Addis Family Genealogy & History

Thomas Addis Jr. (1881–1949) was a distinguished Scottish physician-scientist renowned for his groundbreaking work in nephrology and haemophilia research. A pioneer in kidney disease studies, Addis developed methods to analyze urine specimens, contributing to modern renal physiology. His career highlights include a professorship at Stanford University and his influence in the medical understanding of blood clotting and bile pigment metabolism. Despite his scientific achievements, Addis faced professional challenges due to his leftist political views, including his support for the Spanish loyalists and advocacy for national health insurance.

Born in Edinburgh, Thomas Addis Jr. was the son of Thomas Chalmers Addis, a clerk, and Cornelia Beers-Campbell. Influential figures in his early life included his grandfather, Rev Dr. Thomas Addis DD, and the Very Rev Dr. Alexander Martin. Addis married Elesa Bolton Partridge and had two daughters, Elesa and Jean, with Jean being the great-grandmother of California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Michael Addis is a renowned comedic television and film director known for his expertise in hidden camera and reality-style comedy. His debut feature, "Poor White Trash," starring Jaime Pressly and Sean Young, became an underground hit in 2000, tripling its budget. Addis gained further acclaim with his feature documentary "Heckler," which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2007. As a showrunner, he contributed to the success of "Impractical Jokers" and served as the Executive Producer of the BET series "Hell Date." His extensive work includes directing and producing shows like "The Showbiz Show with David Spade" and "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Addis is represented by Paradigm Talent Agency and is a member of the DGA.

Yda Hillis Addis, born in 1857 in Leavenworth, Kansas, was a pioneering American writer known for translating ancient Mexican oral stories into English. Her notable works, including "Roman's Romance" and "Roger's Luck," were published in prominent outlets like The Argonaut and Harper's Monthly. Addis' writings, which often featured ghost stories and early feminist themes, captivated audiences in both the United States and Mexico. Her career also included travel writing, which gained recognition posthumously. Despite her literary achievements, her life was marred by legal troubles and personal scandals, leading to her mysterious disappearance in 1902.

Yda Hillis Addis was the daughter of Alfred Shea Addis, an itinerant photographer. She spent her early years exploring the Western frontier and Mexican wilderness with her family, absorbing the diverse cultural narratives that would later influence her writing.

Mabel Addis Mergardt, born in 1912, was a pioneering American writer and educator recognized as the world's first video game writer. She designed "The Sumerian Game" in 1964, marking the creation of the strategy video game genre. Addis's collaboration with IBM and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services on this text-based game established her as a trailblazer in the field. Her teaching career spanned five decades, during which she also contributed to the historical documentation of her community through articles and books. Her innovative work earned her posthumous recognition with the Pioneer Award at the 2023 Game Developers Conference.

Mabel Addis was born Mabel Holmes to parents James Holmes and Mabel Wood. She grew up in Mount Vernon, excelling academically and graduating as valedictorian from Brewster High School in 1929.