Who Do You Think You Are?
on NBC
By Ally Matteodo
NBC’s new series Who Do You
Think You Are? follows celebrities as they track down the history of their
ancestors with the help of genealogists and librarians. An exciting and
intriguing glimpse into the records of the past, Who Do You Think You Are?
(Friday, March 5th at 8:00 p.m. ET) earns the title Best TV
Show of the Week. The first famous actress to seek out her ancestry is
Sarah Jessica Parker. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Parker reveals she
doesn’t know much about her family history, and laments this in a conversation
with her brother. Determined to remedy the situation for her children and her
mother, Parker travels to her Mom’s house to learn what she can. Most of the
information from Mom appears familiar to Parker, but she perks up when she hears
the name Hodge, the name of her third maternal great-grandfather. Hodge, an
English name, differs from the Germanic names her mother appears more
knowledgeable about on her father’s side of the family. With the name of John
Eber Hodge in hand, Parker sets out for Cincinnati. Upon arrival, Parker learns
that John E. Hodge grew up fatherless. His father, John S. Hodge, headed west
for gold in 1849 and never returned. Next stop for Parker: El Dorado,
California. 45 minutes north of Sacramento, Parker views the mining camp where
her fourth great-grandfather toiled in search of gold, and learns that he passed
away there after spending six weeks ill. Wishing to continue her search, Parker
journeys to Boston to learn if John S. Hodge was any relation to the New England
Hodges. In turns out he is, and Parker also uncovers that her 10th
great-grandmother, married to a Samuel Hodge, was accused of witchcraft in 1692
during the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials. Accused by Betty Hubbard, Esther
was lucky to escape death since the court disbanded in the fall just weeks
before the accusation. Esther lived until the ripe old age of 82, and Parker
appears much changed after these enlightening family revelations.
Parker’s enthusiasm toward the
project proves infectious as the historians and genealogists eagerly help their
famous student. From the beginning it’s clear that Parker holds an appreciation
for history, and adheres to the belief that you can’t really know where you’re
going unless you know where you’ve been. In addition, every kernel of knowledge
Parker acquires she treasures, and it adds a personal and more intense touch to
see how quickly Parker becomes invested in the fate of her ancestors. When she
learns Hodge died in California during the Gold Rush, she appears downtrodden,
and when it’s revealed that Esther survived after being accused of witchcraft,
Parker is elated. The aspects of our ancestry not only make us appreciate
history all the more, but also unite us as Americans. One of the most important
events of the 19th century outside of the Civil War involved the rush
for gold and vast migration West, an event that Parker is now tied to. It is
when we’re reminded of these past events that we begin to realize what it means
to be an American: to be a dreamer and a trailblazer.
Best TV Show
of the Week
The Parents
Television Council -
www.parentstv.org
