Why was alias added to my ancestor's last name?
Hello, can someone help me understand why my ancestor Martin Schvarcbacher had future records with his name as Martin Schvarcbacher alias Chudik from the year 1869 and forward. The alias is noted on the index page of Slovakia Church book, Roman Catholic, Film 5016639, Item 1, Image 244...sorry but I can't figure out how to attach the URL address.
On prior records, he is just listed as Martin Schvarcbacher then after 1869, he is listed as Schvarcbacher alias Chudik. Also his son, Joseph's 1873 marriage record to Petronella Spissak has the name with "alias Chudik". Both Martin (7 Sept 1811) and son, Joseph (9 Oct 1851), birth/baptism records only have Schvarcbacher as last name.
I had been told that it might have to do with owning property? Alias Chudik meaning the old property of Chudik and the new owner is Schvarcbacher?? Does anyone else know? Is there another website/book I should look at for this information?
Thanks again for any and all help:)
Answers
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This was common in South Bohemia. This is the best description of this phenomenon that I know of: http://czechgenealogy.nase-koreny.cz/2012/11/surnames-after-roof.html
It’s lucky when the alias is recorded as such. In many cases, it’s not and that becomes a major puzzle to solve :)
Robin
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