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TV Shows 

The ever-increasing popularity of genealogy-themed TV shows is making all genealogist out there giddy. These are our favourites:

Finding Your Roots is hosted by Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. and airs on PBS. Each episode looks into the ancestors of a celebrity, where they are presented with a “Book of Life”. Some past seasons are available for viewing on the PBS website, but only to American-based audiences. All episodes are available on YouTube (for purchase individually or with a season pass), or on Amazon (as a DVD or for viewing on Amazon Prime Video). Our favourite episode? The one featuring Questlove.

Who Do You Think You Are? (UK version) first aired on BBC in 2004. Episodes feature a celebrity who traces their family tree with the help of professional genealogists. Over 10 international spinoffs have been created in the following countries:  Australia, Canada (including a separate spinoff for Québec), Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Sweden and the United States. All past episodes are available for viewing on the BBC website for free, and the most recent season is also available on YouTube free of charge.

Who Do You Think You Are? (US version) first aired in 2010 on NBC, then moved to TLC, before returning again to NBC in 2018. All seasons are also available for purchase on Amazon as a DVD or for viewing on Amazon Prime Video. U.S. viewers can watch the show on fuboTV, Spectrum On Demand, Discovery+ Amazon Channel or buy it as download on Apple iTunes, Google Play Movies, Vudu, Amazon Video.

The Genetic Detective is one the newest shows to feature on this list. It stars genetic genealogist CeCe Moore as she uses her unique DNA research skills to transform the face of crime solving, especially with cold cases. The show is currently airing on U.S.-based ABC, and on CTV in Canada. Past episodes are available on ABC’s website for American-based audiences, and on CTV for Canadian-based audiences.

Long Lost Family is hosted by Lisa Joyner and Chris Jacobs, and has been airing on TLC since 2016. Themselves adoptees, the show’s hosts help other adoptees to reunite with long-lost family members. Some past episodes are available for viewing on the TLC website, but you are required to sign in using a U.S. TV provider login. All seasons are also available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video.

Relative Race, hosted on BYUtv, is an Amazing Race-style show where 4 teams of contestants race around the U.S. to meet unknown relatives (discovered by DNA) and hopefully get to the finish line first. All episodes are available for viewing on the BYUtv website for free.

Ancestors, another series from BYUtv, features 23 episodes exploring genealogy around the world. All episodes are available for viewing on the BYUtv website for free.

The Generations Project, another series from BYUtv, follows everyday people trying to solve family mysteries. All episodes are available for viewing on the BYUtv website for free.

Genealogy Roadshow is another PBS series with an “Antiques Roadshow” feel. Genealogy experts answer family history questions and the “antiques” shown are family relics, old documents and photos. Past seasons are available for viewing on the PBS website, but only to American-based audiences. All seasons are also available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video.

Roots Less Traveled airs on NBC and is aimed at a younger audience. Participating family members travel together to discover their family history. Past episodes are available on NBC’s website for American-based audiences only.

A New Leaf, hosted on NBC by Daisy Fuentes, focuses on ordinary people on a quest for self-discovery through genealogy and DNA. Only one season was produced; it’s unclear whether the show will return. Past episodes aren’t currently available.

Who Do You Think You Are? (Canadian version) unfortunately only produced one season that aired on CBC. The episodes are not currently available on the network.

Ancestors in the Attic, presented on History Television, was a genealogy TV show that took Canadian participants on a search for their ancestors. Past episodes aren’t currently available.

Qui êtes-vous? was the Québec version of Who Do You Think You Are?, and only aired one season on ICI Radio-Canada. Past episodes are not currently available on the network.