Webcasts on Appalachian People and their Stories.
Documenting Appalachia one story at a time. Each Webcast we introduce you to a special guest as they unravel what Appalachia means to them.
It could be their work, their family, their home, or their heritage. Appalachia is our heart and soul and it is our passion to document it one guest at a time.
Our goal is to change the narrative about Appalachia one story at a time.
Join Us!
Upcoming Webcasts
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Mountaineer Military Museum
Join us as we talk with Barbara about the museum, her and Ron's dedication to all of those in West Virginia that served our Country, and how you can help their efforts.
Nov 16th, 2023 at 4pm
Point Mountain Girls
Join Edie, Harriett, and Dottie as they talk about growing up in Appalachia after the Depression on Point Mountain, West Virginia
Early 2024
Partnership Webcasts
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Join me as I share my family's personal stories of traveling the Hillbilly Highway.
Presentation a part of the WikiTree Day 2023 Symposium. For more details visit the Appalachia Project on WikiTree.
Nov 2nd, 2023 at 5pm (EDT)
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For Appalachian Genealogy fans, watch our Project Presentation: A Journey through Appalachia.
Presentation a part of the WikiTree Day 2023. For more details visit the Appalachia Project on WikiTree.
Nov 5th, 2023 at 5pm (EST)
Current Webcasts
For a list of all of 2023 Webcasts,
Visit the Episodes Link.
Hillbilly Highway
Max Fraser, Author of Hillbilly Highway, the Transappalachian Migration and the making of a White Working Class., joins us for a discussion on this largely untold story and the effects it caused.
We are headed deep into Appalachia during October 2023 to meet business owners, locals, and the people that make Appalachia special.
Kentucky and It's Kin
Rusty Heckaman, Archivist for the State of Kentucky joins us to discuss the Kentucky Genealogical Society's latest book provides guidance and information in this publication provides a wealth of records found in the Kentucky archives.
Join Allison as she discusses Heartsick and Astonished. Twenty-seven divorce cases from Pre & Post Civil War in Wheeling, WV.
These cases provide a captivating window into marital life—and strife—in the border South.
Join Bob as he discusses the changes in Coal Mining for our Day In a Life Series: WV Coal Miner.
From old school Coal Miner to Newer Technology, Bob has witnessed it all through the years.
Growing up in a Company Coal Town: Itmann, West Virginia
As a child moving into Itmann while his father worked the nearby mines.
How do you obtain Black Lung Benefits? How long does it take to receive them?
Researching your Kentucky Ancestors
Share the joy of celebrating Appalachian Artisans as the Appalachian Artisan Center rebuilds from the flood of 2022.
Webcast Series
Appalachia Road Trip
We headed deep into Appalachia during October 2023 to meet business owners, locals, and the people that make Appalachia special.
Each day, a different location. Each day, different people of Appalachia to talk to and hear their stories.
Daily Reveals on our YouTube Channel: @ancestryroads
Appalachia Road Trip - Share the Journey
Day One:
Weaverville, North Carolina
Forge + Hobbit House
Day Two:
Alderson, West Virginia
Coal Mine + Glamping Dome
Day Three:
Nuttalburg, WV +
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Coal Mine Ghost Town + Haunted Mansion
Day Four:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Largest City in Appalachia
Day Five:
Western Maryland &
Berkeley Springs
Candyland & Antiques
Day Six:
Apple Butter Festival
And Berkeley Springs
Day Seven:
Randolph County, WV
The Pioneer Cabin
Day Eight:
Webster Springs, WV
Walking the Steps of my Ancestors and Parents
Day Nine:
Weston, WV
Mountaineer Military Museum
DayTen:
Weston, WV
Glass, Appalachia, and More Glass
Day Eleven:
Traveling the Back Roads of Appalachia
Day Twelve:
Bristol, Virginia & Bristol,. Tennessee
Birthplace of Country Music
Professional Genealogy Services
We provide Professional Genealogical Services on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for details.
Our Professional Genealogical Services provide accurate and detailed reports on Your Ancestors, Your Quests, Your Brick Walls. We excel in researching Unknown Parentage/Adoption using DNA Research and US Based Research.
We provide an Ancestor History to our guests to complete their story.
Sandy Patak - Webcaster
Appalachia. When the word comes up in conversation with those not from Appalachia, I usually get asked if that is "The Trail". No. Most of the time, I also get asked if Appalachia is a real place or just a distinction of where Hillbillies come from (as if to say that Hillbillies are some mythical creature similar to how Fairies are defined in Scotland). Yes. Appalachia is a real "place". Yes, there are Hillbillies too.
I started Ancestry Roads a long time ago as the place for my Professional Genealogical business. During 2019, two things became quite evident: Professional Genealogy is slowly winding down to the "Ancestry Arm Chair Genealogists" and at the same time Appalachia is under attack from the Media, Hollywood, Politicians, and even Professional Genealogists. I could not stand by and let Appalachia continue to be attacked.
So, in 2022, I made the decision to close the Professional Genealogy part of my business (except for Adoption Angels which I will always do) and focus on something so dear to me: Appalachia and Appalachians. I want to Change the Narrative of Appalachia and Appalachians by sharing their stories, one at a time.
The birth of the Ancestry Roads Webcast.
None of our guests are ever paid to appear on the Webcast.
<a rel="me" href="https://genealysis.social/@AncestryRoads">Mastodon</a>