Ancestry of Ronald Reagan

A well-loved Hollywood actor, Ronald Reagan appeared in over 50 feature films. In 1966, he was elected governor of California and, in 1980, elected as the 40th president of the U.S. He served in this role from 1981 to 1989.

Ronald Wilson Reagan was the second son of Jack Reagan and Nelle Wilson. He was the great-grandson, on his father's side, of Irish immigrants who came to America through Canada in the 1940s. His mother was of Scottish and English descent. His other family members are presented by generation in this family tree.

First Generation

1. Ronald Wilson REAGAN was born on Feb. 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois, and died on June 5, 2004. He is buried on the grounds of the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. In 1940, Ronald Reagan married actress Sarah Jane Mayfield (stage name Jane Wyman). They had two girls: Maureen Elizabeth, born in 1941, and Christine, who died at birth in 1947. In 1945 they adopted a baby boy named Michael.

Wyman and Reagan divorced in 1948 and, on March 4, 1952, he married another actress, Nancy Davis (born July 6, 1921). Named Anne Frances Robbins at birth, she took the surname Davis when her stepfather, Dr. Loyal Davis, adopted her in 1935. Nancy and Ronald had two children: Patricia Ann (Patti) in 1952, and Ronald Prescott in 1958.

Second Generation (Parents)

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Biography of Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States

By Martin Kelly

2. John Edward (Jack) REAGAN was born on July 13, 1883 in Fulton, Illinois. He died on May 18, 1941 in Santa Monica, California.

3. Nelle Clyde WILSON was born on July 24 1883 in Fulton, Illinois. She died on July 25, 1962 in Santa Monica, California.

Reagan and Wilson married on Nov. 8, 1904 in Fulton, and had two children:

• John Neil Reagan, born Sep. 16, 1909 in Tampico.
• Ronald Wilson Reagan

Third Generation (Grandparents)

4. John Michael REAGAN was born on May 29 1854 in Peckham, Kent, England. He died of tuberculosis on March 10, 1889 in Fulton.

5. Jennie CUSICK was born about 1854 in Dixon, Illinois. She died of tuberculosis on Nov. 19, 1886 in Whiteside County, Illinois.

Regana and Cusick married on Feb. 27 1878 in Fulton, and had four children:

• Catherine (Katy) Reagan, born in July 1879 in Fulton.
• William Reagan, born Jan. 10, 1881 in Fulton. He died on Sep 19, 1925 in Dixon, Illinois.
• John Edward Reagan
• Anna Reagan, born May 14, 1885 in Fulton.

6. Thomas WILSON was born on April 28, 1844 in Clyde, Illinois. He died on Dec. 12, 1909 in Whiteside County, Illinois.

7. Mary Ann ELSEY was born on Dec. 28, 1843 in Epson, Surrey, England. She died on Oct. 6, 1900 in Fulton.

Wilson and Elsey married on Jan. 25 1866 in Morrison, Illinois, and had seven children:

• Emily Wilson, born Nov. 12, 1867 in Clyde, Illinois.
• John Wilson, born Oct. 9, 1869 in Clyde. He died on June 21, 1942 in Clinton, Iowa.
• Jennie Wilson, born June 16, 1872 in Illinois. She died on March 8, 1920.
• Alexander Thomas Wilson, born March 30, 1874 in Illinois. He died on April 26, 1962.
• George O. Wilson, born March 2, 1876 in Illinois. He died on April 3, 1951 in Clinton, Iowa.
• Mary Lavinia Wilson, born April 6, 1879 in Illinois. She died on Sep. 6, 1951 in Fulton.
• Nelle Clyde Wilson