The Generations Project

Emily, an artist, puts her spiritual instincts to the test by investigating the lives of her ancestors to see if her promptings are correct. Emily explores impressions she has had about specific ancestors, including a Puritan midwife in 1600s Boston and a 19th-century Minnesota Irishman, and solves an intriguing historical mystery about a slandered ancestor.

Maile wants to learn more about her ancestor that was sent to an island off of Hawaii, Kalaupapa, because she was diagnosed as a leper. Maile wants to learn what life was like for her, isolated from her children and family.

Former judge Boyd Mossman believes that he is related to Isaac Davis. Legend has it that Davis was the royal adviser to King Kamehameha, who allegedly gave Davis a Hawaiian princess to marry. Boyd researches the story of his ancestor to find out if the legend is true and if Boyd really is royalty.

Danielle's apathy concerning family history is razed when she learns that her African-American great- grandfather was the inventor and patent holder of the horse bridle in 1892. To learn more about her ancestor, Danielle journeys to Colonial Williamsburg to see what life would have been like for a man of his status.

Gloria Squires has been troubled by a family story of her grandfather William, known only as a drunk who cheated on his wife and was ultimately found beaten to death. Gloria believes there is good in everyone and wants to find something admirable that she can pass on to future generations.

Vicki Biss believes she is part American Indian and travels to Shiloh, Tennessee, to discover the surprising truth behind the legend.

As Andrea undergoes her second bout of cancer, she must face drastic lifestyle changes. Join her as she draws strength and inspiration from her ancestors, particularly the independent women of her past.

John Searcy feels passionate about the power of a name. John wants to learn more about his namesake, his great-grandfather, in hopes of identifying morals and values that he can emulate. He travels to Florida and Georgia, where he learns about his surprising past.

As an African American with a southern heritage, Durrell assumed his great-grandfather was a farmhand, but an old photo reveals this ancestor wearing a suit. Puzzled and eager to learn more, Durrell travels to Columbus, Mississippi.

Katie Newbold’s life has been riddled with health problems, and she has most recently been diagnosed with precancerous polyps. As Katie looks to her family’s past to understand if these health issues are genetic, she is able to connect with a great-grandmother who died of a similar condition in her early 30s.

Deanna Jensen sets out on what seems to be an impossible journey of learning about her great-grandparents, who were killed in a house fire after throwing their 11-month-old daughter to safety. Deanna’s grandmother knows little about her parents, making it difficult for her to pass on their legacy.

Raised mostly by a surrogate family, Boston artist Lumina Gershfield is compelled to find out all that she can about her biological family. In particular, she hopes to connect with her grandmother, who in her youth faced a similar question to the one that currently concerns Lumina.