Name Changes at Ellis Island: Myth or Not?

But if you have an ancestor who changed their name after arriving in the US, perhaps you are more interested in learning what their name was, rather than why they changed it. As far as first names go, often they were translated into English. For example, Guiseppina became Josephine. Older children were often named after their parents or grandparents.

If you know your grandfather or great-grandfather came from Italy, but his last name is Taylor, your search will be a bit more difficult. Documentation of name changes were not required by the INS until 1906. If your ancestor began the naturalization process after that year, you will be able to find his or her original name in the naturalization papers.

If your relative arrived in the US before 1906, you might still be able to find his name. Laws on changing names vary from state to state. In New York, all court records of formal name changes are held starting from 1861. Look at the New York State Archives Leaflet on Naturalization for more information on finding these records: http://www.archives.nysed.gov/holding/fa...

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