Finding Your Roots

Singer Cyndi Lauper, who has devoted her life to an array of social causes, had a great-grandfather who, as a "general agitator," helped organize a rebellion against unfair monetary policies in Switzerland in the early 1650s.

André Leon Talley and Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discussed how his great-great-grandfather’s bequeathment from a slave owner to his child was similar to how a car or piano would get passed down in a will.

When Amy Carlson's sixth great-grandfather died in battle after 26 years in the Swedish military, one of his son's replaced him in service. Here, Amy admires the stoicism it must have taken for her sixth-great-grandmother to accept her son's decision.

Fashion icon and Francophile André Leon Talley was pleased to discover that his grandfather was stationed in France when he served in World War I.

André Leon Talley’s fashion muse was none other than his grandmother. He said that she was a domestic worker for 50 years, but she “rose to her regality every Sunday when she put on that hat.”

In 1880, divorce in New York City was so exceedingly rare (only 0.2%!) that the divorce of Erin Burnett’s great-great-grandfather from his first wife made headlines in several newspapers.

"That’s how life happens sometimes, right? Totally by accident.” Amy Carlson reacts to learning about the adorable way her great-great-grandparents met while immigrating from Sweden.

Brian Cox learns that his grandfather was likely exposed to poison gas while fighting as a Scottish highlander in the 9th Battalion of the Black Watch while fighting on the Western Front during WWI.

Because of a strained relationship with his father, actor Danny Trejo never learned much about his roots. But here, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals the story of his great-grandparents' and their four children's grueling journey by foot from Mexico to the U.S. shortly after World War

Niecy Nash is awestruck when she reads a will that bequeaths her 4th Great Grandfather to a plantation owner's daughter -- the first tangible evidence that she's ever seen of her family's history as slaves.

Carol Burnett and Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncover some surprising connections between her family, the American Revolution and the Civil War. Burnett, an award-winning actress and best-selling author, is widely recognized by the public and her peers for her work for her comedic and dramatic roles on television, film,

Claire Danes and Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncover the story of her great-grandfather's heroic sacrifice in World War I and the story of her grandmother's journey to see his grave in France.

Viola Davis and Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. dive into her family's past, and with the help of DNA and local records, discover a surprising secret her grandfather kept to himself. Viola Davis is a critically-revered, award-winning actress, producer, and New York Times Best-Selling Author. She is the

David Duchovny and Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. trace the story of David's family journey to New York, the separation, reunion and tragic circumstances that later led to his great-grandfather relocating to Israel.

"If you know your legacy, you know your history, you will find many interesting things." -- Jeh Johnson remarking on the long line of accomplished ancestors on the maternal and paternal sides of his family.

Angela Davis' great-grandfather, Isom, not only marks her family's transition from slavery to freedom, he's also at the center of a fascinating story involving the Freedmen's Bureau.

Joe Manganiello says his maternal great-grandmother, Terviz “Rose” Darakijan, survived the Armenian Genocide, during which over 1 million ethnic Armenians were murdered by the Ottoman state. Darakijan survived, but her entire family — her husband and seven out of eight children — were slaughtered by Turkish soldiers in 1915.

Tony Gonzalez and Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. discover a story of family separation during slavery and a remarkable reunion. Gonzalez, is widely considered the greatest tight end in NFL history, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Actor Richard Kind had always considered himself fortunate that he didn't have relatives who were in the Holocaust. But in this clip, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals that the actor had a number of ancestors who were killed in the Holocaust, and one who survived.

Alanis Morissette discusses her Hungarian Jewish heritage and learns about her grandfather's search for his lost brothers during the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust. Alanis Morissette is one of the most influential singer-songwriter-musicians/artists in contemporary music. Her deeply expressive music and performances have earned

Uncover Patricia Arquette's family history in Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. on PBS.

Frank Gehry uncovers his family's past on Finding Your Roots: Season Three.

In 1815, an ancestor of Alanis Morissette, and his companions, attempted a daring feat of riding a boat over the Chaudière Falls in Ontario, Canada. A folk song recounts their bravery, with some losing their lives in the attempt.

Valerie Bertinelli explores her mother's family history, uncovering the hardships and challenges they faced. She discovers her great-great-grandfather William's remarkable journey to Brazil and the demanding work he undertook. Despite the difficulties, Valerie finds a strong connection with her ancestor, especially when she learns that they

Brendan learns that his great-grandfather, Herman Drobesch, was Austrian, not German, and served in the Austrian artillery corps during World War I.

Actor Wes Studi's friend Jay WhiteCrow recommended the American Indian Theater Company in Tulsa to help him navigate meeting new people after his divorce.

Ciara learns about her great-grandfather Luther's upbringing on a cotton farm with numerous siblings, shedding light on her deep roots in South Carolina.

DNA research helps Ciara Harris discover one of her biological ancestors was not who the records show, and that a relationship must have occurred between this mystery man and her great-great grandmother. Ciara is a Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. During her 20-year career, she has sold

Explore the past and legacy of Frank Gehry's family in Finding Your Roots: Season Three.

Anthony Ramos learns about his father's mother, and her roots back to his ninth great grandparents.

Dionne Warwick discovers her ancestors in the 1870 census in Jackson County, Florida, likely born into slavery. Researchers found a white farmer, Joseph Russ, who owned 31 enslaved people in the 1860s, potentially including Dionne's ancestors. She reflects on the impact of seeing her ancestor listed anonymously in

Jesse learns about his ancestor, July Hadley's life as an enslaved individual, tracing connections to Samuel Hadley's estate and the cultivation of cotton. Despite geographical proximity to ancestral lands, the emotional impact of visiting evokes a profound sense of connection and reflection.

Dionne Warwick explores her family history, focusing on her maternal grandfather, Nitch (Nicholas Drinkard). Through research, she discovers that Nitch's grandparents, John Drinkard Sr. and his wife, owned land in Georgia in the early 1900s, which was uncommon for African-Americans at the time. The Drinkards likely farmed cotton

Through investigative efforts, Sunny Hostin's ancestral lineage was traced back three generations to Fermín Beza, Sunny's third great-grandfather, from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Iliza Schlesinger's great-grandmother Esther journeyed from Poland to New York in 1921, leaving behind five siblings who faced hardship during World War II in Poland. Eliza reacts to the emotional impact of discovering family history tied to tragic events such as the Holocaust.

Iliza Schlesinger learns that she shares significant DNA segments with fellow comedian Sarah Silverman, indicating a closer genetic relationship than usual.

Bob learns that his fifth great-grandfather, Friedrich Karl, didn't list his mother, Marie Catherine Bein, on his marriage record. Further research reveals that Marie had a relationship with the Duke of Plune and had several children with him, including Bob's ancestor. This surprising revelation leads to

Ed O'Neill's maternal ancestors migrated from Ireland to Youngstown, Ohio, in the 1800s to escape the Great Potato Famine. They worked as coal miners, enduring harsh conditions underground.

Sammy Hagar is overcome with emotion while reflecting on his family's difficult past and discussing the challenges his mother faced growing up with a traumatized grandmother and the lack of proper love and support.

Despite assuming a family connection, Sammy Hagar's DNA test results show he doesn't genetically belong to the Hagar lineage as expected. This discovery leads to the question of his true biological surname, introducing uncertainty and curiosity about his heritage.

Wes hears the story of his how his ancestor journeyed on the Trail of Tears, which was a forced displacement of about 60,000 Native Americans, including Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole tribes, from their homelands to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) in the 1830s.

An award-winning chef, restaurateur and Top Chef host Tom Colicchio picks Francescantonio Colicchio from his family tree to cook dinner for, and discusses what he would like to cook for him.

"It's like getting knocked out." Tracy Morgan reflects on the mystery surrounding his great-great-grandfather's identity and his relationship with his great-great grandmother, Viola.

Lena Dunham embarks on a poignant journey to uncover her family's past, revealing a deep connection to the Holocaust. From discovering ancestors' records in Poland to the heartbreaking story of survival and loss during World War II, this video offers a powerful glimpse into history and Dunham&

Join Michael Douglas on a riveting quest into his family's hidden history. From escaping the Russian army to uncovering a legacy of survival and secrecy, dive into the Douglas family's untold stories and ancestral secrets.

We trace Lena Dunham's ancestry back to her paternal eighth great-grandfather, Stephanus van Cortlandt, a pivotal figure in the early history of New York City. Stephanus's life story unfolds as one of ambition, becoming the first native-born Mayor of New York. But Lena confronts the more

Anthony Ramos' 15th great-grandfather, Andrés de Llerina, an indigenous person from Tenerife, Spain, faced hardships due to the Spanish conquest, being driven from his land and enslaved by a conquistador named Fernandez de Lugo.

Surprisingly, Tracy Morgan's third great-grandfather, Wiley Warton, was listed by name in the 1860 census, indicating he was free before the Civil War -- a rare occurrence for black individuals at that time.

Danielle Brooks takes a genealogical journey to Lowndes County, Mississippi, tracing her fifth-greatgrandparents, Fraser and Susan Sharp, back to the 1850s. Finding Your Roots uncovered records indicating their status as enslaved individuals on a plantation owned by Elisha Sharp, with Fraser valued at $1350 and Susan and their three youngest

A 1940 census, reveals that Sonny Hostin's grandmother, Mary's father was absent from her parental home. Mary's father, Robert Cummings, left the family around 1937. This absence likely impacted Mary, who was close to her mother but didn't discuss her father much.

Jesse Williams learns about his great grandmother, Inge, who left her small farming parish in Sweden to study at the Royal Music Academy in Stockholm in 1871 -- a significant move for a young woman at that time.

As a young boy, Ed O'Neil found himself drawn to the local movie theater, where he discovered that he had a unique gift.

LeVar Burton is overcome with emotion when when he reads the 1940 census for Arkansas that reveals that he and his father's ancestors share something truly profound.

When asked, by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., "What are you proudest of?", Levar Burton replied, "...It's gotta be Reading Rainbow... Believing so much in the power of education, as we do in my family, and having an impact on the reading habits of a couple

Historical records reveal that Valerie Bertinelli's grandfather left behind his pregnant wife in his home country of Italy, immigrating to the United States and meeting Valerie's actual grandmother.

Brendan Fraser discovers his great-great grandfather was fired for striking, and responded by shooting at the man who replaced him in the job! It appears that no criminal case was ever brought against the man, an Irish immigrant making his way in the turbulent Pennsylvania coal mines.

Each of us has a story. And that story is connected to other stories, all of which lead to our roots. Finding Your Own Roots shares tips and information to assist in genealogy research and better tell the stories of our ancestors.