DeGraw in 2013, photo by PrPhotos
Birth Name: Gavin Shane DeGraw
Place of Birth: South Fallsburg, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: February 4, 1977
Ethnicity:
*father – Irish, English, German
*mother – Ashkenazi Jewish
Gavin DeGraw is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He is known for his songs “I Don’t Want to Be,” “Chariot,” “Follow Through,” “In Love with a Girl,” “Not Over You,” “Soldier,” and “Sweeter,” and the duet “We Both Know.”
He grew up in the Catskills, in South Fallsburg, New York. His mother, Lynne, was a detox specialist and nurse practicioner, and his father, Wayne DeGraw, was a prison guard. His father had Irish, English, and German ancestry. His mother’s family was Ashkenazi Jewish, from Russia and Austria.
His brother is musician Joey DeGraw.
Gavin’s paternal grandfather was Russell A. DeGraw (the son of William W. R. DeGraw and Beulah/Buela Winters). Russell was born in New York. William was born in New York, the son of Charles W. DeGraw and Eliza Coddington. Beulah was born in New York, the daughter of Ira Winters and Melissa Van Wagner.
Gavin’s paternal grandmother was Mary Tierney (the daughter of John Tierney and Allie Wilson). Mary was born in New York. Allie was born in New York, the daughter of Joseph Wilson and Ada/Adah Kniffin/Kriffen.
Gavin’s maternal grandfather was Natt Harvey Krieger (the son of William Krieger and Fay, likely born Fay Weiner). Natt was born in New York. William was born in Maryland, to Russian Jewish parents. Fay was an Austrian Jewish immigrant, and was the daughter of Minnie.
Gavin’s maternal grandmother was Eileen Joy Burns (the daughter of Max/Mack/Mac Burns and Minnie Geneson/Genesen). Eileen was born in New York. Minnie was born in Brooklyn, and was the daughter of Beryl/Bernard Geneson/Genesen and Dora Lorie, who were Russian Jewish immigrants. It is likely that Gavin’s maternal great-grandfather, Max Burns, was Jewish as well. Max had likely changed his surname.
Sources: Obituary of Gavin’s paternal grandmother, Mary (Tierney) DeGraw – https://colonialbryantfuneralhome.com
Death record of Gavin’s paternal great-grandmother, Allie (Wilson) Tierney – https://www.familysearch.org
Genealogy of Gavin DeGraw (focusing on his mother’s side) – http://www.geni.com
Obituary of Gavin’s uncle, Bert J. Krieger (Gavin’s mother’s brother) – http://www.sc-democrat.com
Gavin’s maternal grandfather, Natt Harvey Krieger, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Gavin’s great-uncle (maternal grandfather’s brother) – http://josephngarlickfuneralhome.com
Gavin’s maternal grandmother, Eileen Joy Burns, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Gavin’s maternal great-grandmother, Minnie (Geneson/Genesen) Burns – http://www.sc-democrat.com
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