To answer some questions:
Rebbishe famikies do not necessarily come from the Baal Shem Tov. Various people became rebbes and started chassidishe branches of their own. However, being that children of rebbes usually marry other rebbes’ children, they are constantly marrying cousins.
The purpose of my research is genealogical. I want there to be one place where information concerning all famous and some not-so-famous rebbes will be available for public viewing.
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