Legend Seekers: a Pilot for a New TV Series

The following was written by Legend Seekers:

Watch for the first TV series dedicated to the genealogy of ordinary everyday people -- like you!

Legend Seekers preview episode THE LIVELY FAMILY MASSACRE will begin airing on public television in select local markets starting with WFYI-TV Indianapolis, Thursday, March 26th at 9:30pm. See the episode trailer at: www.Legendseekers.com/media.html

Filming for the historical reenactment scenes was done on location at Indiana's own Connor Prairie in Fishers, IN.

Bloomington, IN schedule to be announced.  Check website often starting in mid-March for a complete listing of listings and markets.

Legend Seekers... the sagas of real American families
www.legendseekers.com

The following is offered as background information:

We are very happy to announce that several independent public television stations across the country have agreed to air this episode to help us engage the vast audience interested in genealogy and create interest in sponsorship to fulfill a 13 episode series.   WFYI in Indianapolis will be broadcasting the program on March 26th at 9:30pm... in the weeks following, the program will air in Bloomington, IN; all of Southern Illinois, and is under consideration for air in parts of Nebraska, Michigan and Maryland.

The Lively Family Massacre episode is a freestanding half-hour documentary that has already garnered awards in the form of two 2008 Telly Awards, and high praise from leading industry professionals.   Some have referred to the show as THIS OLD HOUSE for GENEALOGY

Here's what noted genealogist, Tony Burroughs says:

"The most compelling thing about Legend Seekers is that it deals with everyday, ordinary people and the stories they have heard that have been passed down from generation to generation."

(Tony has appeared on the PBS series African American Lives, CBS Sunday Morning, CBS News, ABC World News Tonight, BET Nightly News, and the Discovery Channel)

The pilot is for a new weekly TV series called LEGEND SEEKERS ... the sagas of real American Families.

The series is about everyday ordinary people who have legendary family stories, and the process to authenticate, discover and reenact these legends.  Through travel, research, and genealogy, we introduce fascinating experts and cutting-edge science (DNA, archivists, historians, satellite imagery, ground penetrating radar, etc.) to engage the audience along this journey.  It's a unique cross between a "how-to" reality program and historic documentary that is designed to engage the estimated 100 million people in America interested in exploring their ancestry/genealogy -- now the most popular hobby in the world.

The pilot episode is a mini-documentary that traces the family legend of Southern Illinois resident Pam Frazer.  Our host, Madonna Davis, who is a genealogist and a Daughter of the American Revolution, helps trace Pam's direct connection to some of the first white settlers to arrive in Southern Illinois in 1813.  During the search she uncovers a handwritten letter addressed to William Clark (of Lewis and Clark fame) mentioning Pam's ancestors by name, and 200 year old graves of her ancestors - the Livelys -- who were massacred by a group of American Indians.  The story features research, genealogy, interviews with experts, and a historic reenactment of the pioneer family and the massacre.

Production is by Frank Haney, Ken J. Marks, and crew who collectively hold 9 regional Emmys and significant US network and national cable credits.  Frank Haney has recently worked on long-form documentaries in Western Kenya, and Grenada  as well  - the Grammy-nominated Brian Wilson Smile performance DVD. He  also produced or directed for 15 different one hour documentaries for the History Channel and A&E.

PGP film & television productions
www.legendseekers.org