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Archiver > HUNGARY > 2003-12 > 1071503482


From: "Sharon Guerra" <>
Subject: Re: [Hungary-L]Name change
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 15:51:50 +0000


On the topic of name changes:

My grandfather's biological father (SOLTESZ) died, we believe, sometime
immediately preceding my grandfather's birth. So, my grandfather assumed
his step-father's name (MATISZ) for just a few years until the untimely
death of his step-father. My grandfather then went to live with his maternal
aunt and her husband, at which time they 'gave' him his uncle's name
(KVICSAK). No documentation was ever filed with any court (he was born in
1908 and was known as a KVICSAK by at least 1920).

Anyway, when my grandfather filed to collect Social Security in the 1960's,
his identity was questioned. He tried to obtain a birth certificate in
Perry County, Ohio to no avail. He could find only a baptism letter written
by a priest in 1912 verifying his baptism (and birthdate) but even this did
not provide proof of the progression of names from SOLTESZ to MATISZ to
KVICSAK! Finally, he had to provide "community sponsors", members of the
community to sign affidavits claiming he was who he said he was.

Incidentally, I'm still trying to locate his birth certificate. First of
all, he was looking under a mispelled version of SOLTESZ (schultesz). I've
tried looking under MATISZ (his mother remarried just 3 months after his
birth afterall, maybe she filed a late birth under her 2nd husband's name?)
but that didn't work. Next, I tried using his mother's maiden name
(LOVASZ), but in 1908 very few birth certificates were filed in Perry County
Ohio anyhow. I really don't need verification of my grandfather's birth,
but I was hoping to find clues about his biological father, Joseph SOLTESZ.

Anyway, just another story of how name changes occurred "back then".

Thanx,
Sharon


Sharon D. Guerra
mailto:

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