Anyone else feeling a little cheated tonight? Especially after watching tonight ‘s episode
of Finding your Roots with Henry Louis
Gates, Jr.?[1]
If you have researched Spanish language genealogy records you
know a goldmine record when they see one.
And tonight, while profiling Rebecca Lobo, Mr. Gates showed a baptism
record for her great grandmother. The
record was from a Spanish Catholic church in Morocco. As he had Rebecca read out loud from a
transcription, the camera held a view of the record over the father’s name, and
directly below that was the words “Abuelos paternos”. I caught it right away and thought “how lucky”! I always love when I get any record that names
the grandparents as well.
But, Mr. Gates when on to discuss, due to the destruction of
records in the father’s homeland of Spain, this generation is as far back as
the researchers could go. WHAT?!?
I even rewound the show a few seconds to see a screen shot
of the whole record. Though not
completely clear, it was clear enough to see the names of both sets of
grandparents.
I’m sure that information was shared with Rebecca; I on the
other hand, am feeling a little let down.
[1] Finding your
Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Kunhardt McGee Productions,
Inkwell Films and WNET in association with Ark Media. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. et al. RMPBS, Denver Colorado,
30 Sep 2014
I did not watch, but maybe the genealogist who looked at that record did not have the experience with Spanish records. I hope you contact the producers or the person to tell them of their error. People who share how to 's and people like you with blogs, really help teach 'us' about the details of the church records and other tips... thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Larissa. I intend to contact the show and see if I get a response. I will be sure to post any answer I get.
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