Tracing Your Roots is the series that helps put branches on your family tree.
Each week Sally Magnusson follows the ancestral trail back in time to uncover colourful stories and hidden slices of social history. Resident genealogist Nick Barratt is on hand with tips and inspiration to help you explore your own family's lineage.
Programme details
31 October 2007
Is there a skeleton in your family closet?
Many people would be shocked to find out they had an ancestor with a criminal record. But for family historians, such dodgy characters are a cause of great excitement.
On this week’s programme, we look at how to track down an ancestor who had a brush with the law – and how to get the records to help you with your enquiries …
Stories in this week’s programme…
The Rugeley Poisoner
Ian Brodie uncovered a link to one of the 19th century’s most infamous murders when he was researching his family history. Dr William Palmer was vilified by the newspapers as a mass poisoner before his case even reached court. By modern standards it might seem that Dr Palmer didn’t get a fair trial. Nick Barratt explains how to combine press and official records to get a true picture of events.
The Icelandic King and I
You can sometimes find that your ancestors kept unusual company. Brenda Keer went looking for information about a mysterious naval officer in her past and found out that he was a close friend of a former King of Iceland. Despite his royal connections, Jorgen Jorgenson at one point found himself on trial at the Old Bailey – for stealing bedclothes! His case is one of thousands you can now search in detail online.
Shipped to Australia
Some relations just disappear off the genealogical radar without a trace. Lynn Sharp’s ancestor Joshua Kemp did – and it took dogged detective work to discover that Joshua had been transported to Australia for the seemingly minor crime of selling stolen wool. UK criminologist Barry Godfrey explains why to find out why we shipped our criminals down under, and on the line from Sydney, Australian archivist Christine Yeats tells us what became of them out there – and how you can pick up the ancestral trail Down Under.
Tracing Your Roots is the series that helps put branches on your family tree.
