Ranck Heritage is an active project. We are constantly seeking additional workers and researchers to aid in this work. Current work is focused in the following areas:

1.  Documenting and preserving the genealogical archive: Scan, catalog, and index the original notes, records, and documents of Allan, Ezra, and Harriet Ranck, from which The Ranks of the Rancks was compiled and published; publish electronic copies (images) of these notes, records, and documents on this web site; link these images to individuals in the on-line genealogical database. The objective is that every fact published in the electronic Ranks of the Rancks should be supported by directly-linked, on-line copies of the evidence.

2.  Extending The Ranks of the Rancks: Add new names, relationships, and documentation to the published Ranks of the Rancks as it becomes available and authenticated. Allan Ranck's original numbering system will be preserved and extended. Collateral lines will probably not be extended beyond parents and siblings of spouses of direct descendants of Jean Ranc, but links will be provided to other collateral lineages and resources. [COMPLETED 05/10].

3.  Supporting and encouraging others doing Ranck research: Identify at least one descendant of each of the grandchildren of the immigrant ancestors who is actively researching that line. Support and promote these researchers as the "family experts" to whom others may refer to gain and share information. (There are 125 known grandchildren; please contact us with your interest.)

4.  Collaborative research projects: maintain a "wiki" for collaborative research. Current projects:

*  Our earliest Ancestors: What can we document concerning our European origins?
*  Descendants of Anna Christina Ranck and Johann Wendell Fackler
*  Families of the children of John Philip Ranck (George, Anna Eve Ammen, Dorothea Stehman, Barbara Garman) who moved to Virginia

5.  Identifying family members from old photos.

1.  Securing a permanent home for a Ranck Heritage Center where researchers may examine documents and records on file and consult and work with other researchers. Such a center would preferably be located on or near the original Ranck settlements in New Holland and might be operated in association with other similar Lancaster County family organizations.
 

2.  Collecting and preserving memorabilia and artifacts associated with the Ranck family and with Ranck Clan activities.