My grandfather came to Canada from what was once Monastarysta, Bukovina in approximately 1908, when he was 15 years of age. Writings my father left behind (my dad died when I was 8) tell me that he had anglicized his name almost immediately upon coming to Canada. I can find no trace of my grandfather anywhere, other than his marriage certificate to my Finnish grandmother. He called himself Harry Babson (he couldn't have picked a more anglo name!!) and my father thought the real last name may have been Babic (which I know to be Serbo-Croation in origin) or Babik, but I don't know if my dad ever saw the name in writing. My granddad died before I was born, my dad was an only child, and both he and my grandmom were dead by the time I was 8. I want to know what my real last name is and be able to trace by granddad's journey. Anyone have an idea on what might have been an orginal first name for a guy who called himself Harry, but was from an area that is in currently Ukraine? Any ideas on a Ukranian or Romanian last name version of Babson? I'm hoping he was pretty literal in the translation. Please help me trace my elusive international man of mystery!

I'm also searching my Finnish Grandmother's past - her maiden name was Tyyne Elvira Rajala - she was a widow with the married name of Matson when she married by granddad. She had a sister, Rosa Rajala who married John Hirviketo. They lived in Fort William (Thunder Bay), Ontario, Canada, on Alexander Street.

Thanks everyone! Good luck with your searches!