Julia Roberts' Family Name Isn't What She Thought | Finding Your Roots | PBS

Summary

In this engaging genealogical exploration, Julia Roberts uncovers a hidden family secret. Initially tracing her maternal roots to Sweden, the investigation shifts to her paternal lineage, revealing a mystery: Julia's great-grandfather John Roberts' father was never identified. Through DNA testing and archival research, it is discovered that Julia is not a Roberts by blood, but a Mitchell, with her biological great-great-grandfather being Henry McDonald Mitchell, Jr. This revelation surprises Julia, who comes to terms with the unexpected twist in her family history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Julia Roberts' maternal family roots were traced back to Sweden, revealing a wealth of ancestors previously unknown.
• 😀 The focus then shifted to Julia's paternal side, where the mystery of her great-grandfather John's father unfolded.
• 😀 The 1880 census revealed that John Roberts was living with his mother, Rhoda Suttle, and his three brothers, but his father was missing.
• 😀 Julia’s great-grandfather's father, Willis Roberts, had passed away in 1864, raising questions about his true paternity.
• 😀 Rhoda's second husband, Willis Roberts, could not have been John's biological father, leaving the identity of the father uncertain.
• 😀 DNA testing became a key tool in unraveling the mystery, with Julia and her cousin providing samples for comparison.
• 😀 DNA results led to a surprising discovery: Julia's biological great-great-grandfather was Henry McDonald Mitchell Jr., not Willis Roberts.
• 😀 The revelation meant that Julia was biologically a Mitchell, not a Roberts, though she had carried the Roberts name all her life.
• 😀 The relationship between Rhoda and Henry Mitchell likely involved a secret, as census records suggested they lived very close to each other.
• 😀 The story concluded with Julia processing the unexpected turn of events, while still feeling a strong connection to her Roberts family, and preferring to keep the Roberts name.

Q & A

Who is Julia Roberts' biological great-great-grandfather?

Julia Roberts' biological great-great-grandfather is Henry McDonald Mitchell, Jr., not Willis Roberts as initially assumed.

What key discovery did Henry and his team make about Julia Roberts' family tree?

They discovered that Julia Roberts' great-grandfather, John Roberts, was not the biological son of Willis Roberts, but rather the son of Henry Mitchell, Jr., after conducting a DNA analysis.

Why was Julia initially unaware of the true identity of her great-great-grandfather?

Julia was unaware because historical records from the time of her great-grandfather's birth in 1878 did not include the father's name, and there were no birth certificates or comprehensive marriage records.

How did DNA testing contribute to the discovery of Julia Roberts' biological family history?

DNA testing, conducted on Julia and her cousin, identified a cluster of genetic matches that linked them to Henry McDonald Mitchell, Jr., revealing the true biological father of John Roberts.

What role did historical census records play in uncovering the family mystery?

The 1880 census was pivotal as it showed Rhoda Suttle Roberts' household, which included John Roberts but no father, and it helped establish the timeline and context for the discovery of the biological father.

What was the reaction of Julia Roberts when she found out her biological surname was Mitchell?

Julia was surprised and amused, stating that she preferred the name 'Roberts,' but acknowledged the unexpected nature of the discovery, joking about her family identity.

What did the census reveal about Henry Mitchell's family and his proximity to Rhoda Suttle?

The census showed that Henry Mitchell, Julia's biological great-great-grandfather, lived very close to Rhoda Suttle in 1880, and that he was married with children, indicating a possible secret relationship with Rhoda.

Why is it believed that Rhoda may have kept John's paternity a secret?

It is believed Rhoda may have kept the identity of John's father, Henry Mitchell, a secret because Henry was married to another woman at the time and lived close by, which may have added complexity to the situation.

What emotional response did Julia Roberts express upon learning the truth about her family history?

Julia expressed being 'blown away' and fascinated by the discovery, yet also maintained a sense of calm and acceptance about her family identity, emphasizing that her family was still her family regardless of the new information.

How did the community around the farm likely perceive the situation regarding John Roberts' paternity?

It's suggested that the community likely knew about Rhoda's situation since she was raising children without a husband, which may have been a widely known fact in the local area.