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.

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

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

Anthony Ramos traces his father's mother's roots back to his ninth great grandparents.

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

Tracy's family history unfolds with surprising revelations about his great-grandparents.

Jesse learns about his great grandmother on mother’s side from Sweden, who was a singer.

A 1940 census, reveals that Sonny Hostin's grandmother's father was absent from her home

Danielle Brooks learns the dollar value of her enslaved fifth great-grandparents.

Tracy Morgan's third great-grandfather lived as a free man prior to The Civil War.

Anthony Ramos learns about his 15th great-grandfather's fate at the hand of a conquistador

Lena Dunham confronts the more troubling aspects of her ancestor's legacy.

Join Michael Douglas on a riveting quest into his family's hidden history

Lena Dunham's journey to uncover her family's past reveals a connection to the Holocaust.

Tom Colicchio meets his Italian ancestors.

Alanis Morissette's ancestor attempted to ride a boat over a waterfall in Ontario.

Valerie Bertinelli explores the hardships and challenge her ancestors faced.

Brendan learns that his great-grandfather, Herman Drobesch, was Austrian, not German.

Wes Studi says he joined a theater company in Tulsa to meet new people after his divorce.

Uncover Patricia Arquette's family history in Finding Your Roots.

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

Sammy Hagar's DNA test results show he doesn't genetically belong to the Hagar lineage.

Ciara learns about her great-grandfather Luther's upbringing on a cotton farm

Ciara discovers that one of her biological ancestors was not who the records show he was.

Alanis Morissette discusses her Hungarian Jewish heritage.

Brendan Fraser learns ancestor shot at his job successor after he was fired for striking.

Valerie Bertinelli's grandfather left his pregnant wife when he emigrated from Italy to US

Levar Burton cites hosting and producing "Reading Rainbow" as his proudest achievement.

LeVar Burton becomes emotional when he learns about his ancestor's connection to education

Ed O'Neill caught the acting bug by re-enacting movie scenes to his childhood friends.

Wes hears the story of his how his ancestor journeyed on the Trail of Tears.

Dionne Warwick reacts powerfully to seeing her ancestor listed in an 1870 slave schedule.

Reflecting on his mother's difficult upbringing moves Sammy Hagar to tears.

Ed O'Neill's maternal ancestors migrated from Ireland escape the Great Potato Famine.

Bob Odenkirk discovers that his sixth great-grandfather was the Duke of Plune.

Iliza Schlesinger is shocked to learn that her DNA cousin is a fellow famous comedian.

Iliza reacts emotionally to discovering her family's history is tied to the Holocaust.

Sunny Hostin's traces her lineage back three generations to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Dionne Warwick explores her family history, focusing on her maternal grandfather.

Jesse learns about his ancestor, July Hadley's life as an enslaved individual.

Tips from the Finding Your Roots research team to assist in your own genealogy research!