Uncovering The Story Of Martha Upshaw: A Glimpse Into A Notable Family Line

You see, Martha's life, while seemingly private in many respects, still left its mark on historical records. We can, for instance, gather pieces of her experience from various sources, painting a picture, however incomplete, of her journey. It's really quite something to consider how even seemingly small details can help us understand a person's place within a broader family story, and Martha's situation is, in some respects, a perfect example of this.

So, as we explore what we know about Martha Upshaw, we'll try to piece together the available information, drawing directly from historical accounts. This will allow us to appreciate her role within a family tree that, as a matter of fact, eventually branched out to include some very familiar names. It's a look at the foundational elements of a family's past, and it's quite an interesting topic, you know, for anyone who enjoys learning about history and personal stories.

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Table of Contents

• Biography of Martha Upshaw
  • Personal Details and Bio Data
• Family Connections and Legacy
• Exploring Her Life Through Records
• Different Martha Upshaws?
• Frequently Asked Questions about Martha Upshaw

Biography of Martha Upshaw

Martha Upshaw, a person of historical note, came into the world on a winter day, specifically December 14, 1907. Her birthplace was, quite precisely, Jernigan, which is located in Russell, Alabama, within the United States. This detail, you know, gives us a very clear starting point for her life's timeline. Her parents were a couple named Jeanette Brown and Daniel Upshaw, both of whom were, at the time of Martha's birth, around 21 years of age. It's interesting to consider how these early details set the stage for a person's entire existence, isn't it?

As Martha grew older, her life path led her to a significant partnership. She entered into marriage with a gentleman named Prince Albert Screws. This individual, it's worth noting, later came to be known by the surname Scruse. Their union was, in fact, formalized on August 2, 1938, in Lake, Indiana, a detail that provides a specific date and location for this important event. This marriage, as a matter of fact, would become a central part of her personal narrative, connecting her to future generations in ways that would, you know, eventually become quite public.

Together, Martha and Prince Albert built a family, becoming the parents of two daughters. These young ladies were named Hattie and Katie Katherine Esther Scruse. It's actually quite common for names to evolve or be known in different forms, and Katherine, for instance, was also referred to as Kattie B. This family unit, you know, formed the immediate core of Martha's world, and these daughters would, in time, carry forward the family line. Their lives, too, would intersect with broader cultural narratives, making Martha's story, in a way, a foundational piece of a much larger picture.

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Martha Upshaw lived a life that spanned several decades, a considerable length of time. She passed away, according to records, on April 25, 1990, at the age of 82. There is, however, another record that suggests her passing occurred on April 30, 1990, also at the age of 82. This slight difference in dates, you know, can sometimes happen with historical records, but the general timeframe and her age remain consistent. Her passing took place in Los Angeles, a city far from her Alabama beginnings. While not a lot of information about Martha's daily life is, you know, widely available to the public, her connections to her family members have certainly ensured her place in certain historical accounts.

Personal Details and Bio Data

Here is a summary of some key personal details regarding Martha Upshaw, based on the available information:

Family Connections and Legacy

The story of Martha Upshaw gains a very interesting dimension through her family connections, particularly through her marriage to Prince Albert Screws, who, as we know, later used the name Scruse. Prince Albert, it turns out, is quite well-known in certain circles, primarily as the father of Katherine Jackson and the grandfather of the legendary singer, Michael Jackson. This link, you know, truly places Martha within a family tree that has had a considerable impact on popular culture. It's a direct line from her to individuals whose names are recognized by millions around the globe, which is, in a way, quite remarkable.

Martha and Prince Albert's daughters, Hattie and Katie Katherine Esther Scruse, are, of course, central to this lineage. Katherine, who was born Kattie B, would go on to marry Joseph Jackson, and through that union, she became the mother of the famous Jackson family, including Michael. So, in essence, Martha Upshaw was the mother-in-law of Joseph Jackson and the grandmother of the entire Jackson 5, and later, the solo superstar, Michael Jackson. This makes her, you know, a very important ancestral figure in a family that shaped a significant portion of music history. It's a connection that, you know, adds a lot of weight to her personal story.

The role of Martha Upshaw, sometimes referred to as Martha "Mattie" Upshaw, as Prince Albert's wife, was, therefore, a foundational one for this prominent family. Her life, though perhaps lived outside the spotlight, contributed directly to the existence of individuals who would achieve worldwide fame. It's a clear illustration of how, you know, the lives of ancestors, even those whose stories are not widely told, can have far-reaching consequences and truly shape the course of history for their descendants. This connection is, you know, a very compelling aspect of her overall narrative.

The fact that Prince Albert Screws was, as a matter of fact, famously known for his paternal relationship to Katherine Jackson and his grandfatherly bond with Michael Jackson, means that Martha's marriage placed her right at the beginning of this remarkable family saga. She was, in a way, a quiet but essential part of the story that unfolded. It's also worth noting that Prince Albert's parents were Milo Garfield Smith and Delia Kyle, adding another layer to the family's deep roots. This extensive network of relatives, you know, paints a very complete picture of the family's origins and their journey through time, and Martha's place within it is, you know, quite secure.

Exploring Her Life Through Records

Even though not much is, you know, publicly known about Martha Upshaw's daily life, there are various historical records that allow us to piece together aspects of her existence. Accessing collections of these records can, in a way, help anyone explore the family history of Martha Upshaw. It's like embarking on a little discovery mission, and you can, you know, begin this journey with just a few clicks, which is rather convenient. These records are, in fact, vital tools for understanding people who lived in earlier times.

For instance, discovering the family tree of Martha Upshaw, sometimes called Mattie, is something that can be done for free, and it helps people learn about her family history and her ancestry. Genealogical communities, like WikiTree, are, you know, dedicated to growing accurate, collaborative family trees that are completely free to use. There are, for example, 15 Upshaw genealogists and amateur family historians contributing to this effort, which shows a collective interest in preserving these family stories. It's a really good way, you know, to connect with the past and see how families evolved.

Obituaries and online memorials also play a very important role in preserving the memory of individuals like Martha Upshaw. An obituary, for instance, provides a formal announcement of a person's passing and often includes details about their life and family. Online memorials, like the one mentioned for Martha Upshaw (2025), allow people to share their favorite memories of Martha and celebrate her life with the Upshaw family. This is, you know, a very human way to remember someone and to connect with others who also knew them. It's a lasting tribute, in some respects, to a life lived.

Beyond these, public records, such as those found through services like Whitepages, can, you know, sometimes provide current phone numbers, home addresses, email details, age, and information about relatives. Whitepages, for example, found 16 people named Martha Upshaw in the U.S. with detailed contact information, which shows how many individuals can share a name. While these might not always be the specific Martha Upshaw we are discussing, they highlight the availability of such data for genealogical purposes. It's quite amazing, you know, what information can be found if you know where to look, and it's definitely a helpful resource for family researchers. You can learn more about genealogy on our site, and link to this page here for more historical insights.

For those interested in the deeper historical and genetic connections, comparing DNA and exploring genealogy for individuals like Martha Upshaw born, for instance, around 1784 in Buckingham County, Virginia, can provide insights into ancestors and descendants, including DNA connections. This kind of research, you know, truly builds a comprehensive picture of a family's journey over centuries. It's a testament, in a way, to the enduring nature of family ties and the meticulous work of those who seek to uncover them. It's a very thorough approach, you know, to understanding one's roots. You might find more details on a reputable genealogy site.

Different Martha Upshaws?

As we explore the records related to Martha Upshaw, it becomes apparent that "Martha Upshaw" is, you know, a name shared by several individuals across different times and places. This is a very common occurrence in genealogical research, where a single name can refer to multiple people. For example, the information mentions a Martha Lee West Upshaw, who was 90 years old and from Junction City, Kansas, and she passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at Valley View Senior Life Center. A graveside service was, you know, held for her, indicating a distinct individual from the Martha Upshaw connected to the Jackson family. It's quite important, you know, to distinguish between these different people.

Then there's also a Martha Jo Upshaw, who was 77 years of age and from Riverchase, Alabama. She passed away on Tuesday, October 5, 2004. She was, in fact, born in Birmingham in 1927 and lived in that area. This Martha Jo, it appears, was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Ed Walker Stinson, Jr., and her parents, Elton and Irene Spencer Upshaw, as well as her stepmother, Minnie Maxwell Upshaw. This, you know, clearly points to another distinct Martha Upshaw, with her own unique family history and timeline. It's a good reminder that names can, you know, be shared across generations and different branches of families.

Furthermore, the records mention a Martha Upshaw born, you know, around 1784 in Buckingham County, Virginia, whose ancestry and descendants can be explored through DNA comparisons. This individual lived in a much earlier period, highlighting the long history of the Upshaw surname. So, you know, when someone searches for "Martha Upshaw," they might encounter information about any of these different people, which can be a bit confusing if you're not careful. It's actually quite common for family names to persist over centuries, and it's interesting to see how these names reappear.

Because of this, it's very helpful to use search tools that allow you to specify which Martha you are, you know, looking for. You can often refine your search by adding details like a surname, a specific location, the name of a funeral home, or even a publication. This helps to narrow down the results and ensure you're focusing on the correct person. For instance, finding "Martha (Mattie) Ann Upshaw" in 93 records suggests that even within a single search, there can be multiple entries. So, it's really quite important, you know, to be precise when looking for historical figures, especially when names are shared.

Frequently Asked Questions about Martha Upshaw

People often have questions about Martha Upshaw, especially given her connections to a very well-known family. Here are some common inquiries:

Who was Martha Upshaw?

Martha Upshaw was, you know, a woman born on December 14, 1907, in Jernigan, Russell, Alabama. She was the daughter of Jeanette Brown and Daniel Upshaw. She married Prince Albert Screws, who later went by the name Scruse. Together, they had two daughters, Hattie and Katie Katherine Esther Scruse. Martha passed away on April 25, 1990, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 82. She is, as a matter of fact, a key figure in the ancestry of a famous musical family.

What was Martha Upshaw's connection to Michael Jackson?

Martha Upshaw's connection to Michael Jackson is, in fact, through her daughter, Katherine Esther Scruse, who became Katherine Jackson. Prince Albert Screws, Martha's husband, was famously known as Katherine Jackson's father and Michael Jackson's grandfather. Therefore, Martha Upshaw was, you know, the mother of Katherine Jackson and the grandmother of Michael Jackson, making her a direct ancestor of the legendary singer. It's a very clear family link, you know, that ties her to a significant cultural legacy.

When and where was Martha Upshaw born and when did she pass away?

Martha Upshaw was born on December 14, 1907, in Jernigan, Russell, Alabama, in the United States. She lived for 82 years, passing away on April 25, 1990. Her passing occurred in Los Angeles, California. There is, you know, a slight variation in some records, with April 30, 1990, also being mentioned as her passing date, but her age at that time remains consistent. So, these dates and locations, you know, mark the beginning and end of her life's journey.