Jon Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi in 2009, Dylan Armajani / Shutterstock.com
Birth Name: John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.
Place of Birth: Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S.
Date of Birth: March 2, 1962
Ethnicity:
*25% Italian-Sicilian
*25% Slovak
*25% Polish
*25% Swiss-German
Jon Bon Jovi is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, philanthropist, and actor. He is a member of the rock band Bon Jovi. The band’s other members include or previously included David Bryan, Richie Sambora, and Tico Torres. His acting roles include the films Moonlight and Valentino and U-571 and the series Ally McBeal.
Jon was born John Francis Bongiovi, Jr. in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to Carol (Sharkey) and John Francis Bongiovi. His cousin, Tony Bongiovi, is a record producer. Jon is married to Dorothea Hurley, with whom he has four children.
Jon’s father’s ancestry is half Italian-Sicilian and half Slovak. Jon’s mother’s ancestry is half Polish and half Swiss-German. Jon had sometimes been described as having Russian ancestry. This is not accurate.
Jon was evidently described by Spin magazine as a relative of singer and actor Frank Sinatra. It is not clear, if accurate, what form this relation may take.
Jon’s paternal grandfather was Louis Bongiovi (the son of Giuseppe/Joseph Bongiovi and Lucia/Louise Arcuri). Louis was born in Pennsylvania, to Italian parents. Giuseppe was born in Cianciana, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy, the son of Louis Bongiovi and Annie. Lucia was born in Cattolica Eraclea, also in Agrigento, the daughter of Emanuele Arcuri and Patti Anna.
Jon’s paternal grandmother was named Elizabeth M. Benkovsky (the daughter of Jan Benkovsky and Maria). Jon’s grandmother Elizabeth was born in Pennsylvania, to Slovak parents.
Jon’s maternal grandfather was Michael Raymond Sharkey (the son of Paul Sharkey and Anna Reherkowitz/Rehercowicz/Regarkewicz/Rehurciewicz/Regarkevitch). Michael was born in New York, and raised in Pennsylvania. His parents were ethnic Polish immigrants (listed as being from Poland, Russia, or Lithuania, depending on the census). Michael’s surname was also spelled as Shirky. Paul was the son of Charley Sharkey and Sophia.
Jon’s maternal grandmother was Martha Wilhelmina Ludwig (the daughter of Max Ludwig and Helen Evelyn Sohler). Martha was born in New York, and was also raised in Pennsylvania. Max was born in Switzerland, of Swiss-German descent, the son of Otto Ludwig and Sussette Schulthess. Helen was born in New York, and was also of Swiss-German descent; Helen’s father, John Sohler, was born in Switzerland, and Helen’s mother, Sophia Richter, was born in New York.
Sources: Genealogy of Jon Bon Jovi – https://www.geni.com
Genealogy of Jon Bon Jovi (focusing on his father’s side) – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com
Jon’s paternal grandfather, Louis Bongiovi, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Jon’s maternal grandfather, Michael Raymond Sharkey, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Jon’s maternal grandmother, Martha Wilhelmina Ludwig, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
He has claimed his mother is of Germany and Russian ancestry. This is evidently not accurate.
Was his paternal grandmother really Slovak?
Could they be his great-grandparents? https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGPD-7KP8
His cousin, Tony Bongiovi, is a record producer.
Jon has stated to Spin magazine to be related to Frank Sinatra. This is evidently not accurate.
correction: Giuseppe/Joseph Bongiovi was born in Cianciana. Lucia/Louise Arcuri was born in Cattolica Eraclea; both locations in Province of Agrigento, Sicily, Italy.