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From:
Subject: Re: [TSL] Using Maiden names
Date: Fri, 11 May 2001 12:56:31 EDT
In a message dated 05/11/2001 10:39:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:
> does anyone have any idea why Italian women used their maiden names when
> coming into this country?
To: Greg Burns
I see from some of the other responses you have received that you may be
misled.
The practice of the bride (official or common law) in keeping her surname
was, and still is, a widely accepted practice in Europe. The practice was not
and is not limited to Italy. I have many relatives from several different
countries in Europe whose wives have retained their maiden name.
We must be careful not to interpret, or worse yet judge, customs of other
countries by comparing them with those of our own country, whatever that may
be. Many immigrant couples came to the United States each with their own
surname, but the immigration clerk entered them as married with one surname.
To the best of my knowledge there is not any meaning behind the decision to
retain a surname, purely personal preference.
Dan of Pennsylvania in the United States of America
Researching:
Belgium - Aarnik, Baetens, Berggreen, De Ridder, Hofstede,
Sieben, Verheyen
Denmark - Bareisen, Basse, Berggreen, Birch, Brandt, Bruun,
Burmester, Clausen, Frandsen, Hansen, Josiasen,
Krogh, Poulsen, Sibbern, Sieben, Verheyen,
Vonsild, Wiingaard
Ireland - Dougherty, Doyle, Fitzsimmons, Murphy, Steers
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