The Lithuanian Global Genealogical Society puts out a biannual newsletter called "Proteviai", typically in the Spring/Summer - Fall/Winter) as part of the membership benefits of our Society. The articles submitted and published have come from a wide variety of sources that provides a range of information on Lithuanian history, culture, and other topics that we believe to be beneficial to not only the genealogist, but to the Lithuanian enthusiast as well. We are always looking for good articles pertaining to Lithuanian history, culture, events, etc. and you may contact us if you have an interest in being published in a future newsletter. Also, we are looking for Lithuanian historians and genealogist from abroad that can provide information or articles for searching records abroad.

To preview past issues, click HERE . To purchase back issues, visit our Products page.

The following is a preview of our latest DOUBLE issue (Vol.7, No.1 + Vol.7, No.2)

Preview: Special Double Issue
Our special double issue of Proteviai has been released to our paid members. This is a double issue, 48 pages long, meant to help us get back on schedule after we were unable to do an issue during the calendar year of 2006. We are issuing it as both the Spring/Summer 2006 and Fall/Winter 2006 issues, and we are already at work on the Spring/Summer 2007 issue. Finding good material is difficult, and sometimes it takes longer than we’d like; but we hope our members will feel that this double issue was worth the wait.

Here is a brief summary of its contents:

-- “LGGS Delivers Letters on Key Issues to Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus,” by Diane B. Rooney. This article provides an update on LGGS’s ongoing contacts with President Adamkus and the Lithuanian Archives. LGGS Membership Director Diane Rooney met with President Adamkus in February, and gave him two letters from LGGS President Richard Gostautas, expressing the Society’s concern over preserving Lithuanian cultural artifacts, and especially the documents in the Lithuanian State Historical Archives. This update is followed by the text of Richard Gostautas’s letter to the Lithuanian Archives Department, and the reply from the head of that Department.

-- “The Lithuanian Genealogist’s Guide to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania,” by Diane B. Rooney. Diane’s guide to Schuylkill County in the Fall 2006 Proteviai was so popular that Diane offered to do a similar guide for Luzerne County. If you have roots in that area, you need this guide!

-- “A Personal Journey to Lithuania,” by Greg Sevelis. This in-depth article tells how Greg traced his family’s roots back to Lithuania, and tells of his visit to his ancestors’ home. Its value – over and beyond the human interest angle – is the detailed description of the sources he used. You may pick up some valuable pointers as you see how a persistent, imaginative researcher successfully traced his roots.

-- “Charles Pansirna, Chicago Lithuanian Photographer,” by Ed Lapinskas. This article tells the story of a Lithuanian immigrant who opened a photography studio in Chicago. It is accompanied by nine of Mr. Pansirna’s photographs, truly windows into the past.

-- “Spotlight on Towns in Lithuania: Vilnius.” Part one is a translation of a Lithuanian scholar’s analysis of the origin of the name Vilnius. Part two is a translation of a lengthy report from a late-19th century Polish-language gazetteer; it examines the city’s location, climate, area, population, administration, revenues and expenses, industry and trade, churches and schools and hospitals. While hardly light reading, this is valuable reference material , with information you’ll have trouble finding anywhere else! Who knew Vilnius’s income in the late 19th century included sales of the right to cut ice from the river and to remove manure produced by the horses of the fire department?!

-- “The Last Stage of Genealogy,” by Joseph Brazan. This article tells of the author’s contact with relatives in Lithuania, which led to an exhibition of his photography at a Museum in Kupiškis, his father’s birthplace. The article includes a translation of a Lithuanian newspaper’s report on the exhibition, and a sampling of photos from the event.

-- “Aunt Ona Botiriute,” by Tom Šlekaitis. The author shares information on the life of a particularly interesting ancestor, who came to America and then went back home to Lithuania. It cites sources and includes photographs of a woman who led a fascinating life. Not everyone who left Lithuania stayed away!

The issue also includes recurring features such as the President’s Report, News and Notes, and analysis of a Lithuanian surname by Fred Hoffman.

We hope our members will enjoy this issue and will continue to support the Society that publishes it!

We hope you find this issue interesting, and wish you the best of luck with your research!

Fred Hoffman (wfh@langline.com), Editor of Proteviai

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(July 1, 1999-June 30, 2000)

Vol. 1, No. 1 [Expanded Preview]
"Historical Background for Lithuanian Research," by Jonathan D. Shea:
"Jewish Genealogical Resources at the Kaunas State Archives," by Vitalija Gircyte
"Lithuanian Patriotic Names, 1878-1991," by Professors Edwin D. Lawson and Alvydas Butkus
"Catholic Parish and Cemetery Records, Diocese of Pittsburgh," by Robert Medonis.

Vol. 1, No. 2 [Expanded Preview]
"Researching Lithuanians in Chicago," by Arleen Gould
"Translation of the Slownik Geograficzny Entry of Eisiskes/Ejszyski," Translated by Barbara Proko
"Translating Russian-Language Vital Records," by William F. Hoffman & Jonathan D. Shea
"Matching Faces with Names in Los Angeles," by Karen Vincent (Vinciunas)

(July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2001)

Vol. 2, No. 1 [Expanded Preview]
"Be Persistent but Patient: Looking for Ancestors and Relatives in Lithuania," by Alius Pleskiaciauskas
"Lithuanians in Chicago: Off the Boat at Bridgeport," by Thomas Gregg
"Template for a Lithuanian Family Group Record," by Fred Hoffman
"My Research in Lithuania," by Bill Succolosky
"Translated Excerpts from the Slownik Geograficzny," by Fred Hoffman
"Notes on the Origins and Meanings of Lithuanian Surnames," by William Fred Hoffman

Vol. 2, No. 2 [Expanded Preview]
"My Lithuanian Cousins," by Jeanne Leita Stump
"World War II Draft Registration Records," by Arleen Gould
"Lithuanians in Chicago Miniseries," by Thomas Gregg
"A Guide to Writing Letters in Lithuanian," by Giedrius Subacius
"Notes on the Origins & Meanings of Lithuanian Surnames," by William F. Hoffman
"Don's Y2K Trip-of-a-lifetime," by Don Adamavich

(July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2002)
Vol. 3, No. 1 [Expanded Preview]
"Notes on the Evolution of Lithuanian-Polish Nobility," by Leon Stevens Part 1
"The Lithuanians of Cleveland Part 1," Charles W. Coulter, Department of Sociology, Western Reserve University Published by Cleveland Americanization Committee, Cleveland 1920
"Listing of Lithuanian Roman Catholic Parishes in the U.S.," compiled by Joe Mickunas

Vol. 3, No. 2 (This issue was mismarked as Vol.3 No. 1)
"Deciphering Obituaries in Lithuanian," by Arleen Gould
"Notes on the Evolution of the Lituanian-Polish Nobility," by Leon Sevens Part 2
"The Lithuanians of Cleveland Part 2," Charles W. Coulter, Department of Sociology, Western Reserve University
"Fire In the Forest," by Thomas Gregg

(Spring/Summer 2003)
Vol. 4, No. 1 [Expanded Preview]
"Genealogy 101-Naturalization," by Arleen Gould
"The Effects of Lithuania's History and Language on Research," by William Hoffman
"Biographies of Jurgis and Petras Vidžiūnas," by Rimgaudas Vidžiūnas
"Lithuanian Folklore and Culture,"
"Genealogical Advisor," by Warren Blat
"Genealogy in Cyberspace"

(Fall/Winter 2003)
Vol. 4, No. 2
"Stories my Lithuanian Great-Grandmother Told Me," by Francesca Williams
"Alien Histories from Selective Service," by Arleen Gould
"The Dictionary of Lithuanian Surnames and Its Use in Research," by William Hoffman
"Accessing Records at the INS," by Bill Succolosky
"Walking in Babcia's Footsteps: The Port of Antwerp," by Jonathan D. Shea

(Spring/Summer 2004)
Vol. 5, No. 1 [Expanded Preview]
“The Isle of Hope, the Isle of Tears,” by LGGS President Richard Gostautas
“President’s Report,” by LGGS President Richard Gostautas
“The Angel of Graziskiai,” by LGGS Membership Director Diane Rooney
“Books on Lithuania” by LGGS Board member Vilius Zalpys
“Spotlight on Towns in Lithuania: Alytus”
“Lithuanian Surname Dictionary—Follow-Up” by Fred Hoffman
“Analysis of Sample Lithuanian Surnames,” by Fred Hoffman
“Genealogy in Cyberspace”
“Let’s Translate a Sample Document,” by Fred Hoffman

(Fall/Winter 2004)
Vol. 5, No. 2 [Expanded Preview]
“My Family’s Story (with an Assist from LGGS)” by William Barratt
“The Struggle for the Lithuanian Press,” written by Antanas Tyla
“Advice for an Immigrant Brother,” submitted by Rich Salik
“Excerpt from Draugas on Lithuanian ‘Colonies’ in America” compiled/translated by Vilius Zalpys
“The First Lithuanian Band of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania” is a brief piece with a photograph submitted by Jay Zane

Also included are installments in regular features:
“President’s Report” by Richard Gostautas
“Analyzing Lithuanian Surnames” by Fred Hoffman
“Spotlight on Towns in Lithuania” focuses on Ignalina (near Svencionys) and Uzventis (near Siauliai).
“Genealogy in Cyberspace”
“Let’s Translate a Sample Document”

(Spring/Summer 2005)
Vol. 6, No. 1 [Expanded Preview]
“I caught the Genealogy Bug,” by Rei Standish
“President’s Report” by Richard Gostautas
“The Lithuanian Genealogist's Guide to Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania,” by LGGS Membership Director, Diane Rooney
“Genealogy in Cyberspace,” Links to URL's of interest
“Excerpts from Draugas on Lithuanian Colonies in America” by Vilius Zalpys
“The Family Tree Registry” by Logan Kleinwaks
“Analyzing Lithuanian Surnames,” by Fred Hoffman
“Genealogical Advisor” by Fred Hoffman
“Spotlight on Towns in Lithuania - Krasnowo - Lazdijai - Punsk - Sventezeris”

(Fall/Winter 2005)
Vol. 6, No. 2 [Expanded Preview]
“LGGS’s Vytas Levickis Meets with President Adamkus,” by Vytas Levickas
“My Lithuanian Journal," by Mary Guler
“Guide to Parishes and Villages in the Former Archdiocese of Wilno”
“Noble Lithuanian Tatars," by Iwona Dakiniewicz
“LGGS Partners with the Diocese of Allentown on Records of St. Joseph’s, Mahanoy City, PA” by Diane Rooney
“New LGGS Data Bases: World War I Draft Names and Serial Numbers, Grand Rapids, Michigan,” by Tena Puisis
“Spotlight on Towns in Lithuania: Šiauliai — Šilale”

(Double Issue: Spring/Summer + Fall/Winter 2006)
Double Issue! Vol.7, No.1 + Vol.7, No. 2 [Expanded Preview]
“LGGS Delivers Letters on Key Issues to Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus,” by Diane B. Rooney
“The Lithuanian Genealogist’s Guide to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania,” by Diane B. Rooney
“A Personal Journey to Lithuania,” by Greg Sevelis
“Charles Pansirna, Chicago Lithuanian Photographer,” by Ed Lapinskas
“Spotlight on Towns in Lithuania: Vilnius.”
“The Last Stage of Genealogy,” by Joseph Brazan
“Aunt Ona Botiriute,” by Tom Šlekaitis

We hope you enjoyed the current preview as well as excerpts from past issues. Our past issues are available for purchase from our Products page.

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