Life Preservers: A Podcast About Personal History

If you’re gathering with family this holiday season, there is likely to be discussion about what to do with those old cassette tapes of grandma telling family stories, or whether to keep the VHS tapes of your college graduation. We think this podcast, originally published in December of 2016 will provide valuable information and help in making those important decisions.

What was the unlikely alliance between mill girls and factory overseers? Did the immigrants of the 19th century just melt easily into American culture? Labor historian Bob Forrant of UMass Lowell begins this season of storytelling and listening with some stories of his own.

What happened to the women of 29 Endicott Street? See Part 2 of our conversation with Jade Luiz, archaeologist ,”Privies, Prostitutes and Personal History.”

Prostitutes in 19th century Boston? Women-owned businesses or “soiled doves?” Or both? Join Archaeologist and historian Jade Luiz as we explore what can be learned about these women from a combination of archaeological artifacts and genealogical research. Podcast Part I: Who were they?

Interview with Lori Stokes, Scholar Books about Salem: “ A Storm of Witchcraft” by Emerson Baker “ Entertaining Satan,” by John Putnam Demos Excellent app by Emerson Baker and others on itunes:  The Salem Witch Trials The Puritans were more exciting than you think: John Winthrop’s journal:  Available from many different sources, including Google Books The Hidden Histories project of the Congregational Library. A tour of Puritan Boston: GREAT app. Virtual or real walking tour with loads of information about a fascinating people! New England Beginnings: A partnership of organizations to promote and commemorate the cultures that shaped early New England.  ALL cultures. Designed to tell the stories and enhance accessibility to us all.

How many of these names do you recognize as famous entertainers? These are their given names and many of them appear on the Memorial plaques at The Actor’s Temple. If you don’t know, Google them to find out: Benjamin Kubelsky Aaron Chwatt Sonya Kalish Edward Israel Iskowitz Shirley Schrift Mendel Berlinger Mechel Saltpeter   For more stories of how refugees survived in New York City After the Second World War, read William Helmreich’s book: Against All Odds: Holocaust Survivors and the Successful Lives They Made in America Show Notes: Rabbi Jill talks about the Temple’s connection to Fountain House. See some of their outreach work here: www.fountainhouse.org To Contact The Actor’s Temple and Rabbi Jill Hausman http://www.theactorstemple.org/  

Genealogy is becoming something of a national obsession. More and more people want to know the stories of their families. Research genealogist Donna Blinn has been working at it before the field became so popular. She describes what it’s been like “Living in the Past Lane” and the many things she’s learned. Donna tells the stories behind some of the mysteries that she’s solved. She also talks about the requirements of her craft and the things to look for in hiring a genealogist. Personal Historians can learn about collaborating with a genealogist to verify content, and add texture and nuance to their work. Anyone who likes a good detective story will enjoy hearing her interview. Show Notes: If you want to get in touch with Donna Blinn, she can be reached at [email protected]. For a terrific story about the intersection of genealogy and personal history, check out Bringing Home the Bones by Edward Coletti, published 2006. Forensics, genealogical records and a murder mystery!

  In honor of Black History month, a podcast about famed writer and poet Margaret Walker, oral histories of the civil rights movement, and more…with Dr. Robert Luckett of Jackson State University.   Show Notes:   CLICK HERE to visit the Digital Archives at the Margaret Walker Center: They include a digital archives project, book collections, and oral history collections.   Would you like to read the 50th anniversary edition of Margaret Walker’s Tour de Force, “Jubilee?” CLICK HERE.   Getting Started Exploring Black History Museums, Large and Small: Dr. Luckett encouraged us to explore small “house” museums for black history. Here is a list from preservationdirectory.com to get you started.

  Our interview with Paul Adams from Mass Productions in Tewksbury, MA was so informative and fun that we wanted to share a bit more of it with you. Listen in to this quick four minute extra to hear two great stories from the field of audio preservation. One tells the tale of preserving recordings produced by the Yiddish Book Center and another shares his experience collaborating with UMass Boston & Boston Public Library archiving recordings from the first rap/hip-hop radio station. Both of these projects resulted in digital archives that are now available to the public.