Culture

Finding Your Roots

For more than a decade, renowned Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has helped to expand America’s sense of itself, stimulating a national conversation about identity with humor, wisdom, and compassion. Professor Gates has explored the ancestry of dozens of influential people from diverse backgrounds, taking millions of viewers deep into the past to reveal the connections that bind us all.

Far from Home

52m 11s

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the family trees of pop icon Cyndi Lauper and actors Jamie Chung and Danny Trejo, exploring records in Italy, Korea, and Mexico to uncover ancestors whose stories were lost when their families immigrated to America.

Episodes

  • Far from Home: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Far from Home

    S9 E4 - 52m 11s

    Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the family trees of pop icon Cyndi Lauper and actors Jamie Chung and Danny Trejo, exploring records in Italy, Korea, and Mexico to uncover ancestors whose stories were lost when their families immigrated to America.

  • Secret Lives: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Secret Lives

    S9 E3 - 52m 11s

    Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps comedians Carol Burnett and Niecy Nash decode scandals hidden within their roots, exposing secrets that their ancestors concealed and celebrating the virtue of accepting one’s relatives—whoever they may be.

  • Salem's Lot: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Salem's Lot

    S9 E2 - 52m 11s

    Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes actors Claire Danes and Jeff Daniels on a journey into their roots, uncovering primal scenes from our nation’s past. Weaving together stories of soldiers, settlers, immigrants and entrepreneurs, Gates travels from World War I battlefields to Civil War prison camps to America’s most infamous witch hunt—offering his guests insight into what made them who they are today.

  • Hidden Kin: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Hidden Kin

    S9 E1 - 52m 11s

    Henry Louis Gates explores the remarkable roots of actors Edward Norton and Julia Roberts—using DNA analysis and genealogical detective work to travel generations into the past, tracing lineages that run from Northern Europe to the American South. Along the way, Norton and Roberts reimagine their family stories and discover their hidden connections to our nation’s history—and each other.

Extras + Features

  • Rising From the Ashes Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rising From the Ashes Preview

    S9 E5 - 32s

    Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the roots of actors Brian Cox and Viola Davis, uncovering records from workhouses in Scotland and slave plantations in South Carolina that reveal individuals who battled to build a better life for their families.

  • Far From Home Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Far From Home Preview

    S9 E4 - 32s

    Henry Louis Gates explores the family trees of pop icon Cyndi Lauper and actors Jamie Chung and Danny Trejo, introducing them to ancestors whose stories were forgotten when their families immigrated to the United States. Drawing on long-lost records from Italy, Korea, Mexico, and Switzerland, Gates helps his guests to re-imagine their families and connect to their vanished histories.

  • Secret Lives Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Secret Lives Preview

    S9 E3 - 32s

    Henry Louis Gates helps comedians Carol Burnett and Niecy Nash decode scandals and secrets that have lain hidden within their roots for generations, revealing stories that their ancestors went to great lengths to conceal. Along the way, Gates and his guests also explore the larger meaning of family bonds—and celebrate the virtue of accepting one’s relatives, whoever they may be.

  • Salem's Lot Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Salem's Lot Preview

    S9 E2 - 32s

    Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes actors Claire Danes and Jeff Daniels on a journey into their roots, uncovering primal scenes from our nation’s past. Weaving together stories of soldiers, settlers, immigrants and entrepreneurs, Gates travels from World War I battlefields to Civil War prison camps to America’s most infamous witch hunt—offering his guests insight into what made them who they are today.

  • Season 9 Official Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Season 9 Official Preview

    S9 - 31s

    A new season of Finding Your Roots premieres January 3, 2023 8/7c! Tune in for all-new episodes as renowned scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides influential guests into their roots, uncovering deep secrets, hidden identities and lost ancestors.

  • Season 9 Inside Look: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Season 9 Inside Look

    S9 - 1m

    The countdown to a new season of Finding Your Roots is on! Season 9 features 21 incredible new guests with compelling stories of their ancestors. You will not want to miss an episode!

    Tune into PBS on January 3rd at 8/7c.

  • Julia Roberts Learns of Swedish Ancestors' Humble Beginnings: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Julia Roberts Learns of Swedish Ancestors' Humble Beginnings

    S9 E1 - 5m 50s

    Julia Roberts learns that her ancestors who immigrated to America were Statares -- contract farm workers who, because of their harsh living conditions, were generally viewed as being on the lowest rungs of Swedish society.

  • Edward Norton's Great-Great-Grandfather Was Murdered: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Edward Norton's Great-Great-Grandfather Was Murdered

    S9 E1 - 4m 3s

    Edward Norton came to Finding Your Roots already equipped with more genealogical knowledge about his family than perhaps any guest in the history of the show. But we still managed to find a few shocking family stories that the actor was unaware of, including how his great-great-grandfather, Frank Baals had died.

  • Hidden Kin Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Hidden Kin Preview

    S9 E1 - 33s

    Henry Louis Gates explores the remarkable roots of actors Edward Norton and Julia Roberts — using DNA analysis and genealogical detective work to travel generations into the past, tracing lineages that run from Northern Europe to the American South. Along the way, Norton and Roberts reimagine their family stories and discover their hidden connections to our nation’s history — and each other.

  • Extended Trailer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Extended Trailer

    S9 - 3m 13s

    Renowned scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. returns for a new season of FINDING YOUR ROOTS. Using genealogical detective work and cutting-edge DNA analysis, Gates guides twenty-one influential guests deep into the branches of their family trees, revealing surprising stories of forgotten ancestors that transcend borders, illuminating an American root system fortified by its diversity.

Schedule

  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Far From Home

    Saturday
    Jan 28

    1 Hour

    Jamie Chung, Cyndi Lauper and Danny Trejo retrace the journeys of their immigrant ancestors.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Far From Home

    Sunday
    Jan 29

    1 Hour

    Jamie Chung, Cyndi Lauper and Danny Trejo retrace the journeys of their immigrant ancestors.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Far From Home

    Monday
    Jan 30

    1 Hour

    Jamie Chung, Cyndi Lauper and Danny Trejo retrace the journeys of their immigrant ancestors.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Far From Home

    Monday
    Jan 30

    1 Hour

    Jamie Chung, Cyndi Lauper and Danny Trejo retrace the journeys of their immigrant ancestors.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Rising From the Ashes

    Tuesday
    Jan 31

    1 Hour

    Actors Brian Cox and Viola Davis explore their family trees for the first time.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Rising From the Ashes

    Tuesday
    Jan 31

    1 Hour

    Actors Brian Cox and Viola Davis explore their family trees for the first time.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Rising From the Ashes

    Wednesday
    Feb 1

    1 Hour

    Actors Brian Cox and Viola Davis explore their family trees for the first time.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Rising From the Ashes

    Wednesday
    Feb 1

    1 Hour

    Actors Brian Cox and Viola Davis explore their family trees for the first time.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Rising From the Ashes

    Sunday
    Feb 5

    1 Hour

    Actors Brian Cox and Viola Davis explore their family trees for the first time.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Rising From the Ashes

    Sunday
    Feb 5

    1 Hour

    Actors Brian Cox and Viola Davis explore their family trees for the first time.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Rising From the Ashes

    Sunday
    Feb 5

    1 Hour

    Actors Brian Cox and Viola Davis explore their family trees for the first time.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Rising From the Ashes

    Monday
    Feb 6

    1 Hour

    Actors Brian Cox and Viola Davis explore their family trees for the first time.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Rising From the Ashes

    Monday
    Feb 6

    1 Hour

    Actors Brian Cox and Viola Davis explore their family trees for the first time.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Family: Lost and Found

    Tuesday
    Feb 7

    1 Hour

    Joe Manganiello and Tony Gonzalez uncover close relatives whose names they never knew before.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Family: Lost and Found

    Tuesday
    Feb 7

    1 Hour

    Joe Manganiello and Tony Gonzalez uncover close relatives whose names they never knew before.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Family: Lost and Found

    Wednesday
    Feb 8

    1 Hour

    Joe Manganiello and Tony Gonzalez uncover close relatives whose names they never knew before.
  • Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr.: TVSS: Banner-L1

    Finding Your Roots

    Family: Lost and Found

    Wednesday
    Feb 8

    1 Hour

    Joe Manganiello and Tony Gonzalez uncover close relatives whose names they never knew before.

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