magidovitz?

Question

Working on family tree.

Answer 1

This is a tricky surname. It is a surname derived from patronymics, and is also a hebrew based surname.

magidovitz means "son of magid" and was one of many common surnames taken by jews when they were forced to take surnames (often in the late 1800s). But it is tricky. Because especially in Eastern Europe, this name could be magidovitz, magidowitz, magidowicz, magidovich, magidescu, and many others. All are equally valid. Certain areas of Eastern Europe fell under (in recent times) Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Germany and others. People often would "change" their surname to match the powers that be....magidowicz (under Polish rule) could become magidovich (under Russian rule). Upon immigration, many immigrants took the form they preferred, irrelevant of the last form they used in the homeland. For example, a magidovich in the homeland might not be too thrilled with Russia, so on immigration, decided to use magidowicz (the polish form).

But being of hebrew and Eastern European origin, just realize that you have about 10 different legitimate spellings to consider. And many more name mangles off of those names (such as "maged...", "maggid...").

Answer 2

With just a last name to go by, I found these listings on www.ancestry.com

Border Crossings, Canada to US, 1895-1956:
Name: Jacob Magidovitz
Birth: abt 1870 - Zvrburg, Russia
Arrival: 21 Jun 1907 - Niagara Falls New York, Niagara Falls, New York, USA
(another trip was made on 30 June 1907)

(Using him--above--as an example):
1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Jacob Magidoff (Americanized spelling, maybe??)
Home in 1930: Brooklyn, Kings, New York
Age: 60
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1870
Birthplace: Russia
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Tinnie
Race: White
Household Members: Name-- Age
Jacob Magidoff --60
Tinnie Magidoff-- 54
Bella Magidoff-- 30

Jacob Magedovitz
Born: 1868, Russia
1930 United States Federal Census:
Name: Jacob Magedovitz
Home in 1930: Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio
Age: 62
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1868
Birthplace: Russia
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Sarah
Race: White
Household Members: Name Age
Jacob Magedovitz --62
Sarah Magedovitz --58
Joe Magedovitz --26
Isador Magedovitz --21
Anna Magedovitz --16

Calif. Death Index 1940-97 (different spelling of surname):
Name: David Jacob Magdovitz
Father: Magdovitz
Birth: 14 Mar 1888 - Other Country
Death: 17 Oct 1959 - San Bernardino

www.ancestry.co.uk--One World Tree:
Name: Rafael Magidovitz
Parents: Yudel Magidovitch, Ethel Fogel
Spouse: Merjam Friedman

Grandfather: Benjamin Magidovitch (no dates given)
Grandmother: Ruchel Sadavoy (no dates given)
Her father (your great-grandfather??): Sadavoy--no dates given
Her siblings (no dates):
Schmerel Sadavoy M (his son: Yankle Sadavoy M )
Avraham Sadavoy M
Sarah Ruchel Sadavoy F (her spouse Raphael Papugaila, and children: David Papugaila -- F
Motte Papugaila -- M
Shmiel Papugaila -- M
Anya Papugaila -- F
Laika Papugaila -- F
Chana Esther Papugaila -- F )


Meyer Sadavoy M (His Spouse, Chya ; and Children :
Bayla Sadavoy -- F
Ethel Sadavoy -- F
Annie Sadavoy -- F
Eva Sadavoy -- F

Nuchama Sadavoy (Her Spouse, Nachum Tallayevska , and children: Ruchel Tallayevska -- F
Shaindel Tallayevska -- F
Fayge Tallayevska -- F
Yankle Tallayevska -- M
Pessa Tallayevska -- F


www.rootsweb.com--was this another message from you??
magdovitz Posted on: 13 Oct 2002, by magedovitz
Surnames > Magdovitz
looking for records for the magdovitz family. the name was spelled magedovitz megidovitz magidovitz magidowiczZYXZYX

Answer 3

For what information are you asking/looking?