American singer, songwriter, and actor, Nick Jonas (September 16, 1992) was born in Dallas, Texas. He is a member of the band The Jonas Brothers, along with his brothers Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas. The question has come up whether or not their self declared Cherokee ancestry is documented.
Asked about their heritage during a video chat with fans, the brothers simply stated, “We’re Italian, German, Irish, and Cherokee Indian.”
Nick’s father, who is from a Southern family, has German, English, and Scottish ancestry. Nick’s mother, who is from the New Jersey area, has Irish, Italian, and French-Canadian ancestry. The Jonas Brothers have also stated that they have Cherokee Native American ancestry. It is not clear if this ancestry has been documented.
Nick’s paternal grandmother, now Cecilia Lucas, was born under the name Cecilia Jonas (her parents were Paul Adam Jonas and Nellie May Fox). Paul’s parents were Henry Walter Jonas and Nora Lee Campbell. Nellie’s parents were Nathan or Walter Henry Fox and Lizzie Mae Hamilton. Through the Jonas line, Nick is descended from German immigrants to the United States in the 1700s. Nick’s father also has English and Scottish ancestry.
Nick’s maternal grandfather was Gerald “Jerry” Miller. Nick’s maternal grandmother was born Frances Madonia (the daughter of Fortunato Angelo Madonia and Margaret Anna Berard). Fortunato was born in New York, to Angelo Madonia and Maria Chimero, who were both of Italian ancestry. Margret was born in Bennington, Vemont, the daughter of Milton Dewey Berard and Anna Ducharme, who were both of French-Canadian ancestry.
Sources: Nick’s paternal great-grandfather, Paul Adam Jonas, at http://www.findagrave.com/ – http://www.findagrave.com
Obituary of Nick’s paternal great-grandmother, Nellie May (Fox) Jonas – http://www.legacy.com
Genealogy of Nick’s paternal great-great-grandfather, Henry Walter Jonas – http://www.geni.com
Genealogy of Nick’s paternal great-great-great-great-grandfather, Daniel Jonas (focusing on his own father’s side) – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com
Family history of Nick’s maternal grandmother, Frances Madonia – http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com
