This Kriss Foundation site explores family history in the context of cultural and political events.
Media
We are continually adding photographs, documents, and audio media relating to our family history. Please email new digital images or other media you wish to share. Our goal is to digitize the entire existing collection of 1880-1950 materials for future generations.
Genealogy Online
The interactive online genealogy, powered by Webtrees, covers over 2700 relatives in more than 1000 family groups. To view living family members, please register.
Selected Surname Origins
Browne
Originally Buchwach in Russia and changed in London by Lewis (Buchwach) Browne to appear more English. Buchwach is a composite name from the German Buche meaning beech tree or beechwood, plus the German wachtel meaning quail. This may have derived first from the Yiddish vakhtl for quail. Possibly related to the more common Buchwald meaning beech forest. Likely a chosen descriptive name when Jews were forced to take surnames between 1750 and 1850 in Germany and Eastern Europe. Buchwach is best translated as 'quail in the beech tree'. Western Ashkenazic Jewish origin, German and Polish location.