Matthew West

West in 2013, photo by kathclick

Birth Name: Matthew Joseph West

Place of Birth: Downers Grove, Illinois, U.S.

Date of Birth: April 25, 1977

Ethnicity: Scottish, English, one eighth Bohemian Czech, other

Matthew West is an American Christian gospel singer and songwriter, and actor. Some of his most famous songs are “More,” “The Motions,” “Mended,” “Forgiveness,” and “You Are Everything.” He is the son of Sharon and Joseph West. He is married to Emily, with whom he has two children.

Matthew’s paternal grandfather was Kenneth McKenzie West (the son of Francis/Frank X. West/Poslusny and Lily/Lilly/Lillian Mackenzie/McKenzie). Kenneth was born in New York. Francis was born in Prague, Czechia, the son of Leopold Poslusny, who was from Bohemia, and of Magdalen/Magdalena A. Fotre/Fort. Lily was born in Scotland, the daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie and Williamina Fraser.

Matthew’s paternal grandmother was Luella Jane Perkins (the daughter of Lewis Jesse Perkins and Belle Riley Lovitt). Luella was born in Sioux County, North Dakota. Lewis was born in Oklahoma, the son of John E. Perkins and Lydia M. Hoisington. Belle was born in Nebraska, the daughter of William Thomas Lovitt.

Sources: Death record of Matthew’s paternal grandfather, Kenneth McKenzie West –

Death record of Matthew’s paternal great-great-grandfather, Leopold Poslusny –

Death record of Matthew’s paternal great-great-grandmother, Magdalen/Magdalena A. (Fotre/Fort) Poslusny –

Obituary of Matthew’s paternal grandmother, Luelle Jane (Perkins) West –