Israel Houghton

07/08/2012 – Israel Houghton – Essence Music Festival 2012 New Orleans – Day 3 – Seminars and Backstage – Ernest N. Morial Convention Center – New Orleans, LA, USA – Photo Credit: Aaron J. Thornton / PR Photos

Place of Birth: Oceanside, California, U.S. (evidently)

Date of Birth: May 19, 1971

Ethnicity:
*father – African-American
*mother – French-Canadian, German, likely one eighth Danish

Israel Houghton is an American Christian music singer, songwriter, producer, and worship leader. Houghton is usually credited as Israel & New Breed. He has said, “My mother is white. My biological father is black.” He was raised by his mother and stepfather.

Israel is married to singer and television personality Adrienne Bailon. He has four children with his former wife Meleasa; and a son with Adrienne.

Israel’s wife Adrienne has stated that Israel is “over 50% Nigerian.”

Israel’s maternal grandfather was Donald Edward Gindt (the son of Edward Matthias Gindt and May F. Heyer/Hyer). Donald was born in Iowa. Edward was born in Iowa, the son of John J. Gindt, whose parents were German, and of Anna M. Miller, whose parents were also German. May was born in Iowa, the daughter of Henry Heyer/Hyer, whose parents were from Germany, and of Hannah Dora/Dori Jacobs/Jacobson, who likely was of Danish descent.

Israel’s maternal grandmother was Mary Jeanette LaPierre (the daughter of Wilfrid Denis dit LaPierre and Delia Marie Routhier). Mary was born in Iowa, to French-Canadian parents, who were from Québec. Wilfrid was the son of Pierre Denis dit LaPierre and Anastasie Halle. Delia was the daughter of Olivier Routhier and Sophie-Olympe Blais.

Sources: https://www1.cbn.com

Genealogy of Israel’s maternal grandparents, Donald Edward Gindt and Mary Jeanette LaPierre – https://www.familysearch.org

Marriage record of Israel’s maternal great-great-grandparents, Henry Hyer and Hannah Dora/Dori Jacobs/Jacobson – https://www.familysearch.org