Harland Williams
Williams in 2007, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Harland Reesor Williams
Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date of Birth: November 14, 1962
Ethnicity:
*father – Welsh (one half), English, German, Northern Irish/Irish, Swiss-German, Scottish
*mother – one half Irish, one half French-Canadian
Harland Williams is a Canadian and American actor, comedian, singer, author, artist, musician, and radio personality.
He is the son of Lorraine Mary and John Reesor Williams, a politician and attorney. His father was a Member of the Provincial Parliament in Ontario, from 1975 to 1985. He is a cousin of musician Kevin Hearn, who is the keyboardist for rock band Barenaked Ladies.
Harland’s paternal grandfather was Thomas John Williams (the son of William John Williams and Anne/Annie Emma Jones). Thomas was born in Watertown, Dodge, Wisconsin, U.S. William was born in Watertown, the son of Welsh parents, Thomas Williams and Catherine. Harland’s great-grandmother Anne was born in Watertown, also to Welsh parents, John Jones, of Cardigan; and Catherine Pugh.
Harland’s paternal grandmother was Luella Mae/May Maud Reesor (the daughter of George Reesor and Hannah Sofia/Sophia Haacke). Luella was born in Markham Township, York, Ontario, Canada. George was born in Markham. His father, Josephus Reesor, had paternal grandparents from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S., who were of Pennsylvania Dutch (German) descent; and a mother from Cantrum, Ireland. George’s mother, Harland’s great-great-grandmother, was Mary Kellington, whose parents were English, from Yorkshire. Harland’s great-grandmother Hannah was born in Markham, the daughter of William Haacke, whose grandparents were German; and of Martha Ramsey, whose parents were born in Yorkshire, England.
Harland’s maternal grandfather was Neil Sanford O’Donnell (the son of John Patrick O’Donnell and Margaret Fleming). Neil was born in Orillia, Simcoe, Ontario, of Irish descent. John was the son of John O’Donnell and Johanna Ginna. Harland’s great-grandmother Margaret was the daughter of James Fleming and Jeanine Gilmour.
Harland’s maternal grandmother was Velma Labranche (the daughter of Jean Baptiste Labranche and Agnes Lariviere). Velma was born in Sudbury, Sudbury, Ontario, of French-Canadian descent. Jean Baptiste was the son of Severe/Sevire Labranche and Josephte Auger. Harland’s great-grandmother Agnes was the daughter of Magloire Lariviere and Julie Anne Paiye/Payer.
Sources: Birth record of Harland’s paternal grandmother, Luella Mae/May Maud Reesor – https://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Harland’s mother – https://www.legacy.com
His paternal great-grandfather William John Williams was the son of Thomas Williams of Wales and a woman named Catherine.
His paternal great-grandmother Anne Jones was the daughter of John Jones of Cardigan, Wales and Catherine Pugh of Wales.
Source;
Obituary of Harland’s mother, Lorraine Mary O’Donnell Williams; https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/thestar/name/lorraine-williams-obituary?id=43454391
Harland’s maternal grandfather was Neil Sanford O’Donnell (the son of John Patrick O’Donnell and Margaret Fleming). Neil was born in Ontario.
Harland’s maternal grandmother was Velma Labranche (the daughter of Jean Baptiste Labranche and Agnes Lariviere). Velma was born in Ontario. Jean Baptiste was the son of Severe Labranche and Josephte Auger. Agnes was the daughter of Magloire Lariviere and Julie Anne Paiye/Payer.