Who do you think you are?
@163Mandolingirl (1052)
September 1, 2011 9:03am CST
I really enjoy UK programmes about living family history. The best one around at the moment is BBC's 'Who do you think you are?' Some of the stories are amazing and it is wonderful to see the reactions of the 'Celebs' when they find out that their great grandpa was a slave-owner, a lion-tamer, or died in a concentration camp in WWII. Now my only peeve about this is that it's all done for them, and presumably vast amounts of money has changed hands, especially when they are globetrotting. If an ordinary person like moi tried to do this without these vast resources I wouldn't get very far. Try as I might, I can't even find my own half-brother! I've got the Salvation Army Search Unit on my side but so far, and it's been nearly a year, silence.
Unless your surname is something unusual, like Artifartblaster, it is almost impossible to find even your own family without expert help, at a hefty price! Unfortunately, mine is far too common.
Have you had any luck searching for your ancestors/relatives?
Link: www.bbc.co.uk/familyhistory
1 person likes this
5 responses
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
1 Sep 11
Im sorry about your half brother. You might want to try to post a message on Yahoo Messenger, ICQ Messenger or MSN Messenger. I found someone in Australia who's related on my grandmother's side.
I know about my family on my mother's side because my cousin did all the research. You're right, it did cost a lot and he had to travel to France quite often to find it all.
On my father's side, they're from Italy and we couldnt find much. Nobody went there to do the research but they say they will eventually. 
I dont feel its that important anymore....not sure why but this is how I feel. Since I dont have kids, I have nobody to tell 
I dont feel its that important anymore....not sure why but this is how I feel. Since I dont have kids, I have nobody to tell 1 person likes this
@163Mandolingirl (1052)
•
3 Sep 11
I sometimes wonder why I even bother, as I don't have children either. I think it is because my HB is a complete mystery and I only uncovered it when I was 21! He will soon be 76, if he is still around. I think I'll just have to wait and meet him in Spirit one day! Then all will be revealed! 
1 person likes this
@163Mandolingirl (1052)
•
3 Sep 11
I have tried posting messages, right, left and centre, but not heard even a peep!
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
6 Sep 11
Im sorry your messages were left unanswered!! 
You say he's 76, well maybe he's in the spirit world now? Are you sure he's still alive?
You say he's 76, well maybe he's in the spirit world now? Are you sure he's still alive?
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
1 Sep 11
You asked 'Who am I'? Well, I am from one of the tribes of my country that is feared of going into extinct. There are not many of my people around as many have gone into mix marriages adopting new races for their offspring. Since we are a minority in our country's population and no documented records of our ancestors, searching for our roots is almost impossible.
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@163Mandolingirl (1052)
•
1 Sep 11
That is such a shame, Zandi! It would be a very boring world if we were all the same! We learn so much from other cultures and it is very sad to hear of a dying one. Do you teach your children about their heritage so you can keep your tribal memory alive?
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@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
1 Sep 11
We do still maintain our language and our culture. Since most of our people have been converted to other religions, mostly christianity, many of our cultural practices are slowly fading. Our government is trying to preserve our culture by having a yearly celebration during the month of May to prevent our heritage from total extinction. Yes, I've always reminded my children of their heritage though they are brought up in the modern ways, they sure proud of their roots.
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@WakeUpKitty (8691)
• Netherlands
1 Sep 11
I agree with you that tv can make possible what you can't yourself.
My familyname is very common too but I don't feel the need to know who my family is.
If I had lives before this one I probably was a witch and burned and who knows a very unsympatic leader in a war long ago too. It wouldn't surprise me at all.
I hope one day we are able to watch that BBC programme too.
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