Michael Strahan Can’t Stop Smiling After Amazing Family Discovery | Finding Your Roots | Ancestry®

Good Morning America co-host Michael Strahan is filled with pride after discovering his formerly enslaved ancestors founded their own town in Texas, owning over 4,000 acres of land. Start Your Ancestry Family Tree: visitancestry.com/3OrWivX
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00:00 Introduction
0:43 Michael Strahan amazed by his enslaved ancestors’ accomplishments
1:50 Michael Strahan learns his ancestors founded their own town

[@AncestryUS]

Michael Strahan’s great-grandparents defied the odds! Do you have an incredible story of resilience in your family history? Share it with us through: visitancestry.com/3OrWivX

[@riatort]

Amazing!

[@itybtihtky]

All 4 of my grandparents survived the Holocaust. They went through hell and were lucky enough to make it out and start a new life and family ❤️

[@jenniferviveros7521]

Absolutely Defied the odds !!! What a legacy to look back on

[@pirimid9]

Most of these stories are about famous people with a lot of money. I don't have either one of those things however, I would like to explore my ancestry. My family came from Spain then emigrated to Cuba and then after Fidel Castro took control of Cuba my grandparents sent my mom (who was only 15) with her little sister who was 8 to the United States through the Catholic Church on a program called Peter Pan. It is a great but sad story also I would like to explore

[@deejohnson1105]

@@pirimid9 vzag

[@richardmartin9565]

Ive discovered two of my former slave gr gr grandparents, one who left a will in 1873, and one who left a 33 page Probate Record in 1882. The Probate Record was so detailed it listed their mule's names.

[@MariaLuciaGomezGreenberg]

Beautiful! Know thyself! 💔🕊💙

[@melo7572]

Wow!!

[@tknows470]

Amazing, wonderful find!

[@francoissuissae6217]

⁶⁶⁵⁵ somehow managed

[@sharondoan1447]

Wonderful!

[@brianrocketleaguegalaxy9413]

As a young black man, I was able to find my ancestors who worked on plantations through Ancestry DNA. Ancestry DNA is a door opener and I feel like so many walls are being broken. Congrats to my big man Michael!

[@marilynbarriger7726]

I think the important message is 3 generations had passed and his grandparents had given their children a great start and legacy.

[@tammylewis8556]

So proud of the ancestors. Talking about water ripples. What they accomplished surely helped hundreds if not thousands… and the descendants that were able to stand on their shoulders. What a beautiful story and legacy.

[@reenougle]

It is hard to imagine how the Shankells were able to go from slavery to ownership in such a short time. It is nothing short of miraculous. What an amazing achievement.

[@richardmartin9565]

Its not hard if you ignore some myths about slaves and owners. Slaves were often part of the family.

[@alext7500]

It's obviously either a gift or a theft from someone rich.

[@venox3811]

They probably received the money as gifts from previous owners.

[@regenold3234]

Aka Cruikshank's. I grew up with CA via Arkansas family of them

[@Catlily5]

@@richardmartin9565 In my opinion it is wrong to own family members. That is sick.

[@nicoledeloncrais5940]

They were not just land owners, they created a safe community... That's so utterly beautiful and profoundly liberating. Many of us can learn from these people. God bless 🙏 Thank you ❤️🙏

[@nomorecensoringme]

Michael's ancestors knew who they were, and who they weren't. They didn't let the situation define them. Wonderful success story. The cream rose to the top.

[@pattywilliams788]

What amazing historical facts about his ancestors. Wow, I’m really happy for him!

[@shinespikes6020]

This is my hometown where I was born and raised. Thanks for sharing Michael Strahan. Maybe kinfolk¡!!!

[@donnav7103]

The smile on Michael's face at the end says it all.

[@mrsr4640]

I am not surprised, both of my great-grandparents owned land. My great-grandmother owned over 150 acres on Kerr Lake in NC. it is still in the family. It was common for emancipated blacks to own property being that they had farms. Farming is big business.

[@johnwebb2442]

True.

[@rosahacketts1668]

True, but his took it further - they built community outlets for their own. I congratulate your great-grandmother for what she achieved too.

[@mrsr4640]

@@rosahacketts1668 My father has a separate four acres on the lake. Don't worry about my great-grandmother, my father, or my sister -- a black, surgeon specializing in gastroentrology. What has your family or you done for the black community? I do something for the black community as an educator.

[@rr3901]

In Vance County??

[@mrsr4640]

@@rr3901 Yes.

[@brandonshankle8108]

I'm a Shankle so I know how he feels. Jim and Winnie Shankle made their own community called Shankleville Texas. I visited every weekend when I was younger.

[@csr326]

I think a lot of people can learn a lot from your ancestors. It doesnt seem like they never succumbed to a victim mentality and they accomplished so much ! I wish I can know how you and Strahan feel.

[@jmilesyasharahla]

Charlemagne was a black King btw he's been white washed European history is a lie, there's a vid on here giving descriptions of The Royal Family as swarthy back then, they were supplanted.

[@rosemarykyle4094]

I think this Shankleville ancestry story is awesome.. My sister-in-law is one of those Shankles from Newton County..

[@bgnphilippines]

Rosemary Kyle we are cousins! Clarence and Annie Kyle from Newton County were my 2x great grandparents.

[@comealongcomealong4480]

@Rosemary Kyle Did you see the comment from @Brandon Shankle further down this thread? He writes that he used to visit the Shankleville community every weekend as a kid. Maybe your sister-in-law already knows of this person.

[@bgnphilippines]

@@comealongcomealong4480 I’m related to the shankles through marriage. My family is buried in the community cemeteries, and I visit there at least twice a year because my grandma lives a few minutes outside the community. It’s just land with a bunch of houses and a church. Everything else is long gone.

[@comealongcomealong4480]

@@bgnphilippines Thank you for taking the time to write me, and your two replies. Feels good to hear how you stay connected with your grandma, and your relatives who have passed ⛪

[@carllavell8673]

One of the few programs on tv worth watching, I never miss it !!! 👀💯👊

[@sarge4455]

Talk about being proud of your ancestors amazing story

[@donelmore2540]

I love these stories of people who were making the most of their freedom!

[@wandameadows5736]

The lesson is Strahan's Ancestors didn't make excuses & ask for handouts they just set goals & went after them.

[@lindajames8300]

What an awesome story.......I'm smiling right along with you Michael 😀

[@joshschneider9766]

And 155 years later they provide an absolutely beaming beacon of hope and positive affirmation. May God bless and keep their immortal souls.

[@michaelrains64295]

It’s incredible what people can accomplish with unobstructed liberty.

[@marybaker8582]

How amazing!!!!!LL. What wonderful and inspiring ancestors.

[@sharondoan1447]

What fantastic story about real people with real determination and willingness to strive. Striving , in my mind, is a great big step up the ladder from trying. It’s deeper , more visceral. Who wouldn’t be proud of such ancestors?

[@poiesisshadow6393]

Ancestry is just awesome I was able to learn a fair bit about my family and recently that I'm Scottish as well and the hugest thing I found out is me and Abraham Lincoln are cousins

[@amygomer7022]

Michael Strahan is related to me!

[@amygomer7022]

The British royal family is the link

[@MCKevin289]

@@amygomer7022 Having ancestry from royalty is actually quite common. Most people of Western European ancestry are descended from Charlemagne in some way.

[@josephinemiller4780]

He should go back there and visit that area. Very cool. I’d be beaming too!

[@sylvia106]

Imagine how it would feel to stand on that land if you were him!

[@belingonza318]

Put a smile on his face! I'm amazed and proud of them and not related to them.

[@bexleymike]

I love it!! I was beaming right along with Michael!!

[@amyellen3845]

What a wonderful legacy! Congratulations on your discovery.

[@meggiecoughlin8305]

Lovely story and a true one!! Congratulations Michael...:)

[@oilinmylamp]

That is beautiful. Spoke to me. Mindset, heart and determination. Wow. Amazing.

[@AncestryUS]

We're happy to hear that you enjoyed this clip Heather, thanks so much for stopping by!

[@Conernforthesedogs-iw7lf]

This is astounding. Thank you!✨ There must have been a lot of love between them to generate all that harmony to build upon.❤❤

[@AncestryUS]

Thanks for dropping by! We're glad you enjoyed it. 😊

[@rosahacketts1668]

Wow, what a discovery.❤

[@asiaunikash3804]

It’s a real meaning of strong people ❤️

[@DeleriumLS]

That mans smile lights up a room!

[@micheleflynn6705]

What a great story of perseverance.

[@acmcbride-olson9320]

Wow. That is awesome!!!!

[@irenemak1302]

Enormous what a strength.

[@marionworlwide2002]

Amazing ! This is why we need to learn where we came from

[@saevusbrutum2796]

It's crazy people don't understand most slaves were able to rebuild themselves but due to things like the prison system, Jim crow, neo slavery, anti black laws ECT... Many cities and communities were completely destroyed.

[@damonjones8709]

That made me smile too 😊

[@Kim-mz8co]

Wonderful!

[@livinglife8333]

LOVE MICHAEL !

[@-.-4]

Oh, how sweet ❤❤❤❤❤

[@willielandrum3359]

Amazing!!!!!!!!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@nancyhilliard1634]

I love this story 😮🎉❤

[@beachbumvet8973]

True brave revolutionaries for productive and creative change Bravo props and then some!!!!

[@cielbleu6272]

I am very happy for you, Michael Strahan 👏... Your ancestors back in those days had $200.00... Today that money is worth $4,639.62. Plus all of those businesses that they built, are probably worth millions today. 👍 💚 👍

[@bgnphilippines]

Unfortunately, none of those businesses are still there today. The only thing left in the community is a church, two cemeteries and a old closed down gas station. The people still own there land in Shankleville tho.

[@stephaniecannon410]

I'm Happy for you too! 😊

[@AncestryUS]

Hi Stephanie, thanks for watching!

[@kisatiger86]

Super awesome.

[@DannaK247]

Where as I'm happy that Michael has such incredible ancestors, African Americans weren't the only ones taken and sold into slavery. My Dads great grandfather x4 and his cousin was kidnapped from the wharfs in Ireland and taken to a slave ship. They were taken to Virginia and were to be sold off as slaves. They somehow managed to escape and set up a homestead in Southwestern VA. It is said that many African American slaves were bred with the Irish Immigrants because they made more money for the slave traders. This explains why many African Americans have confirmed Irish DNA ancestry.

[@MariaMartinez-jb3zn]

Awesome❣️

[@lisanester3338]

Thank you for this most amazing story.🙏🏻💜

[@AncestryUS]

We're so glad you enjoyed it, Lisa! 😊

[@lisanester3338]

@@AncestryUS I always enjoy listening and learning from Dr. Gates. What wonderful information we are able to learn about our history.

[@AncestryUS]

It truly is amazing how much we can learn if we allocate the time to do so and dig deep enough. We're so glad you enjoy the series.

[@SEA-dx1sv]

With so little look how much they accomplished

[@Azoreanislandgirl]

Powerful!!!!

[@michaelstrahan989]

Hi…. Gratitude, for your lovely likes and comments on my official page, it's great to know I have such a devoted fan. Much love ❤️ Am, taking a little time to say a very big thanks to some of my fans to appreciate all my supporters and fan those who are praying for me from the day until now. God bless you all. Where are you originally from?

[@MariaLuciaGomezGreenberg]

Adore this! 😍💔😥🕊💙👏🏼

[@tamekaross904]

Beautiful

[@Susan.I]

What a huge accomplishment his ancestors made a few years after the emancipation!!!

[@nicolewatson2579]

his ancestors never saw themselves as slaves......that is how they were able to do those things!! AMAZING

[@RoseStarr]

Man I would love to get my roots traced this deeply like this. And my last name McBride maybe I'm related lol

[@debrawatts2172]

So Amazing, Mr. Gates, I challenge you to discover my unique ancestery of Watts & Cuffee linaege of the Tidewater Region of VA. Thank you.

[@GiaBlinks]

Wow. That's a good bloodline

[@superfluffykittylove7091]

How could it be but God. Blessings Michael

[@jannislewis13]

They were intelligent people. 😊

[@Doomer253]

What a Amazing discovery about his family! Look how proud Michael Strahan is, the complete opposite of Tony Gonzalez with his 'Pick-Me' energy empathizing with slave masters.

[@jillybe1873]

Sometimes african captives were very erudite, traders, scholars, political leaders, even royalty. No doubt their qualities were passed on despite everything.

[@lavettacannon3138]

❤❤❤

[@marih3286]

I am empowered by knowing what my ancestors endured. That's why I never subscribed to changing my last name to "X". My last name is testament that my enslaved forefathers survived that Plantation and carved out a life for him and his offspring. You can't trace an "X". Their existence is further erased.

[@Lou58Lou]

This is the video you share when entitled people think the world owes them something. So proud of Americans who overcome adversity to the point of a whole community owing their prosperity to a hard working couple, who wanted a better life.

[@bgnphilippines]

Try again. 😂

[@m.sparkle9533]

🙏🏾

[@krystal2373]

Special

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

Well, I am a white person so I can never truly understand what this kind of oppression must be like. Being judged as 'not smart enough to own a business, go to school, read and write, own land, hold office, etc etc.." Frederick Douglass of course encountered this constantly. I am always touched and moved to see these stories of striving, or faith, and unexpected triumph..Wow.

[@AncestryUS]

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us, Cynthia! We're glad you've enjoyed these videos! 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

[@hismercedess550]

I want to know more

[@rhondafears9352]

Micheal s. Is always well dressed and handsome

[@lauraleecreations3217]

❤️❤️❤️👍👍❤️👍❤️👍👍❤️

[@sayhi2kojo1]

This guy and Anthony Anderson

[@REGOTOBED]

THIS from those not even considered to be human much less have the capacity, tenacity or intelligence. IMAGINE, just imagine what America COULD have been if these bold bright people took their place at the table that was the birth of that continent.

[@lu_re7198]

Wow. People who lived through slavery achieved great success/wealth/esteem in less than one generation!! 😃 And obstacles to success were far far greater than anyone can imagine. You just obliterated any of my excuses not to succeed. 😏

[@csr326]

Wow, what amazing story. i would be proud if they were my ancestors. A couple of years out of slavery and they decided to be proactive with their lives. It doesn't seem like they fell into a victimhood mentality. Instead a 'Can Do" mentality.

[@christopherbrownmaaga4668]

Do Actor and Wrestler Ron killings

[@teeteepalooza]

🥺

[@AUTUMNSUN3000]

What is the rest of the story what happened to them so long ago that's what many people want to know.

[@mhancock5440]

Keep in mind as you read this... the difficulty of travel in this time period for anyone (no gps / maps) let alone a runaway slave who could be killed if captured. And to swim the mighty Mississippi (and Sabine) with no swim lessons. Also that Jim and Winnie's new owners ( the wife) was the sister of Winnie's children (yeaass re-read it)...That some good tea...This could really be a good movie. I believe this may be why they were able to convince the new Maters purchase without sending Jim back to Master Rollins. They were actually family (I would like to think it was this way ). Im a decedent of Both Jim/ Winnie and Stephen McBride he married Mary Rollins. So interesting.

[@mhancock5440]

Also I believe in a book written by My cousin Joan Mcbride (never met). Master Rollins sold Winnie and Her/His children away after discovering that Winnie married Jim... in a fit of jealous rage to separate them. (The old if I cant have her... no one will...type jealousy). After all ..he already had fathered three children by her. Thomas Jefferson type **ish. Jim distraught became a runaway slave to find the love of his life at all cost... c'est l'amour non. Shankleville Love story...the part ancestry covered was just the happily ever after. Help me get this to be a movie...Netflix maybe. HaHa

[@pirimid9]

Most of these stories are about famous people with a lot of money. I don't have either one of those things however, I would like to explore my ancestry. My family came from Spain then emigrated to Cuba and then after Fidel Castro took control of Cuba my grandparents sent my mom (who was only 15) with her little sister who was 8 to the United States through the Catholic Church on a program called Peter Pan. It is a great but sad story of how people move from country to country.

[@gbarbecue2399]

They built a community that no man could put asunder.

[@EirinnSiobhanMcFernweh]

I recently did my DNA and was shocked to see I'm 45% Irish, 42% North American Indian when I was told I was French and Indian. It appears my dad wasn't my biological dad. Only my daughter believes it. No one else, none of my siblings, nor my son believe it. It makes me doubt, myself. What are the chances the results are wrong?

[@natinatoscano7381]

Perhaps you could take a DNA test from another company? Just to compare, there have been stories about identical twins who take DNA tests and their results are not identical. As for the paternity results, they are rarely incorrect.

[@sweethibiscus2514]

Have you thought of getting your dad tested or one of your siblings to confirm if they are your half or full siblings?

[@EirinnSiobhanMcFernweh]

@@natinatoscano7381 Identical twins DNA not being identical is the norm because everyone takes a different quantum from their parents. One child may take more from the mom while the other, from the dad. I don't think most people are aware of that.

[@timlewis6777]

Why do you guys only chose celebrities for these

[@robertawalsh2995]

You're joking, right?

[@midnightchannel7759]

Texas was a reluctant ally of the Southern cause: association with the Confederacy only passed by one vote in the State Legislative vote that decided their future.

[@Catlily5]

Texas fought for independence from Mexico so they could keep their slaves. Mexico had outlawed slavery.

[@m.danonbains3423]

Who was Steve McBride?

[@bgnphilippines]

A white man😂

[@ML-ul2zq]

@@bgnphilippines Silly joke.

[@yt650]

These folks learned how to build things, you don’t learn how to build a grist mill or a sawmill without being involved in that previously. The unfortunate part of all of this is that they were slaves when they were learning and they shouldn’t have been but having said all of that it is a wonderful story that they were able to carry on and prosper and for that he should be very very proud. I’m sure they were many things over the years they were involved in and all of that help them and again for the Einstein‘s out there, it’s a shame they were slaves when they were learning. It should’ve never happened. Additionally for the Einstein‘s out there, white people were slaves before Black people and they were slaves for people from Middle Eastern dissent. Unfortunately today slavery still continues.

[@rosahacketts1668]

Yes, slavery continues and in the Middle East to - the Arabs dealt in white slavery too. Nevertheless, his greats would have sought experts amongst their own. The experts under enslavement must have seen and learnt how to go about things - they silently watched and kept the knowledge in their hearts! I say even today observe how others do and go about things because you never know when you will be in a situation to use it.

[@rosahacketts1668]

Yes, slavery continues and in the Middle East to - the Arabs dealt in white slavery too. Nevertheless, his greats would have sought experts amongst their own. The experts under enslavement must have seen and learnt how to go about things - they silently watched and kept the knowledge in their hearts! I say even today observe how others do and go about things because you never know when you will be in a situation to use it.

[@yt650]

@@rosahacketts1668 I am a 79-year-old man. I want to know everything. I also know that I don’t know anything in spite of what I do know. There is so much information and knowledge out there. There are so-called experts usually they have some kind of a degree from a University. The problem with these people is that they have very specific knowledge and beyond that some of them can’t even walk and chew gum. Unfortunately the news media looks at these people like their experts on everything. In Pennsylvania our lieutenant governor is a Harvard graduate. If you want to know anything about the things that he does and says, you’ll have to look it up yourself. I’ll tell you this guy in spite of his degrees and education is a doofus.

[@sirleroyale4412]

Who else related to Charlemagne?

[@dakotazimmerman4344]

Do Selena Gomez please!

[@Cj-bw3hn]

With her cut short, she really reminds me of Linda Ronstadt (spelling may be wrong). Selena definitely looks like she could be related to her. (Just a passing thought/idea)

[@bailey8460]

His voice sounds like Tyler Perry’s as Madea 😢😢😢

[@annerfernandez5186]

I hope he had already gone and walked over the land his ancestor developed

[@whattheflyingfuck...]

right after slavery when the american dream was alive for a few years

[@jerrybrown3726]

And to think that Micheal Strahan now introduces 11 year old drag queen " The Amazing Desmond " on ABC "Host Michael Strahan introduced a video of Desmond Napoles - also known as “Desmond Is Amazing” - by saying the child was “inspiring to many” and was “trailblazing” a path for other children. Strahan also called it an “amazing story.” Adult drag queens entered the set later to thank him and to give him advice. The audience applauded his performance, but plenty of parents and "normal"people are absolutely appalled

[@dgr8flav]

Land of opportunity. But only if you quit whining and take advantage of the opportunity. Then again, not everyone gets so lucky.

[@removeall23]

Funny I did not see any italians, going back to the romans or etreusians

[@fortinm.6975]

You never talked to any Italian. They are proud of their culture and history. And Etrusque is not 150 years back in time. Don't compare, it is totally different. You know your history, where your name or family comes from... Which is not the case for all...

[@carolynbratton7827]

Michael should forever want to keep his mouth closed. That gap is ugly.

[@Homoclite]

You’d still let him eat your cucci and tongue kiss him after he eats you out. So…?

[@Catlily5]

How rude. His gap looks good to me.

[@carolynbratton7827]

@@Catlily5 Opinions differ.

[@Catlily5]

@@carolynbratton7827 True, but you say he should "want to forever keep his mouth closed". That's pretty rude.

[@african-gene-dominance1841]

Who owns the land now??? Stay woke

[@saraschneider6781]

He really needs to stop smiling. That gap looks terrible. And he's rich enough to fix it.

[@carokat1111]

What a moronic comment.

[@lizcole9936]

So he should hate himself? He was born with that gap and I think he looks handsome with it. Clearly he’s gotten far with the way he looks without cosmetic surgery. Smh

[@saraschneider6781]

@@lizcole9936 I literally never said that.

[@wallihaley5194]

@@saraschneider6781, no, you didn’t say it, but you implied it’s unattractive and unacceptable.

[@binaryrot9173]

The gap is beautiful

[@kandacenoelle5265]

This is the man who permitted, watched & praised as a little boy was sexualized on the TV show that M.S. hosts. Ancestry please stop. Help people with their pasts who don't have millions of dollars & don't support the sexualization of children.

[@rosahacketts1668]

Really? Did he?

[@sara8614]

What are you talking about? Context for such serious accusations please.

[@nancyhilliard1634]

Such a big fat lie shame on you

[@cathieharris6122]

What's this? First time I ever heard about it. Elaborate

[@laven111]

This proves we are not a raciest country

[@Michael-uk3uv]

In your dreams

[@user-jc8py7dw7r]

It doesn’t prove that at all. Confirmation bias much? (I can tell you’re white.)

[@carokat1111]

It doesn’t prove that at all!

[@sheridanreid256]

They could not have prevailed like they did in any other country but the USA.

[@bgnphilippines]

Try again. I’m from that area and none of those businesses exist anymore, nor the college or even a gas station. Just a church and two cemeteries. Thankfully the people still own there land.