Kristin Bauer van Straten

Bauer van Straten in 2011

Birth Name: Kristin A. Neubauer

Place of Birth: Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.

Ethnicity: German, as well as one eighth Bohemian Czech and 1/32 Dutch

Kristin Bauer van Straten is an American actress and animal rights activist. She is known for her roles on the shows Seinfeld, True Blood, and Once Upon a Time.

She is married to Abri van Straten, a South African singer and songwriter.

Kristin’s paternal grandfather was Alfred Charles Neubauer (the son of Louis Joseph Neubauer and Elizabeth/Elizebeth M. Reitz). Alfred was born in Oconto, Wisconsin. Louis was a German emigrant, from Koblenz, Rhineland. Elizabeth was the daughter of German parents, John Joseph Reitz and Anna Maria Opperman.

Kristin’s paternal grandmother was Edna Emma Caroline Rhode (the daughter of George Rhode and Mary/Maria Breutzmann). Edna was born in Franksville, Wisconsin. George was the son of German parents, Joachim John Carl Rhode and Franziska Schmidt, from Mechlenburg. Mary was also the daughter of German parents, Albert Friedrich Wilhelm Breutzmann and Johanna Wilhelmine Albertine Otto.

Kristin’s maternal grandfather was Sgt. Harry Jerry Voelker (the son of Gerhard Voelker, Jr. and Elizabeth Sebastian). Harry was born in Racine, Wisconsin. Gerhard was the son of emigrants from Germany, Gerhard Voelker, Sr. and Karolina Van Der Grinten, whose own father was of Dutch descent. Elizabeth was the daughter of Bernard Sebastian, a German immigrant, and of Marian Josephine Bernhard, whose parents were also German immigrants.

Kristin’s maternal grandmother was Verna Katharine Wichern (the daughter of Charles Wichern and Anna Petrick). Verna was born in Racine, Wisconsin. Charles was a German immigrant, and was the son of Heinrich Wichern, from Hanover, and of Charlotte Frick. Anna was the daughter of Czech emigrants, from Bohemia, John Petrick and Anna Wanes.

Sources: Obituary of Kristin’s father – https://www.findagrave.com

Kristin’s paternal grandfather, Alfred Charles Neubauer, on the 1905 Wisconsin State Census – https://familysearch.org

Kristin’s mother on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Birth record of Kristin’s maternal grandfather, Harry Jerry Voelker – https://familysearch.org