The Risks and Rewards of Doing Family History
Mon Feb 02 2026
Family history can sometimes feel distant, irrelevant, or even risky. Why look back when the past may hold stories we’d rather not claim? In this episode of Top of Mind, we explore why learning about our ancestors matters—how their stories, traditions, and struggles can shape our identity and strengthen family bonds. We also wrestle with a harder question: what do we do when our history includes dark or painful truths? Together, we consider how facing the full story of our past can foster resilience, understanding, and growth.
GUESTS
Christopher Jones, BYU History Professor (https://christophercjones.com/)
Libby Copeland, author of “The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are” (https://libbycopeland.com/)
Edward Di Gangi, author of “The Gift Best Given: A Memoir” (https://www.digangiauthor.com/)
Gaynell Brady, owner of Our Mammy’s (https://ourmammys.com/)
CHAPTERS
(0:00) Family Reunion Memories
(1:23) Discovering a Complicated Legacy
(6:43) Teaching and Reconciling History
(8:02) A Personal Family History Project
(15:03) Adoption and Biological Roots
(19:53) The Search for Biological Family
(24:18) Unexpected Discoveries
(26:15) Connecting with Ancestral Roots
(27:59) A Dream Visit from Grandmother
(28:31) Uncovering Family Tragedies
(30:06) The Popularity of Genealogy
(31:41) American Identity and Genealogy
(39:02) African American Genealogy Challenges
(48:56) Healing Through Genealogy
(53:21) Conclusion
Original airdate: August 29, 2022
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Family history can sometimes feel distant, irrelevant, or even risky. Why look back when the past may hold stories we’d rather not claim? In this episode of Top of Mind, we explore why learning about our ancestors matters—how their stories, traditions, and struggles can shape our identity and strengthen family bonds. We also wrestle with a harder question: what do we do when our history includes dark or painful truths? Together, we consider how facing the full story of our past can foster resilience, understanding, and growth. GUESTS Christopher Jones, BYU History Professor (https://christophercjones.com/) Libby Copeland, author of “The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are” (https://libbycopeland.com/) Edward Di Gangi, author of “The Gift Best Given: A Memoir” (https://www.digangiauthor.com/) Gaynell Brady, owner of Our Mammy’s (https://ourmammys.com/) CHAPTERS (0:00) Family Reunion Memories (1:23) Discovering a Complicated Legacy (6:43) Teaching and Reconciling History (8:02) A Personal Family History Project (15:03) Adoption and Biological Roots (19:53) The Search for Biological Family (24:18) Unexpected Discoveries (26:15) Connecting with Ancestral Roots (27:59) A Dream Visit from Grandmother (28:31) Uncovering Family Tragedies (30:06) The Popularity of Genealogy (31:41) American Identity and Genealogy (39:02) African American Genealogy Challenges (48:56) Healing Through Genealogy (53:21) Conclusion Original airdate: August 29, 2022