Thread: Origins of Sennikoff and Shershen

My grandparents Prokop and Natalia came to the U.S. via Ellis Island 1913. I have a Copy of the passenger jacket cover. It says Cenikob-Cennik. It was written in English on the manifest as Senkow-Senik.In searching the database I saw very few names written this way. Was this
an attempt to add the second n to the name. Or did they truly have a duel
name. After naturalizing they dropped assigned name of Raymond and began using Sennikoff. They were married in Kiev Februaury 10. 1913.
Natalia's maiden name was Shershen. I would like to try and obtain a copy
of this record, but I am unsure if the last name is Senkov, Sennik, or Sennikov? None of the above seem to be very common. So I have nothing to compare to. Thank you for your time and consideration
Jane Sparks.

Originally Posted by Sennikoff

My grandparents Prokop and Natalia came to the U.S. via Ellis Island 1913. I have a Copy of the passenger jacket cover. It says Cenikob-Cennik. It was written in English on the manifest as Senkow-Senik.In searching the database I saw very few names written this way. Was this
an attempt to add the second n to the name. Or did they truly have a duel
name. After naturalizing they dropped assigned name of Raymond and began using Sennikoff. They were married in Kiev Februaury 10. 1913.
Natalia's maiden name was Shershen. I would like to try and obtain a copy
of this record, but I am unsure if the last name is Senkov, Sennik, or Sennikov? None of the above seem to be very common. So I have nothing to compare to. Thank you for your time and consideration
Jane Sparks.

What is "passenger jacket cover"???


But anyway, Sennikoff (Sennikov) is a genuine Russian name. So are Senkov and Sen'kov (with soft n). Sennik sounds more like a Ukranian one. I doubt your granddad had a double name, I guess those were variations of the same one. Since they settled on Sennikoff, I think that this is what they thought was the correct form.

Shershen is a Ukranian last name (It may be found among Russians too, but those Russians have Ukranian or Cossack ancestors).

This was a book given to each passenger on the Russian American Line.
It has a passenger # and name written on the first page. The content inside appears to be passenger info., written in Russian and German.
I am trying to get copies of letters written to Natalia. Maybe it will offer more clues. Thank You for your reply. I found your response very interesting. Jane Sparks.

"Sennik" means "hay matress" or "hay barn".
"Shershen" means "hornet".