Behind the Headlines of History is a podcast that explores intriguing news stories from the past, hosted by historian and genealogist Michala Hulme and Brad Argent.
In each episode, Brad and Michala share weird, wonderful, eye-opening and sometimes tragic stories that they’ve uncovered from the Newspapers.com archives. Then, they dive into Ancestry’s billions of other records and shake those family trees to find out more about the people behind the headlines.
In this special Holiday Finale of Behind the Headlines of History Season Four, join our cozy historians Brad Argent and Dr. Michala Hulme as they deck the halls and dive into the festive and fascinating headlines that stood out to them during this time of year. Discover the lengths that an eleven year old girl went through to get her Christmas wish—which may or may not have included breaking and entering! And peek into the origin of the iconic newspaper phenomenon, “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus”, spurred by a particularly philosophical eight year old’s now-classic Letter to the Editor. Thank you for listening, enjoy our gift to you, and Happy Holidays!
Watch the video episode on Ancestry's YouTube channel.
Links to Articles:
Is there a Santa Claus? (1897)
Wanted Live Doll So Kidnapped Baby (1930)
Christmas marks his birth, death (1937)
Now there's Clint Ozmond (1894)
All newspaper articles referenced in this episode were sourced on Newspapers.com, with additional research conducted by Brad and Michala using Ancestry® and other resources.
15 Dec 2025
BONUS EPISODE: Ancestry x After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds and the Paranormal
We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming with a fun surprise: Listen now to Ancestry's collaboration with History Hit’s podcast After Dark, where hosts Maddy and Anthony dig into their own family history in collaboration with Ancestry’s very own genealogists and family historians Joe Buggy, Christina Copeland, and Jennifer Utley! After Dark takes you to the shadiest corners of the past, unpicking history’s spookiest, strangest, and most sinister stories.
If you haven’t yet, head to here to start your own family history journey today for free. The AncestryDNA kit makes an amazing stocking stuffer. Be sure to subscribe to the Ancestry YouTube Channel too!
Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Freddy Chick, Peta Stamper and Charlotte Long.
Watch After Dark on YouTube! www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit
11 Dec 2025
S4 - Ep. 7: Rogues, and Robbers, and Rattlesnake Dick?
Yes, you read that right. Dive into this episode of Behind the Headlines of History, where our brave hosts Brad and Michala trek through a treasure trove of stories laden with some of history's shadier characters, including a Peaky Blinders origin story. An Owl Gang? Rattlesnake Dick? Turkey-time thievery? No, this episode isn't animal themed (although we understand why you would think that), but brace yourself for some rough and rowdy stories. The coup de grâce? A shootout with infamous western highwayman, "Rattlesnake Dick"!
Watch the video episode on Ancestry's YouTube channel.
Links to Articles:
Three Years Penal Servitude (1924)
Encounter with Highwaymen: Death of the Notorious "Rattlesnake Dick" (1859)
Thanksgiving Robbery: Servant steals $20,000 (1903)
The Owl Gang (1929)
All newspaper articles referenced in this episode were sourced on Newspapers.com, with additional research conducted by Brad and Michala using Ancestry® and other resources.
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