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Atwell in 2011, image via kathclick /Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Hayley Elizabeth Atwell
Place of Birth: Hammersmith, London, England, U.K.
Date of Birth: 5 April, 1982
Ethnicity: English, Irish, some German and Scottish, possibly other
Hayley Atwell is a British and American actress. She is known for her roles in the films Brideshead Revisited and Captain America: The First Avenger , and the series The Pillars of the Earth and Agent Carter .
Hayley was born in London, the only child of Allison and Grant Atwell. Her father is American, from Missouri. Her mother is from England, and is of Irish and English descent. Hayley is a citizen of the U.K. and the U.S.
Hayley’s father has English, Irish, German, and Scottish ancestry. He is also said to be of part Native American descent. His Native American name is Star Touches Earth, and he is a shaman. It is not clear if this Native American ancestry has been verified/documented. Hayley’s paternal grandparents and great-grandparents are all listed as “White” on U.S. Censuses. A picture of Hayley’s father can be seen here .
Hayley’s paternal grandfather was William O’Harra/O’Hara Atwell (the son of Stanley Wesley Atwell and Beulah Emety O’Harra). William was born in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Stanley was the son of Oliver Rufus Atwell and Emma Etta McMurray. Beulah was the daughter of J./I. Marion O’Harra and Adell/Adella/Adele Annette “Della” Ingalsbe.
Hayley’s paternal grandmother was Elizabeth Anna Reeder (the daughter of Jesse/Jessie Bright Reeder and Ruth Anna Phifer). Hayley’s grandmother Elizabeth was born in Missouri, U.S. Jesse was the son of Samuel Benjamin Ward Reeder and Harriet A. “Hattie”/”Mattie” Bright. Ruth was the daughter of Prindle Eleazer Phifer and Elizabeth Jackson, who was born in England.
Hayley’s maternal grandfather was William David Cain (the son of Arthur Patrick Cain and Florence Dawson). William was born in Preston, Lancashire, England. Arthur was born in Preston, Lancashire, the son of Joseph Patrick Cain, whose parents were Irish; and of Ann Jane Jolly. Florence was born in Lancashire, the daughter of Thomas J. Dawson and Isabella Kewley.
Hayley’s maternal grandmother was Noreen M. Cowley (the daughter of James Alphonsus Cowley and Sarah Anderson). Noreen was born in Ireland. James was the son of Michael Francis Cowley and Margaret Arbuckle. Sarah was the daughter of James Joseph Anderson and Anne Butler.
Sources: Genealogy of Hayley’s paternal grandfather, William O’Harra/O’Hara Atwell – https://www.findagrave.com
Hayley’s paternal grandfather, William O’Harra/O’Hara Atwell, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Hayley’s paternal great-grandfather, Stanley Wesley Atwell, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org Stanley Wesley Atwell on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Hayley’s paternal great-grandmother, Beulah Emety O’Harra, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Hayley’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Anna Reeder, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of Hayley’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Anna (Reeder) Atwell – http://dwfloralhills.tributes.com
Hayley’s paternal great-grandfather, Jesse/Jessie Bright Reeder, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Hayley’s paternal great-grandmother, Ruth Anna Phifer, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Genealogy of Hayley Atwell (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Genealogies of Hayley’s maternal grandparents, William David Cain and Noreen M. Cowley – https://www.wikitree.com