Brigidmac, the programme is on Channel 4, not a BBC production.
Yep, got to agree it’s just one big advert for Ancestry services, from DNA to hiring their own professional research services, hence not being too detailed over which databases their are finding the information.
I did notice on the second episode they mentioned a Sydney Herald article... one that is on Ancestry worldwide package
When we all know that Trove has the best and ‘free’ service. They also skipped the British Newspaper archives on one or two searches, they must have used them to get further along.
To use an antiques roadshow/flog/Family History fair style production is just plain wrong and boring, there is no way research can be squished into this set format as we know everyone’s family history is a different and interesting story.
If anyone from the production team or Ancestry reads RC the they should take note, the problem is not with the ordinary folk or their stories being showcased as they are all (well nearly all) interesting and have a tale to tell but the production format is so wrong. They are clearly not showing the people’s own research as they are pushing their own Ancestry research service. The house histories series is a much better format but I would suggest only one or two stories per episode.
Personally, if one of the big genealogy companies want to make a decent series on one of the smaller channels or pay networks then make it an educational style one... showing exactly how to research the tree from the beginning how to pick up hint and tips etc, where to look etc., one story per week building up to the more difficult areas of research. Include a small Twitter/Facebook/email section giving hints on where to look etc on one off public questions., (similar to the letters section in the FH magazines. It’s never going to be an entertainment style programme in the same way as WDYTYA with celebrities, exotic travel and high production costs.
Just my thoughts