Re: Slovakian names and a question
in reply to a message by RegalAmethyst
I am one quarter Slovakian! My paternal grandfather was born in what is now either the Czech Republic, or Slovakia...since they were part of Austria-Hungary back when he was born in 1894, I'm not sure which. My maiden name sounds very Slovak. I looked at the list but they all just look foreign to me. The only one I felt any connection to at all was Josef, because I know that was my great-grandfather's name.
So, in addition to the Slovak, I'm also part Irish, German, English, Scottish---but I don't feel a connection to any names from my heritage. They just look foreign and I feel that I can't even judge them for that reason. After all, I was born in the US and have spent all but one year of my life here, my parents were both born in the US and spent all of their lives here, and the same for three of my grandparents. I'm American. Nope, wouldn't consider using any name from my heritage.
So, in addition to the Slovak, I'm also part Irish, German, English, Scottish---but I don't feel a connection to any names from my heritage. They just look foreign and I feel that I can't even judge them for that reason. After all, I was born in the US and have spent all but one year of my life here, my parents were both born in the US and spent all of their lives here, and the same for three of my grandparents. I'm American. Nope, wouldn't consider using any name from my heritage.
Replies
That's amazing! You're the second person I've met online who's part Slovak (which is 2 more than I've ever met in my real life). I still need to check immigration records for my father's family, but I'm 90% sure that I am Slovakian and not Czech.
I understand what you're saying. I've just always felt like I was cheated out of a cultural history by not having very close ties with any of my relatives. I don't even have close ties to one specific area of the US. I think that makes me want that connection all the more, even if I have to go back a few generations to find it.
I understand what you're saying. I've just always felt like I was cheated out of a cultural history by not having very close ties with any of my relatives. I don't even have close ties to one specific area of the US. I think that makes me want that connection all the more, even if I have to go back a few generations to find it.