Season 3 of PBS’ ‘Genealogy Roadshow’ Uncovers Historic Connections

More from pressroom

PHOENIX – (April 28, 2016)

From possible links to the accused in the Salem Witch Trials to heroes of the Wild West, PBS’ “Genealogy Roadshow” uncovers more family secrets in the series’ third season, premiering Tuesday, May 17, at 7 p.m. on Arizona PBS.

Part detective story, part emotional journey, “Genealogy Roadshow” combines history and science to uncover fascinating stories of diverse Americans this season in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico, Miami, Houston, Boston, Providence, Rhode Island, and Los Angeles. Each story links to the larger regional (and often, national) history, to become part of America’s rich cultural melting pot. This is the first season that features an episode focusing on the Southwest.

In the show, professional genealogists Kenyatta D. Berry, Joshua Taylor and Mary Tedesco are matched with everyday people whose unique family claims are explored in each episode. Among this season’s mysteries:

  • A man seeks to find out if he is descended from Boston’s key founders.
  • A woman explores connections to an ancestor’s participation in the Manhattan Project.
  • A couple hopes to recover the true story of their family pharmacy during Hollywood’s Golden. Age
  • A woman learns of her family’s involvement in the Trail of Tears.

Over the course of the series and from coast-to-coast, Berry, Taylor and Tedesco work with participants’ anecdotal clues, documents and family heirlooms to reveal surprising turns and incredible personal histories, filling in lost family details and in some cases, introducing them to relatives and other important people they never knew existed.

Albuquerque, Miami, Houston, Boston, Providence and Los Angeles were chosen this season as representative of America’s cultural crossroads for diversity, industry and history, as well as for deep pools of riveting stories. The hosts and experts on “Genealogy Roadshow” add color and context to the investigations, ensuring every artifact and every name becomes part of solving the mystery.

“‘Genealogy Roadshow’ is different from other programs in the sense that it shines a light on America’s rich history and highlights how everyone plays a vital role in composing the diverse cultural tapestry of our nation,” said Nancy Southgate, associate general manager of content at Arizona PBS. “This season is filled with mystery, intrigue and emotional revelations regarding some of the most poignant and revolutionary moments in American history.”

Below are descriptions for each of the six “Genealogy Roadshow” episodes this season, airing Tuesdays from May 17 through June 28. For images and screeners, please visit PBS PressRoom.

Albuquerque – The Old Airport Terminal
May 17 at 7 p.m.
A team of genealogists uncovers fascinating family stories at the Old Albuquerque Airport Terminal. A woman seeking a connection to a Native American code talker learns that a missing branch of her family tree has been searching for her; a man is shocked to find out just how deep his New Mexican roots go; a woman finds out that her ancestor’s life was straight out of a Wild West tale; another questions her family connection to the explosive Trinity Test; one man is linked to a famous comic book heroine; and a woman looks to verify family lore about a connection to Pancho Villa.

Miami – History Miami Museum
May 24 at 7 p.m.
At the History Miami Museum, one woman suspects she is related to Pocahontas; another explores the mystery of her Cuban roots, uncovering her grandfather’s secret past; a man learns more about his Filipino heritage and the impact of World War II on his ancestors; the team reveals how the history of the tragic Tuskegee experiment changed a woman’s family forever; and a woman comes to the Roadshow thinking her ancestor was a villain, only to learn he was a hero.

Houston – Downtown Houston Public Library
May 31 at 7 p.m.
A woman seeks to find out if her roots in Texas are as deep as the character she portrays in her historical re-enactments; at the Julia Ideson Building of the Houston Public Library, the Roadshow team investigates the notorious Andersonville prison; a man wants to know if his African-American ancestors fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War; a woman uncovers her link to a prominent figure in Texas history; another learns of her connection to the Cherokee Freedmen; and one man traces his roots to the conflicts that shaped early American history.

Boston – Faneuil Hall
June 14 at 7 p.m.
At an iconic Boston landmark, Faneuil Hall, a team of genealogists unravels the haunting mystery of one woman’s ties to the Salem Witch Trials. Another woman seeks to understand her family’s connection to the historic orphan trains; a woman seeks to find out whether the Great Boston Fire of 1872 or the small pox epidemic claimed the lives of one branch of her family tree; for one man, the team researches a link to the founders of Boston; and one woman learns that her family’s remarkable route went from the Caribbean through Ellis Island.

Providence – Providence Public Library
June 21 at 7 p.m.
At the Providence Public Library, the passport of a woman’s ancestor reveals how her family survived the Holocaust and ended up halfway around the world; a woman discovers more about an African-American relative who served in World War I; experts unlock the mystery of one man’s Amish ties; a woman discovers how deep her roots run in the New England whaling industry; a Rhode Island macaroni company takes a woman all the way back to Italy; and one man’s search for his ancestor reveals a scandal that made headlines.

Los Angeles – Union Station
June 28 at 7 p.m.
A team of genealogists uncovers fascinating family stories at Los Angeles Union Station. A woman questions her family’s connection to the legendary Hollywood hot-spot, Schwab’s Pharmacy; another seeks a connection to one of the first African-American college graduates; a woman’s family tree is wrapped in a genealogical web that has captivated the Roadshow team for years; one man’s ancestor lived in the right places at the right times, finding himself connected to historic events and iconic companies; a woman discovers a scoundrel in her family tree; and a Roadshow host shares a unique insight on the Ellis Island immigration experience.

“Genealogy Roadshow” is part of Arizona PBS’ commitment to high-quality programming highlighting American culture, diversity, history and heritage, which provides viewers with a greater understanding of our communities, our country and our world. PBS history and heritage programs in the primetime schedule have included Finding Your Roots and other titles by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., The Italian Americans, Latino Americans and more.

“Genealogy Roadshow” is made possible, in part, by Ancestry and by viewer support.

Ted Simons, host and managing editor of

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