My second cousin, during an interview I conducted, informed me that his grandfather, Frank Kanserstein, had his name changed at Ellis Island.  Frank's was the husband of my great aunt, and I never met him.  According to my cousin, Frank's real name was "Thomaspol," but when they asked him what his name was, he replied, "Kanserstein," or "I can't understand."  Given your combined experiences, does this make any sense?