Every year in genealogy brings its own challenges and discoveries, but 2025 was special. It made me reevaluate my work, taught me to adapt to new circumstances, and at the same time reminded me why I do this work at all – because it interests and engages me. I love that the result of my work is personally meaningful to someone. And what actually happened this year? If I had to say it in one word – I think I can safely say it was dramatic! The biggest events were concentrated

Anyone actively researching Latvian family history has probably noticed that interwar-period documents are no longer available online (on...

If you have been researching your family history for a while, looking through various parish records, you've likely encountered...

Passports are among the most coveted documents for family historians because they contain photographs. Where and how to search for...

Were your parents or grandparents students? If they studied during the interwar period, then search for their alumni records. It is rare...

When people inquire about where to begin researching their family history, I recommend starting with documenting known information. Do...

Latvians were not only peasants but also townspeople. A significant number of future residents of Riga moved to the city in the late 19th...

This week, I had the chance to delve into the records of Mazsalaca Lutheran Church, and twice was not able to find the baptismal record I...