James Cameron

Cameron in 2011, photo by PrPhotos

Birth Name: James Francis Cameron

Place of Birth: Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada

Date of Birth: August 16, 1954

Ethnicity: English, Scottish, Irish, Northern Irish, Dutch, German

James Cameron is a Canadian-American director, filmmaker, producer, screenwriter, engineer, inventor, philanthropist, and explorer of the deep seas. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for Titanic (1997). He has also directed the films Piranha II: The Spawning, The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, True Lies, Avatar, and Avatar: The Way of Water. He also wrote his Aliens, The Abyss, True Lies, Titanic, and Avatar, and co-wrote The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Avatar: The Way of Water, as well as the films Rambo: First Blood Part II, Strange Days, and Alita: Battle Angel. He also directed the documentaries Ghosts of the Abyss and Aliens of the Deep, and co-directed the documentary Expedition: Bismarck.

James is the son of Shirley Ethel (Lowe), an artist and nurse, and Phillip George Cameron, an electrical engineer. He was raised partly in Chippawa, Ontario, before moving to Brea, California, with his family, when he was seventeen. James is married to environmental advocate, actress, and model Suzy Amis Cameron. He has a daughter with his former wife, actress Linda Hamilton; and three children with Suzy.

James’ paternal great-great-great-grandfather, John Cameron, emigrated from Balquhidder, Scotland, in 1825; thus, he descends from Clan Cameron.

James’ paternal grandfather was John Harold Cameron (the son of George Andrew Cameron and Charlotte “Lottie” McClellan). John was born in Caledon, Peel, Ontario. George was the son of Scottish emigrants, James Cameron, of Balquhidder, Sterling, and Mary Magill (later McGill), of Kilcalmonell and Kilberry, Argyll and Bute. Charlotte was the daughter of John Unger McClellan, whose paternal grandparents were from the U.S., and whose mother was from New York, U.S.; and of Eleanor Ann McKee, whose parents were from Northern Ireland, her father from Belfast and her mother from Down.

James’ paternal grandmother was Helen Ruth Babcock (the daughter of Simon Duffin Babcock and Elizabeth Jane Shultz). Helen was born in Yarker, Stone Mills, Ontario. Simon was the son of Lorenzo Dow Babcock, whose grandparents were all American; and of an Irish emigrant, Mary Ann Duffin. Elizabeth was the daughter of Edward Shultz, whose parents were Ameican, and of Julia Gray, whose parents were Irish.

James’ maternal grandfathe was Francis/Frank Palmer Lowe (the son of William A. Lowe and Ethel May Andrus). Francis was born in Brighton Township, Northumberland, Ontario. William was the son of Freeman Lowe and Lorinda Brock. Ethel was the daughter of Jonathan Frederick Andrus and Amarilla Barnes.

James’ maternal grandmother was Rose Matilda Ettie Willoughby (the daughter of William Willoughby and Ethel Beatrice Trott). Rose was born in Oshawa, Ontario, Ontario, to English parents. William was born in Plumstead, London, the son of Job Willoughby and Rose Matilda Turner. Ethel was born in Perthflect, Essex, the daughter of Albert J. Trott and Mary Ann Prideux.

Sources: Genealogy of James Cameron – https://www.geni.com

Genealogy of James’ paternal grandfather, John Harold Cameron – https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogy of James’ paternal grandmother, Helen Ruth (Babcock) Cameron – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of James’ mother – https://www.postcrescent.com