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Re: Origin of "Forkapa"
That's a good idea, though often people will be in possession of some explanation of their name that's just folk etymology. An example: I once met someone surnamed Rusling who believed his
ancestors were cattle rustlers. He could not be convinced otherwise.
Like you I don't find the "Kappel" idea very convincing, but you never know. There is a Croat word kapa, meaning "cap", but I don't find that information very helpful either.
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I heard one story of the part Kapa "cap" as in the head dress due to the family being involved with the Russian Orthodox Church. Rumor has it not too ong ago the "church members" visited the US asking some of the older famliy members about missing church artifacts. Don't know if it's true or not. Thank you for all your help.
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