Re: meanwhile, back at Ellis Island . . .

[George Robinson <GRComm...>]

Actually a serious question that demands a serious answer.
In fact, a two-part answer.
My family name has been Robinson for at least a century, so far as I
know. I believe I owe a certain level of respect to the family members I
actually knew, and by maintaining the family name that they grew up
with, I am paying that respect.

The second answer is a more practical one. I've been a published writer
for 30 years (the annivesary is sometime in March, in fact), and
whatever reputation I have was made under the name George Robinson. I
think that at this point in my life and career it would be
counterproductive to change my name and have to build that reputation
(whatever it is) all over again.

Now that may be a selfish choice, but I think it's a legitimate one.
(Besides that's the name on the wanted posters. I dont want to confuse
the FBI.)

George Robinson (Who he?)


Lori Cahan-Simon wrote:
> 
> So, here's a question.  Why don't all the people who know their names were
> changed from something change it back to what it was originally?  Okay, I know
> last names were imposed upon us in the first place, but Sean Ferguson, for
> cryin' out loud!?!?!?
> Lorele
> 
> Seth Austen wrote:
> 
> > on 2/28/01 10:44 AM, George Robinson at GRComm (at) concentric(dot)net 
> > wrote:
> >
> > > For years and years my father would tell me that the Robinson came from
> > > the English branch of the family -- and in fact I do have English
> > > cousins, but their name is Green and like a complete schmuck I never
> > > questioned this little discrepancy. Then one night my wife (then of only
> > > a few months) and my father are shmoozing in my parents house and she
> > > asks, "Robinson, what kind of Jewish name is that?" and he replies,
> > > "Well we think it was Rabinowitz and they changed it at Ellis Island."
> > > I'm in the doorway when I hear this and I yell at him, "What happened to
> > > the English branch of the family?" He replies, "What are you talking
> > > about? Their name is Green."
> >
> > Great story. My father remarried to a Green, her family is Jewish from
> > Kentucky, probably no relation to your Greens...
> >
> > >>>
> > >>> George Richard Robinson (Now THERE'S a really authentic Jewish name!)
> >
> > Seth Austen (another of those really Jewish sounding last names, originally
> > was Aisenberg and Grafman before it got changed. It really drove me crazy at
> > KlezKanada, all these people who thought I was a goy, oy vey)
> >
> > --
> > Seth Austen
> >
> > http://www.sethausten.com
> > emails: seth (at) sethausten(dot)com
> > klezmusic (at) earthlink(dot)net
> >
> 

-- 
George Robinson
Author, Essential Judaism
Please visit my website, "Essential Judaism and Beyond"
at www.GeorgeRobinson.freeservers.com

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