They are the missing pieces of family history puzzles sought by six Australians that will ultimately reshape their identities in SBS’s new documentary series Every Family Has A Secret. But to find them, they’ll need the aid of eminent local and international experts who use their fact-finding prowess, passion and compassion to unveil some surprising and confronting secrets.
Dr Efraim Zuroff: World’s leading Nazi hunter
Dr Efraim Zuroff comforts Angela Hamilton after revealing information about her father’s Nazi connections. Source: SBS
Efraim studied an MA in from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and in 1980 began a six-year tenure as the of Nazi war crimes for the US Justice Department’s Office of Special Investigations, in an effort to prosecute Nazis living in the United States.
The New York-born Nazi hunter has been instrumental in the initiative that has offered financial rewards for information to help bring Nazi war criminals around the world to justice.
In Every Family Has A Secret, Efraim helps Angela Hamilton uncover her father, Pál Rozsy’s association with Nazi operations during WW2.
Dr Deborah Gare: Historian
Historian Deborah Gare (right) shows Michelle White a photo of her grandfather George Driscoll. Source: SBS
leads the history program and is a professor in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle where the award-winning teacher has been based for over 20 years. She has a PhD in Australian History from the University of Western Australia.
Professor Phillip Deery: Expert in US/Cuba relations
Professor Phillip Deery (right) details the FBI investigation into Lance Innes’ father Al Gorcey. Source: SBS
, an Emeritus Professor of History at the Victoria University’s College of Arts and Education, keynote speaker and media commentator, is a Cold War historian specialising in how communism, anti-communism and espionage affected the United States, Australia and Britain.
An award-winning researcher and teacher, also a research associate with the London School of Economics and Political Science Ideas Cold War Studies Program, Phillip has written over 100 publications including research on intelligence and national security.
Alina Marincean: Jewish expert
An emotional moment for Jewish expert Alina Marincean (right) and Angela Hamilton as they discuss her father’s Nazi ties. Source: SBS
She is also the program coordinator for the Jewish history education organisation, the Tarbut Foundation, and a professional tourist guide with a focus on Jewish Roots Journeys.
In one of Every Family Has A Secret’s most moving sequences, Alina reveals Angela’s father’s role in the persecution of Jews during WW2, before an emotional embrace.
Professor Hong-zen Wang: Sociology professor
Professor Hong-zen Wang provides Li Ying (middle), with daughter Olivia (left), vital information about her childhood. Source: SBS
Hong-zen, a professor at the Department of Sociology at the National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan and an international speaker, sociology at the National Taiwan University, and at the Australian National University. He in researching migration issues between Taiwan and Vietnam.
Brad Argent: Professional genealogist, Ancestry
Genealogist Brad Argent looks on after presenting Marie-Anne with information on her family line. Source: SBS
Brad’s own journey to discover his family roots began over 20 years ago.
“I wanted to understand what accident of history led to us being where we are. I got hooked on this whole idea of trying to understand, ‘Why was I born in Australia’ … and I’ve been doing family history ever since,” he told . “It’s a joy and a privilege to be part of the process,” he said of helping people discover their genealogy.
Dr Meredith Burgmann: ASIO expert
Dr Meredith Burgmann shows Lance Innes ASIO surveillance photos of his father Al Gorcey. Source: SBS
She provides Lance with photographic evidence and documentation detailing the surveillance carried out by ASIO on his father as intelligence agencies went on high alert during the Cold War.
A high-profile figure in the social activism and political spheres, is a former NSW Labor MP and holds an MA in Foreign Policy from Sydney University, and a PhD in Industrial Relations from Macquarie University where she was also a long-time academic.
The prominent feminist is the founder of the Ernie Awards for sexist remarks by public figures, a columnist and author.
Every Family Has A Secret season 2 premieres on Tuesday 22 September at 7.30pm on SBS. Episodes will also screen as an encore on SBS VICELAND Thursdays at 11pm.
Watch the trailer here:
Every Family Has A Secret will be subtitled in and and added to the subtitled collection at , available same time as broadcast. Watch episode 1 now:
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