Levon Helm
Helm in 2009, photo by Anthony Correia/bigstockphoto.com
Birth Name: Mark Lavon Helm
Date of Birth: May 26, 1940
Place of Birth: Elaine, Arkansas, U.S.
Date of Death: April 19, 2012
Place of Death: New York City, New York, U.S.
Ethnicity: English, Scottish, German
Levon Helm was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor. He was the drummer and co-vocalist of the rock band The Band. Other members of The Band included Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Robbie Robertson.
Levon was the son of Emma Nell (Wilson) and Jasper Diamond Helm. He was married to Sandra Dodd, until his death. He had a daughter, singer and songwriter Amy Helm, with his former partner, singer and songwriter Libby Titus.
Levon’s paternal grandfather was Jasper Calvin/H. Helm (the son of William Helms/Helm and Martha Crisp). Jasper was born in Arkansas. William was the son of Harrison Helm and Rhoda. Martha was the daughter of William B. Crisp and Charity.
Levon’s paternal grandmother was named Dollie May Webb. Dollie was born in Arkansas.
Levon’s maternal grandfather was named John Wheeler Wilson (the son of William T. Wilson and Nancy Jane “Janie”). John was born in Tennessee.
Levon’s maternal grandmother was named Agnes “Addie.” Agnes was born in Arkansas.
Sources: Genealogy of Levon Helm – http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com
Genealogy of Levon Helm (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Obituary of Levon Helm – http://www.findagrave.com
Genealogy of Levon Helm (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.wikitree.com
If someone could find anything on Richard Manuel of The Band, I would be interested. All I know is that his father’s name is Ed and that a number of “Manuel” families in Canada are Portuguese in origin.
He was the son of Gladys Irene Haviland and James Edwin Manuel, and the grandson of James Henry Manuel (b. NY), Minnie Gadsby (b. Whitby, Ontario), Arthur Haviland (b. Elgin, Ontario), and Alice Agnes Churcher (b. Middlesex, Ontario). His great-grandfather Matthew Manuel was born in Cornwall and married Mary Jane Butland, also Cornish.
Thanks!