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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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Growing up in a Company Coal Town:  Itmann, West Virginia

As a child moving into Itmann while his father worked the nearby mines.


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How do you obtain Black Lung Benefits?  How long does it take to receive them?

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Black Lung in                         Appalachian Coal Miners

What it is & Is it Treatable.

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Mountaintop Removal

History & Impacts

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Planting by the Signs explained!


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Researching your Kentucky Ancestors

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Share the joy of celebrating Appalachian Artisans as the Appalachian Artisan Center rebuilds from the flood of 2022.

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The Stories and Traditions of Appalachian Women

Airing of the Quilts

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Foxfire brings us the Stories of Appalachian Women.


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> 

Upcoming Webcasts