BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode 4 Annie Lennox

[genjan1953]

Just watched this episode and thought it was excellent - best one so far this series!  I won't go into too much detail in case people haven't watched it yet but Hurrah! we actually got some genealogy this week, after my gripes about the Patrick Stewart episode!   

I thought it was thoroughly absorbing and twas good that Annie herself seemed to be actively involved in the research.  What a fascinating family history on both sides of her parents' ancestry ending with the strong minded, independent lady who made a living on her own in that harsh Scottish rural landscape.  It was one of those episodes you have to watch more than once to take in everything as they covered so much ground.  Great stuff

[DORAN54]

yes i agree enjoyed every minute of it 

[LizzieW]

Great programme, even my OH watched it.  

I did wonder if Annie Lennox was a bit too hard on Jessie's grandfather.  It could be that it was his wife Isabella, who must have been extremely annoyed to find her husband had fathered a child only 5 months before their marriage, who wouldn't let him help out and the best he could do was to get his sister to take one of the children, even if as a servant.

Lizzie

ps.  Aren't the Scottish records wonderful, all that information on the birth registers, plus all the paperwork still kept locally.

[HeatherLynne]

Yes I thoroughly enjoyed it too and am quite jealous of people with Scottish ancestors!  How nice to be able to see certificates online     Annie was genuinely fascinated and deciphered the curly writing like a pro!   I think I need to watch it again as I'm sure the name Farquharson turned up a couple of times (as a mother's maiden name and in a neighbouring house in a census) but wasn't mentioned.

I must say I was surprised how few results turned up for quite common surnames, if only all our research was so easy  

[panda40]

Great episode, just a pity it didn't explain about what information is available for Scottish records a bit more. Hubby was quite interested as his family comes from there and I was trying to explain the difference to him about English and Scottish records and what is available and where, while trying to watch the programme as well.
Regards panda

[suey]

Great episode.  A tale of ordinary, everyday people just like many of our own ancestors going about the daily business of living and working; with a few hiccups along the way.  Both sides of the family reseached which  was also good to see.

[kooky]

This was great! Proper genealogy I agree with all the posts so far.
I was interested in this one because my older dau and family live there and all the place names were familiar.
Those parish records were wonderful
Kooky

[portybelle]

I really enjoyed it too. No great revelations or skeletons in the cupboard. Just ordinary everyday lives that you would expect in a rural community and industrial town. Similar kind of back stories to most people I woud think and fascinating for that. I also thought they could have made more of all the wonderful info we have on the Scottish records. I was kind of shouting at the tv when she was wondering about the rumour that her grandfather may have been illegitimate - was about ten mins later before she looked up his birth record! 

[Hibee]

There were a couple of "leaps of faith".  This Jessie must be that Janet.  This Mrs Cruickshank must be that Mrs Cruickshank.

Otherwise, a nice lot of genealogy.

Hibee