Jerry Lee Lewis

2004 Farm Aid Seattle, WA - September 18, 2004

Lewis in 2004, photo by Prphotos.com

Date of Birth: September 29, 1935

Place of Birth: Ferriday, Louisiana, U.S.

Date of Death: October 28, 2022

Place of Death: Nesbit, Mississippi, U.S.

Ethnicity: English, as well as German, Swiss-German, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Scottish, Welsh, more distant Dutch and Danish

Jerry Lee Lewis was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. One of the pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll, he was also regarded as one of the most influential pianists of the 20th century. He was nicknamed “The Killer.”

Jerry Lee was the son of Mary Ethel “Mamie” and Elmo Kidd Lewis. He was raised in an impoverished farm family. His sister was singer, songwriter, and pianist Linda Gail Lewis. He was a paternal cousin of country music singer Mickey Gilley, a cousin of pianist Carl McVoy, and a maternal cousin of Pentecostal televangelist Jimmy Swaggart.

Jerry Lee was married to Judith Brown, until his death. He had two children with his second wife Jane Mitchum; two children with his third wife, author Myra Gale Brown, who was his first cousin, once removed; a daughter with his fourth wife Jaren, to whom he was married until her death; and a son with his sixth wife Kerrie McCarver. He was also married to Shawn Stephens, his fifth marriage, until her death.

Jerry Lee’s patrilineal ancestry can be traced to his twelth great-grandfather, Ifan Iorwerth ap Einion, who was born, c. 1512, in Bryngwallon, Wales.

Jerry Lee’s paternal grandfather was Leroy Milton “Lee” Lewis (the son of John G. W. Lewis and Caroline Matilda Kidd). Leroy was born in Louisiana. John was the son of Jeptha J. Lewis and Frances Rossiter Harris. Caroline was the daughter of James Henry Kidd and Betsy Elizabeth Bailey.

Jerry Lee’s paternal grandmother was Arilla Anna “Rilla” Hampton (the daughter of Preston Cleveland Hampton and Mary Jane Frances/Francis Lewis). Arilla was born in Louisiana. Preston was the son of William Hampton and Sarah. Mary Jane was the daughter of Jeptha J. Lewis and Frances Rossiter Harris.

Jerry Lee’s maternal grandfather was John William “Will” Herron (the son of George B. Herron and Mary C. Hesler). John was born in Kentucky. George was the son of William Matthew Herron and Catherine Hood. Mary was the daughter of John Hesler, who was German, and of Betsy.

Jerry Lee’s maternal grandmother was Theresa Lee “Trissie” Forman/Foreman (the daughter of Edward David Forman and Susan D. Russell). Theresa was born in Louisiana. Edward was the son of Imsay/Ismael James Forman, whose own father was a Christian minister, and of Catherine Troxell.

Sources: Genealogies of Jerry Lee Lewis – https://www.geni.com
https://www.findagrave.com

6 Responses

  1. jonasbsjr says:

    wow, 1512, did not knew you could trace someone’s ancestry this far back, is it even possible to know for sure if him and Ifan were really related?

    • Oaken05 says:

      I’m bit confused by the question. Yes, if there are written records that far back, it can be traced genealogically. 1512 would be very old, but certainly not unprecendented in the UK. And just as with anyone else we discuss on here, the only way to confirm a genetic connection would be through DNA or other descendants.

      • jonasbsjr says:

        still, i dont think it is 100% reliable either genetic testing or written records, especially from this far back, documents for example can be completely fabricated for a number of reasons, and lets not forget that it was extremely common back then for a man to have multiple illegitimate children

        • Mr. Postman says:

          The same could apply to your immediate family.

          • passingtime85 says:

            Extramarital affairs are always a possibility. Julia Robert’s family is a testament to that, if I’m not mistaken Ludwig Beethoven’s family was recently discovered to having a muddled history as well.

        • Oaken05 says:

          And that’s literally true of any genealogy and genetic testing. I’m not sure why you’re taking particular issue with this particular person aside from how far back the connection is alleged.

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