DETROIT — PBS and Detroit Public Television announced that the new series ‘Genealogy Roadshow,’ which premieres this fall, is seeking local participants to share their families’ stories. Final participants will be part of an episode taping in Detroit on July 14.
The show producers are looking for Detroit-area residents who have a historically significant story in their family. Chosen stories will be linked to the larger community history, revealing the rich cultural tapestry of Detroit and America.
After participants are chosen, genealogy, history and DNA experts will use family heirlooms, letters, pictures, historical documents and other clues to find more information. These experts will enlist the help of local historians to add color and context to the investigations, ensuring every artifact and every name becomes a clue in solving the mystery.
Detroit residents are invited and encouraged to submit their stories as ‘Genealogy Roadshow’ will unearth family and community secrets, reveal notable relatives and discover unexpected stories that connect the past to the present. Many answers will be revealed on camera before a local audience in a historic building relevant to the cities’ — and the participants’ — histories.
The show’s premiere season features participants from four cities — Detroit, Nashville, Austin and San Francisco — who want to explore unverified genealogical claims passed down through family histories that may (or may not) connect them to an event or historical figure. These cities were chosen as American crossroads of culture, diversity, industry and history with deep pools of potential participants and stories.
Individuals with interesting stories are encouraged to submit them online at www.dptv.org/grshow