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Belarus Getting Started: Difference between revisions

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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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===<font color="#a176a3">Gather and Choose</font>===
===<font color="#a176a3">Gather and Choose</font>===
<br>
Before you begin, you should know the following about the Belarusian ancestor you are researching:  
Before you begin, you should know the following about the Belarusian ancestor you are researching:  
*Name  
{{Block indent|*Name }}
*Approximate date of a life event that happened in Belarus  
{{Block indent|*Approximate date of a life event that happened in Belarus }}
*Specific town of residence in Belarus  
{{Block indent|*Specific town of residence in Belarus }}
*Religion   
{{Block indent|*Religion  }}
<br>
<br>
Do you know enough details to find the ancestor in Belarus?  
Do you know enough details to find the ancestor in Belarus?  
*Yes—proceed to '''<font color="#3bcaf4">Find the Place</font>'''
{{Block indent|1=*Yes—proceed to '''<font color="#3bcaf4">Find the Place</font>'''|2=1}}
*No—adjust your goal to search for an ancestor who you know enough about. You should also talk to any relatives who might know more.  
{{Block indent|*No—adjust your goal to search for an ancestor who you know enough about. You should also talk to any relatives who might know more. }}
 
{{Block indent|**If your ancestor was an immigrant, see the Immigration and Emigration FamilySearch Wiki page for that country. }}
{{Block indent|**If your ancestor immigrated to the United States, see [[GuidedResearch:Finding Town of Origin - United States Immigration|Finding Town of Origin - United States Immigration]] for additional guidance. }}
<br>
===<font color="#3bcaf4">Find the Place</font>===
===<font color="#3bcaf4">Find the Place</font>===
<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>
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]]
{{Block indent|1='''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.]]|2=1}}
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:


* Grodno - [https://dapamoznik.blogspot.com/p/1900.html Гродненской г.]
{{Block indent|* Grodno - [https://dapamoznik.blogspot.com/p/1900.html Гродненской г.]}}
* Minsk - [http://elib.shpl.ru/ru/nodes/25877#mode/grid/page/1/zoom/1 Минская г.]
{{Block indent|* Minsk - [http://elib.shpl.ru/ru/nodes/25877#mode/grid/page/1/zoom/1 Минская г.]}}
* Mogilev - [https://rusneb.ru/catalog/000200_000018_v19_rc_1885859/ Могилевская г.]
{{Block indent|* Mogilev - [https://rusneb.ru/catalog/000200_000018_v19_rc_1885859/ Могилевская г.]}}
* Vilna - [http://elib.shpl.ru/ru/nodes/25845-spisok-volostey-i-selskih-obschestv-po-mirovym-uchastkam-vilenskoy-gubernii-1874-goda-vilna-1874 Виленская г.] *this is an alternate gazetteer*
{{Block indent|* Vilna - [http://elib.shpl.ru/ru/nodes/25845-spisok-volostey-i-selskih-obschestv-po-mirovym-uchastkam-vilenskoy-gubernii-1874-goda-vilna-1874 Виленская г.] *this is an alternate gazetteer*}}
* Vitebsk - [https://docviewer.yandex.com/view/0/?*=ni35de20CqizjAY%2BD0nsAEZR5GF7InVybCI6InlhLWRpc2stcHVibGljOi8vRTNGNlBycDF4Tk8rQVNwVTNwaU5GdndoV2MrYzR4bEZtOTQzU2Y2bDBHZz0iLCJ0aXRsZSI6ItCS0LjRgtC10LHRgdC60LDRjyDQs9GD0LHQtdGA0L3QuNGPXzE5MDYucGRmIiwibm9pZnJhbWUiOmZhbHNlLCJ1aWQiOiIwIiwidHMiOjE1NjcxNzI2NTYyNjEsInl1IjoiOTExNzQwNTM2MTU2NjQ4MDM4MyJ9 Витебская г.]
{{Block indent|1=* Vitebsk - [https://docviewer.yandex.com/view/0/?*=ni35de20CqizjAY%2BD0nsAEZR5GF7InVybCI6InlhLWRpc2stcHVibGljOi8vRTNGNlBycDF4Tk8rQVNwVTNwaU5GdndoV2MrYzR4bEZtOTQzU2Y2bDBHZz0iLCJ0aXRsZSI6ItCS0LjRgtC10LHRgdC60LDRjyDQs9GD0LHQtdGA0L3QuNGPXzE5MDYucGRmIiwibm9pZnJhbWUiOmZhbHNlLCJ1aWQiOiIwIiwidHMiOjE1NjcxNzI2NTYyNjEsInl1IjoiOTExNzQwNTM2MTU2NjQ4MDM4MyJ9 Витебская г.]|2=1}}


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]]
{{Block indent|1='''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.]]|2=1}}


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.


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. <br>
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]]
{{Block indent|1='''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.]]|2=1}}


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. <br>
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]]
{{Block indent|1='''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.]]|2=1}}


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>


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.
<br>
<br><br>


===<font color="#f17367">Find the Records</font>===
===<font color="#f17367">Find the Records</font>===
<br>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:
:
 
:'''1) Religious Records'''  
{{Block indent|<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]]
{{Block indent|1=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.]]|2=1}}
: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.]  
{{Block indent|<br>'''2) Revision Lists'''<br>Available through the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog.] }}
:Revision lists are a type of tax record that lists complete households, along with relationships between household members. The revisions were taken somewhat sporadically, with the final revision being taken in 1857-1858. Important: revision lists appear under the name of the local district (uyezd) on FamilySearch. Navigating revision lists can take a significant amount of time.  <Br><br><Br>'''3) 1897 Census'''<br>Sometimes available through the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog.]  
Revision lists are a type of tax record that lists complete households, along with relationships between household members. The revisions were taken somewhat sporadically, with the final revision being taken in 1857-1858. Important: revision lists appear under the name of the local district (uyezd) on FamilySearch. Navigating revision lists can take a significant amount of time.  <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><Br>'''4) World War II Records'''  
{{Block indent|<Br>'''3) 1897 Census'''<br>Sometimes available through the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog.] }}
: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]]  
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>
: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>  
{{Block indent|<Br>'''4) World War II Records''' }}
If you find a record, proceed to '''<font color="#fbba5e">Evaluate</font>'''. If no applicable records are found, visit metrics.tilda.ws to learn more about archives you could contact to request more information.
{{Block indent|1=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.]]|2=1}}
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.
<br><br>


===<font color="#fbba5e">Evaluate</font>===
===<font color="#fbba5e">Evaluate</font>===
<br>Once the record of an ancestor is located, decide on your next steps. Here are some ideas for future research goals:  
Once the record of an ancestor is located, decide on your next steps. Here are some ideas for future research goals:  


*'''Found a religious record?''' Analyze the contents of the record. Are any additional names or places provided? These may help you to find another religious record or identify the family in a revision list.  
*'''Found a religious record?''' Analyze the contents of the record. Are any additional names or places provided? These may help you to find another religious record or identify the family in a revision list.  


*'''Found a revision list?''' Are any earlier revisions available? Try to find the family again in an earlier revision. You may also be able to find individual family members in local religious records.  
*'''Found a revision list?''' Are any earlier revisions available? Try to find the family again in an earlier revision. You may also be able to find individual family members in local religious records.  
*'''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.
:
<br>
The following "How to" Guides may help you to interpret the 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|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|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|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]]
* '''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|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|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|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|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|Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.]]
<br>
 
===<font color="#92c053">Share</font>===
===<font color="#92c053">Share</font>===
<br>Before you finish, save everything you have found. Save links and write good notes in your sources so it is easy to relocate records as needed. Make sure you have recorded your new research goals so you know where to start next time.<br>
Before you finish, save everything you have found. Save links and write good notes in your sources so it is easy to relocate records as needed. Make sure you have recorded your new research goals so you know where to start next time.
 
<br><br>
===Additional Steps to Consider===
===Additional Steps to Consider===
<br>
FamilySearch has some historical records collections for Belarus. They include religious records from the provinces of Grodno and Minsk:  
FamilySearch has some historical records collections for Belarus. They include religious records from the provinces of Grodno and Minsk:  


Latest revision as of 04:56, 19 August 2025

Belarus Wiki Topics
Flag of Belarus
Belarus Beginning Research
Record Types
Belarus Background
Belarus Genealogical Word Lists
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources
Geographylogo.png In other languages: Беларуская | Русский


This page is designed to provide basic instructions for researching an ancestor from Belarus. Click on the question mark icons (FS purple question mark.jpg) 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.

Belarus Flow Chart.png

Gather and Choose

Before you begin, you should know the following about the Belarusian ancestor you are researching:

*Name
*Approximate date of a life event that happened in Belarus
*Specific town of residence in Belarus
*Religion


Do you know enough details to find the ancestor in Belarus?

*Yes—proceed to Find the Place
*No—adjust your goal to search for an ancestor who you know enough about. You should also talk to any relatives who might know more.
**If your ancestor was an immigrant, see the Immigration and Emigration FamilySearch Wiki page for that country.
**If your ancestor immigrated to the United States, see Finding Town of Origin - United States Immigration for additional guidance.


Find the Place

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!):

1) Spiski Gazetteer 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:

* Vilna - Виленская г. *this is an alternate gazetteer*

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.

2) RGN Gazetteer 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 WorldCat for availability in a library near you.

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.

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.

This is a searchable database of towns throughout the world, especially in Europe, where Jewish communities have existed historically.

If you can identify the town, proceed to Find the Records. If you cannot identify the town, consider conducting more general online searches or reviewing other family records for additional details.

Find the Records

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:


1) Religious Records
Available through the FamilySearch Catalog and on Geneteka. 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.


2) Revision Lists
Available through the FamilySearch Catalog.

Revision lists are a type of tax record that lists complete households, along with relationships between household members. The revisions were taken somewhat sporadically, with the final revision being taken in 1857-1858. Important: revision lists appear under the name of the local district (uyezd) on FamilySearch. Navigating revision lists can take a significant amount of time.


3) 1897 Census
Sometimes available through the FamilySearch Catalog.

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.


4) World War II Records
Available through the website Pamyat Naroda. 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.

If you find a record, proceed to Evaluate. If no applicable records are found, visit metrics.tilda.ws to learn more about archives you could contact to request more information.

Evaluate

Once the record of an ancestor is located, decide on your next steps. Here are some ideas for future research goals:

  • Found a religious record? Analyze the contents of the record. Are any additional names or places provided? These may help you to find another religious record or identify the family in a revision list.
  • Found a revision list? Are any earlier revisions available? Try to find the family again in an earlier revision. You may also be able to find individual family members in local religious records.
  • 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.


The following "How to" Guides may help you to interpret the 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 Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.
    • Reading Lithuanian and Belarusian Roman Catholic Marriage Records Written in Russian Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.
    • Reading Lithuanian and Belarusian Roman Catholic Death Records Written in Russian Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.
  • Jewish Records:
    • Reading Jewish Birth Records Written in Russian Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.
    • Reading Jewish Marriage Records Written in Russian Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.
    • Reading Jewish Death Records Written in Russian Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.
  • Reading Revision List Records Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.
  • Reading the 1897 Census Click here to access a "How to" Guide on this topic.


Share

Before you finish, save everything you have found. Save links and write good notes in your sources so it is easy to relocate records as needed. Make sure you have recorded your new research goals so you know where to start next time.

Additional Steps to Consider

FamilySearch has some historical records collections for Belarus. They include religious records from the provinces of Grodno and Minsk:

While these collections can be searched by name, the record indexes do not provide specific locations. This may lead you to mistakenly identify someone from another area as an ancestor from your family’s hometown. Use these collections carefully to avoid drawing incomplete conclusions.



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