The Families of Stranger Things
A short post of established family members for all your fic needs, including info taken from the books and the play. This is done for fun and interest only, but the information is accurate.
“My mom was young. My dad was older, but he had a cushy job, money, came from a good family. So they bought a nice house at the end of the cul de sac, and started their nuclear family.” (Nancy Wheeler, s1)
Nancy and Mike have a younger sister, Holly, who is 13ish years younger than Nancy and 9ish years younger than Mike. Their parents are Ted and Karen Wheeler, with the play revealing Karen’s maiden name to be Childress.
They have a cousin, Joanna, though it’s unclear whether it’s paternal or maternal. They also have a grandmother referred to as ‘Nana’ in s3. The book One Way or Another reveals that they have a grandmother referred to as 'Nana Dot' and a grandfather named Jack Childress, referred as 'Grandpa Childress'.
Holly refers to an 'Uncle Eric', but it isn't clear whether he is a paternal or maternal uncle.
(The blonde wig Mike puts El in in s1 is said to have belonged to their grandmother who died of cancer, but this was stated in an interview with the show’s hairstylist so it’s debatable whether it’s ‘canon’ or not.)
Jonathan and Will are the only children of Lonnie and Joyce Byers. Lonnie is shown to have a younger girlfriend named Cynthia in s1.
Joyce’s maiden name was revealed to be Maldonado by the play. She also had an aunt named Darlene who was thought to be crazy, but it hasn’t been specified what side of the family she was.
El is the daughter of Teresa ‘Terry’ Ives. Terry has a sister, Becky. Terry and Becky also have an aunt named Shirley.
The book Suspicious Minds reveals that Becky is the older sister and that their father was named Bill Ives. Both of Terry and Becky’s parents died in a car accident.
The book also reveals that El’s biological father was a man named Andrew Rich, who died in the Vietnam war due to Brenner’s meddling. Andrew’s parents were both alive at the time of his death, but neither were named.
Lucas and Erica’s parents are Sue and Charles Sinclair. Sue’s maiden name was revealed to Anderson by the play.
Either Sue or Charles has a brother named Jack, as Erica refers to an ‘Uncle Jack’. Lucas on the Line reveals that Jack is the brother of Charles.
Dustin is the only child of Claudia Henderson. The play reveals that his father is a man named Walter Henderson and that Claudia’s maiden name is Yount.
Max Mayfield is the daughter of Susan Hargrove. Runaway Max reveals that her father’s name is Sam Mayfield. She also has an uncle Jack (revealed by her writing him a letter in s4) but it’s unclear what side of the family he’s from.
Briefly, Max’s stepfather was Neil Hargrove, and her stepbrother was Billy Hargrove. After Billy’s death, Neil divorced Susan. Susan’s maiden name has not been revealed.
Canonically, Steve refers to his father as an asshole and claims that his mother is ‘super well-respected’. His father is called Daniel Harrington, as revealed by the credits in s5. His mother remains unnamed.
Steve’s paternal grandfather is named Otis Harrington, revealed via the essay Steve wrote in s2. Steve's father also has a brother who is a lawyer, revealed by Robin in s5.
It is unknown whether Steve is an only child or has siblings.
Even less is known about Robin’s family in the show. Robin notes that her mother reminds her of her flaws on a daily basis.
Rebel Robin reveals that Robin’s parents are named Melissa and Richard Buckley. It also states that she has a grandmother named Minerva, though it doesn’t state which side of the family.
In s5, Robin mentions that she has an uncle, though it's unclear whether he's her paternal or maternal uncle.
The book states Robin to be an only child.
Eddie was taken in by his paternal uncle, Wayne. His father was incarcerated and had previously taught him how to hotwire cars.
Flight of Icarus reveals that Eddie’s father is called Al Munson, further backed up by the play revealing him to be called Alan Munson. Eddie’s mother was named Elizabeth and she died of an illness when Eddie was just six years old.
James “Jim” Hopper was previously married to a woman named Diane. They had a daughter together named Sara, who died of cancer when she was still a child.
Hopper’s father was also named James Hopper. He also has a deceased grandfather who is unnamed.
(Hopper’s ex-wife, Diane, remarried a guy named Bill and had another child whose name is unknown.)
