I've recently dived into researching my tree and am desperately trying for luck with my maternal grandfather's family. The name was Yanketis, and the only information that I have goes back to my great-grandfather, who came over from Lithuania (the Grunkiskai area?) in 1902, traveling on the ship Chicago.
Ellis Island has him registered as Caspar Jakotis, an obvious mis-spelling and butchering of the name, as I found the manifests for Hamburg (where he departed) listing it as Jakatis. I am pretty sure that the name was actually Janketis, as the final American version he settled with was Yanketis. He ended up marrying my great-grandmother, Eva, who I know nothing about.
If anyone is still out there, I would love to find out any information about relatives in Lithuania. Or of other relatives, such as brothers and sisters of Caspar (who became Anthony Caspar Yanketis).
Looking forward to possible connections!
Thanks,
Vinnie