Let us know what you think! We celebrate American Archives Month with ways to get more treats than tricks when using using national, state, and local archives on your brick wall. This episode is a celebration of the archivists, collections and forgotten files that keep our family histories alive. Do you have genealogical questions for Kathleen? Drop us a line at hitting the bricks at gmail.com and let us know Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks for your one stop access to ...

Let us know what you think! We unpack how end of life records like probate, wills and testaments can be the undoing of even the most stubborn brickwall. Stacy Janssen and Jeremy Keel of Janssen Estate Probate & Elder Law demystify the legal jargon of wills, probate and guardian records. Do you have a genealogical question for Kathleen? Drop us a line at hitting the bricks at gmail.com and let us know. Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks for your one stop access to Kathleen Brand...

Let us know what you think! School records dating back to the 1700s can break through genealogical brick walls by providing detailed information about individuals and families that may not exist in other historical documents. 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...

Let us know what you think! Emily Wildhaber from Midwest Genealogy Center joins us to discuss their "Tell Me a Story" program that preserves family stories through oral history. For more information visit: Tell Me a Story from Mid-West Genealogy Center 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. Hit...

Let us know what you think! Hittin' the Bricks welcomes Lauri Jean Swett and Ashley Arnett to discuss the upcoming Genealogy KC conference on August 23, 2025. Listen in as Lauri Jean and Ashley share topics and more about this free hybrid event. Registration: genealogykc.org Lauri Jean Swett Genealogy by Lauri Jean 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: Of...

Let us know what you think! Michelle Spencer, the family business researcher, shares details about the upcoming Missouri State Genealogical Association (MOSGA) conference on August 8-9. MoSGA Conference: Register at mosga.org for the conference on August 8-9 at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City. Registration is just $55 for non-members, $50 for members. https://www.mosga.org/ Check out Michelle's business: RomaMaryGrace combines genealogical expertise with historical context, par...

Let us know what you think! Medical mysteries lurking in your family tree might hold the key to understanding sudden disappearances, unexplained relocations, or clusters of deaths among your ancestors. When traditional genealogy methods hit a wall, epidemic research could breakthrough those brick walls. Ready to uncover the medical history hiding in your family tree? Email hittingthebricks@gmail.com to request one of our DNA test kit giveaways (Free pickup in Kansas City or $10 shipping else...

Let us know what you think! Ever wondered what secrets your German ancestors might be hiding? You're not alone. 44 million Americans claim German heritage, making Germans the largest immigrant group in United States history. Join us with expert Sue Schlichting, founder of Pursuing Your Past, for tips and resources to uncover your German ancestors. Pursuing Your Past #germangenealogy #midwest #Lindsborg #Volhynian #Germans #kansas Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks for your on...

Let us know what you think! Listen in as we speak with Angela Hagenbach and Vincent Bell about keeping Weston MO, history alive. FREE EVENT The 5th Annual Juneteenth Heritage Jubilee will be held on June 14th at Weston Red Barn Farm The BAAC sponsors projects including a Black Heritage mural, monuments, and the annual Juneteenth Heritage Jubilee Founded by Angela Haggenbach, the Black Ancestors Awareness Campaign uncovers the rich and obscured African American history of Weston, Missouri. Ja...

Let us know what you think! 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 b...

Let us know what you think! 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...

Let us know what you think! 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 fo...

Let us know what you think! 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 ...

Let us know what you think! 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. Be sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks for y...

Let us know what you think! 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 Brick...

Let us know what you think! 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 ht...

Let us know what you think!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 Publishing2. Publish via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)3. Choose Distribution Settings4. Set Your Pricing5. Share the Book with Your Family6. Gifting Copiesorder co...

Let us know what you think!In this genealogy podcast episode, we discuss the significance of presidential libraries for genealogical research as part of our 2025 Presidential Library series. These libraries are an underutilized resource for genealogical projects, and Kathleen has uncovered dozens of ancestral documents for clients using them.Kathleen also shares tips and tools for tackling genealogy brick walls and researching common surnames. For one client, she navigated the challenges of r...

Let us know what you think!Prepare to be inspired as we feature the illustrious genealogist Amy Johnson Crowe on "Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen." Discover how Amy's knack for uncovering family histories has influenced countless enthusiasts, including our host Kathleen herself. Embark on a journey through the innovative "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" program that champions genealogical exploration through weekly prompts. Website: https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks...

Let us know what you think!Check out this Link: Eternal Veteran Network -What Impact Will This Donation Have?What if the holiday season is just a lens into a richer, more complex history? Kathleen and I share heartfelt gratitude to all our listeners. We reminisce about the laughs, learning, and connections formed throughout our podcasting journey. This episode is not just about reflecting on what we've accomplished this year but also about looking forward to the exciting giveaways and surpris...