The Shank family left the Russian Empire in the 1880s and traveled farther west than most immigrants expected. Their journey led them to Painted Woods, a little-known Jewish farming colony in Dakota Territory, before eventually settling in Portland, Oregon. This is the story of one immigrant family, the harsh prairie winters they endured, and the life Louis “Lipp” Shank built in the American West.

Ella Johnson Smith’s life tells a powerful story of resilience in Jim Crow America. Widowed young and raising seven children, she navigated hardship, family, and community in East Texas before spending her final years in California. Her story reminds us that the lives of our ancestors carry quiet strength and lasting legacy.

A father & son's, remarkable courage & resilience during the Civil War & Jim Crow eras.

Join Jenell's family history journey, exploring Charlie Banks' triumph over economic challenges and discrimination.

BACKSTORIES - Volume 1, Issue 2

BACKSTORIES - Volume 1, Issue 1