Madeline Hoge: Ancestral Footprints: Turning Family Research into Lasting Narratives

If you’re chasing your ancestors, this year’s Mary Draper Ingles Festival has a workshop for you.

Madeline Hoge, a historiographer and author who lives on the historic family farm Belle-

Hampton in Southwest Virginia, will take participants through a structured yet personal journey

of discovering their roots utilizing interviews with relatives and various research tools.

Hoge says “uncovering and sharing your family story is a powerful way to preserve legacy,

foster connection, and strengthen identity across generations.”

The presentation will explore how to craft and communicate your family narrative in ways that

are meaningful and lasting. Whether your goal is to publish a family history book, create a

documentary, host a storytelling night, or pass on a set of recorded interviews, you’ll learn

techniques to bring your ancestors to life.

Belle-Hampton Farm holds a storied legacy in Virginia, dating back to 1767.