Four Genealogy Shows to Watch

If you are starting out, have been into Genealogy for years or you are a professional watching Genealogy Shows can be addicting. These shows can be extremely entertaining and filled with valuable knowledge for future reference. I have been known to binge episodes hours at a time, and here are my top four faves to sit down mombie out too.

1. Who Do You Think You Are?

This is is one of my fave shows. Who Do You Think You Are? first aired on NBC in 2010 but was cancelled and then picked up by TLC in 2012 which continues to air currently. This series follows our some of our favorite celebrities as they go on a journey of self discovery assisted by Genealogists, Historians etc as they travel to their ancestral homelands and locations and learn their stories. Some celebrities that have appeared on this series are Rachel McAdams, Ginnifer Goodwin, J.K. Rowling, Chris Noth, Tim McGraw, Josh Duhamel and many more. You can view past WDYTYA episodes on TLC Go and episodes from the time the show aired on NBC on Youtube. The BBC also picked up WDYTYA and produced it so there are some episodes with famous UK actors also to follow. I love all of the episodes and learning all of the different stories. Not one is the same and the self discovery is beautiful to watch unfold.

2. Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates JR

This is 100% up their with Who Do You Think You Are? for me. I bringed the first three seasons of this series as I was late to the game for being a FYR addict. This series is much like WDYTYA in the way that its a journey of discovery by beloved celebrities into their ancestral pass, with many not knowing anything beyond their grandparents. Genealogists and a DNA team break down their ancestry and it is presented and discussed with them by the shows host Henry Louis Gates Jr. While WDYTYA is a personal adventure FYR is a more intimate discovery and they are presented with a family tree at the end of the show.

This series started in 2012 on PBS following two like series that aired. You can watch current episodes on Tuesdays on your local PBS station. For past episodes you can watch them on the PBS (there is a monetary fee to unlock past episodes).

Starts like Sarah Silverman, Maggie Gyllenhal, Harry Connick Jr, John Legend and other's have been on this show. I HIGHLY recommend the series.

3. Genealogy Roadshow

I binged all three of the seasons of this show also. They currently air on Amazon Prime and are included in the membership. The series aired on PBS and debuted in 2013 and ran in 2015 and 2016, while it was never officially canceled there hasn't been a fourth season aired or any talk of one airing. With Finding Your Roots also on PBS I don't know if they will bring it back or not.

What I like about this series is that it brings to life family history for the regular American Person. The show travels to different cities around American like Detroit, Austin, Nashville just to name a few and people are interviewed and tell you what they want to learn about in their family tree whether its a 'brick wall' relative (someone they can't find information beyond), if they are related to a famous historical figure, or confirmation on family lore. It's great that the everyday American gets their moment in the spotlight and it's very educational as the hosts are themselves Genealogists.

4. Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates Jr.

This is short one, only four episodes and it aired in 2012 and it really explores the emergence of Genetic sequencing in respect to learning more about personal ancestry and health.

I was able to watch the show on Youtube and it is a good bases for the show that followed which was Finding Your Roots. It's definitely a good four part mini series to watch and take in.

Let me know in the comments what shows are your favorite, favorite episodes, if you have any Genealogy related shows, vlogs, podcasts etc you enjoy!? Happy Binge Watching! Don't forget your popcorn!

- Roberta Wadle

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