Ohio Roots

Episode 72 - Laurie Hermance-Moore

In this episode, Laurie Hermance-Moore, founder of Heritage Bridge [https://www.heritagebridge.com/], discusses her transition from a librarian and market researcher to a professional genealogist. She explains how her team specializes in "solving the problem" for family historians, utilizing a combination of DNA clusters and "deep document research", such as deeds, guardianship, and probate records, to break through brick walls that have stood for decades. We also explore the sensitive nature of biological family research for adoptees and how new AI search tools are revolutionizing access to court records.

Episode 71 - Kim Jurkovic

In this episode, we sit down with Kim Jurkovic, the curator of the Tuscarawas County Historical Society [http://www.tuschs.org/] and a 7th generation countian whose local roots stretch back to the 1830s. We explore the wealth of resources available at the Tusc Kent Archive Room, located in Founders Hall on the Kent State University Tuscarawas campus, which serves as a vital hub for regional genealogy and history.

Episode 70 - Pamela Ellis

In this episode, we sit down with genealogist Pamela Ellis [https://peacm.org/] to explore the challenges every family historian faces—those frustrating “brick walls” where progress seems to stop. Drawing from her new book, The Brick Wall – Breaking Genealogy Barriers with AI [https://www.amazon.com/Brick-Wall-Breaking-Genealogy-Barriers/dp/B0G3K1K7GR], Pamela shares practical strategies for rethinking research problems, uncovering overlooked sources, and approaching genealogy with a more analytical mindset. We also discuss how emerging AI tools can support (not replace) traditional research methods, helping genealogists break through barriers and make meaningful discoveries.

Episode 69 - Michael Strauss

In this episode we sit down with Michael L. Strauss, a military historian and professional genealogist whose work spans archives, academia, and the courtroom. A featured speaker at the 2026 Ohio Genealogical Society Conference, Michael shares insights from his upcoming sessions, including research on non-combatants in military history, the American Protective League, U.S. Patent Office records, West Virginia genealogy, the Mexican-American War, and Justice of the Peace records. Discover how these often-overlooked sources can reveal powerful new details about your ancestors and expand your research beyond the basics.

Episode 68 - Maureen Brady

In this episode of the OGS Ohio Roots podcast we welcome Maureen Brady, a veteran genealogist with more than thirty years of research experience, to preview her sessions for the 2026 Ohio Genealogical Society Conference. Maureen shares insights on the Scots-Irish as America’s first frontiersmen, tracing the British diaspora, researching in Southern Illinois, and strengthening your ability to analyze evidence.