Jesse Tyler Ferguson uncovers sinister crime while delving into his family history on Who Do You Think You Are

By Alison Johnson

Published: 12:52 EST, 30 July 2014 | Updated: 15:28 EST, 31 July 2014

He is part of a close-knit, loving clan on the hit TV show Modern Family.

But in reality, Jesse Tyler Ferguson's own family history harbours a dark crime.

In Wednesday night's episode of TLC's Who Do You Think You Are, the 38-year-old discovers that his great-grandfather was accused of killing his own aunt.

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Shocking finding: Jesse Tyler Ferguson discovers his great grandfather was accused of murdering his aunt in a new episode of Who Do You Think You Are, airing Wednesday night

Shocking finding: Jesse Tyler Ferguson discovers his great grandfather was accused of murdering his aunt in a new episode of Who Do You Think You Are, airing Wednesday night

The actor opened up to People magazine about the shocking finding.

'We followed my great grandfather's line, and I had no information about him at all,' he told the publication. 'He passed away before my dad was even born.'

But after just a day of research, Jesse read about the murder accusation.

'The exploration started with a crazy reveal, and we found some really dark stuff in the very distant past,' said Jesse.

'It was overwhelming, because when I've watched [the show] as a fan, usually there's this big reveal, this important part of the puzzle, near the end of the episode,' he sais. 'And here we are dealing with it in the beginning.'

Adventurer: Jesse also discovered that his great grandfather had led a dangerous expedition to the Alaskan Klondike in search of gold

Adventurer: Jesse also discovered that his great grandfather had led a dangerous expedition to the Alaskan Klondike in search of gold

 

Doing his research: In a sneak peek of the episode, Jesse was seen reading a diary that was kept during the expedition in the late 1800s

Doing his research: In a sneak peek of the episode, Jesse was seen reading a diary that was kept during the expedition in the late 1800s

His great grandfather was never charged with the crime, yet Jesse still grappled with the discovery.

'I knew he was the man who raised my grandmother, who I loved so much and I know what kind of woman she turned out to be,' he said. 'I can't imagine anyone who was bad who could raise such a wonderful person.'

But that didn't stop the star from continuing his exploration of his family tree.

He discovered that his great grandfather had led a dangerous expedition to the Alaskan Klondike in search of gold.  

Carrying on the line: Jesse said he hopes to start his own family with partner Justin Mikita, pictured in Washington D.C. in May

Carrying on the line: Jesse said he hopes to start his own family with husband Justin Mikita, pictured in Washington D.C. in May

The actor told People that he plans to continue delving into his family history.

'Justin [Jesse's husband] and I want to start a family one day, and that's one of the reasons I really wanted to do this,' he says. 'I want to pass on information – good and bad – about our history. It's a really, really important thing.'

The episode of Who Do You Think You Are? airs Wednesday night on TLC.

On the small screen: Jesse plays the partner of Eric Stonestreet in the hit TV show Modern Family

On the small screen: Jesse plays the partner of Eric Stonestreet in the hit TV show Modern Family


 



 

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