FINDING YOUR ROOTS: Viewers Like You

By Jennifer Robinson / Web Producer

Published April 8, 2024 at 12:54 PM PDT

Courtesy of PBS

Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Stream now with KPBS Passport / Watch Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025 at 8 p.m. on KPBS TV

After a national casting call that received over nine thousand submissions, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets three everyday Americans. Each has a family mystery that they have spent years trying to solve—only to reach dead ends. Using genetic genealogy and old-fashioned detective work, Gates unravels these mysteries, allowing each of his guests to understand themselves—and their families as never before.

After a national casting call that received over nine thousand submissions, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets 3 everyday Americans. Each has a family mystery that they have spent years trying to solve—only to reach dead ends. Using genetic genealogy and old-fashioned detective work, Gates unravels these mysteries, allowing each of his guests to understand themselves—and their families as never before.

About Season 10: In addition to exploring the family mysteries of three members of the viewing public, chosen for the series following a casting call, Season 10 of FINDING YOUR ROOTS dives into the ancestral backgrounds and stories of Valerie Bertinelli, Danielle Brooks, LeVar Burton, Ciara, Michael Douglas, Lena Dunham, Brendan Fraser, Sammy Hagar, Sunny Hostin, Tracy Morgan, Alanis Morissette and more.

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Megan Robertson embarks on a poignant quest to demystify the lineage of her great-grandfather, Green Church, who was believed to have been adopted early in his life. Originating from a longstanding curiosity fueled by fragmented family lore, Megan's journey leads her to the discovery that instead of an adoptive family, Green was actually raised by his grandparents alongside his brother Rufus.

Watch On Your Schedule: This episode is available to stream with KPBS Passport, a benefit for members supporting KPBS at $60 or more yearly, using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.

Join Terrie Morrow, a devoted school bus driver from Birmingham, Alabama, as she embarks on an emotional odyssey to resolve a longstanding family puzzle that has intrigued her for decades. Her journey focuses on her cherished great-grandfather, affectionately referred to as Papa, whose early life is shrouded in obscurity. Left by his mother, Lenora, at the tender age of five with the Tagger family

Join the Conversation + Share Stories: The public can explore and share their family histories via social media using the hashtag #FindingYourRoots on TikTok, and via Facebook.com/FindingYourRootsPBS and @HenryLouisGates

Join Joyce Willis as she embarks on a riveting exploration into her family history, aiming to resolve a deeply rooted enigma: Was the man known as her grandmother Beatrice Willis's father truly related by blood? Through meticulous historical research, heartfelt interviews, and groundbreaking DNA analysis, Joyce seeks to uncover the truths buried within her family's past.

Credits: A production of McGee Media, Inkwell Media, Kunhardt Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the writer, host, and executive producer. Dyllan McGee and Peter Kunhardt are executive producers. John F. Wilson is the executive producer in charge for WETA. Bill Gardner is the executive in charge for PBS. Sabin Streeter is the senior producer. Natalia Warchol is the series producer. Hannah Olson is the consulting producer. Deborah Clancy Porfido is the supervising producer. Kevin Burke is the producer. Robert L. Yacyshyn is the line producer. Sabin Streeter and Krista Whetstone are directors.

In addition to exploring the family mysteries of three members of the viewing public, chosen for the series following a casting call, Season 10 of "Finding Your Roots" dives into the ancestral backgrounds and stories of Valerie Bertinelli, Danielle Brooks, LeVar Burton, Ciara, Michael Douglas, Lena Dunham, Brendan Fraser, Sammy Hagar, Sunny Hostin, Tracy Morgan, Alanis Morissette and more.

FINDING YOUR ROOTS: Viewers Like You

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