I watched Jason Donavon's search a couple of weeks ago. Delving in to convict transportees to Australia. I found it fasinating. Last week's was interesting as well (didn't recognise the celeb) Grandfather fighting in Burma (as did my Dad) and ending up in Deolali (doolally) (unlike my Dad)
I wouldn't mind having the BBC resources to trace my ancestors though.
Not necessary to have BBC resources ~ frankly they only look for the "sensational" anyway and never go anywhere "difficult" by which I mean they only scratch the surface.
I have traced my family back to Tudor times on both sides.
The Highwayman I spoke of was transported to Tasmania where he committed further crimes and his sentence was extended. He married out there after some years and never returned to the UK although he did move, eventually, to Australia where he again became an outlaw. His original transportation was for 7 years with hard labour and all for 5 shillings stolen from a drunken horse dealer. The original theft was never denied but justified "'cos he was a robber 'imself and 'ad done me down on a previous bit of business yer Honour"See ~ it ain't difficult to do.
With patience, some guidance and a little bit of expenditure you can get a lot doing it yourself.
Honest ~ The Beeb does nothing and uses no methods that are not open to you and anyone else who wants to trace their family history. The bits the Beeb does not show is where the dead-ends occur and you have to switch from male to female bloodlines. They are only interested in a small portion of the history that is easy to get at.
