bobbyj
3 Feb 2009
Genealogy / Question on my name... Dzianik / Janik? [4]
I believe my grandfather came to the USA in 1880 or 1881 from very near Augustowa. He spelled his name here "Dzianik", even over 25 years later. I'm trying to figure out if this is Polish, Russian, or Lithuanian.
The name was Americanized TO "Janik" which is my last name which sees to be a common Polish surname. I wondering why my grandfather persisted in spelling his name Dzianik. Is it possible I have been misinformed and that he's not even from Augustawa, perhaps Sloakia where the "Dzianik" exists (I don't see it in Poland anywhere).
I'm also wondering why would my grandfather leave during a boom time in that area of Poland and soon after the Russian/Turkish War (1878-1879). He was 20 or 21 when he left for the USA. My father, who is deceased, always said that my grandfather was a Russian Cossack.
Thanks in advance for your help!
I believe my grandfather came to the USA in 1880 or 1881 from very near Augustowa. He spelled his name here "Dzianik", even over 25 years later. I'm trying to figure out if this is Polish, Russian, or Lithuanian.
The name was Americanized TO "Janik" which is my last name which sees to be a common Polish surname. I wondering why my grandfather persisted in spelling his name Dzianik. Is it possible I have been misinformed and that he's not even from Augustawa, perhaps Sloakia where the "Dzianik" exists (I don't see it in Poland anywhere).
I'm also wondering why would my grandfather leave during a boom time in that area of Poland and soon after the Russian/Turkish War (1878-1879). He was 20 or 21 when he left for the USA. My father, who is deceased, always said that my grandfather was a Russian Cossack.
Thanks in advance for your help!