Megan Smolenyak: Michelle Obama's Ancestors: The First Lady's Multicultural, Great Migration Past (VIDEO)

Several years ago, I conducted extensive genealogical research into the heritage of Michelle Obama. A few of my discoveries -- particularly those pertaining to the Shields branch of her family tree -- made news at the time, but there's much that I've never shared, so I've decided to blow the dust off of a video I made back in August 2009.

This is a simple, homemade video (in two parts) -- a narrated PowerPoint -- and subsequent research has revealed more than what's included here (for more insight, please read this recent, seven-part series and/or the "Finding Melvina" and "Road to a First Lady's Roots" chapters of my book, Hey, America, Your Roots Are Showing), but I hope you'll enjoy this overview of the remarkable family history of our First Lady.

Michelle Obama's Ancestors: Chicago Beginnings (part 1)

Michelle Obama's Ancestors: The Great Migration (part 2)

Michelle Obama's Ancestors: The Great Mixing (part 3)

Michelle Obama's Ancestors: LaVaughn Johnson (part 4)

Michelle Obama's Ancestors: Fraser Robinson (part 5)

Michelle Obama's Ancestors: Rebecca Jumper (aka Coleman) (part 6)

Michelle Obama's Ancestors: Purnell Shields (part 7)