I have been watching shows like “Finding Your Roots” and “Who Do You Think You Are,” where people find evidence that they descend from fascinating historical figures.
Has anyone utilized a well regarded and reliable research service to trace and document their ancestry and was the cost proportionate to the benefit? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Bear in mind that it's likely that any TV show would have done serious pre-production gold-panning to be able to present stories of interest and drama.
(Think of Antiques Roadshow and all the items they don't show at all.)
I did a tiny amount of research about 20 years ago. Found the name of the ship my grandfather came over on. Realized that - for myself - it was a random data point about someone I didn't know. I get that these details are super-important to some people. It seemed less real to me than my favorite novelist's work. Too few details. No hope of getting context on anything my grandfather thought or felt. Let alone his grandfather!
Also I suspect that we're mutts all the way down. Fine with me - I love a mutt!
Even if I were DNA-related to Hecuba, what's she to me or me to her, to paraphrase someone else I'm sure I'm not related to
.So ... I'd say it's only to be pursued if you feel the itch.
Statistics: Posted by PeninsulaPerson — Sat Dec 20, 2025 5:56 am — Replies 15 — Views 646