Need help deciphering surnames and origins for ancestors from the Austro-Hungarian Empire who immigrated to Brazil
Hi everyone,
I've been trying to trace the exact origin of my maternal great-grandparents, but I've hit a massive brick wall and could really use some fresh eyes.
They immigrated to Brazil likely between 1894 and 1903. In Brazilian civil records, they are listed as Austrian, but in church records, they are listed as Polish — the classic Austro-Hungarian Empire overlap.
The spelling variations in the Brazilian records are all over the place due to phonetic registration. Here is what I have:
Great-grandfather: Registered as Basílio in Brazil. His surname appears as Bonaiva, Ponaiba, Panaiva, and Ponahyba.
Great-grandmother: Her first name appears as Anna or Orpena. Her surname has wild variations: Isma, Esma, Smar, Sruar, Smaha, and Chumar.
I have searched through numerous immigration and shipping records looking for clues, but many archives from that period in Brazil were either lost or completely deteriorated.
Does anyone recognize what the original, correct spellings of these surnames might be? Any clues on which specific regions or villages these names typically come from would be immensely appreciated!
Thank you so much in advance!