Who Do You Think You Are?

Who Do You Think You Are? sends well known figures back through time to reconstruct the lives of their ancestors, using birth records, immigration documents, photographs and local experts to piece together family stories. Each episode follows a celebrity as researchers track down records, visit towns and meet relatives or local historians, uncovering personal surprises and social histories that shaped their family lines. The tone shifts between investigative work and intimate reflection, with moments of revelation and emotion as long-hidden facts about identity, migration and relationships come to light, without hinting at later twists or conclusions.

The series premiered in 2004 in the United Kingdom as a genealogy documentary format, presenting one featured subject per episode and pairing them with professional researchers. Its straightforward structure made it easy to adapt, leading to international versions and continued runs in several markets, while production relies on archival research, on-site filming and expert interviews.

Specific major award details are not provided here, though the format has been influential in factual television and acknowledged within industry circles. International adaptations and individual episodes have attracted attention in local television awards, but comprehensive listings of wins or high-profile nominations are not included in the supplied information.

The show had a noticeable cultural effect, turning celebrity family history into mainstream viewing and making genealogy a conversational topic. The title itself became shorthand when people talk about tracing ancestry, and the program helped spur wider public interest in family history resources, archives and DNA services, while encouraging other broadcasters to commission similar personal-history series.

Critical and audience reaction has been mixed to positive, reflected in a 6.7/10 average from 24 votes in the provided data. Reviewers often highlight the human stories and historical context, while some point out a repetitive episode structure. Recurring themes include identity, migration, class and memory, with emotional reunions and archival discovery forming the series core.