It's not surprising that Sue Perkins finds plenty of humour in her family tree, even in the poignant stories of an orphaned grandfather and a great-grandfather interned as an enemy alien during the First World War. But when she delves into the German branch of her family, who were living in eastern Europe through the Second World War, she uncovers a harrowing tale of refugees fleeing back and forth across borders between Nazi and Soviet control. It’s a reminder for Sue that history is full of real people who “always pay the price for the decisions that the big guys make.”
Source: BBC 1
Series 21: 7. Gemma Collins
Businesswoman, social media phenomenon, reality TV star and self-declared diva Gemma Collins goes in search of her family history. She knows quite a lot about her dad’s si ...
01-10-2024
BBC 1
Series 21: 6. Olly Murs
After winning The X Factor in 2009, Olly Murs went on to become a megastar, selling out arenas worldwide. It’s been a rollercoaster journey, but he always returns to his h ...
25-09-2024
BBC 1
Series 21: 5. Dame Jessica Ennis-hill
Olympic gold medal winner Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is one of the world’s greatest track and field athletes. Jess believes her sporting success comes from determination and ...
18-09-2024
BBC 1
Series 21: 4. Rose Ayling-ellis
Rose Ayling-Ellis came to fame on EastEnders and captured the nation’s hearts when she won Strictly. Since then, she’s used her platform to campaign for deaf rights. ...
11-09-2024
BBC 1
Series 21: 3. Melanie Chisholm
Melanie Chisholm found fame as Sporty Spice in the world-famous girl band The Spice Girls. Today, she’s an award-winning solo artist and believes that her success is partl ...
04-09-2024
BBC 1
Series 21: 2. Paddy Mcguinness
Presenter, actor and comedian Paddy McGuinness knows nothing about his family, except for the name of one of his grandparents. With a surname like McGuinness, he’s pretty ...
29-08-2024
BBC 1
Series 21: 1. Vicky Mcclure
Actor Vicky McClure was watched by millions when she played Detective Inspector Kate Fleming, tracking down corrupt coppers in Line of Duty. Now, Vicky wants to solve some myste ...
22-08-2024
BBC 1
Series 19: 1. Sue Perkins
It's not surprising that Sue Perkins finds plenty of humour in her family tree, even in the poignant stories of an orphaned grandfather and a great-grandfather interned as an en ...
18-07-2024
BBC 1
Series 18: 6. Joe Sugg
YouTuber and actor Joe Sugg uncovers some incredible stories in his family tree, with a little help along the way from fellow social media star and big sister, Zoe. Joe, very ap ...
08-07-2024
BBC 1
Series 18: 3. Alex Scott
Presenter and former footballer Alex Scott delves into both sides of her family history. Having known nothing of her Jewish ancestry on her mum’s side, Alex is proud to di ...
12-06-2024
BBC 1
Series 15: 2. Olivia Colman
Actress Olivia Colman claims to be 'the least adventurous person I know.' As for her ancestors, apart from a rumour that there was a Frenchwoman somewhere in her family tree, Ol ...
14-07-2021
BBC 1
Series 20: 4. Kevin Clifton
Kevin Clifton came to fame as a dancer on Strictly, eventually winning the series with his partner in dance – and now in life – Stacey Dooley. Known on set as &lsquo ...
28-06-2023
BBC 1
Series 20: 9. Lesley Manville
Actor Lesley Manville never knew much about her grandparents but wants to get to the bottom of family rumours surrounding her mum’s side of the family. Despite living in a ...
01-08-2023
BBC 1
Series 19: 3. Matt Lucas
Comedian, presenter and actor Matt Lucas had an exceptionally close bond with his late grandmother, Margot, who came to the UK in 1939 as a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany. Mat ...
25-09-2023
BBC 1
Series 21: 5. Dame Jessica Ennis-hill
Olympic gold medal winner Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is one of the world’s greatest track and field athletes. Jess believes her sporting success comes from determination and ...
18-09-2024
BBC 1
Series 21: 2. Paddy Mcguinness
Presenter, actor and comedian Paddy McGuinness knows nothing about his family, except for the name of one of his grandparents. With a surname like McGuinness, he’s pretty ...
29-08-2024
BBC 1
Series 20: 4. Bear Grylls
As an adventurer, wilderness expert and chief scout, Bear Grylls has travelled to some of the most hostile environments in the world, sharing his survival secrets with audiences ...
21-06-2023
BBC 1
Series 17: 4. Liz Carr
Silent Witness actor Liz Carr gets forensic about her family history. She investigates a rumour that an ancestor was involved in some sort of assault, discovering that her pater ...
10-08-2023
BBC 1
Series 19: 1. Sue Perkins
It's not surprising that Sue Perkins finds plenty of humour in her family tree, even in the poignant stories of an orphaned grandfather and a great-grandfather interned as an en ...
18-07-2024
BBC 1