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Lithuania Vital Records Database

· Background
· Record Format:
      · Birth Records
      · Marriage Records
      · Death Records
· Records Included
· Notes:
      · Lithuanian Surnames
      · Dates
· Acknowledgements
· Recommendations
· Project Description and Needs
· Search the Database

This database contains Jewish birth, marriage, divorce and death records from Lithuania.

This includes records which were microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah (see Locality Index), as well as non-microfilmed records indexed in archives in Lithuania.

The records during the Czarist period (i.e. those before 1918) were written in both Russian (Cyrillic alphabet) and Hebrew script, although some records are in Russian language only.  The records during the period of Lithuanian independence (i.e. those created between 1919 and 1940) were written in the Lithuanian language, with some Hebrew and Yiddish.

This database currently contains over 300,000 records for 74 towns in Lithuania (see Records Included).

Background

According to the Regulations of 1835 in the Russian Empire, one of the duties of an official state rabbi (a "crown rabbi") was to carry out, solely by his offices, all the rites of circumcision and naming of infants, weddings, dissolution of marriages, and burials "(in populous cities a rabbi could have assistants to carry out those rites)"; to keep metrical books in all its sections and to submit copies of them annually to gubernia authorities, in Hebrew and Russian language.

References:
    - Еврейскяя Энциклопедія Evreiskaia Entsiklopediia [Jewish Encyclopedia] (St. Petersburg: Brokhaus-Efron, 1906-1913). Vol XIII.
    - Levanda Index - KRA, Fond I-49, inventory 1, files 4103, 30048.

Record Format

Birth Records

The birth records typically contain the following information:

  • Name of the child.  Surname and Given Name(s).
    Where there are two names separated by a slash ("/"), one is transliterated from the Russian, one from the Hebrew (in the pre-WWI Czarist records); or the second name in square brackets is the Lithuanian nominative form (in the post-WWI records).
  • Father's Given Name, Paternal Grandfather's Given Name.
  • Mother's Given Name, Maternal Grandfather's Given Name.
  • Mother's maiden surname (usually given if mother is not married).
  • Date of Birth — Day, month and year of birth, in dd/mm/ccyy format.  (See Notes on Dates below).
  • Hebrew Date — Day and month of birth, according to the Jewish calendar.
  • Place of birth — Town, Uyezd (district) and Gubernia (province).
  • Comments — which may include the status (class) and/or occupation of the father.
  • Place registered — the town where the birth was recorded.
  • Year — the year that the birth was registered.
  • Record — the Registration number of birth (number is proceeded by "F" for female or "M" for male).
  • Microfilm / Item — the FHL microfilm number and microfilm item number, if a microfilmed record; or "Not Microfilmed" if not.
  • Image # — The Image number on microfilm, if available (this will enable you to locate the record on the microfilm).
  • Archive / Fond — The Archive and Fond citation — the source of the birth record.  "LVIA" = Lietuvos Valstybės Istorijos Archyvas (Lithuanian State Historical Archives), in Vilnius; "KRA" = Kaunas Regional Archives.

Here are some illustrations of sample pages of birth registers.  Click on each image for a larger view.

1874 Births, Pumpėnai
Two pages: the Cyrillic (Russian language) is on the left side, and the Hebrew is on the right side.
  1. The first line is female birth #14:
    daugher Zlata Gita.  Father: Movshe ZAK, Mother: Lea.
    Born in Pushalot [Pušalotas] on June 16 [1874] = 13 [Tammuz].
  2. Second line is male birth #19:
    son Chonel Leib.  Father: Mendel Leibovich MARGOLIS, Mother Feiga.
    Born in the same place [Pushalot], on June 18 [1874] = 15 [Tammuz], Bris on June 25 [1874] = 22 [Tammuz].
Source: birth records book of Pumpėnai Jewish community of 1874.  LVIA. F.1226., Ap. I., B.594.L. 8v.-9.

1925 Births, Panevėžys
During the period of Lithuanian independence (1919-1940), Jewish civil records were written in both the Lithuanian and Yiddish languages.
These two pages contain four birth records.  The first is for a female (hence the columns for circumcision are blank), the next three are for males.  Translation is below.
Source: Panevėžys archives.

Translation of the first two records above:

  1. The first line is female birth #1, written on 28/VI [June 28, 1925]:
    Daughter: Leia.  Father: Yedidia RIKLIS, merchant.  Mother: Rokhel LEVIN-RIKLIS.
    Born in Panevėžys, on 19/VI [June 19, 1925].
  2. The second line is male birth #5, written on 30/VI [June 30, 1925]:
    Son: Doniel.  Father: Šolom MANDELŠTAM, [Sholom MANDELSHTAM], bookkeeper.  Mother: Baša [Basha] SOFER-MANDELSHTAM.
    Born in Panevėžys, on 1/I/1925 [January 1, 1925], Tevet 5685.
    Circumcision date: 30/VI [June 30, 1925], Tammuz 5685.  Rabbi: Berel ŠPEJER.

The column headings in the original czarist (pre-1918) birth registers are, from left-to-right:

  • Number — Sequential birth number for this year.  Two columns: the first one is for females, the second for males.
  • Who performed the circumcision.
  • Day and month of birth and circumcision — Two columns: Christian / Jewish.
    (Note that the "Christian" date refers to the Julian calendar.  See Notes on Dates below).
  • Where was he/she born.
  • Name of father and mother.
  • Who was born, and what name was given to him/her.

The column headings in the original Lithuanian (1919-1940) birth registers are, from left-to-right:

  • Day of record
  • Male Number  (Sequential birth number for this year).
  • Female Number  (Sequential birth number for this year).
  • Name of the born child, the father's occupation, the father's and mother's name, the father's place of residence.
  • Date of birth (year, month, day), and birth place.
  • Name of Rabbi.
  • Circumcision date (year, month, day).
  • Notes.

Marriage Records

The columns in the marriage and divorce records database are as follows:

  • Marriage Place: Town / Uyezd / Gubernia — The place where the marriage occurred: The name of the town, the uyezd (district), and gubernia (province).
  • Marriage Date — The date that the marriage or divorce took place.  Two dates were recorded: The Secular date (day, month and year, in dd/mm/ccyy format — see Notes on Dates below), and the Hebrew date (day and month, according to the Jewish calendar).
  • Groom Name / Bride Name — Surname and Given Name(s) of the groom and bride.
    Where there are two names separated by a slash ("/"), one is transliterated from the Russian, one from the Hebrew (in the pre-WWI Czarist records); or the second name in square brackets is the Lithuanian nominative form (in the post-WWI records).
  • Groom's Father, Mother & Place / Bride's Father, Mother & Place
    The given name(s) of each of the party's father and mother, and their place of residence.
  • Groom Age / Bride Age — Age (or occassionally, the year of birth) of the groom and bride.
  • Comments — Any miscellaneous information about this marriage, divorce, or the parties.
  • Rabbi / Witness 1 / Witness 2 — The name of the rabbi, and two witnesses.
  • Place Recorded — the town where the marriage or divorce was recorded.
  • Year Recorded — the year that the marriage or divorce was recorded.
  • Record Type — either "Marriage" or "Divorce".
  • Record # — the registration number of the marriage or divorce.
  • Microfilm / Item — the FHL microfilm number and microfilm item number, if a microfilmed record; or "Not Microfilmed" if not.
  • Image # — The Image number on microfilm, if available (this will enable you to locate the record on the microfilm).
  • Archive / Fond — The Archive and Fond citation — the source of the record.  "LVIA" = Lietuvos Valstybės Istorijos Archyvas (Lithuanian State Historical Archives), in Vilnius; "KRA" = Kaunas Regional Archives.

Here are some illustrations of sample pages of a marriage register.  Click on each image for a larger view.

1895 Marriages, Pušalotas:

1900 Marriages, Pušalotas:

Translation of the above two records:

  • Jewish marriage records of Pushalotas, 1895.  Record Nr. 7.  Date of marriage: 6th August 1895.  Place of marriage: Pushalotas.  Rabbi: Datkovski and Sluzh.  Witness: Movsha Kremer and Masil. The script on 75 roubles.  Groom: Aizik GALOMBIK, single, 20 years old, from Ligumai community.  Bride: Buna BARABAN, unmarried woman, 22 years old, from Pushalotas community.
  • Jewish marriage records of Pushalotas, 1900.  Record Nr. 1.  Date of marriage: 18th May 1900.  Place of marriage: Pushalotas.  Rabbi: Zalman Dat and Sluzh.  Witness: Ber Berkovich and Movsha Kremer. The script on 75 roubles.  Groom: Abram-Shmuel ZLOT, reserve soldier, single, 26 years old, from Pushalotas community.  Bride: Rokhel GUREVICH, unmarried woman, 25 years old, from Pushalotas community.

The column headings in the original czarist marriage registers are, from left-to-right:

  • Number — Sequential marriage number for this year.
  • Ages — Two columns: the first one is for the bride, the second for the groom.
  • Who performed the marriage.
  • Day and month (of the marriage) — Two columns: Christian / Jewish.
    (Note that the "Christian" date refers to the Julian calendar.  See Notes on Dates below).
  • Main documents or records between the marriage parties, and witnesses.
  • The names of who is marrying whom, and the names and occupations of their parents.

Death Records

The death records typically contain the following information:

  • Name of the deceased.  Surname and Given Name(s).
    Where there are two names separated by a slash ("/"), one is transliterated from the Russian, one from the Hebrew (in the pre-WWI Czarist records); or the second name in square brackets is the Lithuanian nominative form (in the post-WWI records).
  • Father's Name.
  • Mother's Name.
  • Spouse — Given Name(s) and surname of surviving spouse, if listed.
  • Date of Death — Day, month and year of death, in dd/mm/ccyy format.  (See Notes on Dates below).
  • Hebrew Date — Day and month of death, according to the Jewish calendar.
  • Cause of Death.
  • Age of the deceased.
  • Place of death — Town, Uyezd (district) and Gubernia (province).
  • Place of residence — The town where the deceased resided.
  • Comments
  • Place Recorded — the town where the death was recorded.
  • Year — the year that the death was registered.
  • Record — the registration number of death (number is proceeded by "F" for female or "M" for male).
  • Microfilm / Item — the FHL microfilm number and microfilm item number, if a microfilmed record; or "Not Microfilmed" if not.
  • Image # — The Image number on microfilm, if available (this will enable you to locate the record on the microfilm).
  • Archive / Fond — The Archive and Fond citation — the source of the death record.  "LVIA" = Lietuvos Valstybės Istorijos Archyvas (Lithuanian State Historical Archives), in Vilnius; "KRA" = Kaunas Regional Archives.

The column headings in the original czarist death registers are, from left-to-right:

  • Number — Sequential death number for this year.  Two columns: the first one is for females, the second for males.
  • Where died and buried.
  • Day and month (of death) — Two columns: Christian / Jewish.
    (Note that the "Christian" date refers to the Julian calendar.  See Notes on Dates below).
  • Age (of the deceased).
  • Illness or cuase of death.
  • Who died.

Records included in this Database

The following table contains the inventory of records currently included in this database.  The modern Lithuanian name of each town is followed by the town's Yiddish name, shown in italics and Hebrew characters; and then the town's pre-WWI Russian name, in Cyrillic.

Town Record
Type
Year(s) Source # of Records
B M D
Alytus district
Alita
אַליטע
Олита
Births 1922-39 LVIA 1,679  
Marriages 1881-1939 LVIA   667  
Divorces 1897-1939 LVIA   17  
Deaths 1916-18, 1922-39 LVIA   764
Anykščiai
Aniksht
אַניקשט
Аникщяй
Marriages 1922-1926 LVIA   99 
Deaths 1922-1926 LVIA   93
Ariogala
Ragole
אײראַגאָלע
Эйрагола
Births 1858 FHL 18  
Aukštoji Panemune
Panemun Frentzele
פּאַנעמון
Понемонь
Births 1818-1825 FHL 18  
Deaths 1826-1837 FHL   375
Babtai
Bobt
באַבט
Бобты
Births 1875-1891, 1913-1914 FHL 297  
Marriages 1872-1902 FHL   111  
Deaths 1875-1914 FHL   129
Bagaslaviškis
Bogoslavishok
באָגאָסלאַווישאָק
Богуславишки
Births1873, 1877-1879, 1885, 1886FHL176 
Marriages1854-1861, 1863-1870, 1872FHL 40 
Deaths1854-1856, 1858-1870, 1872FHL 60
Balbieriškis
Balbirishok
באַלבירישאָק
Бальвержишки
Births1808-18272205115161 
1828-1873, 1889, 1903not filmed960
Marriages1828not filmed 1 
1858-1870, 19032331377, 220511573
Deaths 1828, 1858-1873, 1889, 1903 2288943, 2331377, 2205115  156
Biržai
Birzh
בירזש
Биржи
Births 1852, 1861-63, 1865-1887, 1891, 1893-1914 FHL 3,520  
Marriages 1862-1914 FHL  833 
Divorces 1890-1892 LVIA  8 
Deaths 1861-1910, 1913-14 FHL   2,216
Biržai district
Birzh
בירזש
Биржи
Deaths 1922-1939 LVIA   253
Butrimonys
Butrimantz
בוטרימאַנץ
Бутрыманцы
Births1866 -1884, 1888-1890, 1893 -1912, 1914FHL1,175 
Deaths 1922-1926 LVIA   69
Čekiške
Tzeikishok
צײַקישאָק
Чекишки
Births 1865-1906 FHL 919  
Marriages 1863-1914 FHL   212  
Divorces 1871-1872 FHL   2  
Deaths 1862-1914 FHL   498
Dotnuva
Dotneva
דאַטנעווע
Датново
Births 1836-1837, 1844, 1854-1914 FHL 390  
Marriages 1854-1890 FHL   91  
Deaths 1854-1914 FHL  222
Dusetos
Dusiat
דוסיאַט
Дусяты
Marriages 1922-1926 FHL   26  
Deaths 1922-1926 FHL  51
Gelvonai
Gelvan
געלוואַן
Гелваны
Births1854-1872FHL178 
Marriages1854, 1856-1860, 1863, 1865-1872FHL 31 
Deaths1854-1872FHL 152
Grinkiškis
Grinkishok
גרינקישאָק
Гринкишки
Births 1844, 1873-1914 FHL 536  
Jonava
Yanove
יאַנעווע
Яново
Births 1851-1914 FHL 5,792  
1922-31 LVIA 606
Marriages 1854-1914 FHL   1,308  
1927-1931 LVIA 81
Divorces 1856 / 1926 FHL   91  
1924-1931 LVIA 8
Deaths 1854-1914 FHL   3,708
1922-1930 LVIA 263
Joniškėlis
Yanishkel
יאַנישקעל
Иоганишкели
Births 1899 FHL 10 
Marriages 1887-1893, 1899 FHL   14  
Deaths 1912-1914 FHL   7
Joniškis district
Yanishok
יאַנישאָק
Йонишки
Marriages 1927-1939 LVIA   207  
Divorces 1926-1937 LVIA   8  
Deaths 1919-1939 LVIA   589
Josvainiai
Yosven
יאָסווען
Ясвойни
Births 1836-1837, 1844, 1873-1914 FHL 868  
Marriages 1844-1906 FHL   158  
Kaišiadorys district
Koshedar
קאָשעדאַר
Кошедары
Births 1918-1940 LVIA 1,025 
Kalvarija
Kalvarye
קאַלװאָריע
Калвария
Marriages1890-1939not filmed 23 
Divorces1922-1936not filmed12
Deaths1922-1939not filmed 392
Kapčiamiestis
Kopcheve
קאָפּטשעווע
Копциово
Births1809-1825not filmed24 
Marriages1810-1825746639; 746640 5 
Deaths1810-1824746639 10
Kaunas
Kovne
קאװנע
Ковно
Births 1842-43, 1849-50, 1854-55, 1858-63, 1865-66, 1880-85 FHL 7,898 
Marriages 1881-1908 FHL   3,398 
1922 LVIA 372
Kėdainiai
Keidan
קיידאַן
Кейданы
Births 1822, 1848, 1851-52, 1854, 1856-60, 1862-63, 1865-71, 1873-88,
1892, 1895, 1897, 1899, 1901-03, 1906-10, 1912-14
FHL 4,262 
1922-1939 LVIA 1,391
Marriages 1838, 1849, 1854-55, 1859-61, 1865, 1867-1900 FHL   1,247 
1922-1939 LVIA 555
Divorces 1854-1912 FHL  252 
Deaths 1854-1910 FHL   3,424
1922-1939 LVIA 616
Krakės
Krok
קראָק
Кроки
Births 1844, 1854-1864, 1891-1912 FHL 975 
Marriages 1844, 1854-1864, 1891-1914, 1922-1939 FHL + LVIA   400 
Divorces 1885-1912 LVIA   17 
Deaths 1844, 1854-1864, 1878, 1891-1914, 1922-1939 FHL + LVIA   807
Krekenava
Krakinove
קראַקינאָווע
Кракиново
Marriages 1922-1926 LVIA   27 
Deaths 1922-1926 LVIA   35
Kudirkos Naumiestis
Nayshtot Shaki
נײַשטאָט־שאַקי
Владиславов
Births1870, 1874-1882 725624; 725626; 725627; 725628; 2343143 232 
Marriages1817-18502205115 229 
1851-1926not filmed443
Deaths1812-1851FHL 1,509
1852-1926not filmed1,673
Kupiškis
Kupishok
קופּישאָק
Купишки
Births 1900, 1905-14 FHL 554  
1920-1940 LVIA 414
Marriages 1870-71, 1874-75, 1877-1914 FHL   734  
1922-1940 LVIA 247
Divorces 1898-1901 FHL   4  
Deaths 1871-1881, 1883-84, 1886-87, 1889-92, 1894-95, 1897-1900, 1906-14 FHL  1,291
1920-1940 LVIA 257
Lazdijai district
Lazdei
לאַזדיי
Лаздияй
Births 1919-39 LVIA 327  
Marriages 1919-39 LVIA   153  
Divorces 1919-39 LVIA   7  
Laukuva
Loikeve
לויקעווע
Marriages 1852-1854, 1857-1863 LVIA   40  
Leipalingis
Leipun
לייפּון
Лейпуны
Births1810-1825746639; 74664036 
Marriages1811-1815746653; 746654; 746655 9 
Deaths1808-1825746653 35
Linkuva
Linkeve
לינקעװע
Линково
Births 1859, 1862, 1865-1878 FHL 704  
1895-1914, 1922, 24, 25 LVIA 512
Marriages 1865-66, 1869-80 FHL   160  
1881-1914, 1922-1926 LVIA 375
Divorces 1882-1926 LVIA   13  
Deaths 1865-1875, 1881-1898,1913-1914, 1922-1926 FHL+LVIA   960
Marijampolė
Mariampol
מאַריאַמפּאָל
Марьямполь
Births1823746653; 746654; 74665525 
Marriages1922-1939not filmed 391 
Deaths1922-19392205115 485
Merkinė
Meretch
מערעטש
Меречь
Births1856, 1860, 1863-1867, 1869, 1872-1875, 1877FHL631 
Mikališkis
Mikhalishok
מיכאַלישאָק
Михалишки
Births1854-1872, 1884-1887, 1923-1938FHL827 
Molėtai
Maliat
מאַליאַט
Маляты
Births 1853-1872 FHL 400 
Marriages 1854-1871 FHL  86 
Divorces 1855 / 1871 FHL  21 
Deaths 1853-57, 1859-72, 1898, 1900-02, 1904-15 FHL   1,052
Naujamiestis
נײַשטאָט־פּאָנעװעזש
Novoe Mesto
Births 1874, 1887, 1888 LVIA 38  
Marriages 1872, 1874 FHL   8  
Nemunaitis
Nemoneitz
נעמונײַץ
Немонайцы
Marriages1857, 1861, 1865-1867, 1870-1877, 1883-1889, 1891-1894, 1896-1903, 1906, 1909, 1912, 1913FHL 102 
Divorces1871FHL 2 
Deaths1863, 186, 1867, 1870-1877, 1889-1892, 1894, 1896-1911, 1913FHL 195
Obeliai
Abel
אַבעל
Births 1881-1915 Moscow 539 
Marriages 1887-1906 Moscow  125 
Divorces 1887-1906 Moscow  1 
Deaths 1881-1915 Moscow   231
Pakruojis
Pokroi
פּאָקראָי
Покрои
Births 1865-1888, 1894-1904 FHL 1,657  
Marriages 1865-1906 FHL   451  
Divorces 1876-1893 FHL   34  
Deaths 1856-1914 FHL   1,246
Panevėžys 
Ponevezh
פּאָנעװעזש
Поневеж
Births 1844-1850, 1854, 1857-60, 1867, 1875-76, 1878, 1883, 1885, 1892-1905 FHL 4,698  
1925-1940 LVIA   2,216
Marriages 1872-1875, 1878, 1880-1906 FHL   1,742  
1907-1940 LVIA   1,426
Divorces 1872-1909 FHL   87  
1907-1925 LVIA 36
Deaths 1872-1915 FHL   5,286
1922-1940 LVIA 1,840
Pasvalys
Posvel
פּאָסװאָל
Посволь
Births 1854-1858, 1866-1874, 1882-89, 1893-1906 FHL 2,108  
Marriages 1854-1861, 1867-1874, 1882-1906 FHL   576  
1922-1939 LVIA 207
Divorces 1856-1868 FHL   3  
Deaths 1870-74, 1882-1915 FHL   979
1912-1914, 1922-1939 LVIA 319
Pašvitinys
Poshvetin
פּאָשוועטין
Пашвитин
Deaths 1922-1926 LVIA   15
Plungė
Plungian
פּלונגיאַן
Плунгяны
Births 1837-42, 1857-60, 1863-67, 1878-82, 1901-1905 FHL 2,186  
Marriages 1846, 1848, 1854-1856, 1858-1861, 1875-1906 FHL   907  
Pumpėnai
Pompian
פּומפּיאַן
Помпяны
Births 1855, 1858, 1860-61, 1863-87, 1894-1906 FHL 1,862  
Marriages 1855, 1860-61, 1863, 1865-95 FHL   353  
Divorces 1855 / 1907 FHL   40  
Deaths 1854-56, 1859-61, 1865-1914 FHL   1,235
Pušalotas
Pushelot
פּושאַלאַט
Пушелаты
Births 1885-1912 FHL 475  
1922-1939 LVIA 97
Marriages 1883-1912 FHL   127  
1904-1939 LVIA 27
Deaths 1883-1912 FHL   245
1924-1939 LVIA 27
Raguva
Rogeve
ראָגעווע
Рогово
Marriages 1922-1926 LVIA   46  
Deaths 1922-1926 LVIA   43
Ramygala
Remigole
רעמיגאָלע
Ремигола
Deaths 1889, 1894, 1896 FHL   68
Raseiniai
Rasayn
ראַסיין
Россиены
Births 1845 FHL 251  
Marriages 1844-45 FHL   60  
Deaths 1845 FHL   224
Raseiniai district
Rasayn
ראַסיין
Россиены
Marriages 1922-1939 LVIA   354  
Deaths 1922-1939 LVIA   914
Rokiškis
Rakishok
ראַקישאָק
Рокишкис
Births 1874-1896 LVIA 1,282  
Marriages 1874-1896 LVIA   193  
Deaths 1874-1896, 1922-1939 LVIA     1,680
Rokiškis district
Rakishok
ראַקישאָק
Рокишкис
Births 1922-1939 LVIA 1,403  
Marriages 1922-1939 LVIA   447  
Divorces 1922-1939 LVIA   13 
Rumšiškes
Rumshishok
רומשישאָק
Румшишки
Births 1854-1914 FHL 1,077  
Šakiai
Shaki
שאַקי
Шаки
Births1848-1868not filmed1,147 
Marriages1884-19392205116; 2205118 140 
Saločiai
Salat
סאַלאַט
Салаты
Births 1874-1875 FHL 45  
1897-1901 LVIA 48
Shchuchyn
Shtutchin
שצ'וצ'ין
Щучин
Births1896-1914FHL649 
Seredžius
Srednik
סרעדניק
Средники
Births 1844, 1865-1895, 1897-1906 FHL 1,240  
Marriages 1884-1906 FHL   148  
Divorces 1856-1883 FHL   3  
Deaths 1844, 1854-1902 FHL   731
1903-1913 LVIA 152
Šiauliai district
Shavl
שאָװל
Шавли
Deaths 1922-1939 FHL   1,358
Šilalė
Shilel
שילעל
Шилели
Births 1914-1939 LVIA 319  
Marriages 1922-1939 LVIA   138  
Deaths 1922-1939 LVIA   269
Simnas
Simna
סימנע
Симнас
Births 1922-1926 LVIA 66  
Marriages 1922-1925 LVIA   16  
Deaths 1922-1925 LVIA   26
Širvintos
Shirvint
שירווינט
Ширвинты
Births 1854-61, 1863-72 FHL 388  
Marriages 1854-72 FHL  70  
Deaths 1854-72 FHL   147
Šnipiškės
Shnipishuk
שניפּישאָק
Кальварийские Снипишки
Births1894, 1895, 1899FHL525 
Stakliškės
Stoklishok
סטאָקלישאָק
Стоклишки
Births1854, 1855, 1857, 1871-1886, 1889-1893, 1895-1897, 1899-1908, 1910-1914FHL1,042 
Deaths1854-1857, 1871-1887, 1889-1896, 1898-1900, 1902-1908, 1910-1913FHL 753
Telšiai
Telzh
טעלז
Тельши
Marriages 1854-1884 FHL   866  
Utena district
Utiyan
אוטיאַן
Уцяны
Births 1922-39 LVIA 962  
Ukmergė
Vilkomir
װילקאָמיר
Вилькомир
Births 1895 FHL 268  
Marriages 1922-1926 LVIA   234  
Deaths 1922-1939 LVIA   1,076
Vabalninkas
Vabolnik
וואַבאָלניק
Вобольники
Births 1872-77, 1879-88, 1894-1902, 1904-10, 1912, 1914 FHL 1,290  
Marriages 1872-1880, 1882-1914 FHL   296  
Divorces 1876-1900 FHL   13  
Deaths 1872-1878, 1882-1914 FHL   855
Vandžiogala
Vendzigole
ווענדזיגאָלע
Вендзягола
Births 1856-1892, 1913-1914 FHL 435  
Marriages 1854-1914 FHL   108  
Deaths 1856-1890, 1907-1914 FHL   167
Varniai
Vorne
וואָרנע
Ворни
Births 1852-1883 FHL 1,627  
Marriages 1852-1906 FHL   505  
Deaths 1852-1875, 1881-1889, 1893-1913 FHL   1,490
Veisiejai
Vishai
ווישיי
Вейсеяй
Births1808-1825not filmed88 
Marriages1809752624; 752628 9 
Deaths1808-1825752624 76
Veliuona
Velon
ווילאָן
Велиона
Deaths 1844, 1862-1914 FHL   353
Vilijampolė
Slabodke
סלאַבאָדקע
Вилиянпольская
Births 1873-1876, 1880-1882, 1884-1885, 1890-1891 FHL 2,407 
Marriages 1855-1914 FHL   1,548  
Deaths 1881 FHL   198
Vilkaviškis district
Vilkovishk
װילקאָװישק
Вилковишки
Marriages 1922-1939 FHL   363  
Divorces 1925-1936 FHL   15  
Deaths 1922-1939 FHL   756
Vilkija
Vilki
ווילקי
Вильки
Births 1838, 1840, 1847, 1854-1895, 1897-1914 FHL 2,533  
Divorces 1914 FHL   1  
Deaths 1844-1914 FHL   1,305
Vilna uyezd
3rd okrug [*]
ווילנע
Вильна уезд
Births 1892-1895 FHL 345  
Marriages 1893-1895 FHL   79  
Vilnius
Vilne
ווילנע
Вильна, Bильнюc
Births1839-1853, 1860, 186-1873, 1891-1900FHL25,125 
Deaths1837-1850, 1861-1871, 1878, 1879, 1881-1884, 1886-1900FHL 56,137
Žasliai
Zhosle
זאָסלע
Жосли
Births1873, 1877-1879, 1885, 1886FHL86 
Deaths1871, 1874FHL 54
Žeimelis
Zhemel
זײמל
Жеймели
Births 1860-62, 1864-70, 1873-80 FHL 496  
1881-88, 1893-1913, 1922-23, 1925-26
LVIA 666
Marriages 1858, 1860, 1862-80, 1882-1914 FHL   289  
Deaths 1859-60, 1862, 1864-71, 1873-1880 FHL   350
1882-1898, 1913-14, 1925-26 LVIA 298
Žiežmariai
Zhezmir
זעזמער
Жижморы
Births1878-1885, 1887-1893, 1896-1904, 1906-1914, 1915FHL702 
Deaths185, 186, 1878-1891, 1893-1896, 1900-1906, 1909, 1910, 1912-1914FHL 526
TOTAL  117,223  25,963  105,217

* Vilna uyezd (district), 3rd okrug (sub-district) includes these towns:

Giedraičiai   55°05' 25°17'   28 miles N of Vilna Гедройцы (Gedroĭtsy).
Inturkė55°10' 25°33'   35 miles NNE of Vilna   Интурки (Inturki).
Molėtai55°14' 25°25'   38 miles N of Vilna Маляты (Maliaty).
Nemenčinė   54°51' 25°29'   13 miles NNE of Vilna   Неменчин (Nemenchin); (inter-war Niemenczyn, Wilno-Troki, Wilno, Poland).
Paberžė54°56' 25°14'   18 miles N of Vilna Подберезье (Podberez'e); (inter-war Podbrzezie, Wilno-Troki, Wilno, Poland).

Inter-war Rabbinate Districts:   In independent Lithuania, between the two world wars (1919-1939), Jewish vital records were organized by "rabbinate district", especially after 1926.  These rabbinate districts generally corresponded to the 23 inter-war Lithuanian apskritis (districts), and included:

  • Alytus rabbinate district — includes: Alytus, Butrimonys, Daugai, Jieznas, Merkinė, Miroslavas, Nemunaitis, Seirijai, Simnas, Stakliškės, Varėna.
  • Biržai rabbinate district — includes: Biržai, Nemunėlio Radviliškis, Saločiai, Vabalninkas.
  • Joniškis rabbinate district — includes: Joniškis, Krukiai, Linkuva, Pašvitinys, Žagarė, Žeimelis.
  • Kaišiadorys rabbinate district — includes: Aukštadvaris, Čiobiškis, Darsuniškis, Kaišiadorys, Lentvaris, Onuškis, Panošiškes, Semeliskes, Vievis, Žasliai, Žiežmariai.
  • Kėdainiai rabbinate district — includes: Ariogala, Baisogala, Dotnuva, Josvainiai, Kėdainiai, Šeta.
  • Lazdijai rabbinate district — includes: Kapčiamiestis, Lazdijai, Leipalingis, Rudamina, Veisiejai.
  • Raseiniai rabbinate district — includes: Girkalnis, Jurbarkas, Nemakščiai, Raseiniai, Šiluva, Tytuvėnai.
  • Rokiškis rabbinate district — includes: Jūžintai, Kamajai, Obeliai, Onuškis, Pandėlys, Panemunėlis, Rokiškis, Skapiškis, Suvainiškis, Svėdasai.
  • Šiauliai rabbinate district — includes: Gruzdžiai, Kuršenai, Lygumai, Pakruojis, Papilė, Radviliškis, Šiaulėnai, Šiauliai, Tryškiai.
  • Ukmergė rabbinate district — includes: Bagaslaviškis, Balninkai, Gelvonai, Giedraičiai, Kavarskas, Kurkliai, Musninkai, Šešuoliai, Siesikai, Širvintos, Taujenai, Vidiškiai, Ukmergė, Želva.
  • Utena rabbinate district — includes: Anykščiai, Debeikiai, Kurkliai, Leliunai, Skudiskis, Tauragnai, Utena, Užpaliai, Vyžuonos.
  • Vilkaviškis rabbinate district — includes: Pilviškiai, Vilkaviškis.

Is your town missing?
See below under Project Description and Needs to see how your town's records can appear!


Notes

Notes on Lithuanian Surnames

The Lithuanian language adds specific endings to a surname, which indicate whether an individual is single, married, male, female, etc.  This information can be very helpful when interpreting documents written in Lithuanian.

Lithuanian endings are added to the root of the surname.  Several examples are below:

  • For a male, the suffix can appear as “-as”, “-(i)us”, or “-is”.
    KAGAN becomes KAGANAS (“-as” is the usual Lithuanian ending for male surnames).
    However, after a soft letter, such as “ch”, the ending would be “-ius”, e.g. KAGANOVITCH becomes KAGANOVITCHIUS.

  • For married women, without exception, the surnames have the ending “-iene”.
    The “-iene” suffix is added to the male surname root, e.g. KAGAN becomes KAGANIENE, KAGANOVITCH becomes KAGANOVITCHIENE.

  • For unmarried women, (e.g. a single daughter), her surname depends on her father's surname ending.

    • If it was “-as”, it becomes “-aite”.  KAGANAS and his daughter KAGANAITE.
    • If it was “-ius”, it becomes “-iute”.  KAGANOVITCHIUS - KAGANOVITCHIUTE.
    • If it was “-is”, it becomes “-yte”.  KATCHERGINSKIS - KATCHERGINSKYTE.

Notes on Dates

The "Christian" date used in the Czarist registers refers to the Julian calendar, used by the Russian Czarist government and the Russian Orthodox Church.  The Julian calendar was used in Russia until the Russian Revolution of 1917.  The Gregorian calendar has been in use by the rest of Europe since the mid-1700s, and is used worldwide today.

During the 1700s, the difference between the two calendars was 11 days.  Beginning on March 1, 1800, there was a 12-day gap between the two dates.  On March 1, 1900, the difference became 13 days.  The date difference will become 14 days on March 1, 2100.

For example, 2 July 1856 on the Julian calendar is 14 July 1856 on the Gregorian calendar.  24 June 1882 on the Julian calendar is 6 July 1882 on the Gregorian calendar.

During the period of Lithuanian independence (i.e. 1919-1940), the Gregorian calendar was used.


Acknowledgements

The English translation of the microfilmed vital records for Biržai, Kupiškis, Panevėžys, Pasvalys, Pušalotas, Rokiškis, and Saločiai was done from the original records in the Lithuanian State Historical Archive in Vilnius.  The translation work was paid for by Aaron Roetenberg, Howard Margol, Rokiškis SIG, the Mamolen family and/or the Kupiškis SIG.  The Meister family contributed for Plungė.  Barry Mann donated all the translations for Žeimelis.

The English translation of the Pušalotas vital records that were not microfilmed were translated by Howard Margol from the original records with the help of a Lithuanian translator.  The Kupiškis vital records that were not microfilmed were translated by Ann Rabinowitz.

Records for the towns of Kėdainiai, Molėtai, Pumpėnai, Raseiniai, Širvintos, Vilkija, and Vilna uyezd 3rd okrug were donated by the LitvakSIG.

This introduction was written by Warren Blatt.  Illustrations provided by Aaron Roetenberg and Howard Margol.


Recommendations

Search the records using the Daitch-Mokotoff Soundex as well as the exact name, due to variations in spelling, and because some records were transliterated from Russian only and not Hebrew.

Search these records even if you know your relatives came from a different town.  Our relatives moved around quite a lot, so the records that you are searching for could be in any database.


Project Description and Needs

This project can be very extensive and of great importance due to the extreme value of vital records.  In most cases, the birth record includes the name of the father and the mother, which enables a researcher to go back one more generation.  The marriage record includes the name of the parents and, on many records, the maiden name of the bride.  All vital records provide definite dates, which help to develop a timeline on a family tree.

The English translation of the vital records is being done by qualified translators in Lithuania, working with the original records.  This enables the translations to be extremely accurate.

Because of Lithuania's 100-year privacy law, private researchers are not allowed to view the post-1912 birth and marriage records (a 50-year privacy law applies to death records).  Thru special arrangements with the Lithuanian archives, the post-1912 vital records are being translated and will become a part of this database.

The extent of this database depends entirely upon your help and generosity.  If you donate at a certain level (determined for each town), all of the vital records translations for that town will be sent to you.  The ability to view all of a town's records can oftentimes turn up unexpected and valuable results, which might not be easily seen in a search of the database.  If you are interested in financing the translation for a town of your choice, please contact the co-coordinators of the project – Aaron Roetenberg or Howard Margol.

To contribute to this project, please go to: http://www.jewishgen.org/JewishGen-erosity.


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