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{{Belarus | {{CountrySidebar | ||
|Country=Belarus | |||
|Name=Belarus | |||
|Type=Topic | |||
|Topic Type=Records | |||
|Records=Jewish Records | |||
|Rating=Acceptable | |||
}} | |||
{{breadcrumb | {{breadcrumb | ||
| link1=[[Belarus Genealogy|Belarus]] | | link1=[[Belarus Genealogy|Belarus]] | ||
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| link5=[[Belarus Jewish Records|Jewish Records]] | | link5=[[Belarus Jewish Records|Jewish Records]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
Go to [[Jewish Genealogy Research|Jewish Genealogy Research Main Page]] | Go to [[Jewish Genealogy Research|Jewish Genealogy Research Main Page]] | ||
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*Lithuanian Jews inhabited what is present-day Belarus. To learn of their history, read the Wikipedia.org article ''Lithuanian Jews'', by clicking [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian_Jews here]. | *Lithuanian Jews inhabited what is present-day Belarus. To learn of their history, read the Wikipedia.org article ''Lithuanian Jews'', by clicking [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian_Jews here]. | ||
*Explore this [http://www.eilatgordinlevitan.com/index.html Jewish genealogy site] dedicated to the memory of the Jews exterminated and displaced from the Belarusian Shtetls by the Nazis.{{Template:Jews in Eastern Europe}} | *Explore this [http://www.eilatgordinlevitan.com/index.html Jewish genealogy site] dedicated to the memory of the Jews exterminated and displaced from the Belarusian Shtetls by the Nazis.{{Template:Jews in Eastern Europe}} | ||
===Research Strategies=== | |||
*[[Finding Jewish Ancestors in Belarus]] | |||
==Find the Town== | |||
In order to research your family in Belarus, it is essential that you have identified the place where they came from. It is not enough to know only ‘Belarus;' you must know the town name and the district/province name. The name of a nearby larger town can also be very helpful. | |||
One of the best ways to determine information about your ancestor's pre-immigration origins is to investigate records in the country of immigration. Records that might give clues about your ancestor's birthplace include vital records like marriage or death, vital records of children or spouses, census, synagogue records, obituaries, naturalization/immigration and so on. Find a Wiki page for the country, state, or county that your ancestor immigrated to in order to discover what types of records might be available for the area they lived in. See [https://www.rtrfoundation.org/archdta11.shtml this page] on Miriam Weiner's Routes to Routes page for additional tips on finding your ancestor's hometown. | |||
See the [https://www.rtrfoundation.org/admindist.shtml Administrative Districts and Divisions] article on Routes to Roots Administrative to learn more about jurisdictions in the Russian Empire and their modern-day equivalents. | |||
====JewishGen Family Finder==== | ====JewishGen Family Finder==== | ||
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==1897 Census== | ==1897 Census== | ||
The 1897 Russian Imperial Census was the first and only census carried out in the Russian Empire. The census enumerated the entire population of the Empire (excluding Finland), but after statistical data was gathered, many of the census returns were destroyed. There are, however; surviving census returns for many locations throughout | The 1897 Russian Imperial Census was the first and only census carried out in the Russian Empire. The census enumerated the entire population of the Empire (excluding Finland), but after statistical data was gathered, many of the census returns were destroyed. There are, however; surviving census returns for many locations throughout Belarus. Use the resources below to help you determine if census records survive for your ancestor's shtetl and how to access them. Use the [https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/img_auth.php/8/86/Reading_the_1897_Census_-_Instruction.pdf '''Reading the 1897 Census "How to" Guide'''] to learn how to read census records. | ||
====JewishGen (indexed records)==== | ====JewishGen (indexed records)==== | ||
1897 census records still exist for areas in the Grodno gubernia. These records have been indexed and are available through the [https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/belarus/ '''JewishGen Belarus Database''']. | 1897 census records still exist for areas in the Grodno gubernia. These records have been indexed and are available through the [https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/belarus/ '''JewishGen Belarus Database''']. | ||
==Revision and Family Lists== | ==Revision and Family Lists== | ||
Revision lists are enumerations of the taxable population (most Jews in the Russian Empire fell into a taxable social class). There were ten revisions taken sporadically from 1772-1858. These records are a foundational source in genealogical research as they provide names, ages, and relationships. | Revision lists are enumerations of the taxable population (most Jews in the Russian Empire fell into a taxable social class). There were ten revisions taken sporadically from 1772-1858. These records are a foundational source in genealogical research as they provide names, ages, and relationships. The first revision list to include Belarus was the 4th revision in 1781.<ref>The Imperial Russian Revision Lists of the 18th and 19th Century (byu.edu)</ref> | ||
Supplemental Lists, also known as Family Lists, can be found ranging from about 1860 through the end of the nineteenth century. They are similar in format to revision lists and are often grouped with revision list records in an archive. | Supplemental Lists, also known as Family Lists, can be found ranging from about 1860 through the end of the nineteenth century. They are similar in format to revision lists and are often grouped with revision list records in an archive. | ||
Many older revision lists, like those pre-19th century, are not very well preserved. For example, the 1795 revision list for the Jews of Minsk is not in good condition, and is not accessible to researchers at the National Archives. Level of preservation varies between areas and is highly dependent on the conditions they were kept in. | |||
====JewishGen (indexed records)==== | ====JewishGen (indexed records)==== | ||
Many Belarusian revision list records have been indexed and are available through the [https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/belarus/ '''JewishGen Belarus Database''']. To read more about the collection, click [https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/Belarus/BelarusRevisionLists.htm '''here.'''] | Many Belarusian revision list records have been indexed and are available through the [https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/belarus/ '''JewishGen Belarus Database''']. To read more about the collection and see exactly what towns have indexed records (or records the SIG is aware of, but have not yet translated), click [https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/Belarus/BelarusRevisionLists.htm '''here.'''] | ||
====FamilySearch (digital images)==== | ====FamilySearch (digital images)==== | ||
There may also be records available through the [[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog|'''FamilySearch Catalog''']]. Revision list records are catalogued at the uyezd (district level). To see if records are available for your ancestor's district, click [https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/Belarus/BelarusRevisionLists.htm '''here.'''] | There may also be records available through the [[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog|'''FamilySearch Catalog''']]. Revision list records are catalogued at the uyezd (district level). To see if records are available for your ancestor's district, click [https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/Belarus/BelarusRevisionLists.htm '''here.'''] | ||
==Vital Records== | ==Vital Records== | ||
Throughout the Russian Empire, birth, marriage, divorce, and death records were required to be kept by the Jewish community beginning in 1835. Jewish records were generally kept in a tabular format with the left-side of the page in Russian and the right-side of the page in Hebrew. Vital records are available online in both indexed and digital image formats. | Throughout the Russian Empire, birth, marriage, divorce, and death records were required to be kept by the Jewish community beginning in 1835. Jewish records were generally kept in a tabular format with the left-side of the page in Russian and the right-side of the page in Hebrew. Vital records are available online in both indexed and digital image formats. | ||
====Online Resources==== | |||
*[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20027/belarus-jewish-birth-records?s=275764761 Belarus, Jewish Birth Records] at MyHeritage — index ($) | |||
*[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20028/belarus-jewish-death-records?s=275764761 Belarus, Jewish Death Records] at MyHeritage — index ($) | |||
====JewishGen (indexed records)==== | ====JewishGen (indexed records)==== | ||
Many Belarusian vital records have been indexed and are available through the [https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/belarus/ '''JewishGen Belarus Database.'''] | Many Belarusian vital records have been indexed and are available through the [https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/belarus/ '''JewishGen Belarus Database.'''] To see exactly which records have been indexed (or records the SIG is aware of, but have not yet translated), see '''[https://www.jewishgen.org/belarus/lists/belarus_births.html Births,] [https://www.jewishgen.org/belarus/lists/belarus_marriagesanddivorces.html Marriages/Divorces,]''' and '''[https://www.jewishgen.org/belarus/lists/belarus_deaths.html Deaths]''' on the Records in the BRI. | ||
====FamilySearch (digital images)==== | ====FamilySearch (digital images)==== | ||
There may also be records available through the '''[[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog|FamilySearch Catalog]].''' | There may also be records available through the '''[[Introduction to the FamilySearch Catalog|FamilySearch Catalog]].''' | ||
:a. Click '''[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId= | :a. Click '''[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=1927072&query=%2Bplace%3A%22Belarus%22 here]''' to access catalog entries for Belarus. | ||
:b. Click on '''Places within Belarus''' and a list of gubernia will appear. | :b. Click on '''Places within Belarus''' and a list of gubernia will appear. | ||
:c. Click on the gubernia, then select '''Places within [Name of Gubernia].''' | :c. Click on the gubernia, then select '''Places within [Name of Gubernia].''' | ||
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:e. Click on '''Places within [Name of Gubernia, Name of Uyezd]''' | :e. Click on '''Places within [Name of Gubernia, Name of Uyezd]''' | ||
:f. Click on the '''Jewish Record''' topic (it may be found at either the town or uyezd level). Click on the blue links to view specific record titles. | :f. Click on the '''Jewish Record''' topic (it may be found at either the town or uyezd level). Click on the blue links to view specific record titles. | ||
:e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. 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. A camera with a key on top means the record is viewable but with certain restrictions that may mean the record can only be viewed at the | :e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. 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. A camera with a key on top means the record is viewable but with certain restrictions that may mean the record can only be viewed at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, a FamilySearch Center, or FamilySearch Affiliate Library. Take a look at the [https://locations.familysearch.org/en/search '''FamilySearch Center Finder'''] to discover a location near you. | ||
==Cemeteries== | ==Cemeteries== | ||
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==== Additional Websites ==== | ==== Additional Websites ==== | ||
*[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20041/index-to-soviet-extraordinary-commission-pinsk-records?s=275764761 Index to Soviet Extraordinary Commission Pinsk Records] at MyHeritage ($); records of Jewish Holocaust victims from Pinsk, Belarus. | |||
*[https://portal.ehri-project.eu/ '''European Holocaust Research Infrastructure Online Portal'''] offers information on Holocaust archival material held in institutions in Europe and throughout the world. | *[https://portal.ehri-project.eu/ '''European Holocaust Research Infrastructure Online Portal'''] offers information on Holocaust archival material held in institutions in Europe and throughout the world. | ||
*[https://arolsen-archives.org/en/search-explore/search-online-archive/ '''Arolsen Archives,'''] also known as the International Center on Nazi Persecution, is one of the largest archives on the victims of Nazi persecution. Many of their holdings are available to research online. | *[https://arolsen-archives.org/en/search-explore/search-online-archive/ '''Arolsen Archives,'''] also known as the International Center on Nazi Persecution, is one of the largest archives on the victims of Nazi persecution. Many of their holdings are available to research online. | ||
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*Use '''[https://genealogyindexer.org/ Genealogy Indexer]''' to find indexes to over 364 Yizkor books. | *Use '''[https://genealogyindexer.org/ Genealogy Indexer]''' to find indexes to over 364 Yizkor books. | ||
*The '''[https://libguides.nypl.org/yizkorbooks New York Public Library]''' has a large collection of Yizkor books, and many have been digitized. | *The '''[https://libguides.nypl.org/yizkorbooks New York Public Library]''' has a large collection of Yizkor books, and many have been digitized. | ||
*The | *The FamilySearch Library has copies of many Yizkor books. Check the '''[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog]''' for availability for your town. | ||
==Historical Photos== | ==Historical Photos== | ||
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This database contains documents such as army/recruit lists, family lists and census records, Jewish vital records (birth, marriage, death, divorce), immigration documents, voter and tax lists, property and notary records, Holocaust documents, police files, pogrom documents, school records, occupation lists, local government and hospital records. | This database contains documents such as army/recruit lists, family lists and census records, Jewish vital records (birth, marriage, death, divorce), immigration documents, voter and tax lists, property and notary records, Holocaust documents, police files, pogrom documents, school records, occupation lists, local government and hospital records. | ||
*See [http://www.rtrfoundation.org/ '''Routes to Roots Foundation'''] and '''hover over Belarus''' for a Genealogical and Family History guide to Jewish and civil records in Eastern Europe | *See [http://www.rtrfoundation.org/ '''Routes to Roots Foundation'''] and '''hover over Belarus''' for a Genealogical and Family History guide to Jewish and civil records in Eastern Europe. | ||
For information about the repositories referred to on Miriam Weiner's Archive Database, see the [https://www.rtrfoundation.org/webs.shtml '''Archives in Eastern Europe'''] page which includes archival contact information. Contact/visit the respective repository for details on their holdings. For instructions on contacting archives and accessing records, see Q11 on [https://www.rtrfoundation.org/archdta11.shtml#Q10 this Routes to Roots page.] For help writing in inquiry in Russian, see the [[Russia Archives and Libraries]] page. | |||
====Jewish Roots==== | ====Jewish Roots==== | ||
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*Discover over 50 web pages of Jewish information available online at the Archives of Belarus by clicking [http://www.archives.gov.by/eng/index.php?id=search '''here'''] to search. Follow up by starting a search for the word '''"Jewish"''' and clicking the '''"Search"''' button. | *Discover over 50 web pages of Jewish information available online at the Archives of Belarus by clicking [http://www.archives.gov.by/eng/index.php?id=search '''here'''] to search. Follow up by starting a search for the word '''"Jewish"''' and clicking the '''"Search"''' button. | ||
==== | ==== Online Databases ==== | ||
*[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20029/belarus-jewish-marriage-records?s=275764761 Belarus, Jewish Marriage Records] at MyHeritage - index ($) | |||
*'''1795-1890''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3131/ Belarus, Census & Family Lists from Various Districts, 1795-1890] at Ancestry - index ($) | *'''1795-1890''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3131/ Belarus, Census & Family Lists from Various Districts, 1795-1890] at Ancestry - index ($) | ||
*'''1837-1917''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1476/ Belarus, Birth Records from Select Cities, 1837-1917] at Ancestry - index ($) | *'''1837-1917''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1476/ Belarus, Birth Records from Select Cities, 1837-1917] at Ancestry - index ($) | ||
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*'''1941-1945''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1456/ Brest, Belarus, Ghetto Passport Collection from the Soviet Archives, 1941-1945] at Ancestry - index ($) | *'''1941-1945''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1456/ Brest, Belarus, Ghetto Passport Collection from the Soviet Archives, 1941-1945] at Ancestry - index ($) | ||
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1467/ Belarus, Jewish Surnames in Minsk Vital Record Collections] at Ancestry - index ($) | *[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1467/ Belarus, Jewish Surnames in Minsk Vital Record Collections] at Ancestry - index ($) | ||
==Reading Records== | ==Reading Records== | ||
Belarusian Jewish records are most commonly written in Russian or Hebrew. Use the resources in this list to help you learn how to read the records. You may also consider using a free translation service such as the [https://community.familysearch.org/s/ '''FamilySearch Community'''] (Be sure to post in the Russian Empire Genealogy Research group or tag ''@RussianEmpireGenealogyResearch'' in your question) or [https://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/ '''JewishGen View Mate.'''] | Belarusian Jewish records are most commonly written in Russian or Hebrew. Use the resources in this list to help you learn how to read the records. You may also consider using a free translation service such as the [https://community.familysearch.org/s/ '''FamilySearch Community'''] (Be sure to post in the Russian Empire Genealogy Research group or tag ''@RussianEmpireGenealogyResearch'' in your question) or [https://www.jewishgen.org/viewmate/ '''JewishGen View Mate.'''] | ||