Who do you think you are.

[Unregistered]

Does anyone watch this programme i watched a repeat last pm it was Stephen Fry and it was very sad and moving. I find the series really interesting..


Caterina..

[lindylou]

Yes, I have watched all of the series.

[caterina]

Hi Lindy Lou yes i really look foward to the programmes i have enjoyed every one so far makes a change from a lot of the rubbish that is on ..



Caterina :)

[SteH]

I enjoyed the one the other night with Carol Vorderman, sad how she discovered so much of her long estranged fathers background only for him to die as they were making the series.

[Kev]

Cat, how did u post unregistered?

[Diane]

Yes ive seen it is very interesting. Saw the one with Jane Horrocks.

[caterina]

Kev don,t know how just did have not been able to get on the site at all for ages ?


Caterina..

[caterina]

The one with Natasha Kapinsky was good too it has changed my opinion of her a lot she appears human lol.


Caterina:)

[phredd]

Having spoken and had coffee with the Lady about RSGB I found her to be very friendly and understanding.
She may not come across that way but she is.

Phredd

ps = RSGB >>> Royal Surrey Gas Board aka Radio Society of Great Britain

[Ged]

It's a great programme, but the way everything is laid on a plate for them, all the research is done and dusted with old parish records open and at the ready, the microfiche film at the correct point of the old newspapers - never happens like that in real life does it - I respect that they can't have an hour taken up of looking through the stuff only come to a dead end but oh to be a celebrity sometimes :)

[lindylou]

Yes, it must be lovely to have it all laid out on a plate for you - all the hard work taken out of it for you - and paid for too I expect.

the average person tracing their family tree can't find the time or finance to travel all around the country - or abroad researching their family roots.


I read a letter somewhere just recently saying why don't they let some ordinary members of the public be chosen for the program.

[chippie]

I like the series "who do you think you are" still not seen the Stephen Fry one even though it has been on several channels over the year.

I have recently got hold of a relatives 18 page documentary on our family tree and it is quite flawed with dates, names and places. He has been doing his research for over fifteen years from his home in Canada and even his thorough searches can reveal flaws.

It is very time consuming and sometimes my trips to the records office in Liverpool revealed nothing new to me.

My latest revelation thinks that one of my relatives was a knock off merchant who escaped from prison and went on the run. Later to become an executive in a well known bank. (yet to be verified):ninja:

[PhilipG]

Yes, it does all seem laid on for them.
But what annoys me is that nearly all of the celebrities have done absolutely nothing in the past to trace their ancestors before the BBC (presumably) offer to finance the research.
All the programmes start off with: "I know nothing about where I come from!".

I've been tracing my family history for years, and, without going into details, some major questions are still unanswered.

[Cadfael]

I agree Philip. There is nothing better than going through a load of records for hours on end suddenly to see your great great grandfather's name spring up out of the screen. Half of the fun is to see what you can find - while discovering what other people in the same era got up to.

[caterina]

Hello everyonei am in total agreement with what has been said, oh tobe a celebrity but we ordinary mortals should be given a go. I bet some of us could turn up some really interesting stories not just the celebs..


Caterina..:):):)

[robbo176]

I've been doing my tree for the past few years but when I started on my mums family the whole tree has been completely done & everyone on Genes reunited also seem to be doing my tree....if you don't believe me just type in Foreman & Pakenham Suffolk into Genes Reunited and look how many there is :shock:
but there was no fun in having it all on handed to me on a plate....I love all the detective work I've had to do for the other branches of my tree

[caterina]

ITs on again tonight Alistar M ,gowan i believe he has Anglo Indian in his Genes could be interesting. Lets hope in time they may do some on us ordinary mortals Lol..



caterina..

[caterina]

Did anyone watch last nights programme ? i enjoyed it but he did manage to get back a long way and in the end he was not from scottish but from the irish he was convinced he was scottish. Well you can,t win em all.


Caterina..:)

[Ged]

If he was scottish surely it would be in his kilt not his genes?

[caterina]

Hiyah Ged like that very witty lol i would sooner be off Irish than Scots though one of the WDYTYA John Hurt was miffed cos he was not from Irish gentry..


caterina..:)

[PhilipG]

I saw the late night repeat with John Hurt.
Sometimes, more is revealed about the celebrity than they'd like to admit.
John Hurt came across as a terrible snob (and, IMHO, rather unlikable).
He obviously wanted to prove that he was descended from the Irish aristocracy.
When it was proved that he wasn't, he was genuinely annoyed.

Of course, ordinary people should be used, because even "celebrities" parents are complete unknowns to us, let alone their GGGGParents.

[Gnomie]

[QUOTE=lindylou;81061]Yes, it must be lovely to have it all laid out on a plate for you [QUOTE]

But they dont get the pleasure we do when we research ourselves for years. :)

I love the programme. John Hurt was a real old snob . never mind John you can lend some of my Irish. none of them are upper class mind like, just real class

[Steven]

My family came over during the famine of the 1840's. Many of them came later. I was proud when Molly from Donegal dug out my family coat of arms. I nearly died of shock. We have always just been working class and wouldn't want it any other way.

[Gnomie]

I have Hennessey, Cain and Mcguinness in my lot:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

sadly not the brewing giants:disgust:

[caterina]

Yes i am proud to be of Irish stock Dockers Seamen Farmer Milk Dealer Weaver no Aristocracy though..


caterina..:)

[gorgeous]

I also enjoy the program , & agree with you all they make it look far to easy ,
God i wish they'd try & trace my g grandfather , i can't get anywhere with this line all because of him holding me up. lol. no birth , no marriage & no death , All that's known is what was on my nans birth cert ,

Karen

[caterina]

I think it is Graham Norton tonite so hoping it will be good let you know..


Caterina.....

[caterina]

Well well well watched it was Graham Norton and it turned out on his Dads side back in the 1600,s he originated from Yorkshire his Mums side was Irish with an illigitemacy secret.


caterina.....

[chippie]

I quite enjoyed the show last night, thought it was very interesting. I,m glad he wasn,t snivelling like that prat last week. Good on yer Graham.

[lindylou]

I've taped it. Havn't had time to watch it yet.


Who was snivelling last week ?

[chippie]

The butler did it Lindy ha ha now I,ve told you the end, it,s not worth watching

[lindylou]

I still havn't had time to watch it :rolleyes:

.. maybe tomorrow. :)

[ChrisGeorge]

It's a great programme, but the way everything is laid on a plate for them, all the research is done and dusted with old parish records open and at the ready, the microfiche film at the correct point of the old newspapers - never happens like that in real life does it - I respect that they can't have an hour taken up of looking through the stuff only come to a dead end but oh to be a celebrity sometimes :)

Hi Ged

Isn't this though kind of typical of TV programming which presents things in an artificial way, manipulating the viewer, just like they do with game shows or when they open a safe from the Titanic, that sort of thing. As you indicate, "real" research involves disappointment and many grueling hours to come up with the goods -- which I know to my cost! :PDT11

Chris

[Ged]

Too right Chris.

I used to enjoy those fights on Jerrrrrrry Springer until I learned they were fixed for viewing figures, now I have to watch boxing like Max.

;)

[ChrisGeorge]

Too right Chris.

I used to enjoy those fights on Jerrrrrrry Springer until I learned they were fixed for viewing figures, now I have to watch boxing like Max.

;)

In all, most of those types of shows play the viewing audience for fools.

Chris

[Jesamee]

I have only missed one of the programmes and that was Natasha Kaplinsky's. I think it is fascinating to watch and also very emotional. I especially liked David Dickensons he came across as a nice human being, not brash and flashy as he appears on his other programmes.

[caterina]

Anyone watching this pm it is Matthew Pinsent so i hope it is good..


caterina..:):):)

[john]

I have only missed one of the programmes and that was Natasha Kaplinsky's. I think it is fascinating to watch and also very emotional. I especially liked David Dickensons he came across as a nice human being, not brash and flashy as he appears on his other programmes.

Natashas was really good especially the part where her cousin starts singing in the the ruined synagogue.

[The Gardens]

Clip from Natasha's episode, very sad and similar to Stephen Fry's findings;

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JEm-39RJzmA

[john]

Clip from Natasha's episode, very sad and similar to Stephen Fry's findings;

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JEm-39RJzmA

Is there a piece of cousin singing

[PhilipG]

Just watched the repeat.
Yet another example of the programme revealing more about the Celebrity than they'd like.
Hers was another case of: "I know nothing about my ancestors, but (if you're paying) let's make the programme."
In Carol's case it was particularly poignant, because her parents had separated after her birth, and Carol had nothing to do with her father until (presumably) the time the programme was made, and he was then very ill, and died shortly after.

[lindylou]

I saw that one Philip.


I watched Graham Norton which we'd taped. Seems he has ancestors from Yorkshire.

[Cadfael]

Just watched the repeat.
Yet another example of the programme revealing more about the Celebrity than they'd like.
Hers was another case of: "I know nothing about my ancestors, but (if you're paying) let's make the programme."
In Carol's case it was particularly poignant, because her parents had separated after her birth, and Carol had nothing to do with her father until (presumably) the time the programme was made, and he was then very ill, and died shortly after.

I saw that prog at some silly hour last night - but is that really the view of the public? My personal opinion is that some people really do not have a clue how to start looking up their family tree and 'celebrity' or not, I think if someone was to cut out all the hard work and do it then they wouldn't say no.

I've only recently got back in touch with my grandparents after 25 years of family upset and learnt lots more about my past generations that I would have done if I had trawled through half of the library.

[caterina]

I agree with what you say Cadfael nothing can replace when you find what you are looking for i did and it has brought me so much Happiness but some time i could do with a help with the Irish Lol
Also watched last night programme it wasvery good Matthew Pinsent and he turned outto be very well connected on his Mums side..
I must say on the whole found the programme very enjoyable..


Caterina...:):):):):)