Esther Povitsky
Esther Povitsky – “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” World Premiere – Arrivals – Shrine Auditorium, 665 W Jefferson Boulevard – Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2017 – Photo Credit: Izumi Hasegawa / PRPhotos.com
Birth Name: Esther Lauren Povitsky
Place of Birth: Skokie, Illinois, U.S.
Date of Birth: March 2, 1988
Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*Finnish, possibly other (mother)
Esther Povitsky is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. Her father is Jewish and her mother is Christian.
Esther’s paternal grandfather was Abe Povitsky (the son of Morris Povitsky/Povitzsky and Sarah Mayster/Mahster). Abe was born in Illinois. Morris was born in Russia, the son of Lazar Povitsky/Povitzsky and Mary. Sarah was born in Manchester, England, the daughter of Levi Mayster and Minnie/Mennie Abram.
Esther’s paternal grandmother was Esther Klein (the daughter of Samuel “Sam” Klein and Sarah Magalnik/Capitol/Fein). Esther was born in Illinois. Samuel was born in the U.S. Sarah was from Poland, and was the daughter of Chaim Melnick and Minnie Kelman.
Esther’s maternal grandfather is named James Robert Houchins.
Esther’s maternal grandmother is Marlene Jeanette Samuelson (the daughter of Everett Oscar Samuelson and Elma Elina Niemela). Marlene was born in Minnesota. Everett was the son of Finnish parents, Samuel Samuelson/Kämäräinen and Caisa Maria Granroth. Elma was the daughter of Finnish parents, Jaako “Jacob” Niemela and Maria Alfina Bimberg.
Sources: Genealogy of Esther Povitsky (focusing on her father’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Genealogies of Esther’s paternal great-grandparents, Morris Povitsky/Povitzsky and Sarah Mayster/Mahster – https://www.geni.com
https://youtu.be/yWxC1E_iHcU?t=102
Richard Arlen Arneson was her step-grandfather.
Yes, her entire maternal side is wrong.
Esther’s maternal grandfather is named James Robert Houchins.
Esther’s maternal grandmother is Marlene Jeanette Samuelson (the daughter of Everett Oscar Samuelson and Elma Elina Niemela). Marlene was born in Minnesota. Everett was the son of Finnish parents, Samuel Samuelson (Kämäräinen) and Caisa Maria Granroth. Elma was the daughter of Finnish parents, Jaako “Jacob” Niemela and Maria Alfina Bimberg.
This might be James’ tree:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/pedigree/landscape/L554-DMF
She said her mother was Finnish…
Not sure I am repeating already known information but Esther’s maternal grandmother was Eileen Joanne Boelter (1934-2013), born in North Dakota and died in Seattle, King, Washington. Eileen was the daughter of Alvin Oliver Benson (1909) and Marian Paulina Chapweske (1915-1998), both from North Dakota. Alvin was the son of Marvin Bernhart Benson (1871, Minnesota) and Ingeborg Evje (1887, Norway). Marian was the daughter of Robert J. Czapweisky (1877-Pennsylvania) and Pauline Ann Schmitt (1884-North Dakota). Like Eileen’s husband (Esther’s maternal grandfather) Eileen is also mainly of German and Norwegian ancestry.