I have just recently started researching my and my husband's family history. My father-in-law (a BURNS) said that hit great-grandfather was John BERENS (married Jennie VanDerSlik) but his grandfather (Henry John) changed the name to BURNS. Is this a common thing? Also, what is the popular nationality for BERENS? I was thinking German, but really have no idea. Thank you for any help with this.