© 2025 Ideastream Public Media

1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 916-6100 | (877) 399-3307

WKSU is a public media service licensed to Kent State University and operated by Ideastream Public Media.
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Finding Your Roots

Amanda Seyfried Discovers Ancestor Was an Army Musician

Season 11 Episode 1 | 4m 13s

Amanda's third great grandfather, Peter Friesell, was living in Pennsylvania with his wife Lydia and their daughter in 1860. He voluntarily enlisted in the Civil War to fight for the Union to end slavery. He ultimately served as a musician, playing the fife. He risked his life and survived.

Corporate support for Season 11 of FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. is provided by Gilead Sciences, Inc., Ancestry® and Johnson & Johnson. Major support is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Support is also provided by Ford Foundation; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; Candace King Weir; by the Inkwell Society together with many of its members; and by public television viewers.
Extras
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
La Famiglia Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the Italian roots of Joy Behar & Michael Imperioli.
Preview: S11 E2 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
Larger Than Life Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. connects Lea Salonga & Amanda Seyfried to their dramatic ancestors.
Preview: S11 E1 | 0:30
Watch • 3:47
Finding Your Roots
Lea Salonga uncovers her German ancestry
Lea Salonga discovers the roots of her maternal great great grandfather, Pedro Malhabor.
Clip: S11 E1 | 3:47
Watch • 0:30
Finding Your Roots
Season 11: Inside Look
FINDING YOUR ROOTS returns for a new season of genealogical surprises and DNA revelations.
Preview: S11 | 0:30
Watch • 3:13
Finding Your Roots
Season 11: Extended Trailer
FINDING YOUR ROOTS returns for a new season of genealogical surprises and DNA revelations
Preview: S11 | 3:13
Watch • 0:32
Finding Your Roots
Viewers Like You Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. solves mysteries for 3 everyday Americans chosen to be guests.
Preview: S10 E10 | 0:32
Watch • 6:08
Finding Your Roots
Unraveling the Willis Family Mystery
Join Joyce Willis as she embarks on a riveting exploration into her family history.
Clip: S10 E10 | 6:08
Watch • 5:08
Finding Your Roots
Terrie Morrow's Quest to Unveil Her Great-Grandfather's Origins
Join Terrie Morrow as she embarks on an odyssey to resolve a longstanding family puzzle.
Clip: S10 E10 | 5:08
Watch • 5:04
Finding Your Roots
Megan Robertson's Search for Her Great-Grandfather's Roots
Megan Robertson embarks on a quest to demystify the lineage of her great-grandfather.
Clip: S10 E10 | 5:04
Watch • 6:27
Finding Your Roots
Megan Robertson and the Mystery of Green's Real Father
Join speech therapist Megan Robertson as she delves into a longstanding family mystery.
Clip: S10 E10 | 6:27
All
  • All
  • Finding Your Roots Season 11
  • Finding Your Roots Season 10
  • Finding Your Roots Season 9
  • Finding Your Roots Season 8
  • Finding Your Roots Season 7
  • Finding Your Roots Season 6
  • Finding Your Roots Season 5
  • Finding Your Roots Season 4
  • Finding Your Roots Season 3
  • Finding Your Roots Season 2
  • Finding Your Roots Season 1
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
La Famiglia
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the Italian roots of Joy Behar & Michael Imperioli.
Episode: S11 E2 | 52:10
Watch • 52:10
Finding Your Roots
Larger Than Life
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. connects Lea Salonga & Amanda Seyfried to their dramatic ancestors.
Episode: S11 E1 | 52:10
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Viewers Like You
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. solves mysteries for 3 everyday Americans chosen to be guests.
Episode: S10 E10 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
In the Blood
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uncovers the surprising roots of Michael Douglas & Lena Dunham.
Episode: S10 E9 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Mean Streets
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps family trees of comedian Tracy Morgan & actor Anthony Ramos.
Episode: S10 E8 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
The Brick Wall Falls
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shares ancestry with actor Danielle Brooks & singer Dionne Warwick.
Episode: S10 E7 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Far and Away
Sunny Hostin and Jesse Williams discover ancestors from very diverse places.
Episode: S10 E6 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Hold the Laughter
Bob Odenkirk and Iliza Shlesinger—two very funny people whose family trees brim with drama
Episode: S10 E5 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Buried Secrets
Sammy Hagar and Ed O’Neill discover the dramatic stories hidden within their own roots.
Episode: S10 E4 | 52:09
Watch • 52:09
Finding Your Roots
Fathers and Sons
LeVar Burton & Wes Studi grew up fatherless, haunted by questions about their family trees
Episode: S10 E3 | 52:09