Fade To White

Jill Sim

5.0 (1)
History

The Secret History of an American Family.

10h ago

Early Groundwork

“In genealogy, you start with yourself and work your way backwards…” In March, 1997, Jill Sim writes an email to Vassar College, which had graduated both her grandmother and great-grandmother. Jill learns from Vassar’s Alumnae Association that her great-grandmother Anita Hemmings is considered the first African American graduate of the school. This prompts Jill to reach out to the New England Genealogical Historical Society (NEHGS) in Boston to learn something about Anita’s background, and her parents.
Jul 18

Ellen

In Episode Two, we look at the childhoods of Jill Sim's grandmother, Ellen, and her two siblings, Andy and Barbara, raised as solidly white middle class after their parents, Dr. Andrew and Anita Hemmings Love, make the decision to leave Boston and pass as white.
Jul 4

Family Secret

On June 18, 1994, Ellen Love, a former Broadway actress, dies from a fall in her hotel room. Jill Sim, her granddaughter, and researcher, writer, and host of the Fade to White Podcast, learns that her white grandmother had a black grandfather. The discovery will lead Jill on a thirty-year personal journey to uncover the full story of her white family’s rich black history. Music Notes: Original Music by Al Sim: "Mystery 3" "Mystery 1" "Cold Case Blues" "March of the War Gods" "No One I Know" (Instr.) "Surveillant" "1970s New York Percussion Break" Fair Use: Sample: Tommy Edwards, "It's All in the Game," 1958. Saint Saens, Le Cygne, from Carnivaux des Animaux, 1886. Max Bruch, Scottish Fantasy, Op.46, 1880. Other Incidental Music, Courtesy Pixabay Free to Use Music: "Sad Background Music" - Sound Gallery by Dimitri Taras "Blue Ridge Mountain" - Acousticeeg "Up With the Sun" - Primal House Music

3 Episodes

The Secret History of an American Family.

Creator

Jill Sim
Years Active

2026
Episodes

3
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Jill Sim 2026
Show Website

Fade To White