I have a Stephen Besznak born 1831 who was born in Austria/Hungry and proberbly Anglicized his first name. FMP have all the military records including the Chelsea Pensioner records of this man who served in the British Army. I would love to know the details of these records.
Now I will tell you why. My father had a step father with surname Besznak, the story goes he was Polish and came over to UK at start of the Second World War. This was taken as fact, until today that is, when I was presented with a whole load of certificates, including his birth certificates.
Quite surprisingly it turns out he was born in England, and so were his parents. This left a number of questions and possible explications, however upon finding an entry in FMP for a Stephen Besznak, the grandfather, born in Austria- Hungary and serving in British army, this would explain as to how this unusual name came to be established in the UK.
Why my grandmother told the story about being a Polish immigrant, well we will never know.
Thanks