
In response to the above statement, some more information has been added that may help all Mauk family researchers, since enumerator error has been a large contributing factor to most surnames having several spellings (or mis-spellings) :
Here are some excellant links to research being conducted on the Mauk surname (and corresponding surname spellings) listed below:
http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/sur/surc-M/surc-Mau/sur-Ma... http://home.earthlink.net/~kmcgee03/dtadscmk.html http://mock.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ http://www.shenandoahmaucks.com/dna.html http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/KENTUCKIANA/2000-07/0... http://genforum.genealogy.com/mauk/messages/396.html
Below is by Tony and David Mauk (correspondence from genforum.genealogy.com) which many may find interesting.
Date: October 30, 2006 at 19:47:36
David:
I can certainly help. My research started in 1980 and has continued since. First the original name Mauch, was an area in Bavaria Germany, near the Black Forest. The first German's that came over to the US was late 1600, early 1700's. While in Germany, some towns durng the 1500's only used first names, such as the first male child born to a German family, typically was Johanas "Von" (meaning from) Mauch.
During the 13 colonies, the first person naturalized in the US was a German, named John Mock. It is recorded and can be found in books in the Virginia area (I have these references should you need them).
The first cenus was done around 1778 or so. It capatured the name's Mock, and Mauck. I figured out during several weeks of research in the PA archives, that these early mispelling must have been due to the employees of the Cenus, trying to "figure out" how to spell a German name.
My line is father John Mauk, grandfather John Adam, Great, was Adam and great, great was Peter. Peter was born in New Bedford PA and moved to the VA area in 1840 time frame. Peter was a menonite and owned the "Mock/Mauch" meeting house in Luray, Va which is now a historical Land Mark. The land in the area was also owned by Peter, and most was giving to the Eastern Menonite College. This was discover by Grace Showalter and about 30 students helping me research the Shennabdoah Court house 1986-87. During this time about 100 pages of docuements was discovered written by John Mauk (Mock) 1860-1870. John Mock and James Headly were both court room recorders. James H was authorized by Lincoln to recall the Great Rebellion/ Civil War. I have those docuements as well. I must say, I was very lucky finding the Mauk history.
So roughly, 1900 the name MOCK was changed in my family to Mauk. I think from what I gathered, there was always a question of how to spell the name, and today all exsist. But I'm certain the all have the rough same origin. Germany to PA 1690 through 1900. During the Civil War, many of the Mauk's did not fight because of their religion. The Gov allowed for this, but it was cost $250 per person.
During my investigation, There are decendants of Mathias, Gotlieb and names like this Mauk. They did fight in the Civil War and I also have Gilbert and Brian Mauk's writtings too. I have sure that they are too related because I've had the opportunity to meet with them. They like my father and grandfather have blue eyes and very similar faces, ears and hair lines.
Another group of Mauk's were educators, from ALtoona, PA and The New Bedford area. These were second and third cousins. But they have dark brown eyes. The bules eyes typically produced hand talent, carpenters, shoe makers and the brown eyed German's were educators. It took me about 20 years to come to this average..but it continues to hold true.
I hope this helps.
Tony Mauk