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ArchivesOrigins of Sennikoff and Shershen
My grandparents Prokop and Natalia came to America via Ellis Island 1913. The ship manifest shows the last name Senkow-Senik. They used the name Raymond, until they filed for citizenship, and they began using Sennikoff. Ship manifest listed Polish as ethnicity, but they
spoke Russian. They were married in Kiev, 1913.Natlalia's maiden name was Shershen. They listed Kowalsky as last residence, but I have not found a town by this name, around Kiev.They were of Russian Orthodox Faith. Are these names Russian, Polish, or Ukrainian?
spoke Russian. They were married in Kiev, 1913.Natlalia's maiden name was Shershen. They listed Kowalsky as last residence, but I have not found a town by this name, around Kiev.They were of Russian Orthodox Faith. Are these names Russian, Polish, or Ukrainian?
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The Russian word ??????? 'Shershen' means hornet. I think Senik/Szenik is a Hungarian surname... Senikow would be the Polish version of that (Russians never use a -w at the end).
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I think the meaning 'hornet' may be incidental after all. New theory: Shershen is the result of transcribing 'Jerjen' into Russian alphabet and then back again. But does anyone know the origin and meaning of Jerjen?
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I have recently learned that Prokop was a Cossack. I am now assuming that Prokop was Ukrainian as his birth date of July 8, is
the saints feast day for Prokop. And this was a common Ukrainian naming practice. Would knowing he was a cossack help locate towns
Kowalsky or Kolodostat. Thank You for your reply. Jane Sparks
the saints feast day for Prokop. And this was a common Ukrainian naming practice. Would knowing he was a cossack help locate towns
Kowalsky or Kolodostat. Thank You for your reply. Jane Sparks
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Well, Prokop is definitely not Polish, but Natalia could be any of the three.
I hope you know that at the time you are referring to the countries of Poland and Ukraine did not exist. Their territories were divided between the Hapsburg and Russian empires and kinda overlapped. In that sense, your ancestors might have identified themselves as Polish, while living in Ukraine/the Russian empire.
I hope you know that at the time you are referring to the countries of Poland and Ukraine did not exist. Their territories were divided between the Hapsburg and Russian empires and kinda overlapped. In that sense, your ancestors might have identified themselves as Polish, while living in Ukraine/the Russian empire.
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