Greetings Robert and thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. I will use the Ellis Island link you provided from now on. Thank you as well for the link in your second post.

I have a couple of surnames - my two great grandfathers. Like I said, I am just beginning this search and as far as I'm aware, I am the first to be deeply researcing my family's ancestors. I've been at it for only a short time (day and night - it's fascinating!) and reading as much useful information about the do's and don't as I can. I am just collecting and organizing data at this point - not really matching anyone up except for those who are obvious matches and matches that I personally know of.

I have a copy of my great-grandfather's death certificate that was found recently when my dad died. My great grandfather's name is Felix POTAPA (my maiden surname). However, it says on the certificate, "also known as Felix PATAWSKI." He died in Detroit in 1922. Written accross the top of the death certificate it says, "see attached affidavit." Of course, that part I don't have. I have already sent to the State of Michigan vital records for a copy explaining that I am most interested in the affidavit hoping it will explain the aka. We will see...

I did find a Felix POTAPA in Ellis Island records who I believe to be him. So that squashed the "name changed at Ellis Island" thing that has been buzzing in my family for years. Thank you for also for clearing that up for me with the passport/manifest information at the location of embarkation.

The other surname I have is CZUBASZEWSKI, first name John, born abt 1888. This is another great grandfather. This individual was talked about briefly on these boards back in 2003. I have been in touch with the person who posted the queries back then and I have also found a distant relative by the name of Czubaszewski in Poland who indirectly contacted me (long story). I am awaiting his reply to an email.

This surname has a couple of known variations in spelling: CZUBASZEWSKA which appears on my grandmother's marriage record and CZUBASEWESKA which appears on a 1930 census of John's ex-wife, Lottie. I'm hoping to hear back from the gentleman in Poland soon so I can fill in some blanks through him. I believe he is directly related to one of John's brothers who stayed in Poland.

So my biggest mystery is the name POTAPA. I have found a couple of spelling variations (POTEPA, POTOPA) and I'm collecting that information as well. I have so far found very little with the name PATAWSKI. I am very lucky though, that basically, both of my great grandfather's surnames, however they're spelled, are not very common and most on the Czubaszewski side lived in Flint, MI. Genesee County has great genealogy records online (I'm in CA)! The Potapa's were from Detroit.

If you got to the bottom of this message - -thanks for reading!! Like I said, this stuff is fascinating! If in your travels you come accross anyone who might belong to me, please let me know. I have bookmarked this forum.

Best,
Rebecca