Amanda Detmer
Birth Name: Amanda Jeannette Detmer
Place of Birth: Contra Costa, California, United States
Date of Birth: September 27, 1971
Ethnicity: German, English, Scottish, Danish, Irish
Amanda Detmer is an American actress. She is known for her roles in the films Drop Dead Gorgeous, Final Destination, Boys and Girls (2000), Saving Silverman, The Majestic, and Kiss the Bride, and on the series A.U.S.A. and What About Brian.
Amanda is the daughter of Susan, a teacher, and Melvin Detmer, a singing cowboy. She is married to Jeremy Votava.
Amanda’s paternal grandfather was Melvin Lester Detmer (the son of Wesley Henry Detmer and Verna C. Uhlmansiek/Uhlmansick). Melvin was born in Indiana. Wesley was the son of German parents, from Hannover, William Frederick Detmer and Leanne/Caroline Clara “Lena”/”Lina” Dieckmann/Dickmann/Dickman. Verna was the daughter of Frederick/Fred William Uhlmansiek/Uhlmansick, who was born in Indiana, to parents from Buer, Melle, Germany, and of Mary Louise/Louisa Klueter/Cleeter/Cluter, who was also of German origin.
Amanda’s paternal grandmother was Audrey Jeannette Donaldson (the daughter of Henry Harris Donaldson and Mazie/Macie Jeannette/Janette Barham). Audrey was born in California. Henry was the son of Frank Eugene Donaldson and Bertha Elizabeth Bates. Mazie was the daughter of John Robert Barham and Mabel/Mable Alice Reves.
Amanda’s maternal grandfather was Jacob William “Jake” Thurmon (the son of Francis Marion “Frank” Thurmon and Aulina Maria “Alena”/”Lena” Remmers). Jake was born in Washington. Francis was the son of David Marion Thurmon and Matilda Caroline “Tillie” Moore. Aulina was the daughter of German parents, Jacob Remmers and Jantje “Jennie” Cordes.
Amanda’s maternal grandmother was Doris Elaine Christensen (the daughter of Nels Anchor Marinus Christensen and Mable Valentine). Doris was born in Egan, South Dakota. Nels was born in Ejstrupholm, Denmark, the son of parents surnamed Christensen and Nielsen. Mable was the daughter of Charles Augustus Valentine, whose father was Irish, and of Ida Alice Holden.
Sources: Amanda’s paternal grandfather, Melvin Lester Detmer, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Marriage record of Amanda’s paternal great-grandparents, Wesley Henry Detmer and Verna C. Uhlmansiek/Uhlmansick – https://familysearch.org
Marriage record of Amanda’s paternal great-great-grandparents, William Frederick Detmer and Leanne/Caroline Clara “Lena”/”Lina” Dieckmann/Dickmann/Dickman – https://familysearch.org
Amanda’s paternal grandmother, Audrey Jeannette Donaldson, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Marriage record of Amanda’s paternal great-grandparents, Henry Harris Donaldson and Mazie/Macie Jeannette/Janette Barham – https://familysearch.org
Birth record of Amanda’s paternal great-grandfather, Henry Harris Donaldson – https://familysearch.org
Amanda’s paternal great-grandfather, Henry Harris Donaldson, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Amanda’s paternal great-grandmother, Mazie/Macie Jeannette/Janette Barham, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Amanda’s maternal grandfather, Jacob William “Jake” Thurmon – http://www.findagrave.com
Obituary of Amanda’s maternal grandmother, Doris Elaine (Christensen) Laughlin – https://www.legacy.com
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicoer/obituary.aspx?n=doris-elaine-christensen-laughlin&pid=153184557
Amanda’s maternal grandmother was Doris Elaine Christensen (the daughter of Nels Anchor Christensen and Mable Valentine). Doris was born in South Dakota. Nels was born in Ejstrupholm, Denmark. Mble was the daughter of Charles Augustus Valentine and Ida Alice Holden.
Charles’ father was from Ireland.
Wesley and Verna’s marriage cert.:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXVZ-Y1J
Wesley’s parents are William F Detmer and Lena(Lina) Dickman(Dickmann).
William F Detmer’s grave:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=135085397
Lena Detmer’s grave:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=135085327
Detmer/Dickmann marriage cert.:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XFX5-K2X
Henry Donaldson’s draft registration:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V4D9-R2K
His birth certificate:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q23M-JDW5
His family on 1910 census:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRNJ-QW5?mode=g&i=32&cc=1727033
He married Ethel Renison in 1919, but on 1930’s census he was already married to Mazie:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCXZ-V26
Ethel is absent even on 1920 census.
Okay, so Henry and Mazie married in 1921.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL6J-Z2H
I think her parents are John and Mabel but I’m not sure:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVLG-RTX