Debra Messing's Polish Ancestors Voyaged to New York
Debra discovers her grandfather's earliest years in America after leaving Poland and moving to the Lower East Side.
Melanie Lynskey Learns of a Long-Lost Relative
Melanie discovers a potential match for her great-grandfather.
The Butterfly Effect Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actors Debra Messing & Melanie Lynskey to ancestors who made bold decisions that forever reshaped their family trees. Moving from shtetls in Eastern Europe to a fruit stand in NY City to the wilds of New Zealand, Gates introduces his guests to relatives who took great risks, overcame enormous hardships—and unwittingly transformed the lives of their descendants.
Kristen Bell Learns of Family's Generational Trauma
Kristen Bell learns about her grandfather and great grandfather's generational trauma, with lives of siblings and a parent lost.
The Ties That Bind Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard—a married couple who discover that their ancestors had some remarkable similarities. In stories that span continents and centuries, Gates introduces Kristen and Dax to the soldiers, settlers, and criminals who make up their roots, allowing his guests to understand themselves—and their families—as never before.
Dax Shepard's Ninth Great-Grandfather Journeyed to America
Dax hears about the life of his ninth great-grandfather who immigrated from France to Canada, and ultimately settled in Michigan.
The Complex Chapter in Natalie Morales' Family History
Natalie Morales learns about her maternal third great grandfather, Domingos, a farmer born in Brazil, a father to thirteen children. Going further back, Henry Louis Gates and researchers determine her first ancestor to come to Brazil from Portugal.
Latin Roots Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps musician Rubén Blades & journalist Natalie Morales uncover their hidden roots in Latin America, revealing secrets that their ancestors went to great lengths to conceal. Traveling from Puerto Rico to Columbia to Brazil, Gates & his guests recover long-lost family stories—meet heroes and villains—and celebrate the virtue of accepting one’s relatives whoever they may be.
Rubén Blades Traces His Panamanian Heritage
Rubén learns about the difficult life of his African ancestor in Panama on his mother's side.
Family Recipes Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family trees of celebrity chefs José Andrés & Sean Sherman—two men who have combined culinary skills with profound humanitarian goals. Traveling from small-town Spain to Native American lands in the Dakotas, Gates explores where these qualities came from, revealing that the ancestors of José & Sean have hidden connections to key moments in history—and to food.
Sean Sherman Learns About A Tragic Past
Sean learns his paternal great-great grandmother was sent east as a child to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, a decision which forced her to abandon her culture and family.
José Andrés Discovers His Ancestors Were Bakers
José Andrés discovers his paternal great-great grandmother was abandoned and given to nuns as a baby.
Dreamers One and All Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets actor Sharon Stone & model Chrissy Teigen—two stars who found fame when they were young & lived much of their lives in the limelight, knowing little about their roots. Gates reveals they aren’t the first people in their families who dared to dream big, tracing lineages from Eastern Europe to Medieval France to rural Thailand.
Chrissy Teigen Discovers Very Unique Lost Family History
The story of Chrissy Teigen’s paternal great-grandparents was largely unknown to her. Research determines that she is descended from multiple generations of musicians, and from the Sinti people, a subgroup of the Romani people. The Roma, or Romani people were often denigrated as Gypsies, but it explains why Teigen’s ancestors moved so often.
The Hardships in Sharon Stone's Ancestry
Sharon learns about the hardships endured by her mother and her paternal ancestors, one of whom fought in the U.S. Civil War.
Amy Tan Learns About Her Father's Past in China
Amy discovers records of her father's immigration from China and his many accomplishments.
Stranger Than Fiction Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of two award-winning writers: novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove, tracing lineages that run from a plantation in Maryland to a speakeasy in Washington, DC to a village in central China. Along the way, Amy and Rita reimagine themselves as they learn the true stories of the people who laid the groundwork for their success—and inspired their art.
Rita Dove's Ancestor Had Run-Ins With the Law
Rita learns about her grandfather's criminal charges and trying adulthood.
Joy Behar Discovers Her Grandfather's Immigrant Story
Joy Behar's grandfather sought a new life in America, but after only four years moved back to Calabria, Italy in 1907. He then married her grandmother, Francesca. He ultimately moved back to Pennsylvania and left her behind, where he was able to make enough money to send back for her. Francesca met him there in 1911 where they had their first child, Joy's mother, but Francesca passed away shortly.
The Train Accident in Michael Imperioli's Family History
Michael's maternal grandfather, Alberto Luzzi, was born in New York City in June, 1914. Alberto had a difficult childhood due to the early passing of his father, Michael's great grandfather, who died in an accident cleaning trains for the transit system. Michael's great grandfather grew up in Calabria, Italy, before moving to America after getting married.
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