Profile Text
Birth Name: Miya Kyoko Iijima Folick
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: June 9, 1989
Ethnicity: * father – Ashkenazi Jewish, possibly one quarter Italian * mother – Japanese
Miya Folick is an American singer and songwriter.
Miya’s father had Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. He is also said to have had Italian ancestry through his maternal grandfather. It is not clear if this is accurate. Miya’s mother is of Japanese descent. Miya was raised a Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist. She grew up in Santa Ana, California.
Miya’s paternal grandfather was Henry Folick (the son of Julius Folick and Pauline Titefsky). Henry was born in New York, to parents from either Ukraine or Poland, then in the Russian Empire.
Miya’s paternal grandmother was named Evelyn C. Orth/Pascal (who likely was the daughter of Walla Orth). Evelyn was born in New York. Evelyn’s mother was born in Ukraine.
Miya’s maternal grandfather was author and Buddhist minister, the Rev. Kanjitsu Iijima (the son of Seinosuki Iijima and Hama). Kanjitsu was born in Tokyo, Japan.
Miya’s maternal grandmother was Kyoko Onishi/Oniski (the daughter of Asaichi Onishi and Shigeni Suzuki). Kyoko was born in Washington, to Japanese parents.
Sources: Obituary of Miya’s father – http://rafu.com
Divorce record of Miya’s paternal grandparents, Henry Holick and Evelyn C. Orth/Pascal – http://familysearch.org