Once again, The Family Histories Podcast is taking part in All About That Place – a FREE 10 day genealogy and local history event of more than 150 speakers delivery almost 200 ten minute talks from The Society of Genealogists and supported by Society for One Place Studies, A Few Forgotten Women, British Association for Local History, Federation of Family History Societies and Projectkin. The event runs from 7th to 16th October 2026, with recordings available for a while after.
When host Andrew receives a message from Ruth Willmore of The Society of Genealogists asking for help, he uses some of the left-over lightning energy to answer her call… but in doing so, doesn’t quite get there directly, instead meeting a fascinating group of guests along the way all of whom share a love for family history.
Listen to the episode
S11EP09 – 'The Place' with Lori Samuelson, Debbie Bradley and Patrice Connelly – The Family Histories Podcast
Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and others…
The Interview with Lori Samuelson
Unintentionally arriving in Indiana, USA, Andrew finds he’s in the home of professional genealogist, author, and lecturer Lori Samuelson. He takes the opportunity to find out how she got hooked on researching family history after being challenged to complete a New Baby book. She tells him about the depth and breadth of her research back to England and beyond and how she’s been busily writing a series of books about it, before they share their thoughts on what comes next in family history research and their concerns of the future of US archives.
Andrew adjusts his temporal settings and heads off again….
The Life Story – George Henry Clarke with Debbie Bradley
Still not arriving where he intended – Andrew arrives in Norfolk, England where he unexpectedly meets professional family historian, speaker, AGRA member and Administrator of the Family History Federation – Debbie Bradley who tells him about the life of her elusive 2x Gt Grandfather George Henry Clarke.
Debbie’s research into George has been slow and filled with challenges – partly due to him having 6 name variants, moving all around England for work, and him being illegitimate… but she managed to track him down, even if he remains as elusive in death as he seemingly was in life.
A few more adjustments seem right, and Andrew heads off once more in a hope of reaching Ruth.
The Brick Wall – John Carson and Margaret Smith- with Dr. Patrice Connelly
Thousands of miles off course, and arriving in Brisbane, Australia, he bumps into Dr. Patrice Connelly – a musicologist, University of Queensland music lecturer – and of course, a genealogist, who he discovers is trying to solve a research brick wall.
Patrice is trying to find the origins of her ancestors John Carson and his wife Margaret Smith. John appears to have been born circa 1780s – possibly in Ireland, whilst Margaret was born in 1785 in Stepney, London.
They marry in Stepney in 1808 and have a number of children, but strangely, there’s somewhat of a delay in baptising them.
Patrice knows that John was also a Mariner, and wonders whether this explains the baptismal delay?
Can you help her find
- John’s birth place and parents.
- Margaret’s parents.
If you think that you can help Patrice with a research idea or clue, then you can send her a message via the email address she gives in the episode or alternatively you can send her a message via our Contact form and we’ll pass it along to her.
Meanwhile… Andrew thinks that he can reach Ruth Willmore at The Society of Genealogists in London, AND give Patrice some help with her brick wall. Can he reach the right Place?
Episode Credits
- Andrew Martin – Host and Producer
- Lori Samuelson – Guest
- Debbie Bradley – Guest
- Dr. Patrice Connelly – Guest
- Ruth Willmore – Guest
- John Spike – Sándor Petőfi
- Stephane Flux – Foley Artist
