12 Must-See Genealogy TV Shows That Will Inspire You

How do you like your genealogy TV? You have options, from fast-paced competition to travel adventures to reflective journeys of discovery—even a home redecorating show. Here we cover 12 must-watch series, many of which are available on-demand for free. Those that aren’t free are marked with a dollar sign ($).

TV is an ever-evolving landscape, with networks renewing and canceling series and streaming services rising, falling or changing their offerings. This article reflects the latest, easiest and least-expensive access options for each show. Visit TV Guide’s website for more information on where to watch the series mentioned here; some may be available to purchase a la carte online.

1. A New Leaf

Channel: NBC

Originally aired: 2019–2020

This show offers 13 short episodes about everyday people who experience life milestones—from a new baby to a golden anniversary—and learn more about their family history. They originally aired as part of NBC’s Saturday morning block “The More You Know.”

In the opening episode, a young dancer prepares for graduate school. She and her mother explore their African heritage and the influence of African music. Thanks to a research team at Ancestry.com, the women learn the identity of the mother’s birth father and his ancestors who were enslaved. The daughter integrates these discoveries into a dance audition that she hopes will shape her future.

Watch for free on NBC’s website.

2. Ancestors

Channel: BYUtv

Originally aired: 1997–2000

This older series teaches a new family history skill in each episode to guests whose personal stories become part of the program. Well-known experts such as Megan Smolenyak, Elizabeth Shown Mills, Tony Burroughs, Dick Eastman and Curt Witcher each make appearances in the 25-minute episodes. Topics include home sources, oral histories, censuses, military records, naturalizations, newspapers and how to visit the Family History Library (now the FamilySearch Library) in Salt Lake City.

Watch all 23 episodes for free on BYUtv.   

3. Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. ($)

Channel: PBS

Originally aired: 2012–present

In each 52-minute episode, historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. shares family history surprises with celebrities. Guests in recent seasons include Mandy Patinkin, Diane Von Fürstenberg, RuPaul Charles, LeVar Burton, Leslie Odom, Jr., Lisa Ling, David Duchovny, Carol Burnett, Niecy Nash and Julia Roberts.

In conversation with his famous guests, Dr. Gates reveals family stories as discovered by Ancestry.com’s expert research team, along with the larger historical context. Each guest receives a handsome Book of Life filled with key documents and photos. DNA often plays a prominent role, especially when test results produce surprises.

The 11th season is scheduled to premiere in January 2025. The most-recent seasons are available to PBS Passport members. You can stream all seasons with a PBS add-on subscription to Amazon Prime.

4. Genealogy Roadshow ($)

Channel: PBS

Originally aired: 2013–2016

This PBS series features an “Antiques Roadshow”-style setup. Three genealogy experts (D. Joshua Taylor, Kenyatta Berry and Mary Tedesco) travel to various US cities that represent crossroads of cultures, from Austin to Boston to Nashville to New Orleans.

In each place, they’ve gathered unverified family legends from local residents. Having researched the stories using documents, DNA and other clues, the hosts meet with their guests and reveal their findings.

PBS Passport subscribers can watch some episodes on the PBS website. Other viewing options include Tubi TV, Pluto TV or purchasing episodes through Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video.

5. The Generations Project

Channel: BYUtv

Originally aired: 2010–2012

Hour-long episodes follow everyday people as they research their ancestors to solve family mysteries—discovering keys to their own identities in the process. 

The opening episode follows a pessimistic woman daunted by challenges in her path. She explores the lives of her Black ancestors, many of whom faced difficulties with courage and determination that she starts to see in herself.

Watch the show’s three seasons for free at BYUtv.

6. The Genetic Detective

Channel: ABC

Originally aired: 2020

Investigative genetic genealogy expert CeCe Moore stars in this show. Previously a consultant on “Finding Your Roots” and “Genealogy Roadshow,” Moore has built a team that assists law enforcement in solving cases using DNA and genealogy research.

In the first five, 42-minute episodes, Moore works on cold cases: double homicides, murders of two girls in different places, and a serial rapist. In the final episode, she works her first active case, the rape of a 79-year-old woman.

Access episodes for free at ABC’s website.

7. How I Got Here

Channel: BYUtv

Originally aired: 2022–2024

Each fast-paced episode documents the 10-day journey of a parent and their grown child as they travel back to the immigrant parent’s homeland. Together, they enjoy the vistas, foods and pastimes of the culture, while reliving the circumstances that led to their family’s migration.

The guests’ adventures take them around the world: Mexico, Israel, France, Korea, Cuba, Chile, Ghana, Slovakia, Zimbabwe, Serbia, Zambia and Italy.

Watch the show’s two seasons for free on BYUtv’s website.

8. Long Lost Family ($)

Channel: TLC

Originally aired: 2016–2019

This deeply emotional series, hosted by adoptees Chris Jacobs and Lisa Joyner, reunites families separated by a variety of circumstances, including adoptions, foundlings, a child who was switched at birth, and unknown birth fathers (including a sperm donor).

In episodes that span six seasons, the hosts provide emotional support and guidance while they search for those lost relatives through DNA testing, public records and any other available avenues. Finally, in touching scenes, the searchers meet the relatives they’ve been desperately seeking. A sequel series, “Long Last Family: What Happened Next” follows up on some families.

Subscribers to various cable networks can watch episodes on TLC’s website. Alternatively, watch all six seasons on subscription service Discovery+ or through that add-on on Amazon Prime Video. The UK version (running 12 seasons strong) has multiple spin-offs and is also available on Prime Video.

9. Relative Race

Channel: BYUtv

Originally aired: 2016–present

In each season, four teams of two compete “Amazing Race”-style. Over the course of 10, hour-long episodes, the duos race across the country with their eye on a cash prize for the winner.

Along the way, contestants follow clues, complete challenges and meet unknown relatives, discovered by the producers through DNA testing. This show has a dedicated fan base, some of whom gather on GenFriends Genealogy Chat Show with host Cheri Hudson Passey of Carolina Girl Genealogy to rehash highlights. (They also talk about “Finding Your Roots.”)

View its seasons for free on the BYUtv website.

10. Revealed ($)

Channel: HGTV

Originally aired: 2023

This interior design show brings genealogy home—literally. Designer Veronica Valencia remodels clients’ houses in ways that honor their heritage and celebrate their current family. Valencia and her team gather stories, photos and documents that inspire custom designs.

One 43-minute episode features a newlywed couple with roots in Guam, Thailand and Hungary. Valencia remodels of their living spaces—including a nursery for a new baby on the way—based on their ancestry. Other episodes feature projects that pay tribute to a diverse palette of origins, including African, Indian and Jewish.

Subscribers to qualifying TV provider networks can binge all seven episodes on HGTV’s website. The show is also available as part of Discovery+ or Max (formerly HBO Max).

11. Roots Less Traveled

Channel: NBC

Originally aired: 2020–2022

Aimed at teenagers, this show backed by Ancestry.com follows family members as they travel together and discover their shared family history.

In one episode, siblings with Japanese American heritage travel to Fresno, Calif., to learn about their great-grandmother’s immigration and marriage as a “picture bride,” the couple’s careers as farmers and their incarceration in internment camps. The visit ends with a Buddhist ceremony at the gravesites of their great-grandparents. Other episodes feature a rumored Titanic passenger, an ancestor’s journey from slavery to Civil War soldier, and more.

Episodes are 20 minutes long; watch them for free on NBC’s website. “Watch Along” episodes in seasons 2 and 4 include running commentary from the subjects.

12. Who Do You Think You Are? ($)

Channel: NBC and TLC

Originally aired: 2010–2022

This popular American version of a same-named British show accompanies celebrities as they participate in discovering their own family history. They interview relatives, pore over photos, visit archives and travel to ancestral hometowns.

The show’s roster includes such famous names as Gwyneth Paltrow, Matthew Broderick, Spike Lee, Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon, Rashida Jones, Rob Lowe, Aisha Tyler, Jim Parsons and Mandy Moore.

The show has bounced from NBC to TLC, then back to NBC for an 11th season in 2022. Stream the seven TLC seasons as part of Discovery+. (NBC-era seasons only seem to be available for purchase.)

A version of this article appeared in the July/August 2024 issue of Family Tree Magazine.

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