Looking at other forums and blogs there has been a mixed reaction to the format used by Who Do You Think You Are? of just concentrating on a few members of the family of a celebrity. However, last night's programme, despite the lack of parish records and the 'ready made' family trees given straight to the celebrity, was still very interesting- simply due to the fact on Marianne Faithfull's maternal Austro-Hungarian side they lived in a time of firstly, artistic freedom and decadence, then political upheavals and then the Nazi persecution of Jews and Russian reprisals.
The story was one of drama and often danger, but one filled with determination and human resilience to survive. It added another dimension to many peoples' views of Marianne Faithfull and maybe explains the problems she has faced in her life. What did you think of last night's show?
Tonight at 9pm sees the next episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are? on BBC1. Comedienne and writer, Sarah Millican features in a tale that stretches far beyond her established South Shields immediate family.
The 38-year-old, who is currently preparing for a 138-date UK tour, doesn’t have to wait long for her ticket out of South Tyneside – heading from her parents’ house in South Shields to Whitstable in Kent to find out about her maternal, three-times great-grandfather, James Hoult. He was one of the very first divers in the 1800s and his dangerous profession took him down to inspect a number of shipwrecks in the North Sea.
Sarah also travels to Canada where she finds her four-times great-grandfather, John Malcolm, worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company, the oldest commercial corporation in North America . As part of his very tough job, he was sent to a remote outpost involved in the fur trade.
It promises to be another great episode. If you'd like a taster before the show, TheGenealogist has looked into the background family history on Sarah Millican at http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/wdytya2013_millican.php
Sarah Millican and her family tree on Who Do You Think You Are?
Latest news on the eagerly anticipated new series of Who Do You Think You Are? TV programme is the first episode in July will start off with the actress Una Stubbs.
The new series is promised to be both varied and filled with twists and turns according to the show producers.
The running order is provisionally set as follows with actress Una Stubbs on the first programme, followed by Nigel Havers, Minnie Driver, Lesley Sharp, Gary Lineker, Nick Hewer, Sarah Millican, Nitin Ganatra, Marianne Faithfull with the final episode featuring John Simpson.
Latest news and updates can be found on the Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine website
