Stonefinder Genealogy

01/18/2026

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01/17/2026

People changed their names- not the Ellis Island officials.

That story about Ellis Island clerks randomly changing immigrant names?

False.

Your ancestors chose to change their names—deliberately, strategically, over years.

The data tells the real story: 57% of Russian immigrants Americanized their first names to get better jobs.

German-Americans became Smith overnight during WWI to avoid violence.

Chinese immigrants bought fake identities to bypass exclusion laws.

Jewish families Germanized then Anglicized. Italians translated.

Each group had a survival strategy.

The 1906 naturalization process even had a checkbox for name changes—this wasn't bureaucratic chaos, it was calculated adaptation...continued in comments 👇

01/16/2026

Don’t give up- keep looking 👀!

01/16/2026

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01/16/2026

01/10/2026

11 Ways That Historical Photos Provide Clues About Our Ancestors

Get the details plus links to expert photo analysis and the Quicksheet at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/11-ways-that-historical-photos-provide-clues-about-our-ancestors-lives/

12/20/2025

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11/26/2025

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10/23/2024

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09/29/2024

06/13/2024

😂 Yep!!

04/16/2024

Yes!! 🤩