NOMINACJA LUDNOŚCI ŻYDOWSKIEJ W NAJSTARSZYCH METRYKACH XIX W. Z REGIONU PODLASIA
DENOMINATION OF JEWISH PEOPLE IN THE OLDEST 19-TH CENTURY BIRTH AND DEATH CERTIFICATES FROM THE REGIO OF PODLASIE

Summary/Abstract: The subject of the analysis is personal names of Jews from Tykocin recorded in the earliest registries of births and deaths (years 1826–1828) preserved in the State Archive in Białystok. The selection of sources is not random. They are the most reliable source of information on the way of denominating and identifying Jewish people in official acts, they provide knowledge on the functioning of Jewish names in ethnically diversified areas. The application of the documentation and comparison method allows to follow through the process of the formation and stabilisation of the Jewish names in Podlasie. The analysis of the source material leads to the following conclusions: 1. The most significant role in the Jewish anthroponymy was attributed to the first name. Native names were given. When identifying, the most popularly used formula was: X son/daughter of Y. 2. The influence of the naming habit of the country of settlement is reflected in: a) forming derivatives of Biblical, post-Biblical names originating from Yiddish (diminutive, abbreviated, phonetically transformed forms); b) creating synthetic patronymic formations. 3. Imposing the obligation to acquire a surname by the authorities of the country of settlement results in: a) expanding the function of patronyms and gradual natural development of the patronymic-type surname; b) acquiring surnames which are characteristic for autochthonic population: ones derived from places, professions, characteristics, nick- -names; c) assuming artificial surnames of foreign origin. Trans. M. Czarnecka

• Details
• Contents