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Finding Your Roots

The Butterfly Effect Preview

Season 11 Episode 8 | 30s

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actors Debra Messing & Melanie Lynskey to ancestors who made bold decisions that forever reshaped their family trees. Moving from shtetls in Eastern Europe to a fruit stand in NY City to the wilds of New Zealand, Gates introduces his guests to relatives who took great risks, overcame enormous hardships—and unwittingly transformed the lives of their descendants.

Corporate support for Season 11 of FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. is provided by Gilead Sciences, Inc., Ancestry® and Johnson & Johnson. Major support is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Support is also provided by Ford Foundation; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; Candace King Weir; by the Inkwell Society together with many of its members; and by public television viewers.
Extras
Watch • 8:32
Nature
NATURE - Season 45
Get a sneak peek at a brand new season of NATURE on PBS.
Preview: S45 | 8:32
Watch • 0:29
Nature
Preview of Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure
Join Elmo and the Sesame Street gang on a once-in-a-lifetime African safari adventure.
Preview: S45 E1 | 0:29
Watch • 2:10
American Masters
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
Discover filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez, a founding figure of the Chicano Movement.
Preview: S40 E6 | 2:10
Watch • 3:06
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: John "Kew" Dodd Bow, ca. 1830
Appraisal: John "Kew" Dodd Bow, ca. 1830
Clip: S30 E16 | 3:06
Watch • 2:21
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1844 Johan Barthold Jongkind Watercolor
Appraisal: 1844 Johan Barthold Jongkind Watercolor
Clip: S30 E16 | 2:21
Watch • 2:55
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1895 UNC Football
Appraisal: 1895 UNC Football
Clip: S30 E16 | 2:55
Watch • 1:10
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1936 Arcade Parmelee Yellow Cab Toy
Appraisal: 1936 Arcade Parmelee Yellow Cab Toy
Clip: S30 E16 | 1:10
Watch • 1:00
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1897 Arts & Crafts Humidor
Appraisal: 1897 Arts & Crafts Humidor
Clip: S30 E16 | 1:00
Watch • 2:01
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Ming-style Reclining Chair, ca. 1900
Appraisal: Ming-style Reclining Chair, ca. 1900
Clip: S30 E16 | 2:01
Watch • 2:42
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Painted Oak Settee, ca. 1900
Appraisal: Painted Oak Settee, ca. 1900
Clip: S30 E16 | 2:42
Latest Episodes
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  • Finding Your Roots Season 12
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  • Finding Your Roots Season 10
  • Finding Your Roots Season 9
  • Finding Your Roots Season 8
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  • Finding Your Roots Season 6
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  • Finding Your Roots Season 4
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  • Finding Your Roots Season 2
  • Finding Your Roots Season 1
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Kate Burton and media mogul Barry Diller.
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Episode: S12 E9 | 52:10
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Finding Your Roots
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of director Spike Lee and actor Kristin Chenoweth.
Episode: S12 E8 | 52:09
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Finding Your Roots
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces musicians Flea and Lizzo to their inspiring ancestors.
Episode: S12 E7 | 52:09
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Finding Your Roots
Westward Bound
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. heads west to map the family trees of Sara Haines and Tracy Letts.
Episode: S12 E6 | 52:09
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Finding Your Roots
Love & Basketball
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of basketball stars Brittney Griner and Chris Paul.
Episode: S12 E5 | 52:09
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Finding Your Roots
The Road We Took
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Lizzy Caplan and comedian Hasan Minhaj.
Episode: S12 E4 | 52:09
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Finding Your Roots
Caribbean Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the Caribbean heritage of Liza Colón-Zayas and Delroy Lindo.
Episode: S12 E3 | 52:09
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Finding Your Roots
Great Migrations
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the family trees of rapper Wiz Khalifa and actor Sanaa Lathan.
Episode: S12 E2 | 52:09
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American Dreams
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers America Ferrera & Darren Criss’ immigrant ancestors.
Episode: S12 E1 | 52:09