Comments for Discovering Latvian Roots

Comment on Myths About Latvian Research by Antra

Antra — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:03:13 +0000

Hi Morrison,

“Birznieks” is Latvian, and would mean “someone from the grove”.

Comment on Myths About Latvian Research by Morrison birznieks

Morrison birznieks — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:56:31 +0000

My last name is birznieks and it’s from Latvia for all I know
is it from German Latvia or Russia ?

Comment on Surname Saturday – Early Latvian Surnames by Antra

Antra — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:08:29 +0000

Hi Lisa, My blog post Getting Started with Latvian Research should give you the introductory information you need to get started.

Comment on Surname Saturday – Early Latvian Surnames by Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:56:34 +0000

Hi,

I’m trying to find my fathers family who lived in Latvia, they were seperated during WW2 and have never seen each other since. Last name of Fridenbergs- where does one begin?

Comment on Surname Saturday – Early Latvian Surnames by Antra

Antra — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:34:35 +0000

Hi Ingrid,

Sanders does not sound Latvian in origin, but it is a name I’ve seen in parish registers. The name itself is most likely German in origin, but this does not necessarily mean the people with the name were of German origin. When the time to choose surnames came, many ethnic Latvians chose or were given German or Polish surnames.

Comment on Surname Saturday – Early Latvian Surnames by Ingrid Hickman

Ingrid Hickman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:24:56 +0000

Hi again Antra
You helped me a few months ago regarding my mother’s side of the family tree, well now I have an interesting scenario from my father’s side of the family. When he visited Latvia for the first time since leaving after WW2, in 1995, he brought back a copy of his family tree which I finally located a few weeks ago after much searching, whilst clearing out my parents’ house (mum passed away in May). His mother was Emilija Ozolina prior to marriage (to Pauls Sels) and HER mother was Marija SANDERS (1868 – 1947,she married Andrejs Ozolins 1868 – 1934). To me SANDERS is NOT a Latvian name,so I am wondering if you might have any idea where it originated from or where I could find out. I am intrigued as I want to continue going back further of course!!
Hope you can help!
Regards
Ingrid Hickman

Comment on Surname Saturday – Early Latvian Surnames by Antra

Antra — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:55:18 +0000

LE,

Hmm, Plaiske sounds vaguely Germanic in name origin to me, but since he left in 1906 it could also be an old spelling of a Latvian origin name. Do you know where he lived? I don’t think Platkājis is the name you’re looking for though – missing a few key letters that couldn’t be attributed to different spellings.

Comment on Village of My Ancestors: Krustpils by Antra

Antra — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:45:40 +0000

B. McGuire,

Where in Latvia was your grandfather from? I can trace precisely where my great-grandmother’s family got the name, as outlined in the post. I don’t know if Indriķis had any brothers who he would have shared the name with, or if indeed they would have chosen the same surname – Indriķis would have been in his late 20s or so when surnames were granted, so if his father was living, all brothers would have had the same name, but if his father was deceased, they may all have chosen different surnames.

Comment on Surname Saturday – Early Latvian Surnames by LE

LE — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 02:23:22 +0000

Platkājis was kind of like Plaiske (my grandfather’s name). He came over in 1906 to America and I can’t find Latvian surname that seems to fit. THoughts?

THe website is very interesting and encouraging for me. Thank you.

Comment on Village of My Ancestors: Krustpils by B. McGuire

B. McGuire — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 05:50:50 +0000

Thanks for your post. Perhaps we’re distant relatives! I was told my grandfather’s name was Paul Stellmacher and that he was born in Latvia around 1890. He and two brothers, Ed and Sam, came to the U.S. as young men. They were from a large family and had several brothers and sisters who remained in Latvia.

I have only recently become interested in genealogy and feel it was a real stroke of luck to have learned from your post about the Stellmachers/Stelmahers.