The penultimate episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are? features iconic 60s singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull.
60s iconic star Marianne Faithfull
The programme looks to be concentrating on her maternal side who were of Austro-Hungarian aristocratic descent. The 'von Sacher-Masoch' family contained a number of writers and literary experts and Marianne's grandfather was also a war hero for Germany in the First World War. This partly kept them from Nazi persecution as they had some Jewish forebears in the family but their existence in Vienna in the 1940s was precarious as they quietly opposed the regime, distributing anti-Nazi leaflets.
It promises to be another interesting episode and is on BBC1 tonight at 9pm. If you'd like a preview, there's an interesting article on TheGenealogist at http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/wdytya2013_faithfull.php
The current series of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' on BBC1 has been a fascinating one so far. For those family historians interested in their sport, tonight's celebrity is former England footballer and now popular TV presenter, Gary Lineker. A Leicester boy, born and bred, the majority of his roots are from that area. Gary knows very little about his family history apparently, so it's a major voyage of discovery for him.
The previews to the programme feature on two of Gary's distant ancestors who had very different lives. Both came from poor backgrounds but a lucky break happened to one to get him into a respectable profession but definitely didn't happen to the other ancestor!
It promises to be another great programme looking at the family of one of England's most famous recent iconic heroes. Will you be watching?
TheGenealogist.co.uk has looked into Gary's family history. If you'd like to know more in advance of the programme visit http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/wdytya2013_lineker.php
Gary Lineker featuring on tonight's Who Do You Think You Are?
The episode featuring Lesley Sharp this week on 'Who Do You Think You Are?' was certainly different but none the less just as interesting for family historians. Looking at the issue of adoption firstly (as Lesley was adopted at just 6 weeks old) and then as Lesley delved deeper into her paternal side, looking at the early fostering of children around 1900 as part of the Barnardo's scheme to help children in poverty, it was a very emotional programme.
The series has been excellent so far and hopefully the remainder of the series will be just as good!
If you'd like to read a bit more about Lesley and her family, including the tale of fostering young George Maybury before he was sent to Canada, there's more details at TheGenealogist website.
George Maybury, fostered by Lesley's great great grandfather, Charles Patient
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
