BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode 9 John Barnes

[GrahamSimons]

This discussion echoes some of what was said about the preceding episode. In the end a programme which merely digs back generation by generation and builds a family tree would be pretty tedious - unless it reveals a surprise link somewhere. Exploring some interesting members of a family - interesting for whatever reason - is the key.

In this case we were given an insight into the effects of an independence movement on a family, and of the family on the independence movement. And despite the fairly large West Indian population in the UK, we hear rather little of their struggle for independence and much more of other colonies, ranging from America to India to Kenya. The special thing here was that the history was very much more recent, indeed within the lifetimes of a good proportion of the audience. In that context the blending of documentary research, newspapers, and personal interview was pleasing to see.

And the experts that John Barnes met were all people who could have been located by any RootsChat member and I imagine would have responded to an email or written request for information.

[panda40]

Blame I pad for the miss spelling of John Bishops profession, I was in a hurry to get the information on as soon as I heard it announced. If you remember there was a gap before they showed the Cilia Imerie episode so they got out of sinc then. Now the new Michael Palin series is scheduled to start and there is no space for the last in the series too be shown. Hopefully they can squeeze it in over Christmas.
Regards panda

[suey]

Unfortunately, this obsession with only looking at two individuals in one line of a family tree is social history not geneology.   It was an interesting programme about Jamaica's break from English Rule and the rise of the PNP in Jamaica.  But... as a programme billed to be all about tracing John Barnes' family tree it fell short so I can understand why some on this thread found it boring.  I wanted to know why Stephen Hill, his great grandfather had the money to own and race thoroughbred horses and rise to be assistant editor of the Daily Gleamer.  The fact that we were never told has me wondering...  Hopefully someone can shed some light on Stephen's ancestry.....
MH

Me too,  I felt that a few minutes could have been spent explaining just how Stephen Hill came by his position and status.  Not an episode that I'd want to watch again.

[cookson]

Really disappointed with John Barns WDYTYA last night, was so boring, as was Celia Imrie, and Hugh Laurie, just never got going, as most folks are saying, not enough family history, more of a history lesson, was like being in class at school, and waiting for the hometime bell to ring, dont get me wrong, i love history, was my fave subject at school, but i think in this series, they have not focused on the core of family tree's, the interesting stuff, loved Alex Kingstons, and her great granny's naughty profession, we all love a Skelly in the cupboard stuff...lol, ah well, just John Bishop now, and dont know when that will be, i reckon his will be a good one.

[nanny jan]

Hugh Laurie ........... did I miss that one?    Or was it Hugh Dennis?


Nanny Jan

[suey]

Hugh Laurie ........... did I miss that one?    Or was it Hugh Dennis?


Nanny Jan

It was Hugh Dennis who had the story about both his maternal and paternal grandfathers surviving WW1

[ann255]

Boring, boring.  My favourite from this seriies was Greg Wallace.

Totally annoyed that last in series is being delayed until later this year, does not make sense. I shall email BBC and post their reply.

[Nick29]

SO BORING !!!

WDYTYA is supposed to be a program about family history (or at least that's what the web site suggests), not social history ! 

There's only been about 2 programmes this series that fell into that category.  And now they're making us wait for the John Bishop episode.

BBC - get a grip ! 

[stonechat]

Missed this so will be watching iplayer