Finding Your Roots: Michelle Rodriguez with Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (PBS)
*There’s always the threat of finding something particularly shocking when digging through the branches of your family tree.
Just ask Michelle Rodriguez.
The actress of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent gave the PBS series “Finding Your Roots with Dr. Henry Louis Gates” its first-ever case of generations marrying within the family to keep the blood line pure – also known as endogamy.
“Endogamy – cousins marrying cousins in the hills of Puerto Rico,” Gates says of Rodriguez’ episode, which airs Sunday (May 20). “And that was the big shock, that we’ve never seen so many first cousins who were married in a line of direct descent.”
Gates said Michelle went into the series believing the genealogists wouldn’t find anything about her ancestors. But researchers were able to trace her family line back to her fourth great grandfather, born in 1777 in the Dominican Republic, and her fifth great grandparents in Puerto Rico.
Below, Gates tells us what percentage of Rodriguez is African American and how her history is a testament to the diversity of the series. [Scroll down to watch a promo of her episode.]
Watch Finding Your Roots: Michelle Rodriguez, Adrian Grenier & Linda Chavez – Preview on PBS. See more from Finding Your Roots.
I think I would be too afraid to have him tell me my true genetic percentages. Too many of us assume what we are and we mistakenly assume it’s what our parent(s) may be. If you had a greater understanding of genetics, you’d realize that it’s nowhere near as simple as we make it out to be.
“Endogamy – cousins marrying cousins in the hills of Puerto Rico,”
I wonder if that inbreeding accounts for her agressiveness. She’s had her fair share of run-ins out in the streets.
puerto ricans and dominicans have more black in them than in the old country . . MelodyCool?, “dats cold” . .is that what happened to the jamaicans and hi-ee-shuns
nightshift, don’t ever tell latinos they have Black blood running through their veins.
I almost choked nightshift. Thanks!
This may e be important to some?, but I ask?…..does AanYone think their is an article about a “Black” person, in a Mexican/Latino mag/website regarding “their” heritage etc!!?? I think?…..HAAAAAYIL NAAAW!!! Why do we concern ourselves with/include EVERYone else’s shyt, in Our shyt!??, while/when they don’t give a SHYT about….Us!!?? I would rather see an article about M. Allen (20yrss & NOT allowed the “”stand your ground” defense, for firing a “warning shit” & killing…..NO ONE!!!, , or that kid who. Urned a “dog”?(that’s STILL alive!!) & can’t get out of jail, while Zimmerman KILLS A CHILD!!! , &……walks to the fkn mall!!?? All to say…..there are MANY more Important issues withIN Our culture to address, before we have the “luxury” of ……being concerned with “others”.
Sorry, iPhone again!!, ARGE!! Should be…..”firing a warning “shot”!! & kid who “burned” a dog etc….!