The LitvakSIG Vital Records (VR) Translation Project focuses on translating the 19th and early 20th century Lithuanian Jewish Communities’ vital records (birth, marriage, death and divorce records) that were microfilmed by the Latter Day Saints (LDS) and has been extended to some vital records that were not microfilmed as well.

The Vital Records Project began in 2000 and is organized by the three Lithuanian Gubernii: (i) Kovno (Kaunas) Guberniya, (ii) Vilna (Vilnius) Gubernia, and (iii) Suwalki Guberniya. Each of these three gubernii are divided into separate shtetl vital records projects. To date, we have translated more than 250,000 of an estimated 800,000 existing records many of which are in the All Lithuania Database. Many more vital records are presently being translated and shared with contributors. However, there are still over 100 shtetls for which we do not have enough funds to start translation.

Qualified contributors for a given vital records project are sent Excel files of all records translated for that shtetl and new translations generated from available funds. This data is provided to the qualified contributors at least one year before the data is made publicly available on the All Lithuania Database ("ALD"). The qualification level varies by shtetl but is generally $100 US per shtetl. Smaller donations can be made over time to build up to the qualification level. Our aim is to make the contribution a single, cumulative requirement, however if a project runs out of funds, it may be required to raise the minimum contribution level for all contributors to continue its mission.

There is a VR Coordinator for each Gubernia who can furnish up to date information on the status of the translation of VR for each shtetl. In some cases, we have a Shtetl VR Coordinator for specific shtetls who is responsible for fundraising. Below is a list of the VR Coordinators by Gubernia along with a list of the shtetls for which VR exist in that Gubernia, and a link to email the VR Coordinator. Each VR Project name below is hyperlinked to a webpage on this site with detailed information on the history and progress of the particular group:

A complete inventory of the specific available records for each shtetls is available on the LitvakSIG Members Website. If you are not a dues-paying member, of LitvakSIG, you can learn more about joining LitvakSIG on the Join LitvakSIG page of this website.

Return to a summary of all LitvakSIG Projects.