TLC RENEWS WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? AND LONG LOST FAMILY FOR ADDITIONAL SEASONS

The following announcement was sent to Olive Tree Genealogy: 

TLC announced today that the network has ordered additional seasons of the fan favorite series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? and freshman series LONG LOST FAMILY. The most recent seasons of both series averaged over 1.8M P2+ viewers.

Executive Produced by Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky, the two time Emmy-nominated WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? follows some of today's most beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees. The most recent seasons have featured Bryan Cranston, who uncovered an ancestor’s heroic dedication during the Civil War, and Molly Ringwald, who learned about the dangerous conditions her coal-mining ancestors endured.

LONG LOST FAMILY features the highly emotional and touching stories of people who have suffered a lifetime of separation from their family members. The series reunites those separated by adoption, uncovers secrets behind unsolved mysteries, and helps individuals answer lifelong questions. This past season reunited several family members in emotional meetings, including a mother and a daughter who actually worked together and did not realize they were related. The series is hosted by Chris Jacobs and Lisa Joyner, who uniquely share their own stories of adoption while leading others in their own family discoveries.

Ancestry.com,  the leading provider of online family history data and personal DNA testing, is teaming up with TLC again as a sponsor of the upcoming seasons for both series. As part of the sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research to help make discoveries possible on both series.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. LONG LOST FAMILY is produced for TLC by Shed Media, and is based on the format entitled Find My Family/Spoorloos devised by KRO-NCRV, distributed by Lineup Industries.

Who Do You Think You Are? Returns Tomorrow with Aisha Tyler

The two-time Emmy nominated series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? returns this spring to follow more of today’s most beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees.

The series continues to deliver unbelievable stories from crucial moments in history, including a number of firsts for the series, such as a male witch hunt, and traveling to Portugal, Sweden and Ellis Island. Executive Produced by Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky, the new season premieres Sunday, April 3 at 9/8c.

This Sunday's episode features Aisha Tyler, who dives fearlessly into her mother’s family history, tracking down the story of a man that had been lost over generations. She uncovers the astonishing tale of a prominent ancestor whose struggle to keep his illegitimate son a secret made the papers; a father who actively fought against his kin’s basic human rights; and the impressive story of her two times great-grandfather, who dove headlong into controversy, took a brave stand for his people, and left a mark so great that he is commemorated today by one of America’s capital cities.

The contributors featured in the upcoming season include:


·         Scott Foley finds a relative who risked his life for one of America’s founding fathers, and an ancestor who suffered unspeakably during one of this nation’s darkest times.

·         Lea Michele nails down where her mysterious paternal ancestors came from, and learns of the dire economic circumstances they endured while trying to emigrate to the U.S.

·         Chris Noth learns his ancestors suffered during one of the greatest catastrophes in American history, and a relative who fought in one of the bloodiest battles of all time.

·         Molly Ringwald explores family lore of Swedish royalty which uncovers her ancestors’ harrowing lives and a brave woman who forever changed her family’s fate.

·         Katey Sagal is shocked to learn of her family’s Amish roots, and digs deeper as she realizes the level of dedication to their faith.

·         Aisha Tyler tracks down her 2x great-grandfather, whose story had been lost over generations, and uncovers an astonishing tale of a prominent ancestor whose struggle to keep his illegitimate son a secret made headlines.

Ancestry.com, the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor of the upcoming season. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.

The series is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. More information can be found at TLC.com/WDYTYA. ‘Like’ Who Do You Think You Are? on Facebook.com/WDYTYA and follow @WDYTYA on Twitter.

Image credit: TLC

TLC ANNOUNCES CELEBRITY CONTRIBUTORS FOR SPRING SEASON OF WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

Olive Tree Genealogy received the following Press Release about Who Do You Think You Are?

New season premieres Sunday, April 3 at 9/8c

The two-time Emmy nominated series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? returns this spring to follow more of today’s most beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees. The series continues to deliver unbelievable stories from crucial moments in history, including a number of firsts for the series, such as a male witch hunt, and traveling to Portugal, Sweden and Ellis Island. Executive Produced by Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky, the new season premieres Sunday, April 3 at 9/8c.

The contributors featured in the upcoming season include:

•     Scott Foley finds a relative who risked his life for one of America’s founding fathers, and an ancestor who suffered unspeakably during one of this nation’s darkest times.
•     Lea Michele nails down where her mysterious paternal ancestors came from, and learns of the dire economic circumstances they endured while trying to emigrate to the U.S.
•     Chris Noth learns his ancestors suffered during one of the greatest catastrophes in American history, and a relative who fought in one of the bloodiest battles of all time.
•     Molly Ringwald explores family lore of Swedish royalty which uncovers her ancestors’ harrowing lives and a brave woman who forever changed her family’s fate.
•     Katey Sagal is shocked to learn of her family’s Amish roots, and digs deeper as she realizes the level of dedication to their faith.
•     Aisha Tyler tracks down her 2x great-grandfather, whose story had been lost over generations, and uncovers an astonishing tale of a prominent ancestor whose struggle to keep his illegitimate son a secret made headlines.

Ancestry.com, the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor of the upcoming season. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry.com provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.

The series is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. More information can be found at TLC.com/WDYTYA. ‘Like’ Who Do You Think You Are? on Facebook.com/WDYTYA and follow @WDYTYA on Twitter.

Image: Screenshot from TLC Sneak Peek Video Clip

Who Do You Think You Are is Back!

Family history is back on TV! The new season of Who Do You Think You Are? is launching on July 23rd at 9/8c with an outstanding cast on TLC. 

Ancestry.com is the main sponsor. If you aren't familiar with the show, it features stars uncovering secrets and learning their histories as they travel the world in search of their family histories. They often discover how history has shaped their lives, and how personality traits have been passed down.

The lineup for this season will feature celebrities Cynthia Nixon, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Rachel McAdams, Valerie Bertinelli, Kelsey Grammer and Lauren Graham

Is Great Grandpa's Cause of Death Wrong?

I watched a very interesting show on TV a few weeks ago. It was called The Poisoner's Handbook and is based on the novel of the same name by Deborah Blum. 

The show traced several real-life cases in 19th century New York where suspicious deaths had taken place. Coroners in that time were not required to have any expertise or credentials. As well coroners were paid by the case, which meant the faster they determined the cause of death, the more money they made. Many coroners accepted payment to alter a cause of death. The result was that often an incorrect cause of death was given. 

Thanks to Charles Norris, New York's first scientifically trained coroner and his assistant Alexander Gettler, a highly trained toxicologist, determining causes of death became more accurate.  Forensic science became a trusted tool when suspicious deaths ocurred. 

The program was fascinating on many levels and if you get a chance you might want to watch it. It also points out that as genealogists we need to be aware of the times and the culture in which the death certificates of our ancestors were issued. 

Genealogy Roadshow Coming to PBS this September!

PBS ANNOUNCES ON-AIR TALENT AND HISTORIC VENUES FOR ITS FALL SERIES “GENEALOGY ROADSHOW” 

– New host, genealogy experts join production crew as season one begins filming this week in Austin –

ARLINGTON, VA; JUNE 21, 2013 – PBS announced today the host, on-air talent and filming locations for its new series GENEALOGY ROADSHOW, which premieres this fall.  Part detective story, part emotional journey, the show combines history and science to uncover the fascinating and surprising stories of diverse Americans from across the country.  The announcements come as GENEALOGY ROADSHOW begins production this weekend in Austin, Texas, the first of four U.S. cities it will visit.

On-Air Experts
Los Angeles-area broadcaster Emmett Miller has been named as the host of GENEALOGY ROADSHOW. As host, Miller introduces the show and each segment, guides viewers through the personal stories of the participants, and interacts with the participants throughout their journey.
ROADSHOW production company Krasnow Productions has also cast nationally known genealogical authors, lecturers and researchers Joshua Taylor and Kenyatta Berry as the show’s on-air experts.  Taylor and Berry will investigate participants’ questions and then, in front of a live audience, reveal the intriguing and surprising information they discover about the participants, their families and their communities.

Locations
GENEALOGY ROADSHOW begins production this week in Austin, Texas, the first of four cities the series will visit in its premiere season.  The shoot, which will capture six stories to be featured in the show, takes place June 23 at the historic The Driskill hotel.  The entertaining mix of stories includes surprising connections to iconic figures in Texas and American history, debunked histories, and an emotional story of one man’s amazing family.

Built in 1886 as the showplace of a cattle baron, The Driskill remains a landmark of legendary Texas hospitality and a symbol of the state’s resilience and historic pride.  Located on 6th Street in the heart of downtown Austin, the hotel was the site of many famous inaugural balls for Texas governors and was the first-date location for Lyndon Baines Johnson and his future wife Lady Bird.  The Driskill maintains its original opulence, from the magnificent columned lobby with marble floors and a stained-glass dome to the classic décor of its 189 guestrooms and suites.

After Austin, the production team travels to Nashville June 29 to film segments at the Belmont Mansion, the largest house museum in Tennessee and one of the few 19th-century homes whose history revolves around the life of a woman: Adelicia Hayes Franklin Acklen Cheatham.

  GENEALOGY ROADSHOW then visits Detroit on July 14, and the first season’s filming wraps up July 21in San Francisco, at The Old Mint, an 1874 historic edifice that once was the most active mint in the United States, and that in the 1930s held one-third of the nation’s gold reserves.
“The stories of everyday people, told in some of America’s most extraordinary locations, will make GENEALOGY ROADSHOW the perfect destination for people who love history and real-life drama,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager of General Audience Programming for PBS. “GENEALOGY ROADSHOW is about anyone and everyone, proving that you don’t have to be famous to be remarkable.”

“Now that we’re on the ground and preparing to film, we are thrilled with all the aspects of this production, from the enthusiastic response to our call for stories to the extraordinary historic locations where we’re working, to the lively, fun and engaging on-air talent,” said executive producer Stuart Krasnow.

GENEALOGY ROADSHOW’s premiere season will feature participants who want to explore unverified genealogical claims, passed down through family history, which may (or may not) connect them to an event or a historical figure. Experts in genealogy, history and DNA use heirlooms, letters, pictures, historical documents and other clues to hunt down details. Producers enlist the help of local historians to add color and context to the investigations, ensuring every artifact and every name becomes a clue in solving the mystery. GENEALOGY ROADSHOW will air Mondays, September 23-October 14, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET.

Do You Want to be Part of a National Geographic Special?

The following announcement was sent to Olive Tree Genealogy from National Geographic:

Have you ever wondered where your ancestors came from thousands of years ago? Do you have a burning genealogical question? Are you wondering if you may have inherited a specific medical condition?

Emmy award winning Production Company is looking for people to participate in a National Geographic Special. Please send a short description of yourself, what your question(s) are and a photograph. Include your age, race, and what you know already about your ancestry. If you have a genetic health issue you'd like to know more about, please include a line about that. Send email to NGSAncestry@gmail.com

REQUIREMENTS * Must be available for 1-2 hours on July 26th in Midtown Manhattan * Willing to sign an appearance release and discuss your ancestry and possible genetic health issues * Must live in one of the 5 NYC boroughs * Willing to let us film the results reveal in your home one day during the last two weeks of August (1-2 hour time commitment)

This is a documentary production--there is no financial compensation

Finding Your Roots on PBS in March

Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr is coming to PBS March 25, 2012 at 8pm ET. According to their Facebook page, this is a 10-part PBS series exploring race, culture and identity through genealogy.

 Presented and written by Professor Gates, the series is the 12th production from the renowned Harvard scholar.

'Finding Your Roots' builds on the success of ‘African American Lives 1 and 2’ and ‘Faces of America,' journeying deep into the ancestry of an all-new group of remarkable individuals. The 10-part series delves into the genealogy and genetics of famous Americans, combining history and science in a fascinating exploration of race, family, and identity in today's America.

Letters Lost & Found From the 17th Century

A few days ago I heard from a researcher working for Dutch National television who is doing research on history and genealogy for a program called ‘Brieven Boven Water’

This TV program is all about letters sent by Dutchmen overseas to the New World and other places in the 17th and 18th centuries. The letters never arrived, since the ships that transported the letters were hijacked by the English.

Over 38,000 of these letters were recently found and the program tries to find out about the person who wrote the letter(s) and track descendants in 2012. They are working on one of my ancestors Hendrick Meesen Vrooman and want to know if I can help. 

They are hoping to find a few descendants of Hendrick's son Adam and I think I can help with that. Of course they also have me as I descend from Hendrick's daughter Eva who married Jochem Lambertse Van Valkenburg in New Netherland (present day New York)

You can read about the letter my ancestor Hendrick wrote to his brother in Leiden in 1664 at "Thank You Hendrick"  You can also read the transcribed letter at "Letters For Loot"

Good Morning America featuring a Genealogy Segment Oct. 13

 This just in via email ...

Good Morning America will be running a segment on genealogy tomorrow morning on their show around 7:45 a.m. They did an interview with Leslie Albrecht Huber, author of The Journey Takers.

Apparently someone from Ancestry.com will also be featured but I have no more details.  The segment will be posted on the Good Morning America site soon after it runs.

Who Do You Think You Are?

"Who Do You Think You Are?" premieres Friday, March 5 (8-9 p.m. ET) and gives viewers an up-close and personal look inside the family history of some of today's most beloved and iconic celebrities.

Among the celebrities featured are Matthew Broderick, Lisa Kudrow, Spike Lee, Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields and Emmitt Smith.

Ancestry.com is NBC's official partner on the series. From executive producer Kudrow ("Friends," "The Comeback") - in conjunction with her production company Is or Isn't Entertainment and the U.K.'s Wall to Wall productions - "Who Do You Think You Are?" is an adaptation of the hit BBC television documentary series created and executive-produced by Alex Graham. [Press Release]