Orson Welles

Birth Name: George Orson Welles

Date of Birth: May 6, 1915

Place of Birth: Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.

Date of Death: October 10, 1985

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

Ethnicity: English, as well as small amount of Scottish, remote Welsh

Orson Welles was an American actor, director, writer, and producer. He directed the films Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons, The Stranger (1946), The Lady from Shanghai, Macbeth (1948), Othello (1951), Mr. Arkadin, Touch of Evil, The Trial, Chimes at Midnight, The Immortal Story, F for Fake, and The Other Side of the Wind, all of which he also appeared in. He also starred in the films Jane Eyre (1943), The Third Man, Royal Affairs in Versailles, Moby Dick (1956), Compulsion, A Man for All Seasons, Casino Royale (1967), and Waterloo (1970), on the radio anthology The Mercury Theatre on the Air, and in many stage productions. He was responsible for the famous 1938 The War of the Worlds radio broadcast.

Orson was the son of Beatrice Lucy (Ives) and Richard Head “Dick” Welles (born Richard Hodgdon Wells). His father was born in Saint Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri. His mother was born in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. His ancestry was heavily Colonial American (English).

Orson was married to actress and aristocrat Paola Mori, until his death. He had a daughter with his former wife Virginia Nicolson; a daughter with his former wife, actress Rita Hayworth; and a daughter, actress Beatrice Welles, with Paola.

Orson’s paternal grandfather was Richard Jones Welles (the son of Henry Hill Wells/Welles and Mary Elizabeth Hodgden). Richard was born in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Henry was born in Sussex County, Delaware, the son of William Hill Wells, whose father was born in Hull, England; and of Elizabeth Dagworthy Aydelott. Orson’s great-great-grandfather William H. Wells was a Federalist politician, who served as a U.S. Senator from Delaware, from January 17, 1799 to November 6, 1804, and again, from May 28, 1813 to March 3, 1817. William’s father was English. Orson’s great-great-grandmother Elizabeth was the ward of Revolutionary War General John Dagworthy.

Orson’s paternal grandmother was Mary Blanche Head (the daughter of Orson Sherman Head and Mary Jane Treadwell). Orson’s grandmother Mary was born in Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Orson’s great-grandfather Orson S. Head was born in Paris Hill, Oneida County, New York, and was a prominent attorney. He was the son of Jonathan/Jonathon E. Head, Jr. and Hepzibah/Hephzibah Livermore. Orson’s great-grandmother Mary Jane was born in Paris Hill, the daughter of Ephraim Tradewell and Marina Gates.

Orson’s maternal grandfather was Benjamin John Ives (the son of John Garrett Ives and Abigail Watson). Benjamin was born in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. Orson’s great-grandfather John was born in Oneida County, New York, and was a Secretary of the Board of Trade. He was the son of John C. Ives and Lucy Coe. Orson’s great-grandmother Abigail was born in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, the daughter of William Weldon Watson and Maria Cape.

Orson’s maternal grandmother was Lucy Alice Walker (the daughter of Hiram W. Walker and Martha E. Scott). Lucy was born in Ball Township, Sangamon County, Illinois. Hiram was born in Sangamon County. Martha was born in Illinois, the daughter of James Scott and Mary Woods.

Sources: Genealogy of Orson Welles – http://www.geni.com
https://www.findagrave.com

Genealogies of Orson Welles (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.wikitree.com
http://famouskin.com

Some of Orson’s remote ancestors – https://web.archive.org
http://msa.maryland.gov