I’ve never quite got round to watching a full episode of the BBC’s Who Do You Think Are? series but any bits I have glimpsed have been fascinating. I doubt my own family history would make such an interesting programme but recently I’ve been reminded of how those who have gone before shape who we are, even when we don’t realise it.

Growing up it was (and still is) a running joke in my family that I am my father’s daughter and my brother’s sister. My response would be to cry ‘But I’m a person in my own right!’

Recently I had reason to be back in deepest, darkest Tyrone home to my family roots. Unbeknown to me at the time I was surrounded by distant family. One lady was keen to tell me that her daughter had married my dad’s cousin’s son.

Another cousin of my dad’s was there who really thought that my baby niece looked like her aunty (my granny) and as I’m told my niece looks a lot like me it follows that I look like my granny too.  She died when I was in P2 so I can’t really comment. This cousin also thought she saw something of my late uncle and late aunt in me too.

And there was general consensus that I was quite like my dad’s cousin’s daughter (my 2nd cousin? my 2nd cousin once removed? I’ve never quite worked that one out) but again as I’ve never met her I’ve no way of knowing.

Who do I think I am?  A mix of all those who have gone before, of people I have never met, of people completely unrelated who have shaped my life.

In the words of Orange I am who I am because of everyone.