For nearly 40 years, the BBGK family has made it a priority to reunite almost every year. While many of the elders who helped keep these traditions alive are no longer with us, the story of how we’re all connected continues to be told. Senior family member Earl Bland helps keep that history alive by explaining the ties that bind us and the reasons we celebrate together.
“A few families from the Charleston, Mississippi area married into one another, and that’s how we’re double related. My mother, Ruthie Nunaley, married a Bland—my father, Nathaniel. My aunt, Minnie Kirk, also married a Bland—my uncle, James Jr. She’s also my mother’s aunt, because Ruthie’s mother, Addie Mae, was a Kirk who married Jack Nunaley. So that’s the B (Bland) and the K (Kirk). Then the B (Brown) family married into the Blands too—Aunt Fannie Brown married James Bland Sr.—and so did the Gordons—Shelton Gordon married Hattie Bland. When we were growing up, we were all family, so our parents always had our reunions together.“
Earl Bland, 69
The start of BBGK
We know it can still feel a little confusing, but don’t worry—we’ll be sharing more detailed breakdowns in future posts. For now, this is a great place to start as we begin to trace and celebrate our family connections.
Hi, Cousin!
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