Ferguson Jenkins
Birth Name: Ferguson Arthur Jenkins
Place of Birth: Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Date of Birth: December 13, 1942
Ethnicity: African-American
Ferguson Jenkins is a Canadian professional baseball player. He was a pitcher. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.
Ferguson is the son of Delores and Ferguson Jenkins. His ancestors were African-Americans, from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Virginia. His hometown of Chatham was a common destination for slaves using the Underground Railroad during the 19th century.
Ferguson’s father is usually described as having been the son of African-Barbadian parents, or having been an African-Barbadian immigrant himself. It does not appear that this is accurate. In an interview, Ferguson said that, while a family bible described his father’s family as African-Barbadian, other documents pointed to them being originally from Kentucky.
Ferguson was married to Lydia Farrington, until her death. He has three children with his former wife Kathy Williams; a daughter with his former wife Maryanne Miller; and a daughter with his former partner Cynthia Takieddine.
Ferguson’s paternal grandfather was Joseph Jenkins (the son of William Jenkins and Mary Montgomery). Joseph was born in Ontario, Canada. William was born in Canada, the son of Peter Jenkins and Louise. Mary was born in Michigan, the daughter of Joseph Overton Montgomery and Mary Loney.
Ferguson’s paternal grandmother was Gertrude Hullm (the daughter of Jasper Hullm and Mary Elizabeth Stewart). Gertrude was born in Ontario, Canada, to African-American parents.
Ferguson’s maternal grandfather was Frank L. Jackson (the son of William Jackson and Isabella Starks). Frank was born in Ontario, Canada. William was African-American. Isabella was born in Canada, of African-American descent, the daughter of James Starks and Martha Rouse.
Ferguson’s maternal grandmother was Cassie Lucas (the daughter of Thomas Coleman Lucas and Mary Jane Van Dyke). Cassie was born in Ontario, Canada, to African-American parents.
Sources: Birth record of Ferguson’s father – https://www.familysearch.org
Marriage record of Ferguson’s paternal grandparents, Joseph Jenkins and Gertrude Hullm – https://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Ferguson’s mother – https://www.newspapers.com
Death record of Ferguson’s aunt (mother’s sister) – https://www.familysearch.org
Ferguson’s maternal grandmother, Cassie Lucas, on the 1911 Canadian Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Ethnicity Related Discussion