After searching the ships passenger lists for 2 years for my grandfather Benjamin Abraham HECHLER, I may have found him thanks to a member recently mentioning the males >from Galicia area may have used their mother's maiden names. Wow! I previously paid a professional genealogist a lot of money and had given up until last week, and now I believe I have found his passenger list info under name of Benjamin GOTTENPLAN (GUTTENPLAN). Since his 2 brothers came to the USA just before him and used the name Hechler I mistakenly thought he would have also. Wrong. I should know not to assume anything with genealogy. I hope someone can answer my question if I am writing to the correct place.
He arrived in 2/1899 under name of Benjamin GOTTENPLAN. Starting with the US Census of 1900 his name is always listed as Benjamin HECHLER (our family name). What would an immigrant have had to do to change his name? Were there legal channels they had to go through or did they just change it on their own?
Every time I read about someone finding a family member I am so excited for them. I hope I will join that group soon. Any help >from anyone telling me how he changed his name will be greatly appreciated.
