Date of Birth: February 4, 1948
Place of Birth: New York, U.S.
Date of Death: July 28, 1996
Place of Death: New York, U.S.
Ethnicity:
*father – Austrian/German, Czech
*mother – three quarters Irish, likely one quarter Alsatian German
Marguerite “Marge” Ganser was an American singer. She was a member of girl group The Shangri-Las, known for their 1964 song “Leader of the Pack.” Other members of the band were Mary Weiss and sister Elizabeth “Betty” Weiss, who were sisters, and Mary Ann Ganser, who was Marguerite’s twin.
Marguerite was the daughter of Rita Marie and Herman Ganser. Her father was an Austrian immigrant, of Austrian/German and Czech descent. Her mother was born in New York, of three quarters Irish and likely one quarter Alsatian German descent.
While The Shangri-Las have been accidentally retconned as an “all-Jewish girl group” in some erroneous press reports, this is not accurate. None of the members were Jewish.
Marguerite’s paternal grandfather was Alfred Johann Joseph Ganser (the son of Michael Ganser and Theresia Kainz). Alfred was born in Vienna, Austria. Michael was the son of Josef Ganser and Maria Anna Semler.
Marguerite’s paternal grandmother was Anna Mlynárik/Milnaschk (the daughter of Wenzel Mlynarik and Eva Pexa). Anna was born in Eisenstraß, Klattau, Czech Republic. Wenzel was born in Klatovy, Plzeň Region, the son of Georg/Jiri Mlynarik and Josefa Lanna.
Marguerite’s maternal grandfather was named Peter Conrad (who likely was the daughter of Adam Conrad and Mary Ryan). Peter was born in New York, to a French-born father, who may have been an Alsatian German, and an Irish mother.
Marguerite’s maternal grandmother was named Mary Walsh (who likely was the daughter of James Walsh and Mary). Marguerite’s grandmother Mary was born in New York, to Irish parents.
Sources: Marriage record of Marguerite’s parents – https://www.familysearch.org
Genealogy of Marguerite “Marge” Ganser (focusing on her father’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Marguerite’s mother on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
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