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This page is designed to | This page is designed to provide basic instructions for researching an ancestor from Belarus. Click on the question mark icons ([[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Belarus_%22How_to%22_Guides]]) to view "How to" Guides with step-by-step instructions for using helpful websites and interpreting records. Click on the links in the sidebar to review more detailed articles about specific topics. | ||
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If you do not know where records would be kept for the specific town the ancestor lived in, use the following tools to find out more about the location (be sure to try spelling variations for the town name if you don’t find what you need at first!): <br> | If you do not know where records would be kept for the specific town the ancestor lived in, use the following tools to find out more about the location (be sure to try spelling variations for the town name if you don’t find what you need at first!): <br> | ||
:'''1) Spiski Gazetteer''' [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/f/fc/1-Spiski_Gazetteer-Instruction.pdf]] | :'''1) Spiski Gazetteer''' [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/f/fc/1-Spiski_Gazetteer-Instruction.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
The ''Spiski Naselennykh Mest Rossiiskoi Imperii'' (''Списки населенных мест Российской Имперіи''), or Spiski Gazetteer, is place name dictionary is organized by province, so you must know which province the town was part of to find it in the gazetteer. The following volumes apply to areas now in Belarus: | The ''Spiski Naselennykh Mest Rossiiskoi Imperii'' (''Списки населенных мест Российской Имперіи''), or Spiski Gazetteer, is place name dictionary is organized by province, so you must know which province the town was part of to find it in the gazetteer. The following volumes apply to areas now in Belarus: | ||
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Towns listed nearby within its pages were geographically close to the town, so finding an ancestor's hometown on the same page as a town with a church in it might suggest that the ancestor attended that church. Many volumes include alphabetical indexes in the back of the books.<Br> | Towns listed nearby within its pages were geographically close to the town, so finding an ancestor's hometown on the same page as a town with a church in it might suggest that the ancestor attended that church. Many volumes include alphabetical indexes in the back of the books.<Br> | ||
:'''2) RGN Gazetteer''' [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/f/f2/1.2-RGN_Gazetteer-Instruction.pdf]] | :'''2) RGN Gazetteer''' [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/f/f2/1.2-RGN_Gazetteer-Instruction.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
The ''Russisches Geographische Namenbuch'', or RGN Gazetteer, can be accessed at the FamilySearch Library (FS Library INTL Book 947 E5r). If you are unable to visit Salt Lake City, try checking [https://search.worldcat.org/ WorldCat] for availability in a library near you. | The ''Russisches Geographische Namenbuch'', or RGN Gazetteer, can be accessed at the FamilySearch Library (FS Library INTL Book 947 E5r). If you are unable to visit Salt Lake City, try checking [https://search.worldcat.org/ WorldCat] for availability in a library near you. | ||
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Unlike the Spiski Gazetteer, the RGN Gazetteer is organized alphabetically. It was created during the Soviet period and provides locality information based on Russian Empire organization. If you find your town in the RGN, proceed to look it up in the corresponding province’s volume of the Spiski. | Unlike the Spiski Gazetteer, the RGN Gazetteer is organized alphabetically. It was created during the Soviet period and provides locality information based on Russian Empire organization. If you find your town in the RGN, proceed to look it up in the corresponding province’s volume of the Spiski. | ||
:'''3) [https://www.wbc.poznan.pl/dlibra/publication/edition/12786?id=12786&from=publication Skorowidz 1930s Gazetteer]''' [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/c/c6/1-Skorowidz_Online-Instruction-updated.pdf]] | :'''3) [https://www.wbc.poznan.pl/dlibra/publication/edition/12786?id=12786&from=publication Skorowidz 1930s Gazetteer]''' [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/c/c6/1-Skorowidz_Online-Instruction-updated.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
The ''Skorowidz Miejsowości Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej'' lists locations in Poland as they existed between the world wars, when the borders of Poland were further east than they are today. It provides information about where local churches were for various Christian religions. | The ''Skorowidz Miejsowości Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej'' lists locations in Poland as they existed between the world wars, when the borders of Poland were further east than they are today. It provides information about where local churches were for various Christian religions. | ||
:'''4) [https://www.jewishgen.org/Communities/Search.asp JewishGen Communities Database]''' [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/e/e7/1_-_Instruction_-_JewishGen_Communities_JMR.pdf]] | :'''4) [https://www.jewishgen.org/Communities/Search.asp JewishGen Communities Database]''' [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/e/e7/1_-_Instruction_-_JewishGen_Communities_JMR.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
This is a searchable database of towns throughout the world, especially in Europe, where Jewish communities have existed historically.<Br> | This is a searchable database of towns throughout the world, especially in Europe, where Jewish communities have existed historically.<Br> | ||
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If you can identify the town, proceed to '''<font color="#f17367">Find the Records</font>'''. If you cannot identify the town, consider conducting more general online searches or reviewing other family records for additional details. | If you can identify the town, proceed to '''<font color="#f17367">Find the Records</font>'''. If you cannot identify the town, consider conducting more general online searches or reviewing other family records for additional details. | ||
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===<font color="#f17367">Find the Records</font>=== | ===<font color="#f17367">Find the Records</font>=== | ||
Other than World War II records, most of the Belarusian records available online are for 1918 and earlier. The following record types will be most helpful in your research: | Other than World War II records, most of the Belarusian records available online are for 1918 and earlier. The following record types will be most helpful in your research: | ||
:<br>'''1) Religious Records''' | :<br>'''1) Religious Records''' | ||
:Available through the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] and on [https://geneteka.genealodzy.pl/ Geneteka.] [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/b/b9/1-_Geneteka_-_Indexed_Records_-_Instruction.pdf]] | :Available through the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] and on [https://geneteka.genealodzy.pl/ Geneteka.] [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/b/b9/1-_Geneteka_-_Indexed_Records_-_Instruction.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide for this resource.]] | ||
Metrical books were kept by each religious group separately to record the births, marriages, deaths, and divorces (for non-Christians) during the Russian Empire period. You may also find confession lists, which provide a record of families belonging to a certain congregation. <br> | Metrical books were kept by each religious group separately to record the births, marriages, deaths, and divorces (for non-Christians) during the Russian Empire period. You may also find confession lists, which provide a record of families belonging to a certain congregation. <br> | ||
:<br>'''2) Revision Lists'''<br>Available through the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog.] | :<br>'''2) Revision Lists'''<br>Available through the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog.] | ||
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The 1897 census was the only full census that the Russian Empire conducted. The records were intended to be used for statistical purposes only, so only a few returns still exist. <br> | The 1897 census was the only full census that the Russian Empire conducted. The records were intended to be used for statistical purposes only, so only a few returns still exist. <br> | ||
:<Br>'''4) World War II Records''' | :<Br>'''4) World War II Records''' | ||
:Available through the website [https://pamyat-naroda.ru/ Pamyat Naroda.] [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/6/6b/1-_Instruction-_Pamyat_Naroda_JMR.pdf]] | :Available through the website [https://pamyat-naroda.ru/ Pamyat Naroda.] [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/6/6b/1-_Instruction-_Pamyat_Naroda_JMR.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
Pamyat Naroda is a World War II military records database. It documents soldiers who served under the Soviet Union during the war. Sometimes their records may provide birthdates, hometowns, parents’ names, or other important details. <br><br> | Pamyat Naroda is a World War II military records database. It documents soldiers who served under the Soviet Union during the war. Sometimes their records may provide birthdates, hometowns, parents’ names, or other important details. <br><br> | ||
If you find a record, proceed to '''<font color="#fbba5e">Evaluate</font>'''. If no applicable records are found, visit [https://metrics.tilda.ws/ metrics.tilda.ws] to learn more about archives you could contact to request more information. | If you find a record, proceed to '''<font color="#fbba5e">Evaluate</font>'''. If no applicable records are found, visit [https://metrics.tilda.ws/ metrics.tilda.ws] to learn more about archives you could contact to request more information. | ||
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*'''Found a census return or military record?''' Take note of any names, dates, and/or locations provided in the document. Can the information you found help you to start researching someone born pre-1918? The details you find in these records may help you to move into religious records or revision lists. | *'''Found a census return or military record?''' Take note of any names, dates, and/or locations provided in the document. Can the information you found help you to start researching someone born pre-1918? The details you find in these records may help you to move into religious records or revision lists. | ||
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The following "How to" Guides | The following "How to" Guides may help you to interpret the records: | ||
* Roman Catholic Records ( | * '''Roman Catholic Records''' (other Christian records are likely to be similar in style): | ||
** Reading Lithuanian and Belarusian Roman Catholic Birth Records Written in Russian [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/d/dd/1-_Instruction-Reading_Lithuanian_Birth_Records_Written_in_Russian_JMR.pdf]] | ** Reading Lithuanian and Belarusian Roman Catholic Birth Records Written in Russian [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/d/dd/1-_Instruction-Reading_Lithuanian_Birth_Records_Written_in_Russian_JMR.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
** Reading Lithuanian and Belarusian Roman Catholic Marriage Records Written in Russian [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/6/6d/1_-_Instruction_-_Reading_Russian_Language_Roman_Catholic_Marriage_Records_from_Lithuania_and_Belarus_JMR.pdf]] | ** Reading Lithuanian and Belarusian Roman Catholic Marriage Records Written in Russian [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/6/6d/1_-_Instruction_-_Reading_Russian_Language_Roman_Catholic_Marriage_Records_from_Lithuania_and_Belarus_JMR.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
** Reading Lithuanian and Belarusian Roman Catholic Death Records Written in Russian [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/5/50/1-_Instruction-Reading_Lithuanian_Death_Records_Written_in_Russian_JMR.pdf]] | ** Reading Lithuanian and Belarusian Roman Catholic Death Records Written in Russian [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/5/50/1-_Instruction-Reading_Lithuanian_Death_Records_Written_in_Russian_JMR.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
* Jewish Records: | * '''Jewish Records:''' | ||
** Reading Jewish Birth Records Written in Russian [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/9/93/1_-_Instruction_-_Reading_Jewish_Birth_Records_in_Russian.pdf]] | ** Reading Jewish Birth Records Written in Russian [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/9/93/1_-_Instruction_-_Reading_Jewish_Birth_Records_in_Russian.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
** Reading Jewish Marriage Records Written in Russian [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/0/0f/1_-_Instruction_-_Reading_Jewish_Marriage_Records_in_Russian.pdf]] | ** Reading Jewish Marriage Records Written in Russian [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/0/0f/1_-_Instruction_-_Reading_Jewish_Marriage_Records_in_Russian.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
** Reading Jewish Death Records Written in Russian [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/b/be/1_-_Instruction_-_Reading_Jewish_Death_Records_in_Russian.pdf]] | ** Reading Jewish Death Records Written in Russian [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/b/be/1_-_Instruction_-_Reading_Jewish_Death_Records_in_Russian.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
* Reading Revision List Records [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/2/2c/Russian_Revision_Lists_-_Instruction_E_Vance_2020-270229_Jan_2020_JMR_.pdf]] | * '''Reading Revision List Records''' [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/2/2c/Russian_Revision_Lists_-_Instruction_E_Vance_2020-270229_Jan_2020_JMR_.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
* Reading the 1897 Census [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/6/6b/1897census-Instructions.pdf]] | * '''Reading the 1897 Census''' [[File:FS purple question mark.jpg|20px|link=https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/img_auth.php/6/6b/1897census-Instructions.pdf|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]] | ||
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