We’ve looked at proper pronunciation before, but today we’re going to examine the proper spelling of common Russian Mennonite surnames. I know it’s hard to believe, but some of you are getting your own names wrong. Maybe it was an immigration officer who changed it upon entry, or maybe your ancestors wanted to sound more Anglo. Whatever the case, here is way you really should be spelling it according to Elder Goertzen (yes, with a T) in Steinbach.

The Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online ( GAMEO ) lists these as “alternate spellings,” but we’re just going to go ahead and say they’re incorrect. That’s a lot more fun.

Correct: Berg – Incorrect: Barg, Baerg, Bark, Barck, Barch

Correct: Bergmann – Incorrect: Bergman

Correct: Braun – Incorrect: Brown, Bruhn, Brun, Br

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