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→Surname "Changes" of German Immigrants in the United States
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*Most of the time the surname spelling changed to accomodate the '''different phonetic spelling in the English language'''. In other words, the recorder tried to write the name the way he heard it. | *Most of the time the surname spelling changed to accomodate the '''different phonetic spelling in the English language'''. In other words, the recorder tried to write the name the way he heard it. | ||
*Surnames may also have been translated outright into English, sometimes with a slight twist. Examples: Feuerstein= Firestone, Schwarzenbach(er) = Blackcreek [which evolved into "Blackrick" and other phonetic spellings], or simply "Black". | *Surnames may also have been '''translated outright into English''', sometimes with a slight twist. Examples: Feuerstein= Firestone, Schwarzenbach(er) = Blackcreek [which evolved into "Blackrick" and other phonetic spellings], or simply "Black". | ||
*Within the German community, such as the local parish, immigrants may continue to use the proper German name, while at the same time '''using English-language equivalents when dealing with local government, census takers, and other non-Germans.''' | *Within the German community, such as the local parish, immigrants may continue to use the proper German name, while at the same time '''using English-language equivalents when dealing with local government, census takers, and other non-Germans.''' | ||
*Different branches of the same family may adopt various surname spellings. For example, one branch of the Schwarzenbach(er) family adopted the surname Blackcreek, later Blackrick. The cousin who came over with his family at the same time chose to use "Black". | *Different branches of the same family may adopt various surname spellings. For example, one branch of the Schwarzenbach(er) family adopted the surname Blackcreek, later Blackrick. The cousin who came over with his family at the same time chose to use "Black". | ||