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Help with Czech spelling and pronunciation

Help with Czech spelling and pronunciation

mary Schenken (View posts)
Posted: 5 Apr 2006 2:17AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Kostok, Lestina, Varak, Dlouhy
Apparently Iowa census takers in 1880 tried to spell names the way my czech ancestors pronounced them [ e.g. Varak =Wauzak}. Usually I can confirm a misspelled name by names and ages of spouse and children. But here are two that still puzzle me: Would LESTINA sound something like LESHKENA when pronounced by a recent czech immigrant? And what might KOSTOK be as a czech name?My great aunt Josephine Lestina lived with an aunt and uncle, names no longer known by any living relative. I'm wondering if I can count her as "found' since they were living near other relatives. Or does anyone know of Andrew and Josephine KOSTOCK, AGES 50 AND 55 IN 1880, LIVING IN jOHNSON COUNTY iOWA IN 1880? Of course handwriting and transcription problems add to the confusion...
Thank you for any help. Mary

Re: Help with Czech spelling and pronunciation

Posted: 6 May 2006 1:50AM GMT
Classification: Query
Your Kostok might have been Kostichek which is Kostecka in Czech. I think we have talked,Mary, about your Dlouhy and Lestina, but I can't find your e-mail address.

Re: Help with Czech spelling and pronunciation

Posted: 17 Apr 2011 8:27PM GMT
Classification: Query
Lestina would be the correct spelling for Czech. It is a female version of the Polish boy's name Leszek - pronounced Leshek.... the resason you hear her being called Leshinka or Leshtinka...it's a softer version of the name. Like Calling a Gwen Gwenny..... My name is Lucie but when my grandmother talks to me she calls me Lucinka, when in trouble my mother would yell Luncina....by putting different endings on chech names you add meaning to what mood you are in when talking to the individual.
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