Talking rooted rhythms for thriving families

Episode 1: Andy Thieme on Recording Your Family History

Your family’s story is already being written. The question is whether anyone is paying attention.

In this first episode of The Oak & Iron Show, I sit down with my friend Andy Thieme — a public historian, nonprofit founder, and professional handyman who has spent years doing something most of us never get around to: carefully preserving his family’s history so that generations he’ll never meet can know where they came from.

Andy studied public history at Ball State University, founded a nonprofit called Footwalker Stories that brought historical artifacts directly into classrooms, and once traced a fallen WWI ancestor to within a couple of acres of where he died in France — then visited that place as a family.

He’s not a professional genealogist. He’s a normal guy who works with his hands every day. And that’s exactly the point.

In this conversation, we cover:

How Andy’s passion for family history was passed down by former torch bearers in his family.

The story of Footwalker Stories and what happens when kids hold a real artifact from a real person’s life.

Why your local historical society is one of the most underused resources available — and how to access Ancestry.com through them for free.

What Andy’s family binder actually looks like, and why even a funny story about a blizzard and a quiet uncle matters more than you think.

The case for both digital and physical preservation.

How Andy traced a faded WWI photo of a distant relative, found records of his final moments, and stood with his family on the ground where he fell.

The cultural case for family history — why societies that build for the next generation are the ones that endure.

Andy’s parting encouragement for anyone who thinks they have nothing worth recording, don't know where to start or who feels intimidated by the task.

A parting quote: “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they shall never sit in.” — Ancient Greek Proverb

Recording your family’s story is planting shade. Someone down the line will sit in it — even if you never see it happen.

Connect with Andy

Email: AndrewRThieme@gmail.com

Handyman services (Indianapolis area): Reliable Repair Handyman Service

Family farm: Hoosier Heritage Farm — Open daily except Sunday, 9am–7pm | Friday deliveries available

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

National Archives — Military Records

The flagship repository for U.S. military service records. A good starting point if you’re researching a family member who served.

archives.gov/st-louis

National WWI Museum & Memorial — Kansas City

Andy used this institution to research his ancestor Idle Thieme. Holds one of the most significant collections of WWI-era records and artifacts in the world.

theworldwar.org

Ancestry.com

The largest genealogical database available. Subscriptions run $600+/year — but most local historical societies provide free access. Visit yours before paying for your own subscription.

ancestry.com

Your Local Historical Society

Andy’s most counterintuitive recommendation — and his strongest one. Before opening a browser, visit your local historical society. They have free access to digital tools, knowledgeable staff, and resources most people don’t know exist.

Find yours at aaslh.org (American Association for State and Local History)

National Archives Personal History Form

A simple form to help you document a person’s basic biographical information in a format that’s traceable in any genealogical database. A great starting template if you don’t know where to begin.

archives.gov

Polk Stables — Indianapolis

A co-working and event space in Indianapolis that partnered with a local artist and historical institution to display community artifacts with QR-linked video stories from their original owners. A great example of public history done creatively at the neighborhood level.

polkstables.com

The Oak & Iron Show is brought to you by Oak & Iron Family — a place to thoughtfully prepare your people for life’s changing seasons, so your intended legacy of love endures tomorrow.

Rooted. Strong. Enduring.