Re: Origin of Ranck name
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In reply to:
Origin of Ranck name
2/08/01
Hi Justin,
get a copy of the book "The Ranks of the Rancks" I think you can get one from http://ranck.orghttp://ranck.org or they can direct you where.
Basically the earliest likely source is Ranc (du Ranc) from Chateau Vibrac near Nimes, France where there is a chapel on the grounds, but indications there were secret (Huguenot) services held and some Rancs show up in Huguenot graves near the Musee du Deserts in the region. descendants left to go to Paris and then Rancs show up in Strasbourg, France, again trying to get away from religious persecution and went to Mannheim, Germany where to look more German they probably added the "k" to become Ranck and then to Pennsylvania.One of the two brothers married a Dutch woman during that time (my ancestor) so there is a Dutch connection too.Once in PA in 1720 they stayed in what is now Lancaster county and spread across the country.There are annual reunions in July at Ranck's United Methodist Church.this info should all be on ranck.org site.
I have some photos of the Chateau and some info on my site
http://delrance.comhttp://delrance.com
Huguenots left France for England, Russia, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and St. Augustine, Florida (where I am now and have found Runk a local name here who is related to us also).I also saw an Italianized version of Ranc in a phone book in Fano, Italy along the east coast.so we're everywhere now.
Kim