Finding Your Roots

(upbeat music) (Italian music) After crossing a continent and an ocean to be together, Carole's ancestors, like other detainees, were separated by gender and then held in unbearably hot and crowded, lice-ridden cells. Unable to see or speak to each other they were herded together with those whose physical condition or economic circumstances might prevent them from entering. If they couldn't demonstrate that they had a means of support in the United States, Carole's grandparents risked being sent back to Russia. A closer look at the passenger records revealed a mystery person who would change the young couple's fate. (dramatic music) Now, it tells us that someone came to meet your grandparents. Yes, it says "Cousin Mr. Sam Kline". K L I N E (laughing) Have you ever heard of Sam Kline? Not that I know of. We searched everywhere but we couldn't figure out how he was even related to your grandparents. Oh, my gosh. But he played a huge role in your family's history because had he not shown up, you'd have been singing, how do you say, Natural Woman in Polish. (laughing) Right, I Feel the Earth Move in Russian. Oh my goodness. Well, that may be where they got the name. It could be. They probably adopted it. I thought an official had changed their name when they came in but. No, that's a common myth and it almost never happened. Hmmm. Okay. But this guy played a huge role... Do I have to rewrite my book now? (laughing) Could you please turn the page. Can you read what it says next to David and Molly's names? Admitted. And Admitted. Admitted. Sam convinced that the immigration officials let you family into the United States. So they were in detention three days. Three days. Three days. That must have been the longest three days in their lives. Yep. Wow. So they went to Kline, you went from Kline. That's right. (laughing) Actually I am still Kline. I've incorporated that. My legal name now is Carole King Kline. Oh, great. You know, I went through four marriages and changed my name every single time and then I finally came back to no, I'm Kline. So that's pretty cool.