Shortened last name?

Question

It is believed that my last name was shortened 2 generations ago when my grandfather traveled to America from Poland. Is it possible to find out what my original last name was? Sadly my grandfather passed away before I had the chance to ask him, and my father doesn't know either. thanks!

Answer 1

Sorry I just had to share this. I was in the same boat as you, My grandfather's last name was Anthony but we had suspected he had changed it once he immigrated to the U.S. We had found out it was originally Antoni, and that's what I'm changing my last name to in honor of him. Have someone do the research for you on your behalf and you should get results. Good luck! =)

Answer 2

My brother dumped the long version of our ethnic name, and I gave it away when I married, so our original name is soon for extinction too - sad.

For your grandfather, I'd suggest checking a range of sources for his name:

- grandma, if she's around.

- your mum, if she's around (my mum knows more of my dad's history than he does, I know more about my husband's)

- immigration records - they may still have his original name

- death certificate (in Australia they list the parents' names)

- marriage certificate

- census records, if old enough to be accessed

-old family papers such as letters, passport, receipts, postcards from home, etc.

I've run out of ideas. Maybe there are some websites for Polish immigration where you could tell them your current name and they could guess what the original was, if it was relatively common.

Good luck in your search!

-

Answer 3

Poor man ..You ask your father again ..let him talk about the past ..his childhood ..You will catch anything to go after ..old friends of the family ..old photos ..old places .. old books of grandpa old letters .. old paintings ,old stamps ..coins ..gifts.. if you have nothing of these ..forget it