BBC’s White Heat an intriguing look at family and social history we can all r elate to… Family history and lineage does not tell us much about the nature of the relationships and the essence of what made us ‘Who We Are’ Nature or nuture the debates have raged on for decades…

In this quite compelling drama (see link above for latest episode on BBC iPlayer) you can catch a glimpse and maybe the odd intriguing family insight, that spans, multiple generations and leaps beyond it’s specific historic period and context. White Heat is a microcosm of the history of the family and the roots of modern and multi-ethnic Britain…

Now realising that is quite a claim, here are a few connections and examples we have found some resonance with over the last few weeks the series has been running;

• The Viscount, his father and his son rebelling and trying to make and establish his own way in the world, selfishly drawing on the family assets whilst constantly kicking out and against the hand that feeds. It is not difficult to spot that one (but part of an ongoing look at Father’s and their son’s, mothers and their daughters) that you will see here and in Intriguing Families posts on Intriguing History will build on this strand of thought and and related resources. See our Posts on the line of Sir Robert Peel’s and Prime Minister and their fathers as a starting point.
• Social ramifications of multi-racial society, the Irish troubles and how it impacted on families (reflections through history of religious and political persecution.) The echoes of empire resonate in ‘Who We Are’ today as recently articulated in the Jeremy Paxman Series on Empire.
• The artist not taken seriously as a profession. The Gay doctor and the difficulties and struggles for basic equality. The impact of divorce and the lack of care and support for Charlie’s mother suffering from a breakdown and long term mental health.

How can this help us with our history projects? If we can find these common strands, struggles and challenges of family life through the ages, we can see if we can gain some new insights and understand more about our family trees, the places and world in which our ancestors and recent relatives lived. Have we evolved or are we really not moving forward and what can we learn from any patterns that may emerge?

Starting with Prime Ministers and their Intriguing Families over time,let’s see what we can unravel…. Are our politicians today any different from the sons of Viscounts that proceeded them? What happened when the Industrial Barons took over, did anything really change in power and politics? Where are we now? Has the privilege of the aristocratic and industrial barons been replaced with sons and daughters of the educated elite? We are not looking to justify any particular political argument but more understand in our first look at Intriguing Families ‘What makes a Prime Minister?’ as a reflection on all our lives and families and who we all are today…

In White Heat, the rebellious but reforming Jack is faced as his father’s power fades with a telling quote as he realises his son’s arduous and disruptive rebellion has all been because Jack could not define his own life by inherited succession. “Success is not Succession.” We still have a House of Lords as our 2nd chamber, the parties have done nothing to substantially reform that system. Whats the social demographic profile of MPS today and how does it compare back 50, 100 to 200 years…

White Heat with a mirror held up to the quite recent past has shed some light and started us thinking about some patterns and connections we can explore further…But in your research, projects and families what have you found and what do you think? Did White Heat make you think about your project and your family History?