The Graves came from Roanoke Colony in North Carolina to Virginia in 1589. There weren't a lot of magical families in the early colonies, so. There is that.
[ Another few bites. ]
The earlier a family arrived, and the longer it remained in any sort of social or political position power - they've been mostly one and the same, honestly - the more clout the name alone carries, even today. Add to that the fact that there has been an auror within MACUSA since it's beginnings, with Gondulphus Graves, and you end up with quite the reputation before you're even born.
no subject
[ Another few bites. ]
The earlier a family arrived, and the longer it remained in any sort of social or political position power - they've been mostly one and the same, honestly - the more clout the name alone carries, even today. Add to that the fact that there has been an auror within MACUSA since it's beginnings, with Gondulphus Graves, and you end up with quite the reputation before you're even born.