Once a genealogist has gathered family information, they can turn to the broader historical context. What is the history of a specific parish or district? How did my ancestors experience historical events?
Of course, such research is not easy, and it will not always be possible to uncover details about an individual’s role in historical events. However, attempting this search is worthwhile! The results can lead to engaging stories that enrich the family history. Suddenly, an ancestor known only through birth, marriage, and death records may take on a more human aspect, complete with a compelling narrative.
This week, I had some success in searching for additional information about my family from Veselava. I initially had only dry genealogical data, but I wanted to enhance it with historical context for the family book. Where and how should one search for this information?
In old newspapers on Periodika.lv. Remember that older newspapers used historical orthography and place names! For instance, instead of “Veselava,” you should search for variations like Wesselauska, Weselauska, Weselawa, or even the German Wesselshof. Use different forms and combinations to increase your chances of finding relevant results.
Using historical surname spellings when searching for family names is also crucial. These spellings appear in church books or census records. For example, I was researching the Zirģelis family and used the historical spelling “Sirgel.”
The Latvian National Library's Digital Book Library at https://gramatas.lndb.lv. While it primarily contains older digitized books, newer publications must be sought in person at libraries.
The Digital Library at https://digitalabiblioteka.lv also holds images and materials from the National Heritage Board. As these are protected by copyright, access may require contacting the board directly.
The journal “Latvijas Arhīvi” http://www.latvijasarhivi.lv contains various studies on events and people from different historical periods. I find these articles particularly fascinating because they often quote original documents. Additionally, references to archival collections and records are incredibly helpful for researchers.
Books that haven’t been digitized hold a wealth of information. Visiting a library is often the only option, and many modern books reprint stories from other sources. Whenever possible, try to locate the original sources, as some details may have been “lost in translation.”
In my case, I discovered a fascinating story about Veselava peasants rebelling, wishing to converting to Orthodoxy, and planning to emigrate to Russia, for which they were severely punished. This event from 1841 involved a member of the Zirģelis family I had mentioned.
You can read the entire story in Latvian in H. Enzelin’s article, “Views into the Past of Veselava Parish,” published in the "Illustrated Supplement of Brīvā Zeme" on December 23, 1931.
Unfortunately, all these recommendations primarily cater to those proficient in the Latvian language. I understand that finding a historical article about a person or event and then translating it into modern Latvian—and subsequently into English—can be quite challenging. However, it might be possible to achieve this using AI tools. Let me know if you have success in this!
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