looking for russian grandfathers origin?

Question

hi, ányone know from where in Russia, the last name of Burkowsky, or Buroxhosky comes from?? We are trying to find our grandfather's origin; we know he came from Russia about 1910 or so, but have no idea from where. Thanks ahead of time for any answers.

Answer 1

If you look at an old map, you'll see that "Russia" in 1910 took in many countries that are independent today - Poland, Finland, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, etc. As some of the other posters noted "Burkowsky" is likely a Jewish name - most Jews in the Russian Empire were confined to the area known as the 'pale', what is now Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine. Your grandfather is probably, although certainly not definitively, from there.

If there is no family memory of the town he's from (did you ask your parents, uncles, aunts, older cousins, etc.)?, then the best bet is to track down his immigration and/or naturalization records. If he came through Ellis Island, you can check the records on-line (for free). If he became a citizen, you can check his naturalization records (it can take a long time to get them).

Unfortunately, because of the wars, many E. European records did not survive, so you may not be able to get back too far.

Regardless, good luck!

Answer 2

Hey amberchrystal,

There are 40 Burkowsky entries at Ellis Island, you can use the free Web site, but you have to register. My search below may or may not let you in. This is an excellent possible place for him to have entered the country.

Also the department of naturalization is a great place to look, if he became a citizen, and I assume he did.

Then Cindi's List - provided are 3 of Cindi's lists of lists about Russia. These may take a while to figure out, but should lead you to some places for Vital Records.

Be sure you have looked through Grandfathers Papers if you have any, his old books, chests, etc. Remember what you are looking for is any indication of his past, pictures, postcards, and most especially Vital Records. Which is why the last site is included. If you can find his location of departure, you may be able to find some record of his birth, and that - will link to his parents.

Answer 3

There are 32 Burkowsky listed in the index to the 1930 USA census born in Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Germany and the USA. In earlier censuses, Lithuania and Poland would have been listed as Russia.

If you want to post your grandfather's name and approximate birth year, I'll see if I can determine which location he reported to the census taker.

Answer 4

This is a Jewish last name.
Your grandfather probably was Jewish, lived in Russia around the time of Tsar Nicholas II, Rasputin and the Revolution.

He might have been from Moscow or Kiev, based on the following events:

On April 23, 1891, Jews were expelled from Moscow Russia

On Jan 10, 1898, Jews were expelled from Kiev Russia

Many Jews lived in Odessa or St Petersburg then. So, he might be from either of these two places.

No one will know exactly for sure where he is from except himself or your grandmother.

For the exact origin and root of this last name, you have to consult a genealogist.

Look at this site.
http://www.genealogytoday.com