Profile Text
signed publicity photo of Barbara Stanwyck c. 1930s, RR Auction
Birth Name: Ruby Catherine Stevens
Date of Birth: July 16, 1907
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Death: January 20, 1990
Place of Death: Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: English, Scottish, Irish
Barbara Stanwyck was an American actress, model, and dancer.
She was the daughter of Kathryn/Katherine/Catherine Ann “Katie” (McPhee) and Byron E. Stevens. Her father, who was from Massachusetts, had English ancestry. Her mother, who was from Nova Scotia, Canada, had Scottish and Irish roots. Barbara had a son, who was adopted, with her former husband, vaudeville/stand-up comedian and film and stage actor Frank Fay.
Barbara’s paternal grandfather was Joseph R. Stevens (the son of Thomas Stevens and Sarah “Sally” Grover). Joseph was born in Maine or Massachusetts. Thomas was the son of Thomas Stevens and Mary Oliver. Sarah was the daughter of Nehemiah Grover and Elizabeth “Betty,” or of Edmund Grover and Sarah Thurston.
Barbara’s paternal grandmother was named Abby M. Spencer (the daughter of Thomas J. Spencer and Laura D.). Abby was born in Vermont.
Barbara’s maternal grandfather was named Peter McPhee. Peter was born in Nova Scotia.
Barbara’s maternal grandmother was born in Nova Scotia.
Sources: Genealogies of Barbara Stanwyck – http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com https://www.geni.com https://www.findagrave.com
Barbara Stanwyck on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Death record of Babara’s mother – https://www.familysearch.org