Who Do You Think You Are Previewing February 4

" Who Do You Think You Are" premieres Friday, Feb. 4, at 8pm EST on NBC
I am looking forward to seeing the the season.

First time out I did not think I would get hooked.. just a bunch of rich stars .. but that did not last. I was instantly hooked on their family stories and history.

You can read the whole article from genealogy insider about the new season.

Kudrow talked about the value of personalizing history with stories like those featured on the show. You might think history was just something that happened to strangers a long time ago, but when you see how it affected your family, it has so much more impact.
“I hope it’s a history lesson for people, and I hope it inspires them to ask questions,” Williams said.
I love the history part. This is what I would like to put behind my research. Right now I am reading a book on " The Irish Family Album " by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler.


This book helps me understand the time and the social issues surrounding her and any other Irish family I may have leaving Ireland and coming to America.

I am looking forward to new season of " Who Do You Think You Are " and reading more of my book.

Who Do You Think You Are Going For A 2nd Season

I have been enjoying " Who Do You Think You Are " more than I thought I would. First thought was these are just famous stars, but to watch their excitement as they learn about their ancestors has been fun.
Not alot of depth research wise to the show, but still entertaining.
Have you been watching the show?
If not here is a link to see the eposides. I have seen all except missed Lisa Kudrow's. It is on my to do list to see her link's to Nazi Germany.
http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/video/

News is that they will not be getting a second season. http://blog.familytreemagazine.com/insider/2010/04/06/WhoDoYouThinkYouAreGetsSecondSeason.aspx

Planning A Trip to Our Ancestor's Home Tips

I have been enjoying the TV show . Who Do You Think You Are?Have you been able to catch it yet.
Today's email from http://www.ancestry.com/ gave me an article on tips for a road trip to ancestor's home.
Great ideas and I hope to do some traveling this summer as we head home to Minnesota to visit the kids and grandchildren.
Here is what was on http://www.ancestry.com/

Be sure to pack the following tips when you visit your ancestor’s home so you can hit the ground running when you arrive.

Before You Leave:
Jot down addresses.
Use city directories and street addresses from census records (you’ll find these in the left-hand margin in 1880 and beyond) at Ancestry.com.

Copy photos.
Look through the Ancestry.com postcard, newspaper, and yearbook collections to add to the collection of photos of the neighborhood you already have.

Get oriented.
Pull up a map online or select the town name from your ancestor’s profile in your Ancestry.com family tree. Use street views, when available, so you can see what the street looks like now – and when you get there. Keep in mind that street names and numbering may have changed over the years. Local libraries, historical societies, and municipalities may have this information. For example, the Chicago Historical Society has posted street address conversion guides from 1909 and 1911 here. City directories can also contain this information.

In Person:
Find an expert. Visit the local library, visitors’ bureau, or historical society to ask questions about the neighborhood. See if historic tours are available.

Learn what’s available.
If finding in-person records are your goal, ask about what’s available at the library and the historical society. Visit the county courthouse to search for land and probate records.

Take in everything.
Use your camera to recreate scenes from the old family photos you brought along. Follow the paths your ancestor would have taken to school, to church, to work.

Get the real story.
Stop by the local diner, sit at the counter, and start asking questions about what life used to be like there. Name drop – someone might have known your family.

Make notes.
Pack a diary or start a blog (where you can also upload photos) and write about your experience. Note who you met, what you saw, and where you went. You’ll want to revisit everything when you return home.

Pinpoint answers.
Snap photos at the cemetery of your ancestors’ tombstones and other ones you might find interesting (maybe you’ll discover you’re related one day your family is connected to them, too). Have a GPS phone, camera, or other device? Jot down GPS coordinates of the places you’d like to visit again.

Great ideas to keep in mind if a trip is planned in the near future.