{"id":78934,"date":"2023-08-29T21:41:19","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T02:41:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/?p=78934"},"modified":"2026-03-13T15:23:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T20:23:40","slug":"discover-michael-jackson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/es\/discover-michael-jackson\/","title":{"rendered":"Discover the Intriguing Paternal Lineage of Michael Jackson: Unraveling His Ancestral Roots"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;677174&#8243;]By: Sherman McRae<\/p>\n<h2>Discover the captivating legacy of Michael Jackson, the &#8220;King of Pop,&#8221; and his enigmatic French ancestral roots that continue to spark curiosity.<\/h2>\n<p>Michael Jackson captivated the world with his unparalleled talent, charisma, and legendary performances. The musical genius left behind a legacy of curiosity and mystery, not unlike his enigmatic paternal lineage. Join us on a journey through history as we delve into the shocking ancestral roots of the iconic entertainer, exploring the fascinating lineage that shaped the man behind the music.<\/p>\n<h2>The Jackson Family Line Started With a Man Named July<\/h2>\n<p>Part of the Jackson Family story begins in Sumpter, S.C., on the Plantation of James Joel Richburg, who was a descendant of the French Huguenot Claude Philippe de Richbourg. In his will, written in 1804, James Richbourg bequeathed an enslaved man named July to his daughter Mary Gayle. Mary married Josiah Gayle III, and records would later show them living in Amite County, Mississippi. This information indicates that July went to Mississippi with his enslavers, Mary and Josiah.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=&#8221;78943&#8243; media_lightbox=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_width_percent=&#8221;50&#8243; lbox_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; lbox_social=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;119877&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;78944&#8243; caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_lightbox=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_width_percent=&#8221;50&#8243; lbox_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; lbox_social=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;712073&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;133658&#8243;]July \u201cJack\u201d Richburg took the Gayle surname, and much of the family history surrounding him suggests Native American origins. It is believed that his mother was an enslaved woman named Rose, who also resided on the Richburg Plantation in South Carolina. July was renowned for his diverse skills, not only as a medicine man but also as a scout for the US Army.<\/p>\n<p>During the era of slavery, legal marriage was denied to enslaved individuals, making it difficult for families to establish official bonds. However, <strong>July defied these restrictions and formed a meaningful relationship with a woman named Gina. Together, they had a son named Israel, born in 1838 in Amite, Mississippi.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Israel\u2019s birth marked a significant chapter in the Jackson family&#8217;s history, symbolizing the enduring resilience and tenacity that course through their veins. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit, even amidst the oppression and hardships faced by enslaved communities.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=&#8221;78945&#8243; caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_lightbox=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_width_percent=&#8221;50&#8243; lbox_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; lbox_social=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;437296&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;189917&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2>The \u201cGayle\u201d Surname Evolved Into \u201cJackson\u201d Through Patronymics<\/h2>\n<p>Most enslaved people didn&#8217;t have an attached <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/surname-types\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">surname<\/a> at birth, and they could be sold multiple times to different owners. After emancipation, many of the formerly enslaved individuals would choose a random surname or adopt the name of their last or previous owners to live by<\/p>\n<p>According to Thomas Jackson III, he first learned in 1971 from his grandfather that they were related to the Jackson 5. He also learned that Jackson wasn&#8217;t their original surname; it was Gayle.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=&#8221;78946&#8243; caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_lightbox=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_width_percent=&#8221;50&#8243; lbox_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; lbox_social=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;639419&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;706559&#8243;]Thomas learned that July went by the nickname \u201cJack\u201d. His son, Israel, was nicknamed Nero. Simuel (Nero&#8217;s son) said people also called Nero \u201cJack&#8217;s Son.\u201d Nero eventually adopted the surname Jackson, which is still in use today.<\/p>\n<h2>Nero Jackson Was an Industrious and Enduring Entrepreneur<\/h2>\n<p>Nero was reportedly the father of upwards of 20 children with numerous women. Most of the children were born to a woman named Emmaline, who was believed to be of Choctaw origin. Joe Jackson mentions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Cure-Gravity-Musical-Pilgrimage\/dp\/0306810018\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in his book<\/a> that Nero was a medicine man and healer, a skill he learned from his parents, Jack and Gina.<\/p>\n<p>It is also noted that he was sold a few times, including to a plantation in Louisiana, due to his defiance towards his enslavers.<\/p>\n<p>Nero led a very industrious and intriguing life. <strong>After slavery ended, he managed to purchase multiple lots of land in Mississippi<\/strong>, a testament to his hard work and determination. However, Nero&#8217;s fortunes took a downturn when he fell ill and became unable to work the farm. During this challenging time, he had to rely on purchasing supplies on credit.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, according to family history, the account manager used the debt as leverage to obtain the deed to the land. There was so much more to Nero\u2019s life that Joe Jackson put in his book, but he also recommends readers view <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wikitree.com\/wiki\/Jackson-12129\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nero&#8217;s Wikitree page<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<h2>The Common Ancestor: Nero Jackson<\/h2>\n<p>Thomas Jackson III, the cousin and contributor to this blog, shares Nero Jackson as a common ancestor with the King of Pop. Thomas descends from Nero and another wife named Angeline through their son Mitchell Jackson (b. 1887-1976.)[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=&#8221;78947&#8243; media_lightbox=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_width_percent=&#8221;50&#8243; lbox_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; lbox_social=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;547448&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;205978&#8243;]Michael Jackson&#8217;s line continues through Samuel Joseph Jackson 1893-1993 and then his charismatic father, whom we all know as Joe Jackson. [\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=&#8221;78948&#8243; caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_lightbox=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_width_percent=&#8221;50&#8243; lbox_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; lbox_social=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;782541&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;316567&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2>How Did We Find Michael Jackson\u2019s Haplogroup?<\/h2>\n<p>Thomas Jackson mentioned that once he began doing genealogy, he sought to find more information to confirm the Jackson oral history that Jack Gayle had Native American origins.<\/p>\n<p>Thomas mentions that he couldn&#8217;t locate his family on any Native American rolls, but he was successful in tracing them back to Sumpter, S.C., to the Richbourgs, as evidenced by records.<\/p>\n<p>He initially tested his autosomal DNA with another testing service, and received the basal haplogroup designation of <a href=\"https:\/\/discover.familytreedna.com\/y-dna\/R-L20\/story\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">R-L20<\/a>. While researching his haplogroup, he discovered a Richburg descendant also on the same branch. After speaking with the Richbourg descendant, he began to believe that Jack Gayle could be the son of his former owner, James Joel Richbourg.<\/p>\n<h3>Thomas Jackson\u2019s Big Y-700 Results Confirm a Richbourg Origin<\/h3>\n<p>Thomas was encouraged to do a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.familytreedna.com\/products\/big-y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Big Y-700<\/a> test through FamilyTreeDNA to further refine his haplogroup and see if he would show up as a match with the other Richbourg tester. The Y-DNA results indicated that Thomas and the other Richbourg tester were a match, sharing the terminal SNP of <a href=\"https:\/\/discover.familytreedna.com\/y-dna\/R-FT121435\/tree\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">R-FT121435<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=&#8221;78949&#8243; media_lightbox=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_width_percent=&#8221;65&#8243; lbox_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; lbox_social=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;780867&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;217070&#8243;]The Big Y-700 test results confirm that July \u201cJack\u201d Gayle was the child of his enslaver, James Joel Richbourg.<\/p>\n<p>Since Michael Jackson and Thomas Jackson III both descend from Nero, this would mean that Michael and Thomas would also share the same haplotype, <strong>confirming the haplogroup designation for Michael Jackson as <a href=\"https:\/\/discover.familytreedna.com\/y-dna\/R-FT121435\/tree\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">R-FT121435<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3>Thomas Jackson\u2019s Y-DNA Results Reveal a Shocking French Origin Story<\/h3>\n<p>The genetic signature for the Jacksons would confirm that July&#8217;s patrilineal origins would be French instead of Native American. However, it is still possible that July was part Native American, but if so, it would have to be from his mother&#8217;s side, given the newfound connection to the French Huguenot Claude Philippe de Richbourg.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=&#8221;78950&#8243; media_lightbox=&#8221;yes&#8221; media_width_percent=&#8221;65&#8243; lbox_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; lbox_social=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;159841&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;194040&#8243;]The FamilyTreeDNA Discover Time tree shows Michael Jackson and the Richbourg tester with the French flag sharing a common Ancestor born before 1750. The Country Frequency Report shows that there is a large presence of this haplogroup in the French population.<\/p>\n<h2>The Newfound Origin of the Jackson Family History Confirms Their Industrious Spirit<\/h2>\n<p>The Jackson Family&#8217;s journey is a tapestry of resilience, diversity, and heritage that has captured the hearts of generations worldwide. From their origins on the Richbourg Plantation in South Carolina to their transformation into music legends, their story represents the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.<\/p>\n<p>As we explored the Jackson family&#8217;s ancestral roots, we encountered <strong>the enigmatic figure of July \u201cJack\u201d Gayle, whose patrilineal origins were traced back to French descent<\/strong>, challenging the long-standing belief of Native American heritage. This newfound understanding reflects the complexity of genealogy and how historical narratives can evolve over time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nero Jackson exemplifies the indomitable spirit of the Jacksons.<\/strong> Family history mentions stories about his industrious nature, selling medicines to people in the area, and acquiring large amounts of land. Through Nero&#8217;s journey, we witness the struggle, sacrifice, and resilience that defined the lives of many during that time.<\/p>\n<p>Thomas Jackson III&#8217;s tireless genealogical research, along with that of other Jackson descendants, and the integration of modern genetic testing brought forth <strong>a deeper understanding of the family&#8217;s lineage<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The discovery of shared genetic signatures among descendants further <strong>solidified the connection between the Jacksons and their illustrious past<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Today, as we celebrate the timeless contributions of the Jacksons to the world of music, let us also remember the historical significance of their story. It reminds us to <strong>acknowledge the diverse tapestry of humanity, embrace our shared past, and pave the way for a future of unity and understanding<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Recollection of events by Thomas Jackson III as remembered 23 July 2023<\/li>\n<li>Mississippi wills and probate records probate date 11\/17\/1828<\/li>\n<li>South Carolina Will Transcripts, 1782-1868; Author: Brimelow, Judith M.; Probate Place: Sumter, South Carolina<\/li>\n<li>WikiTree contributors, &#8220;Israel Nero Jackson Sr (1838-1934),&#8221; WikiTree: The Free Family Tree, (https:\/\/www.wikitree.com\/wiki\/Jackson-12129 : accessed 25 July 2023).<\/li>\n<li>The Discover\u2122 Time Tree for R-FT121435<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;78956&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; media_ratio=&#8221;one-one&#8221; shape=&#8221;img-circle&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;200737&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;143670&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2>About the Author<\/h2>\n<h3>Sherman McRae<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Group Projects Liaison<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sherman is an experienced genealogist specializing in African American genetic genealogy and DNA research. Currently, he works as a vital member of the FamilyTreeDNA Groups Department, where he serves as a liaison between researchers and the company. Sherman has been invited to deliver presentations at national and local events, sharing his expertise on utilizing DNA testing in genealogical research.<\/p>\n<p>Sherman&#8217;s dedication extends beyond his work in the Groups Department. He actively contributes to the Research &amp; Development Department at FamilyTreeDNA, participating in various projects, including the recently launched Discover project. This initiative aims to uncover new insights and connections through advanced Y-DNA testing.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover the origins of the Jackson industrious spirit and paternal line as Sherman McRae delves into the King of Pop\u2019s Big Y-700 connection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":78955,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1192,1208,1253],"tags":[1188,1235,1239,1260],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.2 (Yoast SEO v21.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Discover the Intriguing Paternal Lineage of Michael Jackson: Unraveling His Ancestral Roots - FamilyTreeDNA Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover more about how genealogical research and Big Y-700 testing confirmed a French haplogroup for Michael Jackson.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/discover-michael-jackson\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Discover the Intriguing Paternal Lineage of Michael Jackson: Unraveling His Ancestral Roots\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover the origins of the Jackson industrious spirit and paternal line as Sherman McRae delves into the King of Pop\u2019s Big Y-700 connection.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/discover-michael-jackson\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"FamilyTreeDNA Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FamilyTreeDNA\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-08-30T02:41:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-13T20:23:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Discover-the-Intriguing-Paternal-Lineage-of-Michael-Jackson-Unraveling-His-Ancestral-Roots.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"FamilyTreeDNA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@FamilyTreeDNA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@FamilyTreeDNA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"FamilyTreeDNA\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/discover-michael-jackson\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/discover-michael-jackson\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"FamilyTreeDNA\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/#\/schema\/person\/c04f89739a101444416709433705b3fa\"},\"headline\":\"Discover the Intriguing Paternal Lineage of Michael Jackson: Unraveling His Ancestral Roots\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-08-30T02:41:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-13T20:23:40+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/discover-michael-jackson\/\"},\"wordCount\":1786,\"commentCount\":4,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"Discover\",\"Sherman McRae\",\"African\",\"French\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Discover\u2122\",\"African\",\"French\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/discover-michael-jackson\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/discover-michael-jackson\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/discover-michael-jackson\/\",\"name\":\"Discover the Intriguing Paternal Lineage of Michael Jackson: Unraveling His Ancestral Roots - 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