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If you’ve been to the Latvian Surname Project, and looked at the map on the front page, you’ll have seen that most of eastern Latvia (Latgale) is blank.
Not anymore!
Recently I’ve had the opportunity to spend time reading a book called Latgaļu uzvōrdi, palames un dzymtas by Leonards Latkovskis. This book, as well as time spent looking at books on Polish and Russian surnames (since these were also adopted by people in Latvia, particularly in the Latgale region), means that I’ve been able to start adding Latgalian surnames to the Latvian Surname Project.
Some particularly interesting ones that the book talks about…
- LAIZĀNS – a name with Estonian roots with the typical Latgalian ending (-āns). This name comes from the Estonian word “laisk”, meaning “lazy”.
- CIBULSKIS – written as “Cybuļskis” in Latgalian, it comes from the Polish name Cybulski, which comes from the Polish word “cebula”, which means “onion”. The Latvian version of this name would be Sīpols or Sīpoliņš (diminutive).
- BONDARENOKS – a name of Belarusian origin, the “-nok” ending is the Belarusian equivalent of Ukrainian “-enko”, which is a patronymic. In this case, the name means “son of a cooper”. Belarusian names can be found amongst ethnic Latvians in some parts of Latgale.
There is still a lot of work to be done in Latgale parishes, since there are still fewer names in the parish categories than for most Vidzeme parishes, but the work is being done. I hope that eventually I’ll have names for each Latvian parish!
Looking for information on what your surname means, but it isn’t listed in the Latvian Surname Project?
Have a question about Latvian genealogy that doesn’t specifically relate to a post here, but not sure where to post it?
Interested in starting a One-Name or One-Place Study for a Latvian name or parish, but a bit intimidated as to how to get started, and looking for other participants?
Look no further – Today I am unveiling my newest website feature: a forum! There you can ask your questions, connect with other people researching the same names and places, and we can build a good research community over there. The forum is intended to provide a place where people can talk about Latvian genealogy, history and research beyond the initial “getting started” stage (though if you have those questions too, don’t be shy – just read the posts that I’ve mentioned in the “Questions and Answers” forum first to see if your question has already been answered), so sign up and join in!
When you request a forum for a surname or parish, I will also let you know if there is already work being done in Latvian on the topic you are researching – there are quite a few groups in Latvia engaged in “novadpētniecība” (researching parishes/districts) in a number of different parishes, so hopefully the research can be connected together.
If you have another idea for a forum, let me know and I’ll set it up!
EDIT: Due to spam (already?!) appearing in the forum, I have enabled the setting to require admin approval before a user account can be registered. Please let me know if I reject you in error. Thank you.
In this series, I am providing pictures of tombstones from Latvian cemeteries, all with death dates prior to 1945. I do not have any further information on the people mentioned.
Photo taken by me, October 2012. Click to enlarge.
Name: Miķelis Vīksne, born October 10, 1839, died October 10, 1915
Bottom Inscription: “Es esmu augšamcelšanās un dzīvība, kas tic uz mani jebšu tas būtu miris, tas dzīvos.” – Jāņa ev.11.25
(“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” (John 11:25))
Location: Meža kapi, Rīga
Sorry I’m a day late on this one!
Part of my series of publishing the banns read in Rīga in the interwar period. See this post for more details.
May 11, 1925 (Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Herald], May 12, 1925)
- Table-maker Francis Cibulskis (Līksna) and Tekla Kokina (Līksna)
- Merchant Benjamiņš Obelers (Rīga) and Anna Segemane (Dobele)
- Vice-Sergeant Fricis Krūmiņš (Puze) and Milda Emīlija Jūlmane (Tannenheim)
- Iron-cutter Jānis Augusts Markevičs (Rīga) and Anna Dulebo maiden name Gustiņa (Iecava)
- Clerk Adalberts Verners Kaminskis (Rīga) and Olga Ērika Forkašs maiden name Hasenfuss (Rīga)
- Mechanic Jānis Eduards Lācis (Rīga) and Katrīna Olga Strazdiņa-Belte (Kaugurciems)
- Clerk Vilis Kodols (Valka) and Katrīna Olga Dīķis (Melužciems)
- Worker Eduards Gavrovskis (Selonaja) and Bronislava Mičune (Ilūkste)
- Miķelis Saragackis (Tukums) and Gertrude Kagans (Rīga)
- Table-maker Jānis Grinvalds (Nurmuiža) and Berta Auguste Bašmake maiden name Oriks (Rīga)
- Shoemaker Teodors Julius Evermanis (Rīga) and Elizabete Šmits (Rīga)
- Weaver Alfreds Arzts (Lodze) and Lidija Rozīte (Rīga)
- Worker Ludwigs Eduards Dumpis (Buļļi) and Lizete Kulikovskis (Vec-Gindaļi)
May 12, 1925 (Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Herald], May 13, 1925)
- Agent Arveds Gludmanis (Rīga) and Anna Čakste (Lielauce)
- Clerk Eižens Rusts (Saint Petersburg) and Katrina Maksimova (Rīga)
- Clerk Augusts Balodis (Rīga) and Lilija Dzegūze (Estonia)
- Iron-cutter Kāŗlis Kicis (Rīga) and Žennija Bahn (Mogilev)
- Typesetter Miķelis Liberts (Kuldīga) and Alma Unte (Lugaži)
- Stonecutter Jānis Abrams (Cesvaine) and Marta Būmeistere (Cesvaine)
- Merchant Jānis Tobis (Mālpils) and Elza Tobis (Mālpils)
- Engineer Kārlis Knoks (Umurga) and Otilija Muceniece (Mežotne)
- Iron-cutter Kārlis Niedra (Nereta) and Veronika Maļinovska (Rīga)
- Merchant Alberts Moritz Hasenfuss (Liepkalne) and Irma Gempfers (Liepkalne)
- Vendor Jānis Kosterovs (Tver) and Rozālija Mure (Šauliai)
- Merchant Fricis Georgs Jansons (Liepāja) and Emma Lizete Ledus (Ventspils)
- Locksmith Eižens Saulītis (Rīga) and Malvīna Janus (Rīga)
- Worker Aleksandrs Julius Amoliņš (Rīga) and Anna Neimane (Padure)
- Tailor Heinrich Milcs (Poland) and Anna Veinbergs (Tukums)
- Iron-cutter Kārlis Kozlovskis (Rīga) and Grieta Alide Meišs (Melluži)
May 13, 1925 (Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Herald], May 14, 1925)
- Student Antons Kartševskis (Lazdona) and Milda Matisons (Aizpute)
- Soldier Kārlis Skudra (Jēkabpils) and Elfrida Asvers (Rīga)
- Butcher Augusts Ola (Jaunpils) and Marija Geslers maiden name Akermarks (Rīga)
- Worker Romans Lebedevs (Rīga) and Adele Mickeviča (Poland)
- Worker Augusts Brinķis (Rīga) and Marija Lapsa (Rīga)
- Soldier Vladimirs Labeckis (Rēzekne) and Iraida Šebala (Rīga)
- Janitor Miķelis Dubovs (Straupe) and Karlīna Pūce maiden name Paparde (Rubene)
- Cabman Arvīds Eingorns (Daugavpils) and Ida Skurdelina (Daugavpils)
- Worker Vasilijs Krupenko (Rīga) and Anna Stefanija Rovicka (Rīga)
- Saša Ernsts Heislers (Jelgava) and Emilija Milda Osis (Rīga)
- Kārlis Ziediņš (Nereta) and Milda Kiegale (Rīga)
- Miller Vilis Alfreds Podnieks (Vecsaule) and Emīlija Olga Sukovska (Svēte)
- Sculptor Wilhelms Heinrichs Blije-Skujenieks (Katlakalns) and Elfrida Pauline Meisters (Idus)
- Guard Rudolfs Hekins (Vitebsk) and Malvīna Grīnmane (Vitebsk)
- Tailor Sīmanis Čerņičēvs (Rīga) and Marija Jakovleva (Rīga)
- Clockmaker Arvīds Anšelevičs (Krāslava) and Sofija Lichtmane (Tartu)
- Worker Meikols Eiduks (Puduļi) and Marija Atminis maiden name Sovka (Vilnius)
- Merchant Alfreds Lakstīgala (Gaujiena) and Antonija Sīklene (Smiltene)
- Merchant Harijs Druks (Jēkabpils) and Elfrida Jēkabsons (Daugavpils)
- Worker Antons Stonkus (Kaunas) and Pauline Lida Buivids (Svārpe)
- Pharmacist Moritz Livshitz (Jēkabpils) and Frida Borde (Jaunjelgava)
- Typesetter Andreas Voldemars Paije (Rīga) and Anna Trifonova (Rīga)
- Butcher Alfons Hugo Sprogis (Rīga) and Anna Zelma Celmiņā (Rīga)
- Worker Andrejs Grūbe (Ikšķile) and Madala Zondars (Viļaki)
- Agent Arveds Gludmanis (Rīga) and Anna Minna Čakste (Lielauce) (repeat from previous day?)
May 14, 1925 (Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Herald], May 15, 1925)
- Clerk Rudolfs Vēzītis (Gulbene) and Marija Vinters (Rīga)
- Cashier Morics Svinanskis (Daugavpils) and Rozālija Lazdans (Daugavpils)
- Merchant Eižens Grīnbergs (Rīga) and Elizabete Katrina Hasenstein maiden name Evers (Jelgava)
- Bookkeeper Emīls Johans Hermans (Jelgava) and Helga Tereza Ansons (Rīga)
- Potter Voldemārs Rožkalns (Ropaži) and Olga Liepiņa (Saint Petersburg)
- Merchant Valters Johansens (Liepāja) and Gertrude Emma Hvid maiden name Saks (Bialystok)
- Railway worker Georgs Teodors Bērziņš (Rīga) and Līze Bolis maiden name Udelis (Liezere)
- Worker Jānis Deičs (Eži) and Elizabete Hermine Pikurs (Ādaži)
- Miller Kārlis Sļendels (Stelpe) and Anna Puķīte maiden name Fišmeisters (Rīga)
- Table-maker Eduards Wilhelms Hermans (Rīga) and Iraida Kalviete maiden name Sarpova (Rīga)
- Merchant Vladimirs Bizkis (Rīga) and Lizete Jūle Lasmane (Rīga)
May 15, 1925 (Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Herald], May 16, 1925)
- Chauffeur Ēriks Evalds Vistiņš (Lugaži) and Emīlija Zelma Bergmane (Jelgava)
- Chauffeur Saša Dorils (Rauna) and Milda Elvina Ceske (Lejasciems)
- Merchant Jēkabs Kiršteins (Tukums) and Olga Ozoliņa (Rīga)
- Mechanic Kārlis Kalniņš (Dole) and Olga Pētersons (Dole)
- Tiller Žanno Hāze (Rīga) and Ērika Jegere (Rīga)
- Soldier Aleksandrs Poļakovs (Rīga) and Emma Luiks (Rīga)
- Druggist Mihails Borisovičs (Rīga) and Olga Rīdele (Liepāja)
- Mechanic Eduards Altners (Rīga) and Jadwiga Hodoroviča (Kaunas)
- Student Edgars Jansons (Sveiciems) and engineering chemist Elza Bērtiņa (Gaujiena)
- Machinist master Jānis Rudolfs Sapaļs (Rīga) and Alida Eklau (Rīga)
- Chef Ernsts Pampans (Bileri) and Lizete Eitaine (Gulbene)
- Clerk Kārlis Eglītis (Aloja) and ALvīna Kenga (Rīga)
- Tinsmith Jēkabs Krons (Rīga) and Elfrida Kristale (Šauliai)
- Tinsmith Johans Vestermanis (Nereta) and Dora Saks (Lithuania)
- Actor Jānis Raks (Poland) and Renate Halavina (Krustpils)
May 16, 1925 (Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Herald], May 18, 1925)
- Shoemaker Jānis Eklons (Mazsalaca) and Auguste Alina Eichenberga (Rīga)
- Student Nikolajs Sinecins (Rīga) and Jekaterina Čaritonovska (Vitebsk)
- Farmer Jānis Zvaigze (Pēterupe) and Elizabete Doroteja Pīraga (Rīga)
- Mechanic Kārlis Jēkabs Sibarts (Ikšķile) and Milda Auguste Karnupe (Rīga)
- Worker Kārlis Kornelius Žagats (Rīnuži) and Marija Elizabete Sniedze (Milgrāvis)
- Switchman Wilhelms Kārlis Fogelis (Rīga) and Emīlija Olga Jegere (Vāle)
- Jūlijs Everts (Jaunpiebalga) and Olga Alise Ribiņa (Rīga)
- Clerk Kārlis Reimanis (Ventspils) and Marija Anna Susare (Jaungulbene)
- Vice-lieutenant Jānis Krūmiņš (Trikāta) and Ella Elvīra Lazdiņa (Rīga)
- Pilot Kārlis Grūbe (Birzgale) and Alise Helena Ladziņa (Rīga)
- Worker Jānis Jansons (Dzērbene) and Ernestine Amālija Krastiņa (Ropaži)
Did this post help you find your ancestors? Do let me know!
Exciting news from the Latvian Saeima (Parliament) today: They have passed the new law on dual citizenship.
The passing of this law opens up a number of doors that had been closed in 1995, or hadn’t been open at all. World War 2-era exiles and their descendants can apply for dual citizenship again. Dual citizenship is also available to people with citizenship in the European Union (EU), European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). There are also provisions for citizens of Australia, Brazil and New Zealand.
Another option that I found interesting is the one that allows any ethnic Latvian or Livonian – seemingly without impediment to place of birth or how long ago their ancestors left Latvia – to gain Latvian citizenship providing that they can prove that their ancestors used to live in Latvian territory and that they can speak the Latvian language. Now, if someone’s ancestors left Latvia a long time ago, they are fairly unlikely to speak Latvian, but on the off-chance they do, or if they learn, they will also have the options for citizenship that larger migration waves like the World War 2 exiles do. I’m not certain if there is a language requirement from any other group besides this “ethnic Latvian or Livonian” group, but I will read the full law when it is ready and be able to let you know at that point.
The law comes into affect on October 1, 2013. Listening to the video that they posted, it might be that you would need to physically go to Latvia to organize the paperwork, but that doesn’t appear certain yet. I will keep you posted there as well.
Are you intending on taking advantage of this new opportunity? Do you have the documents you need? Do you need help in finding out where the documents you need are? Let me know and I can help you!
In this series, I am providing pictures of tombstones from Latvian cemeteries, all with death dates prior to 1945. I do not have any further information on the people mentioned.
Photo taken by me, October 2012. Click to enlarge.
Name: Aviac. Skol. Kurs. Leitn. Adolfs Krastiņš (Aviation School Course [?] Lieutenant Adolfs Krastiņš), born February 19, 1907, died August 22, 1930.
Location: Meža kapi, Rīga
Part of my series of publishing the banns read in Rīga in the interwar period. See this post for more details.
May 4, 1925 (Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Herald], May 5, 1925)
- Mason Kārlis Sprogis (Rīga) and Emīlija Bekmanis (Rīga)
- Musician Mārtiņš Dannenhiršs (Rīga) and Aleksandra Ērika Krievs (Rīga)
- Merchant Ruvius Kadiševs (Daugavpils) and Haja Fiksmann (Daugavpils)
- Worker Georgs Aškevičs (Rīga) and Sinoveija Volkova (Rīga)
- Wood-sorter Pēteris Lamsters (Stiene) and Marija Jordans (Pernigele)
- Clerk Fridrichs Lamsters (Skulte) and Malvīna Grūbe (Skulte)
- Roofer Jēkabs Deiders (Rīga) and Anna Martinilonis (Rīga)
- Worker Pēteris Smildziņš (Zentene) and Anastasija Lapčinskis (Rīga)
- Bookkeeper Jānis Eduards Tačans (Rīga) and Ludmila Skriblis (Krape)
- Oskars Ore (Dipna) and Elisa Arija Melnbārdis (Rīga)
- Clerk Nikolajs Volmerovičs (Rīga) and Jūlija Vavraušs (Brine)
- Alfreds Lapiņš (Moscow) and Marija Mazlaks (Rīga)
- Shoemaker Pēteris Lopato (Rīga) and Anna Sudniks (Rīga)
- Corporal Fridrichs Franks (Rīga) and Emma Mikelsons (Moscow)
- Bookkeeper Hans Hansson (Frustuna) and Emma Amālija Behr (Jelgava)
- Servant Jānis Kļava (Dalbe) and Marija Helmanis (Šauliai)
- Clerk Eižens Kuplasts (Rīga) and Helena Emīlija Ritten
- Alfreds Krastiņš (Rīga) and Vera Poklads (Rīga)
- Academic Francis Ernests Bange (Tallinn) and Emma Malvīna Āboliņš (Dignaja)
- Railway worker Mārtiņš Butke (Rīga) and Emīlija Bemberis (Rīga)
May 5, 1925 (Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Herald], May 6, 1925)
- Merchant Pauls Ādams Gešels (Rīga) and Elinor Marija Rumpītis (Rīga)
- Clerk Marians Lakovičs (Odesa) and Rozālija Kuģe (Rīga)
- Railway worker Otto Wilhelm Kozlovskis (Rīga) and Anna Paegle (Rīga)
- Clerk Erichs Antons Jočovs (Drusti) and Wilhelmine Anna Juškevičs (Rīga)
- Industrialist Arvīds Augusts Birkmanis (Rīga) and Elza Otilija Zariņš (Valmiera)
- Musician Rudolfs Mironovičs (Vitebsk) and Merija Strašs (Rīga)
- Sailor Antons Šlipkus (Liepāja) and Johanna Venschau (Jaunpils)
- Saddler Fricis Franks (Ludza) and Hedwig Peim (Rīga)
- Worker Dmitri Jevdokimov (Līksna) and Alexandra Dikterova (Andrupene)
- Woodworker Daniels Feodorovs (Zelči) and Franziska Zabuls (Tirza)
- Basketweaver Alberts Lapiņš (Krustpils_ and Antonija Konovalova (Valmiera)
- Journalist Rudolfs Lasovskis (Rīga) and Olga Āboliņš (Cēsis)
- Miller Jēkabs Kiršs (Durbe) and Alise Redlichs (Liepāja)
- Barber Wilhelm Herling (Ventspils) and Lidija Baltaisari Vald (Liepāja)
- Farmer Augusts Eduards Valters (Piņķi) and Matilda Jākobsons (Kalnciems)
- Clerk Oskars Mednis (Palsmane) and Lina Marija Jēkabsons (Salaspils)
May 6, 1925 (Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Herald], May 7, 1925)
- Farmer Jānis Kūma (Salgale) and Katrīne Rutkovskis (Mežmuiža)
- Clerk Jānis Kabs (Lithuania) and Olga Golandskis (Kārsava)
- Saddler Teodors Alfreds Herbsts (Rīga) and Zelma Ida Neimanis (Kazdanga)
- Kārlis Vanags (Bulduri) and Anna Oškalns (Rīga)
- Shoemaker Kārlis Kučinskis (Kaunas) and Stefanija Maslavakis (Rīga)
- Vendor Moritz Rubinstein (Mažeiki) and Anna Koganer maiden name Leibson (Vecauce)
- Merchant Aleksandrs Sergejs Šmits (Morschauska) and Erika Adelheide Steinerts (Rīga)
- Painter Jānis Bļodnieks (Rīga) and Irmgarde Marija Lamba (Rīga)
- Fitter Heinrichs Reinholds Hasenfuss (Rīga) and Zelma Anete Piķervics (Ventspils)
- Pastry chef Jānis Boltmanis (Subate) and Alma Otilija Saulīte (Lielauce)
- Clerk Hansis Reinfelds (Rīga) and Margareta Kregers (Novorostiska)
- Clerk Alfreds Jānis Silberts (Jelgava) and Minna Natālija Thisen (Vircava)
- Technician Kārlis Jēkabs Silberts (Rīga) and Jūlija Marija Tim maiden name Gricke (Rīga)
- Shoemaker Salimons Spruksts (Kaunata) and Jesimija Nikitin (Michalowa)
- Bookkeeper Kārlis Fridrichs Roze (Rīga) and Vālija Marija Vampe (Rīga)
- Bookkeeper Jānis Adolfs Richters (Rīga) and Lidija Kļaviņš (Rīga)
- Painting master Viktors Jonaitis (Jelgava) and Alide Otilija Krigers (Rīga)
- Worker Pēteris Ģermanis (Liepupe) and Marina Lielace (Bučauska)
- Clerk Roberts Aleksanders Vitbergs (Rīga) and Felicita Lewende (Ostrowksa)
May 7, 1925 (Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Herald], May 8, 1925)
- Artist Valdis Bambars (Bauska) and Olga Amālija Kocers (Jelgava)
- Inspector Valters Teodors Hubrichs (Germany) and Luisa Eiženija Treide (Rīga)
- Fitter Kārlis Gothards Eglītis (Idus) and Zelma Johanna Ozols (Rūjiena)
- Cutter Eduards Mārtiņš Krigers (Rīga) and Antonija Luisa Fricnovičs (Rīga)
- Carpenter Jānis Kļaviņš (Ikšķile) and Dora Emīlija Gāle (Ventspils)
- Worker Johans Smetankins (Rīga) and Anastasija Schigajeva (Rīga)
- Tinsmith ALberts Lachmanis (Polotsk) and Tatjana Brisk (Ropaži)
- Typesetter Jēkabs Lukševičs (Ozolnieki) and Aleksandra Helmane (Lithuania)
- Mechanic Jānis Melgalvis (Limbaži) and Kristīne Amālija Veinbergs (Lēdurga)
- Farmer Pēteris Kontons (Subate) and Anna Miezītis (Dzērbene)
May 8, 1925 (Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Herald], May 9, 1925)
- Pastry chef Aleksandrs Steinbergs (Sesava) and Doroteja Sailums
- Painter Voldemārs Priedītis (Matīši) and Milda Johanna Pallo (Lugaži)
- Silversmith Ludwigs Fridrichs Veigants (Germany) and Eiženija Ida Spre (Rīga)
- Chauffeur Fricis Jānis Grīnbergs (Gulbene) and Alma Krigers (Gulbene)
- Technician Heinrichs Eduards Pfeiff (Rīga) and Ērika Zelma Mičlans (Rīga)
- Gardener Arvīds Krišs Balodis (Lielauce) and Aleksandra Slociņš (Ogre)
- Mason Kārlis Johans Listigouvers (Rīga) and Berta Johanna Barbans (Lubāna)
- Painter Fridrichs Wilhelms Bungšis (Rīga) and Teofila Olga Sokolovskis (Bārta)
- Potter Johans Augusts Ošiņš (Jaunpils) and Helena Teders (Ainaži)
- Farmer Juris Voldemārs Sustāns (Garoze) and Irma Alida Strautmanis (Rīga)
May 9, 1925 (Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Herald], May 11, 1925)
- Machinist master Eduards Būdis (Alūksne) and Marija Hvastkova (Limbaži)
- Merchant Kārlis Tenis Plāts (Madliena) and Natālija Balodis (Rīga)
- Farmer Voldemārs Krūmiņš (Mālpils) and Matlida Klūga (Sigulda)
- Farmer Jānis Kebers (Trikāta) and Anna Rudzīte (Smiltene)
- Bookkeeper Arturs Kārlis Bušmanis (Rīga) and Elza Irmgarde Fride (Rīga)
- Clerk Arturs Rūdolfs Kruskops (Rīga) and Alvīna Kampars (Rīga)
- Soldier Johans Jēkabs Īle (Jaunpils) and Zelma Saule (Krustpils)
- Fisherman Eduards Oswalds Balodis (Rīga) and Eiženija Eleonora Forstmanis (Rīga)
- Farmer Antons Putčka (Laši) and Paulīna Valuks (Bebrene)
- Craftsman Johans Shapiro (Daugvapils) and Anna Michelson (Jelgava)
- Pharmacist Jānis Stekerhofs (Rīga) and Elza Prāvais (Rīga)
Did this post help you find your ancestors? Do let me know!
This is part of my series of interesting newspaper articles and snippets that I find in the old Latvian newspapers available through Periodika. Most of the articles I post are in some way related to migration, wars or other events that are of particular genealogical note.
Source: Baltijas Zemkopis (Baltic Farmer), May 2, 1884
From Cēsis. Today (April 22) two youths were deported from here to Siberia. They had threatened to shoot Meyendorff’s lady in Ranka if she did not pay 1000 rubles. They wanted to use this money to travel to Wisconsin in North America. The Vidzeme High Court sentenced them both to life in Siberia. A large group of people accompanied the new criminals for a long stretch through the town square. The deportees are: K. Platais, from Ranka, age 21, and P. Lasmanis, from Nītaure, age 18.
This is an interesting article, about two young men who were seeking to leave Latvia, and leave they did – only in the opposite direction from what they intended. I wonder what happened to them. It is also interesting that the article mentions a specific desire to go to Wisconsin – concentrated efforts to form a Latvian community there only started in 1897, a full thirteen years later, though a number of young men ended up there earlier to work in the lumber industry. This was hard work, so violent extortion to have the chance to go there seems a bit unusual. What had they been promised to make them so desperate to get the money? Did they have other motives, perhaps political ones, for the money? Maybe they simply mentioned the desire to emigrate as the reason because they feared a harsher punishment if the crime was politically motivated?
In this series, I am providing pictures of tombstones from Latvian cemeteries, all with death dates prior to 1945. In this case, I do have more information on the individual, see this Wikipedia article. This grave also appears to have been desecrated during the Soviet period – see the torn spot in the middle, it is likely that there was a photograph of him or a Latvian patriotic symbol of some kind.
Photo taken by me, October 2012. Click to enlarge.
Top Inscription: “Neviens upuris savas dzimtenes dēļ latvietim nav par dārgu” (“No sacrifice for the homeland is too dear for a Latvian”)
Name: Vilis Olavs, born 1867, died 1917
Location: Meža kapi, Rīga (though he was originally buried in Vyborg where he had died, and was reburied in Rīga in 1921)
Twenty-fourth installment from the diary of my great-grandfather’s sister Alise, written during the First World War. When the diary starts, she is living just a few miles from the front lines of the Eastern Front, and is then forced to flee with her husband and two young daughters to her family’s house near Limbaži as the war moves even closer. Her third child, a son, was born in February 1916. Now, the family has relocated to a home near Valmiera. For more background, see here, and click on the tag “diary entries” to see all of the entries that I have posted.
April 28, 1916
We have arrived happily at our new homey home, near Valmiera, at the Anna estate. Everything, everything just feels like a story, like an El Dorado land, we are satisfied without end and full of energy for our new work. The day we were travelling was very nice. Both of th egirls were up early, because we needed to hurry to the train, which went from Ozoli to Valmiera. Little Olģerts’ first trip in the world! He is a good boy. A carriage with two horses awaited us at the station. We arrived at the Anna estate, where lunch was already prepared for us, just like in a story: “table, set yourself!” All of the rooms are nicely furnished, all we need is our clothes and laundry. All of the rooms (?) are very comfortable, living here is so nice, it is so easy to breathe. We don’t need to get anything, everything is here for us. All of the granaries are full, the manger full of cows, pigs, piglets. Chickens that lay so many eggs that we can live off them, also cupboards full of sugar, tea, coffee, and so on to all of the little things. And even nicer is that we live in the country from where we can see the whole town, the railroad, where we see trains moving, and on Sunday mornings we hear the church bells ringing. And my little dears have a big fruit orchard, strawberry patches, trees with bees, etc. Praise the Father, oh soul of mine!! And don’t forget, what good He has done you, Amen!!
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