How We Got Here Genealogy - Because Every Family Has a Story

Brian Nash
  • 4.8 (9)
  • History
  • Updated Biweekly

Exploring Genealogy and Family History. Family Historian Genealogist Brian Nash speaks to guests about their family or local history stories. As a genealogist, Brian focuses on the people, places, and events that make up people's family stories. Brian is a genealogist who started working on his own family tree over 30 years ago and has been able to trace one family line back to as early as 950 AD. Brian traces his own family from Scotland and Ireland to the New World where they wound up in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the 18th and 19th centuries. In some cases, they fled their homela

  1. May 1

    Black Sheep and Silver Foxes:The Dark Side of PEI’s Famous Industry

    Genealogist Brian Nash sits down with Laurie Langford to unravel a jaw-dropping family secret hidden within the history of Prince Edward Island. When Laurie began researching her great-grandfather, Benjamin Isaac Rayner, she expected to find standard genealogical records. Instead, she uncovered the scandalous life of a wealthy pioneer in PEI's highly lucrative silver fox industry.From cornering the market with the secretive "Big Six Combine" to leaving a trail of faked bankruptcies and Supreme Court battles, Rayner’s life was anything but ordinary. Laurie shares the unvarnished truth about her ancestor, detailing the first divorce on the Island dissolved by an Act of Parliament, a devastating 1931 car accident that created lasting Canadian case law, and the story of how he won Nantucket real estate in a high-stakes poker game.It’s a fascinating exploration of wealth, historic Canadian scandals, and the reality that the "black sheep" of the family often leaves behind the most compelling paper trail.In this episode, we cover:The Big Six Combine: How six men kept their silver fox breeding methods—and millions of dollars—a closely guarded secret.Making Case Law: The dramatic legal fallout of a 1931 car crash and Rayner's desperate attempts to hide his wealth to avoid paying damages.A Scandalous Separation: The intense legal hurdles behind getting a divorce on Prince Edward Island in the early 20th century.The Good vs. Evil of the Fox Boom: A look at a fascinating 1933 newspaper article that perfectly captured the duality of the industry's pioneers.Resources Mentioned:A Magnificent Gift Declined by CusackThe International Fox Museum (Summerside, PEI)The Rainer Handbook (Laurie's academic project on her family's history)Connect with the Show:Website: howwegothere.caBook a Free 30-Minute Consultation: bookings.howwegothere.caListen on Spotify: How We Got Here PodcastWatch on YouTube: @HowWeGotHere

    1h 8m

  2. Mar 30

    The Lies You Believe About Your Settler Ancestors

    Ready to restart your family research journey and get on the right path? Book your free strategy call for The Family Historian Roadmap: https://www.howwegothere.ca/roadmap Stop relying on unverified hints, and let's map out your next steps to build a heavily sourced, accurate family tree Were your ancestors elite settlers, or were they displaced survivors? The history we are taught often skips over the brutal reality of cultural erasure, forced migrations, and the Clearances that sent our Scottish and Irish ancestors fleeing to Atlantic Canada. In this episode, I sit down with independent genealogical researcher Zita White to dismantle the myths surrounding our Celtic roots. We dive into the massive educational gap regarding the displacement of early settlers, why Ancestry hints might be leading you down the wrong path, and what your DNA results actually mean for your family tree. What we cover in this episode: The Ancestry Trap: Why platform hints are not facts and how to audit your family tree. Hidden Identities: Why your ancestors may have hidden their Irish roots for equal opportunity. The Reality of the Clearances: Arriving as refugees rather than colonizers. Decoding DNA: Understanding migration patterns vs. the myth of royal succession. Connect with Zita White: The People’s Chronicle-Annapolis Valley: [https://www.facebook.com/share/1DX3Y9ukAo/?mibextid=wwXIfr](https://www.facebook.com/share/1DX3Y9ukAo/?mibextid=wwXIfr) House of Lore Photography (Facebook): [https://www.facebook.com/share/1CbfLpZKxn/?mibextid=wwXIfr](https://www.facebook.com/share/1CbfLpZKxn/?mibextid=wwXIfr) House of Lore Photography (TikTok): @houseoflorephotography Books by Zita (Unrelated to Genealogy): Discover Yourself: [https://a.co/d/09aN4Dm0](https://a.co/d/09aN4Dm0) Get Your Shit together: [https://a.co/d/01IA8vIs](https://a.co/d/01IA8vIs) 28 Days of Self-Reflection: [https://a.co/d/0akS0HMh](https://a.co/d/0akS0HMh) How We Got Here: Genealogy is hosted by family historian Brian Nash. Brian helps people not just trace their family tree, but understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make up their family's unique story. CONNECT & SUPPORT: ☕ Support the Channel (Buy Me a Coffee): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/howwegothere 🙋 Ask a Genealogy Question: Visit https://ask.howwegothere.ca/ or email ask@howwegothere.ca About Brian Nash Brian Nash is a family historian and the host of How We Got Here: Genealogy. He focuses on helping people not just trace their family tree, but to understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make each family's story unique. Brian began researching his own family history over 30 years ago. He proudly calls himself a "Celtic Canadian," having traced his own roots from Scotland and Ireland to their arrival in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the 18th and 19th centuries. His ancestors’ stories are deeply woven into the fabric of Canadian history—some fled the Highland Clearances in Scotland, while others left Ireland during the Great Famine. They brought their expertise as coal miners and farmers from Scotland to Cape Breton and their mercantile and fishing skills from Ireland to the streets of Halifax. This personal connection to the past fuels Brian's passion for helping others discover their own heritage. As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and genealogical societies in Nova Scotia, Scotland, and Prince Edward Island, Brian shares his extensive knowledge from his home base on PEI. He currently serves on the boards of the Prince Edward Island Community Museums Association and the Bedeque and Area Historical Society. Through How We Got Here Genealogy Services, Brian guides others to connect with their own vibrant family narratives, helping them understand not just who their ancestors were, but how they lived. Remember, every family has a story to tell, and every story is worth exploring. #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #History

    1h 10m

  3. Feb 23

    They Had to Leave Everything:

    Struggling with roadblocks and moving your family forward?Your family roll their eyes every time you mention an ancestor? The Heritage Legacy Roadmap is our solution to solve those and many other issues we commonly face. Book your Free Call https://howwegothere.ca/roadmap/ and we can help build a strategy that works for you.In this episode, Brian sits down with Tamara Buzina-Adams, author of The Last Ship to Freedom, to discuss the captivating journey of uncovering her family’s escape from post-imperial Russia. Tamara shares how her genealogical journey began unexpectedly while researching her husband’s Polish ancestry, eventually leading her back to five long-forgotten diaries written by her grandmother starting at age eleven. These diaries, written in beautiful pre-revolutionary Russian cursive, detail a harrowing yet vibrant 18-month period spent living aboard a ship during the chaotic Crimean evacuation of 1920.Throughout the conversation, Tamara highlights the "detective work" required to piece together a historical narrative when traditional records seem out of reach. She describes utilizing a diverse toolkit—from collaborating with fluent family members for translations to using Google Translate and connecting with distant relatives who possessed matching photographs of the very ship her grandmother lived on. By matching family stories of horses in the Black Sea with historical events like the evacuation at Novorossiysk, Tamara demonstrates how understanding the broader political and historical context can breathe life into the "dash" between an ancestor's birth and death dates.How to Find Tamara Buzyna AdamsLast Ship to Freedom is on Amazon: https://amzn.to/45QcsKwWebsite: https://www.tamarabuzynaadams.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_tamara_adams/ How We Got Here: Genealogy is hosted by family historian Brian Nash. Brian helps people not just trace their family tree, but understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make up their family's unique story.CONNECT & SUPPORT🌳 All My Links (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/howwegotheregenealogy 🙋 Ask a Genealogy Question: Visit https://ask.howwegothere.ca/ or email ask@howwegothere.ca ☕ Support the Channel (Buy Me a Coffee): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/howwegothere 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Genealogy Community (The Family Circle): https://familycircle.howwegothere.ca/About Brian NashBrian Nash is a family historian and the host of How We Got Here: Genealogy. He focuses on helping people not just trace their family tree, but to understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make each family's story unique.Brian began researching his own family history over 30 years ago. He proudly calls himself a "Celtic Canadian," having traced his own roots from Scotland and Ireland to their arrival in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the 18th and 19th centuries. His ancestors’ stories are deeply woven into the fabric of Canadian history—some fled the Highland Clearances in Scotland, while others left Ireland during the Great Famine. They brought their expertise as coal miners and farmers from Scotland to Cape Breton and their mercantile and fishing skills from Ireland to the streets of Halifax.This personal connection to the past fuels Brian's passion for helping others discover their own heritage. As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and genealogical societies in Nova Scotia, Scotland, and Prince Edward Island, Brian shares his extensive knowledge from his home base on PEI. He currently serves on the boards of the Prince Edward Island Community Museums Association and the Bedeque and Area Historical Society.Through How We Got Here Genealogy Services, Brian guides others to connect with their own vibrant family narratives, helping them understand not just who their ancestors were, but how they lived.

    22 sec

  4. Jan 26

    Think Like a Historian: Contextualizing Your Family’s Past

    Book Your Free 30 Minute Consultation https://bookings.howwegothere.ca/ In this episode, host Brian Nash sits down with Darren Hall to discuss his research into his Loyalist ancestor, James Waugh. Hall’s passion for genealogy was sparked by his family roots in Prince Edward Island and foundational local histories like The Wrights of Bedeque. He emphasizes that effective genealogy requires looking beyond vital statistics—birth, marriage, and death—to understand the broader historical context. For his ancestors, this meant investigating the "story that brought them to Canada," moving beyond the simple fact of their arrival to explore the specific events of the American Revolution that dictated their movements. The investigation into James Waugh faced a significant "brick wall" for years because early land grants only listed him as being "late of New York." However, Darren’s breakthrough came through the digitized Carlton Papers, where he located a James Waugh on a 1778 muster roll in Pensacola, Florida. This discovery linked Waugh to British Indian agents Richard Parris and Alexander Cameron. Hall’s research suggests that Waugh was likely part of the Loyalist backcountry movement in South Carolina, traveling through the wilderness to Florida before eventually joining the refugee migration to Shelburne, Nova Scotia, and finally settling in PEI’s Wilmot Valley. A pivotal aspect of this research involved the use of Big Y-DNA testing, which produced a startling revelation for the Waugh family. The genetic results showed that the paternal line actually matches the surname Wilson, indicating a likely adoption or non-paternity event dating back to the 1600s. This highlights the power of combining traditional archival research with genetic genealogy to correct long-standing family assumptions. By tracing military records, land grants, and DNA, Hall provides a vivid picture of the displaced Loyalists who helped shape the early landscape of Atlantic Canada.

    1h 4m

  5. 11/13/2025

    The Stories are Lost: Interviewing Relatives Before It's Too Late

    For a FREE 30-minute Family History Consultation, book your spot here: https://bookings.howwegothere.ca How We Got Here: Genealogy is hosted by family historian Brian Nash. Brian helps people not just trace their family tree, but understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make up their family's unique story. In this episode, Brian welcomes Will Weldon, a video journalist and filmmaker from Durham, North Carolina. Will is the author of the book, Innerviewing: Heart Forward Storytelling and Holistic Communication , which is focused on helping people have better, more empathetic conversations and interviews. Will joins Brian to discuss a topic central to genealogy: interviewing your relatives to capture their vital stories before they are lost. They delve into practical advice on overcoming technical hurdles using just a smartphone , making your family members comfortable by keeping the stakes low , and why capturing these stories now is crucial to prevent regret later. They also explore the power of open-ended questions to elicit emotional and deeper responses , how physical objects can trigger surprising memories , and the immense, irreplaceable value these recordings have as 'time capsules' for future generations—especially when facing degenerative illnesses like Alzheimer's or dementia. As a special gift for my listeners, here is a resource to help you get started interviewing your family members: https://go.wilweldon.com/briannash You can find out more about Will’s book and coaching at his website: ⁠https://wilweldon.com⁠ CONNECT & SUPPORT 🌳 All My Links (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/howwegotheregenealogy  🙋 Ask a Genealogy Question: Visit https://ask.howwegothere.ca/ or email ask@howwegothere.ca  ☕ Support the Channel (Buy Me a Coffee): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/howwegothere  👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Genealogy Community (The Family Circle): https://familycircle.howwegothere.ca/ About Brian Brian Nash is a family historian and the host of How We Got Here: Genealogy. He focuses on helping people not just trace their family tree, but to understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make each family's story unique. Brian began researching his own family history over 30 years ago. He proudly calls himself a "Celtic Canadian," having traced his own roots from Scotland and Ireland to their arrival in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the 18th and 19th centuries. His ancestors’ stories are deeply woven into the fabric of Canadian history—some fled the Highland Clearances in Scotland, while others left Ireland during the Great Famine. They brought their expertise as coal miners and farmers from Scotland to Cape Breton and their mercantile and fishing skills from Ireland to the streets of Halifax. This personal connection to the past fuels Brian's passion for helping others discover their own heritage. As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and genealogical societies in Nova Scotia, Scotland, and Prince Edward Island, Brian shares his extensive knowledge from his home base on PEI. He currently serves on the boards of the Prince Edward Island Community Museums Association and the Bedeque and Area Historical Society. Through How We Got Here Genealogy Services, Brian guides others to connect with their own vibrant family narratives, helping them understand not just who their ancestors were, but how they lived.

    46 min
  6. From Waterford to Water Street: An Interview on Newfoundland Genealogy with Craig Morrissey

    10/15/2025

    From Waterford to Water Street: An Interview on Newfoundland Genealogy with Craig Morrissey

    For a FREE 30-minute Family History Consultation, book your spot here: https://bookings.howwegothere.ca In this Episode, Brian welcomes Craig Morrissey of More You Genealogy and The Rooms archives to explore Newfoundland genealogy. Craig details the essential resources for family history, starting with the provincial archives at The Rooms, which is named for traditional "fishing rooms." He breaks down the early European settlement, primarily driven by the cod fishery, drawing people from southeast Ireland and southwest England. He also highlights crucial records, including Colonial Office and merchant records, necessary before civil registration began in 1891–92. The episode also covers the impact of industrial change and the significant history of out-migration to the "Boston States," offering advice on tracing ancestors through border documents and digital archives. Craig concludes with a genealogist's "Holy Grail"—the missing 1911 Census and the fire-destroyed Catholic records for Harbour Grace—and stresses the value of methodical, patient research.How We Got Here: Genealogy is hosted by family historian Brian Nash. Brian helps people not just trace their family tree, but understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make up their family's unique story. CONNECT & SUPPORT 🌳 All My Links (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/howwegotheregenealogy  🙋 Ask a Genealogy Question: Visit https://ask.howwegothere.ca/ or email ask@howwegothere.ca  ☕ Support the Channel (Buy Me a Coffee): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/howwegothere  👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Genealogy Community (The Family Circle): https://familycircle.howwegothere.ca/ Brian Nash is a family historian and the host of How We Got Here: Genealogy. He focuses on helping people not just trace their family tree, but to understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make each family's story unique. Brian began researching his own family history over 30 years ago. He proudly calls himself a "Celtic Canadian," having traced his own roots from Scotland and Ireland to their arrival in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the 18th and 19th centuries. His ancestors’ stories are deeply woven into the fabric of Canadian history—some fled the Highland Clearances in Scotland, while others left Ireland during the Great Famine. They brought their expertise as coal miners and farmers from Scotland to Cape Breton and their mercantile and fishing skills from Ireland to the streets of Halifax. This personal connection to the past fuels Brian's passion for helping others discover their own heritage. As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and genealogical societies in Nova Scotia, Scotland, and Prince Edward Island, Brian shares his extensive knowledge from his home base on PEI. He currently serves on the boards of the Prince Edward Island Community Museums Association and the Bedeque and Area Historical Society. Through How We Got Here Genealogy Services, Brian guides others to connect with their own vibrant family narratives, helping them understand not just who their ancestors were, but how they lived. About Brian Nash

    1h 11m
  7. The Biggest Small Town: Preserving Glace Bay's Story

    09/26/2025

    The Biggest Small Town: Preserving Glace Bay's Story

    For a FREE 30-minute Family History Consultation, book your spot here: https://bookings.howwegothere.ca In this episode Brian talks to Joe MacPherson from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. Joe is the creator of the Facebook group "You Know You're From Glace Bay When," which has connected thousands of people from the area. He discusses how the group and his writing about the community have helped people relive memories, reconnect with old friends, and remember a town that has changed significantly since its days as a bustling coal town. Joe recounts growing up in Glace Bay in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, sharing stories about "shooting the drag," the St. Paul's Church fence as a youth meeting spot, and the diverse businesses run by immigrant families. He also talks about organizing the "Fence Folk reunion" in 2010, which brought people home from all over the world and raised thousands of dollars for local charities. The conversation highlights the importance of preserving personal and community history through storytelling and the power of social media to connect people and keep memories alive. How We Got Here: Genealogy is hosted by family historian Brian Nash. Brian helps people not just trace their family tree, but understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make up their family's unique story. CONNECT & SUPPORT🌳 All My Links (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/howwegotheregenealogy 🙋 Ask a Genealogy Question: Visit https://ask.howwegothere.ca/ or email ask@howwegothere.ca ☕ Support the Channel (Buy Me a Coffee): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/howwegothere 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Genealogy Community (The Family Circle): https://familycircle.howwegothere.ca/ About Brian NashBrian Nash is a family historian and the host of How We Got Here: Genealogy. He focuses on helping people not just trace their family tree, but to understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make each family's story unique.Brian began researching his own family history over 30 years ago. He proudly calls himself a "Celtic Canadian," having traced his own roots from Scotland and Ireland to their arrival in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the 18th and 19th centuries. His ancestors’ stories are deeply woven into the fabric of Canadian history—some fled the Highland Clearances in Scotland, while others left Ireland during the Great Famine. They brought their expertise as coal miners and farmers from Scotland to Cape Breton and their mercantile and fishing skills from Ireland to the streets of Halifax.This personal connection to the past fuels Brian's passion for helping others discover their own heritage. As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and genealogical societies in Nova Scotia, Scotland, and Prince Edward Island, Brian shares his extensive knowledge from his home base on PEI. He currently serves on the boards of the Prince Edward Island Community Museums Association and the Bedeque and Area Historical Society.Through How We Got Here Genealogy Services, Brian guides others to connect with their own vibrant family narratives, helping them understand not just who their ancestors were, but how they lived.

    1h 1m

  8. 08/06/2025

    A Rock for the Duke, A Toast for An Ancestor

    Join Brian Nash in this episode of "How We Got Here" for a captivating conversation with guest Jamie Baillie, who returns to share the latest chapter in his family's remarkable history. ]Jamie recounts the story of his ancestors, the Baillies, who were evicted from their home in Sutherland, Scotland, during the Highland Clearances. He details their arduous five-week journey in 1814 aboard a timber ship, the *Perseverance of Aberdeen*, to start a new life in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. This move from tenant farmers to landowners marked a pivotal moment, setting the stage for generations of prosperity and opportunity that their descendants would come to enjoy. The discussion takes an exciting turn as Jamie recounts his recent pilgrimage to Scotland, a journey to walk in the footsteps of his ancestors. With the help of a local historian, he located the exact site of his family's former village and the ruins of their home, providing an emotional and overwhelming connection to his past. This personal quest offers a powerful testament to the value of genealogical research, exploring how understanding our origins can provide a profound sense of identity and connection across generations. Jamie and Brian also delve into the lasting impact of Scottish immigrants on the culture and development of Nova Scotia and Canada as a whole.. How We Got Here: Genealogy is hosted by family historian Brian Nash. Brian helps people not just trace their family tree, but understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make up their family's unique story. CONNECT & SUPPORT 🌳 All My Links (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/howwegotheregenealogy  🙋 Ask a Genealogy Question: Visit https://ask.howwegothere.ca/ or email ask@howwegothere.ca  ☕ Support the Channel (Buy Me a Coffee): https://www.buymeacoffee.com/howwegothere  👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Join our Genealogy Community (The Family Circle): https://familycircle.howwegothere.ca/ Brian Nash is a family historian and the host of How We Got Here: Genealogy. He focuses on helping people not just trace their family tree, but to understand the history surrounding the people, places, and events that make each family's story unique. Brian began researching his own family history over 30 years ago. He proudly calls himself a "Celtic Canadian," having traced his own roots from Scotland and Ireland to their arrival in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the 18th and 19th centuries. His ancestors’ stories are deeply woven into the fabric of Canadian history—some fled the Highland Clearances in Scotland, while others left Ireland during the Great Famine. They brought their expertise as coal miners from Scotland to Cape Breton and their mercantile skills from Ireland to the streets of Halifax. This personal connection to the past fuels Brian's passion for helping others discover their own heritage. As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and genealogical societies in Nova Scotia, Scotland, and Prince Edward Island, Brian shares his extensive knowledge from his home base on PEI. He currently serves on the boards of the Prince Edward Island Community Museums Association and the Bedeque and Area Historical Society. Through How We Got Here Genealogy, Brian guides others to connect with their own vibrant family narratives, helping them understand not just who their ancestors were, but how they lived. About Brian Nash

    50 min
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Exploring Genealogy and Family History. Family Historian Genealogist Brian Nash speaks to guests about their family or local history stories. As a genealogist, Brian focuses on the people, places, and events that make up people's family stories. Brian is a genealogist who started working on his own family tree over 30 years ago and has been able to trace one family line back to as early as 950 AD. Brian traces his own family from Scotland and Ireland to the New World where they wound up in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the 18th and 19th centuries. In some cases, they fled their homela

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