24/06/2026
A lot of people say, “Ellis Island changed our last name.”
In many cases, that is actually a myth. Passenger names were generally recorded on ship manifests before arrival, not changed on the spot at Ellis Island.
Over time, many surnames changed for other reasons: pronunciation, paperwork, simplified spelling, adaptation, or family choice.
That is why one Sicilian surname could evolve into several American forms across
generations.
A changed spelling does not erase your origin. Sometimes, it is the first clue that helps reveal it.
Sicilitude can help trace your family line, even when the surname has changed over
time.