International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies - Cemetery Project

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S

SAKAI:
     In 1970, the Jewish cemetery here was taken over by the Russians who proceeded to remove all the grave markers. The disposition of these markers is unknown, but it is likely that they were destroyed or are otherwise irretrievable. The cemetery itself was converted to an agricultural inspection station. Under pressure from the remnants of the Lithuanian Jewish community and the Lithuanian government, the Russians abandoned the cemetery some years after their occupation, but no listing of those buried there is known to exist. Physically, the cemetery is simply an open field, fenced, with a small monument to denote its status as a Jewish burial ground. Source: Ron Kathren; rkathren@tricity.wsu.edu
     Near Skiai, outskirts of Batiskiai forest, 1.5 km N of the town; 152; pic. # 245-246 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
      http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/shaki/shaki.html . Alternate name: Shaki. 54º57', 23º03' [October 2000]

SALAKAS:
Forest of Sungardai, 10 km SE of Salakas; 88; pic. # 78-79. Forest of Krakyne, Deguciai couty (sic.) 190-191 348-35O US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SALANT: also see Telsh
Alternate name: SALANTAI.
     Near the Jewish cemetery of Salantai; 112; pic. # 138-140. Near the village of Salynas, Zvainiai county; 115; pic. # 146. Forest of Zateikiai, 3 km from the village of Sateikiai; 139; pic. # 204-205 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     {10125}. The cemetery is outside the town, sandwiched between farms, with access made difficult via a rutted dirt driveway that is clogged with farm equipment. Just inside the entrance, a memorial plaque indicates this is a Jewish cemetery. A large wood sculpture by Jacob Bunka (of Plunge) honors the memory of 405 Jews murdered here in the Holocaust. All but empty of tombstones, this walled cemetery is on a gently sloping plateau with steep sides toward its rear and lateral perimeters. The vastness of its area attests to the sizable Jewish community that once lived in Salant. At the front left of the cemetery are four rows of tombstones, evenly spaced, apparently placed here from stones recovered elsewhere in this cemetery. Some are legible, others completely weathered. Elsewhere, toward the rear of the cemetery, we discovered a few more markers, some with extensive and legible inscriptions, including vertical acrostics spelling out the deceased's name along the right margin. Of a total of about 20 stones, we recorded 15, dating from 1881-1923. Source: Dan Kirschner, 35 Gammons Road, Newton MA 02168. Tel: 617-965-6839; kirschnd@bc.edu
     In Salant (Salantai), in the western section of Lithuania, I visited the cemetery as well. Some two dozen stones remain in a location that likely contained several hundred. Local people claimed that:
     1) Russian soldiers removed stones for construction during the '70s and '80s; 2) There were many stones still standing in the 1960s; 3) Stones have sunk under the earth and were not stolen at all. Source: Rick Bercuvitz rberc@ine.org
     We went on to Salant, which has no Jewish cemetery, not even remains. Date: Fri, 31 Oct 1997; source: Richard Hyman; dadhy@nwlink.com

SALCININKAI:
Belarus, Voronovo US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     For more information, see Lida District Researchers: http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/Lida-District/lida-dist.htm

SALOCIAI:
Forest of Zadeikiai, 4.5 km from Pasvalys (two massacre sites); 135; pic. # 195-196 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SAUKENAI:
Forest, 6 km at the road Saukenai-Siauliai; 105; pic. # 122. Zagare, town park; 90; pic. # 84-85 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SAULIAI:
The big old cemetery was almost totally destroyed. About 7 stones still remain. Source: Aleksandrs Feigmanis, Kahovkas 2-12 LV-1021, Riga, aleksgen@mailcity.com

SEDA:
Seda, Jewish cemetery; 123; pic. # 164 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     {10126} The cemetery of this village is behind a lane of houses, bounded by pastures and a creek. A little gate marks the entrance. A Holocaust memorial indicates a mass gravesite where 150 Jews were murdered. On the left side of the cemetery are two neat rows consisting of about ten gravestones, most likely recovered from other areas of the cemetery. Of these, six were legible; and we recorded their inscriptions. There was also a small pile of additional tombstones, face down, and too heavy too lift by hand. [Source?]

SEDUVA:
Forest of Liaudiskiai. 10 km SW of Seduva; (two massacre sites); 144; pic. # 222. Near the village of Pakuteniai, 5 km S of Seduva (two massacre sites); 143; pic. # 218-219 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SEIRIJAI:
Mazeikiai, Jewish cemetery; 123; pic. # 165-166. The woods of Barauiciskes. near the lake Sagava, 3 km from Seirijai; 119; pic.# 157-158 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/serey/serey.html at 54º14' 23º49' [October 2000]

SEMELISKES:
Near Semeliskes, outskirts of the forest, NE of the township; 176; pic. # 313-314 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SEREI:
       UPDATE: http://www.jewishgen.org/Litvak/HTML/OnlineJournals/serei.htm [November 2002]

SEREDNIK: see SEREDZIUS

SEREDZIUS:
     Forest of Pakrakte, near the village of Jaucakiai, 2 km from Vilkija, 96; pic. # 97 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad (Serednik) {10127}. The Jewish cemetery is uphill from the adjoining Lithuanian cemetery and off the path that leads to the church at the top of the hill. A memorial plaque marks the cemetery. There are virtually no stones remaining; we counted about ten, all at the rear of the cemetery in thick brush. Of these, we were able to read and record four. Another one of the tombstones had fallen just below the path where it lies face-up, densely shaded by shrubbery and trees. We also found tombstone fragments lining the path. At least one stone on its side is being used as edging for the privet hedge of the house along the path between the cemetery and the church. Eleven thick stone slabs of varying hue, reminiscent of tombstones, served as outside steps around the side of this house. Source: Dan Kirschner, 35 Gammons Road, Newton MA 02168. tel: 617-965-6839; kirschnd@bc.edu
     "Seredzius is a small village a few kilometers west of Vilkija. Virtually nothing remains of the Seredzius Jewish cemetery, just up the hill from the Christian cemetery and across the street from the church. From the church, down the path is a small steep incline. There is a modern memorial stone representing the former cemetery. We did find a Jewish gravestone fragment on the path with the Hebrew word "nefter" (departed) on it. The Jewish cemetery probably was on the grassy incline up from the path. We found 2.5 overlooked Jewish gravestones back in the woods. To find these stones: Facing the memorial are old dirt steps up on the left side. Walk up and follow the path to the left about 30 meters to the back of a old house yard. Turn right and walk across the back of the yard. Walk through the bushes about 10 meters. In a small clearing 2 stones are near the small drop off. Then, 2 broken stones or bases are along the drop-off about 10 meters through the woods. Note: In the Mount Zion Cemetery in Queens, New York, there is a burial society for the landsmen of Vilkija and Seredzius." Source: http://www.mrt5.com/Lithuania.html#Vilkija and http://www.mrt5.com/Lithuania.html

SEREI:
See http://www.jewishgen.org/Litvak/serei.htm for a description of the cemetery and the restoration by a former resident of over 500 graves still extant. The former resident is Chana Slavaticki Rosen chanaro@home.com or rosen@uscj.org [October 2001]

SEREY: see Seirijai

SESUOLIAI:
Pine forest of Pivonija about 4 km from Ukmerge; 177-178; pic. # 315-318 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SETA:
     Kedainiai, near the airport, at the river Smilga; 100 pic. # 107- 108 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     Alternate name: Shat.

SHAT: see SETA
SHAKI: see Sakiai
SHAVEL: see Siauliai
SHAVVLAN: see Siauliai
SHEDUVA:

SHKUDVIL: see also Upyna
Shkudvil is in Taurage (Tavrig) Province. Town population: 1000-5000 with no current Jewish population. The cemetery is open to all with no caretaker. Earliest known Jewish community in town was about 1795-1802. Date cemetery was established: 1820. The Jewish population of Shkudvil in 1941 was 1017 Jews. Some Shkudvil Jews, such as community leaders, were taken to Upyna and killed with the Upyna Jews. The MASS BURIAL SITES for the Jews of Shkudvil, Lithuania:
SHVENCIONYS:
SHVENCIONELYS:
SHVEKSHNA:

SIAUDINE:
Near Sakiai, outskirts of Batiskiai forest, 1.5 km N of the town; 152; pic. # 245-246. Kiduliai county. Near the village of Siaudine, at the road to Sudargas; 153; pic. #247 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SIAULENIAI: see SIAULIAI

SIAULIAI:
Alternate names: Siauleniai. Shavvlan, Shavel (Yiddish), Shavli (Russian), Schaulen (German). Zagare, town park; 90; pic. # 84-85 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
      http://motlc.wiesenthal.com/gallery/pg38/pg3/pg38357.html [January 2001]
     Siauleniai (Shavvlan) was an early cemetery for the Jews of the area before permission was given to have a cemetery in Siauliai. This is the cemetery described as run-down but existing for one of the Siauliai entries. As I remember it, most of the stones were legible. The cemetery is on a hill amidst a copse of trees and has a standard memorial tablet in Yiddish, Lithuanian and Hebrew giving the date and number of the Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. The latter addition does not exist in the Lithuanian version. Whoever wrote the wording of the Hebrew version intended to write so and so many Jews were murdered, men women and child, but confused the Hebrew word for men (G'varim) with heroes (Giborim). As that memorial has been used in many cemeteries just changing the numbers and dates, the same error recurs. Source: Len Yodaiken: shoshly@canaan.co.il
     Forest of Kuziai, about 15 km from Siauliai, at the road to the village of Verbunai; 156-157; pic. # 254-258. Forest of Gubernija (Forestry of Normanciai), about 0,5 km from the Gruzddziai road; 156-157; pic. # 259-201. Zagare, town park; 90; pic. # 84-85 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     In Siauliai, aside from the four or five standing tombstones, part of the Jewish cemetery was walled off into the Catholic cemetery. There are still a number of tombstones there but I did not see them. There is a medieval church at the top of a relatively (for Lithuania) high hill in the midst of the town. The Russians built steps up to the church using both Jewish and Christian tombstones (on the egalitarian basis that "religion is the opium of the masses"). Source: Linda Cantor, lincan@amanda.dorsai.org
     Several hundred stones are in poor condition. Cemetery is overgrown, not maintained, is almost completely destroyed according to Dr. Feigmanis. Source forwarded by Judi Langer Caplan Judith27@aol.com . Aleksandrs Feigmanis, Kahovkas 2-12 LV-1021, Riga, aleksgen@mailcity.com
      http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/shavli/shavli1.html [October 2000]

SIESIKAI:
Forest, I km from Siesikai, in the direction of Pagirys. Pine Forest of Pivonija, about 4 km from Ukmerge; 177-178; pic. # 315-318 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SILALE:
Silale Jewish cemetery; 160-161 267-268. Forest of Tubines, at the village of Tubines (two massacre sites); 161; pic. # 269-270. Source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad b> :
Near the village of Zakelisikiai, coonty Lioliai 104; pic. # 118. Near the village of Ribukai, gravel pit, about 1 km from Lyduvenai; 147; pic. # 230 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SILUVA:
     UPDATE: I was there in June 2007 and took photographs. We think Tytuvenai/Siluva cemetery was shared because it was between the two towns and was the only one we know of. There were many very weathered stones in a good sized field. Linda Morzillo at genealogynewsgal@yahoo.com [July 2007]

SIMKAICIAI:
Unknown US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SIMNAS:
     Wooded area of Kalesninkai, 3 km from Simnas; 78; pic. # 53-54 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     I can definitely report that there is no longer a Jewish cemetery in this town. We were taken to a site just north of the center of town and shown that the former Jewish cemetery now contains several homes. There is, however, an impressive marker west of town at the site where the Germans and their Lithuanian partners in WWII murdered Simnas Jewry. To get there, drive west from the center of town and leave the highway under a small railway viaduct. Proceed through open fields heading west into thick woods. After several kilometers, you reach a clearing and on the right (north) side of the dirt road you come to a statue and marker in Lithuanian, Russian, Yiddish and Hebrew. No names are given. Source: Yosef Sa'ar; yotam@isracom.co.il
     Alternate name: Simno, Simney. http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/simnas/simnas.html [October 2000]

SIMNO: see SIMNAS
SIMNEY: see SIMNAS

SIRVINTOS:
Pine forest of Pivonija. about 4 km from Ukmerge; 177-178; pic. # 315-318 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SIAUDVYCIAI: see ZEMAICIY NAUMIESTIS

SKAPISKIS:
      Woods of Velniaduobe, 5 km from Rokiskis; 149; pic. # 235- 236. US Comm. for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.
US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad; Estimated 100 graves - stone fence, no key needed. Source: Linda Cantor: lincan@amanda.dorsai.org
     UPDATE: http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/skopishok/skopishok.html . Kupishok (9 miles, Ponidel (9), Rakishok (17) and Kamai (20). [October 2000]
     UPDATE: We are trying to estimate the cost to build a wall 1.5-m high and 100-m long from native stone in Skapiskis, between Rokiskis and Kupiskis, in NE Lithuania. Source: Tim Baker, Skopishok Research Group, Bellingham WA, tbaker@vztlaw.com [July 2002]
     UPDATE: Skapiskis Jewish cemetery was in terrible condition and did not appear to have been maintained in any way for over sixty years. The cemetery was overgrown with vegetation and the few remaining headstones were in a state of disrepair. Skapiskis Research Group is working together to restore the cemetery: a web site, a work plan and contact with the local officials in two separate phases. Phase I will clean up the overgrown vegetation, restore and repair the headstones. Phase II will rebuild the cemetery walls. At the entrance of the cemetery, a permanent pavilion will be built. Inscribed in three languages, the pavilion will acknowledge contributors and historical background of the Skapiskis Jewish Community and the Holocaust. To ensure the cemetery's future, a program will integrate the cemetery into the local high-school curriculum. Plan is to celebrate the restoration of the Skapiskis Jewish Cemetery with a dedication ceremony in August of 2006. http://skapiskis.blogspot.com/ has photos, more background, and project plans. Skapiskis Cemetery Restoration Committee, Yehudi Gaffen. Coordinator, Skapiskis Cemetery Restoration Project. ygaffen@gafcon.com [August 2005]      UPDATE: Jewish cemetery: Restoration: In September 2001, Yehudi Gaffen visited the site, untouched for 60 years. About 40 Jewish families (215 people) lived there at the onset of World War II. Restoration will include "restoring the gravesites, headstones, pathways, walls and gates of the cemetery, and constructing a memorial detailing a history of Lithuanian Jewry and displaying the names of Jewish families who once called Skapiskis home. ... The plan includes a "dedication ceremony at the restored cemetery on August 28th, 2006, featuring town officials, local school children, media, and members of the Lithuanian government. Further information on the Skapiskis Jewish Cemetery Resoration Project, including how to make donations, can be found online at http://www.skapiskis.blogspot.com ." San Diego Jewish Journal. http://www.sdjewishjournal.com/stories/sept05_4.html [October 2005]

SKAUDVILE:
Forest of Puzai, 4 km from Skaudvile; 170; pic. # 292-293. Forest of Gryblaukis, 22 km NE of Taurage; 170; pic. # 294 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
      http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/shkudvil/shkudvil.html [October 2000]

SHKUDVIL: see SKAUDVILE

SKIEMONYS:
Near Anykseiai at the road Anyksciai-Skiemonys; 80-81; pic. # 57- 60; source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.
US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad b> :
Skuodas, at the former building of Rifiemen's Union; 150; pic. # 237-238. The village of Kulai, gravel pit, 3 km from Skuodas, 0,5 km from railway station; 150; pic. # 239-240. The bill of Alka, about 1 km NW of village Dimitravas; 115; pic. # 147-148. Source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
Prienai, northern outskirts of the town; 142; pic. # 215-216. Near the village of Klydzionys. about 0.5 km from the road Butrimonys-Pivasiunai; (two massacre sites); 78-79; pic. # 55-56 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

STAROZAGORY: (Old Zagare): see ZAGARE

SUBACIUS:
Forest of Ilcunai, 3 km W of Subacius; 117; pic. # 151 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SUDARGAS:
Near Sakiai, outskirts of Batiskiai forest, 1.5 km N of the town; 152; pic. # 245-246. Forest of Batiskiai, near village of Pervazninkai US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
      http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/sudarg/sudarg.htm at 55º3' N 22º38' E, 110 miles WNW of Vilnius and 51 miles W of Kaunus. Alternate names: Sudarg (Yiddish) and Sudargi (Russian). [October 2000]

SUDARG: see SUDARGAS
SUDARGI: see SUDARGAS

SUVAINISKI:
The woods of Velniaduobe, 5 km from Rokiskis; 149; pic. # 235- 236 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SUVAINISKIS:
Estimated 50 graves outside of town, down a long, dirt road. Definitely need directions from someone in town. Source: Linda Cantor; lincan@amanda.dorsai.org

SVEDASAI:
Cemetery is quite large and has many tombstones that can be read. Source: Myrna Siegel, 2149 Iroquois Rd. Wilmette, IL 60091 ssi448@nwu.edu
     To woods of Velniaduobe 5 km from Rokiskis; 149; pic. # 235-236. Near Svedasai; 83; pic. # 66 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SVENCIONYS:
Former shooting-grounds of Sveneioneliai, at the river Zeimena; 164-165; pic. # 276-279. Near Cirkligkis settlement; 166; pic. # 281 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SVENEIONELIAI:
Former shooting-ground of Svencioneliai, at the river Zeimena; 164-165; pic. # 276-279. Outskirts of Svencioneliai, at the road to the village of Lakaja (two massacre sites) 166; pic. # 281 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

SVEKSNA:
Sveksna, Jewish cemetery. Ravines of Siaudvyciai, about 3 km E of Z. Naumiestis; 162-163; pic. # 273. Near the village of lnkakliai, Sveksna county; 163; pic. # 274-275; source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.

T

TAUJENAI:
Pine forest of Pivonija, about 4 km from Ukmerge:177-178; pic. # 315-318 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

TAURAGE: see Shkudvil
Near the village of Vizbutai, 1 km NW from Taurage; 169; pic. # 290-291, Near the village of Antgunijai, 6 km NW of Tautage; 168-169; pic. # 286-289 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     UPDATE: I was there in June 2007, took photographs, and saw a marker was on the site but houses had been built on the cemetery. Linda Morzillo at genealogynewsgal@yahoo.com [July 2007]

TAURAGNAI:
Forest of Rage, 2 km from Utena; 179-181; pic. # 320-326; source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.
US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad : see Shkudvil

TELS: see Telsiai

TELSIAI:
Alternate names: Tels, Telz, and Telsh in Yiddish.
     Telsiai, near the territory of Dairy company "2emaitijos pienas"; 175; pic. # 310. Near the village of Rainiai, at workshop; 171; pic. # 295-297. The woods of Rainiai, about 5 km SE of Telsiai; 173; pic. # 301. Forest near the village of Viesvenai, 2 km in the direction of Luoke; 173; pic. # 302. Near the village of Geruliai, 10 km E of Telsiai; 172; pic. # 300. Near Alsedziai, about 1I km of town; 140; pic. # 209 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     "Known in Yiddish as Tels, I had the opportunity to meet with one of the last surviving Jewish residents. He took me for a walking tour of the Jewish cemetery, where some leading Lithuanian rabbis are buried. Although a small number of graves have been restored by surviving families, most are in bad shape and all are in need of upkeep--an unfortunate state of affairs for the only local memorial to what was once a center of Jewish life in Baltic Europe. I have videotaped the cemetery as well as a statement in Yiddish by the local Jewish resident who has taken it upon himself to take care of some of the graves at his own expense." Source: private (JB)
     "I met Eugenijus Bunka, Yossell's son, whom Davida Handler [ DNHIowa@aol.com ] had employed and highly recommended. As Eugenijus continually lamented Jews who might have supplied first hand information, courtesy of the Germans, were underground. He took us to a series of what he termed "shooting places" marked by modest stones and surrounded by fences, save for that of Plunge where his father and friends had produced exceptional monuments. The contrast of the local attitude was poignant outside Telsh. On the main highway, an important sign, memorial grove, and large traditional chapel commemorated 73 "Lithuanian" martyrs. On the right, an unmarked dirt road led to the mass grave of 7,500 Jews in a simply fenced mound, clearly lesser beings. The cemetery in Telsh while tended by, among others, visitors from the yeshiva in Cleveland, is only a fragment of its original size. The stones are worn and difficult to read, not necessarily associated with the actual grave. Further, as Eugenijus remarked, most, especially the old ones, do not record anything more than the first name and that of a parent. He said typically in the shtetlach, people referred to the Jewish residents by their first names so it was difficult to be certain about their family. He and my wife's cousin walked us around the Jewish quarter and ghetto of Telsh, a small, sad area commemorated by granite markers. They pointed out the rude wooden shul and the nearby decaying yeshiva that had been used as a warehouse."
     "He took us into the Telsh archives but the director, who admitted us after chewing out a subordinate so loudly we could hear her at a distance through the closed door, told us all records after 1940 were kept in Vilna." Date: Fri, 31 Oct 1997; source: Richard Hyman; dadhy@nwlink.com
     "12 Jews, mostly married to non-Jewish origin females, live here. There are attempts at reconstituting the Jewish Community. Four sites, including the Telz Yeshiva, have been returned legally by the Town Council to the Jewish Community. A photo of a park... "in this area the Jewish cemetery was located". Three quarters of the area is now a park. Many stones have been stolen and used for building purposes. About 100 stones exist dating to the mid-1960's, half-legible, many broken and worn. The area was fenced but the gate has been stolen. The tomb of renowned Rabbi Yehuda Leib Bloch and his wife is intact. He and Reb Lazer Gordon were heads of the Telz Yeshiva. This is intact and now used as a carpentry workshop. It was housed here from 1873-1941 then relocated to Cleveland Ohio." Source: Dr. Saul Issroff, saul@issroff.com
    UPDATE: http://www.jewishgen.org/Litvak/HTML/OnlineJournals/TelsiaiJewishCemetery.htm Source: Litvak SIG. [October2003]

TIRKSLIAI:
Mazeikiai, Jewish cemetery; 123; pic. # 165-166 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

TRAKAI:
Forest of Varnikai, about 3 km from Trakai, on the bank of the lake; 176; pic. # 311-312 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

TRAKAI: (Troki)
BOOK: Les langues des inscriptions israelites funeraires au cimetiere de Troki (The languages of the graves inscriptions in Troki [Trakai] cemetery), by L. Hersch. Rome, 193?. 38 pages, French. S37B1841. Notes: 21 tombstones, 1852-1910, Caraites, Hebrew inscriptions (some with Russian or Polish translation added). Source: Tagger, Mathilde. Printed Books on Jewish Cemeteries in the Jewish National and University Library in Jerusalem: an Annotated Bibliography. Jerusalem: The Israel Genealogical Society, 1997.

TRANSKUNEI:
Town population is under 1000 with no current Jewish population. The inactive cemetery is not land-marked. Access is open to all with no caretaker. The isolated, urban hillside has no gate. Current size of cemetery is one acre. The limestone tombstones date from 19th century. 20-100 gravestones are in original location with 75% of surviving stones toppled or broken. Some have portraits on stones. Inscriptions are in Yiddish. The present owner of the cemetery property is unknown. The cemetery property is now derelict. Properties adjacent to the cemetery are residential. The cemetery is visited rarely. The cemetery is not known to have been vandalized. No care, maintenance, or structures. Weather erosion is serious threat. The vegetation overgrowth in the cemetery is a seasonal problem preventing access and damaging stones. Completing this survey on 15 Jul 1997: Herb Trace, MD, 747 Michigan Ave., Evanston, Ill. 60202, tel. 847/475-3461. H-TRACE@nwu.edu . He visited the site in 1991.

TROSKUNAI:
Forest of Pajuoste, about 8 km E of Panevezys 133; pic. # 188-190. Troskkunai, Jewish cemetery; 81; pic. # 60 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

TRYSKIAI:
Alternate names: Tryskie and Trishik (Yiddish). {10128}. The cemetery is located at the end of the third road on the left after the school, which is on the right of the road to Vieksniai. The large gateway arch is well preserved. Memorial plaques have been affixed to either side of the arch. The wall around the cemetery seems to be mostly intact. At first glance, there appear to be no gravestones remaining; however, in the woods beyond the clearing inside the gates one notices a few. And then, as if by magic, more and more stones materialize as one walks into the tall grass and underbrush. Overall, there may be as many as 150-200 gravestones, but many are broken, face down, or heavily weathered and illegible. One grave towards the rear of the cemetery had actually been exhumed. We recorded 38 inscriptions, dating from 1854-1920. Source: Dan Kirschner, 35 Gammons Road, Newton MA 02168. tel: 617-965-6839; kirschnd@bc.edu . Tryskiai, at Virvyte river; 172; pic. # 299. Zagare, town park; 90; pic. # 84-85 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

TURGELIAI:
Forest of Veliucionys, Grigaiciai county; 188; pic. # 343 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

TURMANTAS:
Forest of Krakyne, Deguciai county; 190-191; pic. # 348-350 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

TYTUVENAI:
Forest of Tytuvenai, about 1 km N of Tytuvenai (two massacre sites); 104-105; pic. # 119-121 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     Stasei, a Tytuvenai high school teacher, knows the way to the cemetery in a nearby woods. She directed us through narrow dirt roads, then by foot, over a wire cattle fence, and into the forest. We found a symbolic grave, built to represent a group, as the ones for an "unknown soldier." Except, in this one, no soldier was buried. They were all civilians and all Jews; they were all women and children. The last gruesome fact was that the ones who were not killed when shot were buried alive. Stasei had found this grave many summers before, led to it by her grazing cow.
     A few words were written in Lithuanian: FASISTINIO -TERORO- AUKOMS 1941-1945 (Fascist Terrorist Victims, 1941-1945). Tatjana, a Russian language teacher at the high school, is Jewish. The only one in Tytuvenai! As soon as we met Tatjana, she got into the car and suggested we go back into the woods. There was another Jewish mass grave we must see. This one had three metal plaques fastened to a common headstone, written in Yiddish, Hebrew and Lithuanian. The Hebrew reads: "IN THIS PLACE, THE NAZI MURDERERS AND THEIR COLLABORATORS, ON 25 JUNE 1941, KILLED 140 TZITOVIAN JEWISH HEROS." This indictment of civilian residents assisting the SS Einsatzgruppe soldiers in the massacres contrasted, if not contradicted, the stories I heard in Tytuvenai last month. The comments about the respect the locals had for their Jewish community and how their children walked hand and hand to school with their Jewish classmates. I plan to make a thorough survey by visiting each former shtetl by car, with a translator, to determine which ones have or had a Jewish cemetery. This will include the sites of Holocaust mass graves. The larger ones are well known, well advertised, and have elaborate monuments. I want to document the lonely ones, the ones that are seldom or never visited.
     Anyone who has any ideas or suggestions as to which foundation or agency might help me finance this project, please contact me at Les Gediman; lsg3@juno.com [date? 1998]
     UPDATE: I was there in June 2007 and took photographs. We think Tytuvenai/Siluva cemetery was shared because it was between the two towns and was the only one we know of. There were many very weathered stones in a good sized field. Linda Morzillo at genealogynewsgal@yahoo.com [July 2007]

TVERAI:
Near the village of Geruliai, 10 km of Telsiai; 172; pic. # 300. Near the village of Tverai, Tverai county; 141; pic. # 210 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

TZITOVIAN: see Tytuvnai

U

UKMERGE: (Vilkimir)
All tombstones were gone. Source: Henry & Marion Bernstein; e-mail: hlb@texas.net. Pine forest of Pivonija, about 4 km from Ukmerge; 177-178; pic. # 315-318; source: US Comm. for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/ukmerge/ukmerge.htm [October 2000]

USHPOL: see UZPALIAI

UPYNA: also see SHKUDVIL
Upyna, Jewish cemetery; 160; pic. # 266. Castle-hill of Kalnujai, 2 km from village of Kalnujai; 145; pic. # 224-225 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     Upyna, in western Lithuania, is just north of Tavrig (today's Taurage, just over the East Prussia/Kaliningrad border) in Tavrig District. Town population is 1000-5000 with no current Jewish population. The Jewish cemetery in Upina is not land-marked and has no caretaker. Access is open to all.
     The earliest known Jewish community in the town is 18th century but the date the cemetery was established is unknown. On 21 July 1941, some of the community leaders of Shkudvil (Gaon Reb Moshe Baruch Broide, Benyamin Stein, Shmul Eli Brett and Yackov Dorfman) were taken to the cemetery of Upyna and brutally murdered together with Upyner Jews, including their Rabbi Yitzchak Yoffe. The Holocaust Mass Gravesite in Upyna is co-located with the old Jewish Cemetery. This inactive Orthodox-Hassidic cemetery location is rural (agricultural), on a hillside and at the crown of a hill. The isolated cemetery has a Star of David on the fence/door. The cemetery is reached by turning directly off a public road. A continuous fence and a gate that does not lock surround the 4-acre cemetery. All gravestones or markers have been removed. Their location is unknown. Only a memorial stone for the Jewish Cemetery and a special monument to Holocaust victims exists. This entire section has another memorial to the Holocaust victims, 100 Jews from Upina and the community leaders of Shkudvil, a village about 3 miles away. Henry W. Propp, 105 Cedar Lane, Jamesville, NY 13078, (315) 446-5023 HankPropp@aol.com completed this survey on 20 July 1997.

UTENA:
Forest of Rase, 2 km from Utena; 179-181; pic. # 320-326 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     BOOK: Utianer Benevolent Association (New York, N.Y.) Title: Records, 1937-1977. Description: .6 linear ft. Notes: Landsmanshaft of Jewish immigrants from Utena, Lithuania. … YIVO collections are in Yiddish, Russian, Polish, English, Hebrew, and other European and non-European languages. Location: YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, New York, NY. Control No.: NXYH89-A816 [December 2000]

UZPALIAI:
Forest of Rase, 2 km from Utena; 179-181; pic. # 320-326 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     Estimated 150 graves are in the cemetery off main road. There is a directional sign, but no fence. Source: Linda Cantor; e-mail: lincan@amanda.dorsai.org . Cemetery is in good condition. Myrna Siegel, 2149 Iroquois Rd. Wilmette, IL 60091 ssi448@nwu.edu has a list in Hebrew of some names from the men's section.
http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/Uzpaliai/Uzpaliai.htm Alternate name: Ushpol. [October 2000]

UZVENTIS: Yiddish name Uzhvent
Forest of Pazilvs 3 km from Uzventis, at the road Uzventis-Pasilve 105; pic. # 123. Zagate, town park; 90; pic. # 84-85 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

V

VABALNINKAS:
Forest of Zadeikiai, 4.5 km from Pasvalys; 135; pic. # 195-196 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad Estimated 250 graves in cemetery with no gate. Source: Linda Cantor lincan@amanda.dorsai.org

VAIGUVA:
Outskirts of Kelme, about 2 km N of the township; 102; pic. #112-113. Zagare, town park; 90; pic. #84-85 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

VAINUTAS:
Ravines of Siaudvyciai, about 3 km E of Z. Naumiestis; 162-163; pic. # 273 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

VALKININKAI:
Sept. 8, 1997, we visited the Jewish cemetery at Valkininkai (Olkenik). This cemetery is especially hard to find. One has to drive off the main road and through a pine tree forest on a small dirt road. Three roads meet at one point. Take the road on the left. Suddenly, where the road ends is the cemetery on the left. There is a sign but no gate on the wood fence. This cemetery is huge. Many readable tombstones still stand. Also, many stones have sunken into the ground. Submitted by Marcia Pailet-Abrams Jaffe, Dayton, OH; pailet@infinet.com

VANDZIOGALA: {10729}
     Forest of Borekas, about 1 km N of Vandziogala; 98; pic. # 103-104. Pine Forest of Babtai, 2 km from town, near the Nevezis river; 99; pic. # 105-106. Vandziogala, the Jewish cemetery US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     I transcribed all tombstones. Vandziogala's Jewish cemetery contained approximately 100 legible tombstones and another 10-12 illegible or fallen flat on their face. This cemetery is in quite a good condition as far as Lithuanian Jewish cemeteries go. I gathered this information with the help of my Lithuanian guides, including the wonderful Regina Kopilevich, on three separate dates, July 22, 1996, May 31, 1997 and Sept. 3, 1997. On May 31, 1997, I took photographs of all the legible tombstones in the cemetery, which were processed to a floppy diskette. Source: Ada Greenblatt; ada.Greenblatt@worldnet.att.net

VARENA: (Oran)
     Forest of Vidzgiris, near Alytus; 74-75; pic. # 48-52. Forest of Marcinkonys, between lake Kaslinis and railway station; 182-183; pic. # 329-330. Near Varena, forest, about 1.5 km from town, at the road to village of Druckunai; 182; pic. # 327-328 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     The cemetery is located in the Jewish section of old Varena on a street with many homes. The cemetery is in good condition with over 150 tombstones standing and readable. The very old have sunk into the ground. Most of the stones seem to face the road as do a metal fence with a gate and sign. The fence is in good condition except in the back where it looks as if someone has cut and rolled it apart. (This is strange because at this place the land drops off.) There are many trees growing in this cemetery approximately 68 yards deep and 272 yards long. Submitted by Marcia Pailet-Abrams Jaffe, Dayton, Ohio; pailet@infinet.com

VARNIAI:
Forest near the village of Viesvenai, 2 km m the direction of Luoke; 173; pic. # 302. Forest near the village of Geruliai. 10 km E of Telsiai; 172; pic. # 300; source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

VASKAI:
Forest of Kriausiskes, Vaskai county; 136; pic. # 198. Forest of Gruziai, Vaskai county; 136; pic. # 197
     Forest of Zadeikiai, 4.5 km from Pasvalvs; 135; pic. # 195-196; source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.
US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     {10129} Located along the main road just before one turns to enter the town, the cemetery lies between large cultivated fields and is ringed by shrubs and the remains of a stone wall. There is a memorial plaque along the side of the cemetery and off the main road. Of the nearly 30 standing stones, some are protected from weathering by the dense shrubs. We recorded 25 inscriptions with dates from 1895-1908. Source: Dan Kirschner, 35 Gammons Road, Newton MA 02168. tel: 617-965-6839; email: kirschnd@bc.edu

VEGERIAI:
Mazeikiai, Jewish cemetery; 123; pic. # 165 166 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     On the Latvian border, the Jewish cemetery has perhaps 50-60 standing stones. Source: Carol Baker: 73663.1637@compuserve.com

VEISIEJAI:
A fenced Jewish cemetery lies southeast of the center of town in a residential area. About 100 gravestones are mostly very difficult to read. Source: Yosef Sa'ar; ysaar@actcom.co.il

VEISIEJAI:
This massacre site is near the village of Katkiske, 1 km from Lazdijiai; 118; pic. # l54-155 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
      http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/vishey/vishey.html 54º06' 23º42', 94 kilometers S of Kaunas. [October 2000]

VEIVERIAI:
Prienai, northen outskirts of the town; 142; pic. # 215-216 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

VEIVIRZENAI:
Near the village of Trepkalnis, Veirirzenai county; 109; pic. # 132-133 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

VEKSHNA: (Yiddish) see Vieksniai

VELIUONA:
Forest at the Gystus river, 2 km From Veliuona in the direction of Jurbarkas, The remains were brought to the massacre site in the forest of Pakarkle (see Nr. Vilkija). Source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

VERBALIS: see Virbalis
VERZHBELOV: see Virbalis
VEVYA: see VIEVIS

VIDISKIS:
Pine forest of Pivonija, about 4 km from Ukmerge; 177-178; pic. # 315-318: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

VIDUKLE:
Vidukle, railway station; 146; pic. # 226-227. Vidukle, near the Jewish cemetery; 145; pic. # 223 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
   Located in Kovno/Kaunas Province in Raseiniai district at 55º24' 22º54', 8.8 miles WNW of Raseiniai, the town population is under 1,000 with no Jews.
   Jewish population as of last census before World War II (Give date, if known.) was about 300 according to the museums in Raseiniai and Vilnius.
   The approximately two-acre cemetery site on the crown of a small hill and on flat land between fields and woods along a road with houses and next to the Christian Cemetery is on the edge of town with a Holocaust memorial monument that marks the site as well as mass grave. Across the road was a pond. The Holocaust marker area was swampy. The cemetery is marked by a sign or plaque in Lithuanian mentioning Jews, but the Holocaust Memorial had English too. We talked to the Christian cemetery caretaker, who told us where to look for the old Jewish cemetery up the hill from the Holocaust Memorial. The Holocaust Memorial part of the site looked cared for. The site too did not look as if it had been totally neglected for the 65 years although there were trees growing. Access is open to all with no wall, fence, or gate. Adjacent property is agricultural, residential, and the Christian cemetery.
   The Holocaust marker states 100 Jews were killed there.
   We believe that we saw 3-4 stones with Hebrew inscriptions dating from the early 20th century, one in its original location and more that 75% toppled or broken. One we uncovered. We suspect that there are others buried. It would be a major project to look for more buried ones. My companions and I suspected there probably were more. We believe that the 3-4 stones visible date from the early 20th century and that the cemetery was established before the 1800's with the last burial being the mass graves. Vegetation overgrowth is a constant problem. Water drainage issues are unknown because the swampy area at the base of the hill may or may not include the cemetery. Any possible occasional clearing or cleaning source is unknown.
   Linda Morzillo of Saratoga Springs, NY at genealogynewsgal@yahoo.com was there in June 18, 2007 with an organized Jewish genealogy group and took digital photographs of the cemetery and memorial. She has a picture of a picture of the synagogue of Vidukle probably dating from the 1920's-1930's from her family that lived in the town. She completed the survey on July 26, 2007. Source: [July 2007]


VIEGINTOS:
See Kupiskis US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

VIEKSNIAI:
Yiddish name is Vekshna. Mazeikiai, Jewish cemetery; 123; pic. # 165-166 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     Large Jewish cemetery (next to Christian cemetery in excellent condition) has about 50 stones in very poor condition. [Source?]

VIESHINTOS:

VIEVIS:
Near Semeligkes, outskirts of forest to NE of the town; 176; pic. # 313-314; source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
    UPDATE: THE VIEVIS JEWISH CEMETERY by Harold Perloff, as well as photographs of fourteen remaining stones in the Jewish cemetery, complete with translations, can be read at http://www.jewishgen.org/Litvak/HTML/OnlineJournals/vieviscem.htm [December 2001]
    UPDATE: Also known as Vevya. [November 2002]

VIITYTIS:
Near Viitytis, ravine, E of town; 185; pic. # 336-337; source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.
US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

VILIKIJA:
Cemetery is in good condition with around 150 graves between 1880-1920. Source: Henry & Marion Bernstein; hlb@texas.net
      http://www.mrt5.com/vilkcm/vilkcm.html has photographs of gravestones and cemetery.
      http://www.mrt5.com/vilkidir.html has community history.
      http://www.mrt5.com/Lithuania.html gives directions to the cemetery "… just east of the town on the right hand side of the road coming from Kaunus. It is just past the Christian cemetery, which is on the left side. There is a small wooden sign that says "Zydu Kabines" (Jewish Cemetery). Follow the path by car into the woods about 1/2 km. It's on the left. There are about 80 stones in very good condition. Walking into the cemetery the oldest stones are on the left side. A few were from 1860's, but most from 1890-1920. We met two local Lithuanian woman who take care of the cemetery and keep it from being overgrown. They have erected small stakes around the cemetery to form a fence and are starting to plant pine saplings. When asked if they get paid for doing this they said, 'No. It is our duty to due this. As Lithuanians, we must remember.' The small parking lot in town, just past Kovno Street on the right was the site of the synagogue. It's on the edge of a steep incline with a beautiful view of the river and pastures. All that remains are part of the brick foundation at the bottom of the incline. We were told the synagogue was destroyed when the road was paved." [November 2000]

VILKAVISHKIS: see VILKAVISKIS

VILKAVISKIS:
     Unmaintained cemetery has about 1000 stones in good to average condition. Yiddish name is Vilkovishk. Vilkaviskis, former military shooting-ground; 184; pic. # 333-335 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     {10363} some names only. This large cemetery, open, easily accessible, and quite old, has many pre-WW II graves. However, in general, it is in a serious state of disrepair. A goodly number of the gravestones are missing, fallen over, knocked over, and illegible. So too are many of the standing stones virtually illegible because of weathering and wear. A large number of the stones are readable with generally Yiddish only names. The spellings of the names supplied have been rendered or transliterated into US English: On a few of these individuals, I have some additional information that I would be glad to share with interested individuals. Source: Ron Kathren rkathren@tricity.wsu.edu
      http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/vilkovishk/vilkovishk.html . Alternate names: VILKOVISHK, VILKAVISHKIS, VILKAVISKIO, WILKOWYSZKI, WYLKOWYSZKI. 54º39' 23º02' [October 2000]
    UPDATE: I received a very pleasant reply from the Mayor of Vilkaviskis assuring me of his cooperation. This letter, together with additional pictures that I have received from Marcel Glaskie, show that the Municipality is looking after the cemetery and the amount of clearing that I planned to do now seems minimal. I have almost completed the indexing of the map of the Jewish inhabitants of Vilkaviskis. I am trying to match inhabitants with the Pages of Testimony from Yad Vashem archives. While the map gives just the surname of the inhabitants, the Pages of Testimony give a better picture with names, ages, and sometimes occupations of the inhabitants. A representation of the project can be seen at http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=14087404&uid=6655430/ .
    To be completed: [a] a visit to the Organization of Emigrants from Lithuania in Israel for perhaps more material in the archives. [b] Diaspora Museum has 3 albums of pictures of pre-war Vilkaviskis that I want to obtain and present to the Vilkaviskis Museum. [c] Yad Vashem to find out if other sources of information regarding the Jewish inhabitants of Vilkaviskis exist. Source: Ralph Salinger salinger@kfar-ruppin.org.il.
    UPDATE: Alternative names: Vilkavishkis, Wykowyszki, Wikowyszki, Vilkavikis, Vilkavikio. Located at 54°39' 23°02', 91.2 miles W of Vilnius. Jewish cemetery: http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=14087404&uid=6655430 has photos, a map, and information about the cemetery restoration project. [December 20006]

VILKIJA:
     Forest of Pakarkle, near the village of Jaucakiai 2 km from Vikija; 96; pic. # 97. Village of Jagminiskiai, Vilkija county, the remains were brought to the massacre site in the forest of Pakarkle, near the village of Jaucakiai; 96; pic. # 97 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     For pictures, see: http://www.mrt5.com/vilkcm/vilkcm.html and more information see: "Vilkija is a small village or shtetl about 20 kilometers west of Kaunus. The cemetery is just east of the town on the right hand side of the road coming from Kaunus. It is just past the Christian cemetery, which is on the left side. There is a small wooden sign that says "Zydu Kabines" (Jewish Cemetery). Follow the path by car into the woods about 0.5 km on the left. There are about 80 stones in very good condition. Walking into the cemetery, the oldest stones are on the left side. A few were from 1860's, but most from 1890-1920. We met two local Lithuanian woman who care for the cemetery and its vegetation. They have erected small stakes around the cemetery to form a fence and are starting to plant pine saplings. When asked if they get paid for doing this they said, "No. It is our duty to due this. As Lithuanians, we must remember." The small parking lot in town, just past Kovno Street on the right was the site of the synagogue on the edge of a steep incline with a beautiful view of the river and pastures. All that remains are part of the brick foundation at the bottom of the incline. We were told the synagogue was destroyed when the road was paved." Source: http://www.mrt5.com/Lithuania.html#Vilkija .

VILKOVISHK: see VILKAVISKIS
VILNA: see VILNIUS

VILNIUS:
Yiddish name is Vilna.
Pantrial; 39-47; pic. # 1-12. Subacius str.; 48-49; pic. # 13-15; source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.
Old view of Vilna Jewish cemetery           Large maintained cemetery is still in use with a couple thousand stones or so. Also many new stones commemorate ghetto fighters, Bundists, and underground, etc. Some stones have been moved here from other cemeteries. There is an old lady who "works" there who seems to know where everyone is. In Vilnius (Vilna) are two Jewish cemeteries, one post WWII, that is well kept and quite large, one older, which has been desecrated. Many of its stones were removed for building a large series of steps leading to the Communist Party Headquarters. I have photos of both cemeteries; quite a contrast. Source: Philip Bennet: p.bennett@worldnet.att.net
          There were originally three cemeteries. The Russians built on the old one having first transferred the mausoleum of the Gaon and his family to the new cemetery (first used in 1941). After a considerable outcry, the municipality had restored the remains of the intermediate cemetery, but when we went to visit it in 1995, we found that it had been totally vandalized beyond repair. Source: Len Yodaiken: shoshly@canaan.co.il  
BOOKS:  
Korot beit ha-almin hayashan bevilna (History of the old cemetery in Vilnius), by L. Kloisner. Vilnius, 1935, 114, 28 pages, illustrated, map.
Hebrew text and summary in Polish and Yiddish. S36A638. Notes: 222 tombstones, 1636-1786, Rabbi HaGRAs descendants and pupils genealogy, index. Source: Tagger, Mathilde. Printed Books on Jewish cemeteries in the Jewish National and University Library in Jerusalem: an annotated bibliography . Jerusalem: The Israel Genealogical Society, 1997.
    Author: YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. Title: YIVO Vilna collection on Jewish customs, [ca. 1830-1941]
Description: 3.3 linear ft. Notes: photographs of graves and funerals and commemorative albums; … YIVO collections are in Yiddish, Russian, Polish, English, Hebrew, and other European and non-European languages. Part of YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Vilna, Poland Archives. Location: YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, New York, NY. Control No.: NXYH89-A39 [December 2000]
    Author: Vilna Jewish Community Council. Title: Records, 1800-1940, 1844-1940 (bulk).
Description: 10.9 linear ft. Notes: The Kehillah governed Jewish community of Vilna until abolished in 1844. The Tsedakah Gedolah, whose power extended only to charity, synagogue, and cemetery functions, replaced the Kehillah. Democratically principled New Kehillah that existed from 1919 to 1940 replaced system. Records of Tsedakah Gedolah, including some of the earlier Kehillah, contain … Khevra Kadisha (burial society), 1849-1860; cemetery, 1876-1916; … New Kehillah records consist of … Cemetery Dept., YIVO collections are in Yiddish, Russian, Polish, English, Hebrew, and other European and non-European languages. Inventory. Part of YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Vilna, Poland Archives. Location: YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, New York, NY. Control No.: NXYH89-A9 [December 2000]
       http://www.vilnashul.com/vilna_shul_page.htm is Vilna Center for Jewish Heritage (Vilna Shul- Boston) website. [October 2000]
       http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/vilna/vilna.htm [October 2000]
    UPDATE: The Jewish Community of Lithuania was granted the right to look after the functioning Jewish cemetery in the city, i.e. they are now in charge of insuring the security of the cemetery, cleaning etc. (previously done by the state). They do not own the land, but are in charge. The Community appointed "Stella" company to take care of all the matters pertaining to the cemetery. Company's director is Mr. J. Guring. The company has almost completed the inventory of the cemetery and downloading the data on the computer. The work is costly and the company would like to receive some reimbursement for it. Source: Dr. Alperovitch at jewishcom@post.5ci.lt [February 2002]
     UPDATE: www.bagnowka.com/?m=cm&g=show_pod&idg=2191 has cemetery photos. [March 2007]

VIRBALIS:
     This town on the border of Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, (formerly East Prussia) has a fenced off Jewish cemetery west and south of the center of town in a residential/farming neighborhood. About 150 gravestones exist of which about half are in good condition. Source: Yosef Sa'ar; e-mail: yotam@isracom.co.il      Near Virbalis, 1.7 km N of town; 185; pic. # 338 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
      http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/virbalis/virbaln.html . Alternate names: Virbaln, Verbal, Verzhbelov, Verzhbelova, Wirballen, Wierzbolow at 54º38' 22º50'. [October 2000]

VISHEY: see VEISIEJAI
VISHTINETS: see VISHTYTIS

VISHTYTIS:
http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/vishtinetz/oppenheim.html [October 2000]

VIZUONOS:
VOLKIMIR: see Ukmerge
VOSVEN: see Josvainiai

VYZUONOS:
Forest of Rase, 2 km from Utena; 179-181; pic. # 320-326. Near the village of Janonys, Debeikiai county; 83; pic. # 65 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

W-X

WILKOWYSZKI: see VILKAVISKIS
WIRBALLEN: see VIRBALIS
WIERZBOLOW: see VIRBALIS
WIZAJNY: (on Polish-Lithuanian border). See Poland
WYLKOWYSZKI: see VILKAVISKIS

Y

YANISHKEL: see JONISKELIS
YANOVA: see JONAVA

YLAKIAI:
Ylakiai, Jewish cemetery; 151; pic. # 241-243 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

YONAVA: see JONAVA
YORVORIG: see JURBARKAS
YORBURG: see JURBARKAS
YURBARKAS: see JURBARKAS
YURBURG: see JURBARKAS

Z

ZAGARE:
Alternate names: Zager, Zhager (Yiddish); Novozhagory (New Zagare).
     Zagare, town park; 90 pic. # 84-85. Zagare, Jewish cemetery, near the village of 2uriai; 90; pic. # 83 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     {10840} Unmaintained cemetery contains about 100 stones in poor condition. There were Jews in both Old Zagare and New Zagare. In 1897, 1,629 Jews lived in Old Zagare and 3,814 Jews in New Zagare, essentially two separate Jewish communities. Remnants of Jewish cemeteries in both sides exist. The custom was not to transport a dead body over water. I visited there last summer [date?]and saw both cemeteries. I have pictures. [Source?]
     The cemetery in Novozhagory (New Zagare) remains relatively good, but cemetery in Starozagory (Old Zagare) is destroyed. Few tombstones remain. I found many Braudo family tombstones. Source: Dr. Feigmanis forwarded by Judi Langer Caplan; Judith27@aol.com . Aleksandrs Feigmanis, Kahovkas 2-12 LV-1021, Riga, aleksgen@mailcity.com
On the Latvian border, two Jewish cemeteries each have about 75 standing stones. Source: Carol Baker: 73663.1637@compuserve.com
     The stones in New Zhagar cemetery appear to be made of some very soft stone that is eroding very rapidly. If an emergency effort is not made very soon, they will all be completely illegible. Source: Len Yodaiken: shoshly@canaan.co.il
     The cemetery in Old Zagare is in bad condition; few tombstones still remain there. The cemetery in New Zagare has about 300 remaining tombstones. Source: Aleksandrs Feigmanis, Kahovkas 2-12 LV-1021, Riga, aleksgen@mailcity.com
     I have 133 photographs taken in the Old and New Zagher cemeteries by an acquaintance in England. 34 photographs were taken in the Old Zagher cemetery, the rest in New Zagher. Aside from general views, there are about 118 tombstones of which only 64 are decipherable. Of these, only 26 have a surname. The remaining 38 have only personal names, but sometimes only parts of names are discernable. Most of the tombstones are made of material that has suffered considerably from the weather. The earliest tombstone dates from 1851, the latest from 1934. Since the Jewish community in Zagher was a long established one, obviously, a considerable number of tombstones from the 18th and early 19th century have disappeared. In many cases, the date appears towards the bottom of the tombstone that has sunk into the ground or undergrowth. The surnames deciphered are: Ashkloni, Astrachin, Birenbaum, Freedman (halevy), Gachdash, Hirsch, Idelson, Jaffe, Loenstein, Mandelshtam, Mendelson, Rittow, Rosesohn, Shochat, Shoposnik, Tankel, and Zagorsky,. Some of the surnames appear several times. Source: Chaim Freedman, Petah Tikvah, Israel: fridman@sharenet.co.il

ZAPYSKIS:
Near the village of Dievogala, I km SE of Zapyskis; 97; pic. # 101-102. Western outskirts of Zapygkis; 96; pic. # 98 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

ZARASAI:
Forest of Krakyne, Deguciai county; 190-191; pic. # 348-350 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     Located in the very north of Lithuania on the Latvian border, possibly three Jewish cemeteries exist. Zarasai has a museum in the town center with a map on the wall giving the location of the cemeteries. Zarasai has a huge lake in the center of town. The old cemetery is on a very beautiful peninsula with stones in relatively good condition. On one of the peninsulas going into the lake are around 400 tombstones, a dozen ohels (mausoleums for no better word) with stones from 1870-1920. They are in good condition with little vandalism but briars surround. We could see about 80 stones, but more were completely overgrown in the woods. The other, newer and still-active cemetery is maintained in excellent condition by the town. Tombstones number around 130 graves. Source for both cemeteries: Henry & Marion Bernstein; hlb@texas.net
     "There are two Jewish cemeteries is Zarasai. The old one is on a very beautiful peninsula. The stones were in relatively good condition. We could see about 80 stones, but more were in the woods and were completely overgrown. The other, newer cemetery is still in use. It is maintained by the town and is in very good condition." Source: http://www.mrt5.com/Lithuania.html [Nov 2000]

ZARENAI:
Zarenai (not all facts are known); 175; pic. # 309 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

ZASLAI (Vilna guberniya):
     UPDATE: http://www.jewishgen.org/Litvak/feigmanis.htm [November 2002]

ZASLIAI:
     Forest of Strosiunai, Ziezmariai county (two massacre sites); 92-93; pic. # 89-90. Near Semeliskes, outskirts of the forest NE of the town; 176; pic. # 313-314 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     Most of the cemetery is destroyed but about 400 stones remain, all photographed by Aleksandrs Feigmanis, Kahovkas 2-12 LV-1021, Riga, aleksgen@mailcity.com .
http://www.jewishgen.org/litvak/feigmanis.htm [November 2000]

ZEMAICIU NAUMESTI:
     UPDATE: Also called Novoe Mjesto and Neistat, see http://www.jewishgen.org/Litvak/neistatcem.htm [November 2002]

ZEIMELIS:
     Near the village of Vileisiai, in the forest, about 2 km from Zeimelis; 130; pic. # 181 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     {10215} Yiddish name is Zhaimel. Unmaintained cemetery is in poor condition with about 200 stones. Source of tombstone names: Dr. Feigmanis forwarded by Judi Langer Caplan; Judith27@aol.com. Aleksandrs Feigmanis, Kahovkas 2-12 LV-1021, Riga, aleksgen@mailcity.com
http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/Zeimelis/Zeimelis.htm : 56°17' 24° 00'. Alternate names: Zeimys, Zemel, Zheimel, Ziemel, Zeimeli, Zejmele, Zoimel [October 2000]
     UPDATE: Jewish Cemetery in Zeimelis website with photographs of matzevot and complete translation of genealogically vital data can be found at http://www.jewishgen.org/Litvak/Zeimelis.html

ZEIMIAI:
Kedainiai, near the airport, at Smilga river Zelva, Jewish cemetery; 100; pic. # 107-108 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

ZEIMEL: see ZEIMELIS
ZEIMELI: see ZEIMELIS
ZEIMYS: see ZEIMELIS
ZEJMELE: see ZEIMELIS

ZELVA:
Alternate names: Pazelva, Podzelva, Zhyalva, and Zhelva at 5513 2506, 37.8 miles NNW of Vilnius
     "13 miles E of Vilkomir in former Kovno Guberniya. For town and Jewish history, contact Steven Weiss szome@hotmail.com or see web site: http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/Zelva/Zelva.htm [January 2001]
     Zelva, Jewish cemetery; 178; pic. # 319. Pine forest of Pivonija, about 4 km from Ukmerge; 177-178; pic. #315-318 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
     I was in this town on June 9. I have some photos of the town and some tombstones as well as a VCR tape and one page of the 1858 revision list. Would be happy to share info etc. Source: Joel P Kollin joelpk@usa.net [1996]
      http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/zelva/zelva.html for the Yizkor translation.
     Two other towns named Zelwa, formerly in Lithuania, are now in Belarus. See Belarus for more information. [January 2001]

ZELWA: see ZELVA
ZEMEL: see ZEIMELIS

ZEMAICIU NAUMESTI:
     UPDATE: Also called Novoe Mjesto and Neistat, see http://www.jewishgen.org/Litvak/neistatcem.htm [November 2002]

ZEMAICIY NAUMIESTIS:
Ravines of Siaudvyciai, about 3 km E of Z. Naumiestis; 162-163; pic. #273; source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad
      http://www.shtetlinks.jewishgen.org/naumiestis/naumiestis.html . Alternate names: Neishtot-Tavrig (Lithuanian); Neishtot Sugint (Yiddish); Aleksandrovsk, Aleksandria (Russian). Mass grave: mass graves near the village Siaudvyciai, 3 kilometers E. [October 2000]
     UPDATE: www.bagnowka.com/?m=cm&g=show_pod&idg=2124 and http://www.jewishgen.org/Litvak/HTML/OnlineJournals/neistatcem.htm have cemetery photos. [March 2007]

ZEMILIS {10987}
ZEZMARIAI:
ZHAGER: (Yiddish) see Zagare

ZHARAN:
I met Eugenijus Bunka, Yossell's son, whom Davida Handler DNHIowa@aol.com had employed and highly recommended. Eugenijus summoned up from a back yard a friend who took us to the shul. Damaged heavily during the war and with no obvious Jewish architecture, it now serves as the community center. While an old man pounded the piano, a circle of young people practiced a native dance on a stage under which the ark might once have been located. At least the building has a useful purpose. We met the director, an earnest man, who with Eugenijus's friend walked us to the Jewish section. They, in their fifties, both said their fathers had told them about the murder of the Jews of Zharan. With Eugenijus, they chatted in Lithuanian; and all three laughed heartily. Eugenijus explained they said that the Jewish merchants employed many young Lithuanian girls as servants; people say there is still Jewish blood in Zharan. The towns have, as far as I could see, no tourist industry and therefore, no post cards nor is there a handy town hall with an eager to please researcher ready to delve into organized records as far as I could ascertain. Date: Fri, 31 Oct 1997. Source: Richard Hyman; dadhy@nwlink.com

ZIDIKAI:
Maieikiai, Jewish cemetery; 123; pic. # 165-166 US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

ZIEZMARIAI:
Forest of Strosiunai, Ziemariai county (two massacre sites); 92-93; pic. # 89-90. source: US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. US Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad

ZOIMEL: see ZEIMELIS

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