BBC "Who Do You Think You Are?" Jane Seymour (WDYTYA Series 12 Episode 2)

[Gillg]

An interesting approach - just to follow up two relatives, sisters of Jane's father, "lost" after WW2. A sad ending for one of them, but frustratingly although the other's adventures were followed through and after the war, just when I wanted it to tell us that her descendants had been found and to produce them for Jane, we came to the end of the programme! 

Jane said that her father had gone to Poland after the war to find one of the sisters (without success), but didn't say whether he had also looked for the other sister.

Some one had been working hard in the background, as various relevant documents were found to help the story along as Jane travelled from Poland to France and Switzerland, looking like an extra from "Dr Zhivago" in her fur bonnet.   

More of a bit of history rather than genealogy again, but very interesting to follow the various desperate attempts of family members to escape the Nazis as they took over parts of Europe. 

[Stanwix England]

It was a heartbreaking story.

I also wanted to know more about the family who had managed to survive in Switzerland, such as did they stay there and what happened to their children.

I suppose it's possible they did have descendents who were contacted for the programme but they chose not to appear. 

[fallingonabruise]

interesting, but another boring, drag it out as long as possible episode, not liking the series so far, i fell asleep during the Paul one and had to catch up the next day.

[clairec666]

I generally enjoy WDYTYA, but some episodes are far more gripping than others. I remember really enjoying Davina McCall, who had a fascinating family, and Barbara Windsor, because we have origins in the same Essex village. But there are several episodes I've dozed off in!

[Jolee]

I fell asleep as well but have not bothered with catch up, roots are what that programme is suppose to be about, it seems they are having trouble researching anything pre ww1. Going to give it a miss now.
It was a heart breaking story but Jane Seymour has enough money to pay for someone to do this, not like hundreds of lesser people who are in the same situation.

[StanleysChesterton]

I forgot and just turned over for the last 5 minutes - the story/ending having been spoilt by the press reporting of two days ago.  I was worried I'd missed a bunch of other/interesting stuff, but it seems I didn't.

I don't begrudge these people using the programmes to get to the bottom of their family mysteries - but: it's dull for us; we've got mysteries and nobody picking up our tabs; with her income she could've got the basics from the programme then paid to find out the story privately.

I want to see trees going back a few interesting generations and to discover exciting/unexpected things, with a happy ending.

[KGarrad]

Strangely, despite the lack of "real" genealogy, I rather enjoyed this episode!

I thought it was a good introduction to researching in other countries; and had a good storyline too.

Please try to remember that WDYTYA is an entertainment TV program, made for the masses to enjoy.
It is NOT an Open University special on how to trace your family!

[avm228]

I enjoyed this one - found it really compelling.  The survival of all those visa applications was remarkable. If they told us where they found them I missed it - perhaps a Vichy archive, or retained in the family?

[nanny jan]

I found it an interesting programme but more "where do you think they went" rather than WDYTYA.

A disappointing series so far; fingers crossed for an improvement next week (Derek Jacobi).