Jewel

Jewel performing

Birth Name: Jewel Kilcher

Place of Birth: Payson, Utah, U.S.

Date of Birth: May 23, 1974

Ethnicity:
*father – Swiss-German
*mother – English, German, some Scottish and Irish

Jewel, also known by her birth name Jewel Kilcher, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, actress, and author.

She is the daughter of Lenedra J. “Nedra” and Atz Kilcher. Her paternal grandparents were Swiss, of Swiss-German descent. Her mother has English, German, and some Scottish and Irish, ancestry.

Jewel is a first cousin, once removed, of actress, singer, and activist Q’orianka Kilcher. Jewel’s paternal grandparents were also Q’orianka’s maternal great-grandparents.

Jewel grew up in Homer, Alaska, on a homestead which was founded by her Swiss grandfather. She learned to entertain herself by singing and reading books. She has stated that she would sometimes wear lederhosen and yodel during performances, because of her Swiss roots.

Jewel has a son with her former husband, pro rodeo cowboy Ty Murray.

Jewel’s paternal grandfather was Yule Julius Jacob Kilcher (the son of Edwin Otto Kilcher and Lina Alter). Yule was born in Laufen, Canten of Basel, Switzerland, and was of Swiss-German descent. Yule was a state legislator and delegate to the Alaskan Constitutional Convention. Edwin was the son of Jacob Kilcher and a mother surnamed Hanggi.

Jewel’s paternal grandmother was named Ruth Helen Weber. Ruth was born in Pretteln, Basel Country, Liestal, Switzerland, and was also of Swiss-German descent.

Jewel’s maternal grandfather was Jasper Jewel “Jay” Carroll (the son of Almon Luvanda Carroll and Minnie Josephine Henderson). Jasper was born in Utah. Almon was the son of James Zachariah “Zack” Carroll and Martha Ann Oglesby. Minnie was the daughter of Hollie Middleton Henderson and Mary Etta Burns.

Jewel’s maternal grandmother was Arva Barton (the daughter of Alma Ross Barton and Wilhelmina Alice Cannon). Arva was born in Utah. Wilhelmina was the daughter of David Henry Cannon and Camillia Ensign Mason.

Sources: The Guardian interview with Jewel, which mentions her Swiss roots – http://www.guardian.co.uk

Genealogy of Jewel – http://www.geni.com

Obituaries of Jewel’s maternal grandparents, Jasper Jewel “Jay” Carroll and Arva (Barton) Carroll – https://www.findagrave.com