In this episode, Brian sits down with Peter Kelly, the driving force behind The Woodland Escape, a YouTube channel devoted to bringing 18th-century homesteading and living archaeology to life. From hand-forging nails on an open hearth to building birch-bark canoes and authentic blockhouses, Peter and his team have spent the last four and a half years recreating every aspect of early Canadian frontier life on their “Kelly’s Station” site, nestled midway between Toronto and Ottawa.

You’ll hear how Peter’s fascination with period craftsmanship—from tanning leather by brain-tanning it over coals to casting lead musket balls in historic molds—evolved into a community refuge for living historians, complete with education days for local students. We also dive into the personal side of his work: tracing his own family’s journey from 19th-century Ireland to Northern Ontario, the wild tales of logging-camp kitchens and Revolutionary-era Quaker youths sent on horseback to negotiate land deals, and why those rich narratives matter just as much as names and dates on a family tree.

Together we explore what “living history” can teach us about our ancestors’ values of community, self-reliance, and storytelling—and how unearthing those stories can deepen our own appreciation for where we came from. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or just beginning to wonder about your roots, Peter’s experiences remind us that the memories we preserve today will become tomorrow’s family legends.

So sit back and grab your favorite beverage. Perhaps a glass of Canadian rye whisky for sipping. Unless, of course, you’re listening to this while you’re driving—then you better stick to coffee.

Become a Part of The Future of Genealogy and Join The Family Circle our New Genealogy Community - for Free!!! Visit https://familycircle.howwegothere.ca/ and sign up for Free. In this episode, Brian talks to Caeley Currie, the museum manager at the Bedeque Area Historical Museum in Bedeque, Prince Edward Island. Brian, who is also on the board of the Bedeque Area Historical Society and knows Caeley personally, engages in a conversation highlighting her enthusiasm and passion for her role. They discuss how Caeley's experiences growing up near King's Landing in New Brunswick and working there as a reenactor significantly influenced her love for history and museum work.This episode underscores the importance of personal and family histories. To further explore your own ancestral connections and engage with others who share a passion for genealogy, be sure to check out the new How We Got Here genealogy community at https://familycircle.howwegothere.caAs a genealogist, Brian focuses on the people, places, and events that make up people's family stories. Brian is a genealogist who started working on his own family tree over 30 years ago and has been able to trace one family line back to as early as 950 AD.Brian traces his own family from Scotland and Ireland to the New World where they wound up in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the 18th and 19th centuries. In some cases, they fled their homelands due to the Highland Clearances in Scotland or the Potato Blight in Ireland. They took their Expertise as Coal Miners from Scotland to Cape Breton or their Mercantile and Manufacturing Skills from Ireland to the streets of HalifaxBrian has been a member of the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia, the Scottish Genealogical Society, and the Prince Edward Island Genealogical Society. Brian currently resides in Prince Edward Island, Canada, with his family. For a Free 30 minute Family History Consultation click here https://bookings.howwegothere.ca☕ Support the Channel - Buy Brian a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/howwegothere🙋‍♀️❓❔ If you have a question you're looking for an answer to goto https://ask.howwegothere.ca/ or send an email to ask@howwegothere.ca 🧬Get Your DNA Tests to Assist you in Your Family History Research at my Amazon store*https://amzn.to/4arazEuSupport the Channel - Buy Brian a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/HowWeGothereEmail Brian - info@howegothere.caListen to the How We Got Here Podcast on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0WJo0xg...​Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/HWGHPodcaster​Twitter - https://twitter.com/HowWeGotHere2

For a Free 30 minute Family History Consultation click here https://bookings.howwegothere.ca💲💲 Save 10% on "Scottish Ancestry" and "Family Research being Done" mugsfor the first 100 orders using the discount Code "SCOTS" https://tinyurl.com/yc2ysrwm 💲💲Check out this story of one family's Scottish ancestry and why they came to Canada.https://youtu.be/Vw0XRB9x0f0?si=I2GeDpqMrsQ1YTsQJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/@HowWeGotHere/joinThe fourth part of his history of the Scots-Irish Brian explores the complex history of the Ulster-Scots and how they helped to shape and define Canadian Culture. As a genealogist, Brian focuses on the people, places, and events that make up people's family stories. Brian is a genealogist who started working on his own family tree over 30 years ago and has been able to trace one family line back to as early as 950 AD.Brian traces his own family from Scotland and Ireland to the New World where they wound up in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia in the 18th and 19th centuries. In some cases, they fled their homelands due to the Highland Clearances in Scotland or the Potato Blight in Ireland. They took their Expertise as Coal Miners from Scotland to Cape Breton or their Mercantile and Manufacturing Skills from Ireland to the streets of HalifaxBrian has been a member of the Genealogical Association of Nova Scotia, the Scottish Genealogical Society, and the Prince Edward Island Genealogical Society. Brian currently resides in Prince Edward Island, Canada, with his family. ☕ Support the Channel - Buy Brian a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/howwegothere🙋‍♀️❓❔ If you have a question you're looking for an answer to about them or any other family history question ⭐⭐ Please Fill in this form to Ask Your Question: https://ask.howwegother.ca ⭐⭐And Brian may answer your question on a future video or live stream 🧬Get Your DNA Tests to Assist you in Your Family History Research at my Amazon store*https://amzn.to/4arazEuSupport the Channel - Buy Brian a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/HowWeGothereEmail Brian - info@howegothere.caListen to the How We Got Here Podcast on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0WJo0xg...​Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/HWGHPodcaster​Twitter - https://twitter.com/HowWeGotHere2#genealogy #ScottishPlantations #UlsterHistory #IrishConflict #canada #ulster-scots #IrishHeritage