The long-running ABC program ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ that delves into the family history of its subject has turned its gaze to well-known columnist Peter Fitzsimons.
Genealogists looked deep into Fitzsimons’ ancestry to reveal his family tree is full of pirates.
“I would never have guessed” says Fitzsimons. “I mean look at me! Do you think I look like a pirate? No! I’m a much-loved media commentator.”
Fitzsimons’ is directly descended from Blackbeard, an English pirate who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of Britain’s North American colonies
In the early 18th Century Blackbeard was a shrewd and calculating leader who spurned the use of force, relying instead on his fearsome image to elicit the response that he desired from those whom he robbed. Contrary to the modern-day picture of the traditional tyrannical pirate, he commanded his vessels with the consent of their crews and there is no known account of his ever having harmed or murdered those whom he held captive. He was romanticised after his death and became the inspiration for an archetypal pirate in works of fiction across many genres.
He in fact believed in equity and non-violence amongst his crew.
Some rules Blackbeard instated were: “Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment; Every man shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes; None shall strike another on board the ship.
Fitzsimons was visibly moved when informed of his heritage and the righteousness of his forefather. He commented that he now identified with his history of piracy.
The show’s executive producer asked Fitzsimons if he would do anything to visually identify as a pirate. He thought long and hard before commenting:
‘No. No I don’t think so.”
And then.
“I might grow a beard. I might.”
