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James became involved with the programme as a researcher looking into temperance life assurance 鈥� the chosen career of Melanie鈥檚 great-great-great-great grandfather, Thomas Daniel O鈥橩eefe.

Dr Kneale's role involved providing context and insights into O鈥橩eefe鈥檚 life, especially his work in temperance and life assurance.聽

鈥淏efore filming I looked through some of my notes and archive photographs and found material on Thomas鈥檚 involvement in temperance and in life assurance,鈥� James explains, helping to frame O鈥橩eefe鈥檚 story within a broader historical and geographical context.

鈥淔amily histories are always historical geographies too,鈥� he points out. His current research into temperance life assurance looks at how business histories can give valuable insights into the lives of ordinary people like O鈥橩eefe.聽

鈥淭homas was involved in Reform agitation campaigning for the widening of the franchise to working-class men,鈥� Dr Kneale explained. Connections like that can help link individual stories to larger social movements.

Of working with the former Spice Girl, he said how she was 鈥渧ery natural and down-to-earth, and quick on the uptake when presented with the documents that told the unfolding story of her ancestor鈥檚 life.鈥�

One memorable moment from the filming, which took place Bristol鈥檚 Central Library in Bristol, came when James showed her a microfilm copy of a key newspaper article.

It was the hands-on nature of the experience that Dr Kneale remembers best. 鈥淚t was nice to be able to show that there is more to historical research than simply opening a genealogy website,鈥� he explained.

A key point in the programme was the revelation of Thomas鈥檚 charge for embezzlement. After the initial shock, James told us, Melanie was glad to learn that her ancestor was cleared and the company that accused him went bankrupt.聽

鈥淚 think she had invested in the idea of Thomas as a good man, and was relieved that this was actually declared in court.鈥�

More information

• Visit Associate Professor聽James Kneale鈥檚 Academic Staff Profile
• Watch the Melanie鈥檚 episode of

Image:聽(c)聽BBC x Wall to Wall 鈥榃ho Do You Think You Are?鈥�