Tom Bergeron explores his French Canadian roots on WDYTYA? tonight

Tonight’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? is one many Canadians, especially those with Quebec ancestry, have anticipated. And I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it airs in Canada.

In this episode, TV host Tom Bergeron sets out to unravel the murky history of his paternal roots. Tracing back over 400 years, he uncovers the dramatic story of his 10x great-grandparents, who endured brutal warfare and starvation in France. Then Mr. Bergeron follows their daughter, who was orphaned as a teenager and bravely set off across the Atlantic, playing a significant role in establishing the New World.

Filmed two months ago, a good third of the program takes place in Quebec. While in Quebec City, Mr. Bergeron appears on camera with two experts, one from the city who is well-known in the French Canadian genealogy world, and one who was flown in from a western American state.

Teaser
Although I cannot reveal what Mr. Bergeron discovers while in Quebec, I can tell you it is something many Canadian genealogists with French Canadian ancestry covet.

Tom Bergeron, seen walking in front of the National Assembly in Quebec City, learns about his family history in France and Quebec on WDYTYA?. Photo: TLC.

Tom Bergeron, seen walking in front of the National Assembly in Quebec City, learns about his family history in France and Quebec on WDYTYA?. Photo: TLC.

Mr. Bergeron visits the Portsmouth Public Library where he lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; La Rochelle, France; the Quebec Archives and the Notre-Dame Basilica in Quebec City; and Île d’Orléans, Quebec.

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6 Responses to Tom Bergeron explores his French Canadian roots on WDYTYA? tonight

  1. James Blaine says:

    He should have visited the American Canadian Genealogical Society on Elm St. in Manchester,NH an hour from his home and which has all of the French Canadian records. Have my fingers crossed as well but won’t get my hopes up 🙂 This will be the best episode this season. Can’t wait.

    • Gail Dever says:

      No matter what, I think we will all enjoy this episode. Wait until you hear the Canadians complain about one particular thing when he visits Quebec City. I can already hear their comments.

  2. Angela Money says:

    I also have Bergeron’s in my family tree. I have conducted a great deal of French Canadian genealogical research but my Bergeron line is a bit of a brick wall currently. My 3rd great grandmother was Adeline Bergeron (1836) married 10 Jan 1854 to Joseph Racine (1833). I believe Adeline’s parents were Jean Baptist Bergeron and Marie (maiden name unknown). I have yet to trace them further back definitively. I used the Tanguay collection and found a Jean Baptist son of Antoine Bergeron and Marie Grenier but there is not enough information to confirm and of course Jean Baptist is a very common name. Hoping this program may shed light on a line I might be able to find a link to.

  3. Angela Money says:

    Oh this is great. I just reviewed my documents in this line and determined that there was an error. Adeline Bergeron appears to be the daughter of a Louis Bergeron and Marie Mace. Now to go back to the research with the correct information. Still eager to see this episode for possible further leads.

    • Angela Money says:

      Ugh, once again incorrect. It seems I have two different Adeline Bergeron’s because I have a baptismal record for Adeline whose parents were Louis and Marie but now I see on the marriage record for Adeline and Joseph Racine her parents are listed as Jean Baptiste Bergeron and Marie.

  4. Angela Money says:

    I did not get specific Bergeron line information from this episode of WDYTYA but I certainly took another look at my research because of it and made great headway, yay! I am also very proud to be the direct descendant of many Filles du Roi myself and thus episode truly brought that back for me!

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