Family Story Finder

The sweep of family history across the generations

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

Mel Brenner
  • -

Mel accomplished many things in life, but his life’s greatest moments happened during the Battle of the Bulge

Mercantile roots in old Danzig
  • 1850 - 1910

Three brothers of the Kleemann family from the Weinberg district of 19th century Danzig operated a coffee and tea import business. Hugo Lewi married into the family and was a dealer in military effects. 

Our Brenner cousins
  • -

Janis, Leslie and Amy grew up—each a star in her own way.

Sandy Klein
  • -

A precocious Ratner girl takes on life in midcentury America.

The Meeker Massacre
  • -

Social reformer Nathan Meeker was among nine men killed in an uprising of Ute Indians at the White River reservation where he was serving as U.S. agent. His wife and daughter—Smith family descendants—were held hostage for three weeks

The Wohlgemuths in Danzig
  • -

Before moving his family to Berlin in 1912, Isaak Wohlgemuth prospered as a mover in Danzig. His family roots were in nearby West Prussia.