Mike Ditka
Place of Birth: Carnegie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Date of Birth: October 18, 1939
Ethnicity:
*father – Lemko Rusyn, Polish
*mother – German, English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh
Mike Ditka is an American professional football player and coach, television commentator, and actor. He is a member of the College Football (1986) and Pro Football Hall of Fames (1988). He was the 1961 UPI NFL Rookie of Year, and a five-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time All-Pro tight end with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL).
Mike is the son of Charlotte and Michael Ditka. He is married to Diane Trantham. Mike has four children with his former wife Marge. He is a Roman Catholic, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Mike’s paternal grandfather was named Wasyl/Basil Dyczko. Wasyl was from Dwernik Galicia, and likely was of Lemko Rusyn descent.
Mike’s paternal grandmother was named Bertha Bronislawa Bereznski. Bertha was born in Pennsylvania, and was of Polish descent.
Mike’s maternal grandfather was David Patten Keller (the son of David Peter Keller and Annetta Jane Lea). Mike’s great-grandfather David was the son of Peter Keller, who was of German descent, and of Sarah Jones. Annetta was the daughter of David Nelson Lea and Ellen Fryer.
Mike’s maternal grandmother was Myrtle E. Ashton (the daughter of Charles W. Ashton and Jennie M. Brady). Charles was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Thomas E. Ashton and Harriet Fosnott. Jennie was born in Ohio, the daughter of Peter Brady and Mary A. Husey, who were Irish.
Source: Genealogy of Mike’s mother (focusing on her father’s side) – https://www.findagrave.com
Mikes GF, Basil Dyczko, is not Polish, he was from Krzeczowice Galicia and from his ship papers he came from Dwernik Galicia in 1911. That area was populated by Ruthenians AKA Rusyns and specifically Lemko Rusyns in Galicia.
@bearboy
Keller is a German surname (also carried by Jews).
You’re right German should be added. Thanks