Hi all, I think one has to apply to change a name legally. I thought about that once, to add my maiden name to my married last name, same for the children. It's quite expensive. One has to apply, can't remember where, then it has to be advertised in the local newspaper, in my case it would have been the North Shore news and it also has to be advertised in the Government Gazette. This was what they told me about 10 years ago in BC. It might be worth checking into in BC and Alberta. There might be some records on file. Ines At 06:46 PM 5/18/01 -0700, Stella Stanger wrote: >Hi Laura, I believe that a person can change their name without going >through a legal process - as long as they are not changing their name for >illegal purposes. I don't believe that we can constantly change our names >( it would appear suspicious).- one would need to prove that the new name >- has been in constant use - and that one is known in business, and >personally by that name. for it to be accepted . > > > In this case - the name may be changed just to Anglicize it, The first > name is simple - as it would be Andrew - the other - might depend on a > direct translation ( if there is one), a few changes in the letters of > the name - or perhaps a complete change. It is quite difficult - even in > these days - to have a name that many would find difficult to pronounce. >Since Andrej - apparently did not have a permanent residence - but stayed >(in Vancouver at least ) in Hotels. He can not be traced by telephone number. >Many people change their given names - to something that they like - >rather than live with a name they may not feel compliments them, In most >cases they would not take legal measures to change this. (eg. My cousin >Olga - has been known since school days - as Isobel - which suits her much >better)Another cousin Olga - has always been known as Helen . > > > > > > > >At 09:25 PM 5/18/01 -0400, Missingyvr@aol.com wrote: > >>I have been following the suggestions regarding Jarek's lost uncle in Canada, >>and the possibility of him changing his name. >> >>If the uncle changed his name, wouldn't he have had the application processed >> through the Vital Statistics Agency in the appropriate province? And don't >>"change of name" notices get published in the local papers? >> >>I now live in the US, but was born and raised in BC. I've been out of Canada >>for over 10 years, so perhaps I am off-base with this suggestion. >> >>Could someone please correct me if I'm wrong, or elaborate with more facts if >>I am correct? >> >>Laura Jacoby >>Long Island, New York >> >> >>==== ALBERTA Mailing List ==== >>To post messages to everyone on the list: >>ALBERTA-L@rootsweb.com > > >==== ALBERTA Mailing List ==== >Do not use HTML or RTF (rich text format) in messages sent to >the mailing list - they will be returned to you. >

CHANGING YOUR OWN NAME If you want to change your name you do not have to change it legally. You can just decide what you would like your name to be and then tell people like your family, friends, employer and co-workers that you would like them to call you by the new name. This is called changing your name by common usage. Once people have begun to call you by that name, you can have your identification changed to your new name; you might need to make an oath stating that people now call you by your new name for some identification changes. Also, you can change your signature to your new name and put your new name on legal documents. Remember that you can not change your name if you are trying to get out of having to pay money back that you owe, or for any other fraudulent reason. You can make an application to change your name under the Change of Name Act if you want to legally change your name. Making a legal name change is the only way to get a new birth certificate with your new name on it. To change your name legally you must be at least 18 years old and you must be a resident of Alberta. You can also change your name by completing a deed poll, which is a formal declaration stating that you now want to be called by a new name. This is a free community service provided by University of Alberta Law Students I had relatives that came to Canada in 1908 from Norway they changed their last name as people used to call them goose-head (or something similar), that's how it looked like they should pronounce it, they changed it to Torgersen-not even close to their original name:)