My grandfater, Walter Stranc was born in New York State I believe. His parents names were Stanislaus and Proxcita {spelling?}. He had 2 sisters. A cousin of my father claims that my great-grandfather had been in the Germanic wars. His best friend that was named Stranc was killed and my great-grandfather took his name and came to America. Our family is Catholic and many Catholics left Germany about the time of the American Civil War. There are many Strancs that are Jewish also.