PBS host Henry Louis Gates Jr., known for leading guests through their family tree secrets on his popular series “Finding Your Roots,” is now a guest. The Harvard scholar learns about his great-great-grandmother, Jane Gates, and uncovers a long-buried puzzle that scrambles his ancestry.
Gates’ journey into his own family history began when he traced the paper trail of prominent Black celebrities’ family trees during the series’ early seasons. As the show expanded to include non-Black celebrities, Gates received a crash course in DNA. He now advocates for everyone to have their family tree traced, believing it’s essential to understanding oneself.
Season 11 of “Finding Your Roots” has featured guests such as Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell, who discovered they were related to pirates and former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan. The show continues to deliver fascinating results, often revealing surprising connections between celebrities. Gates’ team, led by genetic genealogist CeCe Moore, have found that traditional family stories are often filled with inaccuracies.
The latest episode marks a turning point for Gates, who learns about his biological father and the identity of his great-great-grandfather, who was responsible for Jane’s children. The revelation brings tears to Gates’ eyes and highlights the importance of understanding one’s ancestors in shaping oneself and society.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/finding-your-roots-pbs-henry-louis-gates-e4194b3d96daab4b3e65786f464622a8