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Lena Dunham Uncovers Her Ancestor's Complex Legacy

We trace Lena Dunham's ancestry back to her paternal eighth great-grandfather, Stephanus van Cortlandt, a pivotal figure in the early history of New York City. Stephanus's life story unfolds as one of ambition, becoming the first native-born Mayor of New York. But Lena confronts the more troubling aspects of his legacy, including his dealings with the Lenape tribe and his involvement in slavery.
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Clip Season 10 Episode 9 Length 05:08 Premiere: 04/02/24

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Specials

Season 10 Episodes

Viewers Like You
S10 E10 Length 52:09 Premiere Date 04/09/24

In the Blood
S10 E9 Length 52:09 Premiere Date 04/02/24

Mean Streets
S10 E8 Length 52:09 Premiere Date 02/20/24

The Brick Wall Falls
S10 E7 Length 52:09 Premiere Date 02/13/24

Far and Away
S10 E6 Length 52:09 Premiere Date 02/06/24

Hold the Laughter
S10 E5 Length 52:09 Premiere Date 01/30/24

Buried Secrets
S10 E4 Length 52:09 Premiere Date 01/23/24

Fathers and Sons
S10 E3 Length 52:09 Premiere Date 01/16/24

Forever Young
S10 E2 Length 52:09 Premiere Date 01/09/24

Born to Sing
S10 E1 Length 52:09 Premiere Date 01/02/24

Lena Dunham Uncovers Her Ancestor's Complex Legacy
Clip Length 05:08 Premiere Date 04/02/24

Michael Douglas Unravels His Family's Secret Past
Clip Length 07:15 Premiere Date 04/02/24

Lena Dunham's Ancestors' Heartbreaking Story of Survival
Clip Length 04:59 Premiere Date 04/02/24

In the Blood Preview
Preview Length 00:31 Premiere Date 04/02/24

Season 10 Inside Look
Preview Length 00:30 Premiere Date 11/14/23

Extended Trailer
Preview Length 03:15 Premiere Date 10/04/23

FACES OF AMERICA: Mike Nichols' Escape from Nazi Germany
Clip Length 04:54 Premiere Date 12/20/10

FACES OF AMERICA: Mike Nichols' Famous German Ancestor

Clip Length 01:59 Premiere Date 12/20/10

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Far from Home - S9 E4

Jamie Chung, Cyndi Lauper and Danny Trejo retrace the journeys of their immigrant ancestors.

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Stranger Than Fiction - S11 E3

Traveling across China and the American South reveals the ancestry of novelist Amy Tan and poet Rita Dove.

  • Tuesday May 19, 2026 10:00 pm ET on KET
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Dreamers One and All - S11 E4

Exploring the ancestry of actress Sharon Stone and model Chrissy Teigen includes traveling across Europe and Thailand.

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Larger Than Life - S11 E1

Research into the ancestry of singer Lea Salonga and actress Amanda Seyfried reveals relatives who survived heart-wrenching ordeals.

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American Dreams - S12 E1

America Ferrera and Darren Criss uncover their immigrant roots - meeting revolutionaries in Honduras, a Dutchman who helped build New York and a young woman from the Philippines who made an incredible journey.

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Far from Home - S9 E4

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In the Blood - S10 E9

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Hidden in the Genes - S8 E1

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Puritans and Pioneers - S4 E3

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Rags to Riches - S12 E10

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Song of the South - S12 E9

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