Profile Text
Jett in 2013, photo by Prphotos.com
Birth Name: Joan Marie Larkin
Place of Birth: Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Date of Birth: September 22, 1958
Ethnicity: * father – Irish * mother – English, distant French, German, and Dutch
Joan Jett is an American rock singer, songwriter, composer, musician, record producer, and actress. She is a member of rock group Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and was a founding member of rock group The Runaways. Cherie Currie and Michael Steele were also members of The Runaways.
Joan is the daughter of Dorothy and James Larkin. She has stated :
My father was Irish, and I believe he came from County Mayo. [I] Want to explore that a little bit more when I have the time…
My father was Irish, and I believe he came from County Mayo. [I] Want to explore that a little bit more when I have the time…
Her mother’s family is from Maine, where she has deep Colonial American roots, mostly back to New England’s earliest English settlers.
Joan’s paternal grandfather was Michael Joseph Larkin (the son of Michael Joseph Larkin and Maria/Mary O’Flaherty/Flaherty). Joan’s grandfather Michael was born in Claremorris, Mayo, Ireland. Joan’s great-grandfather Michael was the son of Patrick Larkin and Bridget.
Joan’s paternal grandmother was Helen “Nellie” Duffy (the daughter of Michael Duffy and Mary/Maria Kenny). Helen was born in Knockbrack, Kilkelly, Mayo, Ireland. Michael was the son of Martin Duffy and Mary Clark.
Joan’s maternal grandfather was Moses Albert King (the son of Henry Bertinette King and Ella Frances/Francis Swett). Moses was born in Freeport, Maine, and had deep roots in the U.S. Henry was the son of Moses King, Jr. and Lucy Ann Ware. Joan’s great-grandmother Ella was the daughter of James Melville Swett and Annie E. Johnson.
Joan’s maternal grandmother was Lucille Ireland (the daughter of Atwell Maurice Ireland and Mary E. Ireland). Lucille was born in Lewiston, Maine, and had deep American roots. Atwell was the son of Isaiah K. Ireland and Hannah Lovejoy. Joan’s great-grandmother Mary was the daughter of Lyman A. Ireland and Lucy Ann Burrill.
Sources: Information about Joan’s roots – http://joanjettbadrep.com http://www.oasisblues.com http://www.irishtimes.com
Genealogies of Joan Jett – https://www.ancestry.com https://www.wikitree.com
Joan’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Joan’s paternal grandparents, Michael Joseph Larkin and Helen “Nellie” Duffy, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org