Who Do You Think You Are? - Ruth Madeley

Actress Ruth Madeley’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? aired last Thursday, bringing us back from our sports-related break.

Was it worth the wait? Yes!

This episode was amazing.

Ruth and her father are clearly both big characters — something that, in and of itself, would make this episode entertaining.

On top of that, though, we have the utterly compelling story of Ruth’s grandmother — her father’s mother — who no-one in the family knew was adopted until the researchers at Who Do You Think You Are? became involved.

So, that bombshell well and truly detonated at the very start of the episode, we follow Ruth as she tries to learn just what the hell was going on with both her biological and adopted ancestors. And… wow.

Firstly — turns out some of Ruth’s family are not Northern (*gasps*), they are, in fact, from London!

But aside from that world-shifting news, what Ruth found was… poverty. And lots of it. On all sides.

More specifically, she found the workhouse, and the stories of working-class women faced with impossible choices, and willing themselves and their children to brighter futures.

There is one last twist which I won’t spoil here — it’s best experienced by watching the episode, and I’ll leave you to do so. Enjoy!

Ready to start your own family history journey?

I offer a range of professional genealogy services, check out my website for more details.