Hi All , I'm new at this but I'll give it a try . My name is Michelle Kranz and I am researching the name KRANZ/CRANS I have information back to a Simon KRANZ/ CRANS brn abt 1840 in Johannisberg Prussia and married a Sarah McSHANE brn 1848 in county Amagh in Ireland. ( if thats not irish ill eat my hat ) on the 11th of June 1872 in Brisbane . Sarah had 2 children before marrying Simon Kranz. James ?? and John RIDDLE . James , born in Port Denison in 1865 took the name KRANZ and married Maria Karger and lived near Roma QLD . They had 12 children of which some go under the name CRANS and others under KRANZ . I have never really knowen why my family started spelling the name diffrently but it was around the 1920s as far as I can tell. Together with Simon KRANZ she had one child John Lawrance CRANS in 1873 . I can find no further information on Sarah McSHANE and am wondering if she may have been married to the father of James thus McSHANE would also be a married name. I cant find any other links other than to a Mary McSHANE. And Im not getting any further on Simon KRANZ/CRANS either maybe you have a tip ? Thanks heaps Michelle