Profile Text
Robinson in 2014, photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: William Robinson, Jr.
Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Date of Birth: February 19, 1940
Ethnicity: African-American, as well as evidently one eighth French
Smokey Robinson is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive.
Smokey is the son of Flossie (Smith) and William Robinson, Sr. A great-grandmother of his was said to have been of French descent.
A picture of young Smokey with his parents can be seen here .
Smokey’s paternal grandfather was named Albert Robinson. Albert was born in Alabama.
Smokey’s paternal grandmother was named Elizabeth “Lizzie” Lanxter/Lancaster. Elizabeth was born in Alabama.
Smokey’s maternal grandfather was The Rev. Benjamin J. Smith (the son of Quincey Smith and Frances/Fanny Smith). The Rev. Benjamin was born in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. His family was from Rutherford.
Smokey’s maternal grandmother was Ella Mae Rivers Warr (the daughter of Adam Warr and Sarah Mike). Ella was born in Tennessee. Adam was born in Tennessee, the son of Harriet Warr. Sarah was born in North Carolina.
Sources: Genealogy of Smokey Robinson – https://www.geni.com
Genealogies of Smokey’s parents – https://www.findagrave.com
Genealogy of Smokey Robinson (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.wikitree.com
Death record of Smokey’s mother – https://michigan.access.preservica.com