Who Owns Philadelphians’ Family History?
Mayor Cherelle Parker recently inked a deal with the genealogy research company Ancestry.com, allowing the website to add Philadelphia’s public records to its database. Now, the trove of documents stowed at City Hall and the City Archives will be scanned, digitized, and easily searchable online, but if you want to browse from your home, it'll come with a price. The deal has sparked questions over how data about our ancestors, from marriage licenses to death certificates, can find new life online.
Host Trenae Nuri is talking with Chelsea Cox, a content creator for Technical.ly Philly, about how this move could change who has access to your family history.
Read more of Chelsea's full story here.
Our newsletter has Philly news & events in your inbox every weekday morning.
Call or text us: 215-259-8170
Instagram: @citycastphilly
Support our show and get great perks as a City Cast Philly Neighbor: membership.citycast.fm
Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Philly and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Rebranding the July 4th Concert, Taxing Airbnbs More Than Hotels & Getting Home Faster After a Ballgame
It’s the Friday New Roundup! Host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz are discussing how Mayor Cherelle Parker has rebranded the...

Why Philadelphia is Hosting a TED Talk About Democracy's Future {Sponsored}
As the United States turns 250, Philadelphia, the city where modern democracy was born, is becoming the center of a global conversation a...

A Local-Only Guide to 250th Events & Opportunities
America is turning 250, and Philadelphia is going to be a playground for visitors to learn about the history of the country and the city...

Why Philly Is the Best Place To Experience the World Cup
The FIFA World Cup and Fan Festival are just weeks away. Murals are going up, bars are racing to get extended hours permits, and graffiti...

Zero-Proof & Cheap Summer Activities in Philly
The days are getting longer, and summer hangouts are on the horizon. But it can be hard to come up with meetup spots that aren't the same...

Democratic Civil War, Dirty Dentist & Alternatives to the Shore This Weekend
It's the Friday News Roundup! Executive producer Matt Katz and senior producer Abby Fritz dish on all the drama with local Democratic pol...

Who Wins Summer in the USA? Philly Makes Its Case
City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri, compe...

Chris Rabb, Progressive State Rep., Defeats Democratic Establishment
Results are in! The City Cast Philly team stayed up late to get the results of last night’s Democratic primary election for the Third Con...

New Holiday in Philly Is a Response to Trump Hiding History
Ona Judge was one of nine enslaved Black people forced to work and live at President George Washington’s Philadelphia home before her esc...

Are Out-Of-Town Businesses Taking Over Philly’s Food Scene?
Philly's food and beverage landscape is constantly expanding. New businesses are popping up all the time, and many originate from other p...

