Maya Rudolph’s Heartbreaking Discovery About Her Family History | Finding Your Roots | Ancestry®

[@AncestryUS]

Learning more about our family's history can be an emotional but rewarding journey. Who would you like to see discover their family history next? Let us know!

[@melissamarks7319]

I would love to see my friend Valentina Quinn on Finding Your Roots. She is the granddaughter of Cecil B. DeMille. Her mother is Katherine DeMille, who was adopted by Cecil and his wife. Valentina's father is Anthony Quinn. Her family history would make a very interesting episode.

[@joannvalentin-alvarez1843]

Jennifer Lopez

[@James-jn3rb]

Tom Cruise!

[@lafredabowe1637]

Me

[@caryblankenship4880]

ME!! 😂😂❤❤

[@destinydemus2192]

The way she is showing empathy towards the 5 year old child is EVERYTHING! Empathy in a person shows she heart.

[@kathleencarson9904]

And that 5-year-old was her ancestor.

[@UlrichW-mm8yz]

My thoughts exactly! She must be a great mother as she didn't address HER pain when seeing the relative's entry in that record or imagining if that was her, but her mind went straight to empathizing first with the little black child's pain and the likely confusion about his world around him he must have felt.

[@BigPermDawg]

She’s also an actress.

[@panjandrum.conundrum]

@@BigPermDawg cmon man

[@FollowingTheDream455]

She's a human being with emotions too, not just an actress.

[@misstriciaskitchen8640]

I did AncestryDNA early last year. When I looked at documents like slave registries and death records I went to bed and cried. It really hit home that my ancestors didn’t get the dignity of having their names recorded in life or death. Most of their names have been lost to history.

[@agingknees6188]

Me too. I cried a lot, but I'm so happy I started that research and learned that tracing my family isn't as hopeless as I thought it was

[@colleenlewis2780]

@@agingknees6188 Most of us eventually hit a brick wall while tracing our African American ancestors you can only go so far .

[@agingknees6188]

@@colleenlewis2780 yeah it's unfortunate. I've been trying to connect birthdays and other workarounds to at least find the slave schedule of the my youngest ancestors born into slavery. I found one of their owners, but for my dad's direct line I just can't seem to narrow it down since I have a really common last name sadly

[@tjwash2]

Many names are still lost in the sense of the lack of opportunity to make a name for oneself in certain professions. Some great actor never became a famous actor because there were no leading roles for them to play, as just one example.

[@msubiquitous6462]

Yeah there really is no reason to use the database for Ancestry for blacks once you hit your ancestors that were slaves. What is enlightening is how kids were moved around and thought they were being raised by blood relatives but they really weren’t. Since blacks were considered live stock they blood lines for people and children were not respected.

[@taylorbasford4542]

That reaction to a 5 year old enslaved human being is the appropriate reaction to the thought of chattel slavery. Maya, you are so loved and I am so sorry.

[@BigMilt8]

@Noel Ruine Totally inappropriate comment. Just so you know, slavery in Africa did not mirror the slavery of the Americas. In Africa (as in most of the known world throughout history), slaves (normally from conquered tribes) were held within a single generation. Then they were absorbed into the conquering tribe. Not put into the perpetual racial based slavery that was the forever plan in the Americas. Expand your mind and read a book. Instead of trying to troll, stroll to your local library.

[@DanielDem87]

@@BigMilt8 not in the middle-east black slaves were castrated in many regions, especially in Iraq.

[@lawtraf8008]

@@DanielDem87 what does that has to do with anything

[@DanielDem87]

@@lawtraf8008 This also happened in many places in Africa too, african slaves who were castrated and turned into eunuchs, the black african slavers took captives in raids or battles and made the captives into slaves the slaves were then castrated before selling them to middle-eastern or northafrican buyers. Castrated slaves were much more expensive and desirable for Islamic buyers, these were experiences slavers who did not want black africans to procreate, this is in contrast to when they bought euroepan slaves and "mameluks" who were not castrated and would later take power and create dynasties of their own (especially in Egypt were many Turkic mameluk dynasties ruled).

[@DanielDem87]

@@lawtraf8008 the point is that the black african slavers were just as bad or worse than other slavers of the era.

[@javiernarvaez5297]

Only five years old, and that poor boy was seeing the worst of humanity. It wasn’t just him; countless other children were experiencing the same thing across this country. It is truly heartbreaking and horrifying to see what people did in that time. We truly don’t know what we, as human beings, are capable of.

[@kevinparkin3322]

In 2023, children are enslaved to dig for cobalt to power the leftist wokester's electric cars.

[@TheMijman]

Yes we do... Slavery.

[@kronostvx]

womp womp

[@SandraHof]

It is still being done today to many races and in many countries.

[@j.griffin]

@@SandraHof More than people care to admit. If you know it was wrong then, Do anything you can to stop it today.

[@RatKing59]

You know who doesn’t get enough credit? Your video editor. Great job layering in the music during conversation, but letting emotion fill the room when it’s time.

[@Lalalalala...]

I feel like the part that gets me even more is how they weren't even listed by name. It's a detail I sometimes forget, but it somehow makes it even more heartbreaking than it already is

[@snidelywhiplash]

It's part of the cruelty of it - removing their identity, their history, their heritage.

[@chicarobertson4706]

Yeah, they didn't name their livestock either. Africans were property to them.

[@snidelywhiplash]

@Noel Ruine Fascinating - you're using an exact copy of an argument used by Holocaust deniers to minimize slavery.

[@garyjackson7040]

@@snidelywhiplash Actually they WERE given names. Names they could actually pronounce. Of all of the actual atrocities, names are the oddest thing to focus on

[@snidelywhiplash]

@@garyjackson7040 Point is the Census erased their names. And given that they had been thoroughly separated from their own ancestry and heritage, even their names weren't really theirs.

[@weeb9332]

It is amazing the emotional reaction to relatives who come before us whom we have never met. We are connected in ways we cannot imagine because we belong to something so much bigger than ourselves.

[@TheLuckyjoenga]

It's amazing how just a number on a piece of paper can evoke such emotions. ❤️

[@dexxtur]

When you know nothing any little thing is so amazing. Wow.💕

[@TheLuckyjoenga]

@@dexxtur very well said. 👍

[@zoeyrochellezhombie829]

Nothing is amazing

[@edwarda2033]

A cousin recently forwarded a pic of my great grandfather. I nor my dad ever met him as he died before my dad was born. Still it was like looking at a ghost and a bit of a mirror. Whatever life decisions he made led to me.

[@ron4501]

I lived in Gainesville, Florida in the late 60s and early 1970s and lived near the Duckpond. I used to see Minnie Ripperton often and always went to her concerts. Minnie had one of the most angelic voices I have ever heard. She would hit notes I did not know existed. She is sorely missed but I do have her music which I play often.

[@margaretgonzalez8565]

Wow that's great

[@jimmcloughlin]

"Loving You" is the most beautiful of songs and still gets me at 83.

[@margaretgonzalez8565]

@@jimmcloughlin u are so right

[@sandersra9036]

I, born in 1994, have the "Adventures in Parasise" Vinyl. I played it just the other day. Soothing music.

[@auteurfiddler8706]

Maya Rudolph is the best singer SNL ever had by far. Garret Morris, believe it or not, was pretty good, too.

[@jblox1990]

I used to work with Maya's dad, Dick. He wrote most if not all of those Minnie Ripperton songs. Really cool and talented guy. Could talk about anything, with anybody. That's a great gift.

[@AncestryUS]

Thank you so much for sharing, Luke - what a truly cool story!

[@desertdetroiter428]

I played little league baseball against her brother! He was a helluva pitcher.

[@blazee3895]

I’ve never been a fan of her music but she seemed like a nice lady.

[@naj_z]

@@blazee3895How can you not be a fan of Lovin You?? That’s like the most peaceful relaxing song known to man 😂

[@spiritinthematerialworld]

What a humane reaction. I cried with her. So happy she found this. I love this show.

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

This should not be show on TV. Way too personal. None of anyone's business.

[@lukeshioshio]

​@@einundsiebenziger5488 she signed up for it and it's educational. It's not up to you it's up to her

[@vivianamora7505]

I just love her. Her heart breaks because he’s 5. She’s such a loving mom 😢😍

[@thesupervisor3270]

And he’s probably in his grave knowing that both her and her mom had kids by white men. Yeah I said it. She needed to see this Maya so detached from her African American roots it’s ridiculous

[@mikeaporter6988]

@@thesupervisor3270 you can’t get mad at Maya and her mother because you know black men mess with white girls long before black women start a mess with white men.

[@quenyasansel]

Or, maybe - and hear me out - segregation is over and we no longer judge humans by their skin color? Maya has figured that out. It’s a shame you haven’t.

[@AnastasiaBeaverhousn]

Right!!!🙄 I could NEVER!!!🙄 IDGAF how long it's been!!! I don't even want to be FRIENDS with them!!!🤷🏿‍♀️​@@thesupervisor3270

[@mizzsassy-ow7uf]

​@thesupervisor3270 but she's not an African american woman .....

[@robinjordan-henry9215]

Genealogy is a great way to learn about history. I've a cousin that's traced our family back 5 and 6 generations (She began her research in the late 70's) and by doing so we've had to put our legacy in a historical context. It all became very real when we were invited to the Virginia plantation where my family were enslaved and escaped from. At the time of our visit an Underground Historical Marker was being laid.

[@roslynsamuria7309]

🙏🏽 praying for us

[@KiraiBK]

What part of Virginia were you in? My family were on a plantation in South Boston/Halifax Va. I still haven’t located the location of the plantation but found a lot of documentation when I visited the courthouse.

[@Voe646]

can you tell me what plantation

[@AncestryUS]

Thank you for sharing with us!

[@acmcbride-olson9320]

Whoa. That is mind blowing. I recently read a story about a man who bought a Virginia house with a little land so that he and his family could have reunions - - only to find out he had bought the plantation where his ancestors had been enslaved. Talk about goosebumps.

[@Donley76]

Dig it all up: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Teach your children and hope that they teach theirs. In order to "never forget" you have to know it in the first place.

[@youtubingbabs]

Yes! Beautiful. Because your lives matter. I recently was learning to declare that my life matters. My feelings matter. My thoughts matter. My passion matters. When you stand up and say, " I matter." And you are met with resistance: there is unwellness. Abuse, dismissal and more. I matter. You matter. Nobody gonna whip me, choke me, beat me, manipulate, exploit, dismiss, trivialize, exploit, me and not suffer consequences at least while I'm alive. Those days are coming to an end. People need to pay attention and show respect asks find the love and question how we treat others. These ceo's need to start compensating people properly too. If you don't: you're a slave owner. Poverty is not the same as slavery but it's it's cousin, I'm sure. Many men too. Stop acting like women are your slave to do your domestic work and pleasure you and feed you. Those days are ending. Enough is enough.

[@alison2649]

Beautifully put

[@jeannestapleton7514]

Yes….history matters…that’s why in states like mine the Republicans have passed a law making it a crime to teach “ certain controversial history that may make some people feel bad”… race baiting for elections and working overtime to keep the people ignorant. Anyone think they have a $500 bounty on a teacher “ caught” teaching actual history the gop don’t like at elite PRIVATE schools or just at the public schools?? ?…. ( gop group here in my state created this bounty, probably saw how well vigilante terror works in texas

[@spikefivefivefive]

This practice is still very much alive in Sub-Saharan Africa.

[@maxwellsamuel3255]

@@spikefivefivefiveit’s alive in America and Europe too. Nobody wants to talk about it

[@Glen.Danielsen]

THIS teaches me. The atrocity of slavery is still historically recent. And it has left not merely scars, but open wounds. Think Antwone Fisher’s sisters in the movie Antwone Fisher. And Maya Rudolph. This is important, because some wounds will not heal without action and work. The nation could _begin_ by acknowledging. Then an amendment to Constitution that officially apologizes for the holocaust of slavery here in the States. Then, how about a new (standard, not merely ’commemorative’) $10 dollar bill that honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It could be modeled after the stunningly beautiful Philippines 500 Peso bill. That near-prophet of a man still has not had sufficient homage. Thanks so much Brother Henry Louis Gates. We couldn’t have a more consummate host here than you. 🙏🏽 💛

[@MrTechman01]

Mya's reaction is EXACTLY how I felt when I found a census of my father at 5 years old or a census of my mother at 4 yrs old....You dont see you mother or your father, you see these kids in this large family and the first reference to put things into perspective is your own kids! The emotions hit you like a typhoon or a monsoon or something!

[@GraphixChic]

I was today years old when I found out Maya’s mother was Minnie Riperton. Also, her emotional response really moved me. I can only imagine.

[@adc2327]

Where ya been? Lol! Take a listen to "Loving You". At the end Minnie calls Maya's name.

[@GraphixChic]

@@adc2327 LOL, I don't know!!! I mean, I know who Minnie Riperton was and I know the song very well. I got it stuck in my head for the rest of the day after having to remind my husband who she was. 🤣 It just never occurred to me that she was Maya's mom. I guess I'm a little slow. LOL

[@kaymuldoon3575]

I remember that song Loving You so very well. 1975.

[@youtubename7819]

There are lots of Mayas in the world - you would have no way of knowing she was talking about maya rudolph at the end of that song. :)

[@adc2327]

@@youtubename7819 That was her baby daughter when this was recorded. What other Maya would she be talking about?

[@Rie_thefemalehustler]

I have grisby’s in my line as well and Ancestry DNA matches line up to the family. Lastly, my cousin told me that Maya’s grandmother or great grandmother use to visit my cousin’s grandmother down in Southern Ohio and that they were related but she didn’t know exactly how.

[@catrunswithmatches]

This is so cool. Hopefully this episode provided a glimpse into some answers for you 🥰

[@Rie_thefemalehustler]

@@catrunswithmatches it did, it confirmed what my cousin said.

[@catrunswithmatches]

@@Rie_thefemalehustler I am so happy for you even though I don’t know you. I am working on tracing my family history.

[@zoeyrochellezhombie829]

Through Ancestry, I've discovered I'm a distant cousin to Tracee Ellis Ross and her mother, not to mention a LOT of other notable black people. Most through my great great grandmother's side in Illinois.

[@ohemmehey561]

@@zoeyrochellezhombie829 her slightly famous mother, lol 🙂

[@edwardholbrook8351]

To see Maya Rudolph cry broke my heart. To know why shredded it. I couldn’t imagine.

[@edithbannerman4]

@Hello there, how are you doing this blessed day?

[@omargoodnesssake]

*And what she’s looking at a lot of Americans want to erase, forget, and pretend that it didn’t happen and has no relevance today.*

[@robertvaughn7796]

In my opinion, while this is a huge strain on American history, it is a mistake to pretend it didn't happen, to forget about it because this is what made America who we are, this is our history, good or bad. If we act like it never happened or forget about what occurred, we will be doomed to repeat the terrible act because future generations won't know what happened because they didn't get to learn about it and understand the tragedies that occurred because of slavery.

[@soniaevans1860]

It's not just Americans who pretend that it didn't happen.

[@TheeTwanSolo]

It's very frustrating As a black man from Kentucky with a very common last name & as someone who has done a DNA test via ancestry to find out who may be my ancestors "owners." I continuously hit a brick wall. Majority of my ancestors on both of my paternal & maternal lines have deep roots here. I want to honor them by learning all that I can about them, where they lived & how they lived. I've reached out to several of my genetic white cousins for possible information about the connections but they read the message & never respond unfortunately. I just wish I could afford to hire someone to do the research for me. On a brighter note, I have connected with several cousins that were disconnected from the family with great results. I've even connected with relatives that are from & some that still live in Nigeria which is where I have the most DNA from out of all regions.

[@mizzsassy-ow7uf]

Typical white people, I got a response from two of them luckily but no answers though

[@fantasyprincessgirl]

Who loved seeing that image of Maya and her mother? We all know who her mother was!

[@stargazer1359]

Gone so young...Sad for her, Maya and for us, as well. 'Loving you is easy 'cause you're beautiful...' 💕🎼

[@2_thumbs_up_baby]

I never knew her Mother was Minnie, amazing!

[@fantasyprincessgirl]

@@2_thumbs_up_baby If you didn’t know, well now you know!

[@2_thumbs_up_baby]

@@fantasyprincessgirl true

[@jacluv7862]

@@2_thumbs_up_baby In the end of the song Loving You, Minnie sings Maya Maya Maya.

[@3411-q9c]

I know nothing of my ancestry. My grandparents (who are now gone) didn’t even know. Knowing who you are and who you came from is such a gift.

[@jayraewaves7337]

You can get an Ancestors account, and it will definitely help you with that. You can start using your grandparents names and it'll take off from there ❤️

[@nugsymalone1247]

That must be pretty common, so many people celebrity or not know nothing of their family. I'm lucky myself that my ancestors wrote journals, books of their relatives and where they came from, what they did going back to the 1700s when they came to America. Wasn't an afluent family tree, they just liked keeping track of things.

[@lindapugh5294]

Maya, may I say your mom had the most beautiful voice and I truly loved her. She brought me so much happiness to hear sing.I'm so sorry for your loss. Bless you and your family.

[@krissyt8749]

I’m such a fan of Maya. She’s a beautiful soul, seeing her cry , and learning the reason was heartbreaking 💔

[@HypnotizMindZ]

That age 5 crushed me too. My baby girl is 4 right now. Jesus. I can't imagine. Tears me up.

[@shaneekabatty-cross]

It's pretty horrible.

[@NyxSpirit]

A 5 year old slave? I’m white myself and it’s so crazy how far the world has come. The world still faces ignorance to this very day but I could not imagine a 5 year old or anyone else being a slave to me. It’s disgusting and I cried with Maya. Not because I have children but because I am human and so we’re those who were beaten and owned as if they were dogs. Also, I think of how if I was born back then vs now that that could’ve been someone I’m related to owning a child in such a manner. Words cannot describe how bad my stomach just turned.

[@NyxSpirit]

@Love Yourself yeah and my stomach turns because of a troll like you

[@Serenity113]

I don't have children but watching this clip I thought of my 6 year-old niece and I couldn't imagine at that age being owned as a slave to anyone. It's true what Maya said that stuff like this with history, especially the history of slavery, there's not much details and when do you get something, it really shows that it's more than words on papers. These were human beings.

[@lauran.9427]

I would be curious to find out about how these people were treated? I've heard that some people "bought" people to free them. I've also heard that some treated like family. Just out of curiosity

[@NyxSpirit]

@@lauran.9427 some were treated well but rarely. For example: in the movie the help skeeter treated them equally and so did Celia Foote but those weren’t slaves they were just house maids and such and they were all black.

[@thebeardedseeker5633]

@@lauran.9427 sounds like you're trying to find a "bright side" to slavery.

[@monicalarson4615]

"You are part of something so much bigger". What a profound statement. When I think of my own origin, and what my ancestors had to endure in order for me to be where I'm at in this point and time. Words can't express the immence feeling of gratetud that I have for ALL my people from previous generations. Sincerely from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

[@ringleader33]

It does make you feel that way. Especially to think of all the more ways you could die back in history. It does give you gratitude and makes you think that your ancestors were among the strongest through out time. And I always wonder, could've I had something to do with a small part of that lineage, in a past life? And, if so, will I ever know?

[@monicalarson4615]

My sentiment exactly. A while back I read Many Lives Many Master by Brian Weiss. It gave me a new perspective on how I view life in general.

[@AncestryUS]

Hi, Monica. Thanks for commenting. We appreciate that great perspective. We all should thank the people who came before us. Beautifully said!

[@rochelleb973]

I grew up enjoying her mother's beautiful voice

[@AncestryUS]

We're thrilled to hear that you've found such great success in your own research, Lisa! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us!

[@AncestryUS]

Want more celebrity content? Check out the new season of Who Do You Think You Are? Sundays at 7/6c on NBC or stream on Peacock. visitancestry.com/3Pfkvq5

[@lizard0372]

It would be great if you did it for us “normal “ humans, not just celebrities….

[@adriannebenjamin6528]

I felt her pain when she saw that her relative was 5 years old……….enslaved children were treated so harshly during the time of slavery

[@karlhingus7118]

Really? Can you name a few and where they lived?

[@banker1313]

@@stanleyshannon4408 There is a false narrative that all slave holders treated their slaves brutally.....some were but not all.

[@catrunswithmatches]

@@stanleyshannon4408 and to all above. Do you know what a slave is? Do you know it is like to be owned???? Do you know the definitions of cruelty?

[@barbram8001]

@@stanleyshannon4408 But did the Slavs have their Culture, Name, and Language taken from them? Don't try to make Enslavement, a happy time for slaves. Slaves helped build America, especially in the South. And some of your ancestors, are still benefiting from it.

[@calisongbird]

@@stanleyshannon4408 take it somewhere else. You’re an insensitive jerk.

[@lockjaw255]

My family had ancestors who owned slaves and we found a long list similar to this. It was heartwrenching to see people listed as property. The one who really got to me was listed as 10/12 age - not even a year old. I had to fight back tears too.

[@rkms5606]

Thank you for sharing that. Are you aware of anything done for the descendents of the enslaved?

[@lanedaw811]

Please stop cowtowing to the blacks with that crap, you should feel no guilt you did not own slaves, different times, please people get over this crap this is what is wrong with America.

[@moreilly9836]

@@lanedaw811 I hope you dont have children

[@To_Live_Is_To_Suffer]

@@lanedaw811 Acknowledging history is not "cowtowing" to anyone moron...Ignoring the history and atrocities of slavery, Native American genocide, the internment camps during WW2, the Civil Rights Era, etc is what's wrong with America.... But "conservatives" want you to forget your history so that history can repeat itself and they can commit similar things again

[@chuckie102883]

@@lanedaw811 You’re the kind of person who protests in schools so white kids won’t learn the truth about history! Where in her comment did she say anything about feeling guilty? You are projecting! She is showing empathy and sadness over a horrific practice in America’s history which ended only 156 yrs ago; and 5 yrs after it was abolished Jim Crow started which lasted till the 1960’s! Ppl like you want so bad to put a bandaid on our ugly past which is why we still have race issues today!

[@ksmittys1964]

I am a history buff and been involved with my family's genealogy since the late 70's when ROOTS aired when I was 12. We are planning a trip for our 25th wedding anniversary to Boston. I started working some more on my husband's father's tree and found his 5th great grandfather was a 1st Lt. during the Revolutionary War and his New Hampshire Regiment was involved with The Siege of Boston. While getting more information on John Gile and his regiment, I tried finding out more information on his superior, Col. John Waldron. I kept finding information on another John Waldron that was a Naval aviator in command of the 8th Torpedo Squadron assigned to the USS Hornet during the Battle of Midway in WW2 and was killed in action. I started reading his biography and the maiden name of his mother caught my attention. She was a Van Meter. I am a Van Meter descendant. I traced his tree back to our common ancestor, Abraham Van Meter. I am from his first wife while John is from his second wife. I am John's 5th cousin 2 times removed. You never know where history, curiosity and climbing your family tree will lead you.

[@FreedomofSpeech865]

How fascinating

[@blydnhvghn]

I know a Van Meter here in Arkansas.

[@AncestryUS]

We're happy to see you enjoyed the segment, Maya. There are many ways to start your research. Collect all the details that you have and start a family tree. You can do this for free on Ancestry.com. You can also start a free trial on Ancestry to add details about your ancestors. The free trial allows you to view records from subscriber-only databases and you'll have 14 days to try our service. If you decide not to continue, just cancel your subscription before the 14-day trial period ends. Here are some additional resources to help: support.ancestry.com/s/article/Ancestry-Family-Tree-Resources

[@mca4093]

Finding ancestors and learning their stories is a profound and emotional experiance. They are us, and we are them. I'm sure her ancestors would be amazed, dumbfounded, and thrilled that in a few short generations a family member is a famous, wealthy comedian living in total privalage and relative luxury.

[@AncestryUS]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, @MCA. We are glad to hear that you have had such a meaningful journey through your research. We hope that you continue to find success through your research.

[@VTang]

Her ancestors would be proud to see the star she has become today.

[@timjansen7694]

She likely has ancestors from slaves, immigrants from Russia, or Germany or Spain, or maybe all of those. There would be American slaves, inventors, war heroes, hobos, and thieves, but probably most were ordinary people of their day.

[@AncestryUS]

That's amazing, Robin! We're so thrilled to hear that you your cousin has been able to trace back so far and has been able to provide so much insight into your family history. Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

[@ritaking8827]

Shows how wonderfully lucky we are to born in our modern time.

So many of us carry the baggage of that lineage that has never been unpacked and healed in a meaningful way.❤️

[@youtubingbabs]

@ I feel this. Not as a black but as a woman. Not saying it's the same but there are parallels...Yeah... We're free now. Can own property and vote but that stuff lingers. It runs deep. So I'm saying that to say I hear you. My heart goes out to anyone with lingering stuff from your history. It's real. Trauma literally is passed through DNA. 😢

[@youtubingbabs]

Still grateful but also sad.

[@jenster29]

In modern times...in the west. Plenty of regions in the world still use slaves unfortunately

[@AncestryUS]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us, Zaida! We're glad to hear that you've enjoyed your results so much!

[@lilacscentedfushias1852]

I can’t ever grasp how anyone would think having slaves be morally right. To consider a precious 5 year old as a slave it’s repulsive! 😤😤😤

[@galemartin9155]

Do not be sad Maya. He had the strength to endure because he knew one day you would be born. His strength now lives in you and your daughter.

[@jenhofmann]

You might mean well, but we don't tell other people how to feel.

[@pammmerz8153]

I assure you a 5 yo would have no way to muster up the strength to endure such horrible times no matter what it would mean for future generations...he simply lived that way with no way to change his own circumstance. Truly heartbreaking

[@ArissXAS]

@@jenhofmann True. Also, I am sure he was only concerned about him and his living family. You can't be concerned about people that do not exist. That means being delusional. You don't see no one on social media today, no matter how hard their lives are, being concerned about someone that maybe will be born 6 generations from now.

[@ArissXAS]

@@pammmerz8153 Indeed. And with all the things they went through, since most were born directly as enslaved people, that was unfortunately their perception of a normal life.

[@zyxwut321]

@@jenhofmann You might mean well but you're full of it.

[@ebou6446]

I can relate to how Maya felt when seeing her Gr Gr grandfather in the slave registry. While doing my own research I came across records of my 5th Gr Grandmother, Sabinah, who was recorded in the Book of Negros. She also had 2 son, Samuel my 4th Great Grandfather, and Beck, my 4th Great Granduncle who no doubt were born into slavery, who were owned by Basil Jackson, and former slave owner Ben Stratton of Eastern Shore, Virginia, but eventually became loyalist.

[@jayraewaves7337]

I was named after my grandmother's grandmother and her sister. Her grandmother name was Minnie Stratton. My grandmother's sister was Minnie-Lee McNeil, and now, me, Raven Min-Lee ❤️ Stratton is my grandmother's grandmother maiden name.

[@marvinthiessen3454]

Minnie Ripperton has been one of my favorite female vocalists since 1979.

[@chevon1920]

This just makes me so thankful to my ancestors for surviving so that I could be here today.

[@hutch1197]

If it's that heart wrenching to learn of an ancestor being sold as a slave, imagine what it was to actually BE one. I don't know if we'll ever truly grasp the horrors of that era.

[@jaysinger535]

Maya is such a treasure. A great actress,singer,and comedienne. Plus,her mother Minnie was a very great singer who passed way too soon.

[@elizabethigneri8288]

I began crying as soon as she said “five!”; heartbreaking…

[@sharonjensen3016]

She was only young herself when her mother died.

[@AncestryUS]

That's amazing! Thanks for being part of our community for so long! We hope you continue to find success in your research!

[@Nothing-zw3yd]

It breaks my heart to see this. I can trace my family pretty far back, and I'm glad my great-grandfather fought for the Union in the Civil War, to end that horror. I'm really proud to have his last name. And yeah, just great-grandfather. He didn't have my grandfather until 1910 when he was 70. It's amazing to be so close.

[@lisakitchens3778]

I did my Ancestry a few years ago. My grandmother was a Holliday. We found out we were related to Doc Holliday! Also found out we come from Scandinavian roots. It’s amazing to find out things like that! I would recommend this to anyone!!!

[@TheLuckyjoenga]

It's always so beautiful to discover your family's past. The good and the bad. It's our history. Talking about our history should be done more. We have so much more in common with each other than we have in difference.

[@ChryztinaWonderlandMusick]

The tears that flowed with this are so raw...discovery is profound and painful for some ppl of color.

[@inkydoug]

That they left the enslaved nameless on census rolls when filling in the names would have probably made things easier and more verifiable is a sickening testament to the practical aspects of slavery.

[@nocknload5287]

Ancestry is so powerful when you find your relatives. Its a feeling that's so strong.

[@krispowers7710]

One branch of my family tree includes slave owners. The sickening feeling of seeing those Census pages is the appropriate response to anyone owning a human.

[@karlhingus7118]

Seriously grow up.

[@michaelrochester48]

You can’t help with your ancestors did. It was totally legal it wasn’t like they were breaking the law…it was practiced for thousands of years in all cultures. At least United States ended it way before many other countries

[@nrnexusrising]

@@michaelrochester48 something you might want to think about, Mexico ended slavery before the US and also had a black president in the 1850s.

[@rigginhelga0222]

@@michaelrochester48, no the US it was one of the last countries in the “civilized” west to end slavery and it took a civil war to do it. This is a prime example of the incorrect revisionist history that’s presently being pushed nationwide with all this anti-crt legislation. CRT is not and has never been taught in any grade schools, only in specialized master’s degree programs. But now it’s the present day boogie man to keep the populace ignorant and perpetuate systemic bias.

[@m.mcmillion9764]

It's a gut punch when you see the documents that clearly show your ancestors owned slaves. All I can do now is acknowledge the truth. Some of them were slave owners and I'm not proud of what they did.

[@rabit818]

The concept of being free did not even cross the mind of that five year old boy or other children born to slavery. It’s hard to imagine.

[@lynnej.9357]

It is different to know something in theory than to know the actual specifics.

[@luckycat3]

A 5 year old child who should be running, playing, learning ABCs, being read stories - is in stead “property”. It is truly heartbreaking.

[@northeastohioed7239]

Although I am a white man with no other racial diversity in my family, I want you to know I am touched by the significance and power of that moment, and want to extend my sympathy and empathy to Miss Rudolph. We are, after all, brothers and sisters in the end.

[@goldievarney3536]

We often forget that children were also slaves and treated inhumanely just as much as the adults and elderly were.

[@cerebral.reality6561]

And this is just heart wrenching.

[@tula_tracey]

I can't imagine what my ancestors went through it breaks my heart hopefully we will heal from this terrible history

[@lbj2642]

Think about this the first slave ship ported in Jamestown, VA in 1619. Now in Genesis 15:13 the Israelites was going to be affiliated for 400 years. Our people has been in the country for about 403 years or so. And the people on those slaves ship are HEBREWS.

[@tula_tracey]

@@lbj2642 that doesn't negate my point we still need *HEALING* from post traumatic slave syndrome (PTSS)

[@lbj2642]

@@tula_tracey slavery isn’t a syndrome it was a punishment.

[@tula_tracey]

@@lbj2642 still requirers healing no matter what my ancestors experienced traumatic healing is coming.

[@briganja]

It is truly terrible, and hard to heal when some belligerent parts of American society still proudly display their violent slave state paraphernalia and deny that the horrors of slavery even exist. I hope you have solid people in your community that help lift you up and provide a bastion of empathetic support. I hope that as a society we can start to acknowledge basic truths and begin the hard work of healing. I hope we can leave the world a little better for the next generation. ✌️

[@QueenObio]

This is beautiful! This is why it’s so important to uncover our stories. Look how healing it is. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@AncestryUS]

We're thrilled to hear it, Brian! Are you interested in learning more about your family tree? The article below will address what you can expect from Ancestry. Please let us know if you have any questions and we'd be happy to help! support.ancestry.com/s/article/Why-Use-Ancestry

[@juancana457]

I'd appreciate full episodes, if possible.

[@writeatease3689]

PBS Passport has full episodes. The next Season on PBS stations begin in January.

[@bmom3191]

Also I wanted to say thanks to Ancestry I was able to go back to the 1600’s on my Dad’s side and I also connected with 2 cousins I never knew. I also had used census records on my Mom’s side and was able to go to the towns in Wales where her family was from. Her Grandmother’s home was still there. And we found out her Great Grandfather was the blacksmith for his town. So much more to the story but I’m so grateful to Ancestry

[@jenster29]

Yeah my aunt was able to trace our Irish family..one line went back to Wales in the 1600s also. Another went to one of the Earls of Ireland. Facing stuff. She even wrote a book of the history of the family lineage. There are empty pages in the back for us all to add our lines.

[@AncestryUS]

Thanks for sharing with us, Penelope. We're glad to hear of the success you've had researching your family history. We encourage you to continue learning more. We hope that you'll take the time to share what you learn with your family. They will also enjoy learning about the ancestors who came before them.

[@-H4mburger-]

I am crying just sad. I can not imagine what they went through. I'm not american never been to USA, but the horror of what those people did is just horrific. I am truly sorry.

[@erickr.8977]

Its horrific what slaves went through and still go through around the world. A sad reality we live in.

[@mwillblade]

I'm sure the country or area your living in had slaves in the past.

[@megansalt]

@@mwillblade It's hard to beat the US and Latin American in terms of slavery. Try again.

[@florastewart7920]

Thank you. Acknowledged. You were not there, but the new love conquers the old hate.

[@mwillblade]

@@megansalt Probably since the dawn of man men were made slaves throughout the world. Rome comes to mind, Middle East etc. etc etc.

[@Mattnoble80]

I am a Caucasian man and went to school with an African American guy with the same last name, we always joked about being cousins. We did what this show does as a project and learned we are cousins, same 4th great grandfather and they all had male offspring keeping the name going so there we were. Both of us were so shocked and happy to be able to say and mean what we say

[@marcusmiro7481]

Videos like this help you remember that 150 years isn't that historically distant. Her great great grandfather. I was born after my great grandparents had already passed, but I knew many people in my childhood who knew their great grandparents. It never occurred to me then how incredibly close to the slavery era those people were. I really think things like this should be seen by everyone. I don't know Maya's entire life story, but I assume she knew her maternal grandparents. The grandparents of her grandparents were slaves. That's not in any way far removed.

[@brandonhvacants2217]

That still doesn't mean the people of today should be held responsible tho either. The sad reality is that slavery still exists just not in America today.

[@Ilikefrogs..]

@@brandonhvacants2217 It still exists in America's prisons, in ICE, and in many Christian Orthodox communities. You may not have been around during the height of slavery, but as the descendant of those who were you are responsible for doing what you can to fix the racism that still exists now.

[@isimonsez]

@@brandonhvacants2217 in typical fashion, your type just can’t help but to ALWAYS try minimizing the dirty recent past

[@luv4ever101]

@@brandonhvacants2217 reparations is not holding todays citizens responsible for slavery. its holding america the country accountable. im so tired of people making a coment like yours out of ignorance born from a racit mentality. you feel no sorrow if you have a mindeset that says who cares how slavery impacted a family (there kids, grandkids etc). if u truly had learned blk history u wud know what happned to slaves after they were set free...the cruelty that they, their kids and grandkids experienced is too much to bare. set free with nothing and yet you need to feed ur family ur told if u touch anything u will be shot.

[@annwood6812]

What blows me away is that from the humblest most savage of beginnings a hundred years later two descendants of that five year old boy reached the heights of fame. And I'm guessing many other of his descendants lived wonderful lives as well. Minnie Ripperton was spectacular; only recently did I learn Maya was her daughter. Awesome.

[@marcusmiro7481]

Minnie is one of the most talented vocalists to ever live. Her upper register is legendary and basically unmatched to this day. There are plenty of singers with larger ranges and more powerful voices, but the control Minnie had over her upper register, while singing with a full head voice, is absolutely a unique thing that has yet to show up in popular culture since. One of a kind.

[@hijodelaisla275]

Thank you for your positive comment. So many here dwell on the horrors of the past - and I get it. However, it goes nowhere except sadness and bitterness. Your insightful comment contains hope and joy. I'm glad you shared it.

[@DrNancyLivingCoCreatively]

My absolute favorite show. Deep respect for Dr. Gates. ♥️🌹🎄🎄🎄🎄

[@richardthomas4214]

This is a pain that no other group of people will understand

[@tvs9978]

Yes because you're the only ones who were enslaved in the world?

[@montanaelkwhisperer1744]

That is so cool that her mom was Minnie Riperton (who i always called "Minnie tipperton" my whole life. I loved her song "loving you". It always started my day off great when it would play on the radio in the school bus in the morning. Those high notes she would hit were like nothing i had ever heard. So awesome finding out that Maya is her daughter!

[@Fakename70]

Remember, this is the same man detained by cops in his own home after a neighbour phoned saying he looked suspicious.

[@cjordan1161]

Please stop .

[@independentsistah]

@@cjordan1161 exactly!

[@shawnawallace6376]

My ancestors were from Tennessee Im always proud they crossed Confederate lines to fight for the Union because they didn't believe in slavery.

[@LM-kr8qy]

So I line back to a sugar farmer in Barbados from England. Settled in NY. Most likely slave owner but then just a couple generations later fighting to end it. This is us

[@nandakoC]

Not a celebrity but I would like a version of this for my family! We don't know our anyone beyond the 4th generation due to colonization and the violence that ensued. (From Malawi to Kenya)

[@MrBreeze66]

None of my ancestors owned slaves, but four fought in the civil war, two died in the war, one died during it not sure how, and the other survived. My family was Quakers, so they were against slavery which is why they were being persecuted in Europe and escaped here. The puritans, because of the Quakers “extreme” views at the time, started the Salem witch burning with Quakers, and forced William Penn to found Pennsylvania as a safe zone for fellow Quakers. Fascinating history!

[@micahsnow346]

Watching this I just felt suddenly struck with anger over how for most of American history white people did not believe that black family history and lineage was important. In a lot of these videos white celebrities can learn about their ancestors from hundreds and hundreds of years ago, they can get details about their profession and where they live. All that Maya gets to see is a few numbers that represent her great-grandfather, who didn’t even have his own surname but was forced to go under the name of the man who enslaved him. And even that tiny detail is so meaningful to Maya. I know this isn’t exactly an original comment but this video just reminded me of the injustice of it. Slavery literally destroyed family histories, ethnic connections and traditions…so much

[@jamilafever8110]

Man I cried too. It was unexpected but deeply understood.

[@billyforkell1501]

Big fan of Maya. Mr. Gates is wonderful.🙌👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@cydkriletich6538]

Maya is one of my favorite performers. This was poignant to watch. Such a great show doing a wonderful service to those who have only vague notions of where their families came from. Excellent history lessons to be learned by all. ❤

[@AncestryUS]

We're glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Madmun357]

Dr. Gates is such a great host. He gives people time to process their thoughts. He listens. He's, he's empathetic, he's smart. He's great.

[@Teddy_Graham]

She’s just beautiful

[@vannieleigh]

I cried with her. So atrocious. I’m happy she did this and found more about her family.

[@AncestryUS]

We're glad this has resonated so deeply with you, Savannah. Thank you for sharing. ❤️

[@sharity3289]

As I've gotten older, I've found myself wishing I knew more about my ancestors, especially on my dad's side. His paternal grandfather was "full-blooded" Indian (Blackfoot) and I'd love to be able to trace that line, although I imagine I won't be able to find out much. With how they were treated by the white folks, I wonder if there was any official record kept of them at all?

[@unmermaid]

Blackfoot communities keep very well kept records themselves and also were recorded in the census for over a hundred years. You should look into it if you’re interested.

[@DudeMannn]

Fun Fact: Maya's mother Minnie Ripperton was Mariah Carey's favorite singer when Mariah was a little girl in the 1970s. Mariah learned how to sing those high whistle notes listening to Minnie's records like the song Loving You released in the 1970s.

[@musicalbenches]

Thank you for the fun fact!

[@janeviola2017]

Unfortunately my ancestors owned black slaves and I learned a few months ago that none of the slaves gained their freedom and a few of them perished in a barn fire.

[@emilyfarris3510]

Imagine growing up a slave and one's view of humanity and the generational trauma that was passed down from this evil institution. It's truly heartbreaking.

[@karabartley]

This is such a common thing, it's absolutely heartbreaking. I hope everyone can get their true names back and find their loved ones.

[@WhtetstoneFlunky]

The catch is, after over 150 years and perhaps 50 ancestors in her genetic mix subsequently, what would her "true name" be?

[@twistedtee648]

I have been doing my family research for over 10 years now. I finally found a picture of my Great Grandfather. Never met him because he passed in his 50's. Vaguely remember my Great Grandmother. I cried when I saw his picture.

[@VWHNeal1018]

I love Maya Rudolph because I loved her mother . No one had a voice like her mom Minnie Riperton. She had a voice of an Angel. She left here on my sisters birthday. I am so glad Maya could trace her maternal ancestral roots. We all should.

[@brucehunter8355]

this is so true- beautiful thank you for sharing this lovely & touching video❤❤

[@AncestryUS]

Hi Bruce, thanks for stopping by. We are glad you liked the video, we hope it inspires you to dive deeper into your family history research.

[@joansmit5782]

Cannot. Imagine. My heart weeps for her.

[@rodneydavis6221]

Maya Rudolph is pure legend!!!

[@allisonyoung4273]

When we told my grandson at 5 years old that he would grow up and move away from his Mom he cried and said he never wanted to leave her. How this has broken our people in such a profound way.

[@voltairebanquirigo1119]

Minnie ripertone sang the song loving you a hit in the 70s didnt know ms Rudolph is her daughter wow!

[@librafemale]

Awful! So many families torn apart because of slavery.

[@gregmarando8962]

The sad thing about American society, is that they do not understand just how blended together they really are.

[@ovvaforty6471]

I did ancestry and I had several interesting findings. We thought we had Native Americans in our family and found that we are descendants of the slave owner. The other part of my DNA is that I am Nigerian and Italian. I knew about the Italian part, but the rest was shocking.

[@romulus_]

fairly common -- my "native american" ancestors turned out to be mixed-race people who were taken in by seminole tribes in florida and south georgia.

[@Ilikefrogs..]

This is pretty common. A lot of Black families would take on the idea of having Native ancestry to distance themselves from White ancestry that was a result of sexual violence. I don't know how Native people felt about this, but I do know that they were a big part of the Underground Railroad and that they often helped escaped slaves settle in Canada, so maybe they felt closely allied with Black people.

[@BronzeSista]

@@Ilikefrogs.. You are 100% correct, my grandmother would say my great Aunt was Native American. One day, I said grandmother what if she's part white instead of Native American? She said we don't claim white, we stick to Native American. My grandmother died many years ago I recently did my Ancestry, and low and behold, my great Aunt on Ancestry was listed as "Mulatto".