Latvia Getting Started

Latvia Wiki Topics

Latvia Beginning Research

Finding Town of Origin Getting Started Online Learning Record Finder Research Strategies

Record Types

Business & Occupations Cemeteries Census Church Records Civil Registration Compiled Genealogies Court Records Directories Emigration & Immigration Jewish Records Land & Property Military Records Newspapers Online Genealogy Records Religious Records Taxation Websites

Latvia Background

For Further Reading Gazetteers History Jurisdictions Languages Maps Naming Customs Periodicals Social Life & Customs

Latvia Genealogical Word Lists

German Latin Latvian Russian

Cultural Groups

Cultural Groups

Local Research Resources

Archives & Libraries Societies Local FamilySearch Center

Latvia

Research Tips and Strategies

Getting Started

How to Research

1. Identify what you know: Work from the known to the unknown. Don't jump straight back to a distant ancestor. Begin with the present and confirm/document the information and relationships as you work your way back.
2. Document/source your tree: As you gather information, identify where and who each piece of information came from. Evaluate how reliable the sources are, and ensure you are interpreting them correctly. Don't simply accept ancestral information on your tree. Instead, look for records or other reliable sources to support each date, place, and relationship.
3. Decide what you want to learn: Have a specific research goal or objective. This is defined by pursuing a specific piece of information about a specific ancestor. An example of a bad, or too-generic research goal is: "I want to know more about my great-grandfather." An example of a good research goal is: "I want to find the marriage date of my great-grandparents."
4. Select records to search: Each country's record-keeping practices are different. See your country's Record Finder table to determine what kind of record could provide the desired ancestral information. Search the desired records.
5. Analyze/use the information: When you find new sources, carefully evaluate them to ensure they are about the correct ancestors, and that the information in the evidence is being accurately interpreted. Cite or document your sources in your family tree establish the accuracy of your findings.

Beginning Research in Latvia

• Record Finder
• Finding Town of Origin
• Online Learning - Video classes

Ancestors Born Prior to 1910

If your ancestor was born in Latvia prior to 1910, and you know where they were born, their religion and the parish, you can begin searching records available online through the Latvian State Historical Archives online digital archive called Raduraksti. The digital archives include church records of Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Greek Catholic, and Reformed Protestant faiths, as well as Jewish records, revision lists and 1897 census records of the Russian Empire. To learn how to use Raduraksti in your research, check out the Raduraksti: Online Latvian Church Records "How to" Guide.

Ancestors Born After 1910

If your ancestor was born in Latvia after 1910, you will need to write to the Registry Office Archives of the Latvian Ministry of Justice to order a certificate of birth, marriage, or death.

If your ancestor was born in the city of Rīga post 1921, you will need to contact the local civil registry office.