Issa Rae’s Dramatic Family History Is Like a “Soap Opera” | Finding Your Roots | Ancestry©

Actress and producer Issa Rae gains clarity on where she comes from… with a surprising twist ending that she likens to a soap opera! Watch as Henry Louis Gates Jr. walks her through her family history on PBS’s Finding Your Roots.

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[AncestryUS]

Were you as blown away discovering your family history as Issa was? Share your experience in the replies!

[tek]

Issa could turn her actual family history into a compelling drama

[carminhasantangelo]

She is so beautiful. Her complexion and bone structure. Just vibrant. 👑👑⚘⚘⚘

[carmellabrown]

Most black slave owners bought their family and friends as a means to keep them safe and often freed them. Check out the slave narratives and the slave memoirs in the Library of Congress. It's a very interesting experience to read and listen to these people life story from their view.

[ibrahimadabo]

And that's only her mothers side. Her father is Senegalese and for sure has interesting stories within Africa

[KHooks]

I'm a 39 years old Black American, last year through Ancestry I found that My 6x grandfather was a Patriot in the Revolutionary War, I had 7 ancestors including two grandfathers who fought for the Colored Troops in the Civil War. I have free Black ancestors on the 1820-1870 census in Wayne County, NY. So many other amazing finds in my story but these were the most profound.

[gatorgal]

Wow! She's a member of the Charbonnet family, they have a strong prominence in New Orleans.

[summera]

Issa always leaves me in awe. She’s just that woman. I look up to her. She makes me proud to be who I am🫶🏽

[crich]

I am of Haitian descent. I just recently found out after Haiti won independence alot of French and slaves moved to Louisiana because it was still owned by the French. I clicked on this expecting Haiti to pop up and what do know. It definitely makes you look at how connected we are.

[nolacreola]

As a person of New Orleans creole descent, this is similar to a lot of our family histories too. My family has been in New Orleans for hundreds of years and before that Haiti. I never knew how I and my city were connected to Haiti until I researched my family tree.

[dainnesejackson]

It was her face expression when she found out her great great great great grandfather was white. Girl your not alone my face would of dropped

[mmd]

This is what I like about Dr. Gates and this show. Family history shoots straight from the hip. It can't be talked away; it is what it is. It's a leveler for all of us.

[dana.j]

I Love Issa Rae!! She is a straight shooter and strong Beautiful Woman!!

[EarthQueen-]

Would love to hear her Senegalese side as well💛

[RoniForeva]

Issa's father is Senegalese which was a former french colony. Its interesting that part of her heritage didn't come up.

[SuperRockadoodle]

Her family story is some what my story. Her Grandparents Joyce and Ralph are my grandmother Laura Ives Williams first cousins. Amazing!

[creamycazz]

You guys are gonna think I’m weird but I always get told I look just like Issa by friends & strangers alike. Oddly enough my mom’s family is from Jeremie (where one of her great grandfathers was from) and her mom looks almost identical to my mom, except her mom’s from Louisiana and my mom’s Haitian. I’m thinking there’s some kind of relation somewhere. This is wild. 🤯

[Decadancehallking]

Ever since I found out that there was much more of a connection between the black folk of New Orleans and Haiti, I keep hearing about people who are connected to both, and Issa is just another example. History is so interesting!!

[ChristopherDeMero]

Glad this story came back on. Wish I could find my story.

[Quinnfos]

I love love love this so much for Issa Rae! YES, WE Louisiana Creoles are STILL ALIVE! We're aound da world actually. Our culture still exists and we are unveiling, facing, and rectifying our past and present. Mo lamou nouzòt <3.