Shirley Temple

Shirley Temple in 1944, Library and Archives Canada / C-029451

Date of Birth: April 23, 1928

Place of Birth: Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Death: February 10, 2014

Place of Death: Woodside, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: German, English, Irish, Dutch, Scottish, as well as remote Norwegian

Shirley Temple, also known by her married name Shirley Temple Black, was an American actress, singer, dancer, businessperson, diplomat, and public servant. She is known for starring in the films Bright Eyes, Little Miss Marker, Now I’ll Tell, Curly Top, Poor Little Rich Girl, Dimples, Stowaway, Wee Willie Winkie, Heidi, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, A Little Princess, Miss Annie Rooney, The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, That Hagen Girl, and The Story of Seabiscuit, among many other roles. She served as the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, from December 6, 1974 to July 13, 1976, Chief of Protocol of the United States, from July 1, 1976 to January 21, 1977, and the U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, from August 23, 1989 to July 12, 1992.

Shirley was the daughter of Gertrude Amelia (Krieger) and George Francis Temple. Her father had Scottish, English, Dutch, German, and remote Norwegian, ancestry. Her mother had German and Irish ancestry.

Shirley was married to businessperson Charles Alden Black, until his death. She had a daughter with her former husband, actor John Agar; and two children, including musician Lori Black, with Charles. Charles was the son of James Black, president and chairman of Pacific Gas and Electric.

Shirley’s paternal grandfather was Francis Marion “Frank” Temple (the son of Reuben/Reubin S. B. Temple and Jane W. Dunham). Francis was born in Pennsylvania. Reuben was the son of Robert Temple, whose father was Scottish; and of Eliza Allen, who was born in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, and was of Colonial American (English) ancestry, with deep roots in the state. Jane was the daughter of Daniel Dunham and Amelia.

Shirley’s paternal grandmother was Cynthia Fell Yeager (the daughter of George W. Yeager and Sarah Emeline Amberson). Cynthia was born in Pennsylvania, likely in Mercer, Mercer Co. George was the son of Michael Yeager and Cynthia Fell. Sarah was the daughter of George Amberson and Emeline/Emaline Flake.

Shirley’s maternal grandfather was named Otto Charles/Julius Krieger (the son of Joseph Krieger and Augusta). Otto was born in Illinois, to German parents.

Shirley’s maternal grandmother was named Maude Elizabeth McGrath (the daughter of Elizabeth). Maude was born in Michigan, to an Irish father and a Canadian mother.

Sources: Genealogies of Shirley Temple – http://famouskin.com
http://www.wikitree.com
https://www.geni.com
http://www.findagrave.com

Birth record of Shirley’s mother – https://www.familysearch.org

Shirley’s mother on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Death records of Shirley’s maternal grandfather, Otto Charles/Julius Krieger – https://www.familysearch.org
https://www.familysearch.org

Death record of Shirley’s maternal grandmother, Maude Elizabeth (McGrath) Krieger – https://www.familysearch.org