I've been told by my grandmother her parents names were Anthony and Rose Stopera (found in the 1930 census spelled this same way), however I have found variations in the spellings in the 1920 (Stuperds) and 1910 (Stopro) census.

I know my great-grand father came to America in 1895 (cargo ship?), followed by my great-grandmother Rose through Ellis Island, in 1902 (also married in 1902)

Anyways, my question is for those well versed in Galician surnames as to what to search for in 1900 and back or how to go about uncovering the "non-americanized" spelling of this surname.

If you could help me, or have any information about this couple, please let me know! Thanks!

26 June 2009

I've mentioned this before, but I'll re-iterate: always give as much information as possible when posting to the message boards.

What was Rose's maiden name? What is the ethnic background of Anthony and Rose? (Galicia was home to Poles, Ukrainians/Russians, Germans, and Jews.) What religion were Anthony and Rose? Do you have a rough idea as to when they were born? Any family stories as to what village they lived in?

There is an Anton Stupur shown arriving at Ellis Island in 1895 (records start at 1892) and the manifest gives him as being Russian, and he's head for Great Neck. Might he be your great-grandfather?

Dave

Try Stopyra. There are some people from that region of Poland with that spelling.

Try looking for all 3 spellings in www.ellisislandrecords.org
In Poland:
http://www.moikrewni.pl/mapa/kompletny/stopera.html
http://www.moikrewni.pl/mapa/kompletny/stopyra.html
I would go with STOPYRA since you posted on Galicia's board asking about Galician surname.
www.halgal.com