Nelson Algren

Birth Name: Nelson Ahlgren Abraham

Date of Birth: March 28, 1909

Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

Date of Death: May 9, 1981

Place of Death: Long Island, New York, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*25% Swedish [grandfather, who converted to Judaism]
*75% Ashkenazi Jewish

Nelson Algren was an American author.

He was the son of Goldie (Kalisher/Kalischer) and Gerson Abraham. His father was born in California and his mother was born in Illinois, and all of his grandparents were immigrants.

Nelson’s paternal grandfather was named Isaac Ben Abraham. Isaac was Swedish, and was born Nels Ahlgren in Stockholm. He was a convert to Judaism, as a personal choice. He was an immigrant to the U.S.

Nelson’s paternal grandmother was named Yetta Shire/Stire. Yetta was a German Jew, who was born in Koblenz.

Nelson’s maternal grandfather was Louis Kalisher (the son of Samuel Kalisher). Louis was a German Jew.

Nelson’s maternal grandmother was Henrietta “Yetta” Jackson (the daughter of Samuel Jackson and Saranza). Henrietta was a German Jew. Saranza was born in Gołańcz, Wągrowiec County, Greater Poland.

Sources: Nelson Algren on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Nelson’s parents on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Death record of Nelson’s father – https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogy of Nelson’s mother – https://www.geni.com