The Science of Ancestors Calling with Judy Nimer Muhn

In this episode of the Branching Out Genealogy Podcast, Elizabeth Swanay O'Neal, CG®, and Tami Osmer Mize sit down with Judy Nimer Muhn. Judy, the owner of Lineage Journeys and a professional genealogist since 1993, specializes in French-Canadian, Acadian, Native American, and Scottish research. Judy has been researching her own family since she was 12 years old, and she's also the Awards Committee chair for the National Genealogical Society.We talk about the strange encounter that pushed Judy toward researching the science behind genealogical intuition, why she thinks the Genealogical Proof Standard is missing a third pillar alongside paper trails and DNA, and how epigenetics research is starting to back up what genealogists have felt for years.Plus: a Microsoft Copilot tip for transcribing old family letters, a new podcast recommendation, and some "tea" on DNA testing and a very silly viral news story.Note: the interview with Judy was recorded in November 2025; the rest of the episode was recorded in June 2026. We apologize for the delay in getting Judy's interview out to you.You may also notice brief, random flashes in Tami's video during the episode. We apologize for the glitch and appreciate your patience!TIMESTAMPS00:00:00 - Welcome00:01:58 - In today's episode: introducing Judy Nimer Muhn00:03:12 - Theme song00:03:39 - What we're loving: Microsoft Copilot for transcribing handwritten letters (Tami)00:08:06 - What we're loving: Artifacts podcast (Elizabeth)00:12:16 - Sponsor break00:15:56 - Interview with Judy Nimer Muhn begins00:16:47 - Starting genealogy research at age 1200:22:14 - Specializing across French-Canadian, Acadian, Scottish, and Native American research00:30:58 - Researching in Europe in the 1990s00:33:02 - What's next: a book contract and fur trade research00:35:17 - Ancestors Calling: the concept begins00:42:58 - The science behind it: quantum physics and epigenetics01:07:57 - Chairing the NGS Awards Committee01:11:28 - Judy's advice: "Keep listening!"01:12:16 - Teatime01:12:19 - DNA testing and medical history01:14:39 - The CIA alien DNA viral story01:20:33 - Closing and outroLINKS* Lineage Journeys (Judy Nimer Muhn): https://lineagejourneys.com* Ancestors Calling: Science, Synchronicity and Sources (Judy's blog post on the methodology): https://lineagejourneys.com/2026/04/15/ancestors-calling-science-synchronicity-and-sources/* NGS Awards and Competitions: https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/awards-competitions/* Artifacts: Stories from the Emotional History of the Internet: https://artifactspodcast.com* California AG lawsuit against 23andMe (HIPAA Journal): https://www.hipaajournal.com/california-ag-23andme-data-breach-lawsuit/* New York Post: CIA alien DNA claim: https://nypost.com/2026/05/26/lifestyle/cia-used-dna-from-23andme-ancestry-to-hunt-aliens-whistleblower-claims/Vivid-Pix: https://www.vivid-pix.com/ref/103*****The Branching Out Genealogy Podcast is produced by Elizabeth Swanay O'Neal, Certified Genealogist®, and Tami Osmer Mize. Elizabeth is the author of the family history lifestyle website Heart of the Family (thefamilyheart.com). Tami is the manager of the National Genealogical Society's calendar of events website ConferenceKeeper.org.