Thora Birch

Birch in 2012, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: March 11, 1982

Ethnicity: Polish (maternal grandmother), French-Canadian, German, Irish, evidently German Jewish, Italian, and Scandinavian

Thora Birch is an American actress. She is known for her roles in the films All I Want for Christmas (1991), Hocus Pocus, Monkey Trouble, American Beauty, Ghost World, Silver City, and Affairs of State.

Thora is the daughter of former adult film actors Jack Birch and Carol Connors. Among Thora’s verified ancestry is Polish (from her maternal grandmother), French-Canadian, German, and Irish. She has also stated:

My ancestors were mostly from different parts of Europe, a bit of German Jewish, a little Italian and also some Nordic. Birch comes from Biersch, German. My name, Thora, is the goddess of thunder and lightning, Thor’s sister, in Norse mythology. If I’d been a boy I would have been Thor.

Thora is married to talent manager and philanthropist Michael Benton Adler.

Thora’s maternal grandfather was Victor Joseph Campau (the son of Philip/Phillip/Philemon/Philomon/Philomo Joseph Campau and Mary Ellen Wilds). Victor was born in Michigan. Philip was of French-Canadian descent, the son of Jovite/Jovitus David Faustinus Campeau and Marie-Philomena/Philomene Adeline Roger Joinville. Thora’s great-grandmother Mary Ellen was the daughter of Edward Wilds, who was born in Michigan, to German parents, and of Roseanne/Rosann/Rosey Loy, who was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, to Irish parents.

Thora’s maternal grandmother was Violet Carol “Vi” Basiaga (the daughter of Jozef/Joseph “Joe” Basiaga/Basinga/Basaiga and Anna/Annie/Ann M. Wiesko/Bielczko/Wencko). Violet was born in Michigan, to Polish parents. Jozef was the son of Joannes/John Basiaga/Basinga/Basaiga and Sofie/Sophie/Sophia/Sofia Christian/Krzyszton/Megacz. Anna was the daughter of Adam Wiesko and Cositunery Vinnytho.

Sources: Marriage record of Thora’s maternal grandparents, Victor Joseph Campau and Violet Carol “Vi” Basiaga – https://familysearch.org

Thora’s maternal grandfather, Victor Joseph Campau, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Thora’s maternal great-grandmother, Mary Ellen Wilds, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Thora’s maternal grandmother, Violet Carol “Vi” Basiaga, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Thora’s maternal grandmother, Violet Carol “Vi” (Basiaga) Campau – http://martenson.tributes.com

Marriage record of Thora’s maternal great-grandparents, Jozef/Joseph “Joe” Basiaga/Basinga/Basaiga and Anna/Annie/Ann M. Wiesko/Bielczko/Wencko – https://familysearch.org

Thora’s maternal great-great-grandparents, Joannes/John Basiaga/Basinga/Basaiga and Sofie/Sophie/Sophia/Sofia Christian/Krzyszton/Megacz, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org