Wanda Sykes' Unexpected Family History

A surprise lay hidden within historical documents of comedian Wanda Sykes' ancestors -- a surprise that even Sykes herself couldn't fathom. Sykes joined The Root's editor-in-chief, Henry Louis Gates Jr., on his PBS show Finding Your Roots to investigate the lives of what she thought were her slave ancestors.

After scouring archives in Virginia, Gates made an unpredictable discovery about her great-great-great-grandparents.

"I had no idea that, you know, I came from free people," Sykes said after the reveal. "They must have been some incredibly strong and incredibly proud people."

Watch a clip of Sykes on Finding Your Roots below. Catch the full episode to find out all of Gates' findings on Sunday, May 13, at 8 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. CDT on PBS.

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Watch more Finding Your Roots clips:

Samuel L. Jackson's Surprising Roots

On Finding Your Roots, the actor talks about racism in his youth and learns about his ancestors.

 

'Finding Your Roots': Tracing the Canadas

An absent father left Harlem activist Geoffrey Canada with questions about his paternal ancestry.

 

Martha Stewart's Inherited Profession

On Finding Your Roots, Martha Stewart learns that she's not the only craftsman in her family.

 

Iron Man's Revolutionary Ancestry

On Finding Your Roots, Robert Downey Jr. learns that a relative fought for America's independence.

 

A Mega-Church Pastor's Deep Religious Roots

On Finding Your Roots, Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores Rick Warren's family legacy.

 

Ruth Simmons, When Past Meets Present

On Finding Your Roots, Ruth Simmons learns about her great-grandfather and a newfound relative.