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Gurinder Chadha, director of Bend it Like Beckham, was born in 1960 in Kenya. Her story traces the turbulent history of the former British Empire, charting her family’s migration through India, Pakistan and Kenya to Southall, London.
Television Presenter Julian Carey’s family story was full of surprises and can be dated back to 19th century Prussia on both sides. Julian was born in Teddington, Middlesex and previously knew relatively little of his interesting ancestry.
Hampstead born actor, presenter and writer, Stephen Fry’s search revealed his ancestors fell on hard times. His physicist and inventor father’s family were forced to face the grim reality of the workhouse.
Actress, Sheila Hancock’s journey took her to variety of interesting places. In Italy she learnt more of her Milan-born father Enrico Hancock’s family. Her maternal ancestors descended from the Zurhorst family; mercantile agents involved in the shipping trade in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
Actress Jane Horrocks’ family story is borne out of the Industrial Revolution in the Northwest of England, where cotton was King. Jane was born in the Rossendale Valley Lancashire.
Jeremy Paxman, the scourge of politicians and students on BBC’s Newsnight and University Challenge, was deeply moved on discovering his family history. He made some startling discoveries about his ancestors.
