Jump to content

Lithuania Church Records: Difference between revisions

Lithuania Church Records (view source)

Revision as of 16:14, 18 February 2022

279 bytes removed ,  18 February 2022
no edit summary
VisualWikitext
(International association of germans from lithuania)
No edit summary
Line 6: Line 6:
| link5=[[Lithuania Church Records|Church Records]]
| link5=[[Lithuania Church Records|Church Records]]
}}{{Template:Lithuania-sidebar}}
}}{{Template:Lithuania-sidebar}}
''For information about records for non-Christian religions in Lithuania, go to the [[Lithuania Religious Records|Religious Records]] page.''
''For information about records for non-Christian religions in Lithuania, go to the [[Lithuania Religious Records|Religious Records]] page.''


==Online Resources and Websites==
== Introduction ==
For help reading records, see [[Lithuanian Genealogical Word List|'''Lithuanian Genealogical Word List'''.]]
Historically, the predominant religion in Lithuania has been Christianity, with the largest confession being that of the Roman Catholic Church.[2] There were also smaller groups of Evangelical and Reformed Protestants, Russian Orthodox, Jews, and Old Believer Orthodox. The first census taken in 1923 in independent Lithuania established the following religious distribution: Catholic — 85.7%; Jews — 7.75; Protestant — 3.8%; Greek Orthodox — 2.7%.<ref>[https://statistikouzrasai.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/lietuvos-gyventojai-pirmojo-1923-m-rugsc497jo-17-d-visuotinio-gyventojc5b3-surac5a1ymo-duomenys.pdf Residents of Lithuania: the first in 1923. September 17 census data.] - Kaunas: Central Statistical Bureau of the Republic of Lithuania, 1923. lxix, 311 p. 380 p.</ref>
===Ancestry.com===
 
The church acted as both a religious and civil agent in recording vital events and church sacraments such as baptism and burial. These records are commonly referred to as church records, metrical records or metrical books. The priests made a transcript of their records for the ecclesiastical court (dukhovnaia konsistoriia) having jurisdiction. Jewish transcripts were filed with the local town council (gorodskaia duma). Old Believer and Baptist transcripts were sent to the provincial administration (gubernskoe upravlenie). The distinction between the original and the transcript is often ignored by Lithuanian record keepers.
 
=== Record Coverage ===
Population coverage is about 70% coverage for early periods, 90% from about 1830 through the 1940s when civil registration began, with about 50% among minority religions and dissident groups such as Old Believers and Baptists. <ref name="profile">The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Lithuania,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 2003.</ref>
 
Years of record coverage vary depending upon religion and location. See below for some general guidelines:
*'''Roman Catholic''' records began as early as 1613, with transcripts beginning in 1826
*'''Jewish''' records were required to be kept beginning in 1835. Prior to this point, you ''may'' find them recorded in the church books of other religious denominations.
*'''Evangelical Lutheran/Protestant''' records began as early as 1641, with transcripts beginning in 1833
*'''Greek Catholic/Greek Orthodox''' records began in 1796
*'''Russian Orthodox''' records began in 1722
*'''Old Believers''' records began in 1874
 
=== Location ===
Lithuanian records may be stored in a variety of places - most commonly the State Historical Archive in Vilnius, but may also be stored in archives of neighboring countries such as the Central State Archives of Belarus (Minsk or Grodno branches). Some of these records are available online as digital images or indexed records. Others may only be accessible via an archive. This Wiki page will teach you about locating the church records. 
 
== Information Recorded in Church Records ==
Different denominations, different time periods, and practices of different record keepers will effect how much information can be found in the records. This outline will show the types of details which '''might''' be found (best case scenario):
 
===Births/Baptisms (''Gimimo'')===
In Catholic and Anglican records, children were usually baptized a few days after birth, and therefore, the baptism record proves date of birth. Other religions, such as Baptists, baptized at other points in the member's life. Baptism registers might give:
{|
|-
| style="width:25%; padding-right:10px" |
*baptism date and place
*birth date and place
*the child's name
*child's gender
| style="width:38%; padding-right:10px" |
*father's name and social estate/status
*mother's name including her maiden name
*status of legitimacy
*name of the priest who performed the baptism
| style="width:34%" |
*names of witnesses or godparents, who may be relatives
*the family's place of residence
*death information, as an added note or signified by a cross (a cross ''does not always'' indicate the child died shortly after birth)
|}
===Marriages (''Santuokos'')===
Marriage registers can give:
{|
|-
| style="width:33%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
*the marriage date
*the names of the bride and groom
*indicate whether the bride and groom were single or widowed
*their ages
| style="width:27%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
*birth dates and places for the bride and groom
*their residences
*their occupations
| style="width:40%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
*birthplaces of the bride and groom
*parents' names
*the names of previous spouses and their death dates
*names of witnesses, who might be relatives.
|}
===Deaths/Burials (Mirties)===
Burial registers may give:
{|
|-
| style="width:35%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
*the name of the deceased
*the date and place of death or burial
*the deceased's age
*place of residence
| style="width:40%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
*cause of death
*the names of survivors, especially a widow or widower
*deceased's birth date and place
*parents' names, or at least the father's name
| style="width:25%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
*name of the priest
|}
 
== Locating the Parish ==
Metrical records (also commonly referred to as church records) were kept in the local parish of the church. The term parish refers to the jurisdiction of a church minister. Parishes are local congregations that may have included many neighboring villages in their boundaries. You might find them digitized and available online, or you might have to write to a centralized archive or to the local church where they are stored.
 
To use metrical records, you must know both your ancestor's religion and the town where he or she lived. You must also determine in which parish the town was located. If your ancestor was Catholic, use the [https://gengen.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=feb35d29fa9f4582a71d728c77ef286e '''Skaitmeninis bažnyčių žemėlapis (Digital map of churches)'''] to determine the closest parish, as well as if records might be online. See below for instructions on how to use it.
 
=== Digital Map of (Catholic) Parishes + Links to Records ===
[https://gengen.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=feb35d29fa9f4582a71d728c77ef286e '''Skaitmeninis bažnyčių žemėlapis (Digital map of churches)'''] is a good way to locate parishes nearby your ancestor's town, and to see which churches have online records available. Follow the directions below to use the site.
 
Click on [https://gengen.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=feb35d29fa9f4582a71d728c77ef286e '''Skaitmeninis bažnyčių žemėlapis (Digital map of churches)''']
 
'''To locate nearby parishes:'''
*Click on the first tab, '''Lithuanian Churches  (Lietuvos bažnyčios)'''
*Type in the name of the town in the search box located in the upper left hand corner. You do not need to type using special characters. As you type, options will start to auto-populate in the drop-down box. Options will be listed by category: '''Bažnyčios (Church), Parapijos (Parish), Dekanti (Deanery)''' or '''Kita (Other)'''.
**If the town shows up under the '''Parapijos (Parish)''' category, this means that there is a Roman Catholic parish within the town itself.
** If there is not a parish in the town itself, it may show up under the category '''Kita (Other)'''. In this case, click on the name of the town to see it on a map. Use the green parish markers and deanery boundaries (teal lines) to help you determine which parishes are closest to your town.
'''To see what records are available online:'''
*Click on the third tab, '''Search by sources of church metrics (Paieška pagal bažnytininų metrikų šaltinius)'''
*On the map, places with the red church symbol have known sources online. Places with the gray church symbols do not have records online.
*Click on the red church icon for a town, and it will link to a list of available online records and where they are found. The list can be two pages with the first page quite blank, and the info you need on the second page. An arrow ">" on the far right takes you to the second page.
*On the second page is a list of '''"Related records"'''. To the far right, the arrow '''">"''' leads to a description page of the record.
*On the description page '''"More info"''' takes you to images of the actual records.
 
== Locating Church Records ==
Once you have determined the location of the parish (see the heading '''Locating the Parish''' in this Wiki article for more information), you are ready to start locating records. See below for a variety of different websites and other resources in which you may locate records.


*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1416&cj=1&netid=cj&o_xid=0001029688&o_lid=0001029688&o_sch=Affiliate+External Lithuania: Birth Records from Various Towns], 1822-1940 (not all years). Index. Incomplete. ($)
If you know which gubernia or province of the Russian Empire your Lithuanian ancestors lived in, check the '''[[Vilna Gubernia Church Records]]''' or '''[[Kovno Gubernia Church Records]]''' pages for more area specific links, information, and resources.  
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1446&cj=1&netid=cj&o_xid=0001029688&o_lid=0001029688&o_sch=Affiliate+External Lithuania: Death Records from Various Towns], 1845-1940 (not all years). Index. Incomplete. ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1484&cj=1&netid=cj&o_xid=0001029688&o_lid=0001029688&o_sch=Affiliate+External Lithuania: Marriage and Divorce Records from Various Towns], 1855-1940 (not all years). Index. Incomplete.($)


===ePaveldas: Online Catholic Church Records===
===Digital  Copies of Church Records in the FamilySearch Catalog===
Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library. Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a [https://www.familysearch.org/help/fhcenters/locations/ '''Family History Center'''] near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations.  To find records:
:::a. Click on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=118&query=%2Bplace%3ALithuania '''records of Lithuania'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within Lithuania''' and a list of towns will appear.
:::c. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.
:::d. Click on the '''"Church records"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
::: e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. [[File:FHL icons.png|75px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/File:FHL_icons.png]].  The magnifying glass indicates that the record is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the record.


*[http://www.epaveldas.lt/patikslintoji-paieska '''ePaveldas Lithuanian Cultural Heritage Collection'''] is a digital repository and collection of items of Lithuanian heritage and culture, includes almost 4,000 Roman Catholic Church register books. Images, no index. Incomplete.  
=== ePaveldas: Online Catholic Church Records ===
*[http://www.epaveldas.lt/patikslintoji-paieska '''ePaveldas Lithuanian Cultural Heritage Collection'''] is a digital repository and collection of items of Lithuanian heritage and culture, includes almost 4,000 Roman Catholic Church register books. Images, no index. Incomplete.
**To learn how to use the Online Catholic Church Records available at ePaveldas, check out the "How to" Guide.
**To learn how to use the Online Catholic Church Records available at ePaveldas, check out the "How to" Guide.
**First, read through the '''[[Media:1-ePaveldas Records Online-Instruction.pdf|Instructions]]'''.
**First, read through the '''[[Media:1-ePaveldas Records Online-Instruction.pdf|Instructions]]'''.
**Then test your knowledge with the short [[Media:2-Lithuania-Online Records-Assignment.pdf|'''Assignment''']].
**Then test your knowledge with the short [[Media:2-Lithuania-Online Records-Assignment.pdf|'''Assignment''']].
**The [[Media:3-Lithuania-Online Records-Answer Key.pdf|'''Answer Key''']] is provided to check your answers.
** The [[Media:3-Lithuania-Online Records-Answer Key.pdf|'''Answer Key''']] is provided to check your answers.
 
===Metrikai: Online Catholic Church Records ===
=== Metrikai: Online Catholic Church Records ===
'''[https://www.metrikai.lt/index.php Metrikai]''' is a Lithuanian site that indexes metrical records from throughout Lithuania. It's a newer website and is constantly being updated with new indexes and information, so check back often. The website is only available in Lithuanian; however, for non-Lithuanian speakers, you can use Google Translate to help you navigate the site.
'''[https://www.metrikai.lt/index.php Metrikai]''' is a Lithuanian site that indexes metrical records from throughout Lithuania. It's a newer website and is constantly being updated with new indexes and information, so check back often. The website is only available in Lithuanian; however, for non-Lithuanian speakers, you can use Google Translate to help you navigate the site.


Line 34: Line 138:
#Go to https://www.metrikai.lt/index.php
#Go to https://www.metrikai.lt/index.php
#If needed, translate the website into English (or your preferred language) using the information above.
#If needed, translate the website into English (or your preferred language) using the information above.
# Check to see if records for your parish location have been indexed by looking at the list of parishes on the left hand side (the black column with locations followed by RKB (Roman Catholic), and a number). The number following each parish name represents the number of records indexed from that location. If you do not see your parish in the list, check back in the future. If you do not know the name of the parish, you can search using just a surname in the search box on the main page.
#Check to see if records for your parish location have been indexed by looking at the list of parishes on the left hand side (the black column with locations followed by RKB (Roman Catholic), and a number). The number following each parish name represents the number of records indexed from that location. If you do not see your parish in the list, check back in the future. If you do not know the name of the parish, you can search using just a surname in the search box on the main page.
# If your parish does appear in the list, click on it.
#If your parish does appear in the list, click on it.
#In the search box that appears at the top of the page, type in the surname in the '''Keyword''' (''Raktinis žodis'') box. If desired, you can add additional search terms or filter by record type.
#In the search box that appears at the top of the page, type in the surname in the '''Keyword''' (''Raktinis žodis'') box. If desired, you can add additional search terms or filter by record type.
#Press enter or click '''Search''' (''leškoti).''
#Press enter or click '''Search''' (''leškoti).''
#Search results will appear in a columnar format. Keep in mind that Google Translate may not correctly translate all information. See the table below to help you navigate some of the common information that may appear in the columns.
# Search results will appear in a columnar format. Keep in mind that Google Translate may not correctly translate all information. See the table below to help you navigate some of the common information that may appear in the columns.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|+
Line 97: Line 201:
LVIA/1528/#/# (Lithuanian State Archives, fond, delo and opis number)
LVIA/1528/#/# (Lithuanian State Archives, fond, delo and opis number)
|}
|}
===Map of Links to Church Records===
===Bažnytiniai dokumentai Lietuvoje (Church Documents in Lithuania)===
This map shows which churches have online records.
The '''[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ba%C5%BEnytiniai_dokumentai_Lietuvoje Bažnytiniai dokumentai Lietuvoje]''' Wiki page contains records for various location throughout Lithuania and Poland. There are several parishes with documents in the former Vilna Gubernia, most notably in the Troki and Vileĭka districts. The Wiki page is organized by location. Simply click on the name of your parish (keep in mind the parish names are in genitive case, so they may appear a bit differently than you are used to). Simply click on your parish name, and then select the year and record type desired.  


*Click on  [https://gengen.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=feb35d29fa9f4582a71d728c77ef286e '''Skaitmeninis bažnyčių žemėlapis (Digital map of churches)''']
=== Genmetrika ===
*Click on the third tab, '''Search by sources of church metrics (Paieška pagal bažnytininų metrikų šaltinius)''']
Genmetrika is an "independent" archive, meaning that individuals can contribute their own photos of documents. Due to the nature of the collection, keep in mind that the date ranges and localities represented are broad. Check back often as new metrical books are added frequently. Metrical books are available in a few different places on the site, as shown below: 
*On the map, places with the red church symbol have known sources online. Places with the gray church symbols do not have records online.
*Click on the red church icon for a town, and it will link to a list of available online records and where they are found. The list can be two pages with the first page quite blank, and the info you need on the second page. An arrow ">" on the far right takes you to the second page.
*On the second page is a list of '''"Related records"'''. To the far right, the arrow '''">"''' leads to a description page of the record.
*On the description page '''"More info"''' takes you to images of the actual records.


<br>
* [http://www.genmetrika.eu/metrikai.html#gimimo Birth/Baptism registers] - there are currently over one-thousand digitized birth/baptismal books. 
* [http://www.genmetrika.eu/metrikai_sant.html Marriage registers] - there are currently over one-thousand digitized marriage books.
* [http://www.genmetrika.eu/metrikai_mirties.html Death/Burial registers] - there are currently over eight-hundred digitized death/burial books. 
* [http://www.genmetrika.eu/misrios_knygos.html Mixed books] - metrical books that are mixed record books containing birth/baptism, marriage, and death/burial all in a single book. 
* [http://www.genmetrika.eu/baznycios.html Metrics in Lithuanian Churches]


===Other Online Church Records===
=== Pasvalia ===
[http://www.pasvalia.lt/dokumentai/ Pasvalia] includes Roman Catholic Church records for various years and places. The website is in Lithuanian, but can be easily translated using Google Translate. If using the Google Chrome browser, right click anywhere on the page and select the option '''Translate to English'''.


*[http://www.genmetrika.eu/metrikai.html#met '''GenMetrika'''], Catholic Church birth and baptism register books.
To access church records, click on the green '''Documents (Dokumentai)''' button at the top of the screen. Next, click on '''Book of Metrics (Metrikų knyga).''' Thumbnails of church record books will appear. To see what kinds of records and for which parish location, hover your mouse over a book and a box will appear providing further information about the book. To view the digital images, click on the thumbnail image. You'll be brought to a page containing additional information about the church book. Click on '''Download File (Atsisiųsti bylą)''' to download a copy of the book.  


*[https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1A_7VBE7lbMnJtJuoEfXny_nlBng&hl=en_US&ll=54.785061119025606%2C23.78100281249999&z=7 '''Litwa-metryki cz.'''] Lithuania vital records with online images. Map pins indicate villages from which records are available. Includes some records from Belarus.
There are also lists of parishioners available. To access these, again click on '''Documents (Dokumentai)''' and then choose '''List of Parishioners (Parapijiečių sąrašas)'''. There are also other types of non-church related documents that you may find useful in your research.  
**Click the down arrow to the left of '''"Cz. I i II"''' to open the full list, which gives all these links.
***[http://kresy.genealodzy.pl/gub_wil_87/ap_litwa.html '''Cz. I i II''']
***[http://kresy.genealodzy.pl/gub_wil_87/ap_litwa_II.html '''Cz. III''']
***[http://kresy.genealodzy.pl/gub_wil_87/ap_litwa_IV.html '''Cz. IV''']
***[http://kresy.genealodzy.pl/gub_wil_87/ap_litwa_V.html '''Cz. V''']
***[http://kresy.genealodzy.pl/gub_wil_87/ap_litwa_VI.html '''Cz. VI''']
***[http://kresy.genealodzy.pl/gub_wil_87/ap_lit '''Cz. VII''']
**A list of records and links to descriptions and images will appear. Example:<br>


::::KOMAJE<br>
===Geneteka===
::::first book of deaths from 1894 to 1895 year. Description | see
'''[https://geneteka.genealodzy.pl/ Geneteka]''' contains over 30 million indexes from many regions of Poland. Although it is a Polish website, and focuses on indexing Polish records, it contains indexes for areas that are now in modern day Lithuania. To learn how to use the site, see the [https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Poland_%22How_to%22_Guides Geneteka Indexed Records and Geneteka: Accessing Records "How to" Guides.] Search by parish, or choose Lithuania (Litwa) or Belarus (Białoruś). Keep in mind that Geneteka primarily indexes Catholic records, although you may find records of other denominations there.  
::::2nd book of deaths of the 19th century. Description | see
::::third book of births of the 20th century. And half Description | See
::::the 4th book of births from 1860 to 1866 year. Description | See
::::5. book of births from 1866 to 1873 year. Description | See
:*'''Description''' and '''See''' are clickable links. '''See''' takes you to the images.


*[http://www.pasvalia.lt/dokumentai/ '''Pasvalia'''] Includes Roman Catholic Church records for various years and places.
=== International Association of Germans from Lithuania ===
**Click on tab "See All".
The '''[https://www.germansfromlithuania.org/ International Association of Germans from Lithuania]''' is committed to help individuals locate their German ancestors from southwestern Lithuania. Their free searchable database contains thousands of Lutheran church records from southwestern Lithuania. Click '''[https://index.germansfromlithuania.org/ here]''' to search the index. Click '''[https://www.germansfromlithuania.org/index-inventory here]''' to see what records are included in the database, and what records are up and coming. The site is constantly updating and adding new information, so check back often for new information. Click '''[https://www.germansfromlithuania.org/ here]''' to learn more about the organization.
**Click on tab '''"Metrikų knyga" (Metrical books)'''.
*The '''[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ba%C5%BEnytiniai_dokumentai_Lietuvoje Bažnytiniai dokumentai Lietuvoje]''' Wiki page contains records for various location throughout Lithuania and Poland. The Wiki page is organized by location. Simply click on the name of your parish (keep in mind the parish names are in genitive case, so they may appear a bit differently than you are used to). Simply click on your parish name, and then select the year and record type desired.  


*[https://www.szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl '''Polish Archival resources online'''].
=== Polish State Archives ===
**[[Media:1-Polish State Archives-Instruction.pdf|Instructions]]. Includes records for Polish regions now in Lithuania.
The Polish archive system consists of many regional archives throughout Poland under the umbrella of the main Polish State Archive in Warsaw. The website incorporates the holdings of all regional archives to help users find and locate records. There are some records for areas that are now in Lithuania. To learn how to use this website, see the [[Poland "How to" Guides|Szukaj w Archiwach - The Polish State Archives Website "How to" Guide.]]
 
===FindMyPast.com===


=== Find MyPast ===
If your ancestor served in the British Armed Forces and had children abroad in Lithuania, you may find records in the following FindMyPast collections.
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-births-and-baptisms British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms], index and images, ($)
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-births-and-baptisms British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms], index and images, ($)
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-banns-and-marriages British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages,], index and images, ($)
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-banns-and-marriages British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages,], index and images, ($)
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-deaths-and-burials British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials], index and images, ($)
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-deaths-and-burials British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials], index and images, ($)


<br>
== Writing the Parish for Records ==
In some cases, you will not be able to find records online or at archives. In this case, records may still be kept at the local parish or at a diocese office. Below you will find some useful links for locating contact information.


==Historical Background==
You will need to write to or email the diocese, or local parish priests to find more recent records not deposited in the National Archives. Use the [[Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy]] for help with composing letters. Then use an online translator, such as [https://translate.google.com/ Google Translate] to help you translate your message into Lithuanian. As a general rule, you should write inquiries in the language of the person receiving them. Do not expect them to understand or reply in English.  
According to the 2011 census, the predominant religion in Lithuania is Christianity, with the largest confession being that of the Catholic Church (about 77% of the population).[2] There are smaller groups of Orthodox Christians, Evangelical Lutherans, members of Reformed churches, other Protestants, Jews and Muslims as well as people of other religions. The first census in independent Lithuania, in 1923, established the fallowing religious distribution: Catholic — 85.7 per cent; Jews — 7.7 per cent; Protestant — 3.8 per cent; Greek Orthodox — 2.7 per cent.


The '''Catholic Church''' has claimed the adherence of the majority of Lithuanians since the Christianization of Lithuania in the 14th and 15th centuries. Lithuania kept its Catholic identity under the Russian Empire and later under the Soviet Union when some Catholic priests led the resistance against the Communist regime, which is commemorated in the Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai, a shrine to the anti-communist resistance.
=== Catholic ===
 
Earlier records can be held at the diocese, with more recent records still kept in the local parish. To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a diocese or local parish, consult:
The center of '''Greek Catholic''' life in Lithuania is the Basilian Monastery and Church of the Holy Trinity in Vilnius. In the past, the monastery was multiethnic but now serves a mostly Ukrainian community.
 
Protestants are 0.8%, of which 0.6% are Lutheran and 0.2% are Reformed. According to Losch (1932), the Lutherans were 3.3% of the total population; they were mainly Germans in the Memel territory (now Klaipėda). There was also a tiny Reformed community (0.5%) which still persists. Protestantism has declined with the removal of the German population, and today it is mainly represented by ethnic Lithuanians throughout the northern and western parts of the country, as well as large urban areas. Believers and clergy suffered greatly during the Soviet occupation, with many killed, tortured or deported to Siberia.


Various Protestant churches have established missions in Lithuania since 1990, including the '''United Methodists, the Baptist Union, the Mennonites, and World Venture.'''<ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Religion in Lithuania", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Lithuania, accessed 22 April 2020. </ref><br>
==== '''Diocese Websites''' ====
<br>
These contain contact information for the diocese as well as lists of parishes, and in some cases their contact information


'''General''': The church acted as both a religious and civil agent in recording vital events and church sacraments such as baptism and burial. The traditional Christian faith of Lithuania is '''Roman Catholic'''. There are small groups of '''Evangelical and Reformed Protestants, Russian Orthodox, Jews, and Old Believer Orthodox'''. The priests made a transcript of their records for the ecclesiastical court (dukhovnaia konsistoriia) having jurisdiction. Jewish transcripts were filed with the local town council (gorodskaia duma). Old Believer and Baptist transcripts were sent to the provincial administration (gubernskoe upravlenie). The distinction between the original and the transcript is often ignored by Lithuanian record keepers.
* [https://telsiuvyskupija.lt/zemelapis '''Diocese of Telsiai''']
 
* [https://siauliuvyskupija.lt/ '''Diocese of Siauliai''']
'''Time period''': Roman Catholic, 1613 (transcripts begin in 1826); Orthodox, 1722; Greek Catholic, 1796; Evangelical/other Protestant, 1641(transcripts begin in 1833); Jews, 1835; Old Believers, 1874; Baptists, 1879–all to 1949.
* [http://vilkaviskiovyskupija.lt/ '''Diocese of Vilkaviskis''']
 
* [https://kaisiadorys.lcn.lt/ '''Diocese of Kaisiadorys''']
'''Location''': State Historical Archive in Vilnius, Civil Registration Archive, Vilnius (records after 1915).
* [https://www.paneveziovyskupija.lt/ '''Diocese of Panevezys''']
 
'''Population coverage''': 70% coverage for early periods, 90% from about 1830 through the 1940s when civil registration began, 50% among minority religions and dissident groups such as Old Believers and Baptists. <ref name="profile">The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Lithuania,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 2003.</ref>
 
==Information Recorded in the Records==
Different denominations, different time periods, and practices of different record keepers will effect how much information can be found in the records. This outline will show the types of details which '''might''' be found (best case scenario):
===Baptisms===
In Catholic and Anglican records, children were usually baptized a few days after birth, and therefore, the baptism record proves date of birth. Other religions, such as Baptists, baptized at other points in the member's life. Baptism registers might give:
{|
|-
| style="width:25%; padding-right:10px" |
*baptism date
*the infant's name
*parents' names
*father's occupation
| style="width:38%; padding-right:10px" |
*status of legitimacy
*occasionally, names of grandparents
*names of witnesses or godparents, who may be relatives
| style="width:34%" |
*birth date and place
*the family's place of residence
*death information, as an added note or signified by a cross
|}
 
===Marriages===
Marriage registers can give:
{|
|-
| style="width:33%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
*the marriage date
*the names of the bride and groom
*indicate whether the bride and groom were single or widowed
*their ages
| style="width:27%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
*birth dates and places for the bride and groom
*their residences
*their occupations
| style="width:40%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
*birthplaces of the bride and groom
*parents' names (after 1800)
*the names of previous spouses and their death dates
*names of witnesses, who might be relatives.
|}
 
===Burials===
Burial registers may give:
{|
|-
| style="width:35%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
*the name of the deceased
*the date and place of death or burial
*the deceased's age
*place of residence
| style="width:40%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
*cause of death
*the names of survivors, especially a widow or widower
*deceased's birth date and place
*parents' names, or at least the father's name
| style="width:25%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
|}
<br>
<br>
 
==How to Find Records==
Start with [[Lithuania Church Records#Online Resources and Websites|'''Online Resources and Websites above''']].
===Digital  Copies of Church Records in the FamilySearch Catalog===
Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library. Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a [https://www.familysearch.org/help/fhcenters/locations/ '''Family History Center'''] near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations.  To find records:
 
:::a. Click on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=118&query=%2Bplace%3ALithuania '''records of Lithuania'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within Lithuania''' and a list of towns will appear.
:::c. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.
:::d. Click on the '''"Church records"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
:::e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. [[File:FHL icons.png|75px]].  The magnifying glass indicates that the record is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the records.
 
===Writing for Records===
<span style="color:darkviolet"> You will probably need to write to or email the diocese, or local parish priests to find more recent records not deposited in the National Archives. Use [[Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy|'''Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy''']] for help with composing letters. Then use [https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS809US810&sxsrf=ALeKk01gAK0zn36Yjz6kcclsC1A7GzhjvA%3A1587515742061&ei=XpGfXtqfA76F9PwP9r6G8AM&q=lithuania+translation+services&oq=lithuania+translation+services&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzIGCAAQBxAeMgYIABAHEB4yBQgAEM0COgQIABBHOggIABAIEAcQHlCtjJcFWO-hlwVgtL-XBWgAcAF4AIABV4gBvQWSAQE5mAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpeg&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwjaxoX_5ProAhW-Ap0JHXafAT4Q4dUDCAw&uact=5 '''a Lithuanian translation service.''']</span>
 
*[https://maps.me/catalog/attractions/amenity-place_of_worship-christian/country-lietuva/ '''Maps.me Church Listings for Lithuania''']
*[https://www.google.com/maps/search/+church+%22lithuania%22/@55.1560813,21.8655676,7z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for churches in Lithuania'''] Be sure to scroll through all the pages.  There will be several pages with 20 entries each.
 
=='''Catholic Church Records'''==
===Writing to a Local Parish===
Earlier records can be held at the diocese, with more recent records still kept in the local parish.  To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a diocese or local parish, consult:


==== Other links ====
*[https://www.catholicdirectory.com/search_results?q=&location_value=Lithuania&country_sn=LT&location_type=country&stateSearch=&swlat=53.8967949&nelat=56.45032089999999&swlng=20.931&nelng=26.835523&lat=55.169438&lng=23.881275&faddress=Lithuania&place_id=ChIJE74zDxSU3UYRubpdpdNUCvM#/ '''The Catholic Directory: Lithuania''']
*[https://www.catholicdirectory.com/search_results?q=&location_value=Lithuania&country_sn=LT&location_type=country&stateSearch=&swlat=53.8967949&nelat=56.45032089999999&swlng=20.931&nelng=26.835523&lat=55.169438&lng=23.881275&faddress=Lithuania&place_id=ChIJE74zDxSU3UYRubpdpdNUCvM#/ '''The Catholic Directory: Lithuania''']
*[https://www.google.com/maps/search/+catholic+church+%22lithuania%22/@55.1149027,21.8544369,7z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for Catholic churches in Lithuania''']  Be sure to scroll through all the pages.  There will be several pages with 20 entries each.
*[https://www.google.com/maps/search/+catholic+church+%22lithuania%22/@55.1149027,21.8544369,7z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for Catholic churches in Lithuania''']  Be sure to scroll through all the pages.  There will be several pages with 20 entries each.


===Historical Background===
=== Lutheran ===
The Catholic Church in Lithuania is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. Lithuania has the highest density of Catholics of all the Baltic states: there are two million Catholics, which is 79% of the total population (2002). The country is divided into eight dioceses including two archdioceses and a military ordinariate.  In 2007 there were 779 Catholic priests and 677 parishes.
 
Catholicism has been the majority denomination since the Christianization of parts of Lithuania proper in 1387 (the Highland) and in 1413 (Samogitia, the Lowland).
 
The Catholic Church is an influential factor in the country, and some priests actively led the resistance against the Communist regime and, after independence was regained, in support of traditionalism, especially in ethical questions.<ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Catholic Church in Lithuania", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Lithuania, accessed 22 April 2020. </ref>
 
=='''Lutheran Church Records'''==
 
=== The International Association of Germans from Lithuania ===
The '''[https://www.germansfromlithuania.org/ International Association of Germans from Lithuania]''' is committed to help individuals locate their German ancestors from southwestern Lithuania. Their free searchable database contains thousands of Lutheran church records from southwestern Lithuania. Click '''[https://index.germansfromlithuania.org/ here]''' to search the index. Click '''[https://www.germansfromlithuania.org/index-inventory here]''' to see what records are included in the database, and what records are up and coming. The site is constantly updating and adding new information, so check back often for new information. Click '''[https://www.germansfromlithuania.org/ here]''' to learn more about the organization.
 
===Writing for Records===  


*[https://www.google.com/maps/search/lutheran+church+%22lithuania%22/@55.0737023,21.8433061,7z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for Lutheran churches in Lithuania''']
* [https://www.google.com/maps/search/lutheran+church+%22lithuania%22/@55.0737023,21.8433061,7z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for Lutheran churches in Lithuania''']
* [https://www.google.com/maps/search/reformed+church+%22lithuania%22/@55.0324799,21.832175,7z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for Reformed churches in Lithuania''']


===Historical Background===
=== Orthodox ===
Lutheranism in Lithuania dates back to the 16th century, when it came mainly from the neighboring German-controlled areas of Livonia and East Prussia. A Synod in Vilnius united the church in 1557. The parish network covered nearly all of the Grand Duchy, with district centers in Vilnius, Kedainai, Biržai, Slucke, Kojdanove and Zabludove later Izabeline.
 
The majority of Prussian Lithuanians living in East Prussia and in Memelland (since 1945 the Klaipėda Region of Lithuania) belonged to the Evangelical Church of the old-Prussian Union. Most resettled in the West Germany after World War II along with the ethnic German inhabitants.
 
Since 1945, Lutheranism in Lithuania has declined largely due to the ongoing secularization that sweeps throughout Europe.<ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Religion in Lithuania", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Lithuania, accessed 22 April 2020. </ref>
=='''Reformed/Calvinist Church Records'''==
===Writing for Records===
 
*[https://www.google.com/maps/search/reformed+church+%22lithuania%22/@55.0324799,21.832175,7z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for Reformed churches in Lithuania''']
 
===Historical Background===
The Lithuanian Evangelical Reformed Church is a historic denomination which was founded in 1557. In the second half of the 16th century, the Unitarians separated. The denomination has over 7,000 members in 14 congregations. The church is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the World Reformed Fellowship.<ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Religion in Lithuania", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Lithuania, accessed 22 April 2020. </ref>
=='''Orthodox Church Records'''==
===Writing for Records===  


*[https://www.google.com/maps/search/orthodox+church+%22lithuania%22/@54.9912358,21.8210438,7z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for Orthodox churches in Lithuania''']
*[https://www.google.com/maps/search/orthodox+church+%22lithuania%22/@54.9912358,21.8210438,7z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for Orthodox churches in Lithuania''']
*[https://www.google.com/maps/place/St.+Vardan+Armenian+Apostolic+Church/@54.691523,25.2833631,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x46dd941b1a446cf9:0x6f9d98024f324b66!8m2!3d54.691523!4d25.2855571 '''St. Vardan Armenian Apostolic Church''']
*[https://www.google.com/maps/place/St.+Vardan+Armenian+Apostolic+Church/@54.691523,25.2833631,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x46dd941b1a446cf9:0x6f9d98024f324b66!8m2!3d54.691523!4d25.2855571 '''St. Vardan Armenian Apostolic Church''']


===Historical Background===
=== Other Protestant ===
'''Eastern Orthodoxy''' claims 4.1% of the population, mainly from the Russian minority. Orthodox Christianity is the first form of Christianity to arrive in Lithuania, with the marriage of Algirdas to Maria of Vitebsk and the martyrdom of Ss. Anthony, John, and Eustathius of Vilnius. The church founded by Maria of Vitebsk, St. Paraskevi Church, is the oldest continuously existing Christian congregation in the country and the only Orthodox church in Lithuania fully worshiping in the Lithuanian language.


Most of the Armenians in Lithuania, making up about 0.1% of population according to its own estimates, belong to the '''Armenian Apostolic Church''', which is often classified as an Oriental Orthodox Church, in distinction from Eastern Orthodox (to which the main Russian, Greek and Georgian Churches belong). An Armenian Apostolic Church St. Vardan was opened in Vilnius in 2006.<ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Religion in Lithuania", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Lithuania, accessed 22 April 2020. </ref>
* [https://www.google.com/maps/search/methodist+church+%22lithuania%22/@54.7965786,24.0174547,9z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for Methodist churches''']
=='''Other Protestant Church Records'''==
*[https://www.google.com/maps/search/baptist+church+%22lithuania%22/@54.7939964,24.0146987,9z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for Baptist churches''']


*[https://www.google.com/maps/search/methodist+church+%22lithuania%22/@54.7965786,24.0174547,9z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for Methodist churches''']
=== General ===
*[https://www.google.com/maps/search/baptist+church+%22lithuania%22/@54.7939964,24.0146987,9z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for Baptist churches''']
*[https://maps.me/catalog/attractions/amenity-place_of_worship-christian/country-lietuva/ '''Maps.me Church Listings for Lithuania''']
*[https://www.google.com/maps/search/+church+%22lithuania%22/@55.1560813,21.8655676,7z/data=!3m1!4b1 '''Google Maps search results for churches in Lithuania'''] Be sure to scroll through all the pages.  There will be several pages with 20 entries each.


== Reading Records ==
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Lithuania]]
[[Category:Lithuania]]
Elliealiese
2,030

edits

Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/4673905"