Ep 12. DNA Mysteries

In the 12th episode of the sixth season of Finding Your Roots, titled DNA Mysteries, host Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores the ancestral history of three celebrity guests through the use of DNA testing and genealogical research.

The first guest is actor Sterling K. Brown, best known for his roles in This Is Us and American Crime Story. Gates traces Brown’s ancestry back to West Africa, revealing the impact of the slave trade on his family history. The DNA testing also leads to a surprising discovery about Brown’s European ancestry.

The second guest is comedian Sasheer Zamata, who rose to fame as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. Zamata’s family tree proves to be a challenge to trace due to a lack of documentation, but DNA testing provides some unexpected revelations about her African and European heritage.

Lastly, journalist and news anchor Soledad O’Brien learns about her Cuban roots through DNA testing. Gates discovers that O’Brien’s maternal ancestors were part of the early Spanish settlers in Cuba, while her paternal relatives were enslaved Africans. The episode also explores the complexities of Afro-Cuban identity and the impact of political events such as the Cuban Revolution on O’Brien’s family history.

Throughout the episode, Gates uses historical documents, photographs, and interviews with experts to provide context and insight into the experiences of each guest’s ancestors. Viewers are taken on a journey of discovery as the guests learn about the triumphs and struggles of their forebears, and come to a greater understanding of their own identities.

DNA Mysteries is a thought-provoking exploration of the power of genetic testing and the search for ancestral roots. In a time when there is growing interest in genealogy and personal narrative, the episode provides a fascinating look at the complexities of identity and the ways in which the past continues to shape the present.