Guide to Best Sites for Canadian Research

Excited to see my "Expert's Choice" tip published in Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine.

Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine accompanies the BBC series and provides expert family history advice.

Latest guide to all the best sites for researching Canadian roots. With help from Olive Tree Genealogy

Follow me on Twitter @LorineMS!

Follow @wdytyamagazine on Twitter

Who Do You Think You Are? Jessic Biel

Tonight’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? at 10/9c on TLC, actress Jessica Biel makes surprising discoveries that change what she thought knew about her heritage. She sets out to debunk several tales of family lore. 

Catch a sneak peek of the episode here:https://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/who-do-you-think-you-are/videos/jessica-biels-journey

Noah Wyle on Who Do You Think You Are?

On this Sunday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? at 10/9c on TLC, actor Noah Wyle unravels the mystery of his mother's family line, searching for answers to a lifelong question about his family’s participation in the Civil War. 

He discovers an ancestor who was catapulted into one of the bloodiest battles of the time, and whose life spiraled out of control from remarkable success to a shocking and tragic end.


Catch a sneak peek of Noah's episode

Next week’s episode follows actress Jessica Biel

Image Credit: TLC

Who Do You Think You Are? Jennifer Grey

On this Sunday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? at 10/9c on TLC, actress Jennifer Grey uncovers the truth about the emigrant grandfather she thought she knew, learning how he survived adversity to become a beacon of his community.

Jennifer also uncovers the devastating tragedy that stopped her great-grandmother from ever making it to America.

Catch a sneak peek of the episode here:

https://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/who-do-you-think-you-are/videos/first-look-at-jennifer-greys-journey

Next week’s episode follows actor Noah Wyle.

Photos (credit: TLC)

Who Do You Think You Are? Julie Bowen

On this Sunday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? at 10/9c on TLC, actress Julie Bowen uncovers fascinating stories of her ancestors on both sides of her family, including her 3x paternal great-grandfather, Francis Julius LeMoyne.

 Julie learns that Francis was a highly sought after speaker and a radical abolitionist who risked his life and the lives of his family to help free fugitive slaves. Julie notices the parallels between the work of her ancestor with what’s going on in today’s world.

Catch a sneak peek of the episode.

Photo credit TLC

It's Back! Who Do You Think You Are? Returns

Who Do You Think You Are? returns to TLC this Sunday, March 5 at 10/9c to follow more amazing journeys as celebrities explore their lineage and discover unbelievable revelations.

This Sunday's season premiere kicks off with actress Courteney Cox as she traces her maternal line back seven centuries to the Medieval times, finding royalty among her ancestors and an unbelievable tale of family drama that she never could have imagined. Going even further back, she learns that she descends from one of the most prominent figures in European history.

Catch a sneak peek of the episode here:

https://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/who-do-you-think-you-are/videos/first-look-at-courteney-coxs-episode

Next week's episode features actress Julie Bowen.

TLC RENEWS WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? AND LONG LOST FAMILY FOR ADDITIONAL SEASONS

The following announcement was sent to Olive Tree Genealogy: 

TLC announced today that the network has ordered additional seasons of the fan favorite series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? and freshman series LONG LOST FAMILY. The most recent seasons of both series averaged over 1.8M P2+ viewers.

Executive Produced by Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky, the two time Emmy-nominated WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? follows some of today's most beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees. The most recent seasons have featured Bryan Cranston, who uncovered an ancestor’s heroic dedication during the Civil War, and Molly Ringwald, who learned about the dangerous conditions her coal-mining ancestors endured.

LONG LOST FAMILY features the highly emotional and touching stories of people who have suffered a lifetime of separation from their family members. The series reunites those separated by adoption, uncovers secrets behind unsolved mysteries, and helps individuals answer lifelong questions. This past season reunited several family members in emotional meetings, including a mother and a daughter who actually worked together and did not realize they were related. The series is hosted by Chris Jacobs and Lisa Joyner, who uniquely share their own stories of adoption while leading others in their own family discoveries.

Ancestry.com,  the leading provider of online family history data and personal DNA testing, is teaming up with TLC again as a sponsor of the upcoming seasons for both series. As part of the sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research to help make discoveries possible on both series.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. LONG LOST FAMILY is produced for TLC by Shed Media, and is based on the format entitled Find My Family/Spoorloos devised by KRO-NCRV, distributed by Lineup Industries.

Double Episode This Sunday Who Do You Think You Are

 

This Sunday will be the season finale of the current season of TLC’s Who Do You Think You Are? This week TLC wil be airing two new episodes back-to-back: Chris Noth at 8/7c & Lea Michele at 9/8c.

Chris Noth: Airs 8/7c on TLC Sunday, May 1

Actor Chris Noth tracks down family torn apart by a devastating disaster. He follows his relative’s trail from Spain to Ireland, and finds a man who endured harsh oppression, but rose up to fight in one of the fiercest battles of all time and became a war hero.

Lea Michele: Airs 9/8c on TLC Sunday, May 1

Actress Lea Michele goes on a journey to unravel the secrets of her Jewish ancestry. She uncovers the heartbreaking and inspiring details of her great-grandmother’s story, who fled one country but was shunned by the next. She finds personal accounts of her great-grandparents, who were desperate to be together despite the cards being stacked against them, and she discovers ancestors who suffered devastating loss.

Ancestry.com, the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor of the upcoming season. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.

The series is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. More information can be found at TLC.com/WDYTYA. ‘Like’ Who Do You Think You Are? on Facebook.com/WDYTYA and follow @WDYTYA on Twitter.


Image credit: TLC

Who Do You Think You Are? with Molly Ringwald

Be sure to watch this Sunday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? featuring actress Molly Ringwald.

Actress Molly Ringwald travels to Sweden to dig up her mysterious paternal roots. She explores her ancestors’ harrowing lives as coal miners; discovers generations who suffered through unspeakable tragedies; and uncovers the gripping life of a brave relative who forever changed her family’s fate.

The two-time Emmy nominated series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? returns this spring to follow more of today’s most beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees.

Ancestry.com, the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor of the upcoming season. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.

The series is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. More information can be found at TLC.com/WDYTYA. ‘Like’ Who Do You Think You Are? on Facebook.com/WDYTYA and follow @WDYTYA on Twitter.


Image credit: TLC

Who Do You Think You Are? With Katey Sagal

 Be sure to watch this Sunday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? featuring actress Katey Sagal

Katey Sagal and Dr. Kara Dixon-Vuic
an Associate Professor of History
at the Texas Christian University

Katey Sagal lost her parents at a young age and has no family to fill in the blanks of her ancestry. She goes on a journey to understand her beloved mother’s life as a performer for the USO during World War II, and gets emotional connecting for the first time with the only person she’s met who knew her mother when she was young. 

Then she digs deep into her roots, uncovering a surprising link to early American Amish settlers, and discovers the shocking story of a fierce attack her ancestors endured. She finds her family torn apart and struggling to reconnect after years of separation, which challenges her own morals on motherhood.

The two-time Emmy nominated series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? returns this spring to follow more of today’s most beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees.
 
Ancestry.com, the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor of the upcoming season. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.
The series is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. More information can be found at TLC.com/WDYTYA. ‘Like’ Who Do You Think You Are? on Facebook.com/WDYTYA and follow @WDYTYA on Twitter.
Image credit: TLC

Who Do You Think You Are? Featuring Scott Foley

Be sure to watch this Sunday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? featuring actor Scott Foley.  

The two-time Emmy nominated series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? returns this spring to follow more of today’s most beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees.
 
Ancestry.com, the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor of the upcoming season. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.
The series is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. More information can be found at TLC.com/WDYTYA. ‘Like’ Who Do You Think You Are? on Facebook.com/WDYTYA and follow @WDYTYA on Twitter.

Scott Foley is deeply patriotic but doesn’t know anything about his American roots. He sets out to investigate family lore about a Revolutionary War hero and to his surprise, discovers an ancestor who put his life on the line for George Washington. Digging deeper, Scott then uncovers the shocking tale of a relative who was entangled in the Salem Witch Trials! 

Image credit: TLC

Who Do You Think You Are? Returns Tomorrow with Aisha Tyler

The two-time Emmy nominated series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? returns this spring to follow more of today’s most beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees.

The series continues to deliver unbelievable stories from crucial moments in history, including a number of firsts for the series, such as a male witch hunt, and traveling to Portugal, Sweden and Ellis Island. Executive Produced by Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky, the new season premieres Sunday, April 3 at 9/8c.

This Sunday's episode features Aisha Tyler, who dives fearlessly into her mother’s family history, tracking down the story of a man that had been lost over generations. She uncovers the astonishing tale of a prominent ancestor whose struggle to keep his illegitimate son a secret made the papers; a father who actively fought against his kin’s basic human rights; and the impressive story of her two times great-grandfather, who dove headlong into controversy, took a brave stand for his people, and left a mark so great that he is commemorated today by one of America’s capital cities.

The contributors featured in the upcoming season include:


·         Scott Foley finds a relative who risked his life for one of America’s founding fathers, and an ancestor who suffered unspeakably during one of this nation’s darkest times.

·         Lea Michele nails down where her mysterious paternal ancestors came from, and learns of the dire economic circumstances they endured while trying to emigrate to the U.S.

·         Chris Noth learns his ancestors suffered during one of the greatest catastrophes in American history, and a relative who fought in one of the bloodiest battles of all time.

·         Molly Ringwald explores family lore of Swedish royalty which uncovers her ancestors’ harrowing lives and a brave woman who forever changed her family’s fate.

·         Katey Sagal is shocked to learn of her family’s Amish roots, and digs deeper as she realizes the level of dedication to their faith.

·         Aisha Tyler tracks down her 2x great-grandfather, whose story had been lost over generations, and uncovers an astonishing tale of a prominent ancestor whose struggle to keep his illegitimate son a secret made headlines.

Ancestry.com, the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor of the upcoming season. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.

The series is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. More information can be found at TLC.com/WDYTYA. ‘Like’ Who Do You Think You Are? on Facebook.com/WDYTYA and follow @WDYTYA on Twitter.

Image credit: TLC

TLC ANNOUNCES CELEBRITY CONTRIBUTORS FOR SPRING SEASON OF WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

Olive Tree Genealogy received the following Press Release about Who Do You Think You Are?

New season premieres Sunday, April 3 at 9/8c

The two-time Emmy nominated series WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? returns this spring to follow more of today’s most beloved and iconic celebrities as they embark on personal journeys of self-discovery to trace their family trees. The series continues to deliver unbelievable stories from crucial moments in history, including a number of firsts for the series, such as a male witch hunt, and traveling to Portugal, Sweden and Ellis Island. Executive Produced by Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky, the new season premieres Sunday, April 3 at 9/8c.

The contributors featured in the upcoming season include:

•     Scott Foley finds a relative who risked his life for one of America’s founding fathers, and an ancestor who suffered unspeakably during one of this nation’s darkest times.
•     Lea Michele nails down where her mysterious paternal ancestors came from, and learns of the dire economic circumstances they endured while trying to emigrate to the U.S.
•     Chris Noth learns his ancestors suffered during one of the greatest catastrophes in American history, and a relative who fought in one of the bloodiest battles of all time.
•     Molly Ringwald explores family lore of Swedish royalty which uncovers her ancestors’ harrowing lives and a brave woman who forever changed her family’s fate.
•     Katey Sagal is shocked to learn of her family’s Amish roots, and digs deeper as she realizes the level of dedication to their faith.
•     Aisha Tyler tracks down her 2x great-grandfather, whose story had been lost over generations, and uncovers an astonishing tale of a prominent ancestor whose struggle to keep his illegitimate son a secret made headlines.

Ancestry.com, the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor of the upcoming season. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry.com provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.

The series is produced for TLC by Shed Media and Is or Isn’t Entertainment, and is based on an original format created by Wall to Wall Media and Alex Graham. More information can be found at TLC.com/WDYTYA. ‘Like’ Who Do You Think You Are? on Facebook.com/WDYTYA and follow @WDYTYA on Twitter.

Image: Screenshot from TLC Sneak Peek Video Clip

Tonight's Episode of Who Do You Think You Are? with Tom Bergeron

This Sunday, August 30 at 9/8c TLC will air TV host’s Tom Bergeron’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

In the episode, Tom Bergeron sets out to unravel the murky history of his paternal roots. Tracing back over 400 years, he uncovers the dramatic story of his 10x great-grandparents, who endured brutal warfare and starvation in France. Then Tom follows their daughter, who was orphaned as a teenager and bravely set off across the Atlantic, playing a significant role in establishing the New World.

Brought to us by TLC with Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online family history resource, teaming up again as a sponsor, Who Do You Think You Are? takes celebrities on a journey to discover their roots. 

Image credit: TLC

Who Do You Think You Are? With Bryan Cranston

It's that time again - Who Do You Think You Are? featuring Bryan Cranston airs Sunday August 23rd.

Bryan Cranston had a happy childhood until his father abandoned the family when Bryan was just 11. Curious whether this is a family trait, Bryan sets out to explore his paternal roots; he finds men both honorable and shameful, a troubling pattern of desertion, and an aunt he never even knew existed. 

Brought to us by TLC with Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online family history resource, teaming up again as a sponsor, Who Do You Think You Are? takes celebrities on a journey to discover their roots.  

Image credit: TLC

Who Do You Think You Are? presents Into the Archives This Sunday

Ancestry.com , the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.

This Sunday, August 16th on TLC “Who Do You Think You Are?” digs into its archives and features highlights throughout the seasons including triumphs and tragedies, delightful discoveries and sobering moments. This special episode also unveils outtakes and never-before-seen footage from the “Who Do” vault. 


Image credit: TLC

Who Do You Think You Are? This Sunday

This Sunday, August 9 at 9/8c TLC will air actress Alfre Woodard’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

In the episode, Alfre Woodard sets out to learn more about her paternal grandfather’s family, which she knows little about since her grandfather died before she knew him. 

 She uncovers the triumphant story of her great-grandfather Alec, who endured the horrors of slavery and ascended from servitude to successful landowner, an extraordinary feat of his time.
 
 Ancestry.com , the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.

 Photo courtesy of TLC

Why Canadians Missed Out on JK Rowling Episode of Who Do You Think You Are

Last week Canadians saw many promos for the upcoming episode on Who Do You Think You Are? featuring J.K. Rowling. TV guides showed that it would be airing Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern. 

But Canadians found themselves watching a repeat of an earlier episode with Cynthia Nixon. Twitter started buzzing with annoyed Canadians posting on TLC's Twitter Feed, wanting to know what was going on. Facebook also saw its share of questions on TLC Facebook page. But no answers were forthcoming.

However I reached out in private communications with my TLC contacts and am pleased to provide my readers with the explanation of why Canadians could not watch the J.K. Rowling episode.

“Apologies for any inconvenience you may have experienced. TLC Canada sometimes has different programming than TLC in the United States. At this time, the J.K. Rowling episode is only airing in the U.S. and unfortunately, there is no way for us to prevent the U.S. promos from airing in Canada."

It's straightforward and makes perfect sense. The rights to air a program in Canada can be prohibitively expensive.  And so the airing is denied which is why Canadians often get the blank screen on You-Tube or TV station sites that announce they are unable to display the video to anyone in Canada. 

Bottom line: If you live in Canada, unless you have a proxy server set up on your computer you may not be able to view the J.K. Rowling episode. I believe the original UK version is available on YouTube.  As a TLC screener I had private access to it and really enjoyed it. So if you get the chance, be sure to watch it.

J. K. Rowling on Who Do You Think You Are? This Sunday

Who Do You Think You Are? “J.K. Rowling” (US premiere, originally aired in the UK)

Tune In: J.K. Rowling’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? airs Sunday, August 2 at 9/8c on TLC

 Ancestry.com , the leading family history company, is teaming up again with TLC as a sponsor. As part of the show sponsorship, Ancestry provides exhaustive family history research on each of the featured celebrities to help make discoveries possible and build out the story of each episode.

Famed Harry Potter author and philanthropist JK Rowling is eager to trace the  French roots of her maternal side, having always been very close with her mother who’s passed away. She knows that her great-grandfather, Louis Volant, received the Legion d’honneur for his WWI efforts, but she doesn’t know why. 

She embarks on a journey in France to trace her mother’s roots. She discovers that a family war story might not be what she thought when military records reveal a surprising truth. Tracing the trail even further back, Jo learns of her 2x great-grandmother, who had plenty of struggles both as a poor, single mother and a witness to German invasion during wartime, which forced her family to choose sides in a time of turmoil.   

I'll be watching! Will you?


Photo credit: Andrew Montgomery

Who Do You Think You Are? Ginnifer Goodwin

Who Do You Think You Are? Ginnifer Goodwin

Airtime: Sunday, July 26 at 9/8c on TLC

Actress Ginnifer Goodwin knows nothing about her paternal grandfather’s family because he refused to talk about his parents. She goes on a journey to uncover the truth behind her great-grandparents’ story, and is shocked to discover turbulent lives filled with court cases, drugs and incarcerations.  

Actress Ginnifer Goodwin never knew her paternal grandfather, John Barton Goodwin, who died when she was an infant. She’s been haunted by the lack of information surrounding his family line; he never talked about his parents to her father, Tim. Understanding the generations that laid the foundation for her has grown more important to her since becoming a mother herself. The birth of her son Oliver has reignited her desire to know why her grandfather never spoke of his mother and father.    

Ginnifer starts her search for information with her dad, who recalls that his father John Barton’s parents were named Nellie and John “Al” Goodwin, and that for some unknown reason, John Barton was abandoned when he was just 11 years old.  

Photo Credit: TLC