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Interpretation of Birth Certificate of Ukrainian immigrant requested

Interpretation of Birth Certificate of Ukrainian immigrant requested

Posted: 16 Oct 2013 7:16PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: TURCZYN TURCHYN
My maternal grandfather's sister, of Ukrainian ethnicity (TURCZYN / TURCHYN), emigrated to Canada in 1929 from what was then Poland (Austro-Hungarian Empire). In 1968 she appears to have obtained a re-issued copy of her birth certificate. By that time the issuing authority was based in the USSR and it arrived on a form using Cyrillic.

When I got possession of this document, it was accompanied by an unknown translator's version of the contents. This translation contains 3 names in parentheses. I do not know what these names (surnames? first names? maternal maiden names?) represent in the context of the original document. I am seeking the opinion of anyone familiar with this type of document issued in the USSR.

The names on this birth certificate may be providing me with huge clues as to the identity of the ancestors of my grandfather (her brother) -- something I have no knowledge of and no way of obtaining from living relations. I have attached an images of the birth certificate, the typed translation (with my comments added in red), and an enlargement of the name given to the 'field' (in Cyrillic) in which each of these 3 names was entered.

Sincere thanks in advance for any assistance provided.


Vicki
Attachments:

Re: Interpretation of Birth Certificate of Ukrainian immigrant requested

Posted: 16 Oct 2013 10:47PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 16 Oct 2013 11:02PM GMT
Hi Vicki,

The names on the birth certificate are indeed very meaningful. The names in parentheses on the translated copy represent the individual's patronymic.

Thus, Maria's patronymic reveals that her father (your grandfather) is Dmytro. In English, Dmytro would be equivalent to Demetrius or Demeter.

We also learn that Dmytro's father (your great-grandfather) is Kostantyn. In English, Kostantyn would be equivalent to Constantine or Constantin, sometimes spelled with a "K".

Your grandmother's name was Pelahia, although the translator incorrectly transliterated it as Palahia. Pelahia's father (your great-grandfather) is Semen. In English, Semen would be equivalent to Simeon or Simon.

There really is no English equivalent to the name Pelahia. Unfortunately, the birth certificate doesn't reveal Pelahia's maiden name.

The field that you refer to is translated as "family name, first name, patronymic".

Wishing you success in your ancestral search!

Richard

Re: Interpretation of Birth Certificate of Ukrainian immigrant requested

Posted: 16 Oct 2013 11:23PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you for your rapid and most helpful response, Richard. Initially, I surmised that the names in parentheses could be maternal maiden surnames, but I was confused by the use of "Dmytrivna" after Maria's name as it was not consistent with this concept.

I guess the downside to this development is that it leaves some big holes in terms of the maternal surnames as I go back ancestrally. At least I won't make the mistake of searching out first names under the presumption that they are surnames. You get credit for that.

On the subject of my great aunt Maria (she went by "Mary"), I'd like to honour her memory by simply stating that her pyrohy were the best ever to be had. Miss them and I miss her.

Re: Interpretation of Birth Certificate of Ukrainian immigrant requested

Posted: 20 Oct 2013 2:21AM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 20 Oct 2013 5:03PM GMT
Hi Vicki,

Those holes may not be gaping ones.

The Family History Centre of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has microfilmed birth, marriage and death records from the Greek Catholic church in Velyka Plavucha. Unfortunately, they are only for the years from 1835 to 1865, but could prove to be a highly valuable resource for you. Let me know if you need further information or direction on this.

I can also refer you to a very reputable genealogist living in Ukraine who may be able to fill in the gaps for you. Although I have not used him for my research, I know others who have. He has a high degree of integrity, his rates are very reasonable, he delivers solid results, and he does not require full payment up front.

He is located in the Ternopil' oblast, the same as your ancestors. He is adept at navigating the Ukrainian archives bureaucracy, which can be cumbersome and frustrating to non-native Ukrainians.

Let me know if you're interested in pursuing that direction, and I'll provide you with his contact information.

Richard
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