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Genealogy Documentary Series - Who Do You Think You Are?

Who Do You Think You Are? - British (BBC), American (TLC & NBC), Australian (SBS), Irish (RTÉ), and Canadian (CBC) - plus other countries - such as Denmark (DR1), Norway (NRK) and Sweden (SVT) - presented in their respective local languages. Genealogy documentary series - each episode traces the ancestry of a different celebrity.

Discoveries have included direct ancestor links with Early New England, Pennsylvania & Virginia Settlers, Early Settlers of Canadian Provinces (pre 1867 Confederation) and European Royalty ... and include a combination of inspiring, courageous, dramatic and tragic stories - with family links to important historical periods and events. To see Theme List click here

In addition to covering interesting themes - the TV episodes, respective Websites (BBC, TLC, NBC, SBS, RTÉ, CBC, DR1, NRK & SVT) and Magazine(s) - also provide useful clues and information on where to look for and obtain genealogy source information - Early New England Vital Records, English Parish Records, Archives, Historical Societies, College of Arms (London) ...
Also check the Sources section of this website.

Note: - Episodes of Who Do You Think You Are? (BBC - 2004 onwards; TLC - 2013-2018; NBC - 2010-2012 & 2019 onwards; SBS - 2008 onwards; RTÉ - 2008/9; CBC - 2007/8; DR1; NRK & SVT) - can be viewed on:

  1. TV - BBC, NBC, and SBS - for certain recent episodes.
  2. Websites - BBC (viewable in the U.K. only), TLC (viewable in the U.S. only), NBC (viewable in the U.S. only), and SBS (Australia) - for certain recent episodes.
  3. YouTube website (split into 10 to 15 minute parts) - for certain episodes.
  4. DVD - for episodes of former seasons.

A few Themes from Who Do You Think You Are? episodes:

  1. Early New England, Pennsylvania & Virginia Ancestry
  2. Early Canadian Ancestry (pre 1867 Confederation)
  3. Royal Ancestry

1. Early New England, Pennsylvania & Virginia Ancestry


1.1 Early New England ancestors of Ashley Judd

The NBC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2011) for Ashley Judd - American television and film actress ("Ruby in Paradise", "Norma Jean & Marilyn" ...) - includes direct ancestor links with Early New England Settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts (17th Century) - William Brewster and his family.

Published genealogy and history sources document the lives of - and descendants of - early settlers who emigrated to New England aboard the Mayflower ship in 1620 - including William Brewster and his family.


William Brewster - Mayflower ship 1620

William Brewster (died 1644) - emigrated to New England aboard the Mayflower ship in 1620.


1.2 Early New England ancestors of Jodie Kidd

The BBC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2008) for Jodie Kidd - English television personality and fashion model - includes direct ancestor links with Early New England Settlers of Rowley, Massachusetts (17th Century) - Thomas and Jane Grant.

Published genealogy and history sources document the lives of early settlers who emigrated to New England in the 17th Century - including Rowley, Massachusetts.


John Grant - New England 1630's

Thomas & Jane Grant and family emigrated from Rowley, Yorkshire, England - to New England (Rowley, Massachusetts) in the 1630’s.


1.3 Early New England ancestors of Richard Madeley

The BBC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2011) for Richard Madeley - British television presenter and columnist - includes direct ancestor links with Early New England Settlers of Boston, Massachusetts (17th Century) - William Beamsley and his family - and with Early Settlers of Nova Scotia (18th Century).

Published genealogy and history sources document the lives of early settlers who emigrated to New England in the 17th Century - including William Beamsley and his family.


William Beamsley - New England c.1632

William Beamsley (died 1658) - emigrated to New England c.1632.


1.4 Early New England ancestors of Cindy Crawford

The TLC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2013) for Cindy Crawford - American model - includes direct ancestor links with Early New England Settlers (17th Century) - Thomas Trowbridge (died 1672/3) & Elizabeth Marshall.

Published genealogy and history sources document the lives of - descendants of - and ancestors of - early settlers who emigrated to New England in the 17th Century - including Thomas Trowbridge and his family.


1.5 Early Pennsylvania ancestors of Valerie Bertinelli

The TLC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2014) for Valerie Bertinelli - American actress (TV sitcom "One Day at a Time" ...) - includes direct ancestor links with Early Pennsylvania Settlers (17th Century) - James Claypoole (1634-1687) & Helena Mercer (died 1688).

Published genealogy and history sources document the lives of - descendants of - and ancestors of - early settlers who emigrated to Pennsylvania in the 17th Century - including James Claypoole and his family.


1.6 Early Virginia ancestors of Courteney Cox

The TLC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2017) for Courteney Bass Cox - American actress (TV sitcom "Friends" ...), producer, and director - includes direct ancestor links with Early Virginia Settlers (17th Century) - Col. Thomas Ligon (Lygon) (died 1675/6) & Mary Harris.

Published genealogy and history sources document the lives of - and ancestors of - early settlers who emigrated to Virginia in the 17th Century - including Col. Thomas Ligon (Lygon) and his family.


1.7 Early Pennsylvania ancestors of Katey Sagal

The TLC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2016) for Catherine Louise "Katey" Sagal - American actress (TV sitcom "Married... with Children" ...) and singer-songwriter - includes direct ancestor links with Early Pennsylvania Settlers (18th Century) - Jacob Hochstetler (born c.1712-died before 1776) & family - with a courageous and tragic story during the French and Indian War (1754-1763).

Published genealogy and history sources document:


1.8 Early New England ancestors of Sarah Jessica Parker

The NBC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2010) for Sarah Jessica Parker - American actress (TV series "Sex and the City" ...), producer, and designer - includes direct ancestor links with Early New England Settlers (17th Century) - Robert Elwell (died 1683) & family - with an adventure story during the California Gold Rush - and a tense story during the Salem Witch Trials.

Published genealogy and history sources document:

Source documentation categories for additional direct family links for Sarah Jessica Parker:

Note - apparently inspired by the genealogy research findings - Sarah Jessica Parker - is reported to have used names from her ancestry - when naming her twin daughters born subsequent to the filming of the documentary.


2. Early Canadian Ancestry (pre 1867 Confederation)


2.1 Early Canadian ancestors of Richard Madeley

The BBC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2011) for Richard Madeley - British television presenter and columnist - includes direct ancestor links with Early New England Settlers (17th Century) - and with Early Settlers of Nova Scotia (18th Century).


John Hicks - Nova Scotia c.1760

John Hicks and family emigrated from New England - to Nova Scotia c.1760.


3. Royal Ancestry


European Royal Ancestry - Who Do You Think You Are?


3.1 Royal Ancestry of Brooke Shields

The NBC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2010) for Brooke Shields - American actress ("The Blue Lagoon", "Endless Love" ...) and model - includes direct ancestor links with Christine Marie of France (1606-1663) - who was born in the Palais du Louvre in Paris. The Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre) is housed in the Louvre Palace (Palais du Louvre) - a former French royal palace.

Christine Marie of France (1606-1663) - a "Gateway Ancestor" - was a direct descendant of - the House of de' Medici (Dukes in Italy); Early Kings of France, England, Scotland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Sweden; and Holy Roman Emperors - including Charlemagne "Charles The Great" Holy Roman Emperor (748-814) ...


Christine Marie of France - Palais du Louvre

See also - Notable & Famous Descendants of European Royalty - including Brooke Shields - American actress and model.


3.2 Royal Ancestry of Sir Matthew Pinsent

The BBC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2007) for Sir Matthew Pinsent - English rower and broadcaster - includes direct ancestor links with Lord William Howard (an uncle of Catherine Howard - 5th wife of Henry VIII, King of England).

Lord William Howard - a "Gateway Ancestor" - was a direct descendant of Edward I "Longshanks" King of England (died 1307) - who was a direct descendant of - Early Kings of England, Scotland, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Sweden; and Holy Roman Emperors - including Charlemagne "Charles The Great" Holy Roman Emperor (748-814) ...


Edward I King of England (died 1307)

3.3 Royal Ancestry of Alexander Armstrong

The BBC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2010) for Alexander Armstrong - British comedian, actor, television presenter, and host of BBC One game show "Pointless" - includes direct ancestor links with Edward Somerset, 2nd Marquess of Worcester (died 1667) - English Nobleman and Inventor.

Edward Somerset, 2nd Marquess of Worcester (died 1667) and his first wife Elizabeth Dormer (died 1635) - "Gateway Ancestors" - were both direct descendants of Edward III King of England (died 1377) - who was a Grandson of Edward I "Longshanks" King of England (died 1307) - who was a direct descendant of - Early Kings of England, Scotland, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Sweden; and Holy Roman Emperors - including Charlemagne "Charles The Great" Holy Roman Emperor (748-814) ...


Edward III King of England (died 1377) & Edward Somerset 2nd Marquess of Worcester (died 1667)

3.4 Royal Ancestry of Cindy Crawford

The TLC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2013) for Cindy Crawford - American model - includes "Gateway Ancestor" Thomas Trowbridge (died 1672/3) [Early New England Settler - 17th Century] - with direct ancestor links with European Royalty.

Published genealogy sources document Thomas Trowbridge’s direct ancestor links with European Royalty.


3.5 Royal Ancestry of Valerie Bertinelli

The TLC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2014) for Valerie Bertinelli - American actress (TV sitcom "One Day at a Time" ...) - includes "Gateway Ancestor" James Claypoole (1634-1687) [Early Pennsylvania Settler - 17th Century] - with direct ancestor links with European Royalty.

Published genealogy sources document James Claypoole’s direct ancestor links with Magna Carta Sureties/Guarantors (1215) and European Royalty.


3.6 Royal Ancestry of Courteney Cox

The TLC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2017) for Courteney Bass Cox - American actress (TV sitcom "Friends" ...), producer, and director - includes:

Published genealogy sources document:


3.7 Royal Ancestry of Josh Widdicombe

The BBC - Who Do You Think You Are? - episode (2021) for Josh Widdicombe - English comedian and presenter - includes direct ancestor links with Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland (1590-1649) and his wife Isabel Cope, Countess of Holland.

Published genealogy sources document both Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland & Isabel Cope, Countess of Holland with direct ancestor links with Magna Carta Sureties/Guarantors (1215) and European Royalty.


Other Images grouped by theme

"The Family Tree" & Related Discoveries

An example of some of the clues and the "gateway ancestor" that were found on "The Family Tree" - and some of the related research discoveries.

DNA Testing for Genealogical Research

DNA test results can provide valuable Genealogical information - as a complement to traditional Genealogical Research.

Mayflower Voyage to New England - 1620

Replica of the famous Mayflower ship - that early European Pioneer Settlers of New England sailed aboard - from England to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620.

Early Voyages to New England (1600's)

Images of the type of sailing vessels used to cross the Atlantic Ocean in the 1600's.

Founders Monuments & Bridges in New England

Memorial Monuments and Bridges have been erected in memory of the Founders of various early Towns in New England.

Early Towns & Communities in North America

The early pioneer settlers built the first homesteads, schools, churches, businesses, towns, roads, bridges ...

Garrison House, Dover, New Hampshire (c. 1675)

An example of an early New England family home that was also used as a Garrison House for protection against attacks from Native American Indian tribes.

Early Settlers, Eastern Townships, Lower Canada (1790's)

An image of an early settler's home with a description of the challenges that they faced.

Notable & Famous Descendants of Early New England Settlers



Kings & Queens of Scotland

Up to 1603 when James VI Stewart, King of Scotland also became James I, King of England & Ireland.

Kings & Queens of England

Up to 1603 when James VI Stewart, King of Scotland also became James I, King of England & Ireland.

Kings of France



Kings of Italy



House of de' Medici (Dukes in Italy)



Holy Roman Emperors



Notable & Famous Descendants of European Royalty

Notable and Famous Descendants include: Duchess of Cambridge; Princess of Wales; Duke of Edinburgh; The Queen Mother; British Prime Minister; Dukes in Italy; Scientist/Naturalist; Actor and Actresses; and President of the United States ...

Royal Wedding - London, England 2011 and
British Royal Celebrations back to Queen Victoria

Royal Weddings & Anniversaries and Coronations & Jubilees.

Notable & Famous Ancestors & Cousin Links of European Royalty

Notable and Famous Ancestors & Cousin Links by Country include:
Switzerland - Lords of Grandson (Grandson Castle); de La Sarraz family (La Sarraz Castle); Counts of Gruyeres (Gruyeres Castle); Lay Abbots of St. Maurice (Abbey); Benefactor of Romainmotier (Abbey); Bishop of Lausanne (Lausanne Cathedral); House of Savoy family (Chateau de Chillon & the North-South trade route over the Grand St. Bernard Mountain Pass) ...

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Links for Photos & Images of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this website.

800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta

The Magna Carta (1215) is a symbol of justice, fairness, and human rights. Basic principles from the Magna Carta - were incorporated in the American Bill of Rights (1791) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) ...


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