(Expanded Preview: Vol. 4, No. 1)
Letter From The EditorIt’s hard to believe we’re approaching Fall already! I hope you hadn’t given up on receiving this Spring/Summer 2002 issue of Proteviai. We try to publish each issue on time, but our main goal is to fill the pages with good material. I don’t send an issue to the printer till I’m satisfied it has something to inform and interest every member. If that means holding off a little longer, so be it. I’d rather you get your copy late, but find it worth waiting for, than get it on time but find nothing in it worth reading!
In this issue we have, I think, a good mix of material. Much of it provides valuable practical information for the researcher. But there’s also the kind of story that makes research come alive by showing you the human beings behind the facts and figures, as well as a taste of Lithuanian culture.
Our President, Arleen Gould, wrote the lead article, “Genealogy 101—Naturalization.” Many of you are beginners and want a little help with the basics. Arleen’s article is meant to assist you with citizenship papers, a prime source of information for linking your family in America with their ancestors in Europe. Before you can find family in Lithuania you have to learn as much as you can about them here. Declarations of Intent and Petitions for Citizenship often provide exactly what you need to achieve your first breakthrough. Arleen guides you in the search for these papers and tells you how to make use of them.
I have contributed an article on the subject of “The Effects of Lithuania’s History and Language on Research.” I was supposed to give a talk on this topic at the International Roots Conference last July in Dearborn, Michigan. When the Conference fell through, I realized I still had the notes I had prepared for my talk. Waste not, want not! Here they are, and I hope some of you find them enlightening.
LGGS member Rimgaudas Vidiunas submitted an article compiled by a relative in Lithuania on the history of his family. You might reasonably ask “Why would I want to read about his family? What good does that do me?” I think you’ll find the story fascinating in its own right, however; it makes the last 50 years of Lithuanian history come alive. It may also inspire you to say, “If Rimgaudas can get this kind of detail on his family, so can I!” A lot of the time what researchers need most is encouragement to stick with it—let the story of the Vidžiunas family serve as an example of what may be waiting for you, if you just hang in there.
A little out of the ordinary is the folklore tale of Egle, Queen of the Grass Snakes. Many researchers say they don’t want just names and dates; they want to hear about their cultural heritage as well. If you indicate that you enjoy this story, we’ll be glad to feature more in future issues.
The Genealogical Advisor features a question about Lithuanian names and documents and my reply. I hope the sample document and its translation, and the comments on names, will aid you in making sense of similar documents you encounter.
Incidentally, I would love to make the Genealogical Advisor a regular feature in Proteviai. If you’ve encountered a particular research problem you’d like help with, send it to me online at WFHoffman@prodigy.net or by snail mail to: W. Hoffman, 737 Hartfield Dr., North Aurora IL 60542-8917.
What’s more, I don’t want to monopolize this feature. If you’ve encountered a problem and solved it, send your question and answer in. We have several hundred potential Genealogical Advisors in LGGS—don’t let me hog the spotlight!
Finally, “Genealogy in Cyberspace” reproduces a few items that appeared online on various mailing lists and other sources. You may not have seen them, or if you did, you may not have made a note of them. These were simply a few items that struck me as informative and potentially useful.
That’s this issue has to offer you. We hope you enjoy it, and please don’t hesitate to send us your suggestions, criticisms, and especially contributions of material for future issues!
William F. “Fred” Hoffman