Downs Family Genealogy & History

Elizabeth Diane Downs, born August 7, 1955, is infamous for her criminal actions in Springfield, Oregon, where she murdered her daughter and attempted to murder her other two children in 1983. Despite claiming a carjacking incident, she was convicted in 1984 and sentenced to life in prison. Downs, who briefly escaped in 1987, has been diagnosed with multiple personality disorders, including narcissistic and antisocial, impacting her parole prospects. Her case attracted media attention due to the shocking nature of the crimes and her demeanor during the investigation.

Diane Downs was born in Phoenix, Arizona, to parents Wesley Linden Frederickson and Willadene Frederickson, who had Danish and English-American roots. Raised in a strict conservative household, she frequently clashed with her parents, particularly criticizing her father's disciplinary methods. This challenging family dynamic influenced her early life choices, including her marriage to Steve Downs as a means of escaping her family environment.

Lila Downs, born Ana Lila Downs Sánchez on September 9, 1968, is a celebrated Mexican singer-songwriter known for her eclectic musical style, blending Mexican traditional and popular music with indigenous influences. Her career highlights include the critical and commercial success of her debut studio album "La sandunga" in 1999 and her international breakthrough with the 2001 album "Border." Downs has won a Grammy Award and three Latin Grammy Awards, testament to her impact on the world music scene. Apart from music, she is recognized for her activism, particularly in preserving indigenous languages and cultural heritage.

Downs was born in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico, to Anita Sánchez, a Mixtec cabaret singer, and Allen Downs, a Scottish-American professor and cinematographer. Her rich cultural heritage, combining Mixtec and Scottish-American roots, significantly informs her music and activism. Downs' early life was marked by a transnational upbringing, moving to the United States with her parents and later returning to Oaxaca, which deeply influenced her artistic and personal journey.

Jeter Deion Downs is a Colombian professional baseball infielder known for his dynamic career across Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played for teams like the Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, and is currently with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. Downs, a right-handed batter and thrower, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds as the 32nd overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. His career highlights include being part of trades for notable players like Mookie Betts, hitting his first MLB home run at Yankee Stadium, and delivering a walk-off single for the Nationals against the Oakland A's.

Jeter Downs was born on July 27, 1998, in San Andrés, Colombia. His father, Jerry Sr., was a professional baseball player in Colombia, which influenced Downs' passion for the sport. Named after the legendary Derek Jeter, Downs and his family moved to Miami, Florida, to enhance his and his brother Jerry Jr.'s baseball opportunities. This move laid the foundation for his promising career in professional baseball.

Hugh Downs was a prominent American broadcaster, announcer, and television host known for his extensive career spanning from the mid-1940s to the late 1990s. He held the Guinness World Record for the most hours on commercial network television, before Regis Philbin surpassed him. Downs' notable roles included serving as the host of NBC's "Today" show (1962-1971), the game show "Concentration" (1958-1969), and ABC's news magazine "20/20" (1978-1999). Additionally, he was an announcer for "Tonight Starring Jack Paar" and co-hosted the PBS show "Over Easy." His career highlights and achievements make him a significant figure in the history of American television.

Hugh Downs was born on February 14, 1921, in Akron, Ohio, to Edith (née Hicks) and Milton Howard Downs, who was involved in business. His educational journey took him through Lima Shawnee High School, Bluffton College, and Wayne State University. His early life in Ohio and eventual move to Chicago and New York City were foundational to his illustrious career in broadcasting.