Family Story Finder

The sweep of family history across the generations

Bradley homestead in Wapello County, Iowa
  • -

Widow Patty Smith Swett and six children by two husbands were among the first settlers who staked claims in Wapello County near Ottumwa in May 1843

Grammy — everyone’s favorite grandmother
  • 1941 - 1981

She made each of her six grandchildren feel special

Janis Brenner—a Ratner in motion
  • -

An innovator in modern dance and choreography since breaking in with the Murray Lewis Dance Company in the 1980s. The Ratners moved geographically. Janis moves artistically.

Life on the Western Reserve
  • -

Families from Connecticut settled northeastern Ohio in the early 1800s

Long Beach—taking in the Klein family
  • -

During the Depression, families helped each other out. The Kleins moved in with the Rubys in Long Beach.

Rosa’s fateful choice
  • 1936 - 1940

Rosa Feidt was the only Lewi sibling who got out, to her everlasting remorse

Sandy Klein
  • -

A precocious Ratner girl takes on life in midcentury America.

The Klein family in the 1940s
  • -

Leon Klein continued to work for American Spirits as its upstate New York sales representative