Ma Rainey

Birth Name: Gertrude Pridgett

Date of Birth: April 26, 1886

Place of Birth: Columbus, Georgia, U.S.

Date of Death: December 22, 1939

Place of Death: Rome, Georgia, U.S.

Ethnicity: African-American

Ma Rainey was an American professional blues singer. She was known as “Mother of the Blues,” and was one of the first blues singers to record.

Ma Rainey was the daughter of Ella (Allen) and Thomas Pridgett. She was married to Will “Pa” Rainey, with whom she had a son, who was adopted.

Ma Rainey’s maternal grandfather was named Edmund Allen. Edmund was born in Alabama.

Ma Rainey’s maternal grandmother was named Emily.

Source: Genealogy of Ma Rainey (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com