Is Superman your Salem Witch Trials cousin? Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird. It's a plane. No, it's a descendant of a Salem Witch Trials victim!
Episode Description
What if we told you that one of Hollywood's most beloved superheroes has a direct connection to Salem's darkest chapter? In this fascinating episode, hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack explore the surprising link between Superman actor Christopher Reeve and a Salem Witch Trials victim who pulled off history's most daring escape.The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as both hosts share their own ancestral connections to the 1692 trials. Through family stories passed down through generations and chance discoveries at historical sites, they reveal how their separate family histories unexpectedly intertwined, leading them to discover they're distant cousins. Their journey from typed genealogy charts in the 1990s to standing in Salem's historic locations brings the past vividly into the present.Dr. Emerson Baker's research suggests there may be over 100 million descendants of people involved in the Salem Witch Trials today. The hosts explore what this means for understanding our shared history and how these connections continue to influence advocacy work around the world. They discuss the broader network of witch trials beyond Salem, including cases in Boston, Connecticut, and Europe, inviting listeners to explore their own potential connections.The episode highlights several remarkable historical figures, including a minister whose extended family bore an extraordinary burden during the trials, and ancestors who transformed from accusers to defenders as events unfolded. These stories illuminate the complex social dynamics and personal courage that defined this turbulent period in American history.Looking beyond historical connections, the hosts draw parallels between Salem's lessons and contemporary issues. They emphasize that the traits demonstrated by their ancestors—perseverance, the courage to speak up, and the willingness to question authority—are fundamentally human qualities that transcend bloodlines.The episode concludes with information about the upcoming World Day Against Witch Hunts, a free online event on August 10th featuring international experts discussing modern witchcraft accusations and support for survivors in Ghana's outcast camps. Listeners can register at endwitchhunts.org/day.Connect with the show on Patreon at patreon.com/aboutsalem to share your own family stories and join the ongoing conversation about Salem's enduring legacy.Christopher Reeve proved that heroism isn’t about superpowers—it’s about perseverance. That’s the gift every Salem descendant carries, but you don’t have to share their bloodline to share their lesson. Salem teaches us about the price of silence, the power of standing up, the importance of questioning authority. Those aren’t genetic traits—they’re human ones.
Listen to the Podcast Episode: Finding Your Salem Witch Trial Ancestors with David Allen Lambert
Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project
Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt
The Thing About Salem YouTube
The Thing About Salem Patreon