Ep 1. Courteney Cox

In season 9 episode 1 of Who Do You Think You Are?, actress Courteney Cox sets out on a journey to trace her family history. The episode begins with Cox discussing her upbringing in Alabama, where she was raised by her divorced mother and stepfather. Cox admits that she knows very little about her father, Richard Lewis Cox, who left the family when she was a child.

Cox starts her search by meeting with her mother's sister, who shares some memories of Cox's grandfather, Andrew Joseph Copeland. Cox is surprised to learn that Copeland was a successful businessman who owned a bank and a cotton gin. Her aunt also believes that Copeland was descended from English royalty, which piques Cox's interest.

Cox then travels to Alabama to visit the town where her relatives lived. She meets with a local historian who shows her some old records and tells her about the town's history. Cox is moved to tears when she finds a baptismal certificate belonging to her grandmother, whom she never knew because she died before Cox was born.

Cox's research then takes her to Georgia, where she visits a cemetery that belongs to her grandmother's family. She is shocked to discover that several of her ancestors died young and that some of them were buried in unmarked graves. Cox begins to realize how difficult life was for her ancestors and appreciates the struggles they went through.

Cox then meets with a genealogist who has researched her family tree. The genealogist tells Cox that her fifth great-grandfather was a Revolutionary War veteran who received a large land grant as a reward for his service. Cox is thrilled to learn that her ancestor was a patriot who fought for American independence.

Cox's journey then takes her to Ireland, where she visits the town where her ancestors lived. She meets with a local historian who shows her some old records and tells her about the town's history. Cox is delighted to learn that her ancestor was a landowner who was well-respected in the community. She also finds out that her ancestor was married three times and had 23 children!

Finally, Cox meets with a genealogist who has uncovered some surprising information about her father's side of the family. Cox learns that her great-grandfather, Beverly Cooper, was murdered in 1909 in what was then Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). The killer was never found, and the murder remains unsolved to this day. Cox is shocked by this revelation and wonders what happened to her family after her great-grandfather's death.

Overall, season 9 episode 1 of Who Do You Think You Are? provides a fascinating glimpse into Courteney Cox's family history. From Revolutionary War veterans to murdered great-grandfathers, Cox learns about the struggles, triumphs, and tragedies of her ancestors and gains a deeper appreciation for her family's past.