From what I know the rank family comes in two flavors; German furniture makers and English flour millers. I am a descendant of the flour millers from Scotland,northern England. Our family settled in and around the Pennsylvania towns of Fayettville, Scotland, Harrisburg and Chambersburg. My last good information is on Isaac Rank who married Catherine (eby) Rank about 1834. Isaac was born May 3, 1812 and died Jan. 1 1884. Who were his parents and where did they come from?

Hi, I am english myself and have some information on the flour millers. I believe i am a decent of them myself we should talk some time.

Hi Chris,

It was great fun to get your note. Most of the information I've been able to dig up has been about the German Ranks or Rancks who also settled in Pennsylvania. You are the first person who has contacted me about the English side. It's a dead end with my forebear Isaac Rank. I suspected a possible connection with J. Arthur Rank of movie fame whose family first made their millions milling flour. There were nice enought to send me a copy of J. Arthur's family biography "The Master Millers"
which contains a tantalizing clue. John Rank of Hollym, East Riding Yorkshire, a miller, born 1771 married Mary Coombes and having left two children behind emigrated to the U.S. - - there being "no trace of his having ever returned". The children were raised by the grandparents. But I have not been able to make a firm connection between our two familes.

I see steve, I certainly know that there are no other ranks near me for at least 100 miles, I only found about 2 ranks in the whole of great britain. There is a good chance we could be realted I suppose.... I know of one way we could find out for sure.. if u are on the internet now send me an e-mail to beales953204959@mail.com and maybe we can chat online?, maybe see you later thanks.

I live in B.C.Canada and am related to the Ranks that were millers. My Great Great Grandfather John Rank born 1801 in Hollym was the first miller of the family. I just found this site and am very surprised how many Ranks there are.

Chris-
I have a large Pedigree of the Rank family dating back to the 1700's. Perhaps I can help.

James,

Did you read my original post about Isaac Rank? I would be most interested in your pedigree. My family has accurate records up until 1812 when the trail runs cold although anecdotally, we know the our family came from the English/Scottish frontier, were flour millers for many generations and settled in the Pennsylvania towns of Chambersburg, Harrisburg, Fayetville and Scotland. Later, my forebear Isaac Rank moved to Massillon, Ohio and operated the Sippo mill there. I am a descendant of his son David.

Cheers!

Hi, On the chart I have, with about 50 Rank's on it, unfortunatley I cannot find any name of Issac. I am related to James Rank of Stepney Mill, Hull. born 1829 and married first Mary Ann Parrott who died 13 Mar 1858. James then married Helen Stephenson, from which my side of the family is related. A relative in England was kind enough to send this Pedigree of the Rank as we are all related to J. Arthur Rank. There is a famous Rank in Australia who is a Plastic Surgeon

James - Thanks for checking on Isaac. A family middle name is McVeigh. Have you any record of a Rank with the middle name McVeigh? I have a complete pedigree of the Rank family from Isaac's time on. His oldest son was David from whence I come.

Cheers!

P.S. - I have a copy of The Rank Family, Master Millers commissioned by J. Arthur Rank.
Perhaps I could photocopy it and swap with you on your pedigree.

Hi Steve,
Yes I can do that. I will photocopy the chart. Athough the printing is small maybe you will be able to make it out. Let me know you address.