Actor and writer Ruth Jones - Nessa from Gavin and Stacey - investigates her Welsh family’s history. On her mum’s side, she discovers that her great-great-great-grandfather was a mariner who rose to the rank of captain in the domestic coastal trade. His son surpassed his father by carrying Welsh coal across the world. On Ruth’s dad’s side, she looks into the career of the grandfather she never met. Henry Richard Jones was a leading light in the Medical Aid Societies of south Wales, which provided a model for the National Health Service in 1948.
Source: BBC 1
Series 18: 2. Dame Judi Dench
Shakespearean actor, movie star and national treasure Dame Judi Dench's journey begins with her father Reginald Dench, who never spoke of his experiences during the First World ...
16-12-2024
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 15: 4. Boy George
Iconic pop star Boy George grew up in south London in an Irish family. George expects to find a lot of sadness in his family tree. He knows that his maternal grandmother was fou ...
11-09-2023
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 15: 6. Marvin Humes
DJ, presenter and former member of boy band JLS, Marvin Humes delves into his Jamaican and his English heritage, and finds exceptional stories on both sides of the family. \n\nD ...
09-04-2024
BBC 1
Series 20: 8. Chris Ramsey
Comedian Chris Ramsey draws huge audiences to his live comedy shows and also presents a podcast and TV show with his wife Rosie about the trials and tribulations of being marrie ...
25-07-2023
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 18: 5. Pixie Lott
Singer-songwriter and talent show judge Pixie Lott hopes to confirm a family story that she has Italian ancestry from Verona, but instead discovers ancestors battling poverty an ...
23-05-2024
BBC 1
Series 20: 7. Dev Griffin
Born to an Irish mum and a Jamaican dad, Dev Griffin grew up feeling he didn’t fit in either community. He hopes discovering more about his ancestors will help him strengt ...
19-07-2023
BBC 1
Series 17: 2. David Walliams
Actor, comedian, talent show judge and children’s author David Walliams delves into his family history. First, he learns of his paternal great-grandfather’s prolonge ...
17-01-2022
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 20: 2. Claire Foy
Actress Claire Foy is best known for playing the young Queen Elizabeth in The Crown. Having enjoyed researching the lives of her onscreen characters, she’s now looking for ...
14-06-2023
BBC 1