Who Do You Think You Are? (Episode 3)

[trystan]

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
The third episode of the BBC's celebrity Family History series
- 9pm Tuesday 26th October 2004 on BBC2 in the UK (& Europe for Digital Free to Air viewers)

"Upwardly mobile
Sue Johnston's family history revolves around two men, whose working lives reflected the increasing social mobility that followed the Industrial Revolution. Rags to riches, rebellion and the railways all play their part in the story told on Tuesday 26 October." http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/familyhistory/

If you have missed the series so far, then this is well worth watching. Also if you've not used your interactive button before (the red one), then give your thumb a bit of a treat (Sky Digital and Freeview viewers & some Cable areas) - the interactive bit gives you tips on conducting your own research.

Followed at 10pm  with "Family Ties" on BBC4 (the TV channel available for free on Freeview, or on Sky Digital/Cable)
"Lord Longford's Love Child: The story of the enigmatic Catherine Weekes. Born 200 years ago, she was the illegitimate child of the forebear of Thomas Pakenham, the 8th Lord Longford."
BBC4 Website

So will you be joining us on the RootsChat sofa and watching Who Do You Think You Are?

[trystan]

Not long to go now!

[paulmh]

I can not say I have enjoyed the past two episodes. I thought the idea of the programme was to not only encourage the British public to search there tree but also give guidence on how to go about it, this i feel is where we have been let down.

It is fair to say that you can get interactive on BBCi where they explain more but this is for only 5 minutes and it isn't fully explanitary.

The programme, to me is aimed to show that the celebs had great familes and even then they don't go as far back as say pre 1800, only as far as there grandparents.

However, as a fan of 'Waking the Dead'and 'Royal Family' am very much looking forward to tonights episode with Sue Johnson.

[Black Sheep]

Hi Paul,

I quite agree that the BBC have let everyone down by not using, showing and discussing the research path.

I am pleased however that finally we have a television programme at last which takes a look at the subject matter and hopefully encourages others to take up the hobby.

I loved Bill Oddie's Story and I am sure that Sue Johnson's will be equally as good.

Sarah

[Ticker]

Totally agree with Paul.  I think it will set some people off and get them interested, but for hardened members of the dead rellies club its not a great deal of help.  

Having said that, a programme on the subject I could do with some help on (finding Irish Rag and Bone men, who claim to be Tailors and are named Tymon between the years 1790 and 1795) would probably have limited appeal to the general viewing public!  

[Little Nell]

This episode was definitely better than the others from the point of view of research and showing how it was done - although I expect we'd all like the personal service.  Well done Carlisle Record Office and the Library there.  Maps, photos and pictures and the Parish records.  And the cause of death - didn't we have a question about that back in the summer?  Let's hope that Jeremy Clarkson does as good a job on his 'story' as he did on his father-in-law winning the VC.

Nell

[trystan]

I really enjoyed this episode. There she was with scibbled notes, photocopies with underlinings, and fluorescent marker pen - she did the digging around.

It was wonderful how she spoke of her great grandfather, how he managed to   move up from "the lanes" to the grand town house through hard work and determination.

Sue Johnston is a very real lady, and it was brilliant to hear her reaction and reflection on the things that she found.

Well done Sue!

[Boongie Pam]

Fantastic programme!  Really enjoyed it.  Whooohoo for Carlisle! 

I have to say I actually got exactly the same patient intelligent service from the Carlisle RO, I even saw the lovely chap sitting in the corner who printed my wills so well. 

Anyway bias aside... 

I agree Nell, it was the best one so far, there were aspects to this programme I really enjoyed.

1.  Knocking family legend on the head but fighting through to the real interesting stuff.

2.  Using incidental records, the union papers & committee records for Carlisle station.

Sue Johnstone looked like she really really enjoyed the research.  The constant "oh, oh" then having to apologise - I loved it.

She got help, but then a programme of a person wheeling through a microfilm occasionally tangling the film, getting shouted at for having a cough sweet wouldn't be good telly - which I think this was.

I think it worked well just focusing on 2 ancestors though I'm now as about her family as I am about mine.  She enriched her BMD & census very well - which if you want to know who you are, is surely the point.

AND, I have a a Cowan in my tree!!!! 

All the best,
Pam
 

[moscan]

Getting better all the time... I reallly love the way they are doing the programme would love to have the time to be able to get to all those record offices for my own searches ah well one day

Best Wishes

Mo