Black Sheep Family History

Janet Hall Werner
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Black Sheep Family History - Stories of our not-so-illustrious ancestors & how to find them.  Join host Janet Hall Werner, J.D., a professional genealogist as she interviews fellow genealogists who tell stories of their "Black Sheep" ancestors, and how they discovered them. The series also includes "Educational Extras" which are separate episodes that focus on topics of interest to family historians - subjects like the history of divorce in America, the history of asylums, bootlegging, etc.  Story episodes are produced each week, dropping on Wednesdays, while "Educational Extras" are produced each week, dropping on Fridays (ish).

Episodes

  1. 11/05/2025

    Immigrant Secrets -- with Author John Mancini

    What if family stories from one side of your family just didn't exist? In this episode of Black Sheep Family History, Janet Hall Werner interviews author John Mancini, whose deeply personal book Immigrant Secrets: The Search for My Grandparents unravels a hidden family mystery that spans generations. What began as a simple genealogical search became a years-long quest to uncover the truth about his grandparents — two people who seemed to vanish in the 1930s, leaving behind silence, shame, and secrets. Join us as John shares the discoveries, detours, and emotional impact of tracing a story that was never meant to be told. 📘 John Mancini’s book: Immigrant Secrets: The Search for My Grandparents — is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Immigrant-Secrets-Search-My-Grandparents-ebook/dp/B09JB1745Z/ref=sr_1_1, and wherever else books are sold. If you have a similar story, John would love to hear from you! He can be reached at johnmancini@contentresults.net. 🕵️‍♀️ Black Sheep Family History explores the forgotten, misunderstood, and not-so-illustrious ancestors who shaped our families — and ourselves.

    44 min
  2. Fortune Telling on Trial: Crime, Religion & Free Speech

    10/09/2025

    Fortune Telling on Trial: Crime, Religion & Free Speech

    Fortune telling was a crime. When Carrie was arrested in 1922 for reading fortunes, she fought back, arguing that her "spiritual" practice was protected by the First Amendment. The case raised big questions: Could spirituality count as religion? Could fortune telling be free speech? In this episode of Black Sheep Family History, Janet interviews Kathy Astrom who tells the fascinating story of Nancy Caroline ("Carrie") Humphrey Dunston Martin McMaster who first fought for her children, then fought for her belief, expression, and survival in an age when faith and fraud were often seen as the same thing.

    44 min
  3. The Fake Doctor: An Illegal Operation & Jail Time, Booze & Brutality

    09/27/2025

    The Fake Doctor: An Illegal Operation & Jail Time, Booze & Brutality

    He wasn't licensed. He wasn't sober. And he was abusive to his four successive wives -- but oddly kind to small children and animals. In this Black Sheep Family History story featuring genealogist Lori Samuelson, discover the scandalous life of a so-called "doctor" whose "illegal operation" landed him in jail - and whose drunken violence and escapades left behind a notorious legacy. This is true crime and family history -- a glimpse into America's hidden past. From illegal medical practices to broken marriages, alcoholism, and abuse, this scandal shows how a "doctor" wreaked havoc while his community looked the other way.

    1h 2m
  4. Asylums & the History of Mental Illness Treatment in America

    09/17/2025

    Asylums & the History of Mental Illness Treatment in America

    Step inside the hidden history of America's asylums. In this Educational Extra episode of Black Sheep Family History, we uncover how mental illness was understood and treated from the colonial era through the 20th century, and the records that were left behind. From overcrowded state hospitals to electroshock therapy and lobotomies, and the reforms that changed everything, this video explores the real history behind psychiatric care in America's past, and how to find records that could provide valuable insight into the lives of your ancestors. How mental illness was viewed in the colonial era Why asylums grew rapidly in the 19th century -- and why they became overcrowded What records genealogists can use to uncover asylum stays Medical treatments like shock therapy and ECT The shift from institutions to community-based care in the 20th century Subscribe to Black Sheep Family History for more stories about our not-so-illustrious ancestors, & how to find them.

    8 min

  5. 09/11/2025

    We Don't Talk About Roscoe

    Genealogist Jennifer Dunn tells the interesting tale of Roscoe, married and then married again (without the benefit of death or divorce), served time for fraud, and was then involved in a murder case - and the lawyer at trial had the entire courtroom clapping! This is Episode #3 of Black Sheep Family History: Stories of our not-so-illustrious ancestors & how to find them, hosted by Janet Hall Werner, J.D.  Jaine, Janet's AI avatar hosts "Black Sheep Educational Extras" on topics like bootlegging, the history of divorce, the history of asylums, etc. To support this video & podcast series and keep new episodes coming, please consider a donation to Black Sheep Family History at https://buymeacoffee.com/blacksheepfamilyhistory. Also, please join our Black Sheep Society.  For just $5 per month you'll get bonus content including information that can help you find the Black Sheep in your family tree. To join, visit https://buymeacoffee.com/blacksheepfamilyhistory, and click on the membership button.  You'll get: Weekly bonus content (typically aligned with Black Sheep Educational Extra topics); Downloadable handouts for Black Sheep Educational Extras episodes; Additional downloadable tips, strategies, and record sets to help you find the Black Sheep in your family tree!!!

    1h 46m
  6. Bootlegging in America: Crime, Culture & Consequences - A Black Sheep Educational Extra

    09/09/2025

    Bootlegging in America: Crime, Culture & Consequences - A Black Sheep Educational Extra

    Join genealogist Janet Hall Werner, J.D. (via her avatar Jaine) as she talks about bootlegging in America, in addition to other aspects of Prohibition, like speakeasies, confiscation, rum runners, organized crime, and even NASCAR! This episode ties into our story episode "Bootlegging, Counterfeiting, Arson & a Poisoned Peanut Butter Sandwich," featuring genealogist Jill Nock on our channel Black Sheep Family History.

    15 min
  7. Bootlegging, Counterfeiting, Arson & a Poisoned Peanut Butter Sandwich - Black Sheep Family History

    09/03/2025

    Bootlegging, Counterfeiting, Arson & a Poisoned Peanut Butter Sandwich - Black Sheep Family History

    Genealogist Jill Nock shares the fascinating tale of her 2x-great uncle John Nichols and his wife Clara and twin sons Melwood & Elwood, who were involved in bootlegging, counterfeiting, arson & forgery during Prohibition. Ah yes, and there was that rat-poisoned peanut butter sandwich! Join host Janet Hall Werner for Episode #1 of her new series Black Sheep Family History: Stories of our not-so-illustrious ancestors & how to find them. New story episodes will drop on Weds., while "Black Sheep Educational Extras" will drop on Fridays. Stay tuned for more, and follow this podcast wherever you get your podcasts! And you can also watch the episode on YouTube!

    48 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

Black Sheep Family History - Stories of our not-so-illustrious ancestors & how to find them.  Join host Janet Hall Werner, J.D., a professional genealogist as she interviews fellow genealogists who tell stories of their "Black Sheep" ancestors, and how they discovered them. The series also includes "Educational Extras" which are separate episodes that focus on topics of interest to family historians - subjects like the history of divorce in America, the history of asylums, bootlegging, etc.  Story episodes are produced each week, dropping on Wednesdays, while "Educational Extras" are produced each week, dropping on Fridays (ish).

Information

  • Creator
    Janet Hall Werner
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Black Sheep Family History