Second Ancestors Series to Air

The second Ancestors series, aimed at helping amateur genealogists improve their family history research skills, will air 13 episodes of instruction and personal experience on the Public Broadcasting System throughout the United States from June 2000 to May 2004.

“The first series was the most widely carried series on PBS, with several million viewers,” said Diena Simmons of KBYU-TV. Produced by Wisteria Pictures Inc. and KBYU, the second Ancestors series will focus on the importance of records—cemetery, census, military, newspapers, probate, and immigration—in learning more about our ancestors’ lives.

The 13 half-hour episodes, shot on location around the world, will run on every PBS station. The episodes will be available on video and can be ordered on-line at www.kbyu.org/ancestors or by calling 1-800-758-0846 in the U.S. and Canada.

“The amount of solid information that has become available for the public with this series and the new instructional guidebook that teaches the family history research process is very exciting to us,” said Ms. Simmons. The guidebook teaches a step-by-step approach to the vast genealogical resources now available. The guidebook is priced at $19.95 U.S. Two instructional resource videos are available by order from their Web site or from select local bookstores for $39.95 U.S.

The Ancestors Web site provides U.S. visitors with a state-by-state guide for resources, local broadcast information, links to related sites, a free teacher’s guide on-line, and free downloadable genealogical forms.

The Ancestors television series teaches viewers about family history. (Courtesy of KBYU-TV.)