James Comey

official photo of James Comey c. early 2010s, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Birth Name: James Brien Comey, Jr.

Place of Birth: Yonkers, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: December 14, 1960

Ethnicity: Irish

James Comey is an American attorney. He was the 7th Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, from September 4, 2013 to May 9, 2017. He has also been U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, from January 7, 2002 to December 15, 2003, and U.S. Deputy Attorney General, from December 9, 2003 to August 15, 2005.

James is the son of Joan Marie (Herald) and J. Brien Comey.

James is married to Patrice Failor, with whom he has six children.

James’s paternal grandfather was William J. Comey (the son of James Comey and Ellen Trehey). William was an officer and commissioner of the Yonkers Police Department. William was born in New York, to Irish parents. James was the son of William Comey and Margaret Connery. Ellen was born in Waterford, and possibly was the daughter of Richard Trahey and Liza.

James’s paternal grandmother was named Catherine O’Brien. Catherine was born in New York, to Irish parents.

James’s maternal grandfather was George Thomas Herald (the son of Thomas Arthur Herald and Ellen Elizabeth Murphy). George was born in New York. James’s great-grandparents Thomas and Ellen were born in Cumberland, England, likely of Irish origin.

James’s maternal grandmother was Eleanor Irene Broderick (the daughter of Matthew Aloysius Broderick and Mary Therese Lynch). Eleanor was born in New York. Matthew was born in New York, to Irish parents, Richard Broderick and Ellen Ryan. Mary Therese was born in Maryland, also of Irish origin, the daughter of Peter Lynch and Mary Kelly.

Sources: James’s paternal grandparents, William J. Comey and Catherine O’Brien, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of James Comey (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com

James’s maternal grandfather, George Thomas Herald, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

James’s maternal grandmother, Eleanor Irene Broderick, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org