Puzzling surname change - house surname?
I am puzzling over a surname change. From 1833 to 1869 my ancestors' surname changed back and forth between Bucskanyin and Falajtar. After 1860 the name stayed as Bucskanyin. Children were named either Bucskanyin or Falajtar and I cannot find an ancestor before abt 1804 that I can definitively link with EITHER surname. Several records are recorded as Bucskanyin /:Falajtar:/ and one is recorded as Falajtar /:Bucskanyin:/
I cannot find a marriage that would explain this so I'm leaning toward the theory that this is a house surname. The house number is consistently 136 throughout in Cziroka Hossumezo, Slovakia.
Is there a way to determine what the actual surname is/was and what was the house name? I tried tracing the house number through the county records (all 500+ pages) but could not find anyone at all in that house prior to 1833 (were houses ever renumbered?).
I am new to genealogy but finding it endlessly fascinating!
Can you provide more information on the use of the format of /:name:/ in birth, marriage and death records of Slovakia Roman Catholic churches? Thank you!
Often knowing the period history during which these recordings were made can be helpful in explaining, or at a minimal, create a hypothesis for what's going on.
You don't mention the country, region or village name, which would be extremely insightful. Knowing if we are speaking of a rural village, town or city, along with knowing the family's demographics - ethnicity and religion provide useful tools as well. Behaviour is motivated by environment.
My work, focuses primarily on Slovakia, but I've looked at perhaps thousands of village records over 25 years. I've yet to see a dwelling receive an alias name. People, yes. In small villages with few surnames, common naming traditions and no "middle name", you'll often see the same name repeatedly used. In these cases, individuals often were given nicknames. Nicknames are lost with time since they are not official or legal names and thus almost never appear in church books or census.
Another important clue is to look at other entries included by scribe. You don't disclose what document you sourced this information, which is an essential element that must be included in every discussion. Let's suppose it's a church record. In these cases an official (priest, minister, rabbi) often adds their own color, such as abbreviations or other data not officially mandated. So figure out what years that individual was doing the recording and look through those records for similar patterns.
Census records can also provide clues. Knowing who is living in the dwelling, such as multiple families can help explain things.
People were quick to remarry after the death of a spouse. Married couples were an economic necessity in those times. I would also not be so quick to dismiss lack of a marriage record.
One hypothetical suggestion: Two families living under one roof; the father/husband of one family departs/dies. Might the remaining children take on the other's surname? An odd hypothesis, but one work checking on.
As Dianne said at the conference, developing a chronology/profile of village life is an important tool. It helps you understand what was going on at the time and what customs and traditions were common in that village. Two villages may have significant differences in how things are done. Generalizations don't work across our villages. I've seen cases where customs, words and even superstitions are quite different in two villages three kilometers apart.
Good Luck!
Bill
In reply to Suggestions by tarkulich
Thank you for all of this information! I am learning so much and appreciate all comments, critique and hypotheses.
The village in question is, as I mentioned, Cziroka Hossumezo (current name Dhle nad Cirochou) in the Presov region/Snina district of Slovakia. The records are from church records for Roman Catholics accessed via Family Search. The time period is mid-1800's. House number is consistent as house 136 and later house 141.
Your hypothesis on death or departure of one spouse is certainly a possibility but does not seem to be the case here. In researching the use of the colon slash I have found various explanations. The colon slash can be used to indicate parents' names on a baptism record, maiden surname on a marriage record or to simply separate surnames for other reasons. What is puzzling is the switch apparently made by Mathias' surname from Falajtar to Bucskanyin.
Below are the links to the records tracing the line of Mathias Falajtar/Bucskanyin. Perhaps you will see something I haven't. While I have tried to trace all records of both Falajtars and Bucskanyins in the immediate village area, I have not been able to trace the line further back using either surname.
Mathias Falajtar - no verified birth record in my research to date. Death record as Matyas [sic Bucskanya] Bucskanyin https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMF-6B6N "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMF-6B6N : Sat Mar 09 10:51:41 UTC 2024), Entry for Bucskanya Mátyás, 27 Mar 1875. (Baptisms (Krsty) 1885-1887 Marriages (Manželstvá) 1844-1903 Deaths (Úmrtia) Image 328)
Possible marriage record of initial marriage to Zusanna ? based on 1831 death record of Zusanna Falajtar from Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DBTS-PTB?cc=1554443&wc=9PQZ-FM9%3A107654301%2C117692601%2C160996502%2C950195601 (Dhle nad Cirochou Baptisms (Krsty) 1805-1843 Marriages (Manželstvá) 1806-1843 Image 241)
Marriage to Maria Knissch based on son Georgius (Gyorgy) Falajtar's baptism record https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-T9QW "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-T9QQ : Sun Mar 10 05:14:21 UTC 2024), Entry for Georgius and Mathias Falajtar, 12 Apr 1833. (Dhle nad Cirochou Baptisms (Krsty) 1805-1843 Marriages (Manželstvá) 1806-1843 Image 95)
Son Paulus Falajtar baptism record https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-YGQJ "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-YGQN : Sun Mar 10 20:12:46 UTC 2024), Entry for Paulus and Mathias Falajtar, 29 Jun 1836. (Baptisms (Krsty) 1805-1843 Marriages (Manželstvá) 1806-1843 Deaths (Úmrtia) Image 106)
Daughter Maria Falajtar baptism record https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-YBK5
Son Mihaly Falajtar baptism record https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-YR52 "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-YR5V : Sat Mar 09 16:03:34 UTC 2024), Entry for Michael and Mathias Falajtar, 23 Oct 1842.
From this point on - all Mathias’ records are under Bucskanyin
Son Mihaly Bucskanyin burial record https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMF-DYZ9 "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMF-DYZM : Mon Mar 11 01:17:10 UTC 2024), Entry for Mihály and Bucskanyin Mátyás, 8 Feb 1845.
Son Georgius (Gyorgy) Falajtar/Bucskanyin marriage to Katalin (Catharina) Szkvasik/Szkvassik https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NM8-PT5P "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NM8-PT5P : Fri Mar 08 11:44:36 UTC 2024), Entry for Georgius Bucskanyin and Catharina Szkuasik, 21 Jan 1856. (Baptisms (Krsty) 1885-1887 Marriages (Manželstvá) 1844-1903 Deaths (Úmrtia) Image 60)
Georgius (Gyorgy) Falajtar/Bucskanyin and Katalin Szkvassik daughter Catharina Falajtar baptism record https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-YP9G "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-YP9L : Thu Mar 07 16:52:11 UTC 2024), Entry for Catharina and Georgius Falajtar, 2 Nov 1857. (Baptisms (Krsty) 1805-1843 Marriages (Manželstvá) 1806-1843 Deaths (Úmrtia) 1806-1843 Baptisms (Krsty) 1844-1885 Image 344)
From this point on all Georgius’ records are as Bucskanyin.
Georgius (Gyorgy) Bucskanyin and Katalin Szkvassik son Michael baptism record https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-Y31N "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-Y31X : Sun Mar 10 04:41:01 UTC 2024), Entry for Michaël and Georgius Bucskanyin, 23 Sep 1860. (Baptisms (Krsty) 1805-1843 Marriages (Manželstvá) 1806-1843 Deaths (Úmrtia) 1806-1843 Baptisms (Krsty) 1844-1885 Image 364) ALL MICHAEL/MIHALY RECORDS REMAIN AS BUCSKANYIN
Georgius (Gyorgy) Bucskanyin and Katalin Szkvassik daughter Maria Bucskanyin baptism record https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-YNMM "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-YF1B : Sat Mar 09 01:33:19 UTC 2024), Entry for Maria and Bucskanyin György, 27 Nov 1863. (Baptisms (Krsty) 1805-1843 Marriages (Manželstvá) 1806-1843 Deaths (Úmrtia) 1806-1843 Baptisms (Krsty) 1844-1885 Image 382)
Georgius (Gyorgy) Falajtar and Catharina Szkvasik daughter Anna Falajtar baptism record "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-Y1YG : Sun Mar 10 15:51:42 UTC 2024), Entry for Anna and Georgius Falajtar, 25 Apr 1866. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-Y1YG
Georgy (Gyorgy) Bucskanyin and Katalin Szkvasik daughter Zusanna baptism record https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-Y3CN “Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-Y3CN : Sat Mar 09 09:04:21 UTC 2024), Entry for Zuzana and Bucskanyin György, 20 Oct 1869.
Record found in Hungarian 1869 Census for Cziroka Hossumezo house 136 under name Mathiae Bucskanyin
Son Georgious (Gyorgy) death record as Falajtar /: Bucskanyin:/ Gyorgy https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMF-D1SN Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMF-D1SN : Fri Mar 08 05:03:38 UTC 2024), Entry for Falajtár György and Szkvasik Katalin, 19 Aug 1880. (Baptisms (Krsty) 1805-1843 Marriages (Manželstvá) 1806-1843 Deaths (Úmrtia) 1806-1843 Baptisms (Krsty) 1844-1885)) Image 375
Maria Bucskanyin son Jozsef Makovecz baptism record as Bucskanyin Maria /:Falajtar:/ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMF-CRCZ "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NMD-B8QB : Sat Mar 09 12:43:28 UTC 2024), Entry for József and Makovecz József, 25 Nov 1883. image 242/259 #004406717
Anna Bucskanyin marriage record as Anna Bucskanyin [sic Ducskanyin] /:Falajtar:/ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NM8-L9QP "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NM8-L9QX : Mon Nov 10 18:13:57 UTC 2025), Entry for Simon János and Márton, 9 May 1887.
Zsuzanna Bucskanyin [sic Ducskanyin] marriage record to Janos Mesaros as Bucskanyin /:Falajtar:/ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NM8-PH22 "Slovakia, Church and Synagogue Books, 1592-1935", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NM8-PH2F : Thu Mar 07 13:33:03 UTC 2024), Entry for Mészáros János and András, 25 Feb 1889.
THANK YOU, Bill!
Linda
Hello LMS. Please, feel free to write an email to Education at CGSI dot org. Thank you. IB