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Kalafut?

Kalafut?

Posted: 10 Aug 1999 10:24PM GMT
Edited: 27 Mar 2002 7:41PM GMT
I haven't found anything on the Kalafut name, even on the Polish surname explanation databases, etc.

My grandfather is Joseph Kalafut, born in Oklahoma sometime between 1910 and 1920, I think. He was the son of a man named Andrew Kalafut, who I believe was a Polish immigrant. He had two older brothers who left home when he was quite young, who he tried to find after his service in World War II, but was not able to locate. Perhaps they had children.

I will have to talk to him (my grandfather) about it for more information, such as exact dates, the exact location in Oklahoma, when his father died, etc.

There are many Kalafuts in the Chicago area, and it is quite possible that one of them may be able to explain the name's origin (as many of them are recent immigrants).

Good to see that someone else is interested in the name.

joseph kalafut

sherry sherman (View posts)
Posted: 20 Mar 2000 11:28PM GMT
i am also a grandchild of a joseph kalafut. my mother is mary joyce sherman, kalafut. they lived in chicago for many years. my grandfather was born in 1901 in poland and immigrated to chicago soon after. he is one of many children. email me for more info if you would like. he died in 1987. ssherman1@iopener.net

Re: Kalafut?

Posted: 24 Jun 2001 3:00PM GMT
I am the grandchild of a joseph kalafut, son of Michael Kalafut who immigrated from Porac, Czech in 1901. They finally settled in Ohio. Do you have any information on the Kalafut name and origin??

Roberta Kalafut

Re: Kalafut?

Posted: 13 Feb 2011 7:30PM GMT
Classification: Query

Re: Kalafut?

Posted: 13 Feb 2011 7:31PM GMT
Classification: Query

Re: Kalafut?

Posted: 13 Feb 2011 7:32PM GMT
Classification: Query
If anyone wants this pic I will send it via walmart photo express, this was found in my dads stuff. dale ballad dballard5@cox.net note that the two threads reveal first the back of the pic, and then the second pic.

Re: Kalafut?

Posted: 23 May 2011 3:18AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Kalafut
Hi:

I had posted here a while back about my great-grandparents, and have made some significant headway since then. I figured I would write and share what I found.

IF your Kalafut's are from the same place mine are, then they are from Southern Poland, an area formerly known as Spis County. Chnaces are that they are from the same place, as the last name is from a specific area and people were born and died in the same town - and in their lifetime only went a few miles from home.

My great-granfather, John Kalafut, was from Maniowy - which was located in Slovakia, then Austria, then Austria Hungary, then Poland. The village was flooded by the Polish Government in the 70's to make way for a resevoir, and was moved up the hill.

John's father was Frank - or Francisek. If you are looking for your ancesrtal hometown, look up your great-grandfather Andrew's passenger manifest at Eliis Island.org . The older manifests (1900-1920) tell you their nearest relative at home, their destination (Passiac, NYC, ...) and their home country and hometown. Also, if Andrew was a citizen, look up his naturalization poapers at the courthouse - that's how I found my g-grandfather's hometown.

Anyway, hope to learn more. Hope to find another Maniowy-ite.

Best,
Rusty

Re: Kalafut?

Posted: 30 Jan 2014 3:55PM GMT
Classification: Query
I found this on the Kalafut name....

Dutch and North German: from kal(e)fat ‘oakum’, ‘tow’, ‘calk’ (loose fibers of rope used to caulk a ship’s seams and make her watertight), hence a metonymic occupational name for a calker, someone who specialized in making ships watertight. The word is ultimately from Arabic qalafa; it is also found in 17th-century English in various spellings, mainly calf(r)et.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press

Re: Kalafut?

Posted: 30 Jan 2014 3:58PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hi Rusty,

I believe we might be related. My third great grandmother was Regina Kalafut and her father was Marcin Kalafut both from Maniowy. Please contact me if you'd like to exchange information.

Thanks!
-Tom

Re: Kalafut?

Posted: 31 Jan 2014 3:21AM GMT
Classification: Query
Hi Tom:

Yes, I would absolutely love to share information.

On my great grandfather John Kalafut's passenger list when he came over, it lists his closest living relative as his father, Francizek Kalifut of Maniowy. So thats all I have a name if that helps. So a roundabout lifespan for my great great grandfather would have been apx 1850-1920, all lived in Spis county Slovakia Im sure.

Thanks for reaching out - my email address is rusty.myers@ymail.com.

All the best,
Rusty
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