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Oregon became the thirty-third state on February 14, 1859, but its history reaches far beyond statehood. Indigenous peoples had lived throughout the region long before Europeans arrived, with communities and traditions tied to the coast, forests, mountains, and rivers. One of the earliest documented European explorations of what is now Oregon came in 1543, when Bartolomé Ferrelo continued north along the Pacific Coast on an expedition begun by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. Over the centuries that followed, Spain, Britain, and the United States all claimed interests in the Pacific Northwest. The United States and Great Britain agreed to jointly occupy the Oregon Country in 1818, and the Oregon Treaty of 1846 established the boundary between American and British territory. Oregon Territory was organized in 1848, followed by statehood eleven years later. With forests that seem to go on forever, a rugged coastline, isolated lakes, old hotels, and communities with stories passed down for generations, Oregon has produced some wonderfully strange folklore. There are mysterious creatures, sea serpents, ghosts, and at least one monster who apparently decided that simply being a monster wasn't interesting enough. He needed a name... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-oregon/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
South Dakota joined the Union on November 2, 1889, the same day as North Dakota. South Dakota is traditionally listed as the fortieth state, but no one knows which Dakota was admitted first. President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the two statehood documents before signing them so neither state could claim it had entered the Union ahead of the other. Native peoples lived, hunted, farmed, and traveled across the region long before European explorers arrived. The Arikara, Mandan, Crow, Cheyenne, Omaha, Ponca, Dakota, Nakota, Lakota, and other nations were connected to different parts of the land at various times. The history was far more complex than one tribe simply replacing another. The first written record of European explorers reaching present-day South Dakota comes from 1743. French explorers Francois and Louis-Joseph de La Verendrye buried a lead plate near present-day Fort Pierre and claimed the region for France. The land later passed to Spain, returned to France, and became part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Today, South Dakota is known for Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, the historic town of Deadwood, and the prairie country described in several of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books. The state's forests, ravines, outlaw hideouts, mining towns, and Victorian buildings have also inspired plenty of strange stories. Here are some of South Dakota's best-known legends. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-south-dakota/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
When an ancestor dies, most genealogists know the usual records to search. There's the death certificate, obituary, cemetery record, gravestone, probate file, and perhaps a church burial record. But there's another source that can be just as useful and is often overlooked. The funeral home. Funeral homes kept records for practical reasons. They needed to know who had died, where the person lived, where the funeral would be held, where the person would be buried, and who was responsible for the arrangements. For genealogists, that paperwork can contain valuable family information. What Might Be in a Funeral Home Record? Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/funeral-home-records-genealogy/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
Pennsylvania's history reaches far beyond the founding of the United States. Long before Europeans arrived, the region was home to the Lenape, Susquehannock, Erie, and other Native peoples. Rivers such as the Delaware, Susquehanna, and Allegheny served as travel routes, hunting grounds, fishing areas, and centers of trade. Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, and English settlers later established communities in portions of the region. In 1681, King Charles II granted the land to William Penn, who planned a colony where Quakers and members of other religious groups could live with greater freedom. The colony eventually attracted German-speaking settlers, Mennonites, Amish families, Scots-Irish immigrants, Welsh Quakers, and people from many other backgrounds. Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the United States Constitution on December 12, 1787. Its cities, farms, forests, mountains, mines, lakes, and battlefields have since produced an enormous collection of legends. Some Pennsylvania folklore grew from the dangers people faced. Sailors feared sudden storms on Lake Erie. Families remembered soldiers who never returned from war. Old burial grounds inspired stories about spirits guarding the dead. In other cases, a frightening tale was repeated so often that separating history from fiction became difficult. Here are several of Pennsylvania's best-known legends. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-pennsylvania/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
The 7 Deadly Sins. Why are they so tempting? Why are these 7 listed so prominently in Christian history? Join us as we discuss the capital vices and learn how to turn from sin.The sermon today is titled "Lust." This sermon is the seventh installment in our series "Turning From Sin." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 5:27-30 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 8, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Relinquishing Our idols and GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Rebecca DeYoung, Glittering Vices.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The 7 Deadly Sins. Why are they so tempting? Why are these 7 listed so prominently in Christian history? Join us as we discuss the capital vices and learn how to turn from sin.The sermon today is titled "Greed." This sermon is the seventh installment in our series "Turning From Sin." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 5:5 & Colossians 3:5 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 18, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Relinquishing Our idols and GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Rebecca DeYoung, Glittering Vices.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The 7 Deadly Sins. Why are they so tempting? Why are these 7 listed so prominently in Christian history? Join us as we discuss the capital vices and learn how to turn from sin.The sermon today is titled "Gluttony." This sermon is the sixth installment in our series "Turning From Sin." The Scripture reading is from Proverbs 23:2 & Philippians 3:19 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 11, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Relinquishing Our idols and GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Rebecca DeYoung, Glittering Vices.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
South Carolina is one of the original thirteen states, but its history began long before the first European settlers arrived. Native peoples had lived throughout the region for countless generations, building communities along its rivers, forests, coastal marshes, and barrier islands. The name Carolina comes from Carolus, the Latin form of Charles. The land was named in honor of England's King Charles I. South Carolina later ratified the United States Constitution on May 23, 1788, becoming the eighth state to join the new nation. Many Native American nations lived in what's now South Carolina. These included the Catawba, Cherokee, Pee Dee, Waccamaw, Santee, Edisto, Kiawah, Yamasee, and several other groups. The Catawba lived primarily in the Piedmont region, while other communities made their homes along the coast and major rivers. European explorers began visiting the coastline during the 1500s. A Spanish expedition attempted to establish the colony of San Miguel de Gualdape in 1526, although historians still debate its exact location. The colony failed within a few months because of disease, hunger, internal conflict, and resistance from the people who'd been enslaved there. The French established Charlesfort on present-day Parris Island in 1562, but the small settlement lasted only about a year. Spain later established Santa Elena at the same location in 1566. Santa Elena became the capital of Spanish Florida before it was abandoned in 1587. The first lasting English settlement in South Carolina was Charles Towne, founded in 1670. It was later moved to the area where Charleston stands today. With Native American, European, African, and Caribbean traditions meeting in the same region, South Carolina developed a rich collection of legends and ghost stories. Some began with real people and historical events. Others came from spiritual beliefs, unexplained sightings, family stories, and warnings passed from one generation to the next. Here are some of South Carolina's most memorable legends... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-south-carolina/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
The 7 Deadly Sins. Why are they so tempting? Why are these 7 listed so prominently in Christian history? Join us as we discuss the capital vices and learn how to turn from sin.The sermon today is titled "Envy." This sermon is the third installment in our series "Turning From Sin." The Scripture reading is from Genesis 37:3-4 & 1 Kings 3:16-28 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 7, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Relinquishing Our idols and GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Rebecca DeYoung, Glittering Vices.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The 7 Deadly Sins. Why are they so tempting? Why are these 7 listed so prominently in Christian history? Join us as we discuss the capital vices and learn how to turn from sin.The sermon today is titled "Sloth." This sermon is the fourth installment in our series "Turning From Sin." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 21, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Relinquishing Our idols and GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Rebecca DeYoung, Glittering Vices.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The 7 Deadly Sins. Why are they so tempting? Why are these 7 listed so prominently in Christian history? Join us as we discuss the capital vices and learn how to turn from sin.The sermon today is titled "Wrath." This sermon is the fifth installment in our series "Turning From Sin." The Scripture reading is from James 1:19-20 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 4, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Relinquishing Our idols and GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Rebecca DeYoung, Glittering Vices.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The 7 Deadly Sins. Why are they so tempting? Why are these 7 listed so prominently in Christian history? Join us as we discuss the capital vices and learn how to turn from sin.The sermon today is titled "Vainglory." This sermon is the second installment in our series "Turning From Sin." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 4:22-24 & Matthew 6:1-8 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 30, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Relinquishing Our idols and GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Rebecca DeYoung, Glittering Vices.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
August can be a funny month. Summer is still here, but it is beginning to wind down. The children and grandchildren are getting ready to return to school, vacations are coming to an end, and some of the hottest afternoons are still ahead of us. That makes August a good month to work on family history. Some genealogy projects are perfect for a quiet afternoon indoors. Others give us a reason to visit relatives, take a short trip, or spend time sharing family stories with younger generations. You do not need to finish everything on this list. Choose one or two projects that fit where you are in your research. A few hours spent on a part of your family history that has been neglected can make a real difference. You can also listen to the Ancestral Findings Podcast while you organize photographs, sort records, or work on your family tree... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/genealogy-projects-for-august/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
The 7 Deadly Sins. Why are they so tempting? Why are these 7 listed so prominently in Christian history? Join us as we discuss the capital vices and learn how to turn from sin.The sermon today is titled "Glittering Vices." This sermon is the first installment in our series "Turning From Sin." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 4:22-24 & Colossians 3:5-14 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 23, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Relinquishing Our idols and GROW: Spiritual Formation.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Rebecca DeYoung, Glittering Vices.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The Psalms speak about the Savior. Every song listed in that matchless book points us to God; but when we see Christ unveiled in the New Testament, we go back and sing these songs with new meaning and greater understanding.The sermon today is titled "The Good Shepherd." This sermon is the eighth installment in our series "Psalms and the Savior." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 23 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 2, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Thank you for listening!I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
There is a strange point in learning photography when instruction begins to work against you. At first, advice is useful. You learn how aperture changes depth of field, how shutter speed affects motion, and how light shapes a subject. You begin to understand the camera instead of merely hoping it gives you something usable. Then the advice keeps coming. Every image should have a clear subject. The shadows should be opened. The highlights should be protected. The background should be simplified. The colors should be corrected. The horizon should be straight. The eyes should be sharp. The crop should follow one rule or another. None of that is useless. The problem begins when you stop looking at the photograph and start checking whether it obeys everything you have been told. I have caught myself doing this... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/why-we-keep-photographs/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Music From the Doctor's Office: https://musicfromthedoctorsoffice.com
The Psalms speak about the Savior. Every song listed in that matchless book points us to God; but when we see Christ unveiled in the New Testament, we go back and sing these songs with new meaning and greater understanding.The sermon today is titled "Psalms of a Good God." This sermon is the seventh installment in our series "Psalms and the Savior." The Scripture reading is from Luke 1:46-79 & Psalm 118:25-26 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 26, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Thank you for listening!I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The Psalms speak about the Savior. Every song listed in that matchless book points us to God; but when we see Christ unveiled in the New Testament, we go back and sing these songs with new meaning and greater understanding.The sermon today is titled "Praying on the Way to Gethsemane." This sermon is the sixth installment in our series "Psalms and the Savior." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 88 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 19, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Thank you for listening!I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country, but it has never been short on independence or unusual stories. One of the original thirteen colonies, Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the United States Constitution. It finally approved the document on May 29, 1790, becoming the thirteenth state to join the new Union. Rhode Island had already developed a reputation for going its own way. Colonial officials sometimes called it "Rogue Island," partly because smuggling was widespread in its busy ports and its merchants frequently resisted British trade restrictions. The colony was also known for religious liberty and for offering a home to people whose beliefs were unwelcome elsewhere. Until recently, the state's official name was the "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." Rhode Island voters chose to keep that name during a 2010 referendum. Ten years later, however, voters approved removing "and Providence Plantations." Since 2020, the official name has simply been the "State of Rhode Island." Roger Williams established Providence in 1636 after being banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony because of his religious views. He reached an agreement with Narragansett leaders Canonicus and Miantonomi for the land where Providence was founded. The agreement was later recorded in a deed dated 1638. Long before European settlement, the region was home to Native peoples, including the Narragansett, Niantic, and Wampanoag. Their communities, traditions, and conflicts with European settlers all became part of Rhode Island's history. With colonial settlements, rocky shorelines, old cemeteries, and centuries-old homes, Rhode Island has collected a surprising amount of folklore. Some stories grew from documented events, while others have been passed down as local legends. Here are several of the best-known examples... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-rhode-island/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
The Psalms speak about the Savior. Every song listed in that matchless book points us to God; but when we see Christ unveiled in the New Testament, we go back and sing these songs with new meaning and greater understanding.The sermon today is titled "When Psalms Call For Doom." This sermon is the fourth installment in our series "Psalms and the Savior." The Scripture reading is from Psalms 109 & 137 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 5, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Christopher Ash, “4 Psalms You Didn't Realize Point to Christ,” Crossway. July 8, 2024. Jason Byassee, Psalms 101-150, Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible. On Psalm 109.L. Michael Morales, “Jesus and the Psalms,” Gospel Coalition April 11, 2011. Timothy Shorey, “Seeing Christ in the Psalms.” From My Youth Resources.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The Psalms speak about the Savior. Every song listed in that matchless book points us to God; but when we see Christ unveiled in the New Testament, we go back and sing these songs with new meaning and greater understanding.The sermon today is titled "Singing Through Christ." This sermon is the fifth installment in our series "Psalms and the Savior." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 145 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 12, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Christopher Ash, “4 Psalms You Didn't Realize Point to Christ,” Crossway. July 8, 2024. I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
Every now and then, I look back through old photographs and wonder why I kept certain ones. Not the obvious ones. Not the family photographs, birthdays, holidays, faces, or moments that clearly belong in the archive. Those explain themselves. I understand why they are there. I am thinking more about the quiet images. A road. A tree. A field. A lake. A building I passed once. A patch of light on an ordinary afternoon. At first, some of those photographs do not seem to say very much. They may not be strong enough for a print. They may not belong in a portfolio. They may not be something I would show to anyone else and expect them to understand why I made them. But I kept them. That alone makes me stop and think... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/why-we-keep-photographs/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Music From the Doctor's Office: https://musicfromthedoctorsoffice.com
Finding someone with your family's last name can be exciting. Maybe the name appears in an old census, a cemetery record, an online family tree, or even a DNA match list. The spelling is exactly right, the family lived in the same general area, and suddenly a new branch of your tree seems to be taking shape. It is easy to think, "We have the same surname, so we must be related." Sometimes that turns out to be true. A shared surname can be a valuable clue, especially when it is unusual and appears in the same place over several generations. But a surname alone does not prove a family connection. Different families often adopted the same last name independently. Related people may also appear under completely different surnames or spellings. To know whether two people truly belong to the same family, you must look beyond the name and follow the records... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/does-the-same-last-name-mean-you-are-related-genealogy-mythbusters/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
The Psalms speak about the Savior. Every song listed in that matchless book points us to God; but when we see Christ unveiled in the New Testament, we go back and sing these songs with new meaning and greater understanding.The sermon today is titled "Psalms for a Cross." This sermon is the second installment in our series "Psalms and the Savior." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 22 & 31 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 21, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Ellen T. Charry, Psalms 1-50, Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible, on Psalm 31.Travis Johnson, “Seeing Christ in Psalm 31: God Is Enough.” Joly Joys. March 20, 2024.Hannah Buchholz, "Jesus' Last Words, Psalm 31 & Psalm 22." I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The Psalms speak about the Savior. Every song listed in that matchless book points us to God; but when we see Christ unveiled in the New Testament, we go back and sing these songs with new meaning and greater understanding.The sermon today is titled "All Creation Sings." This sermon is the third installment in our series "Psalms and the Savior." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 103 & 104 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 28, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Christopher Ash, “4 Psalms You Didn't Realize Point to Christ,” Crossway. July 8, 2024. Dr. Richard Belcher, “Is Every Psalm about Christ?” Nov 12, 2024. J. Ligon Duncan III, “Christ in the Psalms,” Modern Reformation Nov/Dec 2002. Blog post given Wed, Jun 6, 2007. Jim McGuiggan, “The Broken Snare & Freedom,” Spending Time With Jim (Oct 2016). Rev. Dr. Nick McRae, “Seeing Christ in the Psalms,” Blog (March 8, 2021). L. Michael Morales, “Jesus and the Psalms,” Gospel Coalition April 11, 2011.Timothy Shorey, “Seeing Christ in the Psalms.” From My Youth Resources.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
There's not a friend like Jesus. I hope you will come to know him for yourself.The sermon today is titled "Meet My Friend Jesus." This is a stand-alone sermon. The Scripture reading is from Matthew 12:15-21 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) during our "Family and Friends Day" on October 19, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Loving Christ.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):The introduction about no friend like Jesus is inspired by a 1978 sermon by Jim McGuiggan. I do not know the title or location.The "bruised reed and smoldering wick" prose is borrowed, adapted, and extended from Max Lucado, He Still Moves Stones (Dallas: Word Publishing, 1993).Elton Trueblood, Confronting Christ (Waco, TX: Word Books, 1960).Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995).I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
The Psalms speak about the Savior. Every song listed in that matchless book points us to God; but when we see Christ unveiled in the New Testament, we go back and sing these songs with new meaning and greater understanding.The sermon today is titled "Looking for Jesus." This sermon is the first installment in our series "Psalms and the Savior." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 124:1-8 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 14, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Christopher Ash, “4 Psalms You Didn't Realize Point to Christ,” Crossway. July 8, 2024. Dr. Richard Belcher, “Is Every Psalm about Christ?” Nov 12, 2024. J. Ligon Duncan III, “Christ in the Psalms,” Modern Reformation Nov/Dec 2002. Blog post given Wed, Jun 6, 2007. Jim McGuiggan, “The Broken Snare & Freedom,” Spending Time With Jim (Oct 2016). Rev. Dr. Nick McRae, “Seeing Christ in the Psalms,” Blog (March 8, 2021). L. Michael Morales, “Jesus and the Psalms,” Gospel Coalition April 11, 2011.Timothy Shorey, “Seeing Christ in the Psalms.” From My Youth Resources.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
There is something special about the house of the Lord. Raising your children up in the nurture and training of Jesus involves the community of God's people. Learn how and why bringing up children in church is beneficial.The sermon today is titled "Children in the House of the Lord." This is a stand-alone sermon. The Scripture reading is from Psalm 92:13 (KJV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) during our "Baby Dedication Sunday" on February 1, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Families and Relationships.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Thank you for listening!I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
Admitted to the Union in 1796 as the 16th state, Tennessee has been inhabited by humans for at least 12,000 years, according to current archaeological evidence. The names of the tribes of Native Americans who inhabited the area before the first known Europeans arrived are not known, though the area has gone through several named cultural phases, such as the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian. Hernando de Soto led the first known European expedition into what is now Tennessee in 1540, under the flag of Spain. The Muscogee and Yuchi tribes were living in Tennessee at that time, and are the first known named tribes of that area. Later, as European diseases and incursion on their territory drove these tribes out of the area, the Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Cherokee tribes moved in, with the Cherokee being the last to come to Tennessee in 1838. The first permanent European settlement in Tennessee was built by the British in 1756. It was the westernmost British outpost to that date. European settlers gradually moved to the area in larger numbers, with most of them being of English, Scottish, and Irish descent. Tennessee has a long and storied history with humans and plenty of folklore of its own. Here are some of the highlights of this wonderful folklore... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-tennessee/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
Imagine If You Were Left-Handed. It's not hard to imagine. Now...what if society favored right-handed people? Let this parable remind us of a not-so-distant past, and let it open our hearts to loving our neighbor as ourselves.The sermon today is titled "The Right Handed League." This is a stand-alone sermon. The Scripture reading is from Micah 6:8 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 24, 2025. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Making A Difference.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Thank you for listening!I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
In this addition, we are traveling through Utah, where one mysterious gravestone has puzzled visitors for decades, stolen pieces of a Jurassic forest return home with letters of apology, a grave robber disappears from an island in the Great Salt Lake, and a brilliant blue mountain lake is said to conceal something enormous beneath its surface. Some parts of these stories are documented history. Others are legends that grew as they passed from one storyteller to the next. That distinction matters, but it does not make the folklore any less fascinating. In fact, the place where the records end and the legends begin is often where the most interesting questions are waiting. Before we explore those stories, it helps to understand the remarkably deep history of Utah itself... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-utah/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
Christians love their neighbors as themselves. One way is by respecting bodies and commitments, seen in the Christian covenant of purity, fidelity, and monogamy. Join us as we consider the fourth of 5 defining characteristics of the early church that made them distinct and definable.The sermon today is titled "Honoring Our Union." This sermon is the fourth installment in our sub-series "How Will They Know Us" and the twelfth in our larger series "First Things First." The Scripture reading is from John 13:35 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 19, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Introduction to Theology.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Mary Harrington, “Normophobia,” First Things (April 2024). Suetonius, Life of Nero, 26-31. Maggie Gallagher, “Why Marriage Is Good For You,” City Journal (Autumn 2000). Wesley Hill, Washed & Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness & Homosexuality (Zondervan, 2010).Luke Timothy Johnson, "Homosexuality and the Church: Scripture & Experience," Commonweal, June 11, 2007.Preston Sprinkle, Living in a Gray World: A Christian Teen's Guide to Understanding Homosexuality (Zondervan, 2015).Preston Sprinkle, Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church & What the Bible Has To Say (David C Cook, 2021).Keith D. Stanglin, “Christian Moral Reasoning and the Question of Homosexual Practice,” Journal of Christian Studies 1/2: “Sexuality and Marriage” (May 2022): 65-80.Louise Perry, "We Are Repaganizing," First Things, Oct 1, 2023.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
Today, we travel through Vermont in search of a family curse, a legendary lake creature, the ghost stories surrounding a terrible railroad disaster, and a group of mineral springs that seemed to resist every attempt to turn them into a business. Some parts of these stories are supported by historical records. Others belong entirely to folklore. Together, they reveal how real people, places, and tragedies can become legends passed down for generations. Long before Vermont had its present name or boundaries, Indigenous people lived throughout the region. Archaeological evidence shows that people were living in the Champlain Valley thousands of years ago. Over time, small seasonal camps developed into more permanent communities along the lakes and rivers. The Western Abenaki were among the Native peoples whose homeland included what is now Vermont. Lake Champlain provided food, transportation, and spiritual meaning, while rivers such as the Winooski and Missisquoi connected communities throughout the region. In 1609, Samuel de Champlain became the first European known to have set foot in what would become Vermont. Contrary to a frequently repeated claim, there is no reliable evidence that Jacques Cartier visited Vermont in 1535. The French built Fort Sainte Anne on Isle La Motte in 1666, creating Vermont's first European settlement. France eventually lost control of the region to Great Britain in 1763. Vermont then declared itself an independent republic in 1777 before joining the United States on March 4, 1791, as the fourteenth state. That long and complicated history created the perfect setting for stories in which fact and folklore are rarely far apart... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-vermont/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
Today we explore three unusual stories from Virginia folklore: the ghost legend associated with Sarah Shelton Henry, the mystery of the Beale ciphers, and the modern tale of a werewolf-like creature in Henrico County. Along the way, we will separate the documented history from the legends that grew around it. Virginia was one of the thirteen colonies that declared independence from Britain, but its human story reaches back much farther. Archaeological evidence shows that people have lived in what is now Virginia for at least sixteen thousand years. Early communities were mobile hunters, fishers, and gatherers. Over thousands of years, many became more settled. During the Late Woodland period, farming, towns, and far-reaching trade networks became increasingly important. By the early 1600s, Virginia's Indigenous peoples spoke languages belonging to three broad families: Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan. In Tidewater Virginia, Wahunsenacawh—known to the English by his title, Powhatan—inherited authority over six groups. Through diplomacy and force, he expanded that alliance to include between twenty-eight and thirty-two tribes and smaller chiefdoms. This alliance did not include every Native nation in Virginia, and its population numbered in the tens of thousands. European contact also began earlier than the original article suggested. Spanish Jesuits attempted to establish a mission in the Chesapeake region in 1570. Jamestown, founded in 1607, became the first permanent English settlement. Relationships between the English and Virginia's Native peoples included trade and diplomacy, but also warfare, dispossession, and forced displacement. Virginia's Native nations survived those events and remain part of the Commonwealth today. This long and complicated history provides the setting for some of Virginia's most enduring folklore... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/american-folklore-virginia/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
For this installment of Postcards From the Past, I have two vintage postcards that were sent to me by a friend and podcast listener, M. Green. He included a handwritten note explaining that they show Paragon Park and Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts, a place once well-known and deeply loved by generations of people from the Boston area. He thought the postcards would be interesting to share with everyone through Ancestral Findings, and he was right. I have been running Ancestral Findings since 1995 as a genealogy hobby that I enjoy. My wife helps with the free lookups, but otherwise it is just me researching, writing, recording the podcast, and sharing the history I find along the way. That makes it especially meaningful when a reader or listener takes the time to send something from a personal collection for the rest of us to see. These postcards did not come from a museum display or a planned research project. M. Green had them, thought of this series, and mailed them to me because he believed their history was worth sharing. I agree with him... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/nantasket-beach-and-paragon-park-postcards-from-the-past/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
Christians love their neighbors as themselves. One way is by promoting the peace, loving our enemies as ourselves. Join us as we consider the third of 5 defining characteristics of the early church that made them distinct and definable.The sermon today is titled "Practicing The Peace." This sermon is the third installment in our sub-series "How Will They Know Us" and the eleventh in our larger series "First Things First." The Scripture reading is from John 13:35 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 12, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Introduction to Theology.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Thank you for listening!
With the dog days of summer approaching, you may be thinking of genealogy projects to keep you occupied during the long, hot days ahead. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do in July that fall outside your usual genealogical research, and these should keep you occupied and entertained while you wait for the weather to cool off and school to start again. Here they are if you are looking for some fun and creative genealogical projects for July. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/10-must-do-genealogy-projects-for-july/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
Genealogy has always required patience, curiosity, and a willingness to follow clues one step at a time. For many years, that meant courthouse visits, family letters, cemetery books, microfilm readers, census pages, and long afternoons with handwritten notes spread across the table. Those older methods still have value. In fact, they are often where the best discoveries begin. But today's researcher has something earlier generations could only dream about: searchable records, digital newspapers, online family trees, deoxyribonucleic acid testing, artificial intelligence search tools, cloud storage, and scanning apps that can preserve family papers before they are lost. Technology has changed genealogy in a big way. It can help us search faster, organize more effectively, find records we might have missed, and share family history with relatives who live far away. But it can also create confusion. Every website seems to have a new feature. Every service has a new offer. Every hint looks exciting. Every subscription promises access to something important. That is where we have to slow down... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/smart-genealogy-using-todays-tools-without-losing-sight-of-good-research/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
As genealogical research evolves in the digital age, tracing your South African ancestry has become easier and more accessible than ever. With vast online databases, digitized records, and DNA testing, you can now explore family connections and ancestral roots from the comfort of your home. The key is knowing where to look and how to maximize these resources. In this final article of the series, we'll explore the most useful online tools and DNA testing services available for South African genealogy, offering you practical ways to uncover your heritage... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/utilizing-online-resources-and-dna-testing-for-south-african-genealogy/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but attention is not automatic. That is something I think about more and more when it comes to photography. We can make the photograph. We can print it, post it, frame it, share it, and send it out into the world. But none of that means anyone is required to stop and look. The viewer still has a choice... Podcast Notes: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/earning-the-viewers-eye-in-photography/ Photography Clips Podcast: https://www.moneymakerphotography.com/podcast/ Music From the Doctor's Office: https://musicfromthedoctorsoffice.com
Genealogical research in South Africa can be a rewarding experience, but it's not without its challenges. Whether you're trying to track down a birth certificate, find an ancestor in the 1800s, or interpret handwritten documents in an unfamiliar language, these obstacles can slow down your progress. However, many of these challenges can be overcome with the right approach and tools. Let's explore two key challenges genealogists researching South African ancestry face: language barriers and record loss. We'll also explore practical strategies to overcome these obstacles and help you piece together your family's history... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/genealogical-challenges-in-south-africa/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.instagram.com/ancestralfindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support https://ancestralfindings.com/paypal #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
Christians love their neighbors as themselves. One way is by welcoming the stranger, which makes the church the society of equal outsiders. Join us as we consider the second of 5 defining characteristics of the early church that made them distinct and definable.The sermon today is titled "Welcoming The Stranger." This sermon is the second installment in our sub-series "How Will They Know Us" and the tenth in our larger series "First Things First." The Scripture reading is from John 13:35 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 5, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Introduction to Theology.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Tim Keller, "Hospitality," Series: Practicing The Christian Life. Sermon, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, June 8, 2008.Tim Keller, "Why Does Anyone Become A Christian?" Bog post, Nov 11, 2016.Tim Keller, "Multi-Ethnicity and Mission," The Ministry Collaborative, May 3, 2016.Tim Keller, "Redeemer Report: The Early Christian 'Social Project.'" 2017.Sam Wells, "The Naked Truth," Sermon Duke Divinity Chapel. Nov 23, 2008. Jan Johnson, "Welcoming The Stranger: Living Out God's Soul Stretching Love." Conversatio. Matt Heerema, "Welcoming The Stranger." Sermon. Stonebrook Church. Brookings Institute and US Census Bureau Projections.Foy E. Wallace, Jr., "Negro Meetings for White People." Bible Banner, March 1941.Ezra Lazarus, "The New Colossus" (1883).Commentaries include Keener (Acts), Painter (3rd John; Sacra Pagina), Jobes (3rd John; Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
In the world of genealogy, it can sometimes feel as though the women in your family tree slip into the shadows, overshadowed by male ancestors whose surnames are passed down through generations. But don't be fooled—women were central to family history, community life, and the transmission of culture. Tracing maternal lineages in South Africa can reveal many untold stories and hidden connections, even though the path may not always be straightforward. Let's explore the challenges of uncovering women in genealogical records while highlighting the methods and resources that can help you bring these forgotten ancestors to light... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/women-in-south-african-genealogy/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.instagram.com/ancestralfindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support https://ancestralfindings.com/paypal #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
South Africa's history is a fascinating migration story, with people arriving from all over the world and others leaving to build new lives in other lands. Understanding the patterns of immigration and emigration can open up new doors in your genealogical research, revealing the journeys your ancestors took, why they moved, and where they settled. Let's explore the various waves of migration to and from South Africa and how you can trace these movements in your family history... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/researching-south-african-immigration-and-emigration-patterns/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.instagram.com/ancestralfindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support https://ancestralfindings.com/paypal #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
What's in a name? Well, in South Africa, quite a lot! Surnames carry the stories of ancestors, cultures, and the complex history that shaped this incredible country. Whether your last name is Van der Merwe, Mbatha, Patel, or even Botha, understanding its origin can unlock a treasure trove of genealogical clues. Let's dive into some of the most fascinating aspects of South African surnames and have some fun while we're at it! The Cultural Mix South Africa is known as the "Rainbow Nation" for a reason: its people come from a variety of backgrounds, including indigenous African tribes, European settlers, Indian laborers, and even Chinese immigrants. The surnames that arise from these different groups reflect their unique cultural stories. Knowing a surname's origin can provide insight into your family's place in South Africa's diverse past. Let's break down the main cultural groups and explore their surnames... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/understanding-south-african-surnames-a-guide-to-cultural-and-ethnic-origins/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.instagram.com/ancestralfindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support https://ancestralfindings.com/paypal #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
Christians love their neighbors as themselves. One way is by valuing the vulnerable, which means Christians value life from womb to tomb. Join us as we consider the first of 5 defining characteristics of the early church that made them distinct and definable.The sermon today is titled "Valuing The Vulnerable." This sermon is the first installment in our sub-series "How Will They Know Us" and the ninth in our larger series "First Things First." The Scripture reading is from John 13:35 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 28, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Introduction to Theology.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Michael Gorman, "Ahead to our Past: Abortion and Christian Texts," in On Moral Medicine.Tim Keller, "5 Features That Made The Early Church Unique," Gospel Coalition.Richard Hays, The Moral Vision of the New Testament.Larry Hurtado, "Why On Earth Did Anyone Become A Christian In The First Three Centuries?" Marquette Lecture in Theology, 2016.Brad East, "Why Christians Oppose Euthanasia," Christianity Today.Stanley Hauerwas, "Try Some Courage," The Table Podcast.Louise Perry, "We Are Repaganizing," First Things.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
Church and civil records are foundational resources for tracing ancestry in South Africa. Before formal civil registration was introduced, church records were the primary means of documenting life events such as births, marriages, and deaths. Even after civil registration became common practice, church records offered valuable details about individuals and families. Let's explore how to use these records effectively, what you can expect to find, and where to locate them. Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/tracing-ancestry-through-south-african-church-and-civil-records/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.instagram.com/ancestralfindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support https://ancestralfindings.com/paypal #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
He will come again to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Join us as we consider the sixth of 7 core beliefs of the Christian faith.The sermon today is titled "Called To One Hope." This sermon is the eighth installment in our series "First Things First." The Scripture reading is from 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 21, 2026. All lessons fit under 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Hopeful Renewal, INSTILL: Core Texts and LEARN: Introduction to Theology.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Michael F. Bird, What Christians Ought To Believe.Ben Myers, The Apostle's Creed.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.
South Africa has an extraordinary history and a complex blend of cultures, rewarding and challenging genealogical research here. Whether your ancestors were part of the indigenous communities, European settlers, or later immigrants, the journey to uncover your family's roots in South Africa can lead you through various records and stories. In this series, we'll explore South Africa's historical backdrop, why it matters for genealogical research, and the key resources available to help you trace your lineage... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/introduction-to-south-african-genealogy/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.instagram.com/ancestralfindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support https://ancestralfindings.com/paypal #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips
Military records can add life, movement, and personal detail to family history research. A census may tell you where an ancestor lived. A marriage record may name a spouse. A deed may show land ownership. A will may identify heirs. Military records can place that same person inside a larger moment in history. They may show where he served, when he enlisted, whether he was wounded, where his unit traveled, when he came home, whether he received a pension, and how his service affected his family. Sometimes they name wives, children, parents, neighbors, doctors, ministers, officers, and fellow soldiers. In some cases, a military file may be one of the richest sources you'll ever find for an ancestor. These records are not only about battles. They're about people... Podcast Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/military-records-tracing-ancestors/ Ancestral Findings Podcast: https://ancestralfindings.com/podcast This Week's Free Genealogy Lookups: https://ancestralfindings.com/lookups Genealogy Giveaway: https://ancestralfindings.com/giveaway Genealogy eBooks: https://ancestralfindings.com/ebooks Follow Along: https://www.facebook.com/AncestralFindings https://www.instagram.com/ancestralfindings https://www.youtube.com/ancestralfindings Support Ancestral Findings: https://ancestralfindings.com/support https://ancestralfindings.com/paypal #Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips