What's in a Name?: The
Original and Subsequent Forms of the RENOX NameDocumented Forms: Renox, Renkowski, Remcikowski,
Renkofski, Renckofski, Renagowski, Ranagowski (Last two from Church
records, and only the first two used consistently over years).
Nationality: General consensus
and overwhelming evidence points to German nationality. Why Polish form: Forms
adopted/changed with variety of countries taking control. Even cities, such as
Vilna, can change to "Wilno" in a Polish context.
Jim Kohl, who lived with John Renox,
spoke to Pat Paskiewicz on 3 April 1987. "John read German
newspapers. He spoke German . . . " In response to my question why
the Renox family was so hush hush about their Renox side, he intimated the
rumored some big secret that John was avoiding service in the war and
changed his name. Helen, reported here to deny that Renox name was ever
"Renkowski."
Gertrude Haddas Templeton once told me that John
Renox was "very German."
My grandmother, Angie Renox Dwyer,
John's daughter, could speak German.
What is Known/ Reported:
Gertrude Haddas Templeton,
daughter of Frank Haddas, in a letter to me dated 12 Aug 1977, "Aunt
Helen could tell you how come . . .their name is Renox, I understand
aunt Helen went to school, I believe at St Boniface and sister
suggested shortening the name and they did legally.
Forms of Names Used:
City of Detroit Directories:
Beginning in 1875 to 1886 Renox name nor
any form of their name can be found in City of Detroit directories these
years.
1887 Renowski name found this year only-
Frank, John and Theophil. Related?
1889 to 1897 Renox name nor any form of their
name can be found in City of Detroit directories these years
1898 Renkowski name first appears on regular
basis in City of Detroit Directories, with identifiable members of family.
Spelt this way except for 1900 and in 1912, when the Renox form appears.
1900 Rinkowski form appears once only - in
City directory. (Living at 552 Willis- a Polish neighborhood, some
German).
1908 Raymond G. dies. Cemetery record =
"Remcikowski", Death cert: "Renkofski"
1909 Name "Renkowski" last appears in City
Detroit directories. 1909-1910 No form can be found. If legal change
done- it happened here.
1912 Name "Renox" appears
first in that form in City of Detroit Directories - and is that way
consistently.
1949 Death of John P. Renox. Death certificate
& cemetery both report name as "Renox (Renikowski)"
Maureen Stewart, interested in the name issue,
in her e mail Nov 2001 to me muses: "I actually think that Renox is a variation of the spelling Rhenachs, Renachs, or Rheinachs,
which actually means corner or bend of the Rhein. It's a very old name
and many from the Rhine region specifically in that area have this name."
Subsequent Research after 10 November
2001:
I am of the opinion that the Renox name with all its
variations are the same family, based on documents that I have, such as
first hand searches of directories and birth and death certificates. I
will begin to start scanning and publishing to the Renox site, asap. PP