Esther Rantzen

[Guy]

What a refreshing change, a good story with no "amateur dramatics from professional actors". ;)
I hope this bodes well for the future and the rest of the series follows the family history theme.
Well done.
Cheers
Guy

[FamilyHistoryAddict]

I'd have liked to have known if it was just Jewish men that had to do 25 years military service or all men? That was puzzling!

Have to say I was pleased to see Roger Appleby featured on the programme (he of the Police Museum). Roger helped yours truly back in 2004 when I first tried to discover more about my Coldstream Guardsman/City of London Policeman (Crimean War DCM Medal Winner) and very helpful Roger was too. [image]http://forum.yourfamilytreemag.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/image]

I found the bit about the Diamond chap very interesting. Blimey! The Rantzens must have thought their ships had well and truly come in thanks to their relative's good fortune in South Africa.

It probably wasn't the best of the series but had its entertaining and interesting moments. There seemed to be a lot of unanswered questions.

I can't believe the Leverson chap got back into Great Britain and no one caught on that he had a fraud case hanging over him [image]http://forum.yourfamilytreemag.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/image] or did they just turn a blind eye? [image]http://forum.yourfamilytreemag.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/image]

Cheers, FHA

[Guy]

The 25 year military service, plus the additional 6 years for Jewish Cantonists (minors) was only directed against the Jews.
Nicholas I regarded the Jewish people as an injurious element which ought to be combated. The 25 year military service was the means to that end a way to indoctrinate them.
Boys (young men between the ages of 12 and 25) would be taken and alienated from the faith and native tongue, habits and customs. The barracks were to serve as schools or factories to produce a new generation of de-Judaized Jews who were completely Russianised and if possible Christianised.
Cheers
Guy

[Jtyner]

i would like to know about Esther ratzens maternal grandmother's ancestors her maternal grandmother was millie meyer who married mr Leverson. i have Jewish Meyer relations and i wonder am i related to esther?
can anyone tell me who millie meyer's parents and grandparents are?
john

[Guy]

This does not specifically answer your question but may provide interesting links.
A thread on another forum suggested this link for Esther's family tree
http://tinyurl.com/5h368q

Cheers
Guy[b]
[/b]

[Baggybooks]

Well, I have to say that was a fascinating article.

Thank you for posting the link.

Helen

[Editor]

Esther Rantzen is writing an article for our January issue on her experience of doing Who Do You Think You Are? and a few new links that have been thrown up since the programme aired.

Sarah