I am researching a family of GILL who came from Lithuania 1906 and ended up in a small coal mining town Lackawanna County - towns of Scranton & Carbondale in Pennsylvania. The name of immigrant was William Gill but was told by family the name was shortened from Gillus or Gillis. I cannot find him either of those names on transport records but I do find a William Gawius/Gawris who matches description of the same William Gill I am searching for.......my question is could the name Gawius in Lithuanian when pronounced - SOUND - like Gill and was thereby shortened to the American spelling of such. Any opinions welcome! Thank You!
Nancy