Who Do You Think You Are?
on NBC
By
Ally Matteodo
The series Who Do You
Think You Are? follows celebrities as they track down the history of their
ancestors through the help of genealogists and librarians. An exciting and
intriguing glimpse into the records of the past, Who Do You Think You Are?
earns the title Best TV Show of the Week, and aired on Friday,
August 20th at 8:00 ET/PT on NBC. 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 for 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 arriving,
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 from Sacramento, Parker views the mining
camp her fourth great-grandfather toiled at 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 passed 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, in addition to many others. 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
