(Expanded Preview: Vol. 5, No. 2)

“My Family’s Story (with an Assist from LGGS)” by William Barratt tells how the author has put together the story of his family, largely by using resources from the LGGS Website. Accompanied by a map and several photographs, this article doesn’t just tell you how Mr. Barratt found his family—it may give you ideas that help you find yours.

“The Struggle for the Lithuanian Press,” written by Antanas Tyla and translated into English by Gintautas Kaminskas, is a reprint from Lithuanian Papers. While not devoted to genealogy per se, it documents one aspect of the repression Lithuanians experienced under Russian rule: the right to read newspapers and books in their own language. Seeing how hard your ancestors had to fight for something so basic tells you a lot about why they decided to risk everything and resettle elsewhere.

“Advice for an Immigrant Brother,” submitted by Rich Salik, is a translation of a 1910 letter written by an immigrant named Natalia who settled in the Chicago area. She writes back to the family home in the Suvalkija region, to her brother Bolek, to tell him what to expect and how to prepare as he comes to America. Though the original letter is in Polish, it’s a virtual certainty many of your ancestors took the same route and lived through the same experiences she describes. You’ll probably think “My great-grandmother could have written this!” There’s also a follow-up on how Natalia and Bolek fared in America.

“Excerpt from Draugas on Lithuanian ‘Colonies’ in America” was compiled and translated by Vilius Zalpys from brief items that appeared in 1917 in the Lithuanian newspaper Draugas. These were reports on life in Lithuanian settlements in various parts of the United States. In this issue are reports on Lithuanian “colonies” in Beloit, Wisconsin; Kenosha, Wisconsin; St. Clair, Pennsylvania; and Hamtramck, Michigan.

“The First Lithuanian Band of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania” is a brief piece with a photograph submitted by Jay Zane. It gives a history of the Band, formed in 1884, and names many of the Lithuanian-Americans involved with it.

Also included are installments in regular features:

“President’s Report” by Richard Gostautas brings us up to date on what LGGS has done and what is planned for the future.

“Analyzing Lithuanian Surnames” by Fred Hoffman answers a member’s questions on the confusing forms of her family’s surnames. The author tries to give tips that may help others make sense of their surnames, as well.

“Spotlight on Towns in Lithuania” focuses on Ignalina (near Svencionys) and Uzventis (near Siauliai). The article includes translations from the late-19th-century gazetteer Slownik geograficzny Krolestwa Polskiego; analysis of the names Ignalina and Uzventis from A. Vanagas’ Lietuvos Miestu Vardai [The Names of Lithuania’s Towns]; and info on a 1929 source, Ivan Sprogis’ Indeks alfabetyczny miejscowosci dawnego Wielkiego Ksiestwa Litewskiego [Alphabetical Index of Localities in the Former Grand Duchy of Lithuania], available on microfilm from the LDS Family History Library.

“Genealogy in Cyberspace” gives links to several Websites our readers may find helpful.

“Let’s Translate a Sample Document” by Fred Hoffman shows a 1924 marriage record from Kaunas submitted by Bill Succolosky. Fred translates the document, and comments on an interesting tidbit it contains.

That’s what 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

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 for possible inclusion in the next issue of Proteviai under our Genealogical Advisor feature.