What is my heritage...Hungarian or Slovakian?

Question

My great-grandparents emigrated to this country in the late 1880's from their village in Hungary. Since that time, the borders of Europe have been re-drawn several times and the village is now in Slovakia. If someone asks me where my ancestors were from, do I say Hungary or Slovakia?

Answer 1

I say both.... my family has the same issue.  When my great-great-great grandparents came over they came from Slovakia, but in our family history it said that we are probably Hungarian, because the border changed so much in that area and my family was from the southeastern part of Slovakia near the border.

Answer 2

Well, it probably depends on the nationality of your grand parents.

If they were Hungarians, then, you are too. And opposite. So, it doesn't matter if that village is in Slovakia or in Hungary, you are what your ancestors were.

Answer 3

Andy, for you, I would answer that they came from Eastern Europe.. seriously.  Genevieve's mom has a GREAT handle on this area.. if she does not chime in here, you really would do well to send her a note.  I can't honestly speak to the distinctions, except for current names (and those are STILL changing!!) Another thing is verification on both their lineages.. one might be Hungarian and the other Slovakian, meaning your heritage is not clear cut anyway.

Your other option, if you have not done so already, is finding the census taken closest to their arrival, and look to see what is listed as native language.  I have this w/ my grandfather, who lived in what was THEN under German jurisdiction (and shows as his place of birth).. but that is only because Poland did not exist at the time of his birth. His language was Polish, so that is what I am confident of.

edit-

just finished yours, and a new question re Hungary popped on the board.

http://www.webenetics.com/hungary/histor...

Notice the quotation at the beginning!!