Twelve (listed 1 thru 12) generations of Ranck, 1641 to the present, from France, to Germany, to Pennsylvania and beyond, starting with Reverend Jean Ranc, a Huguenot pastor.
Researchers of Ranck genealogy will find the first 5 or 6 generations to be familiar. It has long been documented in various sources. The remaining generations, from about 1827, link those ancestors directly to my family of Rancks. I had obtained the famous Ranck Family letter from Mary Carty Ranck years ago, from my father. But I had no proof that we were of that lineage, because I couldn't find anything beyond what I knew about my grandfather. Imagine my excitement when, after years of "on and off" searching, I finally found the missing link, thanks to my father's sister, in my great-grandfather, William Ranck, and his father, Samuel L. Ranck. From that point back, the work had be done by a huge clan dedicated to preserving the heritage of its name and family. I now know that I am a member of that clan. Somehow, it gives us more self-identity, and a stronger sense of belonging, to know from whence we came.
As previously stated, most of the data provided comes from public records, Ranck family websites, published documents and, of course, my family. Where there are discrepancies in dates or spelling of names, I chose what appears to be the most reliable source. I have generated this website so that it may be freely accessed, easily printed, or copied and pasted to another file, for those who so desire, in order to pass to future generations. Therefore, it does not conform to standard genealogical format. After all, this site will only endure as long as this family member is able to keep it maintained. Additionally, due to the extensive list of previously documented names in the older generations, this site will have limitations to what, I believe, will interest my immediate family, at least for the present. I will provide, in parentheses, the number of children of other ancestors, but be assured that their names are listed in other publications. A list of sources appears at the end, as well as a website recommended for further research into the entire Ranck family and its history.
View the table below or skip to the outline with detailed information.
Note: The names with links to the outline are of those individuals from whom the author is directly descended. Eventually, all names in the table will have links.
| # | DATE, LOCATIONS | DESCENDENTS | SPOUSES |
| 1. | 1641 - abt 1712 France,Germany |
Reverend Jean Ranc | |
| 2. | 1668 - abt 1710 France,Germany |
Hans Valentine Ranck | Margaretha Philippes |
| 3. | 1699 - abt 1785 Germany |
Anna Barbara Ranck, John Michael Ranck, John Philip Ranck, Rosine Katherine Ranck, Susanna Margaretha Ranck, Johann Valentine Ranck | Anna Barbara Schwab, Anna Barbara Schumacher, Christian Schneder |
| 4. | 1704 - abt 1785 Germany,PA |
(Johannes) Philip Ranck, Michael Ranck, Dorothea Ranck, Valentine Ranck, Anna Eve Ranck, George Ranck (Ronk), Barbara Ranck, John Ranck, Philip Adam Ranck, Jacob Ranck, Ludwig Ranck | Anna Magdalena Wishor, Mary~, Maria Margaret Breitenstein, John George Staley, Anna Maria Breidenstone, Durst Ammen, Barbara~, Adam George Garman, Catharine Springer, Barbara Mattis, Catharine Altz (Als), Margaret Worst, Julianna~, Elizabeth Julianna Stauffer |
| 5. | abt (1850 - 1945) PA |
George Ranck, Isaac Ranck, Mae E. Ranck, Katie Ranck, John Ranck, Joel Ranck, Jonathan Ranck, Samuel Ranck | Polly Wertz (Vertz), Rebecca Habakuk, ~Lutz, ~Stahl, Nancy Luther, ~Luther, ~Maize, Sarah Long, Catherine Long, Mary Dieffinderfer, Harriet Kline Dieffinderfer, Catherine Dieffenbacher |
| 6. | abt (1850 - 1945) PA |
Mary Ranck, John H. Ranck, Martin H. Ranck, David H. Ranck, Isaac Newton Ranck, Jonathan Ranck, George L. Ranck, Rebecca Ranck, Charles W. Ranck, Catharine Ranck, Peter Ranck, Samuel L. Ranck, Mary Ann Ranck, Leonard Ranck, Wesley Ranck | Catherine Heller, Elizabeth Heller |
| 7. | abt (1850 - 1945) PA |
Adolphus Ranck, Clarence Ranck, Agnes Ranck, William (W.) Ranck, Samuel Ranck, Belle Ranck, Bertha Ranck, Newton Ranck, James Ranck | Mary M. Walker, Katherine (Katie) Walker |
| 8. | (1889 - 1954)
PA |
Ralph Louis Ranck, Sr. Florence Ranck, Lottie Ranck, Robert Ranck | Madeline Wentz |
| 9. | (1912 - present)
PA |
Herbert Ranck, Ralph Louis Ranck, Jr., Warren Alfred Ranck, Madeline Adele Ranck | Betty Heath, Hazel Starner, Betty I. Schilling, Willard Brobst |
| 10. | (present)
PA,NC |
David Warner Ranck, Ann Louise Ranck, Bonnie Kay Ranck, Charles Michael Ranck, Sr., Teri Lynn Ranck, Susan Brobst, Judee Brobst | Raymond Shelhammer, Debra Solomon, Dennis Csensits |
| 11. | (present)
PA |
Charles Michael Ranck, Jr., Jon Csensits | Mary Ann Schadder |
| 12. | (present)
PA |
Wyitt Solomon Ranck |
Birth: 1641; Paris, France
Death: 1712; Baden, Germany
Spouse: Unknown
Children:
Birth: 1668;
Death: 1710
Spouse: MARGARETHA PHILIPPES
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Children:
Birth: 1699
Death: Unknown
Birth: October 28, 1701; Neckerau,Mannheim,Germany
Death: July 28, 1778; Lancaster Co, PA
Cemetery: John Michael Ranck family cemetery, East Earl Twp, Lancaster Co, PA
Spouse: ANNA BARBARA SCHWAB
Birth: abt 1708; Heidelberg, Germany
Death: 1784; Lancaster Co, PA
Cemetery: John Michael Ranck family cemetery, East Earl Twp, Lancaster Co, PA
Children: (10)
Birth: 1704; Neckerau,Mannheim,Germany
Death: 1783; Lancaster Co, PA
Cemetery: John Philip Ranck family cemetery near Fetterville, Lancaster Co, PA
Spouse: ANNA BARBARA SCHUMACHER
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown; Lancaster Co, PA
Cemetery: John Philip Ranck family cemetery, Lancaster Co, PA
Children:
Birth: December 5, 1729; East Earl Twp,Lancaster Co,PA
Death: abt November 15, 1784
Spouse 1: ANNA MAGDALENA WISHOR
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Children: (7)
Spouse 2: MARY~
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Children: (3)
Birth: abt 1733
Death: Unknown
Spouse: MARIA MARGARET BREITENSTEIN
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Marriage Date: 1755; Cocalico Reformed Church
Children: (1)
Birth: 1735
Death: Unknown
Spouse: JOHN GEORGE STALEY
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Marriage Date: March 24, 1754
Children: (3)
Birth: October 13, 1737; East Earl Twp,Lancaster Co,PA
Death: February 19, 1813
Cemetery: John Philip Ranck family cemetery, Lancaster Co, PA
Spouse: ANNA MARIA BREIDENSTONE
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Children: (5)
Birth: May 20, 1738; Earl Twp,Lancaster Co,PA
Death: August 2, 1812; Botetourt Co, VA
Cemetery: Botetourt Co, VA
Spouse: DURST AMMEN
Birth: January 8, 1730; Basle Canton, Switzerland
Death: December 1805
Cemetery: Botetourt Co, VA
Marriage Date: June 17, 1759; Lancaster Co, PA
Children: (9)
Birth: abt 1740; Lancaster Co,PA
Death: abt March 12, 1812
Spouse: BARBARA~
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Marriage Date: abt 1769 or 1770
Children: (9)
Birth: 1741
Death: Unknown
Spouse: ADAM GEORGE GARMAN
Birth: abt 1732
Death: 1806
Birth: June 24, 1743; East Earl Twp,Lancaster Co,PA
Death: October 20, 1809
Cemetery: Huff Cemetery, White Deer Twp,Union Co,PA
Spouse: CATHARINE ALTZ (ALS)
Birth: 1752
Death: March 16, 1822
Cemetery: Huff Cemetery, White Deer Twp,Union Co,PA
Marriage Date: June 13, 1770; White Deer Twp,Union Co,PA
Children: (7)
Birth: September 1, 1745; East Earl Twp,Lancaster Co,PA
Death: September 13, 1827; East Earl Twp,Lancaster Co,PA
Cemetery: John Philip Ranck family cemetery, Lancaster Co, PA
Spouse: MARGARET WORST
Birth: February 4, 1750
Death: January 28, 1825
Marriage Date: April 14, 1772; Zion Reformed Church
Children: (8)
Birth: 1748; East Earl Twp,Lancaster Co,PA
Death: April 18, 1842
Cemetery: John Philip Ranck family cemetery, Lancaster Co, PA
Spouse 1: JULIANNA~
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Spouse 2: ELIZABETH JULIANNA STAUFFER
Birth: 1748; East Earl Twp,Lancaster Co,PA
Death: 1842
Marriage Date: abt 1770
Children: (16)
Birth: 1750; East Earl Twp,Lancaster Co,PA
Death: May 16, 1826
Cemetery: Union Co, PA
Spouse 1: CATHARINE SPRINGER
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Children:
Birth: November 4, 1774
Death: February 2, 1843
Spouse 1: POLLY WERTZ (VERTZ)
Birth: Unknown
Death: August 2, 1836
Marriage Date: 1802
Children: (5)
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Spouse 1: ~LUTZ
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Spouse 1: ~STAHL
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Birth: 1778; Union Co, PA
Death: 1823; Union Co, PA
Spouse: REBECCA HABAKUK
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Children:
Birth: 1800
Death: Unknown
Children: (1)
Birth: 1802
Death: 1886
Spouse: Unknown
Children: (7)
Birth: 1807
Death: Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Children: (1)
Birth: 1808
Death: Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Children: (7)
Birth: May 19, 1811; Union Co, PA
Death: abt 1882
Spouse 1: CATHERINE HELLER
Children: (3)
Spouse 2: ELIZABETH HELLER
Children: (5)
Birth: 1817
Death: Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Children: (4)
Birth: 1819
Death: Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Children: (4)
Birth: 1821
Death: Unknown
Birth: 1823
Death: Unknown
Birth: 1830?
Death: Unknown
Birth: 1825
Death: Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Children: (1)
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Birth: 1827
Death: Unknown
Spouse: Rebecca (see note below)
Birth: abt 1840
Children:
Note: According to the 1880 PA census, Samuel lived, at that time, with a wife named Rebecca. Since there is no other data to indicate whether or not it was his first or only spouse, I can not validate her as the mother of the following children. The census also listed 3 children living in the household who are not on the following list; Mary Ann (age 17), Clara (age 6) and Adaline (age 2), all with the Ranck surname and listed as daughters. William, Samuel and Bertha were also listed at that time. It is likely that the other children had left home before that time, unless there are errors in the document.
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Spouse: MARY M. WALKER
Children: (5)
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Birth: abt 1871
Death: Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Children: (1)
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Birth: abt 1875
Death: Unknown
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Children: (3)
Birth: 1866; Lewisburg,Union Co,PA
Death: 1948; Allentown, PA
Cemetery: Fairview Cemetery, Allentown, PA
Spouse: KATHERINE (Katie) WALKER
Birth: 1866; Allentown, PA
Death: 1952
Cemetery: Fairview Cemetery, Allentown, PA
Marriage Date: Unknown
Children:
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Birth: July 23, 1889; Lewisburg,Union Co,PA
Death: December 4, 1951; Lehigh County, PA
Cemetery: Arlington Cemetery, Allentown, PA
Spouse: MADELINE WENTZ (see Wentz Family)
Birth: January 12, 1889
Death: June 9, 1954; Lehigh County, PA
Cemetery: Arlington Cemetery, Allentown, PA
Marriage Date: Abt 1910
Children:
Birth: 1912
Death: 1992; PA
Spouse: BETTY HEATH
Children:
Birth: 1915
Death: 1997; PA
Spouse: HAZEL STARNER
Marriage Date December, 1941
Children:
Spouse: RAYMOND SHELHAMMER
Children:
Children:
Birth: October 11, 1917; Allentown, PA
Death: July 7, 1976; Lehigh County, PA
Spouse: BETTY IRENE SCHILLING
Birth: February 14, 1923; Reading, PA
Marriage Date October 11, 1941; Allentown, PA
Children:
Spouse: DEBRA SOLOMON
Children:
Spouse: MARY ANN SCHADDER
Children:
Birth: August 17, 1923; Allentown, PA
Spouse: WILLARD BROBST
Birth: 1917
Death: 1987; Allentown, PA
Marriage Date November 13, 1941; Wilmington, Delaware
Children:
Spouse: DENNIS CSENSITS
Children:
Children:
Birth: 1755
Death: March 27, 1830
Marriage Date: November 19, 1782
Children:
Last update: February 4, 2010
Please send inquires or additional information to tfost123@aol.com, Teri Ranck Foster.