For more than a decade, Henry Louis Gates Jr. has been the guiding figure of the acclaimed PBS show “Finding Your Roots,” where he helps his guests uncover hidden chapters in their family histories. In an upcoming episode, the tables turn as Gates delves into his own ancestry, uncovering a mystery that redefines part of his family tree and traces his lineage back to Ireland.
Jane Gates, Gates’ great-great-grandmother, becomes the focal point of this exploration. “I was moved to tears,” Gates shares, reflecting on the revelation about her. He recounts passing by her grave and internally promising to reveal her story to the world. The broadcast promises to bring additional viewers to the show, which is PBS’s top-rated non-drama program, both on traditional TV and digital platforms. The series recently celebrated nearly 18 million viewers for its tenth season and earned its inaugural Emmy nomination.
The show’s mission resonates deeply with its audience, offering vital truths about American identity. Gates highlights the nation’s immigrant roots and emphasizes that, despite physical differences, people are overwhelmingly similar at a genetic level.
The eleventh season of “Finding Your Roots” has featured numerous celebrities, including Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, and Amanda Seyfried, who learned the harrowing tale behind her ancestor’s murder. The final episode of the season pairs Gates with Laurence Fishburne, as both discover fascinating aspects of their pasts, including shared ancestral fondness for jazz. This connection excites Dyllan McGee, the series co-creator and producer, who marvels at how family ties shape individuals, often unknowingly.
The origins of the series trace back to 2006 with “African American Lives,” a concept Gates devised on a sleepless night. The show initially focused on prominent African Americans and their ancestral links to slavery. DNA testing provided insights when paper trails ended, revealing African ethnic backgrounds. After a viewer’s suggestion, the show widened its scope to include diverse celebrities, evolving into “Faces of America,” which later was renamed again.
Throughout its run, “Finding Your Roots” has yielded remarkable discoveries, from Natalie Morales’ piracy-related ancestry to Andy Samberg uncovering the identities of his biological grandparents. The show famously revealed connections between RuPaul and U.S. Senator Cory Booker, and between Meryl Streep and Eva Longoria. A plethora of guests, including former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan and “Game of Thrones” creator George R.R. Martin, have shared surprising ancestral revelations.
Gates consistently reassures participants that they aren’t accountable for the actions of their forebears. “Guilt is not inheritable,” he asserts, advocating understanding historical contexts without judgment.
Gates and his team, notably genetic genealogist CeCe Moore, often find that family stories contain elements of fiction to mask past behaviors. Nevertheless, they believe in the core truths within these tales. Gates’ exploration into his family took researchers four years, challenging preconceived narratives regarding his ancestor Jane Gates’ partner. When historical evidence emerged, it brought a profound impact. Gates reflected on an 1888 obituary for Jane and an 1839 ad regarding her, illustrating the emotional weight of his family history.
McGee recalls the impactful moment of revelation: “Something changed for him that day.” She describes Gates’ enthusiastic response to the discovery, underscoring the value of unearthing such personal histories. Gates advocates for everyone tracing their lineage, arguing that understanding our ancestors is essential to personal identity and societal understanding.
Confronting the past head-on, Gates pushes against the notion that history is divisive or irrelevant. Quoting William Faulkner, he contends that the past is always present, influencing both identity and cultural norms.