Avis Harsha - a dutch name. trying to find my relatives?

Question

My great grandmother, was Dutch, her name was Avis Harsha. I believe that is the correct spelling. But I am having trouble finding information about any people of dutch descent or in Holland with the name Harsha. No, she was not of Indian ancestry or Hindu- as I've heard some in holland who bear this name are.

I am trying to find her and information. Can anyone help me?

Answer 1

I've checked the latest copy of the published Electoral Roll and there are just 3 people listed in the UK with the surname Harsha, none at all called Harcha.

Other possibilities

1.  Try "Googling" the name and see what, if anything comes up.

2.  Try Friends Reunited which is now a completely free site

3.  Most Countries have Genealogical Societies - Germany and the Netherlands both have.  You could try contacting them to enquire about your Gt. grandmother's surname.  You never know, they might be able to put you in touch with someone researching it.

Interestingly, there is someone listed in an old Genealogical Research Directory (1993) who was researching the name  Harchelroth in West Germany.  I wonder if her name was Harchel originally?  There was also a famous guy called Hershel (sp?), a German Jew, I think.

Answer 2

You did not indicate where YOU are, or more important, where it is that Avis died.  Your approach is to find relevant documents, which concerns her. If she immigrated to the US (for example), you need to determine about when, and search that, for info on her place of origin.

Looking for people who have the same surname is not likely to help.. for example, the name *might* be from one country.. but her parents (and THEIR RECORDS) are not necessarily going to be there.

As ALWAYS in genealogy.. focus on explicit records, not surnames.

Answer 3

HARSHA

English and Irish: variant of Harshaw.

HARSHAW

Northern Irish: unexplained. Perhaps a variant of English Hershey

HERSHEY

Jewish (American): Americanized form of various like-sounding Ashkenazic Jewish names, see for example Hershkowitz.

English (of Norman origin): habitational name from Hercé or Hercy in Mayenne, France.

Can't find Harcha I'm afraid!

Answer 4

Actually, it sounds Turkish to me, and many Turks live in Holland.  What are her features?