Ginger Rogers' birthplace is on Moore Street in Independence, Missouri. It was here in the home her mother rented that the actress/dancer was born Virginia Katherine McMath on July 16, 1911. Her parents, William "Eddins" McMath and Lela Emogene, separated before she was born. Although her father attempted twice to kidnap her he was unsuccsessful both times and eventually disappeared from her life. In 1915 she moved in with her grandparents while her mother spent time in Hollywood trying to get a writing career launched. In 1920 Ginger and her newly remarried mother moved to Fort Worth, TX.