Who Do You Think You Are?

[ikmccall]

Season 2 starts tonight with Vanessa Williams

[angelaudie]

Did anyone watch?

Vanessa had a very fascinating family history! Like Vanessa I can't imagine what it would be like to be in an interracial marriage in the 1800's. That took some serious guts for her great-great grandparents. Finding the tin picture of her great-great grandfather was cool as well! Interesting that apparently her brother resembles him.

TN State Library and Archives' website has information about William A. Field, Vanessa's maternal great-great grandfather. He had quite an extraordinary life. Definitely can't blame Vanessa for beaming with pride as she learned more about him!

Also, I'm very glad they dropped the awkward name dropping of ancestry.com.

[Spinderella]

I think they only mentioned Ancestry.com once, but obviously, being a sponsor it isn't such a bad thing to at least go on their site for a quick look.

I was really impressed with Vanessa's episode and her family's history. What an amazing journey they all had on both sides! And that obituary on William A. Field was so moving. I teared up as she read it and that moving last paragraph about his life and legacy to his family and how his name had no blemishes (or something like that?).

I swear, no one talks that way anymore. It was such a beautiful way to remember someone.

[memememe76]

Where was I last year? Never heard of this show until recently. I wish I could watch the season one episodes but I'm geoblocked due to being Canadian. Drats!

Really enjoyed the episode tonight. I was kinda hoping that Vanessa was gonna read some court case her great-great grandfather decided on that is now considered sacred legal precedent, but the short but eloquent eulogy was lovely regardless.

I also find really old documents and photos in themselves fascinating. The big room with all those volumes of court cases. Heaven!

Also, in Canada, the govt is trying to shorten the census. This show demonstrates how important the census can be!

[Atreides]

Hotspot Shield is your friend, memememe76.

I'm already rolling my eyes for the Gwyneth Paltrow episode. She's going to try so hard to prove she is related to popes, kings, and other hoity toitys.

[angelaudie]

Just watched Kim Cattrall's episode. One of the best that has aired in the U.S.! And only one mention of ancestry.com!

I think Kim handled the revelations about her grandfather's bigamy a lot better than I would if I was in her position. I also thought there was a resemblance between Kim and her grandfather. It just amazes me how quickly her grandfather moved on. How does one abandon one family and just so easily start another? Keep in mind he not only abandoned his wife and children but also his parents and sisters!

I bet the meeting of the two families was quite something. I can't even imagine what a shock his second family must have had when they learned what their father had done. The second wife's sister-in-law and niece certainly seemed disgusted by his actions.

ETA: Picked up for season 3!

[GoldenFleece]

I think the Kim Cattrall episode was done for the UK series and they probably just added the American voiceover guy for the NBC version. Must have made it harder to work in all those obligatory ancestry.com references!

Very compelling story with Kim's bigamist grandfather. I felt so bad for her mom and aunts to see the photo of their dad all happy at the beach with his second family.

[Augustus]

Is it the one where she finds out he and his new family moved to Australia? If so, then it is the UK episode probably indeed with a new voiceover, since in the original series they never mention what services etc. they may have used. Only at the end will they refer to the BBC page for more information on how to track your own family tree.

I only recently saw Spike Lee's episode and wow, what a major difference. The voiceover is redone by the original UK version, but the people did indeed constantly namedrop ancestry.com. Very very annoying.

[americanchai]

I was over the moon today to find that many episodes from the British series are available on Youtube. Just watched Stephen Fry, Jeremy Irons and Graham Norton! I think the original Kim Cattrall UK episode is up too (it got cut off in the US version by about 10 minutes, apparently). That was my favorite episode so far because that was a genuine scandal that really affected her current family. I loved her mum and aunties - they were such sweet ladies. What a cad their father was!

[Gracie]

Friday nights, as a genealogist, are sacred in my house. Not only do I watch, but discuss with others who are watching on Twitter. Search for #wdytya.

It was interesting the night Rosie O'Donnell was on. She joined in. Like her or not, she was funny that night on Twitter.