Welcome!
Here you'll find my research on the Blake's that originated in county Devon in the UK and in Bangor and Pen Argyl, PA when they emigrated here to work the slate quarries. Then there are the Tonkin's who married the Blake's and the Geake's that married the Tonkin's in Cornwall and their associated ancestors and descendants in Cornwall and PA. You'll find the Shinton, Evans and Whildin names that originated in Wales and emigrated here in the 1800's to work the coal mines in Carbon County, PA. These are my dad's ancestors...my dad was Thomas Shinton Blake Sr. Now I know if you are a Whildin cousin it is likely that you will recognize that Shinton name. His mother was Elizabeth Whildin Shinton, daughter of Thomas Matthews Shinton and Annie Evans Shinton,and granddaughter of Thomas Shinton and Elizabeth Whildin, his wife.
You'll also find research on my mom's family. Mom was Elizabethan Kutz Blake. Her Kutz ancestors originated in a Germanic province of Switzerland it seems and emigrated to Berks County, where, eventually, one of them founded the little town of Kutztown, Pa. Her other ancestors are Landrock and Hall...for whom I have not been successful in finding much data at all.
Make yourself at home, send me corrections or additions, photos are VERY welcome! Please know it is a work in process and so some of the housekeeping is, as yet, not done. Please join me in celebrating our ancestors and reflecting on the history of the era they lived in. It's quite amazing to see where they've come from to the world we have today.
Thanks to so MANY cousins who have donated time, energy, data and contacts to my efforts. You know who you are and I cannot name you all. I appreciate you!