WDYTYA - Robert Rinder

[KGarrad]

I wasn't that fussed with this episode?

Concentrating on just 2 people - IMHO it didn't offer any new insights into Family History?
I prefer those episodes that trace a family through a number of generations

[andrewalston]

It did give him insights into the lives of people he actually wanted information about.

The documents produced were interesting, especially those showing the way his grandfather claimed to be much younger than he really was, a tactic still used by migrants today.

In fact it showed that documents can be found pointing the way even in obscure parts of the world and about the more awkward parts of history.

[Finley 1]

Yes --

quite a difficult one to watch 

He was able to face it and take it all in..

None of it was really what he wanted to hear - No happy rich forbears -
Just sad stories so very close to home and within my lifetime  (almost - well nearly - )

Brave of him to sit and listen to stuff like that in the eye of the public...

yes

a deep one.

but necessary  - no fluff -

xin     just xin's opinions

[Rishile]

I agree with Xinia.  A difficult one to watch but I couldn't NOT watch it once it got going.

The question I would have liked answered although nobody would know the answer:

Did his Grandfather know his family were on that train and did he know they wouldn't come back.

His poor Grandmother certainly had her work cut out for her with the two men in her life.

I thought Robert Rinder was very genuine and had tears in his eyes at times.  The letter from his Grandfather to the man who helped him obviously moved him a great deal.

I would be wrong to say I enjoyed it - but it was good TV.

Rishile

[lisalisa]

I thought this was a very interesting episode, could have watched more, as I would have liked to have known how the young Israel in Latvia got to England.  I think they said he was in England from about the age of 15, although I don't think they produced a 1911 census for him.
Extra info - I would have liked to see some maps illustrating the histories.

Lisa

[JenB]

There is a book, which is both wonderful and at the same time absolutely devastating, by Martin Gilbert called 'The Boys' which tells in great details the life stories of the boys before and after they came to England.  There are a couple of mentions of Robert's grandfather, and a great deal about Ben Helfgott who he met up with during the programme. Also a lot about Friedmann, the psychiatrist.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01mif/

[JenB]

I think they said he was in England from about the age of 15, although I don't think they produced a 1911 census for him.

The family are in Whitechapel in 1911, Israel aged 20.

[Familysearch]

I guess it depends what we, as individuals, want from our family history research.  This to me was not a programme that was seeing how far back they could go, but finding some genuine facts about the life experience of those people, harrowing as it was.

The documentary evidence was fascinating too.

I did lose track part way through, so will need to watch again on iPlayer.

FS

[pharmaT]

I thought it was a really good episode, brought me to tears mind you.  Such sad stories.  I like it when the mix it up and focus on the lives of one or two people rather than  trying to go back as far as they can.  It challenges the idea that some people have that genealogy is just 'name collecting' and illustrates how much we can potentially delve into the lives of out ancestors.  I know that people on RC know what genealogy involves but it spreads the message to a wider audience.