Blake Family History
The Blake family has an origin story dating back multiple generations. The Blake name originated from Blak (Pronounced like Black) in Ireland. I interviewed my grandparents, and they weren’t sure why the name changed over the years. Blake was a very common name in Ireland, in fact, there was a whole town of Blake’s. The town’s name is Galway and it is located on the west coast of Ireland. Before entering the United States of America, the Blake’s have quite a lot of history in Canada. My Great-Great-Grandfather, John Blake, my grandpa’s grandpa, grew up in Canada. He came over to the United States and started teaching. He then later applied for medical school. While waiting in line for an application to medical school, he met my Great-Grandmother’s father, and they had cottages in Canada about a mile apart. This is how my grandpa’s parents got to know each other.
To this day, many Blake’s still live in Canada, but most of them are distant relatives, while the Blake’s I know, live in Michigan, where they own a Cider Mill that my Great-Grandfather started. It is called Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill, which is located in Armada, Michigan. My family identifies as white Americans, with a rich history throughout Europe. Other parts of my family come from different places in Ireland, Germany, and Belgium. We are all Christians, and celebrate religious holidays like Christmas and Easter. Not only do I have connections through my last name, but I have the same middle name as my Great-Grandfather, Gerald. I was given this middle name because I am the oldest of 29 Great-Grandchildren. There are 29 Great-Grandchildren, because my grandpa had 12 siblings, 2 of which died before the age of ten, and 2 who have passed away in the past few years. Therefore, my grandpa is currently the oldest of nine remaining siblings. It’s crazy to think that my family came from all of these different places, and how all of these places led me to live my life right here, in Chicago, Illinois.
To this day, many Blake’s still live in Canada, but most of them are distant relatives, while the Blake’s I know, live in Michigan, where they own a Cider Mill that my Great-Grandfather started. It is called Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill, which is located in Armada, Michigan. My family identifies as white Americans, with a rich history throughout Europe. Other parts of my family come from different places in Ireland, Germany, and Belgium. We are all Christians, and celebrate religious holidays like Christmas and Easter. Not only do I have connections through my last name, but I have the same middle name as my Great-Grandfather, Gerald. I was given this middle name because I am the oldest of 29 Great-Grandchildren. There are 29 Great-Grandchildren, because my grandpa had 12 siblings, 2 of which died before the age of ten, and 2 who have passed away in the past few years. Therefore, my grandpa is currently the oldest of nine remaining siblings. It’s crazy to think that my family came from all of these different places, and how all of these places led me to live my life right here, in Chicago, Illinois.
Galway, Ireland
Max: great story on the significance of your middle name. In many families a middle name is reserved as a place to honor ancestors. The significance of naming is an idea we'll explore in texts later this year, especially "Song of Solomon."
ReplyDeleteVery interesting story Max. I didn’t know your name family name had such a rich history. It was very well told as well.
ReplyDeleteI found your family history very interesting especially the multiple parts to it. It’s very fascinating that there is actually a whole town of Blake’s in Ireland, I am sure you hope to visit some day. Also it is very cool how your family has an orchard in Michigan.
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