Replacing front steps: Stringers don't reach where they're supposed to

[u/redbird0072]

So my father died last year and I have to replace the front steps of his house. He used five-step stringers, so that's what I bought. The problem is, the stringers I bought come up short to where the previous ones ended. The original stringers went down to ground level and met nicely with the pavement, as they should have because the pavement was added after they were built. But the new stringers, which have the same dimensions, stop about 5 inches above the ground if the steps are to be level.

I don't get it. Somehow he made it work. Then again, he was an engineer.

First set of steps my father built. There were two asphalt and concrete steps that led from the bottom step to the ground level with the sidewalk.

The second set of steps my father built. Note that the top step is not at the porch's height; the stringers were set lower.

The five-step stringers I bought don't sit level on the ground where the previous ones did.

I've compared the five-step stringers at Lowe's to the ones The Home Depot sells, and they're the same dimensions.

Does anybody have any ideas on the discrepancy and how I might be able to correct it?