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I think it's great that you are interested in your family history at such a young age. When you find out about ancestors, it's next best thing to being able to travel through time to visit them and really see what the world was like.
Anyway, BENNER is a family name in my family. Most of the Benner families in Pennsylvania have their roots from two brothers who came to Philadelphia in the early 1700's. Many of them settled in Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery counties. From there, of course, their descendants spread across the state and the country.
Many of the Benner's were Mennonites in Germany who were escaping religious persecution or just seeking a better life in the New World. Some day maybe our descendants will be seeking a better life on a distant planet!
Before they migrated to Germany, most of them lived in Switzerland. I don't know too much about my family prior to that, but the Benner's but there are records of Benners
around 841 A.D. when they were a very powerful family with status comparable to Knights and had huge land holdings. The Benners lost everything when they got on the losing side in a civil war. It's ironic that they were once fierce fighters and evolved into peace loving Mennonites.
Anyway, you need to be careful about declaring the truth of your family history. Sometimes there is truth in oral stories your parents and grandparents tell you, but those stories are only as accurate as the person who told them. I would suggest starting with talking to the oldest members of your family, such as grandparents, great aunts and uncles, anyone who may just have important family history stored in the attic or be able to give you clues.
Also, there are many important documents that you can obtain from court houses, vital records offices in your state and other places that hold many secrets just waiting to be discovered. There are also lots of good books in the library that can show you easy step-by-step plans to help you unlock the mysteries.
Good luck! Feel free to write if you find out you really are a BENNER!
Fred
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