Comments on: Who Do You Think You Are? Episode 5 – Brooke Shields

By: Sue

Sue — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 03:39:54 +0000

Enjoyed the programs very much. Picked up a few things on searching. Was diasppointed in seeing a repeat program on April 9. Looking forward to some new programs.

By: Brian Scheick

Brian Scheick — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:15:21 +0000

I want to add that I knew going in that the producers picked celebrates because that would be more interesting to most people. Only real genealogy or history buffs would want to read mine family tree. I also realized it was in part designed to build intereste in genealogy, which has been growing for years, and to highlight the web page for more subscribers. I just wish they were a bit less fake about it. “OMG, I’ve ALWAYS wanted so much to know more about my family”, “Did you ask your own father?”, “Um, no”.
I do know that they had to know ahead of time what was happening, and it’s a show not a documentary. Just makes me laugh though.

By: Brian Scheick

Brian Scheick — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:00:04 +0000

I watch these episodes over the internet, and while they are mildly interesting, two things always bother me. First, after ~2-3 minutes of the show, they give me a 30 second summary then a commercial, followed by anothe summary. It’s 3x longer than needed. Second was that just about each one gushes with how they’ve been interested in their family history for years. Right! Emmit Smith didn’t even know his own cousin had a web site. I agree it was one of the most interesting to watch, mainly the part when he walked into the general store of a relative, but I think it was all staged. As others have said, these all can afford to do their own research and us regular folks can’t get a university professor to fly to them for a history lesson. I’d love it if they picked a regular person from ancestry.com and did a professional job on them!

By: Tom H

Tom H — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:28:21 +0000

I have posted this on a couple of other episodes but, one more time:

The sponsor of this show is ancestry DOT com.

The purpose of this show is to attract viewers and hopefully new customers.

The method of this attraction is to feature celebrities.

The intent of this show is to demonstrate to potential new customers and new amateur genealogists what CAN be found.

I ask you, how many potential new customers would be attracted if the show was “Watch Johnnie O’Leary discover his 3rd gr-grandmother, an illiterate immigrant who came from somewhere in Ireland”.

This show is NOT a how-to documentary on genealogy.
All of you complainers already know what is involved.

This show is NOT to pat you on the back for you hours and years of diligent work.

I have not seen any episodes that ‘make it look easy’. Nothing easy about traveling around and digging through records.

Are you unhappy with your ancestry subscription rate?
What if they got a lot more customers and could then lower the rate?
What if they got a lot more customers and could add many more resources?

I wonder if some of you complain just because you can.

By: Linda

Linda — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 00:13:26 +0000

I have enjoyed every episode. The producers have made an admirable effort to touch on a wide variety of records, historical events, and populations…..making the very distinct point that history is all of us. Great to hear the show will have a second season. Watch on hulu to avoid the commercials!

By: George Wolf

George Wolf — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:55:09 +0000

I agree with Beth. Easy for them, no work and plenty of money.
Also I want to say whats up with the REPEAT!!!!!
Where are the other two? I was really upset over that. Who wants to watch it again????

By: Beth

Beth — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 22:03:06 +0000

As far as the “Who do you think you are” show, I have mixed emotions. I watch it and usually end up upset. These celebrities fly wherever they need to go and meet with professional genealogists that for the most part have already done the search and digging for information. They have no idea how hard the search or the skills it takes to find this information. I’ve been working for 30+ years to find my Great Great Grandfather’s parents but can’t afford or have the time to travel back east where the records may or maynot be. But within a months’ time these celebrities have found their families back to the very beginnings. I don’t mean to sound bitter, just frustrated that this show is giving the wrong impression to many people who have never started their family history. That it can be as easy as a click and a leaf is not an honest representation of the work.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:53:48 +0000

My wife and daughter watch every episode and were thrilled to hear that the series was picked up for another season! Brooke’s episode was very interesting to us, essentially since my wife has Italian roots.

I was most interested in Sarah Jessica Parker’s episode as my great-great grandfather was also a 49er and was in the same 1850 Federal Census in El Dorado/Placerville that her relative was listed in. We’re anxious to see Friday’s episode.

Thanks for bringing the show to newby genealogists, like ourselves!

By: BobNY

BobNY — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:06:11 +0000

It is really immaterial whether the series is boring or exciting, factual or fanciful. ACOM’s purchase of integration opportunities in the show has achieved the desired objective . . .

April 7 – Morgan Stanley has a Overweight rating and increased it’s price target from $18 to $23 . Citing recent trends from the Ancestry-sponsored ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ TV show, believe the business is poised to grow revenue in the mid-double digits for three years while expanding margins.
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By: Cherie

Cherie — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 01:57:30 +0000

I love the show and find it very interesting. I see no problem with Brooke Shields wanting to find out more about the royal side of her family. If i found royalty in my family I would want to check it out too.