One man disappeared. A century later, his great-grandson is chasing the truth.
Finding Grandpa Charlie is a true-crime family mystery from host Erv Lenzy. In 1912 Texas gunslinger, gambler, and scoundrel Charlie Henderson vanished, sparking rumors of a staged train death and a secret life out West. Erv sifts through census pages, dusty ledgers, and porch-swing stories to uncover the truth. Part history lesson, part road trip, all heart. New episodes every week.
Host Erv Lenzy recaps season one of 'Finding Grandpa Charlie,' highlighting the discoveries about his great grandfather Charlie Henderson's life, disappearance, and second family, setting the stage for future investigations.
13 Jun 2025
Ep 08 - Death of a Ghost
Irv Lenzy investigates the elusive life and unexplained disappearance of Charlie Henderson, uncovering family secrets and a fatal car crash involving a mysterious hitchhiker, Jack Shelton.
6 Jun 2025
Ep 07 - Blood & Ink
Irv Lenzy explores the obscured family history of Charlie Henderson and Henrietta Waters, revealing the challenges of uncovering lost stories through genealogical research and DNA analysis in this interview.
30 May 2025
Ep 06 - Sudden Death: The California Connection
This episode explores the lives of Marie Josephine Ruponer and her children during the Great Depression, highlighting their struggles, choices, and enduring family bonds.
23 May 2025
Ep 05 - Dirt & Death - Grief and Resilience in Frontier Life
This episode explores the life of R.A. Henderson and his experiences with grief, resilience, and the search for stability amidst the hardships of frontier life in Texas.
21 May 2025
BONUS - Erv's Podcast Chat
https://www.podpage.com/finding-grandpa-charlie/
In this episode, Erv Lenzy discusses the evolution of his podcast, emphasizing the importance of listening to previous episodes to understand the ongoing narrative. He shares insights from his genealogy research, revealing discoveries about his family history, particularly focusing on Charlie's disappearance and the generational impact of family decisions. The conversation highlights the use of AI in storytelling and the significance of understanding one's roots.
takeaways
The podcast is a linear story that builds on previous episodes.
Genealogy research has become more accessible post-pandemic.
Discovering family history can lead to unexpected revelations.
Charlie’s disappearance raises questions about family dynamics.
Generational decisions have lasting impacts on descendants.
Researching family history can uncover hidden stories.
AI tools like Notebook LM can enhance storytelling.
Understanding family history can provide context to personal identity.
The importance of documenting family stories for future generations.
The podcast aims to explore the complexities of family relationships.
16 May 2025
Ep 04 - Silence & Cinder
This episode explores the life of Henrietta Waters, an indigenous woman who migrated to Texas in the late 19th century. It delves into her journey, the challenges she faced as a young mother, and the complexities of her relationships, particularly with Charlie, the father of her child. The narrative highlights the broader context of indigenous migration during this period and the silent struggles of women like Henrietta, who navigated a world that often overlooked their stories. Ultimately, it reflects on her legacy and the impact of her life on future generations.
Takeaways
Henrietta's journey reflects a larger migration of indigenous families.
The 1890s were marked by survival and transformation for many.
Henrietta's life was largely undocumented, yet vital to history.
She faced significant challenges as a native woman in Texas.
Survival often required blending in and altering the truth.
Henrietta's strength was evident in her resilience and silence.
The complexities of her relationship with Charlie reveal societal pressures.
Grief and loss shaped Henrietta's later life and decisions.
Her legacy continues through the stories passed down in her family.
Henrietta's life is a testament to the silent struggles of many women.
Sound Bites
"She was part of a much bigger story."
"She carried her weight like a shield."
"She's the reason this story exists."
Chapters
00:00 The Arrival of Henrietta Waters
03:51 Henrietta's Journey and Identity
08:55 T he Complex Relationship with Charlie
12:40 The Dual Lives of Henrietta and Charlie
16:05 The Tragic Loss of a Child
20:38 Henrietta's Resilience and Later Life
11 May 2025
Ep 03 - The Pines Remember
https://www.podpage.com/finding-grandpa-charlie/ (https://www.podpage.com/finding-grandpa-charlie/)
In this episode of 'Finding Grandpa Charlie', Erv Lenzy delves into the mysterious life of Charlie Henderson, and the history of timber industry in Ratcliffe. The narrative unfolds through census records and personal anecdotes, revealing Charlie's dual life and the emotional toll on those he left behind. The episode highlights the complexities of family history and the challenges of uncovering the truth about one's ancestry.
Takeaways
Charlie Henderson's disappearance left a significant gap in family history.
The 1920 census revealed Charlie's second family in Potter County, Texas.
Henrietta faced immense challenges raising children alone after Charlie's departure.
The timber industry in Ratcliffe was deeply tied to the railroad system.
Ratcliffe's boomtown status was short-lived due to deforestation.
Charlie faked his death and started anew, leaving Henrietta behind.
The emotional impact of abandonment is a recurring theme in family stories.
Genealogy research can uncover surprising connections and gaps in family history.
The search for Charlie led to more questions than answers.
Family history is often intertwined with broader historical events and societal changes.
5 May 2025
Ep 02 - Tracing the Roots of a Family Legend
In this episode of 'Finding Grandpa Charlie', Erv Lenzy delves into the mysterious life of his great grandfather, Charlie Henderson. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and historical context, Erv explores Charlie's roots in Bonham, Texas, his family's legacy, and the circumstances surrounding his enigmatic disappearance. The narrative unfolds through the lens of family history, revealing secrets, double lives, and the impact of loss on Charlie's journey.
28 Apr 2025
101 - Whispers and Ghost Stories
In this episode I share family legends and stoiries about Grandpa Charlie, the way I heard them as a kid. And one exciting discovery I learned a s a young adult.
20 Apr 2025
He Was Supposed to Be Dead
One man disappeared. A century later, his great-grandson is chasing the truth.
Finding Grandpa Charlie is a true crime-style family history podcast that investigates the mysterious disappearance of Charles Newton Henderson — a gambler, gunslinger, husband, father, and possibly a man who faked his death.
Was it a tragic accident or a carefully staged vanishing act? Using old census records, family recordings, DNA, and dusty legal documents, host Erv Lenzy pieces together a story buried by time, silence, and secrets.
Join the search as every clue brings us closer to a man lost between two lives. If you love unsolved mysteries, family secrets, and true crime with a genealogical twist — this podcast is for you.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
1,115
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
39
Social presence
0
YouTube
65
Engagement
32
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