Russell M. Nelson

Birth Name: Russell Marion Nelson

Place of Birth: Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 9, 1924

Ethnicity:
*37.5% Norwegian
*25% Danish
*21.875% English
*12.5% Swedish
*3.125% Cornish

Russell M. Nelson is an American religious leader. He has served as the 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, since January 14, 2018. He was on the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, from April 7, 1984 to January 14, 2018, and was its President, from July 3, 2015 to January 14, 2018.

His father, Marion Clavar Nelson, was an advertising manager, from Manti, Utah. His mother, Floss Edna (Anderson), was born in Ephraim, Utah.

Russell is married to professor Wendy Lee Watson. He was previously married to Dantzel White, until her death, with whom he has ten children.

Russell’s patrilineal ancestry can be traced back to his fifth great-grandfather, Christen Madsen (died December 22, 1753, Store Brøndum).

Russell’s paternal grandfather was Andrew Clarence Nelson (the son of Mads Peter Nielsen, later Nelson, and of Margaretta “Margaret” Christensen). Andrew was born in Utah. Mads was a Danish emigrant, from Store Brøndum, Ålborg, and was the son of Niels Christensen and Bodil Pedersdatter. Margaretta was also a Danish emigrant, from Gørding, Ribe, and was the daughter of Christen Hansen and Kiersten Nielsdatter.

Russell’s paternal grandmother was Amanda Jensen (the daughter of Johan Andreas Jensen and Petra Andrine Amundsdatter Noklebye). Amanda was a Norwegian emigrant, from Oslo. Johan was the son of Jens Iversen and Ingeborg Sophia Nielsdatter. Petra was the daughter of Amund Pedersen Borredalen and Oliana Hansdatter Heja.

Russell’s maternal grandfather was Andrew Charles Anderson (the son of Niels Andersson and Ingeborg Poulsdatter Reinsfjeld). Andrew was born in Utah. Niels was a Swedish emigrant, from Lund, Malmöhus (now Skåne), and was the son of Anders Paul Jönsson and Elna Andersdotter. Ingeborg was a Norwegian emigrant, from Dypvåg (now part of Tvedestrand), Aust-Agder, and was the daughter of Paul Jensen Reinsfjeld and Siri Olsdatter Gangdalen.

Russell’s maternal grandmother was Sarah Elizabeth Williams (the daughter of Stephen Williams and Emma Jane Hillard). Sarah was born in Utah. Stephen was an English emigrant, from Hartland, Devon, and was the son of Thomas Williams, whose own mother, Elizabeth Cleverdon, was Cornish, from Kilkhampton, Cornwall, and of Sarah Elliot. Emma was also an English emigrant, from Ditcheat, Somerset, and was the daughter of Andrew Hillard and Mary Higgins.

Russell’s matrilineal ancestry can be traced back to his fifth great-grandmother, Rose Pester.

Source: Genealogies of Russell’s parents – https://www.familysearch.org