General Chat

i also thought Amanda and Karen shared a likeness, the programme was very interesting Trever, i live over the water from Liverpool. Chris.

I really enjoyed tonights programme. Really took us all on the journey. How I wish I could travel and do the same. Just watched the BBC4 programme and that too was good. Trevor, you must tell us all the latest on Cyril, what a cliffhanger!! Diane

(copied from the other thread) Interesting again and like with last week, it would seem they are targeting the poignant element in the stories that unfurl. As I said last week, it's this story element that the Beeb appear to be concentrating on most, rather than getting caught up too much in the actual genealogy knowhow/jargon. I think they're doing the right thing, if the aim of this exercise is to get more people wanting to trace their roots. Once the interest is there then people will want to question further about where you need to look and what you need to check. You have to get people's attention first and there's little point getting bogged down in too much technical information until that point is reached.

Thanks for all your messages...If I was asked, I would say I was a little disappointed. I didn't watch it live, but taped it...... Brighton were playing at home! It was Amanda's story,and she told it well, but felt a little aggrieved at the summing up...don't mean to be bitter, but now I realise you can't always believe what you see or hear on TV....perhaps I should leave it at that. Factually it was fine, but some points are stretched, its sources/researchers take some poetic licence with the research

No Trevor please don't leave it at that. What do you mean? We all take our research seriously here and if the programme is just being jazzed up then what's the point? By the way the old man driving the car, what a sweetheart, (please don't say he was an actor). elaine:))

Well I think its a brill prog,, I did not tape it last week but taped it this week and will continue too,,, it makes me cry and everyone can understand that cant they?

Elaine's right Trevor, please don't leave it at that, and tell us why you felt aggrieved, and does your family know that your not happy with the way things were portrayed. Belle.

Trevor Do you feel that not enough credit was given to you after all your hard work researching? I would feel aggrieved if it was me. It is difficult to condense the story into a one hour programme, and when all is said and done, it is 'entertainment' first and foremost and I suppose the BBC needed to get the emotional angle. I really enjoyed the programme and shed a few tears during it. I thought Amanda's Mum (your Aunt?) was very brave to allow the filming to show her emotions when talking about her father. Well done. I thought the show was very interesting. Please, please tell us if Cyril's birth was found under the other name :o) Sue

I really enjoyed it Trevor and look forward to next week. Rose on the Island

Even my hubby ( he who rolls his eyes up to heaven when I've found more of our puzzle) was gripped to his seat . I thought maybe it was because of amanda - but I was proved wrong when he started asking me questions about research. Blimey I've been tracing our family trees for years , some branches with skeletons some with none. LOL I too thought it was a sad tale to tell. Poor Cyril. I too found Karen and Amanda to look very similar . How nice though for you all to have a get together and what a shame Cyril's son Derek had passed away. I adored the old chap who met Amanda at the station what a sweetie . So Trevor a good bit of dective work no doubt on your behalf - did you ever find a birth cert for a Cyril PILLING(S)?!?!?!? Oh and do share us your tale of the HERRINGTONS - what was the skeleton there? lol Much happiness Debi p.s the interactive button the only good bit of info from that was the digital stories last night!!!

Trevor.... I personally thought the show was fabulous but I do agree that they tend to pick up on a thread that dramatises the search, i did wonder how many people watching will think it's really easy to search their tree as they didn't explain just how long it takes to find people!! :O)

In response to Trevor's comments, I think any kind of documentary that gets shown is going to be subject to a certain amount of "sexing up" (for want of a better term). After all, the research and the story behind it has to be fitted into a 1hr slot, so once you've had some trimming here and a little bit of gloss adding there then to someone who has actually researched the background then it may not seem like a majorly accurate portrayal. Just my thoughts...

Thoroughly enjoyed last nights programme and yes I cried too! lol Please Trevor tell us if you ever found Cyrils birth registration under Pilling. And don't you look like him! How long have you been doing your tree and have you found anymore skeletons? Jeanette x

Hi Trevor I think reading between the lines the wrong people got the credit for probably all your work and I assume that Cyril's daughter Karen's existance wasn't a huge surprise as it was portrayed. I also think that the suggestion Cyril led two separate lives was unlikely as Cyril's son was born many years before his daughter. I certainly found the Merchant Navy info interesting. And seeing everyone at the end together is probably a dream for many of us. Your family certainly seem to be lovely people. By the way how did you get involved - did you contact Amanda about this or did the BBC track you down? Saz

I've emailed trevor about Cyrils birth and will let you know what I hear back!! :O)

I really enjoyed it too, and found it very moving. Also, when you mentioned skeletons just now it reminded me that I recently found an apparent skeleton in my ancestry, and was quite shocked by it - even though G.R. state "expect surprises". Very enjoyable (loved the party at the end), and many thanks to you and your family for letting us into some of your history. As others have said, it really looks as if you've done most of the donkey work. Glenys.

Hi Trevor I also watched last nights program, although they didn't give you the credit you deserved, I did guess that a lot of the info came from you, and another plee, please can you up-date us on Cyrils birth cert, also I took one look at Amanda and Lyn and could see the resemblence as with you and Cyril...good work from you I thought :)) Bev

We too really enjoyed the programme and think it certainly will get more people interested in Family History. Linda x

Beth, the surname they were investigating was St Leger/St Ledger hence they think there is a link to the race itself!!

Nice to put a face to a name Trevor! You are a born natural on the telly, you came across very well! Enjoyed the programme, personally thought it was better than last week's. The party looked great fun - but one thing I'd be interested to know is has everyone stayed in touch? Mandy :)