Profile Text
Michalka in 2010, photo by prphotos.com
Birth Name: Amanda Joy Michalka
Place of Birth: Torrance, Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: April 10, 1991
Ethnicity: * father – German, likely some Polish * mother – German, English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh
AJ Michalka is an American actress, musician, singer, and songwriter. She is the sister of actress and singer Aly Michalka (Alyson Renae Michalka). The two comprise pop rock duo Aly & AJ, also known as 78violet. Her roles include the films The Lovely Bones , Secretariat , Super 8 , Grace Unplugged , Angels in Stardust , Weepah Way for Now , and Support the Girls ; the shows General Hospital , Six Feet Under , The Guardian , Oliver Beene , Hellcats , The Goldbergs , Steven Universe , All My Friends Are Getting Married , She-Ra and the Princesses of Power , and Schooled ; the made-for-tv movies Cow Belles , Super Sweet 16: The Movie , Jodi Picoult’s Salem Falls , Expecting Amish , and Ray Donovan: The Movie ; and the music video for “Malibu.”
She is the daughter of Carrie and Mark Michalka. Her mother, also a musician, performed with the Christian band JC Band. AJ is a devout Christian.
AJ’s paternal grandfather was James I. “Jim” Michalka (the son of Gustave/Gustav August “Gus” Michalka and Edna Caroline Loll). James was born in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan. Gustave was born in Beaugrand Township, Cheboygan, Michigan, to German parents, Frank August Michalka/Michalke and Mary Veschnefsky/Venefky/Venefly, who was from Neidenberg. Mary likely was of Polish heritage. AJ’s great-grandmother Edna was born in Big Rapids, Mecosta, Michigan, also to German parents, Warner/Werner Loll and Henrietta Etta Krahn, who was from Prussia.
AJ’s paternal grandmother was Betty Anne Martin (the daughter of David Martin and Amelia/Emelia/Emilie “Emily” Yurk/York). Betty was born in Hinchman, Berrien County, Michigan, to parents from the Russian Empire, who were ethnic German, of the Lutheran religion. David was born in Kaliningrad Oblast, the son of Christian/Christ Martin. He came to the U.S. in 1909. His language is listed as “German” on the 1910 U.S. Census. Amelia was born in Samara Oblast, the daughter of Johann Phillip/Philip Jurk and Sophie/Sophia Wiegand/Weigandt.
AJ’s maternal grandfather was Charles Malcolm Begley (the son of Newton Phillips Begley and Lula Maude Palmer). Charles was born in Virginia. Newton was the son of George Rogers Begley and Minerva Payne. AJ’s great-grandmother Lula was the daughter of Eldridge Clinton Palmer and Barbara Alice/Ann Lane.
AJ’s maternal grandmother was Carmen Louise Wetzel (the daughter of August Wetzel and Harriet Louise McCausland). Carmen was born in Oregon. August was born in Minnesota, the son of German parents, Ignatius Wetzel and Frances F. Fischer, from Alsace. AJ’s great-grandmother Harriet was the daughter of Alfred Ellis McCausland and Louise Agnes Meyer.
Sources: Genealogy of AJ Michalka – https://www.geni.com
Genealogies of AJ’s paternal grandparents, James I. “Jim” Michalka and Betty Anne (Martin) Michalka – https://www.findagrave.com
AJ’s paternal grandfather, James I. “Jim” Michalka, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
AJ’s paternal grandmother, Betty Anne Martin, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
AJ’s paternal great-grandfather, David Martin, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Obituary of AJ’s paternal great-grandfather, David Martin – https://www.familysearch.org
AJ’s maternal grandfather, Charles Malcolm Begley, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
AJ’s maternal grandmother, Carmen Louise Wetzel, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org