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Finding Your Roots
Lena Dunham Uncovers Her Ancestor's Complex Legacy
We trace Lena Dunham's ancestry back to her paternal eighth great-grandfather, Stephanus van Cortlandt, a pivotal figure in the early history of New York City. Stephanus's life story unfolds as one of ambition, becoming the first native-born Mayor of New York. But Lena confronts the more troubling aspects of his legacy, including his dealings with the Lenape tribe and his involvement in slavery.
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Pamela Adlon and Kathryn Hahn discover the truth about their scandal-plagued ancestors.
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Retracing the ancestral journeys of David Chang and Raúl Esparza.
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The family history of Brittany Packnett Cunningham & Anita Hill.
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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. investigates the family history of Rebecca Hall & Lee Daniels
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DNA analysis challenges guests’ ideas about their family’s history and their identities.
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Trace the histories of Tina Fey, David Sedaris and George Stephanopoulos.
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Explore the British influence in the lives of Deepak Chopra, Sally Field and Sting.
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Examine the Jewish heritage of Alan Dershowitz, Carole King and Tony Kushner.
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Trace the roots of Nas, Angela Bassett and Valerie Jarrett into the heart of slavery.
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52:40
Three chefs cook the food of their ancestors.
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Learn about the lives of the forebears of Ken Burns, Anderson Cooper & Anna Deavere Smith.
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Examine the ancestral origins of athletes Derek Jeter, Billie Jean King and Rebecca Lobo.