Counting All the Members of the Duggars' Growing Family

As I delve deeper into the lives of these extraordinary individuals, I find myself in awe of the Duggar family and their 19 children. Reading about each one of them brings a sense of wonder and admiration for their unique journeys and personalities.

The changes in Jana Duggar’s life keep counting on.

Apart from resuming her YouTube activities following a break of almost four years, buying a small home with a swimming pool, the well-known celebrity, aged 34, also took on an additional achievement – she got married.

Over the moon with excitement, I was honored to witness my dear friend Stephen Wissmann’s wedding at The Grand at Willow Springs in Prairie Grove, Arkansas on August 15. As confirmed by People, this joyous occasion was a celebration not just for the couple, but also for our tight-knit family.

It transpires that Jana and Stephen, who is 31 years old, have known each other for a long time. Stephen belongs to a large family of 13 siblings, and they used to travel and perform together. Jana mentioned this to the publication, recalling how their family visited her home around 13 years ago. Due to an unusual snowstorm in Arkansas, they were stranded, and Jana remembers them staying late into the night playing games, doing puzzles, until the snow melted. Since Stephen is younger than her, he was not particularly noticeable at that time.

Initially, he had disappeared from her radar, but later reports suggested they briefly dated, broke up, yet remained in contact. In 2022, Jeremiah Duggar, Jana’s brother, wed Hannah Wissmann, Stephen’s sister. With love blossoming around them, Jana and Stephen decided to rekindle their relationship earlier this year.

According to the report, it’s said that Jana and Stephen became engaged on June 15th. Fans suspected that she had quietly agreed to a proposal, as they noticed her wearing a diamond ring on her ring finger in a picture she posted on Instagram in July.

“As a die-hard fan, it’s hard to miss the sparkle when it comes to Jana. Ever since her siblings started tying the knot 16 years back, everyone’s been keeping a close eye on her relationship status. In an interview with Us Weekly back in 2020, she herself acknowledged the pressure, saying, ‘Sometimes I feel a bit more pressure, but I’m not too concerned.’ She went on to express that she yearns for marriage, yet cherishes these single years as well, making the most of every opportunity that comes her way. She added, ‘If I focus too much on not being married and worry about it, things only get worse. So, I just keep myself busy with new adventures until that next chapter in life unfolds.’ In essence, she’s taking each day as it comes and making the most of her single years.”

Jana is the oldest child born to Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. Her brothers and sisters are Josh Duggar, John David Duggar, Jill Dillard, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph Duggar, Josiah Duggar, Joy-Anna, Jeremiah, Jed Duggar, Jason Duggar, James Duggar, Justin Duggar, Jackson Duggar, Johannah, Jennifer Duggar, Jordyn-Grace, and Josie Duggar. For more information about the family members, keep scrolling.

19 children’s parents, along with the grandparents of more than three dozen youngsters, initially fell in love during their high school years.

Michelle reminisced about being “rescued” at the age of 15. One evening, Jim Bob was conducting house visits for his Baptist church when a friend informed him about a cheerleader from school who had recently been rescued. This led him to knock on the Ruark family’s door.

They extended an invitation to Michelle to attend Sunday school at their church, and Jim Bob mentioned he had prayed to God for them to guide each other spiritually – although it seemed their initial encounter didn’t stand out much for Michelle. A year passed, and she applied for a position at the frozen yogurt store owned by Jim Bob’s parents. In a letter posted on their family blog in 2017 for Jim Bob’s birthday and their 33rd wedding anniversary, Michelle recounted her first encounter with him, “You were standing behind the counter when I approached, and you introduced yourself. You were timid but very kind! To be honest, I don’t recall many details from that conversation, except that you eventually found the strength to ask me if I would accompany you to your junior-senior banquet!”

At Shiloh Christian, they both went to a dinner together, but it wasn’t until they spent hours discussing the Bible at her parents’ house afterward that she felt their bond deepen. As Michelle puts it, “It was then our hearts were connected.” They graduated high school in May of 1984 and got married in July, with Michelle being 17 years old and Jim Bob just turning 19.

The couple dedicated themselves to God and each other for the long run.

Jim Bob previously held a position as a state legislator, representing the sixth district in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002. During his tenure, he served as vice chair of the House Corrections and Criminal Law Subcommittee. In 2002, he attempted to secure a seat in the U.S. Senate, but this effort was unsuccessful in the primary round. Similarly, his attempt in 2006 to become the Republican nominee for Arkansas State Senate District 35 did not result in victory.

The duo, both real estate agents with licenses, have been engaged in conservative movements; this aspect of their life made them both strong advocates and critics. Their stance was notably reflected in the reality TV show “19 Kids and Counting,” which debuted in 2008 as “17 Kids and Counting.” While they garnered support from some, they also faced criticism. A robocall recorded by Michelle in 2014 urging people to vote against an anti-discrimination ordinance in Fayetteville sparked controversy, particularly when she warned of the supposed risks associated with allowing transgender individuals to use restrooms that align with their gender identity. This call led to a petition on Change.org requesting TLC cancel their show.

The city council approved the ordinance.

The eldest member of the Duggar family, Josh, entered the world on March 3, 1988. Similar to his actions, he also pursued activism from a conservative perspective, advocating for the Family Research Council.

In 2015, records from his past as a police officer emerged, showing that he had been accused of inappropriately touching several girls, including his sisters Jessa and Jill, while he was a teenager. In an interview with Fox News later that June, Jessa defended her brother, stating that the most severe accusations being made against Josh were “exaggerated and false, honestly. Many people get upset when I say this, but as one of the victims, I can say it because it’s the truth.”

Despite his confession of infidelity, his spouse remained steadfast by his side. When he entered a rehabilitation facility in 2016, his parents viewed it as a vital initial step towards recovery and healing. They are a family of five – their daughter Mackynzie (born October 8, 2009), sons Michael (June 15, 2011) and Marcus (June 2, 2013) – when the scandal emerged, Anna gave birth to their fourth child, Meredith, on July 16, 2015, coincidentally on the same day TLC terminated 19 Kids. Their fifth child, son Mason Garett, was born on September 12, 2017, followed by daughter Maryella Hope on November 27, 2019, and their seventh child, Madyson Lily, arrived on October 23, 2021.

Back in April 2021, Josh faced charges for two separate crimes related to child pornography – receiving and possessing it. He denied these allegations on both charges. The following year, he was convicted on both counts, leading to a sentence of 12 and a half years behind bars.

Immediately following Josh’s birth, I myself became pregnant once more, only to experience a heartbreaking miscarriage. During this difficult time, my heartache was shared with Jim Bob as we sought comfort in our faith and prayers. However, fate had another twist in store for us, as we were soon blessed with the knowledge that twins were on their way.

“She expressed that it was a special gift twice over,” she shared with Love to Know. “God was giving us a sign of support during this learning process. It’s quite uncommon, as I’m breastfeeding one child while expecting another just eight months later. It seems the Lord has chosen an extraordinary path for our circumstances.”

John-David and his sister Jana were born on Jan. 12, 1990.

Following a lengthy acquaintance over several years, even though they hadn’t met before at a church gathering in Oklahoma where Abbie resides, John-David and Abbie eventually tied the knot on November 3, 2018. Their first child, Grace Annette Duggar, was born on January 7, 2020, followed by their son, Charlie Duggar, who arrived in September 2022.

On his 30th birthday in January 2020, John-David’s twin wrote to him in a heartfelt message, “Ever since we were young children, people have asked us if we have that ‘twin connection’. You know, the sensation of feeling what the other one is experiencing or knowing what the other one is thinking…Well, John, I used to deny it, but now I can truthfully admit that when our sister Gracie was born, I felt every ounce of joy you did, so perhaps this ‘twin thing’ does exist!”

Jana went on to say, “It’s truly heartwarming to see you and Abbie in your parental roles! You two seem so natural at it! The very traits that make you an outstanding sibling will undoubtedly make you a fantastic father as well.”

Meanwhile, Jana waited as 11 out of her 18 siblings tied the knot before she found love with Stephen Wissmann – who is married to Hannah Wissmann, a sister of Jeremiah, a former TLC star’s brother. She considers this sequence of events as an integral part of God’s design for her life.

Jana shared with People magazine in August 2024, just prior to her wedding, that she hadn’t always grasped the overall plan, but she trusts that God knows what’s best for everyone. For her personally, she decided to get married later on. She expressed that our lives are unique, and if they were all identical, life would be dull and uninteresting.

Born on May 17, 1991, Jill shares a romantic tale similar to her parents’. On Christmas 2011, she encountered Derick, who lived approximately 45 minutes away, when he dropped by the Duggar residence during caroling with his church group.

Jim Bob acted as a cupid, and Jill and Derick found a connection, developing their bond through emails and Skype conversations. Later on, in November, Jim Bob and his daughter visited Derick in Nepal, and their relationship deepened further. By February 2014, Derick proposed to Jill, and they exchanged vows on June 21, 2014. Together, they have welcomed three sons into their family: Israel (born April 6, 2015), Samuel (born July 8, 2017), and Frederick (born July 7, 2022).

In April 2024, Jill revealed that they had experienced a miscarriage, being pregnant with their first daughter together, Derick and herself.

The duo featured prominently on both “19 Kids and Counting” and its successor, “Counting On.” However, Derick was dismissed from the show in 2017 following controversial comments he made about a fellow TLC reality star, Jazzy Jennings, which some considered to be homophobic.

In the Amazon Prime Video documentary titled “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets“, which debuted in June 2023, Jill and Derick pondered over the contentious issues and spiritual viewpoints related to Jill’s family, as portrayed in the series.

Jim Bob and Michelle’s fifth child was born Nov. 4, 1992.

Jessa encountered Ben at church in 2013, and he started pursuing her in a traditional manner – a concept of courtship that was quite novel for many viewers. They hadn’t discussed their past relationships publicly, so Jim Bob clarified to People, “Courtship involves getting to know each other in a group setting, with both families spending time together and the couple establishing shared goals to decide if they are suitable for marriage. Dating usually involves couples spending time alone, which can sometimes lead to a more intimate relationship.”

In August 2014, Ben asked for Jessa’s hand in marriage, and they became engaged. They sealed their commitment by holding hands for the first time. They got married on November 1, 2014. At that time, Jessa was already pregnant with their first child. The cancellation of “19 Kids and Counting” occurred while she was expecting, and TLC aired a special program about sexual abuse, featuring Jill and Jessa, to enlighten viewers on the matter. That winter, Jessa and Jill became the main stars of their own show titled “Jill and Jessa: Counting On.” This show later expanded to include other Duggar siblings, becoming known as “Counting On.”

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share the beautiful journey of my dear friends Jessa and Ben. They expanded their loving family over the years, welcoming son Spurgeon on November 5, 2015, followed by son Henry on February 6, 2017. In May 2019, they welcomed their first daughter, Ivy Jane, and in July 2021, daughter Fern joined the family.

The sixth Duggar child was born Dec. 21, 1993.

Jinger and Jeremy first crossed paths while working on ministry projects in Laredo, Texas, and began dating in 2016. They tied the knot on November 5th, 2016, which happened to be Spurgeon’s birthday (one of 19 in their family), sparking pregnancy speculations shortly after their wedding.

In a year, we expect to remain right here in Laredo, continuing our ministry, while striving to serve the Lord in whatever capacity we can. This was shared by Jinger during a June 2017 episode of Counting On.

On July 19, 2018, their daughter named Felicity entered the world. It was in May of the same year that they shared the news that Jinger was expecting another child—tragically, she had experienced a miscarriage the previous autumn. In November 2020, Evangeline Jo joined their family as their newest addition.

On January 20, 1995, individual number 7 entered the world. Leveraging the romantic ambiance, Joseph decided to pop the question to Kendra, whom he had met through church, during his sister Joy-Anna’s wedding in May 2017, after only a few short months of dating.

Joseph shared with People that he was certainly anxious leading up to it, yet he wasn’t fearful of a refusal because she had expressed, “I’m merely waiting for you!” After proposing, Kendra exclaimed, “I’m overjoyed and utterly surprised. I have so many words to express, but all I can say is shocked.”

Since then, they have added four children to their family: Garrett, born in June 2018, Addison, born in November 2019, Brooklyn, also born in 2019 (specific date not provided), and Justus, who joined the family in May 2023.

Eighth in line, Josiah was born on Aug. 28, 1996.

A few months into their public relationship, they made their engagement official in March 2018. As he shared in a statement, the location where he popped the question to Lauren was the very same spot where her parents got engaged. This property holds significant family history, making it a particularly meaningful place for Lauren.

As an overjoyed admirer, let me recount a heartwarming moment: Michelle, the future mother-in-law, expressed her affection in a family blog video, stating, “We adore Lauren, she is simply priceless.” Jessa and Ben joined in the celebration, even gifting a delightful treat shaped like X’s and O’s. In a playful manner, Michelle hinted, “I believe you two might be saving your first kiss for your wedding day, but if you drop by, we’ve got a sweet surprise waiting…” She gestured to the tempting reward held high.

In the summer of 2015, a past relationship with Marjorie Jackson ended amicably. Speaking to People in March 2016, Josiah reminisced about their time together, stating, “We were simply trying to listen to God’s guidance on everything. At that point in time, she didn’t believe it was the appropriate moment, so we took a brief break.”

On June 30, 2018, they officially got married, sharing with People that their wedding day was simply perfect. Their first child, Bella Milagro, was born on Nov. 8, 2019, a name meaning “miracle baby,” as the couple had previously experienced a miscarriage in October 2018. They then welcomed daughter Daisy in 2022 and their son, Ezra, in May 2023.

The ninth Duggar sibling was born Oct. 28, 1997.

For fifteen years prior, I had the privilege of calling Austin my friend. After this long-standing friendship blossomed into a courtship, we didn’t let any moment pass unappreciated. He asked for my hand in marriage in February 2017, and our wedding took place at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas on May 26, 2017 – the same church where Joseph proposed to Kendra! Our son, Gideon Martin Forsyth, was born on Feb. 23, 2018.

In 2019, Joy-Anna suffered a pregnancy loss with a baby girl at 20 weeks along.

On Aug. 21, 2020, the couple welcomed daughter Evelyn Mae Forsyth.

The couple’s third child, son Gunner James Forsyth, was born on May 17, 2023.

Jim Bob and Michelle’s second set of twins were born on Dec. 30, 1998.

In February 2017, it was announced that Jed had been interning at his father’s previous workplace, the Arkansas State Capitol, working for the House of Representatives. At just 21 years old, he is now running as a candidate for State Representative in District 89, with a focus on upholding Springdale’s conservative values. Jed wed Katey Nakatsu after a year of courtship in April 2021. Their family includes son Truett, born in May 2022, and daughter Nora Kate, who was born in June 2023.

Jeremiah, a qualified flight instructor, is wed to Hannah Wissmann, and together they have two children: Brynley, born in December 2022, and Brielle, who came into the world in February 2024.

Duggar child No. 12 was born on April 21, 2000.

In January 2017, it was reported by the Daily Mail that Jim Bob assisted Jase in purchasing a $33,000 fixer-upper property in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, which is approximately half an hour from the Duggar family’s homestead. Subsequently, he established his own construction company. Nevertheless, he found time to aid Jed with his campaign as well.

He went Instagram official with girlfriend Maddie Grace Jones in July 2024.

Charmed No. 13, James arrived on July 7, 2001.

On his 19th birthday in the year 2019, his mom penned down, “He is our ‘entertaining uncle’ and all the young lads in the neighborhood admire him and aspire to emulate him! James possesses the remarkable ability to accomplish almost anything he conceives. As a child, we frequently discovered James tinkering with various household appliances. He has always been one who enjoys dismantling things, understanding their mechanisms, and reassembling them – occasionally with unique enhancements!”

I have personally witnessed James’ dedication this year as he tirelessly worked towards earning his CDL. It’s truly remarkable to see him master the art of driving big trucks and operating heavy machinery with such expertise. As someone who has known him for a while, I can confidently say that he has an exceptional work ethic and a knack for learning complex skills quickly.

No. 14 arrived on Nov. 15, 2002.

And from the department of growing up so fast…

In September 2020, Justin made their relationship with Claire known to the public. They became engaged in November of the same year, and on February 26, 2021, they officially got married.

Here with his big sister Jill, Jim Bob and Michelle’s 15th child was born May 23, 2004.

On his 16th birthday, Michelle, Jackson’s mother, complimented his wit and mentioned that she was certain he couldn’t contain his excitement to obtain his driving license.

Duggar baby No. 16 was born Oct. 11, 2005.

Michelle expressed on Johannah’s 15th birthday in 2020 that the girl is full of fun and sociable, always eager to meet new friends. She added that Johannah’s younger sisters hold her in high regard, even viewing her as a celestial body, and Michelle feels incredibly blessed to be her mother!

On August 2, 2007, No. 17 made its appearance. At that time, when the show was simply titled “17 Kids and Counting,” Jenni was the youngest member of the family.

Now, OMG, she’s a teenager.

Michelle expressed, “Jennifer is reliable, devoted, and entertaining!” when her granddaughter turned thirteen. “She’s cherished by the cousins and often found with one of them clinging to her since they refuse to let her put them down! Jennifer also harbors a deep affection for animals and diligently takes care of her pets daily! Notably, she recently assisted in rearing a brood of seven baby bunnies!”

Here on the right, the penultimate Duggar child was born Dec. 18, 2008.

In 2019, her mother described Jordyn-Grace as an outgoing girl who finds it easy to make friends anywhere, adding a hearty laugh that consistently brings joy to our days.

19 Luck, affectionately known as Lucky No. 19, was born on December 10, 2009, three months before his due date and weighing just a little over 1 pound (1 lb 6 oz). Josie, as Meredith is fondly referred to, initially spent six months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. However, today she’s thriving and doing wonderfully well!

2024-08-17 13:20

Counting All the Members of the Duggars’ Growing Family

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