To learn more about Melissa Etheridge’s ancestor François Janis, who was featured during Sunday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, take a look at a five-page article published by the French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan in the January 2010 issue of its journal, Michigan’s Habitant Heritage.
The article, The François Janis Family of the Detroit River Region and the Nicolas Janis Family of Kaskaskia (Illinois) and Ste. Genevieve (Missouri): Another Example of Brothers Confused One for the Other, was written by Gail Moreau-DesHarnais.
Bit disappointing, eh?
After watching Sunday’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? with Melissa Etheridge, I was a bit disappointed. I thought the segment shot in Quebec City was going to be longer.
I had hoped to see more of the interior of the Quebec Archives building, not just a small room.
I had also looked forward to seeing one of the many knowledgeable historians and archivists in Quebec. Instead, Ms. Etheridge met an 18th-century French historian from the University of Oklahoma whose expertise appears to be about France, not New France (Quebec). While Professor Davis’ knowledge about France may be extensive, her presence in the program suggested the François Janis story would go back to France. It didn’t.
Will I watch the next season of Who Do You Think You Are? You bet.
Some how or other the US version of Who Do You Think You Are just doesn’t work as well as the UK version. It’s almost as if the featured celebrate is over acting – Some of them actually seem to gush about what they discover. I loved the Canadian ones and have watched lots of UK episodes on YouTube. US ones don’t always work that well. Melissa’s episode was interesting but, you are right. More about Quebec City with actual Quebec experts would have been more fun. It is such an interesting city and they just scratched the surface. Love your blog.
Thanks, Lynne. It was a shame they had to send Melissa Etheridge to Quebec City in January. I lived there for several years while attending university. January was not my favourite month to venture outdoors to attend class. Summer in Quebec City, on the other hand, is magical.