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Follow Friday- Who Do You Think You Are?

On March 5th Who Do You Think You Are? will premier on NBC. The genea-bloggers were a buzz yesterday getting the news out to everyone. So much so, that I contemplated whether I needed to even write this post today. As it is probably old news.

However, I am so excited, I needed to share. Why is this so important to the genealogy community? First, because it will shine a spotlight on genealogy and the world, finally North America will come to see why we love it (genealogy) so much.

Secondly, it will encourage more people to become engaged in the love of genealogy. The more the industry grows the more wonderful things happen, people join databases, which in turn brings more resources to these companies, to bring more records online and we all win. Why do I think that will happen? NBC has collaborated with Ancestry.com to make this show happen. A very smart move for both companies.

Therefore, we will be counting down the days to March 5th, popcorn in hand, don’t call me because I won’t be answering the phone, and on March 6th, follow me here at The Armchair Genealogist for the reviews, and join the discussion on each episode. I know I can count on the genealogy community to make some noise and lead the way.

Here is the statement from NBC, I will keep you posted on new details as they are released.

Some of today's most-beloved and iconic celebrities including Lisa Kudrow, Sarah Jessica Parker and Susan Sarandon are set to star in NBC's new alternative series "Who Do You Think You Are?"

From executive producer Kudrow ("Friends," "The Comeback") in conjunction with her production company Is or Isn't Entertainment and the U.K.'s Wall to Wall productions, the series - an adaptation of the award-winning hit British television documentary series - will lead celebrities on a journey of self-discovery as they unearth their family trees that reveal surprising, inspiring and even tragic stories that often are linked to crucial events in American history.

Additional celebrity names will be announced shortly.

The announcement was made today by Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

"No other program gives this unique glimpse into the personal lives of celebrities or takes viewers on a quantum leap through history in such an entertaining way," said Telegdy. "We are thrilled to have Lisa, Susan and Sarah Jessica kick off this groundbreaking series."

"This show personalizes history and turns it into a gripping narrative," said Kudrow. The most striking thing about the show is the realization of how connected we all are."

Each episode will take viewers on an emotional, personal - and often mysterious - quest following one of America's best-known celebrities into his or her past, sharing the celebrity's surprise as they uncover stories of heroism and tragedy, love and betrayal, secrets and intrigue that lie at the heart of their family history.

At the same time, the series celebrates the twists and turns of a developing great nation and the people who made their way here in search of freedom and opportunity. As each one discovers their unknown relatives - most of whom overcame hard times - the show will take the audience back into world history to expose how the lives of everyone's collective ancestors' have shaped today's world.