Brian Wilson

Wilson in 2013, photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Brian Douglas Wilson

Place of Birth: Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: June 20, 1942

Ethnicity: English, one quarter Swedish, Dutch, German, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, remote French

Brian Wilson is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is a member of rock band The Beach Boys, which also includes/has included his brothers Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson, his cousin Mike Love, as well as Al Jardine.

Brian is the son of Audree Neva (Korthof) and Murry/Murray Gage Wilson, a musician and record producer. Brian’s brothers, Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson, were also in the band. He was married to model and talent manager Melinda Ledbetter, until her death. Brian has two children, musicians Carnie Wilson and Wendy Wilson, with his former wife, Marilyn Rovell; and five children with Melinda. His brother Dennis was the adoptive grandfather of actress, singer, and model Alexa Demie.

He is also a cousin and first cousin, once removed, of Stan Love and Kevin Love, respectively, both professional basketball players, who are father-and-son.

Brian’s paternal grandfather was William Coral “Buddy” Wilson (the son of William Henry Wilson and Alta Lenora Chitwood). Brian’s grandfather William was born in Hutchinson, Reno, Kansas. Brian’s great-grandfather William was the son of George Washington Wilson and Mary Bailey. Alta was the daughter of Green Lee Chitwood and Ruth Chaffin. Green’s mother had Scottish ancestry.

Brian’s paternal grandmother was Edith Sophia Sthole/Stohle (the daughter of Carl Johan Stål, later Charles John Sthole, and of Mary S. Ottocran). Edith was born in Hutchinson, Reno, Kansas, to Swedish parents. Carl was born in Högsby, Kalmar, the son of Adolf Fredrik Carlsson Stål and Kristina Lovisa Adolfsdotter.

Brian’s maternal grandfather was Carl Arie Korthof (the son of Aart/Arthur Arie Korthof/Korthoff and Amelia “Molly” Prignitz). Carl was born in Renville, Renville Co., Minnesota. Arthur was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, the son of Gerrit Korthof/Korthoff and Sophia Kaarls. Amelia was the daughter of German parents, Carl/Christian/Charles Friedrich/Frederick Prignitz/Priegnitz, who was from Prussia; and of Caroline Louise Christiane Behnke, who was born in Mecklenburg.

Brian’s maternal grandmother was Ruth Edna “Betty” Finney (the daughter of Albert H. Finney and Elnora Brass). Ruth was born in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Albert was born in Randolph, Columbia, Wisconsin, the son of Eli Barnum Finney and Ellen Celia Coughlin/Cogan, who was Irish. Elnora was born in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, the daughter of Almon/Almond Ranson Brass, who was born in Leeds, Canada, and of Paulina, who was born in New York.

Sources: Family histories of Brian Wilson (in Swedish) – https://www.hd.se
https://www.hd.se

Genealogies of Brian Wilson – http://www.geni.com
http://www.wikitree.com
http://famouskin.com

Genealogy of Brian’s father – http://www.findagrave.com

Brian’s paternal grandmother, Edith Sophia Sthole/Stohle, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org