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Forgotten Journeys
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps John Leguizamo and Lena Waithe retrace the paths of their ancestors, uncovering crucial pieces of their own identities that were lost on the journey to America.
Episode Clips
Lena Waithe Learns the Source of the Name “Waithe”
Lena Waithe reacts to hearing that her surname derives from slave owners in Barbados.
Lena Waithe Learns Grim Statistics on Slave Life Expectancy
Lena Waithe learns about the short life expectancy of slaves on a sugar plantation.
Lena Waithe Discovers Her First Free, Post-Slavery Ancestor
Lena Waithe expresses gratitude for the unimaginable hardships her ancestors endured.
John Leguizamo’s Lineage is Traced Back 17 Generations
We traced John Leguizamo’s lineage back to 17 generations of surprising ancestors.
John Leguizamo Learns About His 9th Great-Grandfather
John Leguizamo is stunned by how far back his lineage has been traced.
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