– WPBT2 hosts production at historic location; general public invited to watch tapings and get family history questions answered –
PBS and WPBT2 announced today that GENEALOGY ROADSHOW will tape a South Florida-based episode for the series’ third season on Sunday, November 1 at the HistoryMiami Museum, 101 Flagler Street in Miami, from 8:30 am to 6 pm. Pre-selected regional family stories will be highlighted during the taping, with the participants receiving answers to family mysteries and details about family histories fosr the first time on-camera. Members of the general public are invited to attend the taping, be part of the action, and have their own family history questions answered by genealogical experts available on site.
Part detective story, part emotional journey, GENEALOGY ROADSHOW combines history and science to uncover fascinating stories of diverse Americans. In preparation for the tapings, show producers sought South Florida residents who have (or believe they have) interesting or significant family stories. Their claims and questions were researched by a team of experts across the country who use genealogical knowledge, history and DNA results — as well as family heirlooms, letters, pictures, historical documents and other clues — to hunt down information and answers. In doing so, the team often finds unexpected links to the larger community histories, revealing the deep cultural and familial tapestries of the Miami region, and how they relate to the larger American story.
Past seasons of GENEALOGY ROADSHOW have featured participants who discovered that their families were instrumental in stopping segregation in the South, were Civil War heroes, or descended from the famous outlaws.
An area rich in diverse American history, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and the entire South Florida region boasts rich and varied histories. Colonized by early Spanish settlers and considered a major trade hub, South Florida is a mix of diverse cultures and rich Latin history that remains a worldwide destination for visitors today.
GENEALOGY ROADSHOW’s South Florida themed episode will be filmed before live audiences and will air on PBS next year as part of the show’s third season (additional details to be announced at a later date). Miami segments, featuring surprising and emotional reveals, will be filmed at the History Miami Museum on Sunday, November 1.
“WPBT2, South Florida PBS is very excited to be a part of Genealogy Roadshow’s third seasonWe can’t wait to discover what genealogy surprises are in store for some of our South Florida viewers,” said Max Duke, Vice President of Content and Community Partnerships at WPBT2. “As has been the case with some of the other major cities (St. Louis, Philadelphia and New Orleans) which Genealogy Roadshow has covered, we expect that some of our stories will also become part of America’s rich cultural tapestry.”
Funding for GENEALOGY ROADSHOW is provided by Ancestry. To learn more, visit ancestry.com
GENEALOGY ROADSHOW is produced by Krasnow Productions. President and owner Stuart Krasnow is a longtime television industry veteran, having worked for all of the country’s top broadcasters in news and entertainment, as well as at numerous cable networks as a creator and executive producer. Under his banner, Krasnow has developed and produced series in almost every genre of unscripted television for numerous broadcast and cable networks. The series is executive-produced by TV veteran Carlos Ortiz, who has produced mega-hits for almost every major network on television. He brings 20 years of development and producing experience to the table and returns to PBS for his third season on the series.
“The Genealogy Roadshow” has been a huge hit in Ireland, where national public broadcaster RTE commissioned this original format from producer Big Mountain Productions.
About Big Mountain Productions
Big Mountain originated the GENEALOGY ROADSHOW format, and recently aired its second hit season in Ireland on RTE Television. Run by husband-and-wife team Jane Kelly and Philip McGovern — who are former BBC/RTE executive producers — Big Mountain originates and produces television shows for national broadcasters, specializing in hybrid shows that combine great content and entertainment value, including The Tenements, Life in the Big House, Craftmaster, Living the Eviction and the music-mentoring show Jam. For more information: bigmountainproductions.com.
About PBS
PBS, with over 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches more than 103 million people through television and over 33 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
About WPBT2
South Florida’s premier public broadcaster, WPBT2, is a community-licensed, not-for-profit media enterprise serving communities from the Treasure Coast to the Florida Keys. WPBT2 provides high quality content from PBS, independent acquisitions and its own original productions. WPBT2’s digital media platform, offers: 2HD, a 24-hour high definition channel; Digital 2.2, Create, a cooking, arts & crafts, gardening, home improvement, and travel channel; World, a nonfiction documentary, science and news channel; Digital 2.3, V-me, a 24-hour national Spanish-language network and www.wpbt2.org, the WPBT2 website including the WPBT2 Video Player.
