Our Ancestors Were Messy

en us RSS Website Apple
A recap of the gossip, scandals, and pop culture that made headlines and then history in pre-Civil Rights Era America. Host Nichole Hill takes her guests through the story of an ancestor in search of opportunity, adventure, love, and a way to beat Jim Crow. Along the way, these ancestors make messes that land them in the gossip columns of Black newspapers. Support this independent production by joining the donor community at: ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Follow us on Instagram @ourancestorsweremessy @nicholewthanh
Website Apple RSS
Episodes
20
Transcripts
0
0% coverage
Missing Transcripts
20
With Chapters
0

Episodes

Published 2026-04-08

Household Exclusive: Researching Our Ancestors

21 min
Open

Host Nichole Hill responds to listeners' comments and shares an interview with the show's Research Producer, Chioke I'Anson, about the research behind the histories shared on the show. Their conversation was originally taped for the donor community known as The Household.

Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2026-01-28

Eslanda and Paul Robeson: Revolutionaries in the Making (Part 1)

53 min
Open

Eslanda Cardozo Goode and Paul Robeson meet and fall in love during the Roaring 20s in Harlem. They give up promising careers and devote themselves to climbing the ladder of fame and fortune. Can their relationship survive the success that follows?  Starring Jason Reynolds

SELECT SOURCES

  1. Eslanda: The Large and Unconventional Life of Mrs. Paul Robeson by Barbara Ransby
  2. The Undiscovered Paul Robeson: An Artist's Journey 1898-1939 by Paul Robeson, Jr.
  3. The Undiscovered Paul Robeson: Quest for Freedom 1939-1976 by Paul Robeson, Jr.
  4. Here I Stand by Paul Robeson
  5. History of America in Ten Strikes by Erik Loomis
  6. How American Slavery Echoed Russian Serfdom by Matthew Wills
  7. Haymarket Book Talk with Barbara Ransby
  8. The Scramble for Africa 
  9. Arturo Alfonso Schomburg
  10. The Atlanta Daily World 
Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2026-01-28

Paul and Eslanda Robeson: For the Rights of People. For the Rights of Workers. (Part 2)

52 min
Open

Essie & Paul’s passions lead them to the front lines of the fight to defeat fascism. Starring Jason Reynolds

SELECT SOURCES

  1. Eslanda: The Large and Unconventional Life of Mrs. Paul Robeson by Barbara Ransby
  2. The Undiscovered Paul Robeson: An Artist's Journey 1898-1939 by Paul Robeson, Jr.
  3. The Undiscovered Paul Robeson: Quest for Freedom 1939-1976 by Paul Robeson, Jr.
  4. Here I Stand by Paul Robeson
  5. History of America in Ten Strikes by Erik Loomis
  6. Haymarket Book Talk with Barbara Ransby: Eslanda: The Large and Unconventional Life of Mrs. Paul Robeson 
  7. The History of Camp Wo-Chi-Ca
  8. The Peekskill Riots Revealed the Racism and Antisemitism Hidden Beneath the Surface of the Anti-Communist Movement by Matthew Schuerman
Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2026-01-21

Coming Soon: Essie and Paul Robeson (Jan. 28th)

3 min
Open

Host Nichole Hill shares the story behind Black History Month ahead of the 100th anniversary of it’s celebration and gives listeners a sneak peek of a new episode coming out on January 28th.

To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com

To access bonus content and support this independent production visit  https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com

To stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-09-03

Feature: The Lonesome Hearts Column with NPR’s Code Switch (plus an announcement!)

34 min
Open

Was dating any easier in the past? Nichole Hill joins Gene Demby and B.A. Parker, hosts of NPR's Code Switch, to put this question to the test by traveling back in time to 1937, using archival personal ads from the Washington Afro-American newspaper. Together, the trio gets a small taste of what it was like for Black folks to date almost a century ago. Turns out, the ancestors were messy, too!

Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-05-14

Nora Holt: The Lives and Loves of Harlem's Legendary Blonde Bombshell

79 min
Open

A musical prodigy from Kansas becomes a renowned race woman in Chicago, a tabloid sensation in Harlem, and a musical force the world over. These are the many lives and loves of one of the most famous women of the era: Nora Holt. Starring Natalie Tulloch and Christabel Nsiah-Buadi

SOURCES

  1. Nora Holt: The Most Famous Woman You've Never Heard Of by Imani Perry
  2. Nora Holt by Matthew Guerrieri
  3. Nora Holt: New Negro Composer and Jazz Age Goddess by Cheryl A. Wall
  4. "Strange What Cosmopolites Music Makes of Us": Classical Music, the Black press, and Nora Douglas Holt's Black Feminist Audiotopia by Lucy Caplan


 

Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-05-14

Minisode: What's Next for Our Ancestors Were Messy

2 min
Open

Host Nichole Hill shares updates about the future of the show.

To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com

To access bonus content and support this independent production visit  https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com

To stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

 

Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-05-07

The Emperor Jones: Our Ancestors' Favorite Play

56 min
Open

In 1920, Emperor Jones was a bona fide Broadway hit. The controversial play’s lead is Charles Gilpin, the first Black man to head up an integrated cast on the Great White Way. Gilpin enjoys fame, accolades, and universal acclaim…but he does have a note for his playwright Eugene O’Neil. A note that will make and break careers and change the course of Black history! Starring Dr. Chioke I'anson and Amaya.

SOURCES

  1. The Emperor Jones by Eugene O'Neil
  2. Preserving African-American Cinema: The Case of The Emperor Jones by Jennie Saxena with contributions from Ken Weissman and James Cozart
  3. "The Truth About Haiti: An NAACP Investigation" by James Weldon Johnson
  4. Charles Gilpin. The Kennedy Center
  5. Jackson Ward and its Black Wall Street. National Park Service
  6. Beyond Tulsa: The Historic Legacies and Overlooked Stories of America's Black Wall Streets. Time Magazine
  7. The Richmond Planet is digitized and stored at The Library of Congress.
Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-04-23

Drs. Anna and Percy Julian: The Affair That Helped Birth The Pill

52 min
Open

In the summer of 1932, Anna and Percy learn that their scandalous love affair has been exposed on the front page of the most popular Black newspaper in DC. They were on their way to making history but now that the secret’s out, their futures hang in the balance. Starring Nygel Turner.

SOURCES

  1. Julian the Trailblazer by Peter Tyson
  2. Forgotten Genius. Nova. PBS
  3. "Reclaiming a Black Research Scientist's Forgotten Legacy" by Felicia R. Lee
  4. "DuSable Exhibit Highlights Juilan 'Power Couple'" by Robert Felton
  5. You can read the Washington Afro American newspaper which is still in print and holds the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously published Black newspapers in America
  6. You can support the archiving and sharing of this newspaper at Afro Charities
Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-04-16

Coming Soon: Drs. Anna and Percy Julian (Apr. 23)

3 min
Open

Host Nichole Hill shares how listeners can support the show and a sneak peek at next week's episode.

To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com

To access bonus content and support this independent production visit  https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com

To stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-04-09

Zora Neale Hurston vs. Langston Hughes: The Pleasures & Perils of Working With Friends

68 min
Open

Correction: An earlier version of this story cited events as having happened in 1970 that occured throughout that decade.

Zora Neale Huston and Langston Hughes finally set to work writing their play but outside influences and crossed wires spell trouble for this historic pair. Starring Alicia Walters.

SOURCES

  1. Zora and Langston: A Story of Friendship and Betrayal by Yuval Taylor
  2. Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston
  3. In Search of Zora Neale Hurston by Alice Walker
  4. The Complex Literary Friendship Between Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston by Yuval Taylor
  5. Check out The Interstate Tattler digitized and stored by the New York Public Libraries
  6. Read the archives at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-04-02

Coming Soon: Zora vs. Langston (Apr. 9)

5 min
Open

Host Nichole Hill shares how listeners can support the show and a sneak peek at next week's episode.

To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com

To access bonus content and support this independent production visit  https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com

To stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-03-26

Zora Neale Hurston + Langston Hughes: Best Friends Forever

55 min
Open

It's the summer of 1927 and Zora Neale Huston and Langston Hughes are driving across the South searching for folklore, swapping stories, and enjoying being the newfound stars of the Harlem Renaissance. Starring Alicia Walters.

SOURCES

  1. Zora and Langston: A Story of Friendship and Betrayal by Yuval Taylor
  2. Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston
  3. In Search of Zora Neale Hurston by Alice Walker
  4. The Dinner Party That Started the Harlem Renaissance by Veronica Chambers and Michelle May-Curry
  5. The Complex Literary Friendship Between Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston by Yuval Taylor
  6. Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston
  7. Jackson's classic collection of Black "toasts" is resurrected by Patricia Donovan
  8. Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me: Narrative Poetry from Black Oral Tradition by Bruce Jackson
  9. Check out The Chicago Defender digitized and stored at The Library of Congress
  10. Read the archives at The Chicago Defender Archives
Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-03-19

Coming Soon: Zora + Langston (Mar. 26)

5 min
Open

Host Nichole Hill shares a research tip, updates for the Household aka the donor community, where to find bonus material, and a sneak peek at next week's episode.

To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com

To access bonus content and support this independent production visit  https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com

To stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

THE A-TEAM
The show is hosted by Nichole Hill (https://www.nicholelhill.com/)
Executive Producer A.A. Hernandez
Story Producer Martina Abrahams Ilunga (@m_tina)
Research Producer Chioke I'Anson (https://www.chiokeianson.com/)
Story Editing by Shonte Hill 
Show art by Aseloka Smith (@naturallyherown)  

BONUS STORY

Episodes release bi-weekly. 

Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-03-12

A Love Story For The Ages!

50 min
Open

Nichole, Zakiya and Emmanuel read three drama-filled love stories from historic Black newspapers and select the one that they believe could stand the test of time. Starring Zakiya Gibbons and Emmanuel Dzotsi.

SOURCES

  1. Support the reporting done by the legendary Oklahoma Eagle still in print today!
  2. Check out The Colorado Statesman, archived at the Library of Congress.
Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-03-05

Coming Soon: A Love Story for the Ages (Mar. 12)

4 min
Open

Host Nichole Hill shares listener mail, an update for the Household aka the donor community, and a sneak peek at next week's episode.

To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com

To access bonus content and support this independent production visit  https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com

To stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

THE A-TEAM
The show is hosted by Nichole Hill (https://www.nicholelhill.com/)
Executive Producer A.A. Hernandez
Story Producer Martina Abrahams Ilunga (@m_tina)
Research Producer Chioke I'Anson (https://www.chiokeianson.com/)
Story Editing by Shonte Hill 
Show art by Aseloka Smith (@naturallyherown)  

 

 

Episodes release bi-weekly. 

Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-02-26

Oscar Micheaux: The Family Feud That Launched Black Hollywood

71 min
Open

At the turn of the century, Oscar Micheaux - a dreamer from Smallville - makes his way to the big city searching for fame, fortune...and a change to his single status! What he finds is a wife he loves, a father-in-law he hates, and a path into Black history he could have never imagined. Starring Dr. Ray Christian.

SOURCES

  1. The Conquest: The Story of a Negro Pioneer by Oscar Micheaux
  2. Oscar Micheaux Homestead National Historical Park, Pullman National Historic Park, National Park Service
  3. Sully County Black Homesteader Community, Homestead National Historical Park, National Park Service
  4. Oscar Micheaux, NAACP
  5. Oscar Micheaux: The Superhero of Black Filmmaking
  6. "The life and times of Oscar Micheaux" by Mary Beth Roderick for the Southern Illinoisan
  7. Check out The Chicago Defender digitized and stored at The Library of Congress
  8. Read the archives at The Chicago Defender Archives.
Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-02-19

Coming Soon: Oscar Micheaux (Feb. 26)

2 min
Open

Host Nichole Hill shares a programming note, a thank you, and a sneak peek at next week's episode.

To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com

To access bonus content and support this independent production visit  https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com

To stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

THE A-TEAM
The show is hosted by Nichole Hill (https://www.nicholelhill.com/)
Executive Producer A.A. Hernandez
Story Producer Martina Abrahams Ilunga (@m_tina)
Research Producer Chioke I'Anson (https://www.chiokeianson.com/)
Story Editing by Shonte Hill 
Show art by Aseloka Smith (@naturallyherown)  
 

 

Episodes release bi-weekly. 

 

Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-02-12

The Washington Bee: "Stings for Our Enemies. Honey for Our Friends."

61 min
Open

A Victorian Era love triangle rocks the elites of DC and the Washington Bee newspaper is on the scene, thrilled to cover every scandalous detail! Starring Jonquilyn Hill.

SOURCES

  1. "Honey for Our Friends, Stings for Enemies": William Calvin Chase and "The Washington Bee." 1882-1921
  2. The Political Work of Leisure: Class, Recreation, and African American Commemoration at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, 1881-1931
  3. Our Kind of People by Lawrence Otis Graham
  4. Check out The Washington Bee  digitized and stored at The Library of Congress.
  5. As promised, the recipe for the Dick Francis Special. Enjoy! https://imbibemagazine.com/dick-francis-special
Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge
Published 2025-01-25

Introducing Our Ancestors Were Messy

2 min
Open

Our Ancestors Were Messy is a show about our ancestors and all their drama! Host Nichole Hill and her guests sift through the gossip, scandals, and pop culture that made headlines in historical Black newspapers.

The Creative Team 

  • Adriana Ambriz, Executive Producer
  • Chioke I'Anson, Research Producer
  • Martina Abrahams Ilunga, Story Editor
  • Shonte Hill, Script Editor
  • Helena de Groot, Sound Designer
  • John DeLore, Sound Designer
  • Pat Mesiti-Miller, Sound Designer
  • Kyle Murdock, Sound Designer
  • Aseloka Smith, Show Art
Play Episode Page Apple Extract Knowledge