New Who Do You Think You Are? USA

[mshrmh]

I watched the Tim McGraw last night - it did seem rushed with the edit down to half an hour less titles & credits. I did find it interesting him seeing the land in a couple of places where ancestors had been (interesting to see he had photos to show his uncle at the end). I'd have been interested to know if they could have gone further back with the McGraws - do they take the female side when they get stuck or because it is deemed more interesting?

As for the Presley bit 

[millymcb]

Have to admit I lost interest in this episode quite early on which is not like me... I think it was when very early on they found a load of ancestors and skipped back quite a few generations in one go.  I much prefer the step by step journey rather than the see how far back we can get approach...

Milly

[stonechat]

Although Jost Hite was interesting the steps on the way to him were skipped too much

Bob

[HannahB]

They did Reba McIntyre here last week.  It was quite interesting, especially when it got back to England - but they make it look far too easy.  WE all know how hard it is but I think these programs give people the wrong impression' Hannah

[Nick29]

When I first started out doing my family tree, I'd assumed that American records would be far easier than UK records to access online.  Now, I'm fairly sure that I was wrong.  Sure, American censuses are better than ours, but don't go back so far, and finding American BMD records online is a Zip Code Lottery 

[HannahB]

It varies by state and therein lies the problem because it is a local function to collect the information and every county or state does it differently.  The census, on the other hand, is federal.  When you get back to early records they were often not well cared for and lots of courthouses burned which meant the records were lost.  Where I live (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) the records going back to about 1820 I think were (and may still be) kept in an attic with no climate control which means it is very hot and very humid a large part of the year.  They are not organized and the county clerk actually wantrd to toss them.  The genealogy people are frantically trying to transcribe them and find a better home for them.  Hannah

[mshrmh]

Here in the UK the BBC are still repeating series 1 Susan Sarandon next week. Why oh why do they muddle series up like this 

[stonechat]

It's a bit like eggheads
One week they are all current - another week 2- or 3-year old progs

[millymcb]

Well it is very confusing!  I settled down to watch a recording of it expecting a new one and it was a repeat I had already seen. I watched it again anyway of course but would rather have had a new one!

Milly