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

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Title Date published
Household Exclusive: Researching Our Ancestors 2026-04-08
Paul and Eslanda Robeson: For the Rights of People. For the Rights of Workers. (Part 2) 2026-01-28
Eslanda and Paul Robeson: Revolutionaries in the Making (Part 1) 2026-01-28
Coming Soon: Essie and Paul Robeson (Jan. 28th) 2026-01-21
Feature: The Lonesome Hearts Column with NPR’s Code Switch (plus an announcement!) 2025-09-03
Nora Holt: The Lives and Loves of Harlem's Legendary Blonde Bombshell 2025-05-14
Minisode: What's Next for Our Ancestors Were Messy 2025-05-14
The Emperor Jones: Our Ancestors' Favorite Play 2025-05-07
Drs. Anna and Percy Julian: The Affair That Helped Birth The Pill 2025-04-23
Coming Soon: Drs. Anna and Percy Julian (Apr. 23) 2025-04-16
Zora Neale Hurston vs. Langston Hughes: The Pleasures & Perils of Working With Friends 2025-04-09
Coming Soon: Zora vs. Langston (Apr. 9) 2025-04-02
Zora Neale Hurston + Langston Hughes: Best Friends Forever 2025-03-26
Coming Soon: Zora + Langston (Mar. 26) 2025-03-19
A Love Story For The Ages! 2025-03-12
Coming Soon: A Love Story for the Ages (Mar. 12) 2025-03-05
Oscar Micheaux: The Family Feud That Launched Black Hollywood 2025-02-26
Coming Soon: Oscar Micheaux (Feb. 26) 2025-02-19
The Washington Bee: "Stings for Our Enemies. Honey for Our Friends." 2025-02-12
Introducing Our Ancestors Were Messy 2025-01-25

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