Hidden Kin

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.

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.

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.