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Unlock the secrets of forensic genealogy in this episode of Hittin’ the Bricks with Kathleen!

Genealogist Julie Whittaker specializes in military repatriation, mineral rights, and the legal complexities that shape this growing field.

Whether you're curious about how forensic genealogy solves cold cases, supports legal claims, or connects families to long-lost ancestors, Julie shares real-world insights from her work with attorneys, specialized projects, and beyond.

Thinking about becoming a forensic genealogist or just want to understand what it really takes?

This episode offers expert tips, powerful stories, and a look behind the scenes of one of genealogy’s most fascinating careers.

Here are some helpful links.

• Website for Julie: https://genealogysafari.com/
• The Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG) https://www.forensicgenealogists.org/
• Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency: https://www.dpaa.mil/

If you have genealogical questions for Kathleen, drop us a line at hittinthebricks@gmail.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.

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Are you underutilizing Tax Records?
Tax records offer genealogists a treasure trove of information beyond just confirming where ancestors lived. They reveal financial circumstances, family relationships, and even marriage dates. They provide us with associates, lifestyles, and community.

Tax Records are a key resource to leaping over that Brickwall.

Heather Jenkins, president of the Johnson County Genealogical Society and Heartland Chapter of APG, specializes in tax record research.

She shares with the Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen Team, about obscure laws that shaped your ancestor's decisions.

• Tax records connect to all aspects of life including birth, death, marriage, and property ownership
• Examining tax records can reveal an ancestor's true financial status, often showing apparent wealth hiding significant debt

Find Heather Jenkins at: https://balancedgenealogy.com

Email your genealogical questions to HittintheBricks@gmail.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.

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Revolutionary War research presents unique genealogical challenges, as records are scattered across multiple countries and unconventional sources. Kathleen answers audience questions from her recent presentation, explaining why ancestors vanish from Revolutionary War records.

For presentation handouts and slides from Kathleen's April 12th presentation "From Muskets to Manuscripts," visit 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.

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Most family trees contain unexpected branches, but few conversations address the complex relationship between Irish American and African American heritage as candidly as our latest episode.

a3Geanealogy blog

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.

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The stories of our female ancestors are often stripped down to the simplest narratives – they were farm wives, mothers, teachers – but beneath these sanitized descriptions lie complex lives filled with surprising choices, passionate relationships, and occasionally scandalous secrets. Join Kathleen and John as they peel back the layers of family folklore to reveal the true stories of the women who came before us.
The women were secretive, the documents were not!

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.

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Join us with Glenn North, Director of Inclusive Learning and Creative Impact at the Museum of Kansas City, as we talk about the vital connection between art, history, and social justice.

Visit Glenn's site at:

https://www.glennnorthpoetry.com/

Lynch Family by Joseph Hirsch

https://art.nelson-atkins.org/objects/24036/lynch-family

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.

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Unlock the secrets of your ancestry with Sherri Camp, our featured genealogy librarian from the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

Join us as Sherri takes us on her remarkable journey through the world of genealogy and discover the invaluable resources available at the library, including the family history collections.

Resources Cited:
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
https://tscpl.org/

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society
https://www.aahgs.org/

Kansas Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society
http://www.kaahgs.org/

African American Topeka
by Sherrita Camp
https://a.co/d/aY0j8sT

Black Profiles in Courage: A Legacy of African-American Achievement
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Alan Steinberg:
https://a.co/d/6fqL0hE

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.

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Unlock the secrets of turning your family's rich history into a dynamic digital treasure trove with the help of Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing. Discover how digital publishing not only facilitates easy distribution but also creates a lasting resource for family reunions.

1. Prepare Your Book for Publishing
2. Publish via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
3. Choose Distribution Settings
4. Set Your Pricing
5. Share the Book with Your Family
6. Gifting Copies

• order copies of your book at the author's cost (for print books)
• send gift copies of the Kindle version

For Document conversions:
Website: https://calibre-ebook.com/

Related Blogs:
"Reads over Royalties"
"EPUB with InDesign, Page Breaks"
"Secrets with the Trees" by John A Brandt

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.