General Chat

I enjoyed the Reggie Yates one - I like it when they visit the Chief they have to take 2 bottles of sprits with them & then he spills some on the floor.

Sally i never thought about putting the voice over on - but i will next time.

I still have no idea who he is but he seemed a nice enough young chap & really interested in his family

Very true Maggie - colour is just colour.

Chris, my sister went out with a 'genetic throwback' (the term used then) - black son born to white parents - when she was younger.

I also once knew a 'typical English gent', who got very excited when a new grandchild was imminent. He said his grandmother was black, married a white man, all their (6) children were white, all the (18) grandchildren were white, they were now awaiting the first black child in the family in 3 generations!!!

Daughter also knows twins, a boy and a girl. The father is white, the mother black. The boy twin is black - the girl is white.

Just shows, colour is just that - a colour!! :-D

I thourght lasts program was one of the bestvery interesting


why not put the voice over on if you like me are unable to read the sub titles

simples :-D

sally w <3

I also enjoyed last night's WDYTYA , found it very
interesting and was amazed to see like Chris how
easily the information was found.

Emma :-)

Well I thought this was so interesting and that old documents were easily found in Ghana.

I can recall my mother telling me that in the forties an English girl had married a member of the USA forces. When their baby was born there was uproar - he left her. The baby was black. However after several months or so it was discovered that the husband had a black ancestor he knew nothing about.

I didn't get excited by this episode, although Reggie appears a lovely lad and was thrilled to see pictures of his grandfather & ggrandfather.

Think it's the first WDYTYA that I've actually had trouble keeping my eyes open to see to the end.

I was quite intrigued - Reggie Yates is probably more white than black - obviously he'd have to do his mum's side of the family as well, and the earlier white ancestors.

My granddad's best mate, Stan was black - not mixed race, yet his mum, Mary was 5th generation Southampton! The only 'mixed race' element in his genes came from his black dad - from Barbados.
So how 'English' would Mary be considered?
How 'English' would Stan be?

A bl**dy sight more English than half the BNP to my mind.

Just shows, shouldn't judge a 'race' by it's colour :-D

Nudge for tonight Reggie Yates.

Next week Billy Connolly.

Emma :-)

I have just watched Tamzin's episode; it was more enjoyable than I expected from reviews. Certainly far better than the episodes of JW and BB as I noted previously.
I found it surprising - and amusing - that 2% of Scottish folks are of Italian descent.
I liked that Tamzin's grandfather bought land for a playground at Fishburn after his son was killed having fallen from a swing. A lovely touch for the children of this community.
I also think Tamzin is a dead ringer for actress Susan George. When Tamzin was four, Susan filmed Dirty Mary and Crazy Larry.
I think this film has one of the best ever lines - spoken by Larry (Peter Fonda) to Mary (Susan G).

Thoroughly enjoyable - possibly the best in series - OH admires Martin Shaw so did not doze off once!

Yes agree with you all, a very good programme
and such a genuine person.
Next week Reggie Yates.

Emma :-)

Maggie I love his voice too, having seen him live in theatre, I think when he was in 'A man for all seasons' I actually did drool :-D :-D :-D

Well that was a refreshing change. No tears and tantrums. Just genuinely interested.

Took photos too of the engineering factory.

Mind you, I could have watched this with the sound down, just to drool over him.

Maggie - couldn't see a repeat on the TV Search, but then I could have been doing something wrong.

It is available as a download or on iplayer.

I love Martin Shaw and have seen him a number of times in theatre. I thought he came across as a very genuine man last night, he thorughly enjoyed the research discovering his family 'secrets'

I like him even more <3

Does anyone know if, and when this is repeated? Colleague at work absolutely adores him - but had to work this evening :-(

I thought that it was really interesting. But perhaps because I am biased.
Used to work just around the corner from where he worked (and he is just a few months older than me) perhaps I've walked past him in the street.

Have visited Key Hill Cemetery - when doing family research (for the in-laws) and looked at the plaques on the wall of people whose bodies had been moved and the graves built over.

Have a close rellie living in Winson Green, and know that area.


It was good to see so many familiar places. His story was good too.
Not just stuck on just one person.
Showing him searching, searching, searching ------
Making it obvious that all documents are not easilt to hand. - You have to look in the right place, and then WAIT.....
Good that he was able to be in touch with a "lost rellie"
Great that he found that there are at least two sides to a story - and to take with a pinch of salt any story that is passed down the family.


He must have bee really delighted to find that THE old building in Cleament (is that the right name) was the one connected to the family.

Many of us visiting old sites would have found that the street has been demolished - so could feel his joy.

All in all -- a good nights viewing. Thanks to Martin Shaw and the producers.


Tess :-) :-) :-) :-)

Agree, Mau - the first one I've seen take a photo too :-D

I also enjoyed tonight's programme.

Martin Shaw was so natural, no airs and graces or pretentiousness. He was interested in his family and ancestors and looked genuinely pleased to see the old building still standing didn't he?