 Louis Shotridge was born at Klukwan, Alaska, near present-day Haines, in 1883, to George Shotridge (birth name "Yeilgooxu", also spelled as "Yeil gooxhu") and "Kudeit.sáakw".In the Tlingit matrilineal system, Louis followed his mother as a member of the Kaagwaantaan clan in the Eagle moiety and as a member of the "Gaaw Hit" (Drum House) offshoot called "Ligooshi Hit" (Finned House).Louis was named after a (Presbyterian) missionary in Haines, Louis Paul.