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Finding Your Roots

Born to Sing

Season 10 Episode 1 | 52m 09s

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of singers Alanis Morissette and Ciara—using DNA analysis and genealogical detective work to trace lineages that run from shtetls in Eastern Europe to Jazz Age Harlem. Along the way, Alanis and Ciara reimagine their families and meet the people who laid the groundwork for their success—including one ancestor who was at the center of a song.

Aired: 01/01/24 | Expires: 04/15/25
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 • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
Finding My Roots Preview
Family mysteries are solved for actor Laurence Fishburne & scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Preview: S11 E10 | 0:30
Watch • 4:12
Finding Your Roots
Laurence Learns About His Great-Great-Great-Grandmother
Laurence discovers the identity of his great-great-great-grandmother.
Clip: S11 E10 | 4:12
Watch • 4:14
Finding Your Roots
Skip Discovers His Great-Great-Grandfather
Skip discusses Jane Gates, his oldest known ancestor up until now.
Clip: S11 E10 | 4:14
Watch • 3:41
Finding Your Roots
Lonnie Bunch Discovers His Grandfather's Heroic Educationonal Efforts
Lonnie learns about his grandfather who served on a school committee for mainly Black students.
Clip: S11 E9 | 3:41
Watch • 4:09
Finding Your Roots
The Surprising Love Story in Sheryl Lee Ralph's Ancestry
Sheryl's third great grandparents, a mixed race couple, got married in 1837.
Clip: S11 E9 | 4:09
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
Moving On Up Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Sheryl Lee Ralph & historian Lonnie Bunch.
Preview: S11 E9 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
The Butterfly Effect Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family trees of actors Debra Messing & Melanie Lynskey.
Preview: S11 E8 | 0:30
Watch • 3:53
Finding Your Roots
Debra Messing's Polish Ancestors Voyaged to New York
Debra discovers her grandfather's earliest years in America after leaving Poland.
Clip: S11 E8 | 3:53
Watch • 4:21
Finding Your Roots
Melanie Lynskey Learns of a Long-Lost Relative
Melanie discovers a potential match for her great-grandfather.
Clip: S11 E8 | 4:21
Watch • 5:10
Finding Your Roots
Kristen Bell Learns of Family's Generational Trauma
Kristen learns about her grandfather and great grandfather's generational trauma.
Clip: S11 E7 | 5:10
Latest Episodes
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  • All
  • Finding Your Roots Season 11
  • Finding Your Roots Season 10
  • Finding Your Roots Season 9
  • Finding Your Roots Season 8
  • Finding Your Roots Season 7
  • Finding Your Roots Season 6
  • Finding Your Roots Season 5
  • Finding Your Roots Season 4
  • Finding Your Roots Season 3
  • Finding Your Roots Season 2
  • Finding Your Roots Season 1
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Finding My Roots
Family mysteries are solved for actor Laurence Fishburne & scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Episode: S11 E10 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Moving On Up
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Sheryl Lee Ralph & historian Lonnie Bunch.
Episode: S11 E9 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
The Butterfly Effect
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the family trees of actors Debra Messing & Melanie Lynskey.
Episode: S11 E8 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
The Ties That Bind
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of married actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard.
Episode: S11 E7 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Latin Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets musician Rubén Blades & journalist Natalie Morales.
Episode: S11 E6 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Family Recipes
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the ancestry of notable chefs José Andrés & Sean Sherman.
Episode: S11 E5 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Dreamers One And All
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the ancestry of actor Sharon Stone & model Chrissy Teigen.
Episode: S11 E4 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Stranger Than Fiction
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. reveals inspiring ancestors of novelist Amy Tan & poet Rita Dove.
Episode: S11 E3 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
La Famiglia
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the Italian roots of Joy Behar & Michael Imperioli.
Episode: S11 E2 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Larger Than Life
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. connects Lea Salonga & Amanda Seyfried to their dramatic ancestors.
Episode: S11 E1 | 52:10