Profile Text
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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: 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.” He 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 Jackson, who played guitar with a rhythm and blues band, the Falcons. He was the brother of 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 Jackson 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 Samuel Joseph Jackson (the son of Israel “Nero” Jackson and Emeline/Emmaline Williams). Samuel was born in 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, Mississippi, the son of Jack/July Gayle/Milam and Gina. He eventually took on the surname Jackson, after his father. Jack was owned by a family of French Huguenot origin, the Richbourgs; he may have also been descended from them.
Michael’s paternal grandmother was Crystal Lee King (the daughter of Samuel King and Gertrude Daniel). Crystal was born in Arkansas. Samuel was the son of William King and Nellie. Gertrude was 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
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 Williams, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org Israel “Nero” Jackson and Emeline/Emmaline Williams on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org Israel “Nero” Jackson and Emeline/Emmaline Williams on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org Israel “Nero” Jackson and Emeline/Emmaline 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