JK Rowling Discovers Family Legacy Is A Lie | Who Do You Think You Are
Вставка
- Опубліковано 18 чер 2024
- JK Rowling continues her research into her great-grandfather Louis. She visits the National Archives in Paris to discover how he won his Légion d’honneur medal, but is shocked to discover it's a case of mistaken identity and the supposed medal is actually a trade union badge!
🚨 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE 🔔 : bit.ly/WDYTYAyt
In a rare television appearance, best-selling Harry Potter author JK Rowling sets out to investigate her French roots. Jo has always been intrigued by her late mother's French ancestry, but knows very little about it. Beginning her journey in Edinburgh, Jo's search takes her from The Savoy in London, to once-bloody battlefields and the back streets of urban Paris. Jo is especially keen to find out more about her great grandfather, Louis Volant. She knows that he was awarded one of France's most prestigious medals, the Legion d'honneur, for his actions during World War One. Jo wants to find out exactly what he did to win the honour. The trail leads to a surprising and shocking discovery. Pushing back further into her family tree, Jo discovers an ancestor who triumphed against the odds, despite her inauspicious beginnings, and discovers how a war almost transformed her family's identity forever.
📺 All episodes of Who Do You Think You Are are now available on iPlayer bbc.in/3Wiqs9w📺 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson 👉 bit.ly/B0RlSJ0HNSON
📺 Academy Award-winning actress Olivia Colman 👉 bit.ly/0IiviaCoIman
📺 Chat show king Graham Norton 👉 bit.ly/GrahamN0rt0n
In each episode, one of Britain's best-loved celebrities traces their family tree to reveal the surprising, extraordinary and often moving stories of their ancestors. We publish new videos twice a week with the most memorable moments from the show. Subscribe now and click on the bell 🔔 to get notifications every time we upload a new video!
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER 👉 / wdytya_uk
CHECK OUT THE WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE WEBSITE 👉 bit.ly/WdytyaBBC - Розваги
The fact that he only had 15 days training & still took command of his men & held the line, despite the odds, makes his bravery all the more incredible. Many would have broke & ran after the officers had been slain. The truth is always better than the myth.
So well put.
Except, it evidently wasn't her great grandfather who did this.
@@dorasmith7875 watch the video
@@dorasmith7875 actually it was, the lie or mistake rather was this medal, he was awareded the highest medal at the time, but as a non officer it was the croix de guerre and not legion de honour. so other than forigners misidentifying a medal there was nothing "wrong" here
@@bokvarv1926 : Indeed, it was not a "lie" but a misunderstanding. The click-bait on this one is reprehensible.
Tears in my eyes watching this. I'm American and studied French since 7th grade, and love everything French and have been lucky to have gone to France 3x in my life, most recently in 2018 and staying with my very good friend's brother in France. (She grew up in Paris and became an American citizen 40 years ago...I stayed in Paris with her and his family for several weeks back in 1983) I am 60 this last year.
I love history, and I'm late to the JK Rowling fan club only seeing the films for the first time in 2014 and the second time just this past Nov & Dec. (I've bought a season pass to Universal so thought I should brush up)
But I greatly admire JK Rowling for her talent and convictions to stand up for what she believes in. I love history as well, and I am HAPPY for JK Rowling to have been able to find this wonderful story about her great-grandfather. 🤗♥️
Great surprise putting any doubts to bed, he really was a hero, and to accomplish that in those circumstances was even more amazing than winning the legion d’honneur.
Congratulations to JK Rowling on uncovering her great grandfather's heroic past and for receiving his awarded honor that, hopefully, will remain with her family and never be lost again.
it was a trade union badge and she lied and said the guy was a medal of honor winner basically,it's all a lie
@@Aaron-zu3xn And where do your accusations come from? Any facts to back them up? Please don't tell us what"you've heard." Tell us where you facts come from. I'm open to facts revealed, not hearsay.
@@d30gaijin Aaron is probably one of those lost souls wo have been attacking JK Rowling for speaking the truth,which the trendoid Woke trans people find so uncomfortable. That inherited spirit of bravery is strong in JK R.
@@Aaron-zu3xn Huh? She clearly said that this was the family story. They didn’t know what different medals looked like. She was given a duplicate Croix de Guerre.
Did you watch the whole thing?@@Aaron-zu3xn
So her grandfather did not get the medal awarded for anything, but the highest medal for bravery in combat.....I think her family story was not only true but very true
Aww giving her an actual medal is awesome. I too would much rather have the enlisted medal than the officer medal as well. He sounds amazing 🖤 he definitely would have been a Gryffindor lol
A great and touching story, and the medal shows how the French government and French people still honor the people from the past who fought so bravely for France.
In Scotland there's a book (in the war memorial in Edinburgh Castle) where everyone who's served in any of our armed forces since the first world war are listed - my (ex) boyfriend felt so proud when his name was added (he served over a decade with the Royal Scots but was added shortly after he finished his training). I naively thought most countries did this. Lol
Thank you J K Rowling ❤️ for everything.
That’s a wonderful testament to a very brave man and a lovely gesture to award the medal to his great granddaughter. Joanne comes across as a very genuine and caring person.
I love JK's keen eye for details. Glad she caught the discrepancy so she would know the truth about her most courageous great grandfather. God bless his soul 🙏
What a fascinating story !
At first it sounded like JK Rowlings family history was completely wrong.
Yet it finally showed as usual, that stories passed down and treasured in families are usualy correct. Its only the details that sometimes change as they are passed down and repeated through the generations. My own family had a similar story, and it too all proved to be true but even more spectacular than I could imagine.
Not really. I was told that an ancestor died at the Battle of Trenton (US Revolution) not true at all. Not only did he father his youngest child in 1804, his regiment was never even at the battle of Trenton.
@@rosameryrojas-delcerro1059
There are always exceptions, but though your ancestor wasn't at that battle, did you ever find out where he was instead ? It could have been even more interesting
@@johnbrereton5229 Yes, he was in a POW cap in Lancaster county PA. I have records from Marburg in Germany that prove not only that his regiment was never at or near Trenton, but in Lancaster county PA at that time. According to those records he also escaped (or was identified as being missing) the camp on May 8th 1778, and confirmed AWOL on June 13th (or 14th) 1778 . The story I was told was WAAAAY off because he was unmarried (16 years old when he left Germany as well) and had no children until around 1785-1786. The Battle of Trenton was on Christmas of 1776. Even if he had been at the Battle of Trenton (the records prove he was could not have been) he could certainly not have died there and then had a junkload of kids later, including my 4th great grandad in 1804. Usually accurate? No. that is the only "family story" that I was ever told that was even close to being true, the only part that was true was that he was a Hessian that came here during the US Revolution.
@@rosameryrojas-delcerro1059
Well, I'm sad to hear your discovery, but I did say these stories are 'Usualy' correct.
But yours is obviously one of the few that isn't.
That statement she made about bravery, there at the last, against all odds, that explains to me why she wote Harry Potter the way she did. Love it.
....and her family history of bravery means she is strong enough to withstand political "warfare" against human reason and mutual respect from people who have a career because of her gift of writing.
I discovered my family legacy was a lie. Then I found my real family legacy and it was soooo much better.
What an amazing discovery! What a wonderful piece of history! I am so happy Jo was able to clarify her great grandfather's past. Am I a fan of Ms. Rowling? ALWAYS!
Can I suggest a new heading? 'JK Rowling discovers truth about family legacy'. Your current heading is rather negative and disrespectful to Louis Valent.
Agree
Here here 🤘
Got me to click and learn their stories. I wouldn’t have been near as curious if it had been worded your way.
The name is Volant.
No it hasn't, if something is not true, it's a lie. She has read the truth & now she can say the truth. Stories passed down without proofs always get changed, people always will sugarcoat wrongs to fit narratives
Quite often we do find, as in this amazing case , that the truth is far more interesting and engaging than our 'Family Fables' if we only but just go search it out. Beautiful discovery for Joanne K Rowling
So wonderful she was given a replacement medal.
Possibly they never received the original one?
@@Dormices they did its in the file but the family lost it somehow.
I am in tears. This is extraordinary! Well done!
@@wewenang5167 It's not unheard of for soldiers to hide or get rid of reminders of the horrors of war. They might have risen to the occasion, but the trauma of it might well be something they'd prefer not be reminded of.
Replacement medal - Was that from some other man who was awarded it? These were not made in excess so I assume it must have been purchased on a secondary market, so it belonged to another.
Next to communication, another example of documentation being everything.
So much documentation is lost or was never created, and too often that which was documented by this or that person is error-ridden.
I have to say, I'm happy for her.
Nowadays with digital records we are in danger of loosing EVERYTHING. In 1000 years we will be a mystery to our furture generations.
Poignant to say the least. My grandfather wrote a postcard back to his mother every week he served in the British Army in WW1, most of it at the front. I have them all. 4 years. My grandmother's brother was killed on the 18th Sept 1918, no grave. Remembering them is so important, people who believed in duty and obligation. Not so much now.
So he was a hero after all, award or not
He got an award. La croix de guerre. The highest.
Her family history of bravery means she is strong enough to withstand political "warfare" against human reason and mutual respect from people who have a career because of her gift of writing.
Umm she stole the story from an American movie released in 1986. A lawsuit forced the true owners to share the profits and story with her after she stole it. A "gift" isn't stolen...Puhlease.
@@americanmeteoritefan9670 really? what was it called?
I don't know who is chopping onions, but STOP IT! As reitred mil, her reaction to her GGF's action and heroism made me choke up immediatley.
Brave man, sad he didn’t have his family in the end of his older age
Just because it's not the correct Louis doesn't mean he wasn't still a remarkable person and Hero.
Early records are notorious for getting dates wrong. In my own genealogy I've found ancestors with a mix of birth dates, most often a result of when a birth or death record was finally reported or recorded in different locations. For example, one's dates of birth might be confused with a baptism date, or maybe due to a census takers best guess at the age of a child, and sometimes it was recorded as being the date a record was received by the state indexing office (my own 2G grandmother's birth year was recorded anywhere from 1878 to 1885, but according to her baptism record, she was actually born in Oct 1879 A census taker in July 1880 recorded her birth year as 1880. But by 1900, her birth year was recorded as to 1882!).
My great grandmother was a year out on her birthday. She only found out when she applied for her pension and was told she was a year too early.
It wasn't always census takers that recorded birthrate wrong. In doing my family history, I traced one family member who lived in the same place for thirty years. I noticed a neighbor lady who between the 1900 census and the 1930 census aged 12 years. Since the information was given to the census taker by the householder they had no way of knowing she was fudging the truth.
I also saw in a newsletter I used to subscribe to. That a woman reported that her grandmother's birth certificate gave her birthrate as 16 or so days after the date that her grandmother had always celebrated her birthday. She was puzzled bur was going to make a note to amend the date on her family tree when she noticed that the town where her grandmother was born apparently had 15 or 16 babies born on the same day. Looking back through previous months she realized that the town doctor visited the county courthouse once a month or so to fill out or fill the Official birth certificates and apparently for convenience sake listed that date as the day all the town babies were born.
It doesn't help when a relative is the one who actively lied about the dates: my grandmother lied for her entire life about her birth date because she was five years older than my grandfather. She finally told me the actual year she was born, but even then, her wedding certificate, her baptismal certificate (done when she was in her 50s) and her headstone all disagree and none of them have the correct year! It's been fun putting some of her history together!
What a beast !
Brave common men such as these are what make a difference, turn back the tide.
Massive respect for who he was.
Why is someone peeling onions when I am watching this?
Kudos to JKR she faced the truth with honesty & integrity in mind🙏
This story made me realize that I should,and will do more to learn about my family from France.
Well, now we know why she chose the 31st of July for Harry’s birthday; it’s hers!😮
Cross of War with bronze star, she discovered her great grandfather was a decorated war hero, where is the lie from the title of the video?
Exactly. Hideous headline.
I shed a tear watching this. What a lovely history bit to learn.
JK Rowling is a wonderful lady. she is a friend of my uncle and when he was ill with cancer she helped him out... thank you
Well, as long as you're not a transperson.
I agree! As JK Rowling was too a fighter! I love HP! Always will, incredible life story! 🥰💜👵🏼🇺🇸🇬🇧
That was quite touching.
Wow. That was the most unexpected and thrilling story.
What a fantastic and highly emotional story. I'd like to add what a classy man Captain Ivanka (sp?) is. The kind & gentle way he spoke and clarified situations. And then the presentation of the medal. All class!!!
You're tracing your family history and your Aunt proudly gives you the very prestigious Legion d'honneur medal Great Grand Father received and you notice somethings a bit off......because....at 4:52.... you tell a military historian YOU were awarded the Legion d'honneur and you know what they look like. Went by so quickly I almost didn't catch it. Bravo JK Rowling...I'm impressed by your humility.
My great grandfather was an orphan at aged 5, his military documents vs. what we have are different year of birth. As a genealogist "official" documents can be wrong.
Wow!! Wonderful! Thanks 🙏🤗
My own great grandfather died in 1916 on the first day of the Somme. It adds a personal touch to this story. A horrible time.
My grandfather was injured in the Alsace Lorrain. He was tiny at 5'3", mild mannered and infinitely kind. He and 8 brothers were horse ranchers from Eastern Montana. His task was partly to take care of Harry Truman's horse, but he also ran messages between the front and commanding officers on horseback. On one of these missions a plane bore down on him and he was shot in the knee and also gassed. This sent him back home to Montana and he had a limp for the rest of his life. Even tho diminutive and calm, the raw courage in impossible moments is unimaginable. He was also a little older. Because Harry Truman became POTUS, his regimen is well documented. My grandfather can be found on the roster of soldiers as a private and that he was injured and gassed.
Such amazing beauty.....the buildings....the war was so horrible 😢 we have a vase from Egypt brought back by my Grandfather and an emerald ring from France. I don't know how they did what they did xx
This certainly is the beginning of a book or movie from her....
very moving..
The last few words are impactful and apply to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
Very touching ♥️
Joanne, I’m in awe of your incredible talents and generosity. And it seems this special trait runs in your family. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts with the rest of us. I cried along with you while you read the story of an uncommon man, of common birth who rose to insurmountable heights! Just like you!
That was MOST touching. I'm not crying .. you are. Thank you to that officer.
It looks like her great grandfather was indeed a Gryffindor…..
To think this poor man was buried ultimately in a common grave… heartbreaking!
All graves are the same. Dirt.
Researched my grandfather - was said to be half Indian but found he had at least 2 names & 2 social security numbers - plus a history of crime..
I miss this show being on tv in the USA. So much better than the one they show here where someone is handed a notebook
Very touching. Brave story!❤️
Great story
Oh that made me cry also bravo bravo
Now you understand the Harry Potter story....
Or the Neville Longbottom story
The title of this video is truly misleading. Unbecoming of this show
An amazing story.
Inspiring story
JK Should make a movie about him. Just like Hacksaw Ridge. I would pay to watch him.
Sounds like her Great-Grandfather was a Gryffindor.
I love you ma'am not matter how hard they try to cancel you 🤗
Merci de nous rappeler les sacrifices de ses hommes . C'est touchant .
I can tell this is going to be a very civil comments section
this is so cool, i hope my ancestors would be part of the incas royal family or at least pizarro
A heros tale within a heros tale. Disappointment, (He's no more than a waitor and reservist, then and now, staying the course no matter whatever the outcome is, (then in his heroic stand and JK in her commitment to finding the truth) Then Redemption for both, (then and now), greatest heroic epic ending. Fabulous, mundanely cleaning an oven(yikes) on this good Sunday, Listening to this I just couldn't stop welling up...💜
Can we just commend the soldier for giving her the correct award
I would love to see a movie made about those two men.
I love JKR.
Even better than expected! Louis was a hero.
La croix de guerre c'est la classe absolue. Merci à Louis d'avoir défendu la patrie 🇫🇷
There could be a different date. I have noticed that the difference could be a Baptismal Certificate rather than a Birth Certificate. My father's Birth Certificate is dated 1921, yet his Baptismal Certificate is 1929.
Her obvious devotion to truth regardless of the result is also being displayed today.
Awesome retelling, in honor to a brave common man. Merci.
Its amazing how far and such kept documents can be traced back.
JK Rowling, long may you live and add to the female fabric of humanity.
i hope that miss rowling writes a story of this man
Why are they handling these old papers without gloves? That is bad practice for protecting the longevity of the documents.
@@dranet47 Good to know and makes sense.
i like J.K.Rowling
If they followed her fathers family his moms family comes from Eastern Hertfordshire.
It's so nice to retrieve your history
That's what happens when you rewrite history, you lose knowledge about the past. The truth is hidden if not lost.
It made me cry, just to think of all those soldiers right now.
Magnificent story! A history to be proud of. God bless.
I would loveeeeeeeee to do this 🤩🤩 SO COOL
😢 crying at this - he was truly a hero. “Bravery against the odds”, indeed!
she spoke french?
Reads it definitely lol i know she has a degree in greek/roman mythology and folklore?? Icr, ill have to look it up again... its something like that lol
She has a degree I French I think.
Believe she was a French teacher, is fluent in French. She has a degree in languages and lived in France for awhile.
She was teaching French before she found herself in the situation that led her to write Harry Potter. And no, her French isn't "excellent" (I'm French, by the way) or she wouldn't have needed this man to translate the word shell for her. Her pronunciation is okay compared to that of most English-speakers.
People forget a lot of records got destroyed and in Ireland people claimed Farms that weren't theirs but some guy who did own the farm died fighting for freedom in a foreign country. Also of Note the Records for Northern Ireland were sent to Dublin were they were burned very handy.
Kudos though to the Irish government who have provided a lot of funds to try and digitally reproduce the damaged records from other surviving record sources. From what I hear, it's been quite successful.
I salut this amazing man
Dear lady iam so glad you found out the truth but what the French Captain did not tell you is that the meadle your Grandfather got has two sides one is for a unite that fights with bravery and also a single soldiers action the difference is the unit citation is given to a unit that has mostle been wiped out or 90 percent but here's the bigger shock for you the qua der gurr is the equivalent to the VC as it is given for valour in the face of an enemy my unit won there's in the spring offensive of 1918 where they were over run only two horse drivers survived out of four hundred men
Croix de Guerre
How amazing!! There are secrets unearthed, good and bad, when you decide to honor your ancestors and research them! Congratulations JK!
I have nothing but love and admiration for this amazing woman 💙 she's also brave against all odds. I guess we now know where she got it from 😊❤️
A brave man. There is also a family resemblance, I think.
Home Secretary as only one belief ,keep the UK 🇬🇧, Safe , and I believe, the HOME SECRETARY as done this .and will continue to do this unforgiving job .. .
Brave hearts
JK Rowling seems so educated. Most people get on and say, "Oh wow," to evidence, whereas Rowling is pointing out discrepancies and reading French.
Seriously??? Blurring out old footage of battle?
She reminds me of Samantha Bee.
Samantha wouldn’t speak to her
he was for sure a very very brave man.. Maybe he didnt got any medal.. But he for sure have..
J.K. comes from very brave people: salt of the earth!🇨🇵🌎
my mother's maiden name has less than 130k people in the world with it, my father's last name has less than 175k people in the world with it. with such a very uncommon name it's relatively easier to trace family lineage back.
Very true. I dont think i have ever come across the surnames Uncertainty or Workshop! 🤣