"Finding your Roots" on PBS

[shanti]

Is anyone watching this? I find it fascinating, particularly the name changing part. I found that one of my ancestors changed his name when he became naturalized. It was German, and I had tried all the variations but would never have found it if not for a small note on one of my family papers.

Re the show, Geoffrey Canada and Barbara Walters were in the epi i watched. This show runs from March-May. Check out the website to see all of the people involved. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/finding-your-roots/

[MADem]

1. Yes, it was very enjoyable--this isn't the first time Skip Gates has done this sort of program.

I think his past work influenced Lisa Kudrow, et.al., to ginn up "Who Do You Think You Are?" (she is executive producer on the series).

[Digit]

2. I managed to catch the show after reading your post

I loved it. It really opened my eyes how names can change over time.
It was a shame that Geoffey's link to his white ancestors would not follow through on the DNA testing.

Thank you for bringing the show to my attention!

[Little Star]

3. I had DVR'd the show and just watched it last night...

Geoffey's white ancestors are jerks! I just don't understand people like that. Do they think they can change the fact that they have Black relatives or are they afraid to find they are part Black themselves!

I was shocked when they refused to participate in the dna testing.

It was a very good show. Now we have two genealogy shows, this one and ''Who Do You Think You Are", Yay!

[shanti]

4. you are welcome

the next one is on kevin bacon and kyra sedgewick. i'm looking forward to the one with adrian grenier, the actor.

[CarlJamesweather]

5. "Finding Your Roots"

I haven't been able to see all of the shows, but I watch when I can. Name changes are a problem. Some of my ancestors moved from Finland and declared themselves to be Swedes.

[shanti]

6. the good thing is

that you can watch the shows online on pbs.org. they only show the past epi's though.

i've come up to a few brick walls so far. it is frustrating!

[CBHagman]

7. I'm enjoying it.

Best thing about it is that it doesn't lose sight of the larger issues -- e.g., in last Sunday's episode, which touched on both racial and religious identity, and the experiences of discrimination and persecution, or in the Kevin Bacon-Kyra Sedgwick program, in which slavery and abolitionism was yet again a theme.

That said, I wish I had someone to help me through all the branches of my family tree! But I'd have to run for political office or write a best-selling book first.