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It never fails. The minute I write something to the effect that I don’t have the time or temperament to keep blogging, along comes something that I just have to share.

In this case, it’s an upcoming NBC TV show called Who Do You Think You Are?. And no, I’m not being paid in any way shape or form to promote it. But I truly think this show is going to hit the genealogy world as hard or harder than the 70s mini-series Roots.

I’ve mostly ignored the hype sent my way by Ancestry.com and a myriad of other sponsors, but today I got an email from one of Ancestry’s PR managers and decided to look a little closer.

Lisa Kudrow of Friends fame is the executive producer. The seven shows trace the family histories of seven celebreties, including Kudrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mathew Broderick, Spike Lee, Emmit Smith, Susan Sarandon, and Brooke Shields. I was hooked the minute I saw the promo implying that Sarah Jessica Parker has ancestors connected with the Salem Witch Trials.

Here’s hoping the show does family history due justice. Maybe OUR families will finally understand why WE’RE interested. One thing seems certain — we’re about to be inundated with questions from a few thousand newbies. Check out the clip:

Mark your calendars or set you DVRs, whichever is more appropriate… for March 5th, 8/7c. If you’re interested in spreading the word, check out Ancestry’s Spread the Word page. How clever.

Oh, and if you’re still interested in the headline feed I mentioned a couple of days ago, they’ll always be available from the Syndicated Feeds tab on the home page or the Blogroll category over on the right.

But that’s what happened. Who knew?

To the best of our knowledge, that’s Isaac Leonard… the very man I was trying to locate… over there on the left! (Go ahead. Mouse-over the picture to see larger versions of the front and back.) But there’s more! Pictures of long-lost Joseph Leonard, who married an Indian maiden and dropped out of white society… his brother William… and the two-story Leonard log cabin where they all grew up!

All of these photos will appear here in the coming days/weeks, but I’ve got to tell you where and how these photos were found!

Our newest cousin was taking care of a relative’s affairs after a death in the family. As part of those duties, he was cleaning out a shed in the back yard of a south Florida home. In the shed, he found a cabinet and in that cabinet were two boxes. In the boxes… dozens of photos and some old letters! I don’t know about you, but this is my genealogical fantasy!

He knows exactly who owned the photos and how they were most likely handed down through the generations. Hint: They are descendants of the only Edmund Leonard on the books, thus no confusion about the sixteen gazillion Williams, Isaacs, and Lots. And best of all, most of the photographs are labeled. My ancestors should’ve been so considerate.

Now. Consider this. Those photos and letters have survived, some of them for a century-and-a-half, despite a few decades’ exposure to south Florida humidity, rodents, bugs, and last but not least… hurricanes. Shouldn’t we all be digging around in sheds and basements and attics… before it’s too late?

Just a thought. Who knew?!

Cheers!
Rick