Sarah Jessica Parker on Who Do You Think You Are

I think you'd find it a very interesting programme Cathy, and can sometimes be quite emotional when past family events come to light. As you may have also seen, the BBC has a book of the same name, plus they do a monthly magazine, same name again, about family history reseach. I find the magazine quite interesting, along with a couple of other titles over here covering family history research.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/familyhistory/         About the programme----

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007t575

About 3 years ago Cathy, a family from Eastern Canada go tin touch via Poe, doing their family history and found one of them worked on a farm to the south of us; another family from Ontario shared common ancestors and were interested too. I'd spent years on this family that has expanded into 174 people so far. But, the Ont. family i think had a bit of a shock, as their grand-parents--he'd emmigrated with his 2nd wife and children, don't think they knew anything about his first wife and their son, both buried at Cobham, Surrey where part of the family had built a large property and business empire.  One of the loose ends was one going back to early 1800s who had disappeared from Downton, Wiltshire ( family origins there) and finally found him recently when in 1817 at Salisbury Summer Asizes, he'd been tried for highway robbery and sentenced to death.

I've found several graves of the family in a few towns, and the one photo on Poe of St Andrews church has several, including the first wife, aged 28, and baby son, aged 9 months. One of the witneses of the their marriage ended up the 2nd wife that went to Ontario years later, and I'm sure they never told anyone what had happened in the latter 1800s.

Picture by Paul Hilton

One of the Cobham daughters married the curate of the church in Cranleigh, Surrey and both disappeared up north never to be heard of again. But, quite by chance, I found last year , he'd become the vicar of the church in Baulking many years later. I've yet to find whatever happened to his wife,Kate. On the text to the photo below, you'll find who this vicar, and now family member,actually was----the grandson of Sir Henry Cole who built the Royal Albert Hall.

Picture by Paul Hilton

It is fascinating stuff isn't it? I have neither found illustrious nor nefarious ancestors - as yet, because there are bound to be some of the latter somewhere in the cupboard! lol

My family are from West Yorkshire, Hereford & Worcester mostly and my husband's family are from Kent, Gloucestershire & Hereford and Birmingham.

I have been trying to view this programme online along with all the others in the US series so far without success. I have been told that if I long onto the NBC.com website I should be able to view it.

I dont know if its my browser or graphic card that is the problem but I just cant view it, if there is anyone outthere who can so me a copy I would be very greatful