Using Naming Patterns for a Genealogy Project - Tuchfeld part 9

Previously, we attempted to connect all of the various Tuchfelds, appearing in 19th century Rzeszow Jewish records, using a variety of genealogical research strategies. These genealogical research techniques included: using Family Tree Maker Program, using Microsoft One Note, creating a timeline, organizing records, re-analyzing research, and using house numbers to connect family members.

So how do we connect these elder Tuchfelds to each other, no less to the later generations of Tuchfelds? Let’s look at the clues in the records. In our last blog post we connected families using house numbers. But the records also give us other information. The records give us names. In addition to surnames, most records include given names. With first names, we can theorize naming patterns based on Ashkenazi Jewish naming tradition. In Ashkenazi Jewish naming tradition, children are not named for living relatives. They are most often named for deceased grandparents or other close adult relatives who have died. Comparing the lists of deaths to the lists of births, we were able to postulate some relationships.

We found that certain given names repeat over and over again in the family. We focused on the most popular Tuchfeld names in Rzeszow. We created a chart listing those first names and the years of birth and death for the Rzeszow Tuchfelds who held the name. Using this chart, we tried to see if we could find any connection between the deaths and those being given the names. Many were unclear, but some clarified direct relationships.

We created a chart listing three Hirsch Tuchfelds who appear to be named after Hirsch Tuchfeld who died 1852 and three Pessel Tuchfelds who seem to be named after Pessel Tuchfeld who died 1860. We think this is likely based on their birth years being right after the 1852 death of Hirsch Tuchfeld and 1860 death of Pessel Tuchfeld. This type of indirect evidence is not conclusive, but it could help us build a case for a relationship between these Tuchfelds. Our goal of the project is to build relationships between these Tuchfelds.

Hirsch Tuchfeld and Pessel Tuchfeld in Naming Pattern Chart

Jacobson and Jacobson Genealogy Researchers  http://www.bocafengshui.com/genealogy.html  Jewish Genealogy Researchers in Boca Raton and online.