3 Must-Watch Genealogy-Related Movies and Documentaries

A movie projector

Genealogy research can be a fascinating  hobby. This isn’t only because it’s a lot of fun, but also because it can make you feel closer to your ancestors and heritage.

Today, thanks in part to some amazing genealogy-related movies, many people are showing greater interest in genealogical research, with many even inspired to build their family trees!

 

So, if you’re a movie buff and also a genealogy enthusiast, here are a few movies you should definitely check out:

 

Birthplace (2013)

Birthplace is a masterpiece when it comes to genealogy-related art. It’s a documentary created by Francesco Paciocco and it’s based on his own ancestral home in Italy.

 

Made in a small beautiful town called Vacri, in Italy, the documentary stresses the importance of recognizing and remembering one’s roots. It basically talks about how our identities are shaped by our origins and that no matter where we’re headed, our future is often influencedby our past and birthplaces, or by those of our ancestors.

 

The movie also highlights the effects of societal events such as globalization and emigration, while keeping Vacri as a case study.

 

It’s definitely a movie that will make you reflect on your own connection to your birthplace.

 

August: Osage County (2013)

Unlike Birthplace, August: Osage County focuses on family roots and relationships.

 

The movie has been adapted from an award-winning play and has a star-studded cast that includes Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Benedict Cumberbatch, and quite a few other notable names from Hollywood.

 

The soul-touching movie follows the story of a dysfunctional family coming together for the funeral services of the patriarch. In particular, the movie highlights the strong-willed women of the family and stresses the fact that you always remain connected to your roots despite the physical distance life puts between you and your blood relatives.

 

The movie is dark, but relatable and bound to leave you thinking..

 

Children of the Inquisition (2019)

Children of the Inquisition is more than just a movie—it’s an entire journey through history, which was shot over the span of 6 years, in 12 different cities around the world.

 

The movie basically addresses a situation that occurred  500 years ago during the Portuguese and Spanish Inquisitions.  Many Jewish families had to choose between converting to Catholicism or fleeing.

 

The movie is set in the present day and follows the journeys of the descendants of those families as they explore their roots and unearth the perilous history of their ancestors.

 

Besides these movies, you can also check out “The Golden State Killer: It’s Not Over” if you’re into true crime and forensic genetic genealogy. It’s a TV show and it follows the investigation of the Golden State Killer—definitely worth watching if you followed the original case.

 

And in case all these movies about genealogy make you want online family history dna analysisget in touch with us at DavisDNA & Family Research.

 

We can help you get started with our traditional genealogy services and genetic  genealogy services!