Archive - Appalachian Genealogy

Appalachian Faith and the Night of the Falling Stars

How a single November night reshaped faith, memory, and migration across the mountain South

4 hrs ago • Misty Hamilton Smith - Author

The Night the Stars Fell

On November 12 and 13 of 1833, the mountain South witnessed a sky so bright and unsettled that many believed the world was closing in.

5 hrs ago • Misty Hamilton Smith - Author

39:33

The Beast of the Deep Hollows: Kentucky’s Tailypo Legend. What This Monster Teaches Us About Real Appalachian Life

Folklore as cultural evidence, showing how one cabin, three dogs, and a missing tail preserve the world your mountain ancestors knew

Apr 11 • Misty Hamilton Smith - Author

The Language of the Hills: Archaic Terms

Understanding Legal and Dialect Vocabulary in Appalachian Records

Apr 10 • Misty Hamilton Smith - Author

The “Junior/Senior” Confusion (Not Always Father/Son)

Understanding Floating Name Suffixes in Appalachian Records

Apr 10 • Misty Hamilton Smith - Author

Tracing Responsibility: Bastardy Bonds in Appalachian Records

How Communities Documented Paternity, Obligation, and Survival

Apr 9 • Misty Hamilton Smith - Author

March 2026

S1 E3: The Watauga Association: A Republic in the Wild

The Watauga Association: A Republic in the Wild In 1772, settlers living west of the Blue Ridge Mountains found themselves beyond the reach of British…

Mar 23 • Misty Hamilton Smith - Author

7:52

Raised from the Ridge: The Craft of Early Mountain Cabins

How Traditional Building Methods Shaped Appalachian Family Life

Mar 23 • Misty Hamilton Smith - Author

Estray Books: Finding the Family Horse

How Lost Livestock Became One of Appalachia’s Most Revealing Genealogical Records

Mar 18 • Misty Hamilton Smith - Author

St. Patrick’s in the Peaks: Distinguishing Ulster‑Scots from Irish Migration

Understanding Two Different Journeys into the Appalachian Mountains

Mar 15 • Misty Hamilton Smith - Author

The 1950 Census: 76 Years Later

How a Mid‑Century Headcount Became a Twenty‑First‑Century Genealogical Breakthrough

Mar 13 • Misty Hamilton Smith - Author

S1 E2: The Geology of Genealogy: How Terrain Dictated Settlement.

How did Appalachian terrain shape where families lived, and how can we find them today?

Mar 13 • Misty Hamilton Smith - Author

7:49

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