Genealogy travel in Lithuania?
Sep 5th, 2011, 06:05 PM
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Genealogy travel in Lithuania?
(This is cross-posted from the Lounge; I'm interested in anyone's experiences in genealogy travel, but particularly Lithuania/Eastern Europe.)
I'm seriously considering a trip in either 2012 or 2013 to Radviliskis, Lithuania, to see if I can trace the family back any further then 1895 (when they left.) But I'm not really sure the best way to go about this: try to find a tour guide who will be able to translate, check in with the Lithuanian-American societies that seem to abound, try to learn Lithuanian between now and then...
Okay, that one's not happening. I've actually been to Lithuania before (and had a marvelous time) before I was fully aware of the connection.
Anyway, I'd love to hear anyone's experiences in this. I realize it won't be like the "Who Do You Think You Are" show, or "Everything is Illuminated" <ahem. Hopes not, anyway.> but it is the most logical next step. I have contacted a few people in the travel business in Lithuania, but no responses yet. Another complication is that it's possible that he was Russian or Polish and living in Lithuania, as the incarnation of the name that we have doesn't seem to be Lithuanian--or, well, anything else, either. He listed himself as both Russian and Lithuanian at different times, and Russian-Pole at others.
I'm seriously considering a trip in either 2012 or 2013 to Radviliskis, Lithuania, to see if I can trace the family back any further then 1895 (when they left.) But I'm not really sure the best way to go about this: try to find a tour guide who will be able to translate, check in with the Lithuanian-American societies that seem to abound, try to learn Lithuanian between now and then...
Okay, that one's not happening. I've actually been to Lithuania before (and had a marvelous time) before I was fully aware of the connection.Anyway, I'd love to hear anyone's experiences in this. I realize it won't be like the "Who Do You Think You Are" show, or "Everything is Illuminated" <ahem. Hopes not, anyway.> but it is the most logical next step. I have contacted a few people in the travel business in Lithuania, but no responses yet. Another complication is that it's possible that he was Russian or Polish and living in Lithuania, as the incarnation of the name that we have doesn't seem to be Lithuanian--or, well, anything else, either. He listed himself as both Russian and Lithuanian at different times, and Russian-Pole at others.
Sep 5th, 2011, 08:33 PM
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Amy:
Perhaps the most effective geneaological group in the US is the Jewish Genealogical Society (JGS) with chapters everywhere. You certainly do not have to be Jewish to use their services, as hey haveiinfolrmation that can lead to specific towns (town hall contacts, etc). I believe you live in the Philly area, and there are more than one JGS's there, too.
Radviliskis is about 200+kms north of Vilna (Vilnius) on good roads. I was doing some research thereabouts a few years ago, abd drove from Vilnius to Panavesys on a divided A road..also there is two lane A road from Pan to Rad.
Stu Tower
Perhaps the most effective geneaological group in the US is the Jewish Genealogical Society (JGS) with chapters everywhere. You certainly do not have to be Jewish to use their services, as hey haveiinfolrmation that can lead to specific towns (town hall contacts, etc). I believe you live in the Philly area, and there are more than one JGS's there, too.
Radviliskis is about 200+kms north of Vilna (Vilnius) on good roads. I was doing some research thereabouts a few years ago, abd drove from Vilnius to Panavesys on a divided A road..also there is two lane A road from Pan to Rad.
Stu Tower
Sep 6th, 2011, 07:05 PM
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Thanks, Stu, I will definitely look into the JGS. Also, the brand new building of the Jewish American museum on Independence Mall is one that I want to visit soon, and I know there is a lot of immigration focus there.
I think I may have passed pretty close to Radviliskis out of Kaunas on the way to Siauliai; it seems like Siauliai might be the closest (about 23 miles) that I can get for a hotel, but I will keep looking.
I think I may have passed pretty close to Radviliskis out of Kaunas on the way to Siauliai; it seems like Siauliai might be the closest (about 23 miles) that I can get for a hotel, but I will keep looking.
Sep 7th, 2011, 07:10 AM
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Amy..driving from Kaunas, you most likely did pass through Rad...it seems like a good sized town. Here is link for Philly JGS...they most likely have a Lithuanian study group with scads of information. (Radvilishok was the common Yiddish name for the town when your ancestors lived there)
http://www.jewishgen.org/jgsp/
http://www.jewishgen.org/databases/Lithuania/
http://www.jewishgen.org/jgsp/
http://www.jewishgen.org/databases/Lithuania/
Dec 31st, 2011, 02:03 PM
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Amy, there is a small firm in Vilnius that handles genealogical searches and provides family history tours. It is operated by Vilius Vaseikis. I have used them for a multi-generation records search and then visits to our family village, cemetery, and environs. I highly recommend the firm. Vilius is very knowledgeable, honest and hard-working. He is well-educated and quite knowledgeable about Lithuanian history. He is also exceptional at finding current living relatives, for those who wish to follow their family lines down to the present.
Here are a couple of links. The website has a good deal of helpful information
Vilius' website: http://www.lithuaniavisits.com/tours.php
Comments on his services: http://www.scribd.com/doc/5392305/Fa...Recommendation
Good luck!
Here are a couple of links. The website has a good deal of helpful information
Vilius' website: http://www.lithuaniavisits.com/tours.php
Comments on his services: http://www.scribd.com/doc/5392305/Fa...Recommendation
Good luck!
Jan 1st, 2012, 03:56 AM
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Thanks so much, lithson. I have actually been in contact with Mr. Vaseikis, but unfortunately there isn't enough for him to go on as the family name has been changed and the name it was most likely changed from (Girdzan) doesn't seem to be a Lithuanian one.
I am trying to find more information, but it's been difficult.
I'm having trouble tracking down my great-grandfather in the US; he seems to have gone by a couple different first names and the spelling of the last name tended to wander a bit. Since he was supposedly killed by a bus in Cape May, I should be able to find some record of his death, but so far nothing.
I am trying to find more information, but it's been difficult.
I'm having trouble tracking down my great-grandfather in the US; he seems to have gone by a couple different first names and the spelling of the last name tended to wander a bit.
Since he was supposedly killed by a bus in Cape May, I should be able to find some record of his death, but so far nothing.
Apr 20th, 2014, 03:50 AM
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Hi Amy,
Since we last corresponded, I have come across another source that I think can help with making the connection between your family in the US and your ancestors in Lithuania. This is a person here in the US. His fees are very reasonable and he has done some remarkable work. If you would like to hear more, please contact me at premierdirect-15 at yahoo dot com. (That's an alias email to ward off spammers.)
Best wishes,
John
Since we last corresponded, I have come across another source that I think can help with making the connection between your family in the US and your ancestors in Lithuania. This is a person here in the US. His fees are very reasonable and he has done some remarkable work. If you would like to hear more, please contact me at premierdirect-15 at yahoo dot com. (That's an alias email to ward off spammers.)
Best wishes,
John
Jul 15th, 2014, 03:43 PM
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I'm so excited!
Through the kind help of lithson's contact, I was able to make arrangements with Mr. Vaseikis. His researchers have found my great-grandparents' marriage (in Radviliskis Roman Catholic church in 1881) which includes the name of the bride and groom's parents. I now have a name for my great grandfather: Ignotas Girdziunas, which I think I can believe is Lithuanian.
Radviliskis was a railroad hub, and it seems that he may have been born in Svencioys. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to find birth records for either of them, and my great-grandmother's maiden name has at least four spellings in the records of her children's baptisms, but this is so much more information than I had before, and a confirmation of that pull I have always felt toward Lithuania. (When I first arrived in Druskininkai at 3AM from the Warsaw bus those pine trees just smelled like home to me.)
Through the kind help of lithson's contact, I was able to make arrangements with Mr. Vaseikis. His researchers have found my great-grandparents' marriage (in Radviliskis Roman Catholic church in 1881) which includes the name of the bride and groom's parents. I now have a name for my great grandfather: Ignotas Girdziunas, which I think I can believe is Lithuanian.
Radviliskis was a railroad hub, and it seems that he may have been born in Svencioys. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to find birth records for either of them, and my great-grandmother's maiden name has at least four spellings in the records of her children's baptisms, but this is so much more information than I had before, and a confirmation of that pull I have always felt toward Lithuania. (When I first arrived in Druskininkai at 3AM from the Warsaw bus those pine trees just smelled like home to me.)
