Mary-Kate Olsen

Mary-Kate (left) and Ashley Olsen in 2011, Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Place of Birth: Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: June 13, 1986

Ethnicity: Italian (37.5%), English, one eighth Norwegian, German, small amounts of Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Welsh, and Scottish, distant French

Mary-Kate Olsen is an American actress, businessperson, fashion designer, producer, author, and equestrian.

Mary-Kate is the daughter of Jarnette “Jarnie” (Jones), a dancer, and David “Dave” Olsen, a real estate agent. Her sisters are actresses Ashley Olsen (Ashley Fuller Olsen) and Elizabeth Olsen (Elizabeth Chase Olsen). Mary-Kate and Ashley, who are twins, have worked since infancy, starring on the show Full House and in the film New York Minute, as well as other programs, films, interviews, as well as commercial endorsements. Although they are virtually identical in appearance, they are genetically different fraternal twins. Mary-Kate also appeared in the film Beastly.

Mary-Kate’s paternal grandfather was Walter Gustav Olsen-Boye/Olsen (the son of Ole/Oscar Johan/John/Johann Ludvig Olsen/Olsen-Boye and Winifred Dora Reeve). Walter was born in West Ham, Essex, England. Ole was Norwegian, from Bergen, Hordaland, the son of Martinus/Marthinus Mikael/Michael Olsen and Gunhilde/Gunhild Mathilde/Matilde/Mathea Ludvigsen Tefre. Winifred was English, from Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, the daughter of Joseph John Reeve and Sophia Smy.

Ashley’s paternal grandmother was Helene Irene Valentine (the daughter of Rocco Valentine and Elizabeth/Elisabeth Ann Gesue). Helene was born in Warren, Ohio. Rocco was Italian, from Silvi, Abruzzo, the son of Annunziato Valentini/Valentine and Maria Centorami. Elizabeth was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, to Italian parents, Enrico/Frank Gesue and Isabella/Isabelle P. Massitti.

Mary-Kate’s maternal grandfather was Daniel David/Dejarnett Jones (the son of Daniel De Jarnette/Dejarnette/Dejarnett Jones and Rose Marie Sisto). Mary-Kate’s grandfather Daniel was born in California. Mary-Kate’s great-grandfather Daniel was the son of Daniel De Jarnette/Dejarnette/Dejarnett Jones and Augusta/Gussie Sophia/Sofie Merlett Manshardt/Manshart, who was born in Ohio, to German parents. Mary-Kate’s great-grandmother Rose was born in California, to Italian parents, Donato F. Maria/Mario Sisto, who was born in Ruvo del Monte, Provincia di Potenza, Basilicata, and Celeste Lucia/Lucille Rubino/Robino, who was also born in Potenza.

Mary-Kate’s maternal grandmother was Mary Rose Fuller (the daughter of Arthur Louis Fuller and Nell/Nellie Esther Rose). Mary was born in Leavenworth, Kansas. Arthur was the son of William Gabriel Fuller and Christina Phoebe Bedwell. Nell was the daughter of Harry Albert Rose, whose father was German, from Hannover, Niedersachsen; and of Harriet/Harriett/Hattie Esther Percival.

Sources: Genealogy of Mary-Kate Olsen – https://www.geni.com

Mary-Kate’s maternal great-grandfather, Daniel De Jarnette/Dejarnette Jones, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Mary-Kate’s maternal great-grandmother, Rose Marie Sisto, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Mary-Kate’s maternal great-grandparents, Daniel De Jarnette/Dejarnette Jones and Rose Marie Sisto – https://www.familysearch.org

Information about Mary-Kate’s maternal great-great-grandparents, Donato F. Maria/Mario Sisto and Celeste Lucia Rubino – https://www.findagrave.com

Mary-Kate’s maternal grandmother, Mary Rose Fuller, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org