[[Magennis|McGinnis]] was born in [[Meadville, Pennsylvania]] on 14 June 1987 to Romayne and Tom McGinnis.Although he was born in Meadville heand grew up in [[Knox, Pennsylvania|Knox]], 90 miles north of [[Pittsburgh]], after his family moved there when he was three. When he was in [[kindergarten]], his teacher gave him a paper that at the top said "When I grow up, I want to be __________" and he wrote "an Army Man". When he was growing up he became involved in the [[Boy Scouts of America]], enjoyed working on cars, and was an athlete playing multiple sports.<ref name="arlingtonram">{{Cite web|url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/ramcginnis.htm|title=Ross Andrew McGinnis |publisher=Arlington National Cemetery|accessdate=30 March 2010}}</ref> He played [[basketball]] and [[soccer]] through the [[YMCA]], and Little League [[baseball]].<ref name="arlingtonram"/> He attended Clarion County public schools and graduated from [[Keystone Junior/Senior High School]] in 2005.<ref name="WQED">{{Cite web|accessdate=2 February 2010|url=http://www.wqed.org/tv/onq/specials/ross_mcginnis.php|title=Fallen Hero: The Ross McGinnis Story|work=Video honoring Ross and his sacrifice and bravery|publisher=WQED TV|date=}}</ref> He had two sisters, Becky and Katie.<ref name="pressrelease">{{Cite web|accessdate=
|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080602-1.html |title=President Bush Presents Medal of Honor to Private First Class Ross Andrew McGinnis |publisher=Office of the Press Secretary, The White House |author=Bush, George W. |authorlink=George W. Bush |date=2 June 2008 |location=East Room}}</ref>
