Tig Notaro Reacts to Family History in Finding Your Roots | Ancestry | Ancestry

In this clip from PBS' Finding Your Roots, Henry Louis Gates Jr. helps comedian Tig Notaro the celebrated past of a hard-working ancestor. Start Your Ancestry Family Tree:

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00:00 Introduction
0:16 Tig Notaro seeks answers around her 2nd great-grandfather
0:44 Tig Notaro shocked to learn her ancestor’s tragic childhood
2:51 Tig Notaro reacts to her ancestor’s mayorship in New Orleans

[LarryRachlin]

Henry Louis Gates is a national treasure.

[b-six-twelve]

Bless Henry Louis Gates Jr. Perfect choice to host this show. Love how he keeps it classy but also seems emotionally engaged with guests and their family stories.

[noraxbeth]

This exact thing happened to my grandfather! During the depression my great grandmother couldn’t afford to live with them once her husband died. She kept in contact every weekend and adopted them as teenagers once she remarried. My grandfathers sister let me know it was more pleasant than it sounds, growing up in an orphanage. They had friends and didn’t feel alone.

[lesleyg]

My grandmother was 1 of 14 children and was sent to live in an orphanage with 2 of her younger siblings. On the weekends, the older siblings would pick her up to visit the rest of the Family. Her mother did eventually get all 3 children back.

[malindarayallen]

I'm not surprised Tig Notaro hadn't looked into her ancestor before. She's notoriously uninterested in famous people. I'm so happy to see her connect with her roots.

[deborahdobbie]

I always cry watching these. It’s so deep. God bless all of our ancestors.

[DrNancyLivingCoCreatively]

Love Dr. Gates. Your life work has brought such dignity to humanity. Much gratitude.

[rrk]

I love this show, but our local PBS channel tends to move it around so much I miss it quite frequently.

[SierraRubies]

I love Tig and love this show. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. seems like the perfect host. I teach one section of a WWII/Holocaust class to middle schoolers. I subscribe to the military section to help interested students find family members who served in the war(s). I have used it for my own purposes, too, but have made some mistakes on the family tree(s). One day I will straighten it out, definitely takes time.

[Paul-dndj]

This man needs a bigger show lol you can tell how supportive and understanding he is

[Jae....]

My great, great, great, great grandfather was a full French fur trapper and married my great x 4 grandmother who was full blooded Lakota. I would love to know more about the French side of my roots, as I know very little about him of the two.

[Nunov]

It’s funny how that in one particular moment, towards the end, we can clearly see that she’s getting emotional, but manages to remain calm, but this experience has really affected her, in a good way :)

[elsieanndaniels]

I too live this show. I love this guy he is so smart and so good at what he does.

[regrowthprojects]

tig talked about how little she cares about ancestry in a standup set she did... "Your great great great grandmother was the first woman to ride a bicycle... without a bonnet on."

[victorialake]

I have never heard of this lady. She is very pretty and has a unique look. She seems like a nice lady. I have a Ancestry kit and will send it in. Can’t wait for my results.

[lindahenderson]

What a lovely person to find in your family! Great story.

[AncestryUS]

Hi there, thanks so much for stopping by.

We can of course understand the frustration that can come wit hitting brick walls in your research. We have popped a few links below which have a few tips that may help you to make some headway in your search:



We hope this helps!

[AncestryUS]

Hi hunterrgntr! Finding Your Roots is truly an amazing show. We're thrilled you enjoyed the story of Tig Notaro's ancestor. Hope you're having a fantastic day!

[LASHULADECHIHUAS]

It would be amazing if They would do these for average people who can’t afford thousands of dollars for researchers. This is amazing. 💜

[beverleyarscott]

My grandmother was put in a workhouse as a young child with her brother. They were the only ones in their family that were taught to read and write.