Shimonkevitz
16 Jun 2018
Genealogy / Name: Shimonkevitz (formerly Szymonkiewicz / Siemianowicz, other spellings), Warmińsko-mazurskie, Poland [17]
My father's family name was phoneticized to Shimonkevitz when he went to school (he only spoke Polish at home until then). There are several spellings, and it seems to be a fairly common name, if all of the possible spellings are included.
It means "son of Simon (Simon), from what I understand. My grandfather's immigration records says that he emigrated from Warmińsko-mazurskie, Poland (it was listed as Russia at the time, in 1910).
Here's the thing - I've grown up in a Jewish community in the USA, so I know many US Jews, and Israelis. Many tell me that my name, and the patrynomic structure, must be Jewish. I have had many Israelis hear my name, and immediately begin speaking to me in Hebrew.
There are records for my grandmother, who arrived separately. But I have never managed to find any more info on my grandfather's origins beyond his immigration to the USA in 1910.
The family was typically Roman Catholic, along with all of the other Poles in the town in Pennsylvania where my Dad grew up.
Any thoughts or ideas on this? Thank you. (And no, sorry, I never learned to speak Polish - I really wish I had).
I should add that I've also seen information listing my grandfather's origin and near Boguszów-Gorce. A completely different area. I have not way to find out with my current resources. Either Boguszów-Gorce or Boguszewo.
Title edited - Szymonkiewicz is the best match ;)
My father's family name was phoneticized to Shimonkevitz when he went to school (he only spoke Polish at home until then). There are several spellings, and it seems to be a fairly common name, if all of the possible spellings are included.
It means "son of Simon (Simon), from what I understand. My grandfather's immigration records says that he emigrated from Warmińsko-mazurskie, Poland (it was listed as Russia at the time, in 1910).
Here's the thing - I've grown up in a Jewish community in the USA, so I know many US Jews, and Israelis. Many tell me that my name, and the patrynomic structure, must be Jewish. I have had many Israelis hear my name, and immediately begin speaking to me in Hebrew.
There are records for my grandmother, who arrived separately. But I have never managed to find any more info on my grandfather's origins beyond his immigration to the USA in 1910.
The family was typically Roman Catholic, along with all of the other Poles in the town in Pennsylvania where my Dad grew up.
Any thoughts or ideas on this? Thank you. (And no, sorry, I never learned to speak Polish - I really wish I had).
I should add that I've also seen information listing my grandfather's origin and near Boguszów-Gorce. A completely different area. I have not way to find out with my current resources. Either Boguszów-Gorce or Boguszewo.
Title edited - Szymonkiewicz is the best match ;)