Explore how photo restoration, memory care, and family history intersect in this inspiring conversation with Rick Voight, CEO of Vivid-Pix. Learn how personal photos can boost cognitive health, strengthen storytelling, and help families preserve their legacy.

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In this episode of the Branching Out Genealogy Podcast, we speak with Rick Voight, CEO and co-founder of Vivid-Pix, about the science and impact of photo Reminiscence Therapy, a powerful tool that uses restored images to support memory and cognitive wellness—especially for individuals living with dementia.

We explore how Vivid-Pix evolved from photo enhancement software to a leader in memory preservation, working with genealogists, libraries, archives, museums, and aging-services professionals. Rick shares insights into tools like the Memory Station and Memory Cards, explains the brain science behind photo Reminiscence Therapy, and discusses how families can use photos to spark meaningful conversations and strengthen emotional connection.

You’ll also hear updates from the genealogy community, a practical tech tip, and a fun look at why so many of us—even celebrities—may have royal connections in our family tree.

If you're passionate about genealogy, memory care, digital preservation, or helping families share their stories, this episode offers valuable guidance you can use right away.

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TIMECODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction & Episode Overview

01:52 Genealogy News

07:23 Interview with Rick Voight

11:45 Photo Reminiscence Therapy & Brain Health

20:55 Vivid-Pix Programs & Community Initiatives

29:40 Memory Station & Memory Cards

40:44 Rick’s Spring Tour

48:03 Metadata, Ethics & the Future of Photos

57:04 Tech Tip: Reopen Closed Browser Tabs

58:25 Teatime

01:04:46 Closing

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ABOUT OUR GUEST: RICK VOIGHT

Rick Voight is the co-founder and CEO of Vivid-Pix, a company dedicated to improving, restoring, and preserving photographs. His work bridges the fields of genealogy, aging, and cognitive health, utilizing photo Reminiscence Therapy and accessible technology tools to help families preserve their stories while supporting memory care. Rick collaborates with libraries, museums, aging specialists, and dementia-care professionals across the U.S.

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EMAIL US at hello@branchingout.show The Branching Out Theme Song and Teatime Fanfare are copyright © Elizabeth Swanay O'Neal.

In this episode, Tami and Elizabeth discuss the concept of "reverse genealogy" with Cheri Hudson Passey, who has recently authored a book on the subject. They explore the methods of finding living relatives, the differences between researching living individuals and ancestors, and the emotional aspects of connecting with family. Cheri shares her experience of writing her book and the importance of clear communication when reaching out to relatives.

Afterward, Tami demonstrates how easy it is to open multiple websites simultaneously by using the browser extension “Open Multiple URLs.”

During Teatime, the hosts discuss recent changes to what the VA is sending when one makes a FOIA request through birls.org. Elizabeth compares the file she received in February with the useless letters genealogists are receiving now. Then, Tami discusses the reasons behind the upcoming closure of the Plaza Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. Those planning to attend the 2026 RootsTech Conference should consider making hotel reservations sooner rather than later due to this closure!

Finally, Tami shares a couple of Family History Month announcements regarding upcoming events by Vivid-Pix. If you are in the area, you won’t want to miss these!

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TIMECODE CHAPTERS

00:00:00 - INTRO

00:00:38 - Introduction to Genealogy Podcast

00:01:27 - Thank you to our Listeners and to WikiTree Challenge Elves

00:02:57 - Tami's Milo Allen Update

00:04:31 - Sponsor Break

00:05:01 - Introduction to Cheri Hudson Passey

00:05:49 - Interview with Cheri Hudson Passey

00:28:11 - Tech Tip: Open Multiple URLs

00:30:54 - Teatime

00:33:15 - Changes in how VA Fills FOIA Requests from birls.org

00:40:38 - The Plaza Hotel Closure and Future Plans

00:43:55 - Vivid-Pix Event Announcements

00:46:18 - OUTRO

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Email us at hello@branchingout.show ​

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode, Tami and Elizabeth discuss Elizabeth’s participation in the August WikiTree Challenge with special guest Eowyn Langholf, WikiTree Community Manager. They delve into the unique aspects of WikiTree, emphasizing its community-driven approach.

In the What's Happening segment, Elizabeth shares news about babies born recently using a 3-parent IVF technique. Tami discusses creating AI biographies and videos using tools from Storied and MyHeritage.

During Teatime, Elizabeth spills the tea on the California Digital Newspaper Collection receiving needed funding and then letting all the employees go. Tami spills even more tea on strange genealogy job postings.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 Intro

00:03:08 What Elizabeth is working on: DAR Applications and the Inheritance Project

00:05:52 What Tami is working on: Visualizing Genealogy Data

00:07:33 Interview with Eowyn Langholf, WikiTree Community Manager

00:20:09 About the WikiTree Challenge

00:22:37 Preparing for the Challenge

00:27:36 The WikiTree Challenge Process

00:32:21 The Growth and Accuracy of WikiTree

00:32:50 Future Aspirations for WikiTree

00:38:44 What’s Happening: Three-Parent IVF

00:40:52 What’s Happening: The Internet Archive and the GPO

00:42:29 What’s Happening: Enhancing Biographies with AI using Storied and MyHeritage

00:52:50 Teatime: California Digital Newspaper Collection

00:55:22 Teatime: Genealogy Jobs

01:00:26 Outro

RESOURCES

• The DAR Inheritance Project - ⁠https://blog.dar.org/2021/09/27/inherit-grandmas-patriots-through-new-program-launch⁠
• WikiTree - ⁠https://www.wikitree.com⁠
• Elizabeth’s WikiTree Challenge - ⁠https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/1913531/2025-wikitree-challenge-research-for-elizabeth-oneal-ended⁠
• 8 babies born with experimental 3-parent IVF technique - ⁠https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/3-parent-babies-uk-australia-1.7587286⁠
• The Internet Archive – ⁠https://archive.org⁠
• Federal Depository Library Directory – ⁠https://ask.gpo.gov/s/FDLD⁠
• GPO makes available Supreme Court cases dating back to the 18th century – ⁠https://librarytechnology.org/pr/31522⁠
• Storied U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918 – ⁠https://storied.com/historical-record-search/world-war-I-draft-registration-cards⁠
• MyHeritage’s AI Biographer™ – ⁠https://blog.myheritage.com/2023/12/introducing-ai-biographer-create-a-wikipedia-like-biography-for-any-ancestor-using-ai-enriched-with-historical-context⁠
• MyHeritage’s Deep Story (desktop version) – ⁠https://www.myheritage.com/deepstory⁠
• Losing Our History? Funding for the CaliforniaDigital Newspaper Collection Was Restored—but UC Riverside Laid Off All of theEmployees Responsible for the Project Anyway – ⁠https://cvindependent.com/2025/07/losing-our-history-funding-for-the-california-digital-newspaper-collection-was-restored-but-uc-riverside-laid-off-all-of-the-employees-responsible-for-the-project-anyway⁠
• ConferenceKeeper’s Genealogy Jobs – ⁠https://conferencekeeper.org/genealogy-jobs⁠
• Genealogy Jobs Facebook Group – ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1497651017151639⁠

KEYWORDS

WikiTree, genealogy, family history, community, AI, research,challenges, collaboration, ancestry, DNA, jobs, genetic genealogy