Chris Meloni Reacts to Family History in Finding Your Roots | Ancestry
Ғылым және технология
Chris Meloni sits down with Ancestry expert Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. where he learns a tragic story of his relative's upbringing in this clip from PBS' Finding Your Roots.
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00:00 Introduction
0:15 Chris Meloni explores his great-grandfather’s Italian roots
1:10 Chris Meloni’s heart-wrenching family story
3:34 Chris Meloni’s emotional reaction
Пікірлер: 416
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@arabiabarboza267
Жыл бұрын
Oh my
@marklafleur4870
Жыл бұрын
He is 1 of my favorite, underrated actors.
@shadow_hillsgrandma8224
Жыл бұрын
Appreciate this show becoming diverse. Adding Jewish ppl and European families. Including all of us.
What a kindhearted man. YES, we owe all our ancestors a debt for the fact we even exist.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
Hi, Heather. Thanks for your comment. It sounds like you enjoyed this segment of Finding Your Roots. You're right, learning about the lives of our ancestors can give us a real appreciation for what they did for us.
I really like Christopher Meloni. Think he is a wonderful actor. So sad about his grandfather, but he made it to America so he must have been a strong young man. Good for him 🦋🦋🦋
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
We're so glad you enjoyed the clip, Leslie! Thanks for sharing. 😊
@AnnieWarbux
2 жыл бұрын
Love Meloni!! I want one!!😉 I always wonder why the producers never offer a tissue box or suggest that a guest have a hanky or bandana... really?!🤨
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
We're glad you enjoyed the video!
@leondillon8723
2 жыл бұрын
He does a great job playing a thug with a badge.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
Hi, Leslie. Thanks for you comment. We're so happy to hear that you enjoyed this segment of 'Finding Your Roots.' We love hearing about the ancestors that impacted his life in a positive way.
I saw Chris's pain when he found out about the foundling wheel. His expression read, (how could someone abandon him, Who would not love a newborn?) This touched me.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing with us.
@trishr.3986
Жыл бұрын
It could actually mean “how could they love me so much, to not want à deeper suffering”? You may not actually know the depths of wanting more for the babe beneath the heart.
@saganasimov4891
Жыл бұрын
@@trishr.3986 That's what I'm thinking also.
@niceshorts28
3 ай бұрын
It was about them saving him, not abandoning him. If they wouldn’t have done that, he could’ve died. Thankfully they didn’t have PP & ab0rtion clinics back then. Chris would be much less likely to be sitting there. They knew he deserved & needed a better life than what they could give him, and despite difficulties, it led to Chris being alive for his family... I think Chris knew he wouldn’t be sitting there unless they did that to save him. There need to be more Safe Haven baby boxes. Choose life
@alifc1082
3 ай бұрын
Foundling wheel, there still are these days, in exactly the same form, as well as you know, the firehouses, maybe the churchs(not sure as there is not always someone). But actual parochial establishments that have this rolling box in the outside wall.
Velva still exists! it's a "frazione" (meaning a smaller village within a small town) of Castiglióne Chiavarése, which is a province of the city of Genova (region Liguria). it has 144 inhabitants now :)
@dandofootball2528
2 жыл бұрын
🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹
@rosijay1407
2 жыл бұрын
Grazie per la precisazione!
@lmc2375
Жыл бұрын
My 3rd GGF's first wife, Rosa Piana, came from the Liguria region. Mid to late 1840's. She died in childbirth with the last infant. In fact, all 3 or 4 of their children died young. Illness it seems took them. Sad story actually.
@ilaria_v
Жыл бұрын
Eccoci quaaa
@rezzoc91
Жыл бұрын
In Velva they cook a wonderful castagnaccio and they still speak Ligurian. My relatives are from Velva, but I've got them across all of the Levante Ligure.
Well, I was containing my emotions until Christopher started crying. Its truly amazing to find our ancestors and then discover how they lived and survived.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
Well said, Roni. It was certainly an emotional episode. We're glad you enjoyed the clip! Thanks so much for watching.
@schempgirl1
2 жыл бұрын
I always get the urge to hug them
@schempgirl1
2 жыл бұрын
when I see that they are upset
@ruthgunneson-poling1571
2 жыл бұрын
@@AncestryUS where do we find the extended interview?
@arleneshanley9889
2 жыл бұрын
Same. This made me cry.
"Oh!...I owe you a debt" .... That got me. 😥....Mind blowing when you realize all you ancestors life journeys lead to your existing moment.
These needs to be longer!!
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
We're glad to hear you're interested in learning even more, Dempsey! We're naturally big fans of the show and Dr. Gates too. Each episode takes the viewer on a fascinating journey into the past. Although you will need to check availability in your area, you may be able to catch full episodes over on the PBS website here www.pbs.org/weta/finding-your-roots . Enjoy and please call by and see us again anytime! 🌳
@theorderofthebees7308
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for providing the links !
I remember this episode. Meloni plays some tough guy roles, but I get the feeling he’s a teddy bear type of nice guy. I saw him a few years ago getting off the A train in NYC during the holiday season and he looked too cool for school.
@Sam-lb8xs
2 жыл бұрын
I've had a crush on him for years and that just makes him more attractive to me.
@bbond7840
2 жыл бұрын
I love that you said “too cool for school”. My nana used to say that all the time and I did too for a long time. You brought back happy memories for me. Thank you ❤️
@NoCanDu
2 жыл бұрын
I saw him in the dairy section of the Big Y in New Milford, CT! I was too geeked out to bother him, but he was just a regular guy getting groceries like everyone else! 😇 I remember being crushed when he left SVU!
@rebeccagraves3137
2 жыл бұрын
@@Sam-lb8xs I. Thought for years it was just me that found him so attractive then I found out one of my friends had a huge crush on him
We owe our forefathers so much! Thank you for this program!
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
We appreciate your feedback, Kathleen! We're so glad to know that this has been rewarding for you to watch. Thank you for getting in touch, we hope you have a wonderful day! 😊
I watched the full episode this morning on PBS. I didn't think it was possible for me to love Christopher Meloni any more than I did, but here I am. I cried during both men's reveals. So heartbreaking at times.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
We're glad to hear you enjoyed the episode, Leslie. You're absolutely right, some of the discoveries made can certainly be heartbreaking. Thanks so much for watching, and for your comment as well!
The 'wheel' is still commonly practiced in Germany. Friends of the family adopted 2 beautiful children who had both been left in a hole in the wall.
@DiviAugusti
Жыл бұрын
Wow that’s pretty interesting.
@MC-810
Жыл бұрын
Predecessor to a ‘baby safe haven’ drop off location.
I love the way Gates pauses after he says "abandoned" and before that put an inflection on it just to make sure it hit Christopher the hardest. Unnecessary to do that and was just for sensationalism.
I feel for Christopher. We never know what we are going to find out when we go in search of the unknown.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
You're absolutely right, Toni - there's no doubt that some discoveries made on the family history journey can be difficult to grapple with. But it is none the less a beautiful and rewarding journey! Have you had the chance to research your own family history?
@tonidibernardo171
2 жыл бұрын
@@scully8950 I have found through doing genealogy over the years some children were given up to their own families and used different surnames. Others because one parent or another had the child out of wedlock. Often times ladies while their husbands were off to war or away in America they would have an affair or sometimes being raped would give up the child before they came back. Really sad some stories I have found out too through my own findings. I guess you shame that tree hard enough you never know what is going to fall out of it.
@samanthab1923
2 ай бұрын
Must be scary. To hear that family members were giving up children is heartbreaking. My parents lost two, my sister from a brain tumor at 9 & 5 years later my 17 year old brother in a car accident
Beautiful story of his grandfather rising above his circumstances ❤️
A feeling of debt, indeed. That's how I feel about almost all of my ancestors when discovering their stories. How can you not make the most of every day when you understand what they endured so that you might exist?
Mr. Meloni, Love is expressed in MANY WAYS! This act of your Grand Parents may have been a gift to your grandfather. They knew he would be cared for and sheltered, something his parents may not have had been able to provide at the time. God Bless you Brother!
I believe that sudden emotion isn't just bc reading. They must be there with you as u learn. And they give u a hug, embracing family for the first time knowingly.
This is why in times when I feel down and want to give up, I think, wait. So many have sacrificed so that you are here. You have to continue honoring their sacrifice by doing the best you can.
Our Italian people are just hard people plain and simple ✊🏻🇮🇹
@Sean-jc6cu
2 жыл бұрын
@High Times your mammy
I love Christopher and to see his emotions about his ancestors makes me love him more.
I understand what he felt. I can't even imagine what my ancestors went through. They must have been so strong. It almost makes me feel a little guilty or unworthy I have so much compared to them. Such an easy, soft life by comparison.
I feel totally related to his tears, four of my grandparents* were poor italians, who emigrated trying a new life. I am grateful for what they built in a new country, starting literally from nothing. *Edit: Great Grandparents.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for sharing, Ivan! We're sure your grandparents would be truly touched that you are still keeping their legacy in your thoughts and that you're grateful for the future they were able to build for their families. ❤️
My heart hurts for him. I’m thankful we have technology like this to remind us of exactly how lucky we are to be alive. It’s amazing that our ancestors survived all this hardship for us to breathe air. I hope we can realize how precious life is.
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts with us! We're glad to hear that you enjoyed this clip!
I can only imagine his feelings. I knew my grandparents and am aware of the debt of gratitude I feel for them, as well as the love and sense of honor I have for them. I can only imagine the feelings I would have if I did not know them, but found out about them in this way. I would like to imagine I’d have the same sense of honor and gratitude - along with a kind of sense of longing and loss for not knowing them.
When he’s acting he seems to be playing a very tortured spirit but now I see where that comes from. What an amazing actor and I absolutely love his vulnerability.
That one ancestor goes through some crap so that you don't have to. They are that hero in your story.
The overwhelming emotion of realizing, THIS is the one! The one I owe everything to..... So moving and powerful...
and here we are with this beautiful man....
Hearing about his. relative who was an orphan who had to defend for himself at age 12, you really forget all the struggling and sacrifice, and just hope for tomorrow that so much of the past was based on. Not a reflection on mr. meloni, but it makes me think, how many of our relatives struggled to survive, in part for us to be here, and this is what. we do with it. its really easy to disrespect a sacrifice if you didn't even know there was one, or if by the result you wonder if there was anything precious to begin with.
You know where Meloni is gonna go once the pandemic is over! Love that guy.
3/4 of my family history goes back hundreds of years. The one missing part is my grandmother's family in Scotland.
Very rarely parents would have abandoned a child like they did with Enrico. Most of the times they were children born out of wedlock or when a married man would get an unmarried woman pregnant. Enrico was probably an illegitimate child and his mom would have been young and forced to give him away.
@paolobera
2 жыл бұрын
No in Italy, especially in the north (where Velva is) the wheel process was common among poor people with a lot of children. Was that or death to famine.
@deanpapadopoulos3314
2 жыл бұрын
You’re correct on most points except one: every child is legitimate but not all children are conceived by love or by thought. More than a few are conceived by compulsion.
@cg8397
Жыл бұрын
@@paolobera No, if it was poverty then the abandonment would not have been anonymous. He'd have been openly placed in a religious institution by his parents and their identity recorded. The wheel was normally used by the mom when the child's father wasn't her husband (she wasn't married or she was caught having an affair), and she didn't want to be traced in future.
Who would you like to see in an upcoming episode of Finding Your Roots on PBS? Let us know!
@erickablackwell6020
2 жыл бұрын
Mariah Carey
@karentucker2161
2 жыл бұрын
Mariska H. Of law and order stuff. The one who plays Olivia Benson.
@shellybaby5th
2 жыл бұрын
Zoey Kravitz and Keanu Reeves.
@nikil3441
2 жыл бұрын
Singers Fred Hammond and Kirk Franklin. Tom Hiddleston, Kate Winslet, Gerard Way, Jared Leto.
@sr2291
2 жыл бұрын
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Hey ancestry! I am so happy i got to use your amazing platform. I was able to find my family roots all the way back to the year 285. I am so incredibly grateful that you offer this service!
@rocknroll20024
2 жыл бұрын
285 wow that’s amazing
@cqmel4361
2 жыл бұрын
@@rocknroll20024 I got even further back now. however these people are legit mythical. I got to 270 BC :O
@cqmel4361
2 жыл бұрын
@Lesevesel Yea, I am still working on other parts of the tree and i have about 1050 people on my tree.
@cqmel4361
2 жыл бұрын
@Lesevesel Yea, I have some cool historical figures like King henri I of france, william the conqueror, and charlemagne.
I crying and I can't get out of my emotions for such sadness. I understand his emotions
Grande Enrico!! Senza il tuo coraggio non avremmo potuto godere del talento di Christopher!! 💟
Thanks for sharing that, Cqmel. Congratulations! We're happy to hear that this has helped you with your research. We hope you'll continue to learn more and share your discoveries.
I cannot wait to see this entire episode, as there are many instances of foundlings in my own (southern) Italian family tree. I am most interested in how the surname Meloni was attached to this poor child. In Sicily, foundlings were usually given the surname "Esposito" or "Esposita." This was a reference to the "esposito," where foundlings were lined up at the orphanage and "exposed" for inspection by prospective adoptive parents. More often than not, the "parents" were actually looking for cheap labor rather than new children. The sacrifices and trials of ancestors deserve to be honored, even if only by their remembrance.
@sergejisd
Жыл бұрын
Meloni is a common surname in Sardinia, and many Sardinians moved to the mainland. Sometimes orphans were given the name of their saviour, in this case probably it was the nurse's name.
The reality of "The Comeback Kid". Enrico wanted better for his family and in that regard made it.
Love him more than ever; such a good man
This is why I love doing genealogy. You can find out some very interesting, surprising and also sad things about your family history.
Enrico's parents may have been very young, poor, having an illicit affair resulting in an illegitimate child and shame (in that day, nobody really cares today). Honestly, I'd love to know more about my own family history but I'd end up down a rabbit hole and broke because of all the fascinating things I might find. Squirrel! I hope that Chris finds some peace and solace in the knowledge of the humble beginnings in his history.
That’s rough!😞
This is a sad story, but it also reflects the strenght of Enrico's will to overcome so many difficulties and make a living in America and create a family.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing your own thoughts on this story, RALDS. ❤️ This show never ceases to amaze and make us stop and reflect on the challenges many faced in the past. Thanks for dropping by to learn a little about Chris and his family history. Please call on us anytime you have a research query of your own.🌳
As humans we share determination and resiliency 👏🙋♀️
God, I’ve always loved him. He has such heart. Meloni has such wonderful empathy…
When I researched my own ancestors on Ancestry there were SO many amazing and wonderful things😐I learned, and SO many descendents that I have ! It brought me to tears many times.. to find out certain facts and deaths in the many wars they fought and died in , but those things are parts of the reason we..each of us.. are here.. And to think , that if one smile hadn't led to another and beyond , at that precise space and moment in time, that we may not even be here is mind blowing!
Makes you appreciate life and what you become and hopefully humble
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
Well said, Kelly! Thank you so much for watching. 🙏
Much respect to Christopher 🙏🙏
Yes!!!! Now they need to do Mariska Hagerity ( I think I spelt her last name right).
@derekholden2550
2 жыл бұрын
Close! Hargitay
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
That's a great suggestion, Karen! ❤️ We're glad you found this short clip of interest. Make sure to check out availability of full episodes in your area by visiting the PBS site www.pbs.org/weta/finding-your-roots . Thanks again and please call on us anytime you have a research query of your own. 🌳
@personalcheeses8073
2 жыл бұрын
Well her mother was Jayne Mansfield who died along with two other people in a horror crash. A chauffeur was driving. And a 3 year old Mariska was also on the car with her brothers. So it’s highly unlikely that she would want to relive that terror in front of the cameras
@MissCocoSays
2 жыл бұрын
Her name is Hungarian. That’s all I know.
@sabrina.natalie
2 жыл бұрын
@@personalcheeses8073 - Mariska and Jayne look identical. It’s super eerie. She looks so much like her mom! 🥰
We're glad you enjoyed the video!
Wasn’t expecting to cry watching this but here I am
We're glad to hear that you've enjoyed this video so much! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Love ❤ Christopher Meloni. I have been a fan since his days on NYPD through Oz and Law and Order. Great talent. Sad about Enrico's upbringing. It goes to show you how one person can persevere against all odds.
Feel so sad for Christopher. I love this show 😀. Would LOVE for Ancestry to find my Italian Grandfather's family history and how he came to America.
when he said ‘ oh i owe you a debt ‘ that hit hard . we do owe our ancestors 💕 .
I can’t even imagine the pain. My ancestors were raised by at least one parent for past 200 years. My grandfather was raised by his grandmother when his parents went their separate ways when he was 11. But to have no knowledge of a parent is so much harder.
That's a great question! While this show focuses on celebrities, we do have many other shows that show everyday people learning more about their own heritage. Have a lovely day!
@jacquesrenou2850
5 ай бұрын
Would love to know info on it please, thanks.
Incredible story. Love this series. Thank you.
We hope you were able to see the rest of the episode, Gayle. Good luck as you research your family lines and record their stories.
This is truly an example of the heart of a child turning to his father (Malachi 4:5-6).
Thanks for stopping in, Lucretia. We hope you'll continue find stories like this and gain inspiration for your own family history research.
Thanks for sharing with us, Native-Kitty. We hope this encouraged you to research your family lines came. Please share what you learn with your family.
Chris's great grandfather's story is so sad. Being abandoned in "the wheel" and then put on his own at the tender age of twelve. So sad. By the way, M*A*S*H did an episode about a Korean baby that was abandoned at the 4077 and they end up taking the baby to a religious place where the the people inside don't see the outside world. They would raise the baby but her life would be horrible.
I remember seeing such a "wheel" in an episode of MASH when they had no choice but leave a baby with the local monks. It's moving to learn such details about the people that came before us and yet they survived somehow and made life for themselves. It makes you more to determined to overcome whatever challenges you might be facing.
Hi Kelly. We hope this encourages you to continue your family history research and learning about the lives of your ancestors.
We hope you enjoyed it, Colin. What are you researching currently? Are there any figures in your family line who stand out? Good luck as you continue to discover new details about your ancestors.
Wow. Chris Meloni's reaction choked me up.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Lieutenant B. We hope you'll follow other stories of discovery in family history.
@MsChiknnugget1751
2 жыл бұрын
His name on the show is Stabler
I didn't know Meloni wore glasses. Actually, now that I remember, he did wear them in an episode of SVU once. I think it was the episode: Blinded.
Thanks for stopping by, David. We hope you enjoy your family history research!
I love that the common theme is this people overcame incredible odds with only hope and belief to cling to. A great reminder to just keep going.
Law & Order's SVU was never the same when Christopher Meloni left; I think he's great, and I figured he might have Italian Ancestry with his surname.
To have a succesful descendant is a great achievement.🙂
What an amazingly strong man Enrico was!
Hi Paul. What else have you discovered about your ancestors? Good luck as you grow your family tree.
Henry and his team are excellent researchers. I wish they would do mine.
Waw! Good job ! His grandpa was a real man for sure !
It must be awesome to be able to trace your people. 💖
I love Chris…..always heart on his sleeve.❤️❤️❤️❤️
@AncestryUS
Жыл бұрын
We're so glad to hear you enjoyed this episode, S! Have you considered researching your own family history? The article below will address what you can expect from Ancestry. Please let us know if you have any questions and we'd be happy to help! support.ancestry.com/s/article/Why-Use-Ancestry
Emotional 😭. Great actor. God bless. Amen 🙏.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
We hope you enjoyed the video!
Your grandfather made it and did something wonderful. Help with the makings of you. That part.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for your lovely comment, Shirl. We do hope to hear that you enjoyed the clip!
This is something to learn of our heritage. I wish I could know more about my father’s parentage.
Great story and thanks Chris for sharing.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
Hi, Andrew. Thanks for letting us know that you enjoyed this episode of "Finding Your Roots." It was a great story.
Incredible. Bless his spirit's longing to live.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to check out Chris' story, Nancy. Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr never fails to make us stop and reflect on the challenges faced by past generations and each episode tells a different story. Should you like to see what full episodes are available in your part of the world then check out the PBS website here www.pbs.org/weta/finding-your-roots. Thanks again and please call by and see us again anytime you need our support. Happy new year by the way! 🎆
Well said!
I wasn't trying to cry today.... EPIC FAIL!! 💔😥😥😥
It's also interesting to learn that safe haven baby boxes aren't new.
Wonderful story wonderful man.
What a touching story. Thank you
@AncestryUS
Жыл бұрын
We're so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing this feedback with us. 🙂
Be happy Enrique was a strong and studious hustler who made his way to America and made his way in life and because of Enrique we have seen your talents and I'm sure your kids and the rest of your families offspring will continue to do great and wonderful things. I am adopted luckily by a great and loving family. I by no means have made a huge dent in this world but they say you are never dead if you are remembered so hopefully I will get a chance to do something memorable. Keep going Keep making your art and hustle as hard as Enrique did selling olive oil
@AncestryUS
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing this with us! We're glad you enjoyed the clip.
This is beautiful story. Of resilience
The crazy thing is when you think of it. Our ancestors had to have been tough to make it long enough for us to be here
I love Chris Meloni ... wipe your tears, find joy in such a story bc possibly had he not been surrendered, he could have perished. His mother wanted better for her son than she could give and for a time he had it. We don't know for certain if he was truly on his own at 12, maybe another took him in. No matter, his will to survive, pushed him forward. The point is all roads led to your existence and for that, you can be grateful.
Profound 😭😭,and exhilarating that Christopher's parents/ grandparents gave him life and a foundation to succeed.
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for watching, Gilmore! We are glad to hear you enjoyed the clip. Have a great day!
We hope you have a chance to take the DNA test soon!
I knew it! I knew Christopher Meloni wore glasses in real life!!
I would love to meet Dr Gates and learn about my mothers side of my family
@AncestryUS
2 жыл бұрын
Hi, Laura. Thanks for your comment. We agree, that would be a wonderful experience. He is an incredible researcher. We hope you have success researching your family.