Latvian Genealogy Blog

A while back, I wrote about what can be found in museum collections. This time, I want to highlight another valuable resource: libraries. If you are researching your family history or simply curious about your ancestors' lives, libraries might hold the key to fascinating stories. Created by DALL-E Why Are Libraries a Valuable Resource I am currently working on a family book. While genealogical data—names, dates, occupations—has been collected, it only provides part of the pic

As the new year begins, there's always a desire to start something fresh. For over a year now, I have been writing advice and tips based...

This time, we explore two brief memory pieces about Christmas celebrations in the late 19th century. Professor Edvards Kalniņš, born in 1869 in Bīriņi Parish, recalls his childhood Christmases. Today, his birthplace, Ķikas farm, is in Vidriži Parish. The second story comes from Teodors Grīnvalds, born in 1889 in Kuldīga, who later became the Prefect of Riga. Created by DALL-E The First Memoir: A Village Christmas Eve "My most beautiful Christmas memories are, of course, from

Beyond the Archive For genealogists, invaluable resources can be found not only in archives but also in museums and libraries. This time, I will focus on my experience with the collection at the Cēsis Museum, leaving libraries for another discussion. Created by Dall-E A few years ago, I was preparing lectures for the online course organized by the Cēsis Museum for family history enthusiasts. During one session, museum staff introduced us to materials held in the museum's arch

In genealogy, small details often lead to big discoveries. Genealogists are naturally passionate, and I’ve also found myself, in my enthusiasm, chasing the next lead and overlooking what seemed like minor details. Yet, it is precisely these details that can prove to be crucial in research. Created by DALL-E Why Is Translating Records Important? I’ve found that it’s essential to translate baptism, marriage, or death records as I come across them. Once I’ve written them out, I

Recently, I received a question: how does one transition from church records to revision lists? How can you determine which revision list...

When a researcher delves into Latvian church books, they inevitably encounter historical place names. How can one interpret these names, understand their modern equivalents, and find additional information about specific locations? Historically, place names in Latvia were recorded in Latvian, German, and Russian, and these names often differed significantly. For example, Jelgava was historically referred to as Mītava or Jelgava in Latvian, but as Mitau in German. Even river n

Once a genealogist has gathered family information, they can turn to the broader historical context. What is the history of a specific...

On November 11, 1919, the newly established Latvian Army, only a year in existence, defeated the German and Russian White Guard forces...

If someone in your family served in the German military formations during World War II and remained in Latvia after the war, it is very...

For ancient Latvians, October was the time of veļi (spirits of the departed), when people honored and remembered the dead. I’ve written...

This week, while researching the land registry, I decided to look for additional information about the redemption of peasant farms. In...