Branching Out Genealogy Podcast

Explore how photo restoration, memory care, and family history intersect in this inspiring conversation with Rick Voight, CEO of Vivid-Pix. Learn how personal photos can boost cognitive health, strengthen storytelling, and help families preserve their legacy.
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In this episode of the Branching Out Genealogy Podcast, we speak with Rick Voight, CEO and co-founder of Vivid-Pix, about the science and impact of photo Reminiscence Therapy, a powerful tool that uses restored images to support memory and cognitive wellness—especially for individuals living with dementia.

We explore how Vivid-Pix evolved from photo enhancement software to a leader in memory preservation, working with genealogists, libraries, archives, museums, and aging-services professionals. Rick shares insights into tools like the Memory Station and Memory Cards, explains the brain science behind photo Reminiscence Therapy, and discusses how families can use photos to spark meaningful conversations and strengthen emotional connection.

You’ll also hear updates from the genealogy community, a practical tech tip, and a fun look at why so many of us—even celebrities—may have royal connections in our family tree.

If you're passionate about genealogy, memory care, digital preservation, or helping families share their stories, this episode offers valuable guidance you can use right away.
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TIMECODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction & Episode Overview
01:52 Genealogy News
07:23 Interview with Rick Voight
11:45 Photo Reminiscence Therapy & Brain Health
20:55 Vivid-Pix Programs & Community Initiatives
29:40 Memory Station & Memory Cards
40:44 Rick’s Spring Tour
48:03 Metadata, Ethics & the Future of Photos
57:04 Tech Tip: Reopen Closed Browser Tabs
58:25 Teatime
01:04:46 Closing

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ABOUT OUR GUEST: RICK VOIGHT
Rick Voight is the co-founder and CEO of Vivid-Pix, a company dedicated to improving, restoring, and preserving photographs. His work bridges the fields of genealogy, aging, and cognitive health, utilizing photo Reminiscence Therapy and accessible technology tools to help families preserve their stories while supporting memory care. Rick collaborates with libraries, museums, aging specialists, and dementia-care professionals across the U.S.

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EMAIL US at [email protected] The Branching Out Theme Song and Teatime Fanfare are copyright © Elizabeth Swanay O'Neal.

In this episode, Tami and Elizabeth discuss the concept of "reverse genealogy" with Cheri Hudson Passey, who has recently authored a book on the subject. They explore the methods of finding living relatives, the differences between researching living individuals and ancestors, and the emotional aspects of connecting with family. Cheri shares her experience of writing her book and the importance of clear communication when reaching out to relatives.
Afterward, Tami demonstrates how easy it is to open multiple websites simultaneously by using the browser extension “Open Multiple URLs.”
During Teatime, the hosts discuss recent changes to what the VA is sending when one makes a FOIA request through birls.org. Elizabeth compares the file she received in February with the useless letters genealogists are receiving now. Then, Tami discusses the reasons behind the upcoming closure of the Plaza Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. Those planning to attend the 2026 RootsTech Conference should consider making hotel reservations sooner rather than later due to this closure!
Finally, Tami shares a couple of Family History Month announcements regarding upcoming events by Vivid-Pix. If you are in the area, you won’t want to miss these!
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TIMECODE CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - INTRO
00:00:38 - Introduction to Genealogy Podcast
00:01:27 - Thank you to our Listeners and to WikiTree Challenge Elves
00:02:57 - Tami's Milo Allen Update
00:04:31 - Sponsor Break
00:05:01 - Introduction to Cheri Hudson Passey
00:05:49 - Interview with Cheri Hudson Passey
00:28:11 - Tech Tip: Open Multiple URLs
00:30:54 - Teatime
00:33:15 - Changes in how VA Fills FOIA Requests from birls.org
00:40:38 - The Plaza Hotel Closure and Future Plans
00:43:55 - Vivid-Pix Event Announcements
00:46:18 - OUTRO
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Email us at [email protected] ​

EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode, Tami and Elizabeth discuss Elizabeth’s participation in the August WikiTree Challenge with special guest Eowyn Langholf, WikiTree Community Manager. They delve into the unique aspects of WikiTree, emphasizing its community-driven approach.

In the What's Happening segment, Elizabeth shares news about babies born recently using a 3-parent IVF technique. Tami discusses creating AI biographies and videos using tools from Storied and MyHeritage.

During Teatime, Elizabeth spills the tea on the California Digital Newspaper Collection receiving needed funding and then letting all the employees go. Tami spills even more tea on strange genealogy job postings.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00  Intro
00:03:08  What Elizabeth is working on: DAR Applications and the Inheritance Project
00:05:52  What Tami is working on: Visualizing Genealogy Data
00:07:33  Interview with Eowyn Langholf, WikiTree Community Manager
00:20:09  About the WikiTree Challenge
00:22:37  Preparing for the Challenge
00:27:36  The WikiTree Challenge Process
00:32:21  The Growth and Accuracy of WikiTree
00:32:50  Future Aspirations for WikiTree
00:38:44  What’s Happening: Three-Parent IVF
00:40:52  What’s Happening: The Internet Archive and the GPO
00:42:29  What’s Happening: Enhancing Biographies with AI using Storied and MyHeritage
00:52:50  Teatime: California Digital Newspaper Collection
00:55:22  Teatime: Genealogy Jobs
01:00:26  Outro
 
RESOURCES
The DAR Inheritance Project - ⁠https://blog.dar.org/2021/09/27/inherit-grandmas-patriots-through-new-program-launch⁠
WikiTree - ⁠https://www.wikitree.com⁠
Elizabeth’s WikiTree Challenge - ⁠https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/1913531/2025-wikitree-challenge-research-for-elizabeth-oneal-ended⁠
8 babies born with experimental 3-parent IVF technique - ⁠https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/3-parent-babies-uk-australia-1.7587286⁠
The Internet Archive – ⁠https://archive.org⁠
Federal Depository Library Directory – ⁠https://ask.gpo.gov/s/FDLD⁠
GPO makes available Supreme Court cases dating back to the 18th century – ⁠https://librarytechnology.org/pr/31522⁠
Storied U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918 – ⁠https://storied.com/historical-record-search/world-war-I-draft-registration-cards⁠
MyHeritage’s AI Biographer™ – ⁠https://blog.myheritage.com/2023/12/introducing-ai-biographer-create-a-wikipedia-like-biography-for-any-ancestor-using-ai-enriched-with-historical-context⁠
MyHeritage’s Deep Story (desktop version) – ⁠https://www.myheritage.com/deepstory⁠
Losing Our History? Funding for the CaliforniaDigital Newspaper Collection Was Restored—but UC Riverside Laid Off All of theEmployees Responsible for the Project Anyway – ⁠https://cvindependent.com/2025/07/losing-our-history-funding-for-the-california-digital-newspaper-collection-was-restored-but-uc-riverside-laid-off-all-of-the-employees-responsible-for-the-project-anyway⁠
ConferenceKeeper’s Genealogy Jobs – ⁠https://conferencekeeper.org/genealogy-jobs⁠
Genealogy Jobs Facebook Group – ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1497651017151639⁠

KEYWORDS
WikiTree, genealogy, family history, community, AI, research,challenges, collaboration, ancestry, DNA, jobs, genetic genealogy

After a three-month hiatus involving a variety of life's ups and downs, Elizabeth and Tami are back in the studio! In this episode, they catch up on the past couple of months, including a few unexpected setbacks, some personal updates, and a few bright spots of good news.
The conversation turns to lineage society applications, with a focus on joining the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Why might genealogists want to apply? How do you find a chapter, and what do you need to get started? Tami shares her personal application journey, including what documentation she already had, what still needs to be tracked down, and tips on what kinds of evidence are most useful.
This episode's "What's Happening" segment covers several key updates:
Changes to the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) Application Guide and process
News of 23andMe's change in ownership
How to connect your FamilyTreeDNA account to WikiTree and MyHeritage
Plus, Tami walks us through recent enhancements to MyHeritage’s Live Memory feature.

During Tea Time, Tami spills the tea about a scary use of Artificial Intelligence for building family trees. Elizabeth sweetens things up by spotlighting GEDmatch's "Honor the Fallen" initiative, which pays tribute to those who served.
Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more genealogy goodness.
Got a question or an idea for a future episode? Email us or leave a comment—we'd love to hear from you!
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Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/branching_out_genealogy_pod
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TIMESTAMPS
Opening
03:29 Elizabeth mentions receiving an Award of Merit from the National Genealogical Society
04:00 ConferenceKeeper makes the Family Tree (UK) magazine’s Best 50 Websites list

Tami Joins the DAR
06:22  Tami's application to the DAR
07:38  Tami's questions about joining DAR
08:39 Elizabeth answers questions about DAR chapters and meetings 
08:55 Elizabeth talks about the new chapter of DAR in Ireland
10:00 Proof requirements for a DAR application
13:23 Choosing a chapter to join
14:18 How DAR membership benefits family history
16:07 Finding a registrar and starting your DAR application
18:00 Applying when a relative has already joined.
18:30 Documents needed for Tami's DAR application

What’s Happening
 31:40 BCG 2025 Application Guide changes
33:18  Final sale of 23andMe to non-profit TTAM
36:29 Connecting FamilyTreeDNA account to WikiTree
37:58 MyHeritage update to Live Memory

Tea Time
41:30 Tami shares a scary misuse of Artificial Intelligence for family trees.
45:30 Elizabeth discusses the GedMatch initiative called “Honor the Fallen,” which attempts to use DNA to help identify remains of missing service members from WWII and the Korean War.

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RESOURCES
NGS Award Recipients - https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/awards/
Family Tree (UK) Magazine's 50 Best Free Genealogy Websites - https://www.family-tree.co.uk/how-to-guides/50-free-family-history-websites
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) - https://www.dar.org/
DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS) - https://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search/?Tab_ID=0
BCG New Application Guide Info - https://bcgcertification.org/new-application-guide-2025
FamilyTreeDNA Collab with WikiTree - https://blog.familytreedna.com/connect-wikitree-dna-matches/
GEDmatch's "Honor the Fallen" - https://www.gedmatch.com/fallen-warriors-the-unknowns/
Individual Deceased Personnel File Portal - https://idpfs.com/

In this episode, co-hosts Elizabeth and Tami talk about their experiences at 2025 RootsTech Conference, from the Expo Hall to the Forums, what’s new at FamilySearch, and what other industry leaders are up to. 
The show begins with a follow-up to Tami’s Ancestry Pet DNA testing and Elizabeth’s FOIA BIRLS request.
Next up are highlights from RootsTech, followed by a visit with Gena Philibert-Ortega, who shares her enthusiasm about GRIP and her passion for reading.
What's Happening includes news about upcoming events, changes, and scholarship deadlines.
During Tea Time, Elizabeth provides an update on NY Vital Records, and Tami discusses genealogy in the virtual world of Second Life.

TIMESTAMPS
2:23 Tami shares results of her pound pup’s DNA test, which included a close shared match.
7:00 Elizabeth talks about receiving one of her FOIA BIRLS files.
RootsTech Wrap Up
14:06 RootsTech online
14:47 Relatives at RootsTech
17:58 FamilySearch's Global Tech Forum
19:21 FamilySearch Family Group Trees
20:23 FamilySearch Tree Integrity
23:26 FamilySearch New Change Log
24:00 Full Text Search Updates
25:01 FamilySearch AI Help ChatBot
26:44 Industry Highlight Forum
28:50 MyHeritage: New Cousin Finder, phone app update
29:57 Storied: Memory books; creating a new census index
31:50 SOAR
32:18 Remento
34:38 Ancestry’s phone scanner and AI tools
35:38 MyHeritage Ancient Origins
39:29 Gena Philibert-Ortega's RootsTech Experience
40:54  Her role at NGS
41:55 GRIP
46:05 Gena’s courses at SLIG
47:47 How Gena fits it into her schedule & reading goals
52:20 What Gena’s currently reading
WHAT'S HAPPENING
56:30 The National Genealogical Society 2025 Family History Conference “Tales & Trails” May 2025.
59:20 BCG adoption of two-part portfolio for CG application process
1:00:50  APG scholarships for the Professional Management Conference
1:02:27  NYG&B seeking volunteers and interns for their digitization team
1:03:21  Scholarship and awards deadlines on Conference Keeper
TEA TIME
1:04:00 New York vital records availability update.
1:06:18  Second Life chapter APG reorganization
RESOURCES
Ancestry Pet DNA - https://petdna.ancestry.com
BIRLS - https://www.birls.org/
RootsTech  https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/
Elizabeth's Blog about Relatives at RootsTech  - https://www.thefamilyheart.com/relatives-at-rootstech/
Imagetotext.io - https://www.imagetotext.io/
FamilySearch Labs - https://www.familysearch.org/en/labs/
FamilySearch Group Trees - https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/family-group-trees-learning-center
FamilySearch New Change Log - https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/using-the-improved-person-changelog-experiment
FamilySearch AI Help ChatBot - https://www.familysearch.org/en/labs/
Content Authenticity Initiative - https://contentauthenticity.org
MyHeritage Cousin Finder - https://blog.myheritage.com/2025/03/introducing-cousin-finder-gain-dna-level-insights-without-a-dna-test/
Storied - https://storied.com
SOAR - https://try.soar.com/team
Remento - https://www.remento.co
Ancestry Scanner - https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Scanning-Images-with-the-Ancestry-App?language=en_US
Vivid Pix - https://www.vivid-pix.com
GRIP - https://grip.ngsgenealogy.org
SLIG - https://slig.ugagenealogy.org
GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com
The Quest for Annie Moore of Ellis Island - https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Annie-Moore-Ellis-Island/dp/0996599312
NGS 2025 Family History Conference - https://conference.ngsgenealogy.org
BCG Springboard - https://bcgcertification.org/springboard
APG Scholarships - https://www.apgen.org/apg_awards_and_scholarships.php
NYG&B Internships -   https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/content/internships
NYG&B Volunteers - https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/volunteer 
ConferenceKeeper Awards/Grants/Scholarships - https://conferencekeeper.org/grants-scholarships
SL-APG https://slapg.wordpress.com
SLVGS https://slvirtualgenealogy.org