Katherine Ryan wants to be English! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇨🇦 | Who Do You Think You Are? - BBC

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Watch the BBC first on iPlayer 👉 bbc.in/iPlayer-Home In this clip, Katherine visits her mum in Toronto to find out more about her side of the family. Following Toronto, she traces her ancestry back to Canada's most eastern province, Newfoundland.
Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan’s investigation of her family history leads her to a Methodist minister and his family in colonial Nova Scotia, cod traders in Newfoundland, and eventually to her English roots in Dorset.
Who Do You Think You Are is a series in which celebrities trace their ancestry, discovering secrets and surprises from their past.
Who Do You Think You Are? | Series 16 Episode 5 | BBC
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[@MisterItchy]

Oh my goodness! Katherine Ryan knocked on the door and a slightly older Katherine Ryan answered it!

[@aprilgosa5779]

Mister Itchy her grandma in the picture looks like Katherine in the face especially the noses are so cute

[@SurleyBlaine]

It's funny when she says she doesn't look like the Nan but on tv always jokes about plastic surgery she had.

[@Sourcoolness]

Yeah it's basically just chips and gravy with cheese curds right?

[@aspenrebel]

Yeah that's what I thought, they looked exactly alike. then I thought oh if the little girl grows up to look exactly like the 2, then there will be 3 of them.

[@catheriner999]

Hearing poutine called a "traditional Canadian dish" by the British narrator like it's something fancy or noble is hilarious.

[@JustMeInJapan]

Right? It’s the ultimate drinking food. But it is delicious!!

[@jcr-studios]

Right?! I’ve lived in Canada my entire life but never had poutine. #WestCoaster

[@maxisussex]

@@JustMeInJapan Is it traditionally eaten by drunk people?

[@stevenk9466]

My wife and I have traveled to Ontario many times from the States, a few of which were to see a CFL game. My wife did not want to see CFL, but she went reluctantly. That is, until she had poutine and Stella at BMO Field in Toronto and also at Tim Horton's Field in Hamilton. Now she wants to know when we're going to another CFL game...for the poutine, only!

[@MrTaktic121]

🤔 Cheesy chips and gravy,

[@nowantusername]

For some of the folks speaking poorly of Katherine because of her search to find English roots to impress her daughter... You all need to know that she is a comedian professionally and this thing about her daughter being so British is a part of her act.

[@millysantamaria3356]

Well she's not funny at all.

[@elsa.dacruz]

So she is doing comedy???? Please... She feels so inferior that she is not more English that was not an act. Lol

[@nowantusername]

@@millysantamaria3356 I've seen her on British chat shows. She can be funny but her delivery was definitely off in this clip. She's usually a bit more lively as well.

[@BigSeksi07]

Oooooh! Now I get it!

[@thearchitect2433]

My pp hard

[@UHDGamers-re2xj]

I think kathryn is both extremely funny and very beautiful. The fact she wanted to find English heritage to connect more with her daughter is extremely sweet.

[@nowthenzen]

The Ryan women look like doppelgangers of each other but each one at a different point in time.

[@roxychic367]

nowthenzen same for my Family line Ryan also from Tipperary

[@alrc]

I love the dynamic at 1:30 when Kathrine is already walking through the door and her mum says “cmon in” it’s just such a funny, universal mother/daughter relationship thing.

[@ronnie-lynn]

That’s pretty cool her ancestors dated back to Canada all the way into the 1700s my lineage to Canada is only in my lifetime and one of my parents lifetime.

[@morganl2633]

Idk why but this made me emotional. It was amazing seeing her track her ancestry back so far and visit the grave of her English relative. Love it!

[@shakes1026]

"Once upon a time, Tipperary" sums my moms side up completely

[@summbuddie9120]

Sums up 50% of me

[@shakes1026]

@@summbuddie9120 we're probs related lol 🤣

[@Justine-wn7vk]

My dad’s side 😂

[@bobsmith5441]

Great name Senan.

[@robertodonnell324]

@@shakes1026 U FROM TIPPERARY

[@IAmGadzooks]

ngl, as a Canadian I felt kind of emotional when her mother sang "I's the By". I had a feeling that it was coming, too. pretty sweet

[@scbtripwire]

"Toronto, Canada" sounds so weird when it comes from a fellow Canadian.

[@emilynahanee]

It’s because she pronounced the second ‘t’ in Toronto lol

[@scbtripwire]

@@emilynahanee That too!

[@jimmywest8684]

Churono, Canada.

[@joshandallo2170]

@@DownloadARevolt20 I find that Canadians, when outside Canada, will exclude the name of the province they live in. We have this (understandable) expectation that foreigners' knowledge of our country's geography is low (heck, it's not just Americans who don't seem to understand the sheer size of Canada; people think a trip from Toronto to Vancouver will take the weekend).

[@DaniHMcV]

Somehow, when I saw her relationship with her mother, I just knew she had a Newfoundland connection!! I’m a Newfoundlander and proud that she found a little piece of Newfoundland in her ancestry. :)

[@seanliamgo]

Her mom is stunning!

[@MegaBoilermaker]

Never Ever feel self conscious about being Canadian in the UK, many many of your countrymen have paid for our respect of your people.

[@rpm1796]

I've never felt self-conscious...I have always been made to feel like I'm home.

[@lb8141]

Her mom is sooo pretty!

[@ellenkarlsson9490]

I love her so much!!! 😍🤩 Her jokes about her daughter being extremely English (and a mini Tory) are hilarious. If you haven't seen her Netflix show or comedy specials, you are missing out.

[@lisacadogan]

In Ireland we have something very similar! Chips with curry or gravy and grated cheese on top! I always put vinegar on mine too yum!

[@Mishie146]

Same here in Cumbria, England! Chips cheese and gravy. I'm American, but seeing as I'm here, I've tried it and it is tasty! I have gathered that it is particular to Cumbria though, people from other counties don't seem to even want to try it. Their loss.

[@DaChaGee]

Would it be malt vinegar? White vinegar sounds horrible.

[@chromatilla]

@@DaChaGee malt vinegar and salt is amazing

[@nazm7528]

Same in Scotland, chips, gravy and cheese is a delicacy!

[@Alicia-vq8jg]

its so cute how her show is literally just her life (i assumed that but even the cute style and dogs)

[@y2k704]

as a Canadian poutine is one of our traditional food. great now I am craving it, thanks Katherine

[@thenobleandmightybeaver4411]

I put vinegar on my poutine as well. It freaks all my francophone friends out.

[@tharcisse7103]

It's funny how many times the cameramen have the door shut in their face whenever someone goes into their house on this show. Then, somehow, the cameraman is on the inside.

[@MsLinda165]

I remember that song from school days! good times! (child of 60's)

[@rich3316]

Katherine Ryan is such a lovely beautiful warm and Funny women, she always makes me laugh and with her English roots I'm so glad we have her with us 😀

[@demarcdegasol]

Richard Simkins funny is a huge stretch

[@curtmacquarrie]

@@demarcdegasol have you watched literally any of her work?

[@mrscary3105]

Katherine Ryan is great. I love her work.

[@GirlWthGlasses]

Wasn't hard to find my English roots since there's a whole place that my ancestors are from with our lastname on it. I'd like to visit the place in England one day.

[@ibookboyuk]

Yeah Katherine. That was awesome. I liked it very much.

[@annamcuthbert3993]

I am English but where ever your from be PROUD

[@barbara1904]

Anna Goodwin That sounds so patronizing. What if your Scottish?

[@annamcuthbert3993]

@@barbara1904 what i mean does not matter where you are from be proud was not meant to be patronising , in fact my great grandfather was Scottish and my late father law was too and have good friend who is

[@runningfromabear8354]

@@annamcuthbert3993 It's not nearly as serious as you're taking it. My Canadian kids tease me about being English. It would be funny if I had at least one Canadian ancestor to wave at them. Whatever country you're in, children of immigrants will always take the piss. Every immigrant parent knows it's just funny.

[@elephantsmemory3142]

Nationality is not something o be proud of it is simply an accident of birth Be proud of your own achievements

[@xHeadcleanerx]

Pride comes before a fall

[@MrShivBoom]

I'm fully Irish and my DNA told me I was 15% English. **eye twitch**

[@bobsmith5441]

The people on those two islands mixed for millennia.

[@cneeso5101]

Blow in? :)

[@nigelthorpe4002]

I'd prefer to be Canadian than English

[@nigelthorpe4002]

@Marc Phelan nobody's a pure blood where all mixed

[@DavidLee-vi8ds]

The horror! The horror!

[@gemmaluescher-verseckas1243]

My family is from Trinity Bay near Bonavista! But remember any of the family there had British passports TIL 1949-then they were automatically given Canadian passports. And I definitely grew up with the bonavista song so you are more English than you thought.

[@KCLeh]

my Mum and Dad and I used to dance around the living room to that song! Very Canadian, it is

[@Lady.B.ellinor4971]

Watch this whole episode its great!

[@roxychic367]

Haha once upon a time a Ryan was from Tipperary.. yep I hail from same story haha 😂 Mad movement of Ryans to Canadian and Melbourne Australia

[@sandram2600]

Poutine has never sounded so fancy

[@punchion]

When her relative was in Bonavista the island of Newfoundland was NOT a part of Canada. That didn't happen until 1949. Just fyi.

[@ChrisWMF]

Yew gonna wawsh the windahs? Lol

[@aprilgosa5779]

maa lin gun B as someone who grew up in Arkansas that was hysterical

[@newfienurse65]

"I'se The B'y" is not a 'Canadian song'... It's a traditional Newfoundland folk song from the late 1920's before Newfoundland & Labrador became a part of Canada (They were a British colony until joining Canada in 1949) That fact and that a majority of Newfoundlanders & Labradorians are of Irish/English/Scottish ancestry, I guess Katherine could say the song has English roots.

[@MrTheoptimiser]

mmm...i realize Newfoundland was late to the confederation party but this is splitting hairs doncha think? I realise Newfoundland is kind of its own beast within Canada but still....its Canada.

[@demarcdegasol]

Since Newfoundland is a part of canada, it’s Canadian. Very simple

[@caitlinhickey6]

DeMarc DeGasol We are always Newfoundlanders before we’re Canadians. We don’t forget about the fact that you guys only like to claim aspects of Newfoundland culture when you want too, completely disregarding or making a mockery of the rest. It’s a Newfoundland song.

[@TiemposDePaz]

In New Jersey, we have our own "poutine." Swap out the curds into Mozzerella, leave the gravy and call it disco fries. Why Disco fries? Because its what you order at 3 AM at a diner when the disco closed LOL

[@perseagratissima]

Why does the disco close so early? Is that normal in America?

[@TiemposDePaz]

@@perseagratissima It depends what city or state you are in and pre covid LOL. In Jersey it was 2AM, in NY its 4am. When I was growing up it was 6AM in NY, but they cut it back.

[@perseagratissima]

najaca Oh, that’s unfortunate! I’m in Austria and clubs usually are allowed to be open forever. Of course right now none of them are open because of corona.

[@eckligt]

I was over half way through the video when it started to dawn on me that it perhaps was not a comedy skit after all.

[@cosmicpuma1409]

Katherine Ryan rocks!!

[@frenchmime1972]

By watching this video of this person I never heard of until now, found out we are related.

[@marycorneau1859]

Kinda cool to think that Katherine and I may be related far far back maybe 26 cousins 4 times removed lol. She is one of my favorite comedians of all time. Btw Newfoundlanders pronounce it Newfinland with emphasis on the New. Also I have grown up singing Ise'The'Bye my whole life my mom would sing it while she cleaned the house.

[@iwakuraSanta]

She came across really well

[@crazyrobots6565]

I only knew the first verse of that song: I's the b'y that builds the boat I's the b'y that sails her I's the b'y that catches the fish And brings it home to Liza. I didn't know the rest of the song.

[@redcoat4ever]

Crazy Robots a canadian standard. Sung also by Great Big Sea

[@caitlinhickey6]

redcoat4ever You mean Newfoundland.

[@tillyfoss6370]

I lived in poole for ten years!!! That's crazy

[@paulbeades6681]

That’s great.

[@johnbrereton5229]

Chips cheese and gravy is also the national dish of the Ise of Man they even have a day named after it in January.

[@NessaK1981]

Katherine has roots in Newfoundland!!!!!!!! I love her so much more now!!!

[@mulkitahalik817]

U should be proud to be canadian

[@jellydonut1994]

I love that it's totally Smokes poutine!

[@zoestephens712]

I'm from Poole, Dorset so that was funny to hear 😅

[@andym9571]

Dooooorset

[@NewfieLawNerd]

The first time that i saw her comedy i knew that she had to be part Newfoundlander

[@MichaelFoley64]

I remember that song from my childhood, at least the first part, no mention of Bonavista. I'm thinking it was easy to localize it to wherever you were.

[@GuinessOriginal]

Michael Foley 4:10

[@newfienurse65]

There are several verses, Bonavista is mentioned in one of them.

[@bbearhug]

She's so beautiful!

[@kevinchappell3694]

I admire the English and their history, the good and the bad. every time I go to Britain, I am in awe of the buildings and the heritage. I like the accents and wording of the English language.

[@Thatgirl96.]

It's especially brilliant once you get out of London IMO

[@simonmc78]

Yeah as an Irish person we feel the same....NOT

[@keithrose6931]

@@simonmc78 Not a protestant then ?

[@siramea]

the bad bits are not to be admired. Britain is responsible for some really awful things in their past.

[@tomellis4324]

@@keithrose6931 There are Protestants in both parts of the island of Ireland who do fine you pillock.

[@reneemoreno8030]

English here and Native American...Matchum Family Society, architects-Elephant Theatre, London U.K. family originates from Devonshire.

[@Ryan-en4yh]

Ive got family the opposite way around and i have Canadian and American family but also german and polish

[@stuartwilliams7912]

Oh dear!You have my sympathies.

[@danielfinch362]

2:39 Hosier and Knight are both English names.

[@StiofanGaillimh]

Hosier sounds French? But does indeed appear to be English origin!

[@baylessnow]

Door set? It sounds like something you'd have on the front porch. Yes, I know where it is, I worked there when I was 17 but I've never heard it pronounced like that before.

[@pompeymik]

I love Catherine ❤️

[@patriciakeats1621]

I love my British and Irish Newfoundland heritage.

[@patriciakeats1621]

I wouldn’t describe it as my “Canadian” heritage...

[@patriciakeats1621]

Growing up in the 70s and 80’s, connection to Britain and Ireland was still very palpable in our everyday lives and traditions. Things have changed so much over the past 40 years...makes me a bit sad.

[@martinconnors5195]

When Katherine mentioned her Grandmother, i had a lump in my throat and My Maternal Grandmother's death hit me hard. Just a week after my Maternal Grandfather died

[@hollywhelan]

I think if you're a newfoundlander you know this song...cause everyone knows it but also you sing it in school too in a play lol! I'm 30 and I know this song aswell.

[@TheAmtwhite]

I learned it growing up in Ontario :)

[@truthhurts5158]

Oh I learnt that song in school

[@timmo491]

so does everyone.

[@moAkelly]

yo I’m Canadian and Its great to be Canadian, so idk why her daughter be like that, she should be proud

[@noavocadoanymore]

It's a joke. She is a comedian and her daughter is about 5. Calm down, bbz.

[@baokachi9767]

LOL the fisherman song.

[@DevinGates]

I's The B'y, an old traditional tune. Heard it loads of times growing up.

[@junbh2]

@@DevinGates Me too. I'm closer to Katherine's age than her mother's and I have heard it many many times as well. Though I don't know every word like her mom.

[@freshname]

People just don't get her act! It's so amazingly satirical!

[@aprilgosa5779]

but her wanting to be English was sincere and a compliment I wanna be too I love Great Britain 🥰

[@PaulFMillen]

Smokes pountine is awesome i recognise the box 😃

[@samspade5824]

Up Tipp!

[@phil-zz5hk]

good irish song at the end lol

[@StiofanGaillimh]

Sounds Irish lol

[@beatriceblocks600]

Her great grandmother and I share the same name.

[@mark3863]

I think Katherine is absolutely beautiful 😘

[@Susan.I]

Her Mom sings nicely!

[@Stand663]

My grandfather is Canadian with Scots heritage. He served in ww2. His grandfather also served in ww1, and his grandfather fought the French in Canada.

[@andyc997]

She’s soooooo beautiful and funny.

[@whocares-ss1kf]

Ryan.........there are millions of them in Tipperary

[@EK-ev3pt]

Very true...my Grandmother is a Ryan from Tipperary lol

[@seannolan8615]

@@EK-ev3pt .mine too, she was from nenagh.

[@Lynninterrace]

🇨🇦 👍

[@charlottebruce979]

Chips cheese and gravy it's great to see that the original north England staple diet emigrated with the English to Canada

[@rpm1796]

Along with the Breton & Norman sailors too.

[@windyhawthorn7387]

My great grandfather mother was a princess. I have a 100 year old embroidered piece of linen that grandma made of the family coat of Arms. And yes that fact is boring but real.

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

There's no denying her mom is her mom!

[@dahemac]

The island of Newfoundland is part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

[@John-rr9fv]

@T D Could be Pug

[@hippymama100]

White vinegar? Nooooooooo! Malt vinegar!

[@trishvanroggen2893]

Yes, I know that song very well! 🇨🇦. Lol

[@nikig2891]

I’m American but I feel the same way about Canadians.

[@moniquemacaulay8270]

Her grandmother looks like she could be related to Melody Thomas Scott!

[@SJ-zb7zr]

super show last night....she is naturally funny

[@PtolemyJones]

Wow, Katherine comes from lovely stock, mother and grandmother are also very pretty.

[@tbz1551]

PtolemyJones Classy ..smh

[@TheAaronChand]

All my ancestors were colonized by Katherine Brtishers Forefathers since India was a British Colony. In the 18th century by the East India trading company. Starting in 1753.

[@JenShea]

LOL we ALL knew that! How do you not? Even my 33 year old daughter knows it! And, I’m first generation Canadian, from England, LOL

[@a.mysticpearl4146]

Lol I'm 34 and I've known that song my entire life.

[@thebarefootwitch5564]

We have poutine in Scotland, but here we jyst call it “chips, cheese and gravy”

[@ShreyasBharadwaj]

Name of the place ‘Bonne Vista’ … Katherine: I didn’t think it would be this beautiful.

[@greyLeicester]

*Buena* vista

[@chankwaichoi1]

there is a grain of *TRUTH* in every joke

[@Nigel_Gardiner]

Of course she does! 😁

[@petersellers9219]

She makes me smile with her gravy and cheese

[@Rafiawinters]

She's so pretty

[@oMaGicKsv]

@M3rlin man that was desperate

[@oMaGicKsv]

@M3rlin your gonna make me cry

[@annmitchell4663]

Botoxed up To the eyeballs....lol

[@oMaGicKsv]

@M3rlin alright mr struggle, dont get all sassy about it 😂😂

[@kyivstuff]

I love Katherine’s Mom!

[@davidedwards3838]

Going the other way. When my family immigrated to Canada. I was told by the kids in my neighborhood that I wasn't a real Canadian on a daily basis.

[@rpm1796]

So?.... If I moved to Switzerland or New Zealand, who the ell' am I to expect that everyone should just automatically accept me as a Swiss or a KIWI? It's something you have to earn actually.👶💦

[@davidedwards3838]

@@rpm1796 I was a kid. I wasn't running around calling myself a Canadian. They went out of their way to let me know I wasn't. It doesn't bother me. I have lived here for 40 years now. So basically you are yapping for no reason.

[@MegaBoilermaker]

" Iys the Bye " I am the boy in Dorset dialect.

[@C.W.9.]

The Richey siblings grandkids married each other !

[@msdenise1234567]

aha, so her Netflix series is largely her actual life

[@breadfan_85]

Loosely based on.