I'm descended from William Blake (born in England, immigrated to Massacusetts, one of the founders of Springfield, Massachusetts, later moved to Dorchester where he died). I thought I had his ancestors sorted out. But I just read an article: Paul C. Reed, "Two Somerby Frauds, Or 'Placing the Flesh on the Wrong Bones'," The American Genealogist 74[1999] that says the genealogy done on Blake was a fraud perpetrated by 'genealogist' Horatio Gates Somerby in the 19th century. Evidently he tried to tie together several (presumably unrelated) Blake families in Over Stowey, Somerset, Andover, Hampshire, and Calne, Wiltshire to produce a pedigree going back to nobility in the time of Edward III. Unfortunately pretty much every family tree I've found on Blake seems to be based on Somerby's frauds.

Is any of it true? Is there any reliable information about William Blake and his ancestors? I'd appreciate knowing the truth. (I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post links here, but the article cited above is online and not hard to find if you search for it.) Thanks for any truthful information anybody can provide!