Belarus Governates and Voivodeships
Finding Historical 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
Wiki Belarus Governate-Voivodeship Maps - from FamilySearch.org
Steve's Genealogy blogs can also provide helpful information and understanding