Ok, lest you should think I’m working on the sly for NBC or for Ancestry.com, I’ll make the disclaimer now that I’m not. The truth is that, this post is actually a blog cop-out for me this week since someone else already did the writing. The below post is an e-mail I received from the Ancestry.com listserv about a new NBC series starting this Friday called Who Do You Think You Are? I started to write a description of the show but this e-mail already explained it so well that I thought, “Hey, why mess with perfection?”
So, I’m sharing this info as it was sent to me with the hopes of accomplishing 2 things: 1) You’ll watch this series and learn a bit more about the world of libraries and archival institutions and the roles they play in genealogy; 2) Some kind soul might record this series for me…I don’t own a t.v.!!
And, don't forget that we have a Library Edition subscription to Ancestry.com that you can use at no charge when you come visit us in the library. Hey...no charge! That's a big deal in today's economy!
Here’s the e-mail:
Dear Friends in the Archive and Library Community,
I am really excited to let you know about this upcoming show, and what we at Ancestry, hope it will do for interest in the family history community, and in raising awareness of what you do. This is a really impactful show that takes people through the powerful discovery of who they are through the records of their ancestors; just watch the previews from the link at the bottom of this email.
Get Ready for the New Who Do You Think You Are? Television Series on NBC
Get ready for the new NBC hit show Who Do You Think You Are? The family history-focused series, which premieres on Friday, March 5th at 8/7c, leads seven celebrities – Lisa Kudrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Spike Lee, Matthew Broderick, Susan Sarandon, Emmitt Smith, and Brooke Shields – on a journey to discover more about the ancestors who came before them. Ancestry.com is a partner with NBC on the show.
The idea for Who Do You Think You Are? originated from a show that has been phenomenally successful in the UK for several years. Since the show aired in 2004, the UK has seen a surge of interest in family history, and we hope and expect the same reaction from Who Do You Think You Are? in the United States as viewers begin thinking about and asking questions around their own family history.
What does this mean for archives, libraries and other repositories?
For centuries archives and libraries have preserved our history in records, an effort that too often goes unnoticed by the average person. We believe that this program will provide an opportunity for the general public to see the invaluable role that archives, libraries, and other repositories play in the preservation of records and history.
If the popularity of the show in the United Kingdom is any indication, the U.S. version of Who Do You Think You Are? could potentially do the following:
- Increase public exposure of your facility
- Open doors to more funding and resources for your organization
- Help people gain a greater appreciation of the role you play in the preservation and access of historical documents and records
- Increase traffic at your archive or repository with people looking for experts in family history research
- Create more interest from the media resulting in media exposure for your archive
We are creating resources that may assist in your efforts to service and educate interested patrons about the show. In the next week or two, we will send a follow-up email with a link to these various resources including handouts, flyers, media materials, etc.
Tune into NBC Fridays 8/7c beginning March 5. For more information about the show, go to: http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/.
Please help spread the news!
Posted by Sally Bown
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