Visitors are invited to conduct last and first name analysis in our bureau, which specializes in genealogical research and pedigree restoration. As part of this service, Livemem specialists will carry out express analysis and decoding in one direction for the specified price. Based on the results of the work, a text file in Word format is provided, where the meaning and interpretation of surname. The text of the origin story obtained during the analysis is approximately 2500 characters (A4 page in standard 12 font). However, the volume of decoding depends on the rarity of the surname or name and the availability of reliable sources for a particular study. If you plan to present the results beautifully, then it makes sense to order a family diploma, since family name analysis in this service is free.
What does decoding a surname give after its in-depth analysis?
Decoding the surname based on the results of an express study with scientific interpretation allows you to find out the theory of the origin of the family. The point of such an analysis of the surname and name is to determine at least superficial information about the history of the family in the absence of the possibility of a detailed study immersed in genealogical sources. Note that reliable facts can only be obtained through a deep restoration of the pedigree, connecting chains of generations. To find the real version of the origin of the surname, when searching for ancestors, it is necessary to reach the period when the first bearer is discovered, not forgetting to analyze the reasons for the assignment. If assumptions and surname analysis If there is little meaning to the interpretation and you want to find out the true history of your family, we recommend ordering genealogical research and obtaining certificates from government agencies confirming the authenticity.
Some “experts” mistakenly consider all namesakes to be relatives. This theory is fundamentally incorrect and is refuted by a competent decoding of the meaning of the surname, that is, the principles of its formation. Let us give two illustrative examples: formation on behalf of the father (whose son is Ivanov) and by profession - a blacksmith became Kuznetsov. Thoughtful analysis of nuances and competent interpretation of surnames confirm that their identity is not a sign of family ties. Genealogy is specific, which is why novice researchers stumble upon pitfalls, making rash conclusions. However, we agree with the common statement - the rarer the surname, the greater the likelihood that individuals have common ancestors in older generations. Order an analysis of your last name or first name from our research bureau and you will partially reveal the secret of the origin of your family. If you want to have fascinating information about the life of your ancestors, it may come in handy
The work was carried out by Derbin Artyom, a 9th grade student, Municipal Educational Institution Secondary School No. 34, p. Sbega, Mogochinsky district, Transbaikal region
Let's take a look at the history of the surnames of my classmates. Let's listen to what the owners of the surnames will tell about themselves and their families.
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Municipal educational institution
Secondary school No. 34
With. Sbega, Mogochinsky district
Research work on the topic:
"FAMILY STORIES"
The work was completed by a 9th grade student
Derbin Artyom
Supervisor
Ushanfa Olga Timofeevna,
teacher of Russian language and literature
S. Sbega
year 2014
Introduction 3-4
Chapter 1. From the history of surnames 5-7
Chapter 2. Stories of surnames and family histories of my classmates 4
2.1. Numerous surname 8
2.2. Family amulet 9
2.3. Nature's companions. 9-10
2.4. The basis of life. 10
2.5. Kuznetsov is the most common surname in Russia 10
2.6. Pakhomovy 11
2.7. The mystery of the name 11-12
2.8. Cheerful family 12
2.9. Strong family 12-13
2.10. Sidorov 13
2.11. Bulgarian surname 13-14
2.12. Tyumentsevy 14
2.13. Family of musicians 14-15
2.14. Chemeris 15
2.15. Shulginy 16
Conclusion 17
References 18
Introduction.
See the first life ovary
And look into the times
When out of chaos were born
Surnames and first names.
N. Zabolotsky
Every day we have to hear, read, pronounce or write dozens of names of our friends, classmates, relatives, acquaintances, colleagues and comrades.
From the pages of newspapers, on the radio, from television screens we receive them in even greater quantities - hundreds and even thousands. This is due to the most important social function of surnames, to know who we are talking about, whose surname is of interest, whose is popular. But one day the question may arise: what kind of surname is this? I've never heard of it... What does it mean? How did my own happen? What about your friend's last name? Neighbor?
Today it has become fashionable to be interested in your ancestors. And this is gratifying: from Ivanov, who do not remember kinship, we are turning into normal people who do not think according to templates, but into people trying to understand the world around us in all its diversity, striving to understand our place in this world, to look into the history of our family. And this is greatly helped by knowledge of one’s roots, a “living” interest in them: “where did I come from"- who your ancestors were, what they did, what part they took in the history of the country. A surname can tell a lot about this.
Most people have no idea how much information their last name contains. First of all, how it was formed in the first place. There is a naive idea drawn from historical novels, the authors of which were not strong in onomastics - the science of names - that surnames were formed either by the name of the father: Peter, Ivanov's son, hence Ivanov, or by profession: Stepan, Kuznetsov's son, here you have Kuznetsov. And this supposedly happened in the era of Peter I, when the reformer Tsar, taking an example from his Western neighbors, ordered to write “with the fatherland,” thus freeing up space for another word that defines a person.
Relevance of the topicwork is that the study of surnames allows us to more fully imagine historical events last centuries, interest in the appearance of surnames. Surnames are a kind of living history. How did people live? Why did they get this particular surname and not another? What is reflected in each? Does the content and meaning of a surname always convey the essence of a person, his thoughts, actions?
Objects of researchare the names of my classmates and their parents.
Research objectives:
- Consider the reasons for the emergence of surnames and their formation.
- Analyze the etymology of the surnames of my classmates.
Research methods:analysis, generalization.
Organization of the study description:
On the first stage: theoretical analysis of the research problem, construction of a hypothesis.
On the second stage was carried out: selection of research methods, search for material.
On the third stage: generalization of experience and substantiation of logic, study of cultural elements specified by traditions in the analysis of a research text, generalization of material in an elective.
Research base:
Municipal educational institution secondary school No. 34, 9th grade students, parents of 9th grade students.
Research results:
- Discussed in class.
- They were presented at the scientific conference of secondary school No. 34.
The work consists from the introduction, two chapters, conclusion, bibliography.
CHAPTER 1. FROM THE HISTORY OF THE FAMILY
A surname is a hereditary family name, indicating that a person belongs to one clan, originating from a common ancestor, or in a narrower sense, to one family.
The word "surname" is of Latin origin. In the Roman Empire, it denoted a community consisting of a family of masters and their slaves. This word later had a similar meaning for quite a long time in Europe and Russia. There are known facts when, even in the 19th century, serfs received a surname from their master. Since the 19th century, the word “surname” in Russian has acquired its second meaning, which today has become official and basic: “hereditary family name added to a personal name.”
As for the origin Slavic surnames, then they were formed primarily from names and titles indicating the place of residence and origin of the bearer, craft, trade, profession, as well as some individual (physical or psychological) properties of a person.
Surnames in the modern sense of the word appeared in Rus' quite late, only in the 16th century. The spread of surnames began with people of noble origin. A significant part of the urban and rural population did not have their own surname 200 years ago. The names of the nobles were established from the first half of the 4th to the end of the 17th century. People of the lower strata did not have a surname until the middle of the 19th century. Ordinary people received surnames after liberation from serfdom in 1861.
It is interesting that the surname conveyed a unique attitude towards people of different classes. For example, names ordinary people were given in a diminutive and sometimes disparaging form: Zakharko, Ivashko, Filimonko. Here is the entry: “Vasko Osipov lived in the village of Khochevitsy. His son, who founded the village of Novye Khochevitsy, is now called Petrok Vasilev, and not Osipov.”.
But the nobility had the following sounds: Ivan Pshenka Ivanov son of Kaftirev. “Prince Alexander, Prince Grigoriev son of Vadbolsky”, “Stepan and Vasei and Kostyantin and Ivan Vasilyev’s children of Golenishchev”,
Sometimes there were violent class feuds around surnames. Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (father of Peter I) forbade the Romodanovsky princes to add a second, traditional Starodubsky surname to their first surname, since the second surname corresponded to the ancient inheritance of the Romodanovskys, and this did not fully correspond to the ideas of the Moscow tsars. So, after the royal decree, one of the Romodanovskys, Grigory, tearfully beat his forehead to “The Quietest” (as we remember, that’s what Alexei Mikhailovich was called): “Have mercy, don’t tell me to take away our old honor!” You see how tightly the princes clung to their birthright...
Often surnames were given to priests based on the names of the churches in which they served: Deacon Ivan, who served in the Trinity Church, could receive the surname Troitsky. Some clergy acquired surnames upon graduation from the seminary: Athensky, Dukhososhestvensky, Brilliantov, Dobromyslov, Benemansky, Kiparisov, Palmin, Reformatsky, Pavsky, Golubinsky, Klyuchevsky, Tikhomirov, Myagkov, Liperovsky (from the Greek root meaning “sad”), Gilyarovsky (from Latin root meaning “cheerful”).
The word “surname” means family, family, common family name. Since in ancient times there were no surnames, they were replaced by names and nicknames.
Three centuries ago, every person could be listed in documents that indicated:
- baptismal name;
- father's name, nickname or profession;
- own nickname;
- Place of Birth;
- nationality;
- profession or position.
This is how the overwhelming majority of Russian surnames were formed: Ivanov son, Maryin son, Stolyarov son, Tsyganov son.
What can a surname tell about its owner? Experts in the field of onomastics - the science of names - were able to identify the connection of family secrets not only with the social roots and professional pedigree of the owner, but even with secret societies and religious sects.
This topic also attracted us. It's interesting to know the origin of my classmates' surnames. Along with scientific versions, the children and their parents and I created our own.
What names are there:
Pyaterkin, Dvoikin, Supov,
Slyuntyaev, Tryapkin-Darmoed,
Pupkov and Perepupov!
In the surnames of various persons,
Sometimes we know each other,
The names of fish and birds sound,
Animals and insects:
Lisichkin, Rakov, Indyukov,
Seledkin, Myshkin, Telkin,
Mokritsyn, Volkov, Motylkov,
Bobrov and Perepelkin!
But maybe a certain Komarov
Have the character of a lion,
And a certain Barsov or Lvov -
Mosquito mind.
It happens that Korshunov is different
Sinichkina is afraid,
And Chistunov is reputed to be a pig,
And Prostachkov is a fox!
And Rakov, if he’s not a fool,
Ignorant and stupid
It doesn’t move back like a cancer,
And everything strives forward!
Plevkov changed his last name,
He called himself Almazov,
But basically he was an ass
He remained a donkey!
A Griboyedov, Pirogov
Famous forever!
And the conclusion, therefore, is this:
It's not all about the last name,
And in a person!
Sergei Mikhalkov notes that not every surname reflects the essence of a person: “Komarov has the character of a lion,” “It happens that Korshunov...is afraid of Sinichkina.” The writer is right: “It’s not all about the surname, but about the person.”
CHAPTER 2. Stories of surnames and family histories of my classmates
There are Kuznetsovs in every class.
Who is Kuznetsov's great-grandfather?
He was from a family of blacksmiths...
Goncharov's great-grandfather knew
Potter's wheel and clay...
Pilshchikov was friends with the saw,
Kozhemyakin crumpled leather,
Warriors went on attacks,
Streltsov fought too...
They sound like music, like poetry,
Surnames are simple.
Look closely and you will see in them
History of Russia.
Let's take a look at the history of the surnames of my classmates. Let's listen to what the owners of the surnames will tell about themselves and their families.
2.1. Numerous surname.
The basis of the surname Antsiferov served as the church name Onesiphorus. The surname Antsiferov comes from the name Onisifor, forgotten today. This name comes from a Greek word that means “useful.” The basis for the surname was the colloquial form of this name - Antsifer, characteristic of Veliky Novgorod and Pskov. One of the patrons of this name is the Venerable Onesiphorus of Pechersk. He labored in the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, was a presbyter and had the gift of clairvoyance. He died in 1148 and was buried in the Near Caves next to the Monk Spyridon. Most likely, the founder of the Antsiferov family came from a working or peasant background. This assumption is explained by the fact that surnames formed from the full form of the name were mainly owned by the social elite, the nobility, or families that enjoyed great authority in the area, whose representatives were respectfully called by neighbors full name, unlike other classes, which were usually called diminutive, derivative, everyday.
Ancestors of Mikhail Antsiferov: great-grandfather Antsiferov Georgy Ivanovich, great-grandmother Tamara Mikhailovna. She is now 83 years old. There were 10 children in their family: Nikolai, Vitaly, Galina Boris, Lydia, Olga, Yuri, Vladimir, Zoya, Alexander. In the large family there were also adopted children, there were four of them: Lyubov, Zinaida, Nina, Gennady.
It was a difficult time. It was necessary to feed a large family. The family, indeed, as the history of the family says, was a working family. The adults worked in the Mogochinsky private household plot. And the children studied and managed the housework.
2.2. Family amulet.
The origin of the surname Alekseev served as the church name Alexey. The surname Alekseev comes from the baptismal name Alexey (translated from ancient Greek as “protector”), or from Alexander (“protector”). These two names have a number of identical derivative forms beginning with Alex -, from one of which the surname Alekseev could be formed. The patron of the name was Alexy, the man of God, whose memory is celebrated on March 30. He was a wealthy Roman (5th century) and in his youth decided that he would devote himself to God. Leaving his parents and fiancée, he spent his life in prayer, fasting and living on alms. After the death of Alexy, his relics helped the sick to heal. In Rus', they believed that if you give a child the name of a saint or great martyr, then his life will be bright, good or difficult, because there is an invisible connection between the name and the fate of a person. Alexey, eventually received the surname Alekseev.
The Alekseev family has three daughters: Tatyana, Kristina, Arina. Tatyana, the eldest, often remains the mistress of the house, since mom and dad work. We need to keep an eye on the order in the house and how the younger sisters have prepared their homework. The girls are friendly. Assistants. At school, the girls do well and do well. Tatyana is a 9th grade student, Christina is an 8th grader, Arina is in 6th grade. Girls are active in public life schools. Tatiana participates in various competitions, Christina attends clubs at the House of Culture. Arina loves sports and attends basketball clubs. The sisters are responsible and independent. They are a family amulet, a growing protection of peace and comfort in the home.
2.3. Nature's companions.
Last name Derbin derived from the nickname Derba. According to one version, it originates from a similar dialect common noun, which in Vologda and Arkhangelsk dialects meant “an area heavily overgrown with moss and thick grass,” “thicket.” Probably, the nickname Derba reflected the peculiarities of the place of residence of the founder of the family - in a meadow, near a forest, etc. It is also possible that the nickname goes back to the verb “derbit” - “scratch, ruffle, scrape.” In this case, the nickname Derba most likely belongs to the number of “professional” names containing an indication of the ancestor’s occupation: he could be engaged in flax or hemp shredding. According to another hypothesis, the nickname Derba is etymologically related to the noun “derben”, which in Perm dialects meant “thick linen canvas”, and in Yaroslavl dialects - “a clumsy, baggy person”. According to this, it can be assumed that Derboy was dubbed either an artist or an awkward, clumsy person. Derba, eventually received the surname Derbin.
Much about the Derbin name is debatable. The Derbin family agreed that their surname reflected the peculiarity of their place of residence “near the forest.”
The family built a house on the banks of the Murgurunda River, capricious and noisy. Uryum runs nearby, capturing the waters of a mountain stream. The Derbins love nature and clean river air - so they live next to the forest. And there are artists in their family, or rather artists in their field. Whatever work the head of the family Nikolai undertakes, he does everything with soul, beautifully, and kindly. Villagers often turn to Artyom’s grandmother for help. It will cure the baby’s fear and relieve his headache.
The history of the surname tells that distant ancestors were engaged in “rattling flax and hemp.” This was in ancient times. Modern Derbins have slightly changed their professions, occupations, and hobbies. The head of the family, Nikolai, works at the PCH, as a track fitter. He is both a hunter and a fisherman. And the Derbin family lives together, strong, well. Ksenia, the eldest, winner of a silver medal, the pride of the school. Artyom, an excellent student. Activist. Participates in various school and regional competitions.
What gives them strength and energy? Probably harmony with nature.
2.4. The basis of life.
Last name Korenev comes from the nickname Root, which goes back to the common noun “root” meaning “part of any plant.” Most likely, this surname is based on the figurative meaning of this word: “stubborn, stern,” or “stingy.” Then we can assume that such a surname indicated the character traits of its founder. Root eventually received the surname Korenev.
“Look at the root” - says folk wisdom. Indeed, the root is the basis of the life of any plant, the essence of human life. The Korenev family disputes the meaning of the word “stingy,” which is the basis of the surname. Stingy, in their opinion, practical, economical. This is true. The Korenev family will store firewood in time for winter, plant a vegetable garden early, and stock up on jams from wild berries and mushrooms.
2.5. Kuznetsov is the most common surname in Russia.
Last name Kuznetsov comes from the nickname Blacksmith. The surname is based on the patronymic, formed from the father’s given name by occupation. Since the blacksmith was the most necessary and for everyone famous person in the village, naming on this basis was ubiquitous. And so it became, the surname Kuznetsov is one of the most common in Russia. Kuznets, eventually received the surname Kuznetsov.
Alena Kuznetsova’s grandfather, his family remembers him, was a Cossack. His name was Leonid Afanasyevich. His life was difficult. He finished 4th grade, after which he began working. He was 16 years old when the war began. After Leonid Afanasyevich turned 18, he was sent to the front. There the young man learned to master a saber and firearms. He went through the entire war all the way to Berlin. Has many awards. Already in peacetime, he got married and now lives in his native village. The wife's name was Lyubov Pavlovna. She also made a great contribution to the victory over Germany and worked hard in the rear. Leonid Afanasyevich never became a blacksmith. But he worked a lot on the collective farm fields for the benefit of his homeland.
2.6. Pakhomovs
The basis of the surname Pakhomov served as the church name Pachomius. The surname Pakhomov goes back to the canonical male name Pachomius, which in Greek means “broad-shouldered.” The patron of this name was considered the Holy Martyr Pachomius, who was beheaded by Muslims in 1780 for refusing to accept Mohammedanism. In Rus' they believed that if you give a child the name of a saint or great martyr, then his life will be bright, good or difficult, because there is an invisible connection between the name and destiny of a person. Pakhomiy, eventually received the surname Pakhomov. It is known that some Pakhomovs were nobles of the Tula province, who traced their origins to the 17th century clerk Vasily Pakhomov.
Vasily Andreevich Pakhomov, Dmitry’s grandfather, recalls: “I had a very difficult life. My family had no money. When my mother died, I was two years old. It was difficult for my father to feed his family, and he sent me to a village family that did not have any children of their own. I grew up in Balei, on a collective farm named after Stalin. When the war was going on, I was 14 years old. I plowed the land with a plow and a horse, and cut hay. Once, at the age of 15, the chairman of the collective farm sent me to a military point - I had to deliver food. When I arrived there, I saw that our soldiers were celebrating their victory. After the war, at the age of 20, I joined the army, and after serving my homeland, I met my future wife, Evdokia.” Dmitry, the grandson of Vasily Andreevich Pakhomov, says: “Grandfather had a difficult life, but he overcame all difficulties, became a good person, raised a son and two daughters and helps raise his grandchildren.”
2.7. The secret of the name.
Since ancient times, the Slavs had a tradition of giving a person a nickname in addition to the name he received at baptism. This was due to the fact that there were relatively few church names, and they were often repeated. A nickname made it easy to distinguish a person in society. This was very convenient, since the supply of nicknames was truly inexhaustible. The sources could be: an indication of the character or appearance of a person, a designation of the nationality or locality from which the person came. Sometimes nicknames, originally attached to baptismal names, completely replaced names not only in Everyday life, but also in official documents. Surname Plotnikov formed from the nickname Carpenter, which contains an indication of the profession of the ancestor: in Rus', a carpenter was a person engaged in wood processing and the construction of wooden buildings. Carpenter, eventually received the surname Plotnikov.
Kristina Plotnikova is not a direct descendant of the Plotnikovs. Interested in the roots of her family, she compiled a family tree. It turned out that there were carpenters, builders, and joiners in the family.
Christina's name caught our attention. Rare. What does the name Christina mean? We looked into history and this is what we saw there. Christina looks like her father, but her character is maternal: she is active, quick-witted, sometimes unpredictable, and has an excellent memory. This is a cheerful girl who doesn’t do anything hastily and doesn’t panic. Christina does not have an instant reaction; she usually takes some time to make a decision. This allows her to concentrate and make the right decision. At first glance, one gets the impression of a shy, even timid girl. In fact, Christina is simply observant and attentive. In society he gets along fairly quickly with strangers, but prefers a few selected friends. It is very difficult to penetrate into her inner world. It is not always possible to understand what she is thinking. However, behind Christina's external impenetrability lies a stormy temperament. By nature, Christina is quick-tempered, but easy-going. She is neat and loves order in everything.
2.8. Funny family.
Most likely the surname Rakhmanin formed from the nickname Rakhmanya. It, in turn, goes back to the dialect word “rakhmanny”. In the southwestern regions, Rakhmaney was called a sluggish, quiet, meek, simple-minded, slow person. And in the north and east of the country, the nickname Rakhmanya was given to a dandy, a merry fellow, a reveler. Thus, the surname Rakhmanin may indicate the character traits of the ancestor. According to another, less plausible hypothesis, it comes from the Eastern male name Rahman, which translated from Turkic into Russian means “merciful.” By giving the child this name, the parents wanted their son to grow up to be an intelligent, kind, fair and caring boy. One of the first mentions of the surname in written sources dates back to the middle of the 17th century: in the “Onomasticon” by S.B. Veselovsky is recorded as Rakhmanin Astafievich Kolzakov, labial elder, 1566, Vladimir. Rakhmanya, eventually received the surname Rakhmanin.
Alexey Rakhmanin does not remember his dad. His father died when Alyosha was very young. Rakhmanina Vera Aleksandrovna, Alexei’s grandmother, having learned the history of her surname, supported the meaning of the surname “dandy, merry fellow.” She told us that Alexei's father, Sergei, was a dandy. Loved fashionable things. He was neat. He had many friends. Very sociable. He liked to play pranks on his friends. He was a cheerful man.
2.9. A strong family.
Last name Saraev goes back to the common noun “barn” - “a utility room for storing carts, harnesses and other property.” Most likely, a coachman, a coachman, a person who was engaged in transportation and had a large farm for servicing horse-drawn transport could have received a similar surname. It is possible that this surname goes back to the Turkic “shed” - “palace, mansion”. In this case, it could have been received by one of the noyons of the Tatar-Mongol army, close to the Khan’s court. It is known that Sarai was the name given to the capital of the Golden Horde, founded by Batu in the 13th century on the left bank of the Akhtuba River. The Sarai was plundered by the Russians and finally destroyed in 1501 by the Crimean Khan Mengli-Girey, an ally of Moscow. It is possible that the ancestor of the owner of this surname was a resident of this ancient city, the ruins of which are currently located near the Astrakhan city of Tsarev. Saray, over time received the surname Saraev.
You can talk about Sarajevo for a long time. There are many Sarajevos in Sbegi. Almost all of them are connected by threads of kinship. The families are friendly and strong. The surname is based on the word “barn” (I think a residential structure, strong, durable). The words “palace, mansions” are more suitable. And indeed, the houses of the Sarajevos are beautiful and well-kept. The house of Uncle Pavel, Saraev Yuri, is surrounded by a smooth, beautiful fence. Everywhere is clean and tidy. The house of Pavel Saraev's grandfather, Nikolai Garafovich, in the summer is buried in flowers climbing along the walls of the terrace.
The Sarajevos try to live comfortably, happily, strong.
2.10. Sidorovs
The Sidorov surname was based on the church name Sidor. The canonical names were contained in the church calendar - the calendar. Canonical names became an active basis for the creation of surnames. However, since there were relatively few of them, they were often repeated, thereby creating difficulties in communication between people. Therefore, the ancient Slavs solved the problem of identification by adding the father's name to the son's name. This made it possible not only to easily distinguish a person in society, but also to indicate his belonging to a certain clan. The surname Sidorov comes from the name Sidor, common in the old days. This name is the Russian analogue of the Greek Isidore, meaning “servant of the goddess Isis.” As a result, a descendant of a person with the name Sidor eventually received the surname Sidorov.
2.11. Toucan
The surname Tucan is common in Moldova and Romania. Most likely, she is of Gagauz origin, which is not surprising, since the bulk of the Gagauz people have lived in these countries for a long time. The surname Tukan is derived from a similar nickname. It most likely goes back to the word “toucan”, which translated from Gagauz means “Bulgarian”. This is the name of a representative of the South Slavic people, who arose in the early Middle Ages as a result of the merger of the Bulgars with the Balkan Slavs and the remnants of the local population of the Balkans. Thus, it is likely that the founder of the Tukan family belonged to this nation. Thus, a person whose ancestor was called Tukan eventually received the surname Tukan. Among the most famous namesakes is Boris Petrovich Tukan, a Moldavian and Israeli Gagauz Turkologist, dialectologist, lexicographer, and translator.
The roots of the Toucan family come from Bulgaria. They are migrants. Now many of their relatives live in Moldova. The head of the family is Vasily Vasilyevich Tukan.
He explained that they are not Moldovans, but Bulgarians. All the numerous relatives communicate well and speak Bulgarian. Galina Vladimirovna, the wife of Vasily Vasilyevich, mastered Bulgarian cuisine.
On weekdays, the Tukan family serves vegetable dishes, beans, potato and onion mandu. On holidays, the owner spoils his family with bones. These are pork ribs that are pre-marinated and roasted over a fire.
Toucan family supports national traditions their Bulgarian ancestors.
2.12. Tyumentsevs
The nickname Tyumenets was given to a native of the city of Tyumen. It is traditionally believed that the word “Tyumen” comes from the Mongolian “tumen”. In Mongolian it means "ten thousand". There was another meaning in the word “tumen” - this was the name of an administrative-territorial unit like a modern region, which, at the request of the Golden Horde khans, was supposed to field ten thousand soldiers. They tried to explain the origin of “Tyumen” in the words of the Mansi language: “tyu” - mine and “mena” - possession, property, that is, “my possession”. In the modern language of the Tyumen Tatars, the word “Tyumen” means “lowland”, “low place”. Tyumenets, over time received the surname Tyumentsev.
Evgeny Tyumentsev's father, Tyumentsev Stanislav Stepanovich, is a sociable person. He vividly supports any conversation. He is often interested in his son’s progress at school. Unfortunately, Zhenya is not always successful. Grandfather, Stepan Dmitrievich, loves Evgenia, pampers her with gifts, and helped her buy a computer. In turn, Zhenya helps his grandfather. In summer he waters the beds. Grandfather is very dear to Zhenya. The grandson often goes to visit his grandfather.
The Tyumentsev family loves animals very much. They have eight dogs: Druzhok, Kuchum, Dozor, Sobol, Kadar, Chara, Dina, Taiga, among which there are purebreds. Each dog has its own habits. The Tyumentsevs laugh: “Both watchdogs, and simply barking ones, and hunting ones. Different dogs." For a very long time, the Tyumentsevs kept horses, and a lot of them. They plowed the land, cut hay, and removed stacks from the field.
Probably, the history of the surname affected the family's activities: horses, dogs.
2.13. A family of musicians.
The etymology of the surname Fedotov, which belongs to a common type of Russian surnames, goes back to the proper name. The Fedotov surname was based on the worldly name Fedot. The fact is that church names were initially perceived by the ancient Slavs as alien, since their sound was unusual for Russian people. In addition, there were relatively few baptismal names, and they were often repeated, thereby creating difficulties in communication between people. Therefore, the ancient Slavs solved the problem of identification by adding a secular name to a church name. This allowed them not only to easily distinguish a person in society, but also to indicate his belonging to a certain clan. According to the ancient Slavic tradition of two names, a worldly name served as a kind of amulet that protected a person from evil spirits. The surname Fedotov goes back to the Christian male name Theodot (translated from Greek - “ given by the gods"), or rather to its colloquial form - Fedot. Intensive introduction of surnames in Rus' in the 15th-17th centuries. was associated with the strengthening of a new social stratum that became the ruling one - the landowners. Initially, these were possessive adjectives with the suffixes –ov/-ev, -in, indicating the name of the head of the family. As a result, a descendant of a person with the name Fedot eventually received the surname Fedotov.
Denis Fedotov told us a story about his family:
“My father plays the guitar, my grandfather plays the button accordion, and my great-grandmother played the balalaika and sang in the Trans-Baikal choir “Balalaechki”. Our family has good hearing and each person from our family has musical abilities. The same cannot be said about our characters, they are all different, but kindness prevails. Many are gifted with a wonderful sense of humor, love to teach each other, and are always happy to help. The Fedotovs are kind, sympathetic, hospitable and welcoming people. I’m very glad that my last name is Fedotov.”
History says that the name served as a talisman against evil spirits. That's how it happened. And the sounds of music help the Fedotovs live in peace.
2.14. Chemeris
The surname Chemeris is of Ukrainian origin. It is derived from the nickname Chemeris: this is how the Polish Tatars were called in the old days. Most likely, this nickname contained an indication of the nationality of a particular person. However, it cannot be ruled out that Cheremis was the name given to a Slav who looked like a Tatar (for example, black hair, black eyes). One of the most famous namesakes - Ukrainian writer Valentin Chemeris (“Operation “Zemfira””, “Homeland of Gordiy Zaliznyak”, etc.). Cheremis, eventually received the surname Chemeris.
We decided to tell you about Sasha ourselves. In general, Sasha is reserved, silent, it is very difficult to get him to talk, he mostly remains silent. But he has a sharp tongue. Joker. From the history of the surname we learned that people bearing the surname Chemeris are dark-skinned in appearance, they have large black eyes and black hair. This is true. Sasha has a direct look, kind eyes. Thick dark hair. But there are also Slavic features of appearance: a strong physique, large hands. The young man will be tall in the future (grandfather is tall).
2.15. Shulgins
Often nicknames, originally attached to baptismal names, completely replaced names not only in everyday life, but also in official documents. The surname Shulgin is formed from a nickname, which is based on the dialect word “shulga”, i.e. left hand. Most likely, Shulga was a left-handed person. In popular ideas, the “left” has always been associated with evil, evil spirits, untruth, and everything bad and hostile. Therefore, Shulga could be nicknamed not only a left-handed person, but also a deceiver, a rogue, a swindler in general.
“Shulga” was in the family. But the Shulgins didn’t want to talk about him. And there is no need. Their family is ordinary, working. They live honestly, quietly, modestly. Raise children.
Surnames are what connect any of us with our ancestors since time immemorial. My classmates and I were interested in learning the history of our surname, the origin and meaning of words that had long since left the language, but left a mark on our surnames.
During the work, fifteen names were examined. It turned out that one value is not enough, since different sources give different values. To find out the origin of a particular surname, you also need to know the history of your family, your clan. Over time, people change. Their worldview changes. Customs and traditions are subject to change. Only last names remain.
Conclusion
In some cases, the scientific version of the origin of the history of a surname coincides with character, appearance, manners, but in our cases there were contradictions: if science says that a person with a certain surname is sad, shy, but he is different. Our work concerned the issues of the origin of surnames. But there is also serious research in the field of anthroponymy. In particular, it is being carried out at the Moscow Information and Research Center called “History of the Family Name”. In this center you can find out what your ancestor did, what his name was, what his character was like. Did he, say, like to wear beautiful clothes, was he tall or small, noisy or quiet? Descendants learn about their ancestor who gave them the surname. By studying the meaning of our surname, we learn the history of our family. And if someone is interested in their surname, let them turn to compiling family tree your family. They listened with great interest to our story about the origin of the surnames. Our interlocutors agreed with some things and denied others.
How many surnames do we have in our country? Hundreds of thousands. It is clear that you cannot explain everyone in one book. There are a great many sources of interpretation of surnames. It should not be surprising that a surname can have multiple meanings - in different parts of the country the same word is interpreted differently. This often happens: owners of the same surname, even members of the same family, are completely different people. With different appearances, with different outlooks on life. Every person on Earth has a surname. You should keep your first name, your last name, and preserve the memory of your ancestors. History is something to be proud of. Perform noble deeds in order to preserve your name forever and pass it on to your descendants.
You have the same first and last name.
It is given to you forever.
Life is long.
And that's why you
Take care of him.
Bibliography
- Bortnik G.V. They call by name, they call by patronymic [Text] / G.B. Bortnik // Russian speech. - 1994. - No. 4. – With...
- Wikipedia: Free encyclopedia [Electronic resource]. Date updated: 11/18/2013. URL: http: // www/ru.wikipedia.orq /wiki/ Last name (date of access: 11/19/2013).
- Glushko E.A. Encyclopedia of Russian surnames. [Text] / E.A. Glushko, Yu.M. Medvedev. – M.: EXPO – Press, 2000. -…p.
- History, meaning and origin of the surname. Your pedigree [Electronic resource]. URL: http: // www/ tvoya-familya.ru (access date: 11/12/2013).
- Nikonov V.A. Dictionary of Russian surnames. [Text] / V.A. Nikonov. - M., 1993. - ...p.
- Dictionary of names. [Text] / M.: Scientific book, 1998. - ... p.
- Superanskaya A.V. Modern Russian surnames. [Text] / A.V.Superanskaya, A.V.Suslova. - M., 1981. - ...p.
- Fedosyuk Yu.A. Russian surnames. [Text] / Yu.A. Fedosyuk. - M., 1981. - ...p.
- UFOLOG.ru [Electronic resource]. / We tend to believe. URL: http://www. Ufoloq. ru / names/order (date of access: 11/10/13).
First, we need to clarify what exactly this is needed for. surname analysis. The surname has long been used not only by close and distant relatives, but also by employees, if there were any. Subsequently, serf peasants also joined them, although there are few of them relatives, one can call them, but if we take into account the slave system, then when it collapsed, due to revolutionary sentiments, then many owners from last bit of strength they tried to feed their slaves, who became family to them. Just like slaves did not want to leave their masters. Of course, this was not the case in all families, but it was so in educated and intelligent ones. But in this article we will look at methods of analyzing precisely relatives, bearers of the same surname, who are like this by birth:
- first and most important surname analysis
. This is a territorial analysis. Where and when did the family live, and based on what features of the area did it get its surname. In Rus', the surname appeared in the city of New Novgorod. It was a commercial and political center of that time, which successfully traded with all of Europe. And since the first surnames appeared precisely in European countries, which this moment were more civilized, they brought their surname to Russia with the trade craft. Only nobles, a little later, merchants and rich people who had merit to the state had the right to bear the surname. A century later, surnames began to appear in Moscow, but again only among the nobility. With the introduction of serfdom, peasants began to receive their own surnames, but workers in the cities did not have their own surnames for a long time. The peasants received it due to the fact that they had to register in the name of the landowner. Therefore, when the population census took place, it turned out that no matter how many villages the landowner owned, everyone was given the same surname, or rather the surname of the landowner. Those peasants who were free from serfdom were able to get their surnames from the names of the places where they lived or were born, which is almost the same thing, since people rarely migrated from place to place. After all, it’s not so easy to settle in a foreign place with your acquired wealth, where there are no relatives and you need to fight natural hardships alone;
- surname analysis, which is based on the patronymic. This method will help identify real family members. Even different people have the same surname. Their roots will be different. In this case, the surname was given by the name of the father or grandfather, that is, along the male line. At first, for some time they called me by my patronymic name, rarely mentioning my name. After this, the middle name was shortened, and a surname was obtained, which was passed on by inheritance. The only difference is that men and women have different endings;
- analysis based on nicknames. Not one nation had as many nicknames as there were in Rus'. It was here that apt nicknames were given, which accurately described the habits, merits and shortcomings of the character of the one to whom this nickname was given. It was not uncommon for a nickname to displace not only first names, but also patronymics from people’s memories. Therefore, when surnames began to be organized, some people adapted nicknames to suit their surnames, which indicated the essence of the person and were already familiar to him and those around him;
- surname analysis, which were given on the basis of work activity. Much work left its mark on a person. Therefore, not remembering his name, they began to call him by his craft. This is how surnames associated with the type of activity appeared in villages and villages. But, on the other hand, surnames that were related to the type of activity could have been donated by the sovereign. Like with the merchant Rybin. The merchant was engaged in the fishing business. He had vast lands in Primorye, many artels of fishermen worked for him, he could equip many ships and send them abroad. Therefore, he was considered a rich man and a prudent politician. Namely, he supplied all of Russia, including the sovereign’s table, with fish. Since the wealth was enormous, Rybin was not only involved in trade, but also in government affairs. Many schools, hospitals and monasteries were built with his money. Therefore, for these merits, the sovereign granted him a surname, which was very valuable at that time. Since only noble families could have surnames. It turns out that along with his surname, he also granted him a position in society;
- surname analysis, foreign origin. Since Rus' had endless wars, it either attacked itself or fought off its opponents. Over so many centuries in Russia they began to come across foreign names. Moreover, now the borders are slightly open and marriages can take place between people who have different citizenships. In order to conduct such an analysis of a surname, information is needed that the surname may have foreign roots. For example, a family lived in a place where for several years people of other nationalities—Volga Germans or Poles—were being deported. Namely, then it is possible to see whether there was a marriage between the people who lived there and who were taken out by force.
How many surnames there are so many methods. If there are several basic analytical methods and they are perceived as basic, then there are so many nuances and exceptions to the rules when considering a specific surname, a specific family. Entire institutes have been created that study the characteristics of families and surnames in particular. Therefore, what to apply this analysis You still need to learn a lot for your last name. It will take both time and money. Because conducting research yourself is a rather labor-intensive process, which also requires perseverance and fortitude. But many who want to find out about their last name get out of the situation - they simply hire the services of a company that will do all the work for them. Moreover, you can agree from what period you want to analyze your surname and find out the history of the family. An agreement is concluded, terms and money are discussed. After the agreed time, a detailed conclusion will be sent to your desk. So, without much hassle or worry, you can find out and analyze your last name. Therefore, the decision is yours. You will look for information yourself, by trial and error, or entrust it to specialists.
Long text, but really caught my attention...
As a child, my grandmother loved to repeat one phrase to me: “Remember, granddaughter, gold and jewelry that are kept in the family can be sold only in case of emergency. And no exchange for rags or fashionable things - that’s out of the question!”
Having survived two world wars and one world revolution, my grandmother knew everything about the properties of jewelry! She remembered very well how in the mid-twenties she and her mother went to a store that looked like a large warehouse, where in exchange for a luxurious pearl necklace they were given a bottle of vegetable oil, a small bag of flour, a bag of pearl barley and several pieces of laundry soap. The warehouse belonged to the American businessman Armand Hammer, who quickly exchanged priceless art, antiques, furs and unique jewelry from the hungry residents of the devastated country for a minimum set of food products. This clever transatlantic “benefactor” became honorary doctor of 25 universities during his lifetime and passed away with the French Order of the Legion of Honor on his chest.
At the beginning of the last century, when the Japanese had not yet learned to grow pearls artificially, and half-naked fishermen had to dive to considerable depths for each precious grain, such jewelry cost a fortune. But during that terrible winter, my great-grandmother’s necklace helped save the whole family from starvation.
“Jewelry can not only be exchanged for bread. In a critical situation, you can buy your life!” - my grandmother taught me. To confirm her words, she told a story that happened before her eyes in the post-war years.
Grandmother had a close friend Lilya. She lived modestly in a tiny apartment on Moldavanka with her father and half-blind sister Polina, whom everyone called Aunt Polya. Ah, these lovely Moldavian courtyards, so described in detail by Babel and sung by Paustovsky! Imagine a small two-storey house the letter “P” made of honey-yellow sawn shell, with a roof made of dark red “Marseille” tiles and openwork wrought-iron gates that were closed at night with a huge barn bolt. Along the entire internal perimeter of the second floor there was a spacious wooden gallery, thickly entwined with grapes, into which not only the windows, but also the doors of all apartments opened. We got there via an ancient cast-iron staircase, so musically echoing that it was almost impossible to climb upstairs silently.
In the summer, the whole life of the house was focused on this gallery and in the courtyard. On sweltering summer nights, residents left their rooms to sleep on cotton mattresses on the gallery or on creaky, rusty cots in the middle of the courtyard. During the day, housewives displayed roughly knocked together stools in the gallery. From morning until late evening, copper primus stoves hissed there. It was not customary to cook borscht, fish soup or fry bulls “indoors” in the summer!
In a word, not a yard, but a huge communal apartment, where all the inhabitants are unwitting witnesses to the most intimate details of the lives of their neighbors.
In the depths of the courtyard there were extensive cellars - “mines”, dug back in those legendary times when smugglers hid barrels of Italian wine and Greek olive oil, bales of Turkish tobacco and French lace there. Bandits, home-grown revolutionaries and anarchists set up warehouses with weapons and ammunition in the cellars. A complex system of passages and tunnels connected the “mines” with the city catacombs. Knowing their location, one could easily get to the sea coast or go far beyond the city into the deserted steppe.
It was in this Moldovan courtyard that Lilya was born and raised.
She successfully graduated from medical school and went to work at one of the city hospitals. At the very beginning of the war, the young nurse was transferred to work in a military hospital. When the Germans began bombing the city, and the trenches on the defense line could be reached by tram, Lilya, together with her medical colleagues, spent days taking seriously wounded soldiers to the port. From there the ships left for Crimea and Novorossiysk.
Lilya herself had no intention of leaving. She was afraid to leave the helpless Polina and her drunken artist father. This was the official version of her refusal to evacuate to the east along with the retreating army. But there was another serious reason why Lilya remained in the city. But only a few people knew about this.
Literally from the first days of the occupation, the underground headquarters of the anti-fascist resistance began to operate in Odessa. Lilya returned to work at the hospital as if nothing had happened. Polina took up housework as best she could, and her father suddenly stopped drinking and plunged headlong into creativity. He drew good copies from canvases famous artists, like Kuindzhi’s “Daryal Gorge. Moonlight night"or "Big Water" by Levitan. The Romanians willingly exchanged his paintings for canned meat from soldiers' rations and kerosene stolen from German warehouses.
Lilya remembered that cold October day in 1941 for the rest of her life. The occupiers drove a long column of half-dressed people, gray with fear, through the city. Women, old people, children walked in silence. The silence was broken only by the ominous shuffling of thousands of feet and the clanking of weapons of the Romanian guards who accompanied the column. Residents of houses past which this silent human river flowed looked with horror at the endless stream of people doomed to death. The Jews were taken outside the city, where they were shot and thrown into anti-tank ditches dug in mid-summer during the defense of the city. Many were driven into barns, doused with kerosene and burned alive.
Together with two neighbors, Lilya stood on the side of the road, unable to turn around and leave. Suddenly, in this mournful crowd of people, she noticed a young red-haired woman with a girl of about seven years old. There was such wild despair on the face of the unfortunate mother that Lilya shuddered from pity and her own powerlessness. Suddenly, the old man walking in front stumbled and fell. The movement of the column stopped. The guards immediately jumped up to the old man. The soldiers began to beat the poor man with rifle butts, forcing him to stand up.
Everything happened in a matter of moments. The red-haired woman forcefully pushed the girl straight into Lila's arms and, without looking back, quickly walked forward. Lilya instinctively hugged the trembling child to herself, deftly covering her with the edge of a wide shawl. And both neighbors, without saying a word, took a step forward, blocking Lilya and the baby.
With the greatest caution, Lilya brought the child home. Together with Polya, they decided to first bathe the girl and change her into clean clothes, because she was wearing pathetic cast-offs. The Romanians took everything from those doomed to death, including clothes. And then a surprise awaited the women. A small leather bag hung around the child’s neck on a strong cord. Lilya poured the contents onto the table - several massive gold rings, a heavy twisted watch chain, three gold royal coins and a six-pointed Star of David, decorated with a scattering of small diamonds.
“The unfortunate mother paid you to save her child,” Aunt Polya said quietly, and both women burst into tears.
Anyone who dared to hide Jews was threatened with execution. To the credit of the neighbors, no one reported on Lilya, although there were plenty of scoundrels in the city who regularly “knocked” on the Romanian Siguranza. For the opportunity to take someone else's room, profit from property or take revenge for an old insult. The rescued girl remained in Lily's family. For everyone, she was the daughter of a cousin from Akkerman who died in a bombing, about which there was a certificate skillfully prepared in an underground printing house. Everyone called the girl Rita, although her real name was Rachel.
“Remember, baby,” Lilya repeated, “your name is Ri-i-ta!.. And I am your Aunt Lilya.”
How to survive in an occupied city is the topic of a separate story. While working in the hospital, Lilya took out food, medicine, civilian clothes and handed them over to the underground fighters, hid a partisan liaison in the depths of the yard and helped a well-known surgeon in the city operate on wounded Soviet soldiers who were hidden in the catacombs.
And then April 1944 came. Life in the city liberated from the Nazis began to gradually return to a peaceful track. Neighbors were returning from evacuation, wounded soldiers appeared on the streets of the city, arrived at sanatoriums for treatment, and the destroyed berths of the port were hastily restored. That year the famous white acacia bloomed surprisingly early. Its intoxicating aroma was dizzying and filled the city streets with a spiritual festive mood.
Lilya decided to wash the windows and curtains on her day off. And Aunt Polya and Rita settled down on the gallery to peel potatoes for lunch. A disabled neighbor, leaning on a crutch, basked in the sun and leisurely played chess with himself.
Lilya did not immediately notice the stocky young officer with a dusty duffel bag on his shoulder. With a lost look, the military man entered the courtyard, looked around, sighed heavily...
- Comrade captain, are you looking for someone? – the neighbor asked sympathetically. The officer did not have time to answer. A child's cry sounded throughout the yard:
- Dad!!!
Little Rita-Rachel rushed to the captain, loudly knocking her bare heels on the cast-iron stairs. The officer threw the duffel bag to the ground with a jerk and picked up the girl in his arms. They froze in the middle of the yard, tightly clasping each other's arms, like climbers hovering over a bottomless abyss into which their pre-war, calm and happy life had collapsed and disappeared forever.
The captain was fed fried potatoes and given tea. Rita sat nearby, clutching the sleeve of her father’s tunic, as if she was afraid that he might suddenly disappear.
- How did you find us? – Polina asked without hiding her surprise.
The captain paused, pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, turned it over in his hands, put it back, coughed embarrassedly, covered his eyes with his palm and finally answered:
“You may not believe it, but I dreamed about my wife several times... She assured me that she managed to save our daughter.” Frankly speaking, I didn’t expect it... some kind of mysticism... Excuse me, I’ll go out... have a smoke...
The next day the captain returned to the front. His short vacation was ending. Before leaving, he wrote down to Lila the address of his sister, who lived in Vinnitsa before the war, but in the summer of '41 managed to evacuate to Tashkent.
“Thank you for everything,” said the captain, saying goodbye. “I don’t even know if I can thank you enough.”
In the fall of '45, her dear aunt from Vinnitsa came for Rita. She brought sad news - the girl’s father died at the end of May near Vienna. Lilya tried to persuade the woman not to take Rita. But she explained with tears in her eyes:
“This child is all I have left.” I promise you, we will never forget your kindness.
Lilya washed and carefully ironed Rita's things, carefully put everything in a bundle and suddenly began to fuss.
- Wait! Take this one too.
She took out a leather bag and began to sheepishly explain:
“I had to sell one ring to buy firewood.” Very much Cold winter happened in '42.
- No, no, what are you talking about! Keep it... You deserve it.
Lily's father unexpectedly intervened in the women's dispute.
“Madam,” the old man said solemnly, “who do you think we are?” Take your treasures. These are family heirlooms. Ritochka will soon become a bride. For a girl, this is a memory of her mother and a ready-made dowry.
Rita left, and Lily's life went on as usual.
Soon a new guest, Arkady Stepanovich, a respectable man of about forty, with a badge for a wound and a wide order bar on a paramilitary jacket, moved into the next empty room on the second floor. He brought with him two carts of serious property - an iron bed, a carved chest of drawers, a massive table, boxes with books and dishes, a captured gramophone and a portrait of Stalin in a heavy carved frame. Curious neighbors found out that Arkady Stepanovich is single and works as a caretaker in one of the city’s sanatoriums. The new tenant was charming, smart, willingly treated his neighbors to cigarettes, smelled of Chypre cologne in the morning, and on Sundays he liked to sit on the gallery and read the latest newspaper. In a word, a positive character in all respects and an enviable groom. However, the new neighbor had one hobby that intrigued everyone.
One day, Aunt Polya, carefully descending the stairs, ran into Arkady Stepanovich, who was timidly followed by an unfamiliar young woman.
“Here, I met an old friend and invited her to tea,” Arkady Stepanovich explained, helping the woman climb the last step.
Closing the door behind him, Arkady Stepanovich turned on the gramophone. The old Moldavian courtyard was filled with the popular tango melody “Champagne Splashes”.
Then a former classmate, colleague, childhood friend came to visit him, second cousin from Kyiv... Three or four times a week the neighbors received a free concert and rich food for gossip. Blondes, brunettes, mostly young women - Arkady Stepanovich had excellent taste! By the way, not a single woman came twice. From time to time, the residents of the courtyard had serious discussions on the topic of morality. The tireless Arkady Stepanovich had fierce supporters who presented arguments in his defense. After the war, there was a catastrophic shortage of young unmarried men. For single women, such a fleeting “sanatorium romance” is the only way to get a tiny portion of female happiness.
At the very end of summer, Arkady Stepanovich had a new passion. Simochka was from the breed of those women who attract the attention of absolutely all men, including infants and paralyzed elders. Long-legged, with an excellent figure, satiny skin and a shock of tar-colored curls, thanks to her sharp-tongued disabled neighbor, she received the nickname Carmen. To everyone's surprise, Carmen came the next day. And then she began to appear regularly. She treated the children in the yard to lollipops, and developed a special sympathy for Lila, giving her a French silk scarf and a bar of real chocolate from the Moscow Babaev Factory.
On a warm Sunday morning, when all the residents of the house were leisurely doing household chores, Arkady Stepanovich, together with Simochka, went out to the gallery. His snow-white shirt and carefully ironed trousers attracted everyone's attention. The beaming Sima in her new crepe de Chine dress was irresistible.
- Attention, comrades! – Arkady Stepanovich said loudly. – I want to make an important statement in your presence!
Here, like a hussar, he dropped to one knee, took Carmen’s narrow hand in his wide, strong palms and solemnly announced:
– Dear Serafima Yuryevna! I offer you my hand and heart. I love you and cannot imagine my life without you...
Everyone shouted “Hurray!” and applauded. Arkady Stepanovich pulled a small box out of his pocket and solemnly handed it to the bride, who was pink with embarrassment.
The box contained a luxurious brooch. A golden scarab beetle with a turquoise back held a ball of pale pink coral in its golden legs.
“A family heirloom,” explained Arkady Stepanovich, looking down. - The only memory of the late mother. The thing is unique!
The neighbors gasped in admiration, but for some reason Simochka turned pale and, citing urgent matters on the occasion of the upcoming wedding, soon left.
Arkady Stepanovich did not seem to notice the rapid flight of his beloved. He was busy organizing a traditional bachelor party, with homemade wine, plenty of snacks and, of course, dancing to the gramophone. The celebration lasted until late at night. And early in the morning they came to Arkady Stepanovich with a search.
Lilya and the disabled neighbor were invited as witnesses. That same day, pale Lilya ran to my grandmother. Sobbing and wiping away tears, Lilya drank a glass of water with valerian in one gulp and began her story.
There were four of them - a tall man in civilian clothes, a local police officer and two more policemen, one of whom remained in the gallery, blocking the front door.
– Yesterday, in the presence of witnesses, did you give this piece of jewelry to citizen Polyanskaya? – asked a man in civilian clothes, pulling a scarab from his pocket.
Arkady Stepanovich, in silk pajamas, slightly swollen from yesterday's feast, calmly nodded his head.
- That's right. This family heirloom belonged to my late mother.
-What was her name?
– Pelageya Vasilyevna... I don’t understand why these strange questions?
The man turned the beetle over in his hands and deftly picked something up with his finger. With a soft click, the blue-green back of the scarab opened like two tiny petals.
“It says “Rebecca,” the man in civilian clothes said mockingly and showed the inscription to the witnesses.
“Well, yes... That was the name of my mother’s friend who gave her this gift,” Arkady Stepanovich found himself without blinking an eye.
- Start the search! - followed the command.
Lilya turned to the window. It was painfully awkward for her to watch how they turned out dresser drawers, rummaged through suitcases, tapped window sills and carefully examined the painted brown paint floor. Arkady Stepanovich sat on a chair under a portrait of Stalin and calmly watched what was happening.
- Get up and go to the corner! – a man in civilian clothes suddenly commanded him.
Only then did Lilya notice that beads of sweat appeared on her outwardly calm neighbor’s temples. The policeman carefully removed the portrait, and the man in civilian clothes approached the wall and began to closely examine the wallpaper.
“They found a hiding place behind the portrait in the wall.” There were seventeen bags hidden in it, about a kilogram of gold! – Lilya whispered and began to cry again. - Seventeen! That's exactly how many kids this bastard killed.
Later, the local police officer said that people like Arkady specifically hunted for children with bags around their necks. They took the gold, and the child was pushed back into the column or brought to the siguranza the next morning. Last winter, a woman identified Arkady right on the street, but he managed to get out. He realized that he urgently needed to leave the city. However, at that time it was impossible to obtain legal registration in another place. And then this scoundrel came up with a simple plan, like all ingenious things. I decided to urgently find myself a wife. Moreover, a woman from a respected family, with connections and a special status.
Sima Polyanskaya, the daughter of a Moscow professor, seemed like an ideal candidate. There was one thing Arkady could not know. Her grandfather was a well-known Odessa jeweler before the revolution, who made a special talisman gift for each daughter, and he had five, when she came of age. The scarab beetle went to Rebecca, the youngest, who studied history and dreamed of becoming an Egyptologist.
Every summer Sima made a special trip to Odessa. The family really hoped that at least one of the Odessa relatives managed to escape...
- What if this bastard gave Sima a banal chain? “I would have left quietly, gotten lost in the capital,” my grandmother shook her head.
– Yes, but the desire to impress the bride played a cruel joke on Arkady. By the way, we never found out his real name. Everything about him was fake - both the awards and the badge for being wounded...
In the late sixties, after the death of her father and aunt Polya, Lilya was left completely alone. And then Rita appeared in the old courtyard on Moldavanka, whom life had brought to distant Novosibirsk.
- Aunt Lilya, get ready! – the young woman stated decisively. - You will live with us. I can’t bear to think that you’re sitting here within four walls. You don't even have a phone here! I’m generally silent about hot water.
- Ritochka! – Lilya shook her head doubtfully. “I don’t want to be a burden to you in your old age.”
Rita's eyes began to sparkle with tears.
- Auntie, dear, I have no one closer to you! That’s what I told the children: wait, I’ll soon bring your Odessa grandmother.
Before leaving, Lilya brought us a gift - a copy of Kuindzhi’s painting “Daryal Gorge. Moonlight night".
“I understand that the picture is of no value.” You will just look at her and sometimes think about me.
Now “Moonlit Night” hangs above my desk. Some time ago I discovered that the surface of the painting began to curve in a strange way. I had to drag her to a familiar restoration artist.
To my surprise, Tolik called that same evening and excitedly yelled into the phone:
- Listen, friend. Sell me Kuindzhi! For any money!
- How is it? – I was wary.
- This is a unique picture! I've never seen anything like this! Just imagine, it was painted not on canvas, but on a piece of medical gauze, onto which Odessa newspapers from the times of the German occupation were pasted with flour paste. I will show it for a lot of money.
- I can not! – I answered firmly.
- Why?
- This is a family heirloom.
Galina KOROTKOVA,
Odessa, Ukraine