As we start the research into our genealogy, name changes is one thing we encounter. The why and how of family surname changes is not that big of a mystery. Ellis Island inspectors did not automatically change names of immigrants. Some immigrants upon arriving in the United States did change their names. Sometimes, name changes occurred at the time of naturalization. Some cultures did not have surnames they way we think of them today. Often one in their country of origin was simple referred to as Peter the Blacksmith. Thus, upon arriving, this person was given the option to be called either Black or Smith.
The Germans were one group that names were Americanized. The reason may have been to fit in, to pronounce more easily or the name was changed to the English equivalent. An example of such is Zimmermann means carpenter, thus the change to Carpenter. The change was most often based on phonetics and spelled in English the way it sounded such as Schafer was changed to Shaffer.
Name changes also occurred after immigrants had settle into different parts of the country. As new friends were made and speaking English became easier, natural changes occurred to the way names were written down. Other ways name changes occurred was as the children attended school. As the places they settled became bigger and the children attended schools, the teachers were responsible for some name changes. These were based again on spelling names the way it sounded to the English ear. Many changes were not done in any disrespect and were simply a matter of getting things recorded.
Comments (0):