Michael Jackson

Jackson in 2002, Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

Birth Name: Michael Joseph Jackson

Date of Birth: August 29, 1958

Place of Birth: Gary, Indiana, U.S.

Date of Death: June 25, 2009

Place of Death: Westwood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: African-American

Michael Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor. He was nicknamed the “King of Pop.” His songs included “Got to Be There,” “Rockin’ Robin,” “I Wanna Be Where You Are,” “Ben,” “With a Child’s Heart,” “Just a Little Bit of You,” “Ease On down the Road,” “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Rock with You,” “Off the Wall,” “She’s Out of My Life,” “The Girl Is Mine,” “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Human Nature,” “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” “Thriller,” “Farewell My Summer Love,” “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Bad,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Dirty Diana,” “Another Part of Me,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Black or White,” “Remember the Time,” “In the Closet,” “Jam,” “Who Is It,” “Heal the World,” “Will You Be There,” “Scream,” “Childhood,” “You Are Not Alone,” “Earth Song,” “They Don’t Care About Us,” “Blood on the Dance Floor,” “You Rock My World,” “Hold My Hand,” “Love Never Felt So Good,” and “Don’t Matter to Me;” and, as a featured artist, “Say Say Say.” He co-starred in the film The Wiz (1978). He was a member of pop band The Jackson 5, with his siblings Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, and Randy Jackson. Michael electrified audiences with his stage performances and dance routines.

Michael was the son of Katherine/Kattie Esther/B. (Scruse), who had played clarinet and piano, and aspired to be a country-and-western musician, and Joseph Walter “Joe” Jackson, who played guitar with a rhythm and blues band, the Falcons. His father was born in Fountain Hill, Ashley County, Arkansas. His mother was born in Barbour Co., Alabama.

His siblings also included musicians and actors Janet Jackson and La Toya Jackson. He had three children, including actress and singer Paris Jackson. He was the uncle of musicians 3T (Tariano Jackson, Taryll Jackson, and Tito Jackson), actor and musician Jermaine Jackson II, singer, songwriter, and musician Austin Brown, and singer, dancer, and actor Jaafar Jackson, among others.

Michael went through an abusive childhood at the hands of his father, Joseph.

Despite the controversies in Michael’s life, he has always been loved by his fans. Michael died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, due to cardiac arrest.

Michael was African-American.

Michael’s father had stated that he has Native American ancestry. Michael’s brother Jermaine has said this also. It is not clear if this ancestry has been verified/documented. Joseph also stated that he had some European roots. It has also been said that Michael’s mother has Blackfoot Native American ancestry, also as yet unverified, at least publicly.

Michael’s paternal grandfather was Simuel/Samuel Joseph “Sam” Jackson (the son of Israel “Nero” Jackson and Emeline/Emmaline/Emaline “Emmie” Williams). Simuel was born in Amite County, Mississippi, and was said to be of partial Choctaw Native American descent; as well as having African ancestry. It is not clear if this has been verified. Israel and Emeline are listed only as “Black” on U.S. Censuses. Michael’s great-grandfather Israel was born in Amite County, the son of John July “Jack” Gayle/Milam and Gina Mae Harrington. Israel eventually took on the surname Jackson, after his father. Jack was born into slavery, and was owned by a family of French Huguenot origin, the Richbourgs; he may have also been descended from them. Michael’s great-grandmother Emeline was born in Amite County, into slavery, the daughter of Deacon Sanders Allen Williams, Sr. and Fannie Mae “Fan” Dunn.

Michael’s paternal grandmother was Crystal/Chrystal Lee King (the daughter of Samuel King and Gertrude “Trudie” Daniel). Crystal was born in Fountain Hill, Ashley County, Arkansas. Samuel was born in Drew County, Arkansas, the son of William King and Nellie. Michael’s great-grandmother Gertrude was born in Drew County, the daughter of Thomas “Tom” Daniel and Martha “Mattie” Cason. Mattie was said to be the daughter of a white woman and a black slave man.

Jackson in 1988, photo by Alan Light

Michael’s maternal grandfather was Prince Albert Screws/Scruse (the son of Prince Scruse/Screws and Julia Belle/Bell Jordan). Michael’s grandfather Prince was born in Alabama. Michael’s great-grandfather Prince was born in Alabama, the son of Prince Screws and Mary Etta Denson. Julia was born in Alabama, the daughter of Julius Willis Jordan and Rosetta Hall.

Michael’s maternal grandmother was Martha “Mattie” Upshaw (the daughter of Daniel Upshaw and Jeanette/Jennetta Brown). Martha was born in Alabama. Daniel was the son of Jonas Upshaw and Minerva Grant. Jeanette was the daughter of Columbus Brown and Henrietta Peterson.

Sources: Genealogies of Michael Jackson – http://www.wargs.com
http://www.geni.com
https://www.wikitree.com
https://www.findagrave.com

Information (some potentially unverified) on Michael’s family history – http://www.truemichaeljackson.com
http://i845.photobucket.com
https://blog.familytreedna.com

Michael’s paternal great-grandparents, Israel “Nero” Jackson and Emeline/Emmaline/Emaline “Emmie” Williams, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Israel “Nero” Jackson and Emeline/Emmaline/Emaline “Emmie” Williams on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Israel “Nero” Jackson and Emeline/Emmaline/Emaline “Emmie” Williams on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Israel “Nero” Jackson and Emeline/Emmaline/Emaline “Emmie” Williams on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Likely Michael’s paternal great-grandfather, Israel “Nero” Jackson, on the 1870 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Michael’s maternal grandparents, Prince Albert Screws/Scruse and Martha “Mattie” Upshaw, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org