Celebrities are given the opportunity to research their family trees with surprising and often unexpected results.
Genre: Documentary, Biography, History
Cast:Mocean Melvin , Ken Rogers , Courteney Cox , Julie Bowen , Smokey Robinson , Jessica Biel , Noah Wyle , Jennifer Grey , Liv Tyler , John Stamos , Cherie Lunghi , Joseph Shumway , D. Joshua Taylor , Laverne Cox , Molly Shannon , Hilary Duff , Jean Smart , Jon Cryer
In this riveting series premiere, Sarah Jessica Parker embarks on an exciting adventure into the unknown to learn about her family tree. With the help of Ancestry.com, Sarah Jessica's story takes her on not one, but two awe-inspiring journeys first to Northern California and then to Salem, Massachusetts.
Football legend Emmitt Smith is intrigued by a family rumor that his paternal grandmother, Erma Lee Watson, had white ancestry. As he travels deep into rural Alabama to colonial Virginia and beyond on the trail of Erma's great grandmother Mariah, Smith uncovers a story more dramatic than he ever could have imagined.
Since childhood, Lisa Kudrow has known that her grandmother Gertrude had it tough. Gertrude's mother, Meri, perished in the Holocaust. Lisa's father recalls hearing about her death from a young Polish sailor, a cousin named Yuri who was last seen in New York in the late 1940s. Lisa's father never forgot Yuri for warning him and his family to leave their village for safety before the Nazi army invasion. From Los Angeles to Belarus, to the actual village where Meri once lived, Lisa's journey reveals clues leading her to something neither she nor her father ever thought possible.
Tony Award-winner Matthew Broderick delves into his family history.
Actress Brooke Shields embarks on a journey to discover which side of her divided and very different family she identifies with.
Oscar-Winner Susan Sarandon unlocks her mysterious family tree.
Director Spike Lee learns about his ancestors in the season finale.
Season Premiere -- Multi-faceted performer Vanessa Williams explores the roots of her trailblazing ancestors.
Country music superstar Tim McGraw embarks on a journey to uncover his father's ancestral past.
Rosie O'Donnell embarks on an emotional journey as she traces her late mother's roots.
R&B superstar Lionel Richie unravels the mystery of his past.
Golden Globe winner Steve Buscemi embarks on a journey to find the rogues and villains in his ancestral past.
Academy Award winner Gwyneth Paltrow delves into her ancestral past.
Actress and humanitarian Ashley Judd seeks the truth behind larger than life family tales.
Season Premiere -- award-winning actor and political activist Martin Sheen discovers his ancestors shared his deepest passion.
Academy Award-winner Marisa Tomei investigates the truth behind a family murder mystery.
Blair Underwood takes a journey that helps him realize a lifelong dream.
Country superstar Reba McEntire embarks on an exploration of her mother's family.
Super Bowl champion Jerome Bettis goes on a journey to learn more about his mother's roots.
Academy Award-winner Helen Hunt uncovers the missing pieces of her family history.
Actress, singer and producer Rita Wilson takes an emotional journey as she learns of her father's early life and the story he never shared.
Emmy award-winner Edie Falco ("Nurse Jackie") is on a mission to discover the truth behind her mother's family history.
Rob Lowe discovers his maternal family's unexpected ties to early American history.
Rashida Jones uncovers her maternal family history from Manhattan to Eastern Europe.
Saturday Night Live's Jason Sudeikis goes on a long jopurney to uncover his father's family history.
Celebrated Chef Paula Deen embarks on a search to find out just how deep her Southern roots go.
Actress Christina Applegate investigates her paternal grandmother - a stranger to her and her father. Uncovering dramatic details along the way, Christina gains insight into the life and hardships of the woman she and her father loved, but never knew.
Double-platinum singer Kelly Clarkson, explores her lineage and uncovers an ancestor deeply rooted in American history. Coming face-to-face with her 3x great grandfather's wartime bravery and sacrifice, she finds a connection deeper than ever imagined.
Media mogul Chelsea Handler confronts a deep family secret: her Grandfather's rumored Nazi past. As she dives into her family's struggle to survive in a desperate time, the details uncovered will finally confirm or deny his affiliation to the dark regime.
Actress Zooey Deschanel seeks to learn the truth about her Quaker ancestors and their involvement in the anti-slavery movement.
In memory of his late father, actor Chris O'Donnell investigates the paternal side of his family and finds ancestors on the frontlines of American history. Chris explores a patriotic legacy and a family devotion that extends deeper than he ever imagined.
Model Cindy Crawford travels to the United Kingdom to learn more about her ancestry including possible genealogical connections to European royalty.
Since her parents passed, country singer Trisha Yearwood knows little about her paternal side of the family. Her search for a deeper family connection takes Trisha to England, where she uncovers an ancestor's history of crime, loss, and perseverance.
In tribute to his late father, actor Jim Parsons explores the ancestors on his paternal side of the family. The journey takes Jim to Louisiana and eventually France, where he discovers generations of his forefathers who made an indelible mark in history.
Actress Cynthia Nixon searches for answers in her paternal line, and truth becomes stranger than fiction when a mystery of deceit and murder slowly unfolds in relation her 3x great-grandmother.
Award winning actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson thought he came from a "nice, boring family" until he digs into his ancestry and follows the life of his great-grandfather; a gilded age hustler that trouble seemed to follow at every turn.
Rachel McAdams and Kayleen McAdams discover an English ancestor surrounded by a privileged world, but forced to separate from those he loved; they connect with relatives uprooted by war, and uncover the harrowing circumstances behind their Canadian roots.
Valerie Bertinelli goes on the hunt to unlock her family's mysteries. She tracks down courageous ancestors who suffered through hardship and tragedy, and discovers a royal lineage dating back centuries that she never dreamed possible.
Kelsey Grammer takes a trip into the past to explore his beloved grandmother's family. He uncovers the story of a woman haunted by demons, and finds a connection to family who risked everything in one of the greatest migrations in American history.
Actress Angie Harmon discovers a daring ancestor who gave up his freedom to come to America, fought for his new country's independence, and risked everything at a pivotal point in America's history.
Beyond a family of Hollywood legends, actor/director Tony Goldwyn explores his maternal lineage. He is introduced to a heritage of political activism; a couple ahead of their time proudly fighting for abolition, women's rights and westward expansion.
America Ferrera searches for a connection to a father she barely knew, and discovers a great grandfather who led multiple revolts against the government and left an enduring mark on Honduran history.
Actor/Director Bill Paxton researches his paternal lineage, uncovering the captivating life of an ancestor who was a war hero in an historic battle and who shaped politics and society during a turbulent era.
Julie Chen never knew her maternal grandfather; he died long before Julie was born. All she had heard was that he was a wealthy playboy with a rags-to-riches story. Julie sets out for rural China to learn more about his life and uncovers a dramatic tale.
Josh Groban traces his ancestors' roots to Germany. He discovers a relative who was not only a deacon, but also a music teacher & well-known astronomer. But Josh's ancestor's predictions of cataclysmic doom put him in the crosshairs of the church.
Alfre Woodard goes on a journey searching for her grandfather's roots, and finds a relative who endured one of the most horrifying periods in American history, but accomplished an extraordinary feat.
Actor/Producer Sean Hayes searches for the cause of his estranged father's troubled past and uncovers a shocking trail of tragedy and crime that reaches back generations.
Bryan Cranston's happy childhood shattered when his father abandoned the family when Bryan was just 11. Seeking answers, Bryan explores his paternal roots, finds a troubling pattern of desertion, a man of honor and an aunt he never even knew existed.
TV host Tom Bergeron unravels the mysterious history of his paternal roots in France, following Marguerite, his 9x great grandmother, who endured upheaval as a young girl and faced a critical decision to go against her Protestant upbringing for survival.
Aisha Tyler's journey reveals an ancestor who, as a politician, struggled to keep his illegitimate son a secret. Against all odds, her 2x great-grandfather exemplifies bravery and determination during one of America's most tumultuous eras of racism.
Melissa Etheridge digs into her French roots and finds a family shaken by a scandalous lawsuit; a turbulent relationship entangled with tragedy; and an adventuresome ancestor who prospered in colonial America.
Actress Ginnifer Goodwin delves into a family secret in hopes of connecting her father with the grandparents he never knew. She is shocked to find dark and turbulent lives filled with drug addiction and life-altering consequences.
JK Rowling sets off on a journey to uncover her maternal French roots. She stumbles upon a family mystery, and uncovers a harrowing tale of wartime heroism, then discovers the actions of a brave ancestor.
Jennifer Grey discovers much more about the grandfather she thought she knew as she uncovers how he survived adversity to become a beacon of his community; and discovers a great-grandmother whose devastating tragedy stopped her from making it to America.
This special episode digs into its archives and features highlights throughout the seasons including triumphs and tragedies, delightful discoveries and sobering moments. It also unveils outtakes and never-before-seen footage from the "Who Do" vault.
Jessica Biel finds that the family lore of native American ancestry is false. She learns that she has some Jewish ancestors. She also learns that the family lore about an ancestor who fought in the civil war for the south surrendered to union troops and was shot in the back during a prison break is true.
Tracing his patriotic roots, Scott Foley finds a relative who risked his life for one of America's founding fathers, and an ancestor who suffered unspeakably during one of this nation's darkest times.
Katey Sagal has an emotional and insightful meeting with her mother's friend and fellow USO performer. Katey also finds a surprising link to the Amish and uncovers the harrowing story of her relative's daring escape from attackers.
Molly Ringwald explores family lore of Swedish royalty, which uncovers her ancestors' harrowing lives and reveals women who suffered through unspeakable tragedies, and one brave immigrant who forever changed her family's fate.
Sex and the City Star Chris Noth headed to County Cavan last week to trace his Irish roots. Noth discovered that his great-grandfather was from Cavan, and left home for Canada around 1840. Grandpa's surname was Maguire, and he was originally from Knockbride. Noth visited the Cavan Library to do some research.
Lea Michele unravels secrets of her Jewish roots, discovering a great-grandmother lost without a country; relatives fighting to be together; ancestors suffering devastating loss; and long lost family reuniting after decades of separation.
Julie Bowen makes the discovery that a close relative led a criminal organization that triggered a dark chapter of US history; another ancestor risked everything to fight for the freedom of African Americans.
Noah Wyle investigates his maternal family line, discovering an ancestor who was catapulted into one of America's biggest wars, and whose life spiraled out of control from remarkable success to a shocking and tragic end.
Motown legend and icon, Smokey Robinson tracks down a grandfather tangled in a swirl of controversy and connects to a relative's familiar struggle with oppression while coming face to face with the gruesome history he knew was inevitable.
Actor John Stamos explores his Greek heritage for the first time and discovers an explosive feud that shattered his grandfather's childhood. He also meets a relative he never knew and hears firsthand about his family's enduring strength.
Actress Liv Tyler unravels the mystery of her father Steven Tyler's maternal family line; uncovering ancestors who took part in famous American battles. She also learns shocking truths that change the way she will see herself, and her family, forever.
Actor Jon Cryer looks into his family tree in order to gain better understanding of who he is & where he came from.
Actress and activist Laverne Cox pieces together the inspiring life of her African American ancestor, who challenged societal norms and bravely pushed the boundaries just years after Emancipation.
Megan Mullally explores a shocking pattern of dysfunction in her father's line. She finds her 2 times great-grandmother was bravely defying societal norms in order to fight for her family's survival, while struggling to hang on to her own sanity.
Actress Hilary Duff uncovers the tale of an ancestor who bravely led an American colony to battle a notorious gang of pirates. She dives centuries deep into her Scottish roots and is shocked to discover that she descends from a heroic medieval king.
Actress Molly Shannon heads to Ireland in search of her mother's unknown family tree. She finds desperate ancestors forced to choose between their faith and survival; uncovers a family legacy of bravery; and meets Irish cousins for the first time.
Actress Jean Smart uncovers the curious tale of an unconventional ancestor in colonial Massachusetts, who got her children entangled in her own thievery ring and later faced execution when she was accused of witchcraft.
Actress Mandy Moore is shocked to discover ancestors that lived in Australia, and travels far, determined to unlock the mystery of how they got there. She's touched by the courage of those who made the journey and the sacrifice of those who did not.
Actor Josh Duhamel travels to England to investigate the extraordinary life of his twelve times great-grandfather and uncovers a shocking, dark twist of interrogation and torture that rocks his belief system to the core.
Actress Regina King investigates her maternal family tree and uncovers an ancestor who was a radical civil rights activist in Alabama; a man who came out of slavery, endured horrific violence, but never stopped fighting for his people.
Actor Matthew Morrison is shocked to discover his American roots go back to the Revolutionary War. He learns of the brutality his six times great-grandfather faced on the battlefield and struggles with the choices he made to defend his beliefs.
Billy Porter discovers the tragic and heroic history of his family with the help of a genealogist and historians.
Nick Offerman traces his family history in New York back to the Revolutionary War, then back to Dutch Colonial America.
Allison Janney tracks the journey of her ancestor from England to Bermuda, the Jamestown Colony and aboard the Mayflower.
A family scandal in the 1800s leads to shocking revelations about one of Zachary Levi's ancestors and sheds light on family secrets.
One spring day in 1863, three immigrant brothers join the Union Army. Bradley Whitford learns one of those brothers was his great-grandfather, and follows their heroic journey to the Battle of Vicksburg. Will any survive?
