On Fri, Feb 5, 2021, at 6:18 PM
Goldie,
Thank you for catching this.
Is It Easy to Change the Spelling of Your Name?
You wanted to know if I had considered using the old-world spelling of our surname, Ilcsik; I now believe that it would be. Just weeks ago, I would have said Elsik or Ilcik.
It is not as easy as you might think. First, in the “old” days, it was easy to change your name. In fact, no paperwork was required. You always could (and still can) be known by anything you please, as long as there is no intention to deceive. Today, not only is their paperwork, but many people have documents issued with our surnames needed for identification. To date, I am the only John P. Elcik with an earned doctorate. I suspect that JP may change that and earn one as well. In the teaching profession, this would be a good career move for him.
J.P. Declares New Evidence Moot
Adding a sixth-generation to my family’s tree has resulted in an interesting conversation with my recently married son: JP.
Only recently have I learned details about my Great-Grandfather’s parents. It seems that my Great-Grandfather, who was known to have used Sr. in his name, i.e., John P. Elcik, Sr. may not have known the whole story of his name. Records show that his father (married to Elizabeth Baron) was also John P. Elcik. If true, he should have been named Jr.; I should be John P. Elcik, V; and my son should be John P. Elcik, VI. At least we did this by generation. I still can’t believe that George Forman named all five of his sons George Edward Foreman.
I shared with J.P. he would need to change his name to reflect the new reality; he wasn’t thrilled. In fact, he wouldn’t even play that game with me. He was NO fun. And I was surprised, as he just got married and Ana, his wife, will be taking his surname as hers. Thus, he knows that changing a name can be done even if it comes with paperwork.
I can’t fight the good fight. J.P. says it is a moot point. So, it must be.
Why Did Our Ancestors Change Their Names?
Here is the article on names which is a fascinating topic for genealogists. And yes, the practice of reusing names when individuals die young is also prevalent in my family.
| Illiteracy – The further back we take our research, the more likely we will encounter ancestors who couldn’t read and write. Many didn’t even know how their own names were spelled, only how to pronounce them. When they gave their names to clerks, census enumerators, clergymen, or other officials, that person wrote the name the way that it sounded to him. |
Regards, from your cousin,
Janos Ilcsik, V (a.k.a. John Elcik, IV)
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