Re: Kogan/Kagan #ukraine
Yefim Kogan
Well, first of all it was in the middle of XIX century, sometime in 1860s or so.
The main reason for changing surnames is that Jews did not want to go to Tzar army, and by changing names, that may helped.
If it is a large family, like 8 children with 5 boys, it is likely that someone would be going to the Army, but if there are small families of 2-3 children, and 1 boy in each, that may not occur. If it is only ONE boy in the family, that boy will not be recruited to the Army.
I also heard a rumor, but did not proof it that in some regions, not everwhere, Jews Kohanim were not recruited to the Army... not sure if this is true though.
All the best,
Yefim Kogan
The main reason for changing surnames is that Jews did not want to go to Tzar army, and by changing names, that may helped.
If it is a large family, like 8 children with 5 boys, it is likely that someone would be going to the Army, but if there are small families of 2-3 children, and 1 boy in each, that may not occur. If it is only ONE boy in the family, that boy will not be recruited to the Army.
I also heard a rumor, but did not proof it that in some regions, not everwhere, Jews Kohanim were not recruited to the Army... not sure if this is true though.
All the best,
Yefim Kogan