Ed Sheeran is one of the most popular singers in the world, known for his catchy songs and Irish roots. Frank Sheeran was an American hitman who confessed to killing Jimmy Hoffa, the leader of the Teamsters union. Both of them share a common surname and heritage, but are they related? This article will explore the possible link between Ed and Frank Sheeran, based on available sources and evidence.
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The Claim: Ed Sheeran is Frank Sheeran’s Distant Uncle
The claim that Ed Sheeran is related to Frank Sheeran was made by Stephen Graham, who co-starred in The Irishman, a 2019 film directed by Martin Scorsese that depicts Frank Sheeran’s life and involvement with the mafia. Graham played Anthony “Tony Pro” Provenzano, a mobster and rival of Jimmy Hoffa.
In an interview with The Sun, Graham said that Ed Sheeran told him that Frank Sheeran was his distant uncle. He said:
“They’re related, you know. Honest to God — I swear on my nana’s life. That’s what Ed said, he says it’s his distant uncle.”
Ed Sheeran himself has not confirmed or denied this claim publicly, so it is unclear whether he was joking or serious when he allegedly told Graham about his family connection.
The Evidence: Genealogical Records and Irish Heritage
The only way to verify the claim that Ed and Frank Sheeran are related is to trace their genealogical records and find a common ancestor. However, this is not an easy task, as there are many gaps and uncertainties in the available sources.
According to Daily Mail, genealogists have searched birth, marriage and death records in Britain and America dating back to 1845, but found no direct link between the two men. They also reported that Frank Sheeran was not Ed’s uncle, but possibly his fourth cousin.
Frank Sheeran was born in 1920 in Pennsylvania, to an Irish father and a Swedish mother. His father, Thomas Francis Sheeran Jr., was born in Philadelphia in 1895, and his grandfather, Thomas Francis Sheeran Sr., was also born in Philadelphia in 1868. His great-grandfather, Thomas Sheeran, was born in Ireland around 1845, and immigrated to America with his wife Bridget around 1865.
Ed Sheeran was born in 1991 in Halifax, England, but he has Irish roots from both his parents. His paternal grandparents, William Sheeran and Anne “Nancy” Mulligan, were both born in Ireland and moved to London after World War II. His father, John Sheeran, was born in London in 1955. His maternal grandparents, Imogen Lock and Edward “Teddy” Lynch, were also of Irish descent.
The only possible link between Ed and Frank Sheeran is through their great-great-grandfathers, who were both named Thomas Sheeran and were both born in Ireland around the same time. However, there is no conclusive evidence that they were brothers or cousins, or that they came from the same county or town in Ireland.
Therefore, the claim that Ed and Frank Sheeran are related is based on speculation and coincidence, rather than solid proof.
The Conclusion: No Definitive Answer
The question of whether Ed Sheeran is related to Frank Sheeran remains unanswered, as there is no definitive answer based on the available sources and evidence. The claim that they are distant relatives was made by a co-star of The Irishman, who said that Ed told him so, but Ed has not confirmed or denied it himself.
The only thing that Ed and Frank Sheeran have in common is their surname and their Irish heritage, which are not uncommon among people of Irish descent. They also have very different lives and careers: Ed is a successful musician who sings about love and life, while Frank was a notorious hitman who confessed to killing one of the most influential labor leaders in American history.
Therefore, until more information emerges or Ed speaks out about his family history, the truth behind the Irish connection between Ed and Frank Sheeran remains a mystery.
