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PODCAST

Shadows From the Tree

Michele McCall & Danielle Gravel

Welcome to Shadows From the Tree, uncovering the hidden stories of our ancestors" pasts through the exploration of newspaper archives and historical research. Our mission is to shed light on the lives and experiences of those who came before us, revealing the shadows that have shaped our family histories. We invite you to join us on this journey of discovery and share your own family stories (prior to 1923, as we respect the privacy of individuals beyond that timeframe). Together, let"s delve into

true crime

All Episodes

62:19

Lost at Sea

Shadows From the Tree ·

2025/12/08

In this episode of Shadow from the Tree we uncovered two intriguing tales of women lost at sea. Marie Empress (Mary Taylor) a silent movie actress who never made it to port in NY off the RMS Orduña on October 27,1919. As well as Southern elite Rebecaa Lamar's tale of the harrowing explosion of the Pulaski Steamer in June 1838.

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44:02

Mines & Molasses

Shadows From the Tree ·

2025/11/24

Listen in to this episode of Shadows From the Tree, where we delve into the darker side of genealogy with the tales of the Monongah Mine Disaster in WV, and the Great Molasses Flood of 1919 in Boston, MA. Both harrowing tales of industrial accidents that shaped the necessity for increased work place safety regulations.

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42:34

Marked by Birth

Shadows From the Tree ·

2025/11/10

In 1927, Carrie Buck was sterilized under Virginia’s eugenics law—labeled “feebleminded” and unfit to reproduce. Decades earlier, Amanda Dickson, the mixed-race daughter of a Georgia plantation owner and an enslaved woman, inherited her father’s fortune but not society’s acceptance. Both woman’s lives reveal how law and lineage were used to police purity and power in America. Some marks aren’t chosen—they’re marked by birth.

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35:20

When the Witch was Silenced and the Ghost Spoke

Shadows From the Tree ·

2025/10/27

In this episode of Shadows from the Tree, we explore two stories bound by belief — one silenced by hysteria, the other revived by a haunting. In 1692 Salem Village, Rebecca Nurse, a devoted mother and respected elder, was accused of witchcraft and executed, her voice lost to fear and frenzy. Centuries later in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, a murdered woman’s spirit would speak through her mother, revealing the truth that led to her killer’s conviction.From witch trials to ghost testimony, both

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48:09

Fire & Ice

Shadows From the Tree ·

2025/10/14

This episode of Shadows from the Tree we discuss tales of natural disasters that affected many lives. The Peshtigo Fires were nearly forgotten, having occurred the same day as the great Chicago fires in 1871. A rare audio clip of survivor, Charlie Bateman, paints the harrowing picture of the tragedy. Also we shed light on the survival story of Ignatius Roth, during ice bridge crack, on February 4, 1912, in Niagara Falls, NY.

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52:32

Walls Can't Hold Them!

Shadows From the Tree ·

2025/09/29

Join us in this exciting season opener, where we uncover intriguing stories of prison breaks. From bars to headlines in 192os, the tale of William Griffith, a West Virginian coal miner who took to a life a crime, making several successful escapes from the state penitentiary. We also cover the 1902 Pittsburgh jailbreak of the Biddle Brothers, with the assistance of the warden's wife, Kate Soffel.

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2:36

Season 3- Trailer

Shadows From the Tree ·

2025/08/23

Join us for Season 3 of Shadows of the Tree- returning late September 2025. This season, expect the return of listener favorites like:Love trianglesNatural DisastersDeathbed Confessions… plus brand-new themes, including:Prison Breaks - following fugitives in the family lineBuried Alive- stories of premature burials and mistaken deathsIndustrial Accidents - where early labor often came with a fatal cost… and many moreThis season also introduces Shadow Spotlight, where at the end of each episode, we

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48:14

Family Curse or Bad Genes

Shadows From the Tree ·

2025/02/17

Listen in to this episode of Shadows From the Tree, where we delve into the darker side of genealogy by exploring stories pulled from newspaper archives and using historical records to find the truth behind them. This week we focus on stories of the intertwined families of Phetteplace, Harris, and Young. Was there trauma from a generational curse or inherited genetics.

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43:17

Revenge & Rivalry

Shadows From the Tree ·

2025/01/27

Listen in to this episode of Shadows From the Tree, where we delve into the darker side of genealogy by exploring stories pulled from newspaper archives and using historical records to find the truth behind them. This week we focus on stories of revenge, highlighting Wade Murphy aka Harry Lyle, starting his tale with small pox and ending in murder. As well as Claude Rosaire's strange anonymous letter revealing his potential identity.

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47:55

Listen if you Dare!

Shadows From the Tree ·

2025/01/13

Listen in to this episode of Shadows From the Tree, where we delve into the darker side of genealogy by exploring stories pulled from newspaper archives and using historical records to find the truth behind them. This week we focus on stories of the ghost towns of Wild West Bodie, CA and forbidden forest of Dudleytown, CT.

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45:07

Disasters & Devastation

Shadows From the Tree ·

2024/12/30

Listen in to this episode of Shadows From the Tree, where we delve into the darker side of genealogy by exploring stories pulled from newspaper archives and using historical records to find the truth behind them. This week we focus on stories of The Schoolhouse Blizzard of 1888, and Melva tornado on March 11, 1920.

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53:21

Abducted & Abandoned

Shadows From the Tree ·

2024/12/02

Listen in to this episode of Shadows From the Tree, where we delve into the darker side of genealogy by exploring stories pulled from newspaper archives and using historical records to find the truth behind them. This week we focus on stories of Deathbed Confessions featuring Minnie Tjaden, abducted by her father and Levi Wilson, the Count of Monte Cristo, of RI.

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36:36

Love on the Battlefield

Shadows From the Tree ·

2024/11/18

Listen in to this episode of Shadows From the Tree, where we delve into the darker side of genealogy by exploring stories pulled from newspaper archives and using historical records to find the truth behind them. This week we focus on stories of love on the Civil War battlefield, featuring the love letter written by Sullivan Ballou to his wife. As well as a fearless woman soldier, Kady Brownell.

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33:09

Broken Lives, Broken System

Shadows From the Tree ·

2024/11/04

Listen in to this episode of Shadows From the Tree, where we delve into the darker side of genealogy by exploring stories pulled from newspaper archives and using historical records to find the truth behind them. This week we focus on stories of overturned convictions featuring George aka "John" Benway accused of polygamy and George Washington Davis found guilty by gossip of the Rock Island Railway wreck.

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41:53

Children Crusaders & Coal Coup

Shadows From the Tree ·

2024/10/21

Listen in to this episode of Shadows From the Tree, where we delve into the darker side of genealogy by exploring stories pulled from newspaper archives and using historical records to find the truth behind them. This week we focus on stories of rebellion, featuring Walter Reeder and his daughter Elbertine of the Children Crusaders, as well as "Smilin" Sid Hatfield who was infamous in West Virginia during the Coal Wars.

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54:45

Marriages & Mayhem

Shadows From the Tree ·

2024/10/07

Listen in to this episode of Shadows From the Tree, where we delve into the darker side of genealogy by exploring stories pulled from newspaper archives and using historical records to find the truth behind them. This week we focus on stories of bigamy featuring young Kate Mott and swindler Dr. Charles H. Roemer, a couple colorful characters to say the least!

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63:34

Poisoning & Paternity

Shadows From the Tree ·

2024/09/23

This episode focuses on the theme of Love Triangles and the impact it had on the lives of those involved. Join us as we shed light on these often overlooked stories and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges those involved faced- specifically a party thrown by Rose Zoldoske leading to the poisoning of Ella Maly and separately the paternity case of William J. Tiernan.

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1:11

Season 2 Trailer

Shadows From the Tree ·

2024/09/02

After a summer break, we are back with more salacious stories from the past. Join us for season 2 of Shadows from the Tree!

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52:48

Gunshots & Gravestones

Shadows From the Tree ·

2024/05/13

Listen in on Episode 10.3 of Shadows from the Tree, we delve into the darker side of genealogy, focusing on a story from our own family tree. Involving Danielle's third- great grandfather, William Ide and his mistress, Jeanette Davis Putnam. This episode provides closure to the events in 1878. We dive deep into family trees, vital records, and newspaper archives to learn more about these evocative family members that jump to life.

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25:53

Justice for Jeanette

Shadows From the Tree ·

2024/04/29

Listen in on Episode 10.2 of Shadows from the Tree, we delve into the darker side of genealogy, focusing on a story from our own family tree. Involving Danielle's third- great grandfather, William Ide and his mistress, Jeanette Davis Putnam. We dive deep into family trees, vital records, and newspaper archives to learn more about these evocative family members that jump to life.

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