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Welcome to the web site all about the genealogy of the Tachna family!
The research focuses upon the descendants of Rav Tachna who lived in Poland in the 18th century. This chronicle has been established by research that has taken place since nineteen eighty eight.
It all started as a curiosity. Like so many Jews in the latter portion of the twentieth century, very little was known or understood regarding family heritage. Time was also getting late. The generation that left Europe was growing older and with them was going to go all the knowledge of those who lived there and then. Luckily I "picked up the ball" soon enough to be able to talk with a number of them.
Their memories spring-boarded the initial investigation. From there, other avenues have been used including LDS microfilm, records direct from archives in Europe, and contacts with other relatives now spread globally.
The stories are all fascinating. I encourage everyone to partake in this same journey; for as the Talmud says, "In order to know where one is going, one must first know from where one has come."
The surname Tachna תחנה is Hebrew and is derived from the Hebrew word Tachnun.
The Hebrew word Tachnun תחון literally means, "supplication."
The Hebrew word Tachna literally means "station." However, it is also the foreshortened form for Tachnun; as the Hebrew letter hey ה stands in as an abbreviation for letters not used or pronounced.
Why was that surname adopted?
The explanation lies in the fact that at the time the surname was adopted, the family ancestors were Torah scribes, or soferim. It is Jewish custom that on a day when the writing of a Torah scroll is finished, the Tachnun prayer is not said. For that matter, on any day that a sefer Torah may be finished, the Tachnun is also not said. So the surname was adopted in relation to their profession.