This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: AlexannaRei Surnames: Baron Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.baron/282/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I can't believe that your relatives were opera singers! My aunt won a scholarship from the Metropolitan opera to study in Italy. My grandfather played the cornet in the Czar's orchestra and sang professionally in the U.S.as did my father. His sister played the accordion and his mother played the Balalaika. There was only one uncle who was a "listener". The Benjamin tribe ran away from the other Israelites before the diaspora and assimilated into the Franc and Norman tribes. They had problems with the other tribes who tried to kill them. There was no discussion about their near or distant Jewish ancestry but it was acknowledged. No one practiced any specific religion on that side of my family. They married everyone. As children, my cousins and I had no formal religion. There were wars in Europe and records were burned, the communists changed the name of towns. My dad had platinum blonde hair and looked nordic and his siblings appeared very western European. I was discouraged to visit churches or synagogues with my friends who thought it was odd.(I was allowed to attend a Lutheran church for the first 13 years of my childhood(?). Very strange, isn't it? My dad mad fun of me when I had a TV program on and was listening to any clergyman. I don't think We'll ever find out since the name is internaional.My Great grandfather landed on Ellis Island around 1903. His son-in-law wasa Baron (my grandfather). He was extremely enigmatic but what a voice.! Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.