Kathie Lee Gifford
Gifford in 2010, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Kathryn Lee Epstein
Place of Birth: Paris, France
Date of Birth: August 16, 1953
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish (paternal grandfather), German, English, French
Kathie Lee Gifford is an American television personality, comedian, actress, singer, and songwriter. She was a co-host of the show Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, from 1985 to 2000, and Today, from 2008 to 2019.
She was born in Paris, France, to American parents, Joan (Cuttell) and Aaron Leon Epstein. Kathie Lee’s paternal grandfather was a Russian Jewish immigrant. Her other ancestry is German, English, and French. Kathie Lee has also stated that her paternal grandmother was “by all accounts… a full-blooded Native American.” It is not clear if this Native American ancestry has been verified/documented.
Kathie Lee was married to professional football player, actor, and sports commentator Frank Gifford, until his death. The couple have two children, including actress Cassidy Gifford. Kathie Lee is a devout Christian.
Kathie Lee’s paternal grandfather was Meyer S. Epstein (the son of Louis Epstein and Feiga/Fanny Wolf). Meyer was born in Russia, likely in Saint Petersburg, to Jewish parents.
Kathie Lee’s paternal grandmother was Evelyn Marie Rogers (the daughter of James Oden Rogers and Catherine Adele Hollidayoke). James was the son of James Wilson Rogers and Mary Elizabeth Phipps. Catherine was the daughter of William Edward Hollidayoke and Sarah Jane Hook/Hoak.
Kathie Lee’s maternal grandfather was Alfred Thomas Cuttell (the son of Thomas James Cuttell and Florence/Florance K./Catharine Williams). Alfred was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to a prominent publishing family. Thomas was the son of James Cuttell, who was English, and of Anne Maria Courties/Curtis.
Kathie Lee’s maternal grandmother was Florence/Flora M. Edlich (the daughter of Charles H. Edlich and Mary A. Charlesworth). Florence was born in New York. Charles was the son of German parents, George Emil Edlich and Catharina/Caroline Steinkopf/Stein. Mary was born in New York, the daughter of English parents, Edward Charlesworth and Catharine Lee.
Sources: Genealogy of Kathie Lee Gifford – https://www.geni.com
Obituary of Kathie Lee’s maternal grandmother, Florence/Flora M. (Edlich) Cuttell – https://www.newspapers.com
Marriage record of Kathie Lee’s maternal great-grandparents, Charles H. Edlich and Mary A. Charlesworth – https://www.familysearch.org
Death record of Kathie Lee’s maternal great-grandfather, Charles H. Edlich – https://www.familysearch.org
likely his paternal great-grandmother – https://www.wikitree.com/genealogy/Hollidayoke-Family-Tree-8
*her
>Mary A. was the daughter of Joseph Charlesworth, who was born in Godley, Cheshire, England, and of Roxanna Higbee
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24HX-F54
Are these a different couple named Charles Edlich and Mary Charlesworth?
Those aren’t really common last names.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMS1-23P
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4Q8-18G
Thomas James Cuttell was the son of James Cuttell and Anne Maria Courties/Curtis.
The full quote about her ancestry:
“I’ll admit, my ancestors didn’t come over on the Mayflower. I’m no pedigree. My dad’s father, Meyer Epstein, came over on a steamer from Saint Petersburg, Russia, right after the turn of the century. That would be the century before this one—around 1900. He was a Russian Jew and he married my dad’s mother, Evelyn, who by all accounts was a full-blooded Native American. So we nicknamed Daddy “Sitting Shiva.” My mother Joanie’s parents had completely different heritages. Her father was from a distinguished publishing family in Toronto, Canada, directly descended from the brilliant writer Rudyard Kipling. Her mother came from Brooklyn, born of German stock. Joanie’s nickname was “Cuddles” Cuttell. Apparently Mom was very popular, but she won’t tell me why. So, Sitting Shiva and Cuddles fell in love as most human beings are wont to do, and they started a little dynasty of their own. Right off the bat they had David Paul, Kathryn Lee, and Michele Suzanne. Three little Epsteins, just like the Three Little Pigs, but more like three little Russian Jewish German French Canadian Indians. In other words, “American.”’
https://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/servlet/DCARead?standardNo=9780345512062&standardNoType=1&excerpt=true