Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger in 2013, photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger

Place of Birth: Lima, Ohio, U.S.

Date of Birth: March 2, 1982

Ethnicity: Swiss-German, German, English, distant Dutch and French

Ben Roethlisberger is an American professional football player. A quarterback, he played his entire eighteen season career with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He is nicknamed “Big Ben.” He is 6′5″.

Ben is the son of Ida Jane and Kenneth Todd Roethlisberger, who was a college football and baseball player. His sister, Carlee Roethlisberger, played college basketball. Ben is married to physician assistant Ashley Harlan, with whom he has three children. He is a Christian.

His surname, Roethlisberger (Swiss-German spelling Röthlisberger), is of Swiss origin, with roots in the village of Geissbühler, Lauperswil, Switzerland. Ben has Swiss-German, German, English, and distant Dutch and French, ancestry.

Ben’s paternal grandfather was Kenneth Carl Roethlisberger (the son of Aldine Roethlisberger and Clara Estella/Stella Zimmerly). Kenneth was born in Ohio. Aldine was the son of Carl W. Roethlisberger, who was born in Hasle Canton, Bern, Switzerland, and of Mariann/Mary Ann Amstutz. Clara was the daughter of Peter Zimmerly, whose parents were Alsatian Germans, his father from Lemoges; and of Mariana Kiener/Keiner, who was born in Sonceboz-Sombeval, Bern.

Ben’s paternal grandmother is Audrey Louise Heslop (the daughter of Wilbur Beymer/Beemer Heslop and Louise Saunders). Audrey was born in Ohio. Wilbur was the son of Robert Greenwood Heslop and Ellenor/Eleanor Kershaw Beymer/Beymor. Louise was the daughter of William H. Saunders and Mary P. Ellks/Elks/Ellis.

Ben’s maternal grandfather is Franklin E. Foust (the son of Lowell Edward Foust and Ida M. Foster). Franklin was born in Ohio. Lowell was the son of Amos Edward Foust and Magdalena Peiffer. Ida was the daughter of Henry Franklin/Frank Foster and Pauline Elizabeth Kuester.

Ben’s maternal grandmother is Frances Arlene Shoemaker (the daughter of Lloyd H. Shoemaker and Frances Virgina Decker). Ben’s grandmother Frances was born in Ohio. Lloyd was the son of William E. Shoemaker and Clara E. Leedy. Ben’s great-grandmother Frances was the daughter of John William Decker and Jennie Mowery.

Sources: Genealogies of Ben Roethlisberger – http://genealogy.about.com
http://www.geni.com

Genealogies of Ben’s paternal grandparents, Kenneth Carl Roethlisberger and Audrey Louise (Heslop) Roethlisberger – https://www.findagrave.com