Houston in 2008, Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
Birth Name: Whitney Elizabeth Houston
Date of Birth: August 9, 1963
Place of Birth: Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Date of Death: February 11, 2012
Place of Death: Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: African-American, with small amount of English/Irish/Scottish
Whitney Houston was an American singer, actress, model, and producer. Known for her incomparable voice, she gave the world numerous classic tracks and was also a talented actress.
Whitney was the daughter of singer Cissy Houston (born Emily Lee Drinkard) and John Russell Houston, Jr. Whitney was a first cousin of singer Dionne Warwick. She was previously married to singer Bobby Brown. The couple had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, who was born in 1993 and died in 2015.
Whitney’s parents were/are both black. She also had a small amount of English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry.
Whitney’s mother, Cissy, stated in an interview that she has Dutch and Native American ancestry. It is not clear if this ancestry has been verified/documented.
Whitney’s paternal grandfather was John Russell Houston (the son of John Huston/Houston and Hannah M. Davis). Whitney’s grandfather John was born in Neshanic, Somerset, New Jersey. Whitney’s great-grandfather John was the son of Nathaniel Houston and Sarah Ann. Hannah was the daughter of James Davis and Eleanor.
Whitney’s paternal grandmother was Sarah Elizabeth/Elisabeth Collins (the daughter of The Rev. Abraham Augustus Collins and Sarah E. Sanderson). Whitney’s grandmother Sarah was born in Oakland, Alameda, California. Augustus was the son of Henry M. Collins and Elizabeth G. Spears. Whitney’s great-grandmother Sarah was the daughter of Jeremiah Burke Sanderson and Catherine Elizabeth Gibson Molyneaux.
Whitney’s maternal grandfather was Nitcholas Drinkard (the son of John Drinkard, Jr. and Susie/Susan Belle/Bell “Delia” Fuller). Nitcholas was born in Hilton, Early, Georgia. John was the son of John Drinkard and Victoria Hansom.
Whitney’s maternal grandmother was Adelia/Delia Mae McCaskill (the daughter of Stephen McCaskill and Emma L. Houston). Adelia was born in Florida. Stephen was the son of Annie/Ann Hogan, who was black, and likely of John Jett McCaskill, who was white. Emma was the daughter of Oliver Houston and Rachel/Rachael Hill.
Sources: Genealogies of Whitney Houston – http://www.geni.com
https://famouskin.com
Genealogy of Whitney Houston (focusing on her father’s side) – http://www.findagrave.com
Whitney’s mother speaks of their ancestors – http://www.youtube.com
Whitney’s maternal great-grandparents, John Drinkard, Jr. and Susie/Susan Belle/Bell Fuller, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Whitney’s maternal grandmother, Adelia/Delia Mae McCaskill, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Whitney’s maternal great-grandparents, Stephen McCaskill and Emma L. Houston, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Whitney’s maternal great-grandfather, Stephen McCaskill, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
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