BBC 1 WDYTYA: Series 11, Episode 6, Mary Berry

[KGarrad]

i enjoyed this episode, too!

And, of course, Mary was defensive about her ancestors! Aren't we all?!

Just adding my usual 2 comments:

1. They reckon that for each 1 hour episode, some 9 or 10 hours of filming are left on the cutting-room floor!
2. The production team are NOT genealogists! They are looking for entertainment value!

[jillruss]

Liked the fact that - at least in part - we returned to the old format.

Yet again, could have done without the baking interlude. Do the BBC really have to pander to the lowest common denominator every time? I don't watch Bake Off or any other cookery programmes (I find them boring in the extreme), so why inflict it on me in the guise of family history? I vaguely remember, a few years back, a series of programmes (don't know if it was BBC or ITV) which had celebs trying out their ancestors' occupations. The only one I can remember is Deidre from Corrie trying her hand at farming. It obviously didn't catch on as there was never a second series. I hope the BBC take note of that - it ain't necessary. We all knew a baker baked bread for goodness sake!

Also, nice lady but a bit dim?? 

Jill

[groom]

i enjoyed this episode, too!

And, of course, Mary was defensive about her ancestors! Aren't we all?!

No. I accept that what my ancestors did or didn't do has nothing to do with me. Some were probably very nice people and others were probably awful, just as you get in families today. There is no point getting upset or defensive, it is history and nothing you do or say can change it, so why pretend it didn't happen?

[KGarrad]

FWIW I agree with you Jan, but then we've been doing FH for a long time!

In my experience, people new to Family History tend to only want to see the good points about their ancestors, and will quite happily ignore the bad?

How many times have you found people reluctant to discuss FH, because they feel they have something to hide?

My in-laws are a case in point!!

[loobylooayr]

Think this episode is my favourite (so far) of the series.
Mary's 'journey' into the past was interesting and varied. Yes, she seemed to want to think the best of her baker ancestor, but she did accept that he'd probably pulled strings on the Council to get the bread contract. 
I was intrigued by the other Mary Berry's story and wonder what didn't make the show. Would have like to have known what happened to her father Christopher. But hey ho...they have to fit the story into an hour. I agree with others they could have cut out the baking the bread section, that just pads out the show.
But it was nice to enjoy an episode that was more like earlier series.
Looby

[alpinecottage]

I enjoyed it too, esp as I have a weaver-turned-baker ancestor at the same time.  Interesting to know they had difficult working conditions and shortish lives - mine made it to 73 though.

I thought Mary Berry was quite fair in her assessments - her ancestor probably did win the workhouse contract through his contacts, but that doesn't mean he was out to provide bad bread.  Getting hold of unadulterated flour was probably not easy in those days, and bread soon went stale without preservatives.  A poor batch could have been caused anywhere along the line.  Another of my ancestors face a prison sentence for supplying hams unfit for human consumption - that's much worse!

[Ringrose]

Best one so far .Good to see that she went back generations and on both sides.We did find out why her family were in the workhouse whereas with Sheridan no interest was shown.
I like to go back as far as time and interest will allow .
Mary is a natural in front of the camera .....a delight to watch.
Ringrose

[ChrissieL]

I think we have to accept that these programmes are now made more for the general public to enjoy than just for family historians. They are shown at peak time to attract a wide audience.  When we begin to research our family history we see our ancestors through rose coloured and it's only through time and experience that often the story is not quite how we would like to believe.  I enjoyed Mary Berrys story.
Chris

[Marmaduke 123]

I thought this was excellent too. At first I thought it was simply going to follow what has been a strong theme in this series, finding an ancestor with something in common with the celebrity. Fortunately we moved on from the baker to another strand in Mary's family.

I thought she did feel a bit dubious about the baker, especially when it was revealed what an extra- ordinarily large amount of money he made from supplying bread to the workhouse etc. I suppose she gave him the benefit of the doubt, as we all might. I wanted to know more about how he became a builder as well, it seems a strange combination but he had to put all that money to work somehow! Perhaps he was what we would call a developer now.

As for the four illegitimate children, that does suggest to me that the mother had an ongoing relationship of some kind.