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From: Chris Swanson <>
Subject: [CZECH-SURNAMES] Trying to find my roots
Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2008 10:23:58 -0700 (PDT)


The story goes that my great grandparents immigrated from Czechoslovakia to Southern Illinois to work in the coal mines there. They either had my grandfather on the way here or as soon as they got to Illinois and put him in an adoption home somewhere in Illinois. Unfortunately though, there were no records kept on my grandfather's parents, not even their names! My grandfather remained at the adoption home (orphanage) until he was of age to leave on his own but he didn't know what his last name was supposed to be, so he simply chose a last name....the name of the man who ran the adoption home. Before he passed away, my grandfather tried to trace his roots and came up with a name similar to Provak. Is Provak a Czech last name? And if so, from what region? Was it common for Czech immigrants to settle in Southern Illinois to work in coal mines?

Any information that can help me with my research will be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,
Chris Swanson


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