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Taking a Closer Look at Surnames

© Christine Sievers

I was considering an article on immigration, but got stumped at the starting gate. For the first thing we need to know about our immigrant ancestor is the name they used at the time of immigration. Our ancestors surnames may have changed in small ways, with a letter or two, to major changes where the original birth surname is entirely different.

In some instances, these name changes may present us with a brick wall when trying to obtain documentation- birth, marriage, death records, etc. The short and fascinating article American Names/Declaring Independence explains how this may have happened. If the name change occured prior to naturalization, this could pose a problem in the process of becoming a citizen. The Immigration and Naturalization Service site has posted a few letters from immigrants trying to get this surname tangle straightened out on their way to becoming a citizen.

All this provides some valuable thought on why we might have hit a brick wall. It also emphasizes why it is important to start from the present and slowly work our way back. There are clues we need to get before we start searching in immigration records, and wasting our time looking for the wrong surname.

How to begin? First, we must keep an open mind. Many new genealogists become very attached to a surname. So, be ready to find some surprises.

Start with family stories. Family stories are always a problem. How many of them are true and how many have wandered into fantasy is the question. Nevertheless, they are worth investigating. Talking to older relatives may provide a clue to a name change.

Home sources are valuable- bibles, letters, journals, and old newspaper articles. For instance, a letter can reveal that a name was spelled slightly different at one time by examining the signature. Handwriting variations could have led to a spelling change. If you are short on these home sources, a network of cousins becomes valuable. One of them may have in their possession the clue you need. Always be willing to share what you have in exchange.

Obtain as much documentation as possible. Then examine each item carefully. It is hard to say which document will suddenly give you the clue you need.

Spread your net wide. Find documentation on the brothers and sisters of your ancestors. You may find a spelling variation of the surname.

For further reading:

George G. Morgans article: Relearning the Spelling of Your Surnames

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