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From:
Subject: Re: [Hungary-L]Name change
Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2003 11:19:22 EST


Elizabeth and Listers,

You are absolutely correct that it is, and has been, possible to change your
name without going to court. Many states do allow names to be changed by
common law. The requirements for this to be "legal" vary by state.

M goal is to suggest reasonable research ideas. Knowing that Immigration law
is very complex and has changed frequently it is impossible to state many
things with certainty.

So let me set some make believe parameters.

1. You searching an immigrant who arrived after 1906.
2. You suspect that this person was using a different name by 1920.

A first step would be to search census records. Those returns could reveal
infromation about arrival date and naturalization.

Assuming that you had found this family in the 1930 or 1920 census and
discovered that he had been naturalized the next step would be to search
naturalization records

If he became a citizen he could have only achieve it with a certificate of
arrival issued by Immigration to the court. That means he would have had to
state the date, place and ship of entry. He also would have had to declare his
arrival name no matter what mane he was using at the time. This information would
have been checked against the actual ship's list. I suggest a visit to the
following URL for more information concerning the relationship between
Immigration and naturalization.

<<http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/manifests/occ/>>;

There was name-change provision in naturalization procedures after 1906. As
part of naturalization a person could request a name change. Fortunately these
name changes were recorded. So while it is true that you may not need to go to
court change your name many naturalized immigrants did as part of the
naturalization process. Check out "How Shukowsky became Zakotsky" the following URL.

<<http://uscis.gov/graphics/aboutus/history/articles/zakot.html>>;

I know that many immigrants did notnaturalize and that citizenship was not
required. A search for a "name chage" immigrant who did not seek naturalization
would call for a different research plan.

Ralph Komives




In a message dated 12/13/03 7:10:59 PM, writes:


> Ralph.
>
> You certainly have more knowledge in the field of family history than I do
> but I have to question  your answer regarding name changes.
>
> Prior to Social Security and Federal Income Tax, one could do whatever they
> wanted with their name....they could change it 6 times if they wanted to and
> did not need a court to approve it.
>
>
> Elizabeth V. Cardinal
>
>


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