About

What is Genealogy Happy Hour, you ask? Well, it is a podcast that helps family historians get started on the right track and that means DOCUMENTATION. Sure, it’s fun to follow the shaky leaves and the smart matches but how do you know it’s really your ancestor? By following along with the Two Blondes you will be able to locate records and documents to prove your ancestral line.

And the best part is, it’s Happy Hour! That means you will be happy with what you find about your family, hopefully, and when you are done for the day, it is time for that goblet of wine. The wine is to help you celebrate as well as getting over some frustration. The Two Blondes, while not being wine experts by any stretch of the imagination, will be offering up some of their favorite wines and ones they have tried along the way. Feel free to make a suggestion.

Cheers! The Two Blondes

Amy Crabill Lay

I am the President of AGHS-American Global Heir Search, a forensic genealogical company that locates missing heirs to estates, guardianships, and trusts. I am a certified Florida Pioneer Researcher and former chair of the Florida State Genealogical Society’s Pioneer Descendant Certification Program. Following in the footsteps of my great grandaunt, I am a proud and active member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. In 2015 I was honored to receive a commission as a Kentucky Colonel in the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

My article, “The Successful Pioneer Application,” was published in the December 2013 edition of The Florida Genealogist.  and my lecture “Florida Pioneers: Conquistadors, Colonialists & Crackers” was given through the Florida State Genealogical Society’s online seminar series in 2013, as well as at the University of South Florida’s OLLI program.

Some of my favorite places to research are the National Archives (Washington, DC & Morrow, GA), Family History Library, Florida State Archives, Virginia State Library, and the DAR Library.  It is with the deepest gratitude to many dedicated volunteers that I have researched in some amazing local history centers, libraries, museums, and, even, attics.

In addition to holding a B.A. (Art History) from the University of South Florida, I have studied at the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR), Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) and am a graduate of ProGenStudy Group 27.

Penny Burke Bonawitz

Hi. I’m Penny Bonawitz, a genealogist always in training. My grandmother used to tell family stories to me as a child and I was always fascinated by the tales. This led me to genealogy, and I have been uncovering my extended family history for the past 30 years. Oh, how I wish those ancestors could come back, just for a few, and answer some of my brick wall questions. Alas, I will have to continue to play detective and hopefully find the answers for myself one day.

 I am one of the Two Blondes of Genealogy Happy Hour, co-founder of Ancestor Hunters (a local genealogy group), a member of the Chandler Family Association, the Ohio Genealogical Society, and many others. I also help others in their family history research and genealogy training. It always amazes me what I learn when helping someone else track down their family history. Always something new.

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