If both my great grandparents were of Ukrainian background one did they speak Russian and last names weren’t Ukrainian. Pls help?

My grandfather born in 1938, was of Ukrainian (and possibly Russian) background (as we were told) born in Brooklyn New York... His father came from Russia and his mother came from Austria. His father was from Russia born in 1894, along with his parents they spoke Russian. Now his mother born in 1897, came from Austria along with her parents and they spoke Russian as well I think I also saw on one census she was or spoke Slovak. My grandfather last name is Manchur from his father but from his mother her last name was Polanski I did ancestrydna and it shows I’m 33 percent Eastern Europe and Russia: coming from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania but specifically Eastern Slovakia and Southern Poland. I also have 3 percent Baltic States. Now does it seem I have Jewish, gypsy, or what kind of background? Was she polish, Slovakian? Need help

Answers

Maxi

It seems you need to research as that is the only way you will ever know where your ancestry is from and what religion they were as you will be looking at the real records each geerated during their lifetime......... DNA tests tell you nothing, nor do names..researching is the only way

kristin

Start looking at church and synagogue records in the area he grew up in and see if his name is listed on their records. The only way to know your family history and genealogy (who you are related to) is to do the research or pay someone to do it for you, which can get very expensive very quickly. (Professional genealogists charge on average US$20-$23+ an hour.) Start with yourself and work your way backwards, one generation at a time. Gather up your records, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), newspaper articles and clippings regarding some of your accomplishments, journal entries, etc. Do the same for your parents, grandparents, etc You could take a DNA test, but such tests are meant to be a TOOL and not a substitute for proper genealogical research

Chris

Unlikely that they were either Jews or Gipsies if you are quite sure that they spoke Russian. Jews usually used Yiddisch as they were confined to the western part of the Russian empire. Orthodox Christians kept themselves carefully apart from the Jews who required a passport to travell into the Eastern Russia and where Holy Moscow is. Russians speak Russian. Just a hint. There WERE a few exceptions for the wealthy Wechsler and other Rich Jewish families licensed and permitted to reside in Moscow. Possibly they fled the Russian revolution in 1917 and were in the Austrian Empire.

Sunday Crone

You v=cannot assume anything when it comes to the 33% Eastern Europe and Russia: coming from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania but specifically Eastern Slovakia and Southern Poland. I also have 3 percent Baltic States. about being Jewish, Gypsy , Polish, or Slovakian. As Maxi said RESEARCH is the only way. You might try obtaining immigration records. One clue Gypsies didn't normally marry outside the Gypsy culture.

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If both my great grandparents were of Ukrainian background one did they speak Russian and last names weren’t Ukrainian. Pls help?

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