Birth Name: Jesse Michael Wellens

Date of Birth: September 25, 1982

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*possibly English (mother)

Jesse Wellens is an American Internet personality, known for being a member of the duo (together with Jeana Smith) known as PrankvsPrank. His parents are Steven “Steve” Wellens and Stella D. Hayes. His father is Jewish. It is unclear if his mother is also Jewish.

Jesse’s paternal grandparents were Louis Wellens (the son of Abraham Welensky and Esther Ochmin) and Lea Pinsk (the daughter of Chaim Pinsk and Riva Kosofsky).

Source: Jesse’s parents’ marriage record – https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of Jesse Wellens (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.geni.com

Birth Name: Jennifer Smith

Date of Birth: March 15, 1983

Ethnicity:
*Russian Jewish, Austrian Jewish (mother)

Jeana Smith is an American Internet personality, known for being a member of the duo (together with Jesse Wellens) known as PrankvsPrank. Her parents are Harilyn Sue (Neff), who died from cancer, and Steven J. “Steve” Smith.

Jeana’s maternal grandparents are Joel D. Neff (the son of Nathan Kanefsky/Neff and Bertha Dintenfass) and Yetta “Etta” Spector (the daughter of Louis Spector and “Bessie”). Joel was born in Pennsylvania, to a Russian Jewish father and an Austrian Jewish mother, from Vienna. Yetta was a Russian Jewish immigrant.

Sources: Jeana’s mother Find a Grave record – http://www.findagrave.com

Obituary of Jeana’s maternal grandmother, Yetta “Etta” Spector – https://familysearch.org

Jeana’s maternal grandfather, Joel D. Neff, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Jeana’s maternal great-grandparents, Louis Spector and “Bessie”, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

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Place of Birth: Corpus Christi, Texas

Date of Birth: November 6, 1957

Ethnicity:
*Polish Jewish (father)
*English, some Scottish, distant German (mother)

Lori Singer is an American actress and cello player. She is the daughter of Leslie (Wright), a concert pianist, and Jacques Singer (born Jakob Singer), a conductor. Her brother is actor Marc Singer.

Lori’s father was born in Przemyśl, Poland, to a Jewish family. Lori’s mother has English, some Scottish, and distant German, ancestry. Lori was raised Jewish. It is possible that her mother converted to Judaism.

Lori’s paternal grandparents were Meyer/Mark Eli Singer and Rachella Rose Bach.

Lori’s maternal grandparents were Leslie Thomas Wright (the son of Charles Morton Wright and Mary Eugenia Wood) and Lucy Powers Massey (the daughter of William Hamilton Massey and Mary Nash Majors).

Source: Genealogy of Lori Singer (focusing on her mother’s side) – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com

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Birth Name: Ruth Joan Bader

Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York

Date of Birth: March 15, 1933

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. She began serving on the Supreme Court in 1993. Her father, Nathan Bader, was a Russian Jewish immigrant, born in Podolsk. Her mother, Celia (Amster), was born in New York, to Austrian Jewish parents.

Ruth’s paternal grandparents were Sam Bader and Ida Milstein.

Ruth’s maternal grandparents were Joseph Amster and Rose Dick.

Source: Ruth’s parents on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Photo: “Ruth Bader Ginsburg official SCOTUS portrait” by Steve Petteway, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States – Ruth Bader Ginsburg – The Oyez Project. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

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Birth Name: Bernard Sanders

Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York

Date of Birth: September 8, 1941

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Bernie Sanders is an American politician. He has served as a United States Senator from Vermont since 2007; an independent, he caucuses with the Democrats in the Senate. He has previously been Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (from 1981 to 1989), and a U.S. Representative from Vermont (from 1991 to 2007). Bernie is a candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 2016.

Bernie is the son of Dora/Dorothy (Glassberg) and Eli Sanders. His father was a Polish Jewish immigrant. His mother was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents.

Bernie’s paternal grandparents were Leon Sander and Ettel “Ethel” Horn.

Bernie’s maternal grandparents were Benjamin Glassberg/Glassburg (the son of Abraham Glassburg) and Brayna “Bessie” Greenberg.

Several people of Jewish heritage have previously run plausible or semi-plausible campaigns for a major party’s nomination for President of the United States. These candidates include Barry Goldwater (1960 and 1964; Republican; received the 1964 nomination), Milton Shapp (1976; Democratic), Larry Agran (1992; Democratic), Arlen Specter (1996; Republican), Joe Lieberman (2004; Democratic), John Kerry (2004; Democratic; received the nomination), and Wesley Clark (2004; Democratic).

Shapp, Agran, Specter, and Lieberman were/are Jewish by religion, while the other three not were/are not. Goldwater was born to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother, and was raised an Episcopalian. Kerry’s paternal grandparents were Jewish and converted to Catholicism, and Kerry himself is a practicing Catholic. Clark was born to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother, and is a practicing Catholic.

Sources: Bernie’s parents on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Bernie’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Photo: “Bernie Sanders” by United States Congress – http://sanders.senate.gov/. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

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Place of Birth: Springfield, Vermont, United States

Date of Birth: April 13, 1972

Ethnicity:
*1/2 Italian, 1/4 English, 1/4 Welsh (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Aaron Lewis is an American musician who is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and founding member of the rock group Staind. His parents are Sondra Jeanne (Nadelman) and Theodore Carrol Lewis.

Aaron’s paternal grandfather was of Welsh and English descent, and Aaron’s paternal grandmother was of Italian descent. Aaron’s mother is Jewish (her family is from Russia, Poland and Germany).

Aaron’s paternal grandparents are Gordon Lewis (the son of Edward A. “Fred/Ned” Lewis and Jemima Thorne) and Elia Pantrini (the daughter of Guiseppe “Joseph” Pantrini and Marrietta “Mary” Pacetti). Edward was born in Wales, to Edward Lewis and Margaret. Jemima was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland (present-day Newfoundland and Labrador), to English immigrants, Richard Thorne and Mary Short. Guiseppe and Marrietta were Italian immigrants.

Sources: Aaron’s birth record – https://familysearch.org

Aaron’s father’s birth record – https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of Aaron’s paternal grandfather, Gordon Lewis – http://records.ancestry.com

Birth record of Aaron’s paternal grandfather, Gordon Lewis – https://familysearch.org

Aaron’s paternal grandfather, Gordon Lewis, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Birth record of Aaron’s paternal grandmother, Elia Pantrini – https://familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Lisa Anne Loeb

Place of Birth: Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Date of Birth: March 11, 1968

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Lisa Loeb is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She is the daughter of Barbara Gail (Barzune) and Peter Mayer Loeb. Her parents are both Jewish (of Russian Jewish, German Jewish, Polish Jewish, and Romanian Jewish descent).

Lisa’s paternal grandparents were Sam A. Loeb (the son of Louis Lawrence Loeb and Ida Alexander) and Daisy Lynn (the daughter of Ima Meyer Lynn and Heshie “Anna” Byers). Louis’ parents were Russian Jewish immigrants. Ida’s father was a German Jewish immigrant. Ima and Heshie were Polish Jewish immigrants.

Lisa’s maternal grandparents were Benjamin Barzune (the son of Louis Barzune and Fannie Ablon) and Anna (later Anne Adele) Pomarantz (the daughter of Adolf Pomarantz and Rosa “Rose” Siegal). Louis and Fannie’s parents were Russian Jewish immigrants. Adolf and Rosa were Romanian Jewish immigrants.

Sources: Genealogy of Lisa’s father – http://www.geni.com

Birth record of Lisa’s father – https://familysearch.org

Lisa’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Birth record of Lisa’s paternal grandfather, Sam A. Loeb – https://familysearch.org

Birth record of Lisa’s mother – https://familysearch.org

Birth record of Lisa’s maternal grandfather, Benjamin Barzune – https://familysearch.org

Birth record of Lisa’s maternal grandmother, Anna (later Anne Adele) Pomarantz – https://familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Robert Arum

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, United States

Date of Birth: December 8, 1931

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Family Info:
Bob Arum is an American lawyer, boxing promoter and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of Top Rank, a professional boxing promotion company based in Las Vegas. His parents were Samuel “Sam” Arum and Celia Baumgarten.

Bob’s paternal grandparents were Mordecai “Marcus” Arum and Julia.

Sources:
* Bob’s 1940 US Census: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQR5-91H
* Sam’s 1930 US Census: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X4V4-PLJ
* Celia’s death record: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZPJ-K75

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Birth Name: David Wright Miliband

Place of Birth: London, England, United Kingdom

Date of Birth: 15 July, 1965

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

David Miliband is a British politician. He is a member of the Labour Party. His brother is politician Ed Miliband, who has led the Labour Party since 2010, after winning a close race for party leader against David.

His father, Ralph Miliband, was a famous Belgian-born Marxist academic of Polish Jewish origin who fled with his parents to England during World War II. His mother, Marion Kozak, a human rights campaigner and early CND member, is a Polish Jew who survived the Holocaust, being protected by non-Jewish Poles.

David’s paternal grandparents were Samuel Miliband (the son of Zyndel Gershon Mileband and Chana Leah Auslender) and Renia/Renée Steinlauf.

David’s maternal grandparents were Dawid Kozak and Bronislawa Landau.

Birth Name: Charles Otto Puth, Jr.

Place of Birth: Rumson, New Jersey, United States

Date of Birth: December 2, 1991

Ethnicity:
*German, Hungarian (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Charlie Puth is an American singer. He is the son of Debra Marci “Debbie” (Goldstein) and Charles Otto Puth.

Charlie’s paternal grandparents are Edward C. Puth (the son of Otto Leonard Puth and Eleanor Antonnia Matulay) and Lucille C./T. Otto’s parents, Emil G. Puth and Louisa Schaefer, were of German descent. Eleanor’s parents, Charles Matulay and Wilhemina Ujhely, were Hungarian.

Charlie’s maternal grandparents are Harry or Herbert Goldstein and Phyllis A.

Sources: Charlie’s parents’ marriage record – https://familysearch.org

Charlie’s paternal grandfather, Edward C. Puth, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Birth record of Charlie’s paternal great-grandfather, Otto Leonard Puth – https://familysearch.org

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Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois

Date of Birth: November 24, 1993

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Zoe Levin is an American actress. Her parents are both Jewish.

Zoe’s maternal grandparents are Lowell L. Ruffer (the son of Abe Ruffer and Rose Omilinsky) and Ruth Helfenbein (the daughter of Julius Helfenbein and Florence Ragir).

Source: Obituary of Zoe’s maternal grandfather, Lowell L. Ruffer – http://articles.chicagotribune.com

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Birth Name: John Robert Bolton

Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland

Date of Birth: November 20, 1948

Ethnicity: Scottish, 1/8th Ashkenazi Jewish, German, Northern Irish (Scots-Irish), English

John R. Bolton is an American diplomat and lawyer. He was the 25th United States Ambassador to the United Nations (from 2005 to 2006), among other positions. John is the son of Virginia Clara (Godfrey) and Edward Jackson Bolton.

John’s paternal great-grandfather was a Russian Jewish immigrant. His other ancestry is Scottish, German, Northern Irish (Scots-Irish), and English. John’s religion is Lutheran.

John’s paternal grandfather was John Robert Bolton, Jr. (the son of John Bolton and Mary Elizabeth “Molly” Long). John Bolton was a Russian Jewish immigrant (he is listed as speaking “Yiddish” on the 1920 U.S. Census). Mary Long was the daughter of Robert Daniel Long, who was of English descent, and of Catherine Schultz Wolf, who was of German ancestry.

John’s paternal grandmother was named Margaret Wood. Margaret was Scottish.

John’s maternal grandfather was John Robert Godfrey (the son of Thomas Harper Godfrey and Idella Elizabeth Gibson). Thomas was born in County Derry, Northern Ireland, to John Godfrey and Martha Thompson. Idella was the daughter of Robert Gibson and Idella Young.

John’s maternal grandmother was Carolyn “Carrie” Francis Adams (the daughter of Napolean Adams and Catherine Virginia Howlett). Catherine was the daughter of William B. Howlett and Elizabeth Waller Teaney.

Sources: John’s father on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
John’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

John’s paternal grandfather, John Robert Bolton, Jr., on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
John Robert Bolton, Jr. on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

John’s maternal grandfather, John Robert Godfrey, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

John’s maternal grandmother, Carolyn “Carrie” Francis Adams, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

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Date of Birth: April 30, 1944

Place of Birth: New York City, New York

Date of Death: November 5, 2010

Place of Death: Salisbury, Connecticut

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish, Sephardi Jewish (father)
*English, distant Welsh, remote Dutch (mother)

Jill Clayburgh was an American actress. She was married to playwright and screenwriter David Rabe. Among their children is actress Lily Rabe.

Jill’s father was of German Jewish, some Sephardi Jewish (Portuguese Jewish), and a smaller amount of French Jewish, ancestry, with his Sephardi Jewish line having been in the United States since the 1700s. Jill’s mother had English, distant Welsh, and remote Dutch, ancestry.

Jill’s paternal grandparents were Albert Clayburgh (the son of Emanuel Clayburg and Evelina Nones) and Alma Lachenbruch (the daughter of David Lachenbruch and Henrietta Meinhard). Emanuel was a German Jewish immigrant. Evelina was the daughter of Aaron Benjamín Nones and Caroline de Leon, and was of Sephardi Jewish, and a smaller amount of French Jewish, descent. David and Henrietta were of German Jewish origin. Jill’s great-great-great-grandfather, Major Benjamin Nones, was a French Jewish immigrant who fought in the American Revolution.

Jill’s maternal grandparents were Bryan Ripley Dorr (the son of Russell Ripley Dorr and Sarah Louise Bryan) and Edna Evelyn Smith (the daughter of Phineas Mintern Smith and Ella Evelyn Phillips).

Sources: Genealogy of Jill Clayburgh (focusing on her father’s side) – http://www.geni.com

Genealogy of Jill Clayburgh (focusing on her mother’s side) – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com

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Birth Name: Michael Bolotin
Place of Birth: New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Date of Birth: February 26, 1953
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish (Russian Jewish)
Family Info:
Michael Bolton is an American singer and songwriter. He is the son of George L. “Bullet” Bolotin and Helen L. Gubin.

Michael’s paternal grandparents were Oser Skishe Bolotin (the son of Gershon Bolotin) and Sophie F. Balwiw (the daughter of Pesach F. Balwiw). Oscar and Sophie were Russian Jewish immigrants.

Michael’s maternal grandparents were Isadore/Isidore Gubin (the son of Abraham Gubin) and Rose Abramovitz (the daughter of Israel Abramovitz and Mollie/Molly/Molley). Isadore was a Russian Jewish immigrant. Rose was born in England to Russian Jewish immigrants.

Sources:
* George’s 1920 US Census: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCNN-2BD
* Helen’s 1930 US Census: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XM5Z-S8P
* Oscar’s cemetery record: http://www.yeshivanewhavensynagogue.org/cemetery_search_ext.asp?lname=BOLOTIN&fname=OSCAR%20S&maid=&dd=30%20DEC%201948&db=15%20AUG%201887&par=GERSHON&spo=SOPHIE&heb=&cem=Workmen%27s%20Circle&loc=A72
* Sophie’s cemetery record: http://www.yeshivanewhavensynagogue.org/cemetery_search_ext.asp?lname=BOLOTIN&fname=SOPHIE&maid=&dd=13%20MAR%201968&db=16%20MAY%201880&par=PESACH&spo=OSCAR&heb=&cem=Workmen%27s%20Circle&loc=A73
* Isadore’s cemetery record: http://www.yeshivanewhavensynagogue.org/cemetery_search_ext.asp?lname=GUBIN&fname=ISIDORE&maid=&dd=22%20OCT%201983&db=1%20MAR%201895&par=ABRAHAM&spo=ROSE&heb=&cem=Independent%20Vilner%20Lodge&loc=AM4
* Rose’s cemetery record: http://www.yeshivanewhavensynagogue.org/cemetery_search_ext.asp?lname=GUBIN&fname=ROSE&maid=&dd=26%20NOV%201986&db=24%20NOV%201896&par=&spo=ISIDORE&heb=&cem=Independent%20Vilner%20Lodge&loc=AM3

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Birth Name: Seth Brooks Binzer

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: August 23, 1974

Ethnicity:
*Hungarian Jewish, English, distant Dutch (father)
*Unknown (mother)

Shifty Shellshock is an American music artist. He is known for being a co-founder and front man of the band Crazy Town. He is the son of Leslie Jean (Brooks) and Rollin Seth Binzer.

Shifty’s paternal grandparents were Harry V. Binzer (the son of Solomon Binzer and Dora Traugott) and Elsa Jane “Elsie” Conner (the daughter of Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Conner and Laura Alice Phillips). Solomon and Dora were Hungarian Jewish immigrants. Dora was descended from a rabbi. Elsa had English, and distant Dutch, ancestry.

Sources: Birth record of Shifty Shellshock – https://familysearch.org

Shifty’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Shift’s paternal grandfather, Harry V. Binzer, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Genealogy of Seth’s paternal grandmother, Elsa Jane Conner – http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com

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Birth Name: Marc David Maron

Place of Birth: Jersey City, New Jersey

Date of Birth: September 27, 1963

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Marc Maron is an American comedian, podcast host, writer, and actor. He is known for his show, called Maron.

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Birth Name: Daniel Kevin Fogler

Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York

Date of Birth: October 20, 1976

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Dan Fogler is an American actor, comedian, musician, writer, and filmmaker.

Birth Name: Zachary Michael Pearlman

Place of Birth: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Date of Birth: May 19, 1988

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*English, Scottish, German (mother)

Zack Pearlman is an American actor.

Zack’s paternal grandparents were Joseph Pearlman and Rebecca.

Zack’s maternal great-grandparents were Ovid D. Weldon and Gladys L. McArthur.

Source: Zack’s maternal great-grandparents, Ovid D. Weldon and Gladys L. McArthur, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

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Birth Name: Alexander Max Band

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, US

Date of Birth: June 8, 1981

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish, English

Alex Band is an American musician. He is known as a singer for his former band “The Calling”.

He is the son of Meda (Robertson) and film director, writer, and producer Charles Band (Charles Robert Band), and the grandson of director and producer Albert Band.

Alex’s paternal grandfather is Albert A. Band (the son of Max Band and Bertha Finkelstein). Albert was born in Paris, France. Max was born in Naumiestis, Lithuania, to Abraham K. Band and Anna Tumpowsky, who were Jewish. Bertha was a Russian Jew. Albert was also credited under the name “Alfredo Antonini” (a fake stage name).

Alex’s paternal grandmother was Jacquelyn Lois Richardson (the daughter of Maurice V. Richardson and Laura L.). Jacquelyn was born in Oklahoma. Maurice was born in Illinois, to Illinois-born parents. Laura was born in Kansas, to Kansas-born parents. Laura’s maiden name is listed as “Zaffino” on a marriage record transcription, but this appears to be a typo. Jacquelyn was buried in a Jewish cemetery, so it is likely that she was either born Jewish or converted to Judaism.

Sources: Marriage record of Alex’s paternal grandparents, Albert A. Band and Jacquelyn Lois Richardson – https://familysearch.org

Alex’s paternal grandmother, Jacquelyn Lois Richardson, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Alex’s paternal grandmother, Jacquelyn Lois (Richardson) Band – http://www.findagrave.com

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Birth Name: Christopher Charles Geppert

Place of Birth: San Antonio, Texas, United States

Date of Birth: May 3, 1951

Ethnicity:
*German, Irish, possibly other (father)
*Ashkenazi Jewish (mother)

Christopher Cross is an American singer-songwriter. He is the son of Leo Joseph Geppert and Edith Ann Guderman. Leo was born in South Dakota. Edith was a German Jewish immigrant.

Christopher’s paternal grandparents were Charles Henry Geppert (the son of Adolph Albert Geppert and Emma Feist) and Mathilda O’Connor (the daughter of Thomas O’Connor). Adolph and Emma were German immigrants from Baden. Thomas was an Irish immigrant. Mathilda’s mother was born in Iowa.

Christopher’s maternal grandparents were Samuel Guderman (the son of Rubin Guderman) and Martha Kassung (the daughter of Joseph Kassung). Samuel was a Polish Jewish immigrant from Warsaw. Martha was a German Jewish immigrant.

Sources: Christopher’s birth record – https://familysearch.org

Christopher’s parents’ marriage record – https://familysearch.org

Christopher’s father on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Christopher’s paternal grandmother, Mathilda O’Connor, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Christopher’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Death record of Christopher’s maternal grandfather, Samuel Guderman – https://familysearch.org

Death record of Christopher’s maternal grandmother, Martha Kassung – https://familysearch.org

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