4 Global View, Troy, NY 12180-8375
email@wmht.org

Phone: 518-880-3400
Fax: 518-880-3409

© 2026
Your Classical Companion
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Access to this video is a benefit to members
Member Sign In
Learn More
Finding Your Roots

The Butterfly Effect

Season 11 Episode 8 | 52m 10s

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actors Debra Messing & Melanie Lynskey to ancestors who made bold decisions that forever reshaped their family trees. Moving from shtetls in Eastern Europe to a fruit stand in NY City to the wilds of New Zealand, Gates introduces his guests to relatives who took great risks, overcame enormous hardships—and unwittingly transformed the lives of their descendants.

Aired: 02/24/25 | Expires: 03/25/25
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
Antiques Roadshow
Preview: 250 Years of Americana
Preview: 250 Years of Americana
Preview: S30 E22 | 0:30
Watch • 1:57
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Zark Pottery Vase, ca.1910
Appraisal: Zark Pottery Vase, ca.1910
Clip: S30 E15 | 1:57
Watch • 1:29
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Walt Disney-signed Roy Williams Drawing, ca. 1958
Appraisal: Walt Disney-signed Roy Williams Drawing, ca. 1958
Clip: S30 E15 | 1:29
Watch • 1:04
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1943 Hamilton Model 22 Chronometer
Appraisal: 1943 Hamilton Model 22 Chronometer
Clip: S30 E15 | 1:04
Watch • 1:16
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Harry Bertoia for Knoll Chairs, ca. 1970
Appraisal: Harry Bertoia for Knoll Chairs, ca. 1970
Clip: S30 E15 | 1:16
Watch • 4:24
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1979 - 1981 Iran Hostage Archive
Appraisal: 1979 - 1981 Iran Hostage Archive
Clip: S30 E15 | 4:24
Watch • 2:36
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1926 Tom Barnett "The Rapids" Oil
Appraisal: 1926 Tom Barnett "The Rapids" Oil
Clip: S30 E15 | 2:36
Watch • 1:55
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Victorian Gold & Enamel Bangles, ca. 1890
Appraisal: Victorian Gold & Enamel Bangles, ca. 1890
Clip: S30 E15 | 1:55
Watch • 3:15
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1864 Civil War Collection
Appraisal: 1864 Civil War Collection
Clip: S30 E15 | 3:15
Watch • 2:18
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1962 Ahmed Yacoubi "A Spell Against Evil" Oil
Appraisal: 1962 Ahmed Yacoubi "A Spell Against Evil" Oil
Clip: S30 E15 | 2:18
Latest Episodes
All
  • All
  • Finding Your Roots Season 12
  • 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 • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Rags to Riches
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Kate Burton and media mogul Barry Diller.
Episode: S12 E10 | 52:09
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Song of the South
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the families of Danielle Deadwyler and Rhiannon Giddens.
Episode: S12 E9 | 52:10
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Artistic Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of director Spike Lee and actor Kristin Chenoweth.
Episode: S12 E8 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Family Harmonies
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces musicians Flea and Lizzo to their inspiring ancestors.
Episode: S12 E7 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Westward Bound
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. heads west to map the family trees of Sara Haines and Tracy Letts.
Episode: S12 E6 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Love & Basketball
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of basketball stars Brittney Griner and Chris Paul.
Episode: S12 E5 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
The Road We Took
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of actor Lizzy Caplan and comedian Hasan Minhaj.
Episode: S12 E4 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Caribbean Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the Caribbean heritage of Liza Colón-Zayas and Delroy Lindo.
Episode: S12 E3 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Great Migrations
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the family trees of rapper Wiz Khalifa and actor Sanaa Lathan.
Episode: S12 E2 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
American Dreams
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers America Ferrera & Darren Criss’ immigrant ancestors.
Episode: S12 E1 | 52:09