Carol Burnett, the famous comedian and television host, recently made an appearance on the show “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr.” During the show, Burnett shared some personal stories about her family and discovered new information about her ancestors.
One of the stories that Burnett shared was about her iconic ear-tugging move that she performed at the end of every episode of her TV show. Burnett revealed that the move was a secret symbol between her and her grandmother, who was the inspiration behind it. According to Burnett, the ear tug meant “Hello Nanny. I love you. I’m fine. Your check’s on the way.”
Burnett also delved into her grandmother’s romantic history, revealing that she had been married six times, not just three as previously believed. This prompted Burnett to question her own identity, wondering if she was actually a Creighton or a Melton, based on her mother’s choice of middle name for her.
To find out the truth, Burnett turned to Gates and his team, who provided historical records, including marriage licenses and divorce records. After examining many records and undergoing a DNA test, Gates and his team concluded that Burnett’s grandmother was likely the man with the surname Creighton. Burnett was relieved to finally know the truth about her family history.
In addition to discovering her family history, Burnett also learned that one of her ancestors had served alongside George Washington in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. This was an exciting revelation for Burnett, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn more about her family’s past.
Overall, Burnett’s appearance on “Finding Your Roots” was a fascinating glimpse into her personal life and family history. Her story serves as a reminder that our ancestors’ stories can hold important clues to our own identities and that there is always more to learn about our family histories.
