Family Footsteps

Gavin Andrews leads the Smyths, an Ulster-Scots family from Bangor, on a genealogical detective trail as they piece together their family tree and discover fascinating insights into the lives of their family members in the 18th and 19th centuries. It's an adventure packed with surprises that ultimately leads to a connection with a notorious historical figure. Episode 1 starts with a boat trip for the Smyth family as they cross Belfast Lough from Bangor to Carrickfergus, where Peter's family lived for generations. Their first big discovery is that the former family home is now a tanning parlour! The trail leads them to Belfast's industrial past where they discover some relatives who became big shots in a very big business - linen. Going further back, they find out about other business interests which took this adventurous family overseas. Their next family footstep takes them all the way to the majestic St Petersburg in Russia, where it's revealed one of their ancestors, Robert, ran a prestigious bookshop. Amongst his customers were Russia's literary elite, including author Vladimir Nabokov. This leads to revelations of royal connections for the Smyth family – Robert’s sister, Lizzie, who became a trusted retainer for Nabokov's aunt, a famous Princess. The Smyths feel it's all a long way from Bangor!

The Smyths discover another family member operating in St Petersburg in the early 20th century. Ralph, brother of Robert and Lizzie, was ostensibly a businessman, but evidence points to him actually being a British spy! The Russian Revolution was to have devastating consequences for this branch of the family and sent them fleeing for their lives. Back home, Emily and Ruby take etiquette lessons to discover what life may have been like for a governess. A family will reveals a prized musical possession, and the family enjoy a Victorian-style sing-song. Finally they discover a connection to a New Zealand prime minister and a legal drama. The Smyth family story is never dull!

It transpires there’s another adventurer in the story of this Ulster-Scots family - this time a sea captain who survived a dramatic shipwreck and sailed around the world. In this final episode we travel back to 1711 and finally reveal family ties to a controversial woman, and a fascinating link to one of the most dramatic early chapters in the story of the Ulster-Scots! The family is traced back to a woman who was accused and convicted in a notorious trial. Found guilty of a scandalous crime, the family discover her fate. Although their family story is full of foreign adventure and travel, the Smyths discover in a dramatic final programme that the real danger was much closer to home.