This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Kostok, Lestina, Varak, Dlouhy Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lRC.2ACE/3493 Message Board Post: Apparently Iowa census takers in 1880 tried to spell names the way my czech ancestors pronounced them [ e.g. Varak =Wauzak}. Usually I can confirm a misspelled name by names and ages of spouse and children. But here are two that still puzzle me: Would LESTINA sound something like LESHKENA when pronounced by a recent czech immigrant? And what might KOSTOK be as a czech name?My great aunt Josephine Lestina lived with an aunt and uncle, names no longer known by any living relative. I'm wondering if I can count her as "found' since they were living near other relatives. Or does anyone know of Andrew and Josephine KOSTOCK, AGES 50 AND 55 IN 1880, LIVING IN jOHNSON COUNTY iOWA IN 1880? Of course handwriting and transcription problems add to the confusion... Thank you for any help. Mary