BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 7 Episode #4: David Mitchell

[Nick29]

This episode did seem less staged. I wonder if he really did take the lady in the manse by complete surprise?

Not unless by some weird coincidence she was having a BBC camera crew to tea ! 

They were already inside when she let him in 

[Windsor87]

Were they? I didn't notice that.
They were outside when she answered the door at least.

[lesleyhannah]

I was quite horrified to see that Forbes's Parish register is in private hands. Surely that should be in an archive somewher (it didn't look like a copy).

I thought exactly the same. Having searched unsuccessfully for the kirk sessions for my family's village (they haven't survived) I was horrified that an individual could hang on to such valuable historical information. It wasn't a private diary, but a public document of great historical interest. I wonder if it is normally kept in the local archives, and just lent out for the programme? I hope so

[Nick29]

Were they? I didn't notice that.
They were outside when she answered the door at least.

I don't think these things are ever filmed "live" - hair and makeup has to be done first.  Heir Hunters is exactly the same.  I must admit that the old lady's surprised look was better than most 

[Windsor87]

I was quite horrified to see that Forbes's Parish register is in private hands. Surely that should be in an archive somewher (it didn't look like a copy).

I thought exactly the same. Having searched unsuccessfully for the kirk sessions for my family's village (they haven't survived) I horrified that an individual could hang on to such valuable historical information. It wasn't a private diary, but a public document of great historical interest. I wonder if it is normally kept in the local archives, and just lent out for the programme? I hope so

I know that most Kirk Session records are held centrally (where they are available). I can assure you, information like that would not be let out of any Library. If it were kept in a library, it would be reference only - not even BBC programming could change that.

[Grothenwell]

Only my opinion but I liked parts of it, but there were bits I thought could be better; usual complaint not enough following of unanswered questions.....not enough time in an hour? Then leave the sheep feeding to country file, or that ITV series where celebs did their ancestors jobs.

Also didn't like where if memory serves me correctly he said something like "someone else in the family has done the dates and places of the tree" that's the likes of you and me he's talking about. Where's this persons credit and thanks? It's them if still alive who should have been taken up to the family homeland.

While I'm at it was I the only one to think he's probably rich enough to "repair" the old family home of Ribigill, and turn it into a museum, and get people up to see beautiful Ben Loyal and visit Tongue? Not that I'm telling him how to spend his well earned money, but how about a Gaelic college David? haha

As for the Kirk session minutes, I wish that all the owners of former manses who find these priceless (for genealogists and historians) documents in their "garage" as the lady said she had, could hand them on to the NAS for proper care and keeping. And I wish that NAS could get them digitalised (I think most are) and make them accessable on the web, not everybody can get to Edinburgh.

A few gripes but so far a great series.

[Mark Abbott]

I'm afraid I am in the minority on this; I thought the episode was (apart from the scenery) somewhat dull and the individuals mentioned simply didn't come to life as they have in previous episodes.

Mark

[cardinal1977]

Must confess, I didn't see this episode, but I'm a huge mitchell fan and intend to very soon (incidentally, someone on here said that he was funny without being rude, all I can say to that is havde you seen him on Mock the Week? very rude and just the way i like it)

What did everyone think of Davina McCall? I thought she seemed obsessed with wanting her ancestors to be Extra special extraordinary achieving Big Cheeses. Which is why it was slightly disheartening to discover that they were.

If her ancestors had been a blacksmith and a general labourer, I wonder how she would have reacted?

[duckweed]

I gather John Forbes had an illegitimate daughter while married and was probably exiled to Skye, so no wonder his wife turned to the drink. I wish both the Mitchell side and the Forbes side was explored a bit further back. Where did the Mitchell family come from? They didn't originate in Sunderland. And where other than Inverness did John Forbes come from.