This a clip from of “African American Lives 2,” which aired on PBS in New York last night. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr,. the documentary traces the genealogy of Morgan Freeman, Chris Rock, Tina Turner and other famous African Americans. It’s fascinating stuff, so look out for the next installment. Interesting facts: Chris Rock’s great, great grandfather served in the South Carolina legislature during Reconstruction. (Sadly his tenure was short-lived.) And one of Don Cheadle’s ancestors was owned by the Chickasaw nation, and hence was not freed after the Civil Law because Indian territory did not fall under American law. Tim Reidy

Tim Reidy is the deputy editor in chief of America Media.