Birth Name: Miranda Jennifer Grossinger
Place of Birth: Berlin, Washington, Vermont, United States
Date of Birth: February 15, 1974
Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*English, Scottish (mother)
Miranda July is an American film director, screenwriter, singer, actress, author, and artist.
Miranda is the daughter of Lindy Downer Hough and writer and anthropologist Richard Grossinger (born Richard Selig Grossinger). Her father is of Austrian Jewish, Polish Jewish, and Russian Jewish ancestry. Her mother was born in Colorado, and is of English and Scottish descent.
Miranda is married to filmmaker, music video director, and graphic designer Mike Mills, with whom she has a son.
Miranda’s paternal grandfather was Paul Leonard Grossinger (the son of Harry Grossinger and Jennie Grossinger). Paul was born in New York. Harry was born in Baligród, Austria (now Poland), the son of Isadore “Iser” Grossinger and Iaje “Leah” Odzer. Jennie was also born in Baligród, the daughter of Asher “Selig” Grossinger and Malka “Molly” Grumet.
Miranda’s paternal grandmother was Martha Rothkrug (the daughter of Henry Rothkrug and Sarah “Sayde/Sally” Nassberg). Martha was born in New York. Henry was born in Luków, Russia (now Poland). Sarah was born in New York, to parents from Russia, Coleman Nassberg and Fanny.
Miranda’s maternal grandfather was Henry Wade Hough (the son of Raymond Henry Hough and Bertha May Barlow). Henry was born in Montana. Raymond was born in Missouri, the son of Henry Wade Hough and Ella Cecil Bodley. Bertha was born in Iowa, the daughter of Thomas Henry Barlow and Rose Ella Pearson.
Miranda’s maternal grandmother was Frances Marion Downer (the daughter of Isaac Francis Downer and Alice Gordon Plested). Frances was born in Colorado. Isaac was born in Iowa, the son of Robert Downer and Reubenna J. Blizzard. Alice was born in New York, the daughter of The Rev. William Plested, who was born in Ontario, Canada, to English parents, and of Alice G. Gordon.
Sources: Genealogy of Miranda July (focusing on her father’s side) – http://www.geni.com
Birth record of Miranda July – http://www.familysearch.org
Genealogy of Miranda’s maternal grandparents, Henry Wade Hough and Frances Marion Downer – http://www.familysearch.org