KULVINSKI/KULVINCKI/KULWINSKAS

I am trying to research my grandfathers family name and maybe living relatives and would appreciate any help.

I know that he was born in Suwalk/Suwalki in 1890. His old (Russian?) passport states his name as Kulvinski alis Kulvincki. His UK naturalisation papers and marriage certificate show his name as Kulvincki. I have found UK immigration records for Jonas Kulwinskas dated October 1st 1913, which would fit it with information I already have. He always said that he was Lithuanian.

I question is His passport states that he is a Russian citizen, he said that he was Lithuanian and I believe that Suwalki is now in Poland. How do I find his birth certificate (Lithuania, Poland or Russia).

Does anybody know anything about this name?

Christine

Hi welcome to the forum.

There are lots of great resources on here, all you have to do is use the search function at the top of the page.

Do a little digging and you will find threads like:
Genealogy Resources
Post here and someone will likely help you with the meaning of the name
and if you are interested in family tree research, Browse Here

Have fun and good luck.

Thread attached on merging:
SURNAME

Does anybody know the meaning of my grandfathers surname, and any alternative spellings, KULVINCKI/KULVINSKI/KULWINSKAS. Could be of Lithuanian, Polish or Russian origin?

You do have a spelling problem. There is no letter 'v' in the Polish alphabet.

Sometimes the easiest way to find an alternative spelling is to go to a site like: Ellis Island
Enter a name and see what it throws back at you.

You could also try a name check at: JewishGen.

You also need to do a 'wiki' of Polish history. To help understand the period in question.

Kulvinskas is the Lithuanised version of the Polish surname Kulwiński or obscure origin. Possibly a mispronunciation and resutlant misspelling of Korwiński, a toponymic nickname derived from the localities of Korwin or Korwinów. Korwin is also a crest-name in Polish heraldry.

My great grandfather was from Lithuania. His name was John (Jonas) Kulvinski (also listed as Kulvinskas and Kulwinski). He came to the United States in approx. 1904. I have been researching this family name for almost 20 years now and have been very unsuccessful in locating any family members. However, after reading your post...I now have reignited hope. Maybe we can compare notes, as we are possibly researching the same family.

According to verwandt.de, the German equivalent of moikrewni, there are an estimated 2 people in Gemany named Kulvinskas living in the Heidelberg area.
Does anyone know of a Lithuanian, Belorussian or Ukrainian version of something like the Polish surname sites herby.pl or moikrewni?