Family Tree Talk

40 Episodes
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By: Family Tree

Nathan knows nothing about his ancestors. Helen knows almost everything about family history. Join them as they delve into Nate’s family’s past. Will there be any skeletons in his cupboard?Join us for genealogical facts, figures and how-to information, heavily laced with speculation, surmise, stories and waffle as Family Tree's Nathan Ward embarks on his family history journey aided and abetted by Family Tree Editor Helen Tovey. 99% family history guaranteed.

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Doing a little bit of time…
Doing a little bit of time… episode artwork
#99
Today at 6:00 AM

This week in Family Tree Talk it’s all going on for podcast cohost Nathan Ward who stumbles upon another pair of records relating to a pair of brothers who, it seems, may have led one another astray – and been duly sentenced for it. Plus he finds himself whizzing forwards in time, tracing a many times great-aunt who was still alive when he was a lad… if only he’d known. And he continues his quest to find those missing Hearns & Things. Tune in with cohost Helen Tovey to learn more about his latest discoveries


I just can’t stop digging!
I just can’t stop digging! episode artwork
#98
10/19/2026

Tune in to this week’s Family Tree Talk podcast as cohost Nathan Ward continues his quest to locate every last piece of the Hearn Family 1911 Census puzzle. With two of the sons found ensconced in an Industrial School, Nathan is getting the ‘colourful’ ancestors he’s hankered after. But what can he find about their parents and siblings? Tune in with cohost Helen Tovey to see how he’s getting on.


Memories as ‘medicine’
Memories as ‘medicine’ episode artwork
#97
10/12/2026

Tune in to this week’s Family Tree Talk podcast as we speak to reminiscence pioneer Rick Voight. Discover how those old family photos and memories are not just precious to you, but can also be transformative – in helping to improve the quality of care of older people in our lives, who may be experiencing memory loss. With a life-time of working in photography and a deep respect for the value of reminiscence in our lives, Rick has a wealth of insights to share. Podcast cohosts Helen Tovey and Nathan Ward listen in.


The more you look, the more you see
The more you look, the more you see episode artwork
#96
10/05/2026

Tune in to this week’s episode as podcast co-host Nathan Ward scrutinises a First World War service record, which luckily was saved from the infamous fire (scorch-holes to prove it!). From tattoos, to children’s nicknames, he’s uncovered a wealth of info about his forebear and his forebear’s family. Join with cohost Helen Tovey to find out what Nathan’s been up to this week on the family history research front.


I think I’m accidentally building my DNA tree
I think I’m accidentally building my DNA tree episode artwork
#95
09/28/2026

Hot on the heels of his first cousin 4x removed, podcast co-host Nathan Ward’s family history findings grow only more fascinating. From getting married in Sydney in 1888 to serving in the First World War at the grand age of 49, Elijah Hearn junior is one of those family members with a lot of story to tell. Far from being a rabbit hole, however, Nathan is relishing both the discoveries, and the fact that it’s helping him build his ‘down & out’ family tree. We’d love you to join him and co-host Helen Tovey – tune in today.


Elijah and the Minotaur
Elijah and the Minotaur episode artwork
#94
09/21/2026

Tune in to this week’s Family Tree Talk with podcast co-hosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey. Nathan’s genealogy journey continues apace as he’s now racing along the side branches of his family tree tracing the life on the high seas of his 4x great-uncle Elijah. Helen, meanwhile has got a little lost in Lego and nostalgia. But it’s not all bad – as it turns out that trips down memory lane can be just what’s needed to improve the care of older people in our lives who may be dealing with memory loss.

Don’t m...


Discovering a brick wall’s silver lining
Discovering a brick wall’s silver lining episode artwork
#93
09/14/2026

Family Tree Talk podcast co-host Nathan Ward has been digging for weeks now, trying to find his Elizabeth Thing on the 1851 Census. While she’s remaining elusive, his family history is in no way standing still… In fact, being ‘forced’ to stick in one place, and one time period, has provided Nathan with time to look around him - to discover more about some of the other people in her life… her brother, her son… And what he’s finding is fascinating. Join him, with Helen Tovey, to tune in to the chat.


To add, or not to add? That is the tree-building question
To add, or not to add? That is the tree-building question episode artwork
#92
09/07/2026

Cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey catch up on their family history discoveries. Erstwhile tree-tracing newbie Nathan is now at the point of adding 5th (and maybe even 6th) times great-grandparents to his tree. Helen thinks that he should just go for it; he’s not so sure however, and wants to accrue more evidence before proceeding. Have a listen – and we’d love to hear your views.


Is it a rabbit hole, or thorough research?
Is it a rabbit hole, or thorough research? episode artwork
#91
08/31/2026

Nathan’s busy researching his 4x- great-grandparents in the early/mid 1800s. Helen is, slowly, getting on with her digital filing. Progress is being made by both of them, but things aren’t progressing as quickly as perhaps they should… Podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey chat through their family history and mull over what good research looks like, which thorough steps to take, and also when to think ‘hey is this a rabbit hole?’.


Piecing together people before 1837
Piecing together people before 1837 episode artwork
#90
08/24/2026

This week on Family Tree Talk podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey chat through Nathan’s recent research forays as he works to find records for his family in the early 1800s. What might those baptism, marriage and burial records reveal for him. Tune in – we’d love you to join us.


Building up a family in the mid 1800s
Building up a family in the mid 1800s episode artwork
#89
08/17/2026

Tune in to Family Tree Talk as Nathan Ward shares details of his forays into the 1841 Census. Turns out it wasn’t half as scary as he’d thought and he’s now busy piecing together the puzzles of a potentially blended family. In the process he’s encountered eight (or more) children (two of whom are called James), he’s deliberating on merging two duplicate ancestors, and he’s begun collecting ancestors for his Thing (yes what a great surname!) branch from Suffolk. Podcast cohost Helen Tovey listens along.


How to quickly pick up your family history research again
How to quickly pick up your family history research again episode artwork
#88
08/10/2026

Tune in to this week’s episode of Family Tree Talk as podcast cohost Nathan Ward shares the details and delights of picking up his family history research again. The past few weeks have seen him researching context; now he’s super-happy to be back to tree-building and dusting off his core family history skills. Join him and cohost Helen Tovey as they discuss what Nathan’s been up to and the best ways for picking up your research and finding your way after a little gap.


The importance of revisiting memories
The importance of revisiting memories episode artwork
#87
08/03/2026

Where to start with this most complex of topics – our memories? Perhaps the best place is the kitchen of Janna Helshtein’s grandma, where – half a century ago – we see her preparing her much loved pickle recipe, with little Janna looking on. Perhaps you too have memories you keep with you, some happy, some not so. Tune in and take a trip down memory lane and take a look at the unique place that memories hold in our family history and our lives with Family Tree Talk podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey, and genealogist Janna Helshtein.


Inspiration… or perspiration? What powers family history?
Inspiration… or perspiration? What powers family history? episode artwork
#86
07/27/2026

Tune in for this week’s Family Tree Talk with podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey. When doing our family history there is so much to discover isn’t there!? Sometimes it’s easy… and sometimes less so... But learning from other family historians is always a valuable experience. This week Nate and Helen take their hat off to some awesome pod-listener advice, share some of the tidbits from the upcoming issue of Family Tree, and generally enjoy a good old family history chat. We’d love you to join us.


The joys of juggling research resources
The joys of juggling research resources episode artwork
#85
07/20/2026

Tune in to the latest episode of Family Tree Talk as podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey chat family history. Nathan’s been hunting for an elusive WW1 airfield and delving further into his grandfather’s life. Helen’s been dusting off research notes from a few years ago… and deciding that this time she really is going to solve the puzzle of her 6x great-grandfather. We’d love you to join us.


What is ‘The Story of You?’
What is ‘The Story of You?’ episode artwork
#84
07/13/2026

What makes you tick? What are the experiences that have changed the course of your life … That have made you who you are? How did you pick yourself up when times were tough?

Those who come after us would love to know the answers to these things…. But are you in danger of leaving the story of your own life a blank chapter in your family history.

Tune in this week as podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey chat to Janna Helshtein of Genealogy for Our Descendants about why our story matters.


Why getting the family talking is so IMPORTANT
Why getting the family talking is so IMPORTANT episode artwork
#83
07/06/2026

Family Tree Talk podcast co-host Nathan Ward loves aeroplanes. Long has he wished to have an aviation connection in his family tree. And it was when he recently got the family talking that the clues – which would lead to his wish becoming true – gradually came out into the light. Tune in to hear about his recent family history discoveries and the power of chatting to parents, aunts, uncles, siblings and so forth, with co-host Helen Tovey.


How do you know when you’ve got it right, or not…?
How do you know when you’ve got it right, or not…? episode artwork
#82
06/29/2026

Join podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey for this week’s Family Tree Talk chat, as Nathan shares where he’s got up to in his research. He’s looking at 4x and even 5x great-grandparents 🙌, but is feeling a bit unsure about the details he’s finding… Has he got it right or not? Together they mull over ideas to help with clarity and confidence about putting the pieces together and making sure they really fit.


Grandfathers are ancestors too! (Save the clues before it’s too late)
Grandfathers are ancestors too! (Save the clues before it’s too late) episode artwork
#81
06/22/2026

You know the feeling when you’ve been researching all those great-great-grandparents… but you’ve not really looked into the generations that are closer at hand, because you ‘already know them’. This is the spot that Family Tree Talk podcast co-host Nathan Ward found himself in this week. Tune in as he and Helen Tovey share ideas for gathering clues about those family members that people remember… before it’s too late.


Not doing as much family history as you want?
Not doing as much family history as you want? episode artwork
#80
06/15/2026

‘Don't beat yourself up for not doing as much family history as you want,’ says podcast cohost Nathan Ward. ‘Yes, even if you're doing a little, you're still winning,’ agrees Helen Tovey.

Join Nathan and Helen this week for your next dose of family history chat - and encouragement to keep going, even when it can feel as though you have the world of genealogy tasks you’d like to do. When that sense of overwhelm is looming, little by little is the key!


How the family history community makes all the difference
How the family history community makes all the difference episode artwork
#79
06/08/2026

Join podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey for genealogy chat. This week Nathan Ward is continuing on the trail of his great-grand uncle Alexander MacKay. Feeling a little stuck where to turn next, he tentatively asked listeners for help… and they have come up trumps. Tune in for family history discoveries, learning points, and to see how a family history helping hand makes all the difference


Why is it so difficult sometimes?
Why is it so difficult sometimes? episode artwork
#78
06/01/2026

Once we start on family history we all soon realise that it’s not that easy-breezy experience that we sometimes see portrayed on the telly. But, nonetheless, it can shake our confidence in our ability if we can’t find the info we need. This week on Family Tree Talk, cohost Nathan Ward weighs up the info he’s found, and not found, with Helen Tovey. Has he forgotten those family history search skills that he’s worked so hard to get? Or is he just facing a particularly knotty family history research situation? Tune in to find out. We’d lov...


Nathan's (rather good) note system to the rescue!
Nathan's (rather good) note system to the rescue! episode artwork
#77
05/25/2026

Tune in for family history chat as Family Tree Talk podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey discuss 'negative space', how to work out whether you've searched high and low enough, and the way in which Nathan's Excel sheet may be just what you need to keep your research in order. Plus Nathan dives into the whisper of a family mystery, a possible child, and the question of 'Who Was Dolly?'.... We'd love you to join us.


It’s like a box of chocolates….
It’s like a box of chocolates…. episode artwork
#76
05/18/2026

Tune in for this week’s genealogy chat with podcast co-hosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey … who are joined by a very special guest – Family Tree publisher Matt Hill. He’s got some exciting news to share about our BRAND NEW website, which is, though we say it ourselves, as delicious as a box of genealogical chocolates. Tuck in!

PS Has Nathan been visited by The Family History Angel?


But how do you know it’s right?
But how do you know it’s right? episode artwork
#75
05/11/2026

This week Family Tree Talk podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey mull over the topic of ‘how do you know it’s right?’. You know, those questions that we’re all faced with when doing our family history, such as ‘How do you know that an index entry is definitely for your ancestor?’, ‘Is that old photo really who it’s said to be?, and so forth. Plus, they chat about which steps to take to try to minimise their chances of getting it wrong. Tune in for genealogy chat – we’d love you to join us.


Making sense of making mistakes
Making sense of making mistakes episode artwork
#74
05/04/2026

Join Family Tree Talk podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey this week as they chat family history. What it feels like when you make a mistake... How you unpick the problem, and then pick yourself up and keep going. The value of stopping to take stock and reflect on your findings. The importance of learning about your ancestors' lives and times - both to help you get a feeling for the world they once lived in, and also to provide you with new ideas and inspiration for the next step on your research journey.


The hazards of leaping to conclusions
The hazards of leaping to conclusions episode artwork
#73
04/27/2026

Join podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey as they catch up about their recent research forays. Nathan has completed his quest to find the death dates for all 16 of his 2x great-grandparents, while Helen has been enjoying the new 1926 Irish Census... and wishing she hadn't been leaping to too many false conclusions. (She'd like to apologise for getting into monologue mode in her excitement). Tune it - we'd love you to join us.


Feeling a bit stuck? Try these brickwall-bash-through techniques
Feeling a bit stuck? Try these brickwall-bash-through techniques episode artwork
#72
04/20/2026

Are you feeling a bit stuck? Facing a family history situation that you can’t work out? Then tune in to the latest episode of Family Tree Talk, where Dr Sophie Kay will be chatting about some of the techniques she uses to make research progress – even when the going gets really tough. Plus, first, podcast co-hosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey catch up on their recent research forays – and Nathan tells us about his (rather enviable) new genealogy journal.


The perseverance in family history
The perseverance in family history episode artwork
#71
04/13/2026

For weeks and weeks now, podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey have been chipping away at their respective research goals. Nathan is working on finding the death dates for each of his 2x great-grandparents, while Helen is building her family tree out and down, tracing her ancestors’ siblings and their descendants. Is it taking time? Yes! But is it worth it? Definitely so. See how the research gradually adds up to so many new exciting discoveries.


Just shooting the (genealogy) breeze
Just shooting the (genealogy) breeze episode artwork
#70
04/06/2026

Podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey catch up on their recent research. Discussing what they’ve found. Discussing how to look for answers without necessarily spending money. Reflecting on the importance of doing the tasks… but also how absolutely important it is to keep it fun! Thoughts on the possibility of ‘getting your tree done in a single weekend’… and why would you want to?! The correlation, or not, between a good attitude to physical exercise and to family history. You know, just shooting the genealogy breeze. Tune in – we’d love you to join us.


How to make sure your tree is secret & other tips
How to make sure your tree is secret & other tips episode artwork
#69
03/30/2026

In this week’s genealogy chat Family Tree Talk podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey chat about a world of family history related topics, from the ethical dilemmas of doing research for a friend; to how to make sure an online family tree is secret (if it needs to be), plus chat about Ancestry tags, scores and more!


How to stop behaving like a headless chicken
How to stop behaving like a headless chicken episode artwork
#68
03/23/2026

Usually family history can be a bit of an escape, can’t it? … An oasis of calm in our busy lives. But sometimes those research puzzles and projects and send us hither and thither like headless chickens, rushing about making a lot of noise, but very little progress. This week in Family Tree Talk, podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey chat about their recent research forays, and discuss ideas to get the research back on track – with the aid of a research plan.


Starting a new chapter of your family history
Starting a new chapter of your family history episode artwork
#67
03/16/2026

In this episode of Family Tree Talk, podcast co-host Nathan Ward shares his most recent discoveries and reflections with Helen Tovey. They discuss the family history process – considering: what does it really feel like to do family history? What is the best next step to take, when you completed a family history goal, before you move on to a new chapter in your research? And they chat about the many different forms that family history can take – from formal research to conversations and memory sharing with loved ones today.


Is it time for the Genealogical Proof Standard?
Is it time for the Genealogical Proof Standard? episode artwork
#66
03/09/2026

Podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey chat family history, as Nathan discusses the research steps he’s taken recently to unpick an online tree tangle, dig deeper into the records, and work out once and for all who his 3x great-granny really was. Tune in to see how he got on, and the usefulness of enlisting the power of the Genealogical Proof Standard to help ensure your research is rock solid. And, oh yes, a bit about GEDCOM files to try and cure Nathan’s aversion to this trusty format.


Taken a wrong turn in your research?
Taken a wrong turn in your research? episode artwork
#65
03/02/2026

Ertswhile newbie Nathan had nearly finished collecting all 32 of his 3x great-grandparents (superb effort, hey?) … when he realised that not all the facts were stacking up. Where had his research taken a wrong turn? And how was he going to get it back on track? This episode podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey chat about recent research forays and share ideas and steps to help fix those facts.


Game, set & match! A genealogy milestone reached
Game, set & match! A genealogy milestone reached episode artwork
#64
02/23/2026

Family history erstwhile newbie Nathan Ward has only been tracing his family tree for a little over a year, but this week sees him ‘collect’ the final missing ancestor of his 3x great-grandparents. But is that 32nd person really his. With impressive will-power, Nathan weighs up the facts before proceeding to add them to his tree. Tune in for Family Tree Talk podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey for nitty-gritty nuts-and-bolts family-history chat.


You are in charge! Tips to manage your Ancestry tree
You are in charge! Tips to manage your Ancestry tree episode artwork
#63
02/16/2026

This week podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey chat about the tools that help you manage your Ancestry tree the way that you wish: how to cope with hints; how to merge duplicate people on your tree; how to check that living people’s details are really hidden & more. Plus the battle of the tree score continues – Nathan is leading the way with an impressive 9.9. Is an Elite score of 10 out of 10 within his reach?


The value of perseverance in family history
The value of perseverance in family history episode artwork
#62
02/09/2026

Making a start on your family history can be a quick and simple thing to do. Keeping going, digging deeper, sticking to the plan and getting your goal accomplished are another thing entirely. This episode podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey chat about Nate’s on-going project to find all his 3x great-grandparents – with search tips and research hacks woven in along the way. Tune in & enjoy!


Nuts & bolts of building family trees
Nuts & bolts of building family trees  episode artwork
#61
02/02/2026

In the latest issue of Family Tree Talk, podcast cohosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey talk about their recent tree-building exploits. Nathan Ward discusses his recent discoveries on his quest to add all 32 of his 3x great-grandparents to his family tree. He’s even found one set of 4x great-grandparents... without finding the 3x great-grandparents that should be the missing link. How is this even possible? Tune in to find out more


Getting started, after getting stuck
Getting started, after getting stuck episode artwork
#60
01/26/2026

Podcast co-hosts Nathan Ward and Helen Tovey roll up their sleeves and get going again on the quest to trace Nathan’s ancestors in Scotland. It’s Nathan’s first research foray over the border from Pudsey and Nate and Helen chat about: ways to get unstuck, and some useful websites for embarking on Scottish family history research.