This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: slickredone Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.lesser/5.41.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Florence, Well, I had originally answered an inquiry from Joan Bega, but your question is interesting. What information are you looking for on the Lesser's? As far back as I have researched the name Lesser in our tree is also spelled Lasser, but not Lissauers. There is a possibility that it was spelled differently earlier on. I have only gone back to Johann-Adam Lesser, 1725-1798 as my earliest relative in the Lesser line but, from what I can gather the Lesser's originated from Steinwershausen/steinverhausen, Saxony Meiningen, Germany. That's a mouthful!! Then they immigrated to Russia. Johann-Adam was one of the originating families to settle in Frank, Russia. I have seen other documentation on all the ways the Lesser spelling was changed for whatever reason. My husbands line started out as Kauffman, then went to quite a variety of spellings down the line so, I would assume Lesser could have followed in the same vein. Let me know how I can help. Sandi Lesser Kauffman 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.