Belarus Governates and Voivodeships

Finding Civil Records

City, Town or Village name and Voivodeship/Gubernia name are Key

Many times discovering where to get civil records from where your ancestors lived, in what is now the counrty of Belarus, will require you to know the name of their city, town or village and the Voivodeship or Gubernia (province) where their town was or is located. -With the exception of Vilna (Vilnius), Nowogrudok, Bialystok and Polesie, voivodeships were in use only through the late 1700's. Gubierna was the term used to refer to a province from the late 1700's up until the 1920's.

Voivodeships and Gubierna Names Changed Over the Years

Finding the correct voivodeship/Gubierna will likely not be an easy task. These provincial boundaries changed over the years right in step with the ever-changing boundaries of the countries of Poland, Lithuania, Russia and Belarus.

Maps and Reference Material in Russian, Polish or Belarusian Languages

Many times the maps and lists you will be referencing for help with will be written in Russian, Belarusian or Polish. 

Use Google translator to translate your ancestor's town into Russian, Polish and Belarusian. Keep the translations handy as you proceed with your research.

What you are looking for are the correct Voivodeship and Povet (Powiat) or the correct Gubernia, Uezd and Gmina.

Helpful Links

These links may help you gain a better understanding of voivodeships, povets, gubernia, uezds and gminas.

History of Administrative Districts of Belarus 

Major Administrative Districts of Belarus

Administrative District Details -  Lists of  Gubernia and corresponding uezds

Steve's Genealogy blogs can also provide helpful information and understanding

Finding Church Records

Roman Catholic Church

Not every town had a church so, villagers would travel to their nearest parish church for services. To find church records for your ancestor, you must find the name of the town and name of the parish church where your ancestor attended church. The name of the diocese, deanery can also be helpful. -The church diocese and deanery may not match the voivodeships or gubernia that you found for civil records.