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