How we research
Every profile starts with what the person has said about their own family: interviews, podcasts, memoirs, documentaries and their own social media posts. We then add records and reporting that we can trace to a source.
| Source | Examples |
|---|---|
| In their own words | interviews, podcasts, speeches, posts by the celebrity or a parent who is a public figure |
| Records | birth and census records, obituaries, official biographies of the person or their family |
| Reliable reporting | newspapers, magazines and broadcasters that name their own sources |
When sources disagree, the text says so and explains which one we follow. Rumors appear only where a source clears them up.
What we leave out
We describe heritage only through documented facts about a family. Parents and other living relatives appear by name when the name is documented in official records, in reliable reporting or in the celebrity’s own words. Their addresses, birth dates and other private details stay out. Where a detail is not documented, the profile leaves it open.
The map and the family tree
The map colors each country by the side of the family it comes from: the father’s side, the mother’s side or both. A ring marks the birthplace. Below it, the family tree shows the parents and grandparents with what is known about their origins. Some groups, such as Ashkenazi Jews, have roots in many countries, so they appear in the list and the family tree without a single country on the map.
Who we cover
Public figures aged 18 and over: actors, musicians, athletes, creators, TV personalities and models. We add new profiles every week.
Corrections and requests
Do you know a source we missed, or should we add someone? Write to us through the contact form. If you are featured on EthnoCeleb or represent someone who is, you are welcome to contact us as well. We read every message and update profiles when the evidence changes.