Julia Jones

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" World Premiere - Arrivals

Jones in 2012, photo by PrPhotos

Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

Date of Birth: January 23, 1981

Ethnicity:
*father – African-American
*mother – English, small amounts of Scottish and Dutch

Julia Jones is an American actress. She is known for playing Leah Clearwater, a Native American character, in the Twilight series, and for several other Indigenous roles in films, including Wind River and Cold Pursuit. She also co-stars on the shows Westworld and Dexter: New Blood.

Julia’s father is Frank N. Jones, a lawyer and political figure in Massachusetts. He has often been publicly identified as an African-American. He is originally from Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Julia’s mother is white. She has English, and small amounts of Scottish and Dutch, ancestry.

Julia has often referred to having Native American ancestry on her father’s side. She has stated, “My dad is part Choctaw, Chickosaw and African American. I didn’t realize the significance of not being white until I moved to LA.,” and also said, “I’m a Native American actress.”

It is not clear if Julia’s Choctaw Native American and Chickasaw Native American ancestry has been verified/documented. Julia’s recent paternal ancestors appear to all have been African-American.

She has also said:

I’m part Chickasaw and Choctaw, but I’m a multi-[ethnic] person. That’s just a part of my identity. I’ve been playing Native roles for a long time, a very long time. [“Twilight” is…] an opportunity to portray a group of people who are not portrayed very frequently and very accurately at all in the media. And I cherish that. I think that there should be more roles for Native actors in contemporary pieces, and it’s an important part of who I am.

Julia has a degree in English from Columbia University, which she attended after graduating from the Boston Latin School in Massachusetts.

Julia’s paternal grandfather was John/Johnny Jones (the son of John Jones/Johns and Susan/Susana Bingmen/Bingman). Julia’s grandfather John was born in Fayette, Jefferson, Mississippi, and was African-American. Susan was the daughter of Nathan Bingman/Bingamin and Laura/Lana Jackson.

Julia’s paternal grandmother was Frankie Russell (the daughter of James Russell and Beulah Douglas). Frankie was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and was African-American. James was the son of John Russell and Lelia/Lela/Lelah Harris. Beulah was the daughter of Frank Douglas and Victoria Bright/Wright.

Julia’s maternal grandfather was Roger Wells (the son of James Parrish Wells and Jesse/Jessie Maria Strowger). Roger was born in New York. James was the son of Edward Akin Wells and Elizabeth Parrish. Jesse was the daughter of Horace Bryan Strowger and Frances Maria Barnes.

Julia’s maternal grandmother was Julia Harland (the daughter of John Brisby Harland and Hazel Louise Hughston). Julia’s grandmother Julia was born in New York. John was born in Cropton, Yorkshire, England, the son of Frederick Harland and Julia Brisby. Hazel was born in New York, the daughter of E. Burton Hughston and Nettie Horning.

Sources: Interview with Julia and her family – http://www.chicagotribune.com

Julia’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Marriage record of Julia’s paternal great-great-grandparents, Nathan Bingman/Bingamin and Laura Jackson – https://www.familysearch.org

Julia’s paternal great-great-grandfather, Nathan Bingman/Bingamin, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Julia’s paternal grandmother, Frankie Russell, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Julia’s paternal great-grandfather, James Russell, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Marriage record of Julia’s paternal great-great-grandparents, John Russell and Lelia/Lela/Lelah Harris – https://www.familysearch.org

Julia’s paternal great-great-grandmother, Lelia/Lela/Lelah Harris, on the 1870 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Julia’s maternal grandfather, Roger Wells, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

23 Responses

  1. ethnogenesis says:

    She isn’t an OK Chickasaw nor Choctaw “Freedmen”, who are descendants of Black/African Americans who were enslaved by the 5 civilized tribes before the civil war when the tribes were divided on the slavery issue and the tribes had granted the emancipated Black Indians their rights to citizenship.

    • Oaken05 says:

      Unless this site lists the claimed indigenous heritage, I don’t get why you’re doing this on dozens and dozens of pages. It’s too much. The site is very clear about letting know when someone makes an unsubstantiated claim like this on the profiles.

  2. coco says:

    I’ve always found it odd how no one talks about how Julia is literally passing as a Native American for roles. Her mother is white & her father is a black man with unconfirmed distant Native American ancestry or no Native American ancestry at all. In this article with her, her dad & brother they keep referring to themselves as black. Jessica is the only one who keeps mentioning the unconfirmed Native American ancestry. I mean yea she has the look but I’ve seen plenty of mixed (black/white) people look like completely different races than their actual mix. Her natural hair is also curly, she straightens it & possibly has altered other parts of her appearance to make herself look even more stereotypically Native American for roles. I’m convinced that Julia Jones is the Rachel Dolezal of Native Americans.
    https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-06-18-0006180013-story.html

  3. suburbanwinemom2020 says:

    She stated that her dad is of African-American, Choctaw, and Chickasaw descent:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Jones

  4. archer says:

    She looks Asian

  5. EltonLee says:

    Yes, She looks like some one with Native American ancestry

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