Melanie Chisholm certainly needs no introduction. As Sporty Spice—the energetic, sporty member of the Spice Girls—she rocketed to fame in the 1990s, becoming part of the biggest-selling girl band of all time. Known for her unmistakable voice and empowering persona, Chisholm’s influence has transcended pop music, becoming a cultural icon in her own right. However, her episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, reveals an intriguing, complex tale of her ancestors.

The Drive to Discover

“As I’ve got older, I’ve become more curious about what came before me. You know, why I’m this person. How did I end up like this?” Melanie admits early in the episode, reflecting on her working-class roots in Widnes, just outside of Liverpool. With a family that sprawls across the North of England and hints of Irish heritage, Melanie approaches her family history with a sense of excitement. She confesses, “I know virtually nothing beyond my grandparents. I do know there is an Irish connection, so I’m really intrigued to see where that began.”

That ambitious spirit—one that propelled her to stardom—is mirrored in her family’s history. As she sifts through family photos with her sister Emma, Melanie’s playful banter softens her serious enquiries about her family’s lineage. The photographs, rich with nostalgia, serve as a gateway into the lives of those who came before her.

Unearthing the Past

The transformation of the group’s fun memories into profound moments begins with a discovery about her great-grandmother, Mary Pillsbury. With the help of historian Rebecca Probert, Melanie examines records dating back over a century—housing census data reveals that Mary, a fish hawker by trade, lived in dismal conditions defined by poverty and hardship.

“Ten court,” Rebeccah explains, indicating the kind of housing that existed in Liverpool at the time. The living quarters, cramped and unsanitary, shed light on Mary’s resilience. She was more than just a humble trader; she was a woman grappling with society’s constraints, working hard to support her family.

What follows is a further revelation of complexity in Mary’s life, as Melanie unravels the tangled web of her ancestors’ relationships. Mary was first married to Joseph Nunnery, a soldier, who deserted her shortly after their wedding. Unable to live with such betrayal, Mary moved on, forming a relationship with Thomas Pillsbury, with whom she had nine children.

Empowered Women Through Generations

One of the most stirring sections of the episode centres around Mary’s career as a moneylender. Historian Pat Ayres emphasizes the significant role women played in this occupation during the early 20th century, something that strikes a chord with Melanie. “It’s interesting, you know, just thinking about some of my own traits. Like, why am I so determined or so driven, so independent? And it sounds like I come from a long line of these women.”

Ayres explains the harsh realities of moneylenders: “If you were engaged in the business that your great grandmother was engaged in, then you had to be really savvy on top of things. I mean, she’s probably a matriarch of the first order” Melanie’s admiration for Mary’s independence grows, yet she also grapples with the less savoury aspects of her great-grandmother’s profession.

“It’s interesting, you know, just thinking about some of my own traits,” Melanie confesses, realizing just how connected she is to her ancestors’ struggles and successes. The episode illustrates the link between Melanie’s determined spirit and the formidable women who came before her.

Irish Roots and Liverpool Connections

Continuing her exploration, Melanie shifts her focus to her family’s Irish connections. Following the trail of her great-great-grandparents, Patrick Flaherty and Catherine Byrnes, she learns that they hailed from County Limerick and made their way to Liverpool amidst the Great Famine of the mid-19th century.

This part of the episode highlights a significant period in history. Historian Katrina Crone elaborates on the severity of the famine, providing chilling details of loss, survival, and the great exodus of families seeking better prospects abroad. “Absolutely lost it all,” Melanie reflects, her empathy palpable as she envisions her ancestors navigating a landscape fraught with challenges.

Arriving at an old church in Kilmallock, Melanie stands at the original baptism site of her great-great-great-grandparents’ first child. The historical weight hits her hard; these ancestral grounds, once pulsing with life, now feel like echoes of a long-lost struggle.

“It just makes so much sense to how my grandmother and my great grandmother were so stoic and strong and resilient,” she says, her connection to her family’s journey deepening as she imagines the sacrifices made.

The Move to Liverpool

The saga continues as Melanie traces her family’s journey from rural Ireland to bustling Liverpool. Here, she meets famine historian Paul O’Brien, who illustrates the dire conditions faced by emigrants in the city. Many of them, including Melanie’s family, became working-class labourers, navigating the unfamiliar urban landscape.

But even amid despair, the family displayed resilience. Melanie’s great-great-grandfather, Patrick, eventually became a dockworker in Liverpool, signalling a new chapter. At this point, it’s nearly impossible to separate her modern identity from the historical tapestry of her family—they are intricately intertwined.

Unearthing Mysterious Ancestors

Moving toward her maternal lineage, Melanie discovers another surprise. While she is familiar with her Liverpool roots on her mother’s side, she soon learns about her great-great-grandfather, Thomas Keefe, who had a dramatic background that includes time spent in a workhouse. This revelation pulls her deeper into her family history, compelling her to explore the injustices Thomas faced and how those experiences shaped their family trajectory.

Meeting historian Ian Cabled, Melanie learns how Thomas became a manager at an insurance company, facilitating upward mobility despite his dubious beginnings. But the narrative takes a turn as court records reveal accusations of embezzlement surrounding Thomas’s career. “It’s like he’s being set up?” Melanie wonders, considering that he eventually cleared his name.

In a heartwarming conclusion, Melanie reflects on Thomas’s political engagements and his advocacy for working-class rights, emphasizing how they both fought tooth and nail for the lives of ordinary people. “God, he’s brilliant. He’s saying that this is something that we need to fight back against”.

Bridging the Past with the Present

Ultimately, Melanie emerges from this investigation with a renewed appreciation for her family’s legacy—one forged through trials, resilience, and independence. As she stands before a set of documents that summarize her journey through time, it’s clear that she is not just a product of her past but a continuation of her family’s story.

“I see Liverpool in a very different light now. I’ve grown up coming into the city and little did I know that so much of the lives before me were also being played out in the streets.”

At its core, Melanie’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? paints a rich portrait of family and identity through the generations. It’s a reminder that while we may be shaped by our circumstances, we can also take strength from our ancestors’ legacies. As Melanie closes the chapter on her family exploration, she reveals a profound understanding of what it means to carry forth the stories and struggles of those who came before us.

Indeed, Melanie Chisholm stands as both Sporty Spice and a descendant of resilient individuals, forever influenced by their journey of survival and ambition. And just like her own iconic lyrics suggest, “I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want,” it’s evident that she knows where she comes from—and she’s proud of it.