26 episodes

A "brick-wall"  DIY genealogy podcast that features your questions and Kathleen Brandt's answers. She wants your stories, questions, and “brick walls”.   But be ready to add to your "to-do" list.  As Kathleen always says, this is a Do it yourself (DIY) genealogy podcast. “I'll show you where the shovel is, but I'm not digging up your family.”  Maybe, you have no idea where to start searching for an ancestor. Or, perhaps you want to know more about your family folklore. Host Kathleen has 20 years in the industry and is the founder of a3genealogy. She's able to dispense genealogy research advice and encouragement in understandable terms that won't get you lost in genealogy jargon. Along with her husband and co-host, John, she helps you accomplish "do-it-yourself" research goals, learn some history, and have a bit of fun along the way. Light-hearted and full of detailed info, Hittin' the Bricks is your solution for your brick-wall research problems.

Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen Kathleen Brandt

    • Education
    • 5.0 • 4 Ratings

A "brick-wall"  DIY genealogy podcast that features your questions and Kathleen Brandt's answers. She wants your stories, questions, and “brick walls”.   But be ready to add to your "to-do" list.  As Kathleen always says, this is a Do it yourself (DIY) genealogy podcast. “I'll show you where the shovel is, but I'm not digging up your family.”  Maybe, you have no idea where to start searching for an ancestor. Or, perhaps you want to know more about your family folklore. Host Kathleen has 20 years in the industry and is the founder of a3genealogy. She's able to dispense genealogy research advice and encouragement in understandable terms that won't get you lost in genealogy jargon. Along with her husband and co-host, John, she helps you accomplish "do-it-yourself" research goals, learn some history, and have a bit of fun along the way. Light-hearted and full of detailed info, Hittin' the Bricks is your solution for your brick-wall research problems.

    Researching Military Records: Meet Expert Lori

    Researching Military Records: Meet Expert Lori

    We kick off Season 4 of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen covering military research at the National Archives, St. Louis with Lori Berdak Miller of Redbird Research.
    What if your ancestor's military personnel records were lost in the 1973  Fire? 
    Lori gives hints on reconstructing these lost records.
    Her passion as a document retriever and military researcher shines through as she shares her finds within these military archival records.
    Contact Lori at Redbird Research





    Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: Off the Wall with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials.

    Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
    Thanks to MyHeritage for their generous support to Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen! Follow us on social media and subscribe to HTB with Kathleen in order to enter your name in our monthly MyHeritage Complete Package giveaway starting Jan 2024!

    • 25 min
    Subscribe and Win: Special Offer

    Subscribe and Win: Special Offer

    Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: Off the Wall with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials.

    Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
    Thanks to MyHeritage for their generous support to Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen! Follow us on social media and subscribe to HTB with Kathleen in order to enter your name in our monthly MyHeritage Complete Package giveaway starting Jan 2024!

    • 1 min
    Genealogy in Black & White

    Genealogy in Black & White

    Is Black and White genealogy research different?

    John dropped by the office to have a chat with Kathleen.  It gets personal!
    linktr.ee/hittinthebricks 
    Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: Off the Wall with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials.

    Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
    Thanks to MyHeritage for their generous support to Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen! Follow us on social media and subscribe to HTB with Kathleen in order to enter your name in our monthly MyHeritage Complete Package giveaway starting Jan 2024!

    • 26 min
    A Grave Situation: Buried on the Farm

    A Grave Situation: Buried on the Farm

    Have you ever hit a brickwall in your family history research that seemed insurmountable? Howard Murray joined us from Colorado to trace his elusive two times great-grandmother Francis/Frances. She vanished from records between 1880 and 1900. Our HTB with Kathleen conversation offers strategies that you may use to leap over similar hurdles.

    Surprise: Family ties emerge as Howard and Kathleen uncover their shared DNA connection from Saline County, Missouri and Pratt County, KS ancestors. 

    Our chat with Howard is an episode you won't want to miss. Join us and possibly find the missing piece in your family legacy!
    Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: Off the Wall with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials.

    Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
    Thanks to MyHeritage for their generous support to Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen! Follow us on social media and subscribe to HTB with Kathleen in order to enter your name in our monthly MyHeritage Complete Package giveaway starting Jan 2024!

    • 26 min
    Placing Out Children: Riders of the Orphan Trains

    Placing Out Children: Riders of the Orphan Trains

    Researching your ancestor was "placed out" during the orphan train movement of 1854 - 1920's? Brace yourself for an episode that might just reshape how you research this pivotal, yet shadowy, segment of American history.

    John questions Kathleen on the transport of children bustling East Coast cities to all 48 states.  No state was missed as the trains traversed the heartland's rural expanses to the reach the southern and western states.

    Kathleen brings a wealth of knowledge to our conversation, casting a light on the diverse tapestry of experiences faced by the orphaned children.  John is also seeking more information on his half-brother, Bob, who grew up within the walls of a boys' "boarding home" rather than the family homes.

    This episode doesn't just recount the past; it connects us to the human stories that continue to echo through time.

    Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen is supported by our generous sponsors:
         MyHeritage.com
         Caymus Vineyards, CA
    & Private Donors to TracingAncestors.com
    Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: Off the Wall with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials.

    Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
    Thanks to MyHeritage for their generous support to Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen! Follow us on social media and subscribe to HTB with Kathleen in order to enter your name in our monthly MyHeritage Complete Package giveaway starting Jan 2024!

    • 24 min
    Preserving Our Heritage: Supporting Local Genealogy Societies

    Preserving Our Heritage: Supporting Local Genealogy Societies

    Ever wondered how the unsung heroes of local genealogy societies are keeping the threads of local history and culture alive and their doors open? Kathleen uncovers the rich tapestry of contributions local societies.  By the end of our talk, you'll value these small genealogy societies not just as repositories of the past, but as vibrant storytellers preserving our collective legacy.

    Here is the link to the article:
    Don't Let It Happen to Genealogy Societies.

    Join us in supporting our local genealogical societies. 


    Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: Off the Wall with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials.

    Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.
    Thanks to MyHeritage for their generous support to Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen! Follow us on social media and subscribe to HTB with Kathleen in order to enter your name in our monthly MyHeritage Complete Package giveaway starting Jan 2024!

    • 27 min

Customer Reviews

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4 Ratings

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