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38th Co. US Naval Training Station, Newport, RI 1927

38th Co. US Naval Training Station, Newport, RI 1927

Posted: 2 Jan 2015 7:45AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Denis, Danish
I have a class photo that includes my Grandfather in the ranks for the above listed in the subject line. I sent off for records from the Navy including his SSN, but a letter returned saying that they do not have record of him there. In the photo, I am very sure that it is him and he had many Navy tattoos that I remember. I believe he changed his name, so his name in 1927 might have been different than when I knew him. So, I included the variations of the name that I believe it might have been in 1927 in my inquiry to the Navy records. Family rumors say that he was dishonorably discharged.

What I need help with is I want to find any records of my Grandfather which might list a reason why he was discharged or that he was even in the Navy, any info on where he lived at that time, and just... well... basically any info I can find. I'm looking for his father's name, birth records, marriage records, military records, etc, etc. Is there a way to find records of a name change? Does anyone know why I would have a photo of him at the US Naval Training station with a date on it, but the Navy doesn't have record of him being in the Navy? Is there a way to search to find out if he actually made it into the Navy after the training station in RI?

His name at the end of his life was Michael Joseph Denis. I found a census record from when he was a child with the spelling as Michal Danish. I always assumed that he changed his name and moved from NJ to NY because he had gotten in trouble. Born in 1909 (NJ?), died 1982 (NY).

Thank you for ANY help with this.
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Re: 38th Co. US Naval Training Station, Newport, RI 1927

Posted: 11 Jan 2015 10:11PM GMT
Classification: Query
First read the consequences of a person who has a dishonorable discharge from a Military Service.
The severity of his crime that warranted such an action may have made necessary a name change to have a better life.
Back then one could basically hide a past with just a name change but not today. He would not have needed any legal proceedings either. Since the creation of the SSA and SSNs were not required till mid 1930's I bet your grandfather just filed for his SSN number under the name Michael Joseph Denis and then moved began the process of other forms of ID and future employment with that name. So as you say he moved from NJ to NY probably to to do this.

I do not find the census record for him as a "child", but looking at your 2005 query and the information on other relatives I did find him in the 1930 census under the name Michal Danish age 26 listed as a step-son in the household of a John Balazsi (as transcribed by Ancestry). Column 30 asks if a Veteran of the US Armed Forces and his is blank where others did answer yes or no. Could be census taker didn't think to ask as he was too young for WWI. But there is not a "No" for sure.

When you say the "Navy" does not have any records do you mean the Navy Dept or the NARA that stores past Naval Records.
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/

You should look for Navy JAG/Court records as the Navy may have purged his records from their possession or the NARA storage as he was no longer even considered a "Veteran" but the Naval Court Proceedings should still be archived.

Order a FOIA copy of his SSN application to see his parents names as he listed them and the name he filed under. The number should be the same no matter what name he used to for his application. That should give you a time line of a name change. I would think any service record would be under the name Danish. Also order his sister's SSN application to compare information. Since his mother remarried was there a divorce or was she a widow? Would her second marriage certificate give the name of first husband? There should be court records of a divorce, again to looking for names....any minor children should be listed with birth names as would any probate court records.

Have you seen the 1910 census for a family named Danish living in Passaic Ward 4 Passaic Co. NJ. Head is a Joe, wife Therasia and a son Mice, could be "Michael/Michal" was also a name change from birth name as he grew older. The surname change was later in life.



Re: 38th Co. US Naval Training Station, Newport, RI 1927

Posted: 12 Jan 2015 10:52PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Denis, Danish
Thank you so much for your reply!

The letter I received back was from the National Personnel Records Center (National Archives) with the original spelling of "Michal Danish", saying they have been unable to locate any information on him. I provided them also with the name Michael Joseph Denis and his SSN, knowing that he would have not gotten that SSN until after a name change and move to NY.

He was known as Mickey, Mike, and Michael. Since his parents spoke very broken English, I assume that "Mice" was really Mickey. I know that his parents names were Joe and Theresa (also known as Terezia and Tessie). I don't know how Joe's full name was spelled. Theresa married Joe Balazsi, but I don't know when. It was early though as I know from that census that my Grandfather was 11 living in that household. That 1930 census was my first clue as to how my Grandfather's name was originally spelled. I had always known that it had been changed, but that's where I finally found the spelling. I do not know what happened to Joe Danish or if Theresa divorced him. I am still searching for information.

I cannot find marriage records for my Grandfather or his parents either. Thank you for your suggestion of requesting his SSN application for his parents names!
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