Name changed going through Ellis Island

[ijanowitz]

My Grandfather's name was changed by the registrar going through Ellis Island. His name registered on the ships manifest had his name Lucchese. Upon being called by the name of Lochist, he didn't answer. Then one of the workers checked his ships registration number and said that they were calling him. He replied "my name is Lucchese" the workers said, "if you want to come in to the USA, your name is Lochist" My Grandfather had no choice but to submit to this name change. Seems like the workers were overburdened and possibly felt that the immigrants were like "locusts swarms" hence the name Lochist. I have been in touch with the President of the Ellis Island foundation, who turned me over to his 2nd in command, and tried to tell me that my Grandfathers name was Lochist not Lucchese, and she turned me over to another group that works with them founded by Bob Hope. The same ending occurred and he said that many people coming in to the USA changed their names themselves.
This angered me greatly. Do not come off condescending with me with an idiotic reply.
My Uncle eventually went down to NY City Hall and had the name changed back to the original name. I am still irked by this action by the underlings of the Ellis Island Foundation as I had told them all I wanted was a confirmation of what I assumed happened, and that I had no intention of any law suits, only for my own record keeping. I wonder how many people have suffered under this same condition of having their names changed by the workers at Ellis Island. I can just imagine the chaos that had occurred with the enormous influx of immigrants that time. But to not be big enough to admit that an error had occurred does not sit well with the families involved.

[kencwalker]

This is an interesting story, but doesn't jibe with the reality of the Ellis Island arrival process. Not saying it's not true, just that it's unusual. Let me explain...
The manifest was NOT created at Ellis Island. It was done by the shipping line using names of ticketed passengers. (Imagine trying to create manifests for 8-10 ships/day, with 1000+ passengers each, all WITHOUT computers!) In fact, most manifests show this, as there are usually names crossed out as "did not sail".

You can sort this out by finding the ship manifest showing your GF' s name. Have you searched Ellis Island records? If not, you should. Do you need help?
Share some key details and we can find Signore Lucchese / Lochist.
For example:
First / Last name
When he arrived (approximate year)
Where he lived (in Italy)

Regards,
-Ken

[kencwalker]

Have you searched Ellis Island records? If not, you should. Do you need help?
Share some key details and we can find Signore Lucchese / Lochist.
For example:
First / Last name
When he arrived (approximate year)
Where he lived (in Italy)

I should have searched before responding.
An Ellis Island search finds 432 passengers (316 men) named Lucchese arrived between 1900-1929.
A similar search for Lochist finds 0 arrived between 1900-1929.

BTW, Lucchese is a famous boot line in Texas. Any relation?
-Ken

[adelfio]

Welcome to IG website
Name change usually happen in other US records besides shipmanifests What is your family info names places and dates? Can I see the shipmanifest can you leave a link?

Marty

[ijanowitz]

Marty thank you very much. My case is solved and I have every piece of information I was searching for. It has taken me 18 years, and thanks to the technology of today I found proof positive of what had transpired, and had in fact located the roots of my family in Partinico Sicily, Italy.