In Lithuania: Vilnius County

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Virginia Siskavich on May 26, 2010 at 8:12am

Hi Richie! I *think* my grandfather may have come from this region. On his social security application, he listed "Semeluski Russia" as his place of birth. I have been told that this is probably "Semeliskes" in the Elektrenai county.

I still do not know my grandfather's original surname, so I think writing to the archives is out of the question. But, I was in contact with someone from Lithuania who gave me a couple addresses of "Siskevicius" families living in or very near this area. I actually have letters ready to go out to them today. Keeping my fingers crossed for sure!

Permalink Reply by Richie C. on May 26, 2010 at 8:55am

I think it was me who suggested Semeliskes. Let's hope I was right!

Make sure you include your email address in your letters so they can correspond with you easily and for free. In my experience, I usually get responses from about half, which I think is pretty good. Wish you luck!

Permalink Reply by Virginia Siskavich on May 26, 2010 at 10:20am

It was you, Rich -- thanks again. There are so many groups and networks, I sometimes get confused as to whom I've asked what! :) Luckily I save everything to mull over again when my leads are looking slim.

Do you think it might be advantageous for me to send correspondence to Vilnius archives not knowing much about my grandfather, other than where I *think* he came from? I know his parents names (roughly -- what was written on his Social Security application) and a date of birth for him.

Right now, I have a request out to the INS to research my grandfather's naturalization records. From old newspapers, I can tell the year he received naturalization, so those papers MIGHT have more information to go by. Should I just wait until I hear from them?

Permalink Reply by Bob Krampetz on August 1, 2012 at 6:15pm

My mother was born in "Wilno",  as she told everyone.    Unfortunately I didn't learn much about family before the previous generation passed on.  I'm still learning and enjoying history (now that there's reason to it!)

While on a first date with my current wife,  we discovered both our mother's came from "Wilno".    Uninterested then in genealogy, we just let it go, it was just a coincidence story to relate to others.  

 Years later, when the genealogy bug bit,  I learned my mother was baptized in the church of Lida and my wife's mother was born in Kurenets,  and that "Wilno" was a very large province in Lithuania.   Wilno, which currently is called Vilnius after the city and the province surrounding had been carved in half.   Some to Lithuania and both 'our places'  now in the Belarus half.  

I've collected much information from recollections of relatives,  but have had no success with archives or genealogy sites or databases in order to learn more.

Bob K.

Researching:  Jakuc, Niewiera in Poland/Lithuania,   and Krampitz in Poland (Lipno area)

 

Permalink Reply by Joanie D on August 9, 2012 at 1:09pm

Hi Bob,

 

With the information you have on your mother (baptized at a church in Lida) and that your wife's mother was born in Kurenets, it seems that you have enough to get information from the archives - in your case, probably in Belarus.  That country is very difficult to work with.  Unfortunately, the countries that were in the eastern bloc are just beginning to catch up with the rest of the world. 

 

You may do better hiring someone to do your research - I belong to APG (Association of Professional Genealogists) and they have a lot of good information on genealogists and translators.  This is the link:

http://www.apgen.org/directory/search_results.html?sort=country_asc

 At least I know that APG is a legitimate organization and has very strict rules for its membership. So hopefully, you might find someone there to help you.  Maybe an e-mail to one of the genealogists/translators on the list may get you pointed in the right direction.

 

Good Luck!