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?
Last night's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? was full of twists and turns as Sarah Millican's ancestors experienced hazards and dangers from off the coast of Kent to the Hudson Bay in Canada before settling down in South Shields in the North East.
Sarah experienced a taste of the life her ancestors went through, wearing snow boots in Canada to trying on a diver's suit similar to the one her 3x Great Grandfather James Hoult used in his working life. It was an eventful and emotional episode, particularly the near death experience and gruesome injuries of her ancestor, John Malcolm. What did you think? If you missed it, the programme is available on the BBC iPlayer.
Sarah Millican's episode on Who Do You Think You Are? took her on a wide journey far from South Shields
The next episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' continues tonight on BBC1 at 9pm. The celebrity featured this week is a star of Eastenders and numerous films, Nitin Ganatra. He moved with his family to the UK from Kenya when he was aged 3, so tonight's programme has a real international feel to it covering both Africa and Asia as Nitin pieces together his family tree.
It promises to be another interesting episode. I've enjoyed the series so far, with both personal, emotional and historic family history journeys featuring in the series so far. The Nick Hewer feature last week had some interesting historical elements and tonight's show looks like being similar. Will you be watching?
If you'd like to read a bit more about Nitin Ganatra, there's a featured article on TheGenealogist at http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/wdytya2013_ganatra.php
Tonight's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? features Eastenders actor Nitin Ganatra
