WDYTYA (USA)

[Jamboesque]

Hi Folks,

Apologies if this has been posted previously but a couple of days ago I got a link via the weekly Ancestry.com e-mail update (usually have a quick squint then bin it!) for a new series to be broadcast tonight (5 March) on NBC.

"Who Do You Think You Are", but using American celebs to highlight their family history. The odd thing is that it uses the BBC name and logo (the two trees idea). It looks quite interesting, even from a Scottish perspective and might provide links to immigration sources not usually highlighted plus techniques to how to search. I'm not expecting any new revelationary ideas but it is still an enjoyable format, if they get the right folks as a subject.

Does anyone know if the BBC are making the program for NBC, and will it be coming over here or how can we watch it from this side of the pond?

Here's a link http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you ... _lid=42904

[carlineric]

The February edition of Who Do Yo Think You Are? magazine has an article on the American series. Apparently it is being produced by Wall to Wall who also produce the UK series unlike the other overseas editions which are licensed. It will be coming to British TV, however due to the commercial breaks some work is having to be done to make it suitable for screening on the BBC. Also it will only be 40 minutes long and the BBC are aiming for a 45 minute slot so additional material may be added to give the British audience a bit of American history and also there may be a British narrator.

Eric

[Jamboesque]

Thanks for the update, Eric.

I'll wait and see what transpires from the Beeb.

[Tracey]

I have read elsewhere that Sarah Jessica Parker is the first one.

[emanday]

and also there may be a British narrator.

Now, I know that the UK and USA are often referred to as "two countries separated by a common language" but, following the recent reports about the Beeb's economy drive, paying extra to dub in a British narrator isn't what I call "cutting unnessary expenditure"

I think we should be able to understand the American narrator perfectly well

[marilyn morning]

According to Dick Eastman's Blog

http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_ge ... riday.html

and

Here's a little preview of tonight first broadcast of WDYTYA here in the USA.

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox ... roots.html

[Jamboesque]

Thanks for the links Marylin but the preview video clips are only available within the U.S.

Over this side of the pondto view it we would need for our ISP to be hosed in the States a very unlikely occurance.

I think I'll just wait until the BBC come out with their version but, without giving anything away, how did you find the program?

[marilyn morning]

The show began with Sarah interviewing her mother for clues. Mum had a few old pictures and her great grandfather's name & birthplace. Enough to send off Sarah to find her roots. I found the show to be enjoyable, but not very informative on how or where to search out the records. She would get a clue, then make a visit to a local historian and the record of her Ancestor would be ready to view upon her arrival at the archive. Hmm, wished it was that easy. There were several surprises for Sarah along the way. Ancestry.com had a few commercials of course

[Anne H]

Just watched the first episode and like you, Marilyn, found it to be somewhat enjoyable but lacking in information as to how and where to search the records...wish I could walk into a records office or library and magically be presented with information to breakdown my brick walls.

It was a pleasant hour minus the commercials.

Regards,
Anne H

[trish1]

Trying to access Ancestry a short while ago, it was rather slow - there was a message apologising saying traffic to the site was heavier than usual. Guess everyone who watched the show headed off to instantly find their family. Presumably the ads were successful

Trish

Maybe worth checking if there is a special rate on a sub to ancestry.com - When the first series came to Oz they had a half price offer - I cancelled my UK sub & joined in Oz - it was a great rate!