In this episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, Melanie Chisholm, also known as Sporty Spice from the Spice Girls, looks into her family history. With success as both a member of a world-famous girl band and an award-winning solo artist, Melanie attributes her drive and resilience as contributing factors and wonders if these traits run in her family.
Beginning in Liverpool, where both sides of her family are from, Melanie uncovers interesting details about her great-grandmother, Mary Bilsborough. She learns that Mary had multiple marriages and illegitimate children, and was also a moneylender, a surprising occupation for a woman of her time. Melanie discovers that Mary successfully obtained a moneylender’s license, which was uncommon for working-class women, and left a significant amount of money upon her death.
Intrigued by a family rumor of Irish heritage, Melanie investigates further with the help of genealogist Rachel Rick. They trace her great-great-grandfather, Patrick Flaherty, to Liverpool, but his father, also named Patrick, was born in Croom, County Limerick, Ireland. Melanie travels to Croom to delve into her Irish roots and discovers the challenges her ancestors faced during the Great Famine in the mid-19th century.
The population of rural Croom, including Melanie’s family, migrated to Limerick City and later to Liverpool in search of work and a better life. Melanie reflects on the resilience and strength of her ancestors, who endured hardships and found a way to thrive in a new city.
Switching her focus to her maternal side, Melanie explores her roots in Liverpool and makes a surprising discovery. Genealogist Rachel King reveals that her fourth great-grandfather, Thomas Keef, originally came from Devon. Thomas had a challenging start in life, becoming an orphan at a young age and growing up in a workhouse. However, he persevered and eventually worked his way up to become a manager in the insurance industry.
Unfortunately, Thomas faced embezzlement charges in 1860, and although he was cleared three years later, he lost his job. Melanie discovers that Thomas started over in Liverpool and became a campaigner for improving the lives and rights of working men.
As Melanie reflects on her journey, she feels a strong connection to Liverpool, seeing it as a place of new beginnings and reinvention for her family. She also recognises a legacy of determination, hard work, and ambition, traits that she hopes she shares with her ancestors.
Who Do You Think You Are?: Melanie Chisholm airs on BBC One on Thursday, 29 August 2024 at 9:00 pm.
