEB 18

    You’re Not Random: Understanding Your Origin Story

    Ep 59: In this episode, I share pieces of my own origin story — from growing up with large family reunions that gave me a deep sense of belonging, to recognizing patterns of builders, dreamers, and problem-solvers in my lineage. We inherit more than eye color and last names. We inherit strengths, sensitivities, relationship patterns, endurance, and instincts. When we understand where we come from, something settles inside of us. We stop asking “What’s wrong with me?” and start asking “What lives in me?” If you’re curious about exploring your own origin story, we begin with an Origin Initiation — a done-for-you lineage mapping session where we uncover the strengths, patterns, and possibilities in your family line. Right now, Origin Initiation is $297, and the price will be increasing in March. Learn more or reserve your spot at:https://knowyourancestors.co/origin You didn’t begin at zero. You began mid-story. Follow me on IG Follow me on TikTok Follow me on FB

    16 min

  4. FEB 11

    FamilySearch vs Ancestry: Tips for getting started with both

    Ep 58: When people start researching their family tree, one of the first questions I hear is: Should I use FamilySearch or Ancestry? In this episode, I’m walking you through the real differences between these two platforms, how each one works, and why I personally use both in my own research. I recorded this episode because I see so much confusion — and honestly, a lot of frustration — when people are just getting started. I want you to understand how online family trees actually work, why hints aren’t proof, where records really live, and how to research in a way that’s accurate, meaningful, and respectful to your ancestors. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unsure, or worried you’re “doing it wrong,” this episode is for you. In This Episode, I Talk About: The differences between FamilySearch and Ancestry (and why neither is “better”)Collaborative vs. private family trees — and the pros and cons of eachWhy hints can’t be trusted without verificationHow misinformation spreads in online family treesWhere genealogical records are actually keptA simple, focused way to research one ancestor at a time Want Support as You Research? Know Your Family Tree If you want to learn how to build your family tree from the ground up, this course walks you step by step through the research process — where to look, how to evaluate records, and how to build a tree you can trust. Use code SAVE100 to get $100 off Know Your Ancestor This course is for when you’re ready to go deeper. We move beyond names and dates into your ancestor’s lived experience — what shaped them, what they carried, and how their story still lives in you. It also includes a research library to help you find meaningful records along the way. Use code SAVE100 to get $100 off ✨ Origin Initiation (The Starting Point for Working With Me 1:1) Origin Initiation is the starting point for all of my one-on-one clients. This is where we begin if you want me to work directly with you on your family tree. In this session, I research your lineage, help verify key connections, and give you clarity on what’s already there — and what’s possible to uncover next. It’s designed to help you get grounded, oriented, and confident in your family tree before going deeper. Some people use Origin Initiation as a powerful stand-alone experience. Others continue on into deeper research and storytelling work with me afterward. Either way, this is where we start. Link: https://knowyourancestors.co/origin A few spots are still available at the current price before it increases. Let’s Stay Connected If you have questions, episode ideas, or topics you’d love me to cover, come find me on social media — I’d love to hear from you. Instagram TikTok

    19 min

  5. FEB 4

    Reclaim Your Heritage: A class on ancestry, resilience, and the stories that shaped you

    Ep 57: What if understanding your ancestors could help you feel more grounded and supported in your life today? In this episode, I’m sharing a recorded class where I introduce a new way of approaching genealogy — not just as research, but as a way to understand patterns, resilience, and meaning across generations. You’ll be introduced to my Rooted Lineage Method, a 5-step framework for exploring your family tree in a way that reveals both trauma and strength — and helps you integrate what you discover into how you understand yourself. In this class, you’ll explore: - Why genealogy is about more than names and dates - How ancestral trauma and resilience show up in family lines - What it looks like to move from records → patterns → integration - How learning your lineage can change how you see yourself I also share a real client example, showing how done-for-you research uncovered powerful family patterns — and how those insights were integrated in a deeply personal way. Want to go deeper? 🌱 Origin Initiation (Done-for-You Research) If you want your family history researched for you, Origin Initiation is the first step. I handle the research, then meet with you before and after to clarify your goals, share what was found, and help you integrate what emerges. 👉 Learn more and reserve a spot before the price increases:https://knowyourancestors.co/origin 📚 Prefer a DIY path? Explore your lineage on your own with my online courses: Know Your Family Tree Know Your Ancestor 🎁 Use code SAVE100 for $100 off either course: 👉 https://knowyourancestors.co/courses Follow me on Instagram @meganhillyer Follow me on Tiktok @meganhillyer

    35 min

  6. JAN 28

    The Woman Her Family Tried to Forget with Jessica Rae

    Ep 56: What do you do when one census record changes how you see your entire family? In this episode, I’m joined by Jessica Rae, who shares the powerful and unsettling story of her second great-grandmother, Susan—an ancestor who spent more than 30 years in a state mental hospital and was largely erased from family memory. What started as casual genealogy research turned into a year-long search through census records, archives, sealed court documents, and uncomfortable truths. Along the way, Jessica uncovered poverty, abuse, loss, institutionalization, and a legacy of silence—but also a deep sense of purpose in telling Susan’s story. We talk about: ✔️ The moment Jessica realized her ancestor was institutionalized ✔️ Why some family stories are hidden—and what that hiding costs future generations ✔️ How intuition plays a role in genealogy research ✔️ The connection between generational trauma, mental health, and silence ✔️ What it looks like to honor an ancestor when you may never get all the answers This conversation is tender, heavy, and deeply human. It’s about more than genealogy—it’s about remembrance, justice, and refusing to let women like Susan disappear from history. If listening to this episode stirs something in you—if you feel a pull to understand your own ancestors, their experiences, and how their lives still shape yours—I’m hosting a free live class this week called Reclaim Your Heritage. Reclaim Your Heritage 📅 Thursday, January 29 ⏰ 10am MST / 12pm EST 📍 Live on Zoom (replay included) In this class, I’ll show you how to begin uncovering your lineage in a way that goes beyond names and dates, understand the lives your ancestors lived, and start accessing the strength and wisdom that lives there. You can register here:👉 https://knowyourancestors.co/reclaim You can also find and follow Jessica on Instagram and TikTok (links below), where she continues to share Susan’s story and amplify the voices of other women whose histories were buried. Follow Jessica on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@its_jessica_rae_ Follow Jessica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_jessica_rae/ Follow Megan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganhillyer

    46 min

  7. JAN 21

    Reclaiming Heritage in a Time of Disconnection

    Ep 55: Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about heritage, belonging, and what happens when culture slowly disappears. This episode isn’t about politics. It’s about something quieter, and deeper. What happens when people stop speaking their language? When traditions aren’t passed down? When we don’t know where we come from — and start wondering if we even have a culture at all? In this episode, I share a personal family story, reflect on assimilation and identity, and explore why reconnecting with your lineage can be a powerful way to feel rooted, grounded, and more compassionate in the world. If this resonates, I’m also teaching a free class called Reclaim Your Heritage where I’ll walk you through how to start researching your family tree, understanding your ancestors’ lives, and reclaiming the strength and wisdom in your lineage. 🗓 Free Class: Reclaim Your Heritage 🔗 Register here: https://knowyourancestors.co/reclaim(Replay available if you can’t attend live) Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/meganhillyer

    14 min

  8. JAN 14

    What Your Birth Chart Reveals About Your Lineage with Melanie Marisol

    Ep 54: What if your birth chart holds clues about your ancestors, your family patterns, and even the roles you’re here to play in this lifetime? In this episode, I’m joined by Melanie Marisol, an ancestral astrologer who helps people understand their lineage through the lens of astrology—specifically the fourth house, the part of the chart connected to family, roots, and ancestry. We talk about: How astrology can reveal inherited family patterns (both challenges and gifts) Why so many people feel blocked in life when family dynamics go unexamined The difference between ancestral trauma and ancestral wisdom How Melanie uses astrology as a neutral tool to make sense of family experiences What it means to reconnect with your cultural roots without appropriating others European indigeneity, myth, and remembering where your people came from Why knowing your lineage can actually bring clarity, confidence, and direction Melanie also generously walks me through my own birth chart, explaining how astrology can validate intuition, remove unnecessary guilt, and help us trust the path we’re already on. If you’ve been feeling a pull toward your ancestors—or wondering why certain family patterns keep repeating—this episode opens a powerful doorway. ✨ Ready to begin your own journey? If you’re feeling called to explore your lineage more intentionally, you can start with Origin Initiation — a gentle, guided way to begin understanding where you come from and how it shapes you. 👉 https://knowyourancestors.co/origin Connect with Melanie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iammelaniemarisol/ Email: melanie {at} melaniemarisol {dot} com Free Gift: https://thelineagerevival.com/pages/gift As always, you don’t need a perfect family tree to begin. Curiosity is enough. Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/meganhillyer/

    53 min
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

I’m Megan Hillyer, professional genealogist and host of Know Your Ancestors. This podcast is about more than building a family tree, it’s about discovering the strength, belonging, and healing that come from knowing your lineage. Each episode is an invitation to explore the power of your ancestors’ lives and how their stories can shape and guide your own. At its heart, this podcast is about one truth: when you know your ancestors, you know yourself.

Information

  • Creator
    Megan Hillyer
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Megan Hillyer
  • Show Website
    Know Your Ancestors

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