Links
Archives
Names Researched
In the early 1900s several Lithuanians relocated to the Lanarkshire area of Scotland (Bellshill, Glasgow, etc). They worked in coal mines and iron/steel mills. My Great grandparents are among them. This is a record of my activities, discoveries, and unanswered questions in the search to pull up the roots of the family tree. Do any names here mean anything to you? Does some of the history coincide with yours? Contact me! diane@ddm3p.com - Or leave comments over on the right....
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
The Era of the Book Smugglers
From Glimpses of Lithuania published in Vilnius, 1980. page 87 - 88
There is other information, about the poverty at the time, and other factors. But for right now I am just focusing on this aspect of the environment.
My great grandparents were all born roughly around the years 1862 - 1872, and it appears that they all left Lithuania in the early 1900's.
They were born into an environment where the language their parents spoke, the only language they knew, was banned. Illegal.
Materials were now, by decree of the Tsar, written in and published in Cyrillic - entirely foreign to these Lithuanian peasants. Incomprehensible.
That many of my ancestors could not write their own names, and had to "make their x" on documents in Scotland, now becomes a bit clearer. It was punishable (ofen by death) for someone (their parents) to teach them to read or write in Lithuanian. All Lithuanian printed material that was found, was burned.
Their parents couldn't teach them to read and write in the legal Cyrillic - they themselves didn't know it.
Those ancestors who *could* write their names, now stand out more to me.
In 1864 the teaching of Lithuanian was forbidden in schools, the printing of Lithuanian books and periodicals in Latin alphabet was bannd by decree. Nevertheless, in the late 19th century, with the general cultural level and national consciousness in the country rising, the resistance to the national oppression was steadily growing.
Lithuanian peasants (there were few Lithuanians in towns at that time) secretly taught their children to read and write in their native language. Lithuanian books were printed in East Prussia. The first Lithuanian newspapers, mainly of liberal-democratic trend, appeared in 1883. They propagated the ideas of national liberation, exposed the oppressive nature of the tsarist policy. Despite repressions, ways were devised to smuggle Lithuanian books and newspapers across the border and circulate them in the country. When caught, book-smugglers were severely punished, imprisoned, or exiled to Siberia. But the smuggling of Lithuanian books could not be stopped. Secret cultural societies were set up which took care of their circulation.
(snip)
The 1905 revolution had a great impact on the national liberation movement in Lithuania. On the eve of it, in 1904, the Tsar lifted the ban on Lithuanian press.
There is other information, about the poverty at the time, and other factors. But for right now I am just focusing on this aspect of the environment.
My great grandparents were all born roughly around the years 1862 - 1872, and it appears that they all left Lithuania in the early 1900's.
They were born into an environment where the language their parents spoke, the only language they knew, was banned. Illegal.
Materials were now, by decree of the Tsar, written in and published in Cyrillic - entirely foreign to these Lithuanian peasants. Incomprehensible.
That many of my ancestors could not write their own names, and had to "make their x" on documents in Scotland, now becomes a bit clearer. It was punishable (ofen by death) for someone (their parents) to teach them to read or write in Lithuanian. All Lithuanian printed material that was found, was burned.
Their parents couldn't teach them to read and write in the legal Cyrillic - they themselves didn't know it.
Those ancestors who *could* write their names, now stand out more to me.
Monday, April 19, 2004
When the language was banned
Ona Davidonis / Rackeliute / Rackelis / Makaras Death Record Dec 6, 1946
I found this also at the Scotland's People site.
Ona died on December 6, 1949 at the age of 49. (Making her birth year 1896 - 1897)
It lists a residence of 21 Hennishead Road, Glasgow.
The record shows she was known as Ona Davidonas at the time of her death. She was the widow of three men (well how about that!?!)
1st - Geronimas Makaras - Coal Miner (we have the marriage record)
2nd - Jonas Sirmulis (unsure of that precisely) - A Shoemaker
3rd - John Davidonas - Cabinet Maker
The record lists her father as Adam Raczkelis (Yet another spelling for Rackelis, as well as a change in Adomas)
The record lists her mother as Mary Raczkelis, now Karusevice (or Karuseviec, hard to say with handwriting), Maiden name Mazaika (or Mazeika, again, hard to say with handwriting)
Frank Makaras, son, was present at the death.
This is pretty helpful. The date range, combined with the marriage record, pretty much pegs 1896 as the birth year.
One of the family trees that my mother did had listed 3 husbands for Marijona Mazioka / Rackelis. It wasn't clear (to me) what order they married Marijona (listed often as "Mary" in these documents) or if perhaps one of the husbands besides Adomas fathered some of the children (my grandfathers siblings).
But at least now, I know that in December of 1946, Marijona was a Karaseviciene. This coincides with a husband named Wincas Karasawiczus (as written on the family tree).
In fact, I have an original birth certificate, in Lithuanian, for Wincas. I just had not been entirely sure how he fit in. (It lists his mother's name as "Marijona" so until I fiddled around with a Lithuanian - English dictionary and sorted out the dates (born 1863), I had been thinking this was a birth certificate for a child of *my* great grandmother "Marijona".
But, it's not. It's one of her husbands, who happened to have a mother named Marijona, and marry a woman (my great grandmother) also named Marijona.
Several names are rotating through these documents anyway ~laughs~ Magdalena, Ona, they appear all over the place. Really common names at the time I am thinking.
Additionally, the fact that Frank Makaras, son, was present, is good. The handwritten family tree shows "Annie" (who I have had to accept as being "Ona") as having two sones - Eddie, and Frank, with the notation of their last name being "Macaris"
Pretty close.
After puttering around enough in these old documents and family notes, "pretty close" is turning out to be pretty darned lucky!
Ona died on December 6, 1949 at the age of 49. (Making her birth year 1896 - 1897)
It lists a residence of 21 Hennishead Road, Glasgow.
The record shows she was known as Ona Davidonas at the time of her death. She was the widow of three men (well how about that!?!)
1st - Geronimas Makaras - Coal Miner (we have the marriage record)
2nd - Jonas Sirmulis (unsure of that precisely) - A Shoemaker
3rd - John Davidonas - Cabinet Maker
The record lists her father as Adam Raczkelis (Yet another spelling for Rackelis, as well as a change in Adomas)
The record lists her mother as Mary Raczkelis, now Karusevice (or Karuseviec, hard to say with handwriting), Maiden name Mazaika (or Mazeika, again, hard to say with handwriting)
Frank Makaras, son, was present at the death.
This is pretty helpful. The date range, combined with the marriage record, pretty much pegs 1896 as the birth year.
One of the family trees that my mother did had listed 3 husbands for Marijona Mazioka / Rackelis. It wasn't clear (to me) what order they married Marijona (listed often as "Mary" in these documents) or if perhaps one of the husbands besides Adomas fathered some of the children (my grandfathers siblings).
But at least now, I know that in December of 1946, Marijona was a Karaseviciene. This coincides with a husband named Wincas Karasawiczus (as written on the family tree).
In fact, I have an original birth certificate, in Lithuanian, for Wincas. I just had not been entirely sure how he fit in. (It lists his mother's name as "Marijona" so until I fiddled around with a Lithuanian - English dictionary and sorted out the dates (born 1863), I had been thinking this was a birth certificate for a child of *my* great grandmother "Marijona".
But, it's not. It's one of her husbands, who happened to have a mother named Marijona, and marry a woman (my great grandmother) also named Marijona.
Several names are rotating through these documents anyway ~laughs~ Magdalena, Ona, they appear all over the place. Really common names at the time I am thinking.
Additionally, the fact that Frank Makaras, son, was present, is good. The handwritten family tree shows "Annie" (who I have had to accept as being "Ona") as having two sones - Eddie, and Frank, with the notation of their last name being "Macaris"
Pretty close.
After puttering around enough in these old documents and family notes, "pretty close" is turning out to be pretty darned lucky!
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Just plain old roots
A scan of the list of surnames of the Polish & Lithuanian Nobility reveals that none of my ancestors so far were from families of any distinction. With all the Coal Miners and Agricultural Laborers in the tree, I am entirely shocked ~s~
Maryona Szlikas marries Adriejus Akmonaitis May 16, 1908
Well this one was a bit of a surprise and definitely added to the puzzle in this area of the family tree. The records show that "Maryona" is a daughter of Wincas Szlikas and Ona Szlikas (maiden Bobeliute) - making her a sister of the Magdalena Szlikas that married my great grandfather Jurgis Klostaitis on June 30, 1906.
One hand written family tree (my grandfathers) shows Magdalena as having the following siblings - Agota, Jouzas, Ona, Vincas, Mary, and Pijusas. Would this be Mary?
Another family tree done by my mother indicates that these siblings belong to Madgalena Klostaitis (Truszickute), the mother of Petras Klostaitis.
On one hand, if Magdalena (and apparently Maryona) had left Lithuania on their own, and all these other relatives stayed behind, it's possible there was confusion in future generations about the family ties of people they never met and had only heard mention of.
But - Wincas was at both weddings. He signed as a witness. Presumably, Jurgis would have noticed his Father In Law there at the wedding? Perhaps even met him? (I know, I am being sarcastic as I puzzle through this).
Is his name Wincas or Jouzas? Or does Jouzas Slikas fit in somewhere else? Maybe he is the father of Wincas? Much to puzzle over. Anyway, time to log the "facts" I found.
The document details
May 16, 1908 in St Davids Chapel, Eskbank (?) Dalkeith "After Publication according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church"
Andriejus (possibly Andriojus or Andrizus) Akmonaitis, age 25 at the trime, a Coal Miner and Bachelor, married Maryona Szlikas, age 20, an Agricultural Laborer and Spinster.
Both Andriejus and Maryona are listed as residing at 209 Monkswood, Newbattle.
Both Andriejus and Maryona made their "x" mark - unable to write their names.
(The witnesses, Leon Kiewliez and Wincas Szlikas are able to sign their names)
Andriejus is noted as being the son of Father - Jonas Akmonaitis, an Agricultural Laborer who is written as being deceased at this point. Andriejus' Mother - Urszulia Akmonaitis (Maiden Rickiute)
Maryona is noted as being the daughter of Father Wincas Szlikas, Agricultural Laborer, and Mother Ona Szlikas (Maiden Bobeliute)
One hand written family tree (my grandfathers) shows Magdalena as having the following siblings - Agota, Jouzas, Ona, Vincas, Mary, and Pijusas. Would this be Mary?
Another family tree done by my mother indicates that these siblings belong to Madgalena Klostaitis (Truszickute), the mother of Petras Klostaitis.
On one hand, if Magdalena (and apparently Maryona) had left Lithuania on their own, and all these other relatives stayed behind, it's possible there was confusion in future generations about the family ties of people they never met and had only heard mention of.
But - Wincas was at both weddings. He signed as a witness. Presumably, Jurgis would have noticed his Father In Law there at the wedding? Perhaps even met him? (I know, I am being sarcastic as I puzzle through this).
Is his name Wincas or Jouzas? Or does Jouzas Slikas fit in somewhere else? Maybe he is the father of Wincas? Much to puzzle over. Anyway, time to log the "facts" I found.
The document details
May 16, 1908 in St Davids Chapel, Eskbank (?) Dalkeith "After Publication according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church"
Andriejus (possibly Andriojus or Andrizus) Akmonaitis, age 25 at the trime, a Coal Miner and Bachelor, married Maryona Szlikas, age 20, an Agricultural Laborer and Spinster.
Both Andriejus and Maryona are listed as residing at 209 Monkswood, Newbattle.
Both Andriejus and Maryona made their "x" mark - unable to write their names.
(The witnesses, Leon Kiewliez and Wincas Szlikas are able to sign their names)
Andriejus is noted as being the son of Father - Jonas Akmonaitis, an Agricultural Laborer who is written as being deceased at this point. Andriejus' Mother - Urszulia Akmonaitis (Maiden Rickiute)
Maryona is noted as being the daughter of Father Wincas Szlikas, Agricultural Laborer, and Mother Ona Szlikas (Maiden Bobeliute)
Jurgis Klostaitis & Magdelena Szlikas Marriage June 30, 1906
More information I managed to uncover at Scotland's People
The record is indexed as Zurgis Klostaitis (I suppose the J in Jurgis can look like a Z after you have entered the data for a few hundred or thousand of these records)
So anyway - we have Zurgis (Jurgis) marrying Magdelena Szlikas, June 30, 1906 at the St. Francis Church in Glasgow, "After Publication according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church". The record notes that the Marriage occurred in the District of Hutchesontown, in the Burgh of Glasgow.
Jurgis was recorded as being age 23 at the time (Making the birth year 1882 - 1883). He is listed as an Iron Foundry Laborer and Bachelor. His residence is recorded as 16 Hallside Street, Glasgow.
His parents are listed as Petras Klostaitis, Farm Laborer, and Magdalena Klostaitis, maiden name Truszickute. Mother Magdalena is noted as being deceased at this point.
As for Magdalena Szlikas, the wife in this marriage, she is noted as being age 24 at the time. (Making her birth year 1881 - 1882).
She signs by making her "x". Which means she could not even write her name. I understand that the Lithuanians, transplanted to Scotland, would probably be unable to read and write English, but I am finding more than a few who cannot write their names.
Wife Magdalena also lists her address as 16 Hallside St, Glasgow. What was this place? Were there several Lithuanian families residing together?
She is noted as being a Spinster (no previous marriages). Her parents are listed as Father - Wincas Szlikas, Farmer, and Mother - Ona Szlikas, maiden Bobelute.
Wincas Szlikas was a witness. This excited me to have him pegged as being in Glasgow in 1906 too. An additional witness listed is Alfredus McLaughlin (or some name, hard to say - the Laughlin part is pretty clear)
Wife Madgalena is the only one who signs with an X here.
How does it fit?
On the handwritten family trees, (one from my maternal Grandfather - Jurgis would be HIS father) and two others done by my own mother) Jurgis is listed as my grandfather's father. He is written of as having married Magdalena Szlikas (or Slikas on one version). So far, no discrepancies.
On the family trees, Jurgis is shown to be the son of Petras Klostaitis. On one tree, his mother is shown as Magdalena Truszickute. Again, so far no discrepancies.
Wife Magdalena (my grandfather's mother) is shown on the family trees as being the daughter of Jouzas Slikas (or Szlikas) and a mother simply written of as "Babilus" (I hear Ricky Ricardo in my head every time I see that!) - Ok, so we found a discrepancy. Something to keep in mind as we go.
The record is indexed as Zurgis Klostaitis (I suppose the J in Jurgis can look like a Z after you have entered the data for a few hundred or thousand of these records)
So anyway - we have Zurgis (Jurgis) marrying Magdelena Szlikas, June 30, 1906 at the St. Francis Church in Glasgow, "After Publication according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church". The record notes that the Marriage occurred in the District of Hutchesontown, in the Burgh of Glasgow.
Jurgis was recorded as being age 23 at the time (Making the birth year 1882 - 1883). He is listed as an Iron Foundry Laborer and Bachelor. His residence is recorded as 16 Hallside Street, Glasgow.
His parents are listed as Petras Klostaitis, Farm Laborer, and Magdalena Klostaitis, maiden name Truszickute. Mother Magdalena is noted as being deceased at this point.
As for Magdalena Szlikas, the wife in this marriage, she is noted as being age 24 at the time. (Making her birth year 1881 - 1882).
She signs by making her "x". Which means she could not even write her name. I understand that the Lithuanians, transplanted to Scotland, would probably be unable to read and write English, but I am finding more than a few who cannot write their names.
Wife Magdalena also lists her address as 16 Hallside St, Glasgow. What was this place? Were there several Lithuanian families residing together?
She is noted as being a Spinster (no previous marriages). Her parents are listed as Father - Wincas Szlikas, Farmer, and Mother - Ona Szlikas, maiden Bobelute.
Wincas Szlikas was a witness. This excited me to have him pegged as being in Glasgow in 1906 too. An additional witness listed is Alfredus McLaughlin (or some name, hard to say - the Laughlin part is pretty clear)
Wife Madgalena is the only one who signs with an X here.
How does it fit?
On the handwritten family trees, (one from my maternal Grandfather - Jurgis would be HIS father) and two others done by my own mother) Jurgis is listed as my grandfather's father. He is written of as having married Magdalena Szlikas (or Slikas on one version). So far, no discrepancies.
On the family trees, Jurgis is shown to be the son of Petras Klostaitis. On one tree, his mother is shown as Magdalena Truszickute. Again, so far no discrepancies.
Wife Magdalena (my grandfather's mother) is shown on the family trees as being the daughter of Jouzas Slikas (or Szlikas) and a mother simply written of as "Babilus" (I hear Ricky Ricardo in my head every time I see that!) - Ok, so we found a discrepancy. Something to keep in mind as we go.
Ona Rackeliute / Rackelis / Makaras Marriage 1915
Remember Anni Rackelis, daughter of Adomas who was present when he died? She appears on the written family trees as Annie.
But I found her today, as Ona.
May 2, 1908 Ona Rackeliute married Geronimas (indexed as Yeronimas) Makaras, at the Roman Catholic Church, Mossend.
Geronimas is listed as age 23 at the time of the marriage. Coal Miner, Bachelor. Residing at 64 New Orbiston, Bellshill.
Ona is listed as age 19 at the time of the marriage. Spinster. Residing at 28 New Orbiston, Bellshill. (Just down the street from Geronimas! Also, same address as was on Adomas Rackelis' Death Record. 28 New Orbiston.)
Also on the marriage record -
Geronimas' father - Mikolas Makaras, farmer
His mother - Aleksandra Makaras (Maiden Sianlenai ((???? really hard to make out, could be way off))
Onas father - Adomas Rackeliute, Coal Miner
Her mother - Marijona Rackeliute, maiden Maczaike
Witnesses Jozas Miki***** (no idea the rest of the name, cannot even guess at the letters)
and Alzbieta Rackelute
Great stuff here
First, the tie of addresses. Adomas, Ona's father, lived at 28 Noew Orbiston, and died there. And that is where Ona lived until she got married.
Amusing to note the registrar wrote her parents down with same last name as Ona, when the Lithuanian custom is that Adomas *should be* Rackelis (not the maiden female Rackeliute) and Marijona *should be* Rackeliene or something similar, the ending denoting the status of a married woman.
In any case, we have Marijona's name as Marijona, not "Mary", so this is good. We can peg Ona / Anni as being born around 1895 - 1896
AND, we have a surprise - Alzbieta Rackelute as a witness!
Alzbieta is really Elzbieta, an older sister of my Grandmother Ursula's. (Ona would also be a sister, and apparently older as well)
The surprise is, to me, up till now I had no inkling that Elzbieta (Lizzie) was ever in Scotland. She is buried in Lithuania. My grandparents used to go on fairly regular trips to Lithuania to visit her and other relatives there. (I have pics from trips they made in 1976 and 1980).
Elzbieta had two children in Lithuania, who also appear in some photos. (Grazina and Kostas), as well as Grazinas son Romas, and his children.
With all of that, I just sort of assumed she was never in Scotland. I had no idea who left Lithuania when, when I started all this - and it seemed that some children had been born in Lithuania, and left behind - or something.
So - Elzbieta was in Scotland, at least in 1915 - possibly even born there, and returned to Lithuania.
Very interesting as I unravel the threads....
But I found her today, as Ona.
May 2, 1908 Ona Rackeliute married Geronimas (indexed as Yeronimas) Makaras, at the Roman Catholic Church, Mossend.
Geronimas is listed as age 23 at the time of the marriage. Coal Miner, Bachelor. Residing at 64 New Orbiston, Bellshill.
Ona is listed as age 19 at the time of the marriage. Spinster. Residing at 28 New Orbiston, Bellshill. (Just down the street from Geronimas! Also, same address as was on Adomas Rackelis' Death Record. 28 New Orbiston.)
Also on the marriage record -
Geronimas' father - Mikolas Makaras, farmer
His mother - Aleksandra Makaras (Maiden Sianlenai ((???? really hard to make out, could be way off))
Onas father - Adomas Rackeliute, Coal Miner
Her mother - Marijona Rackeliute, maiden Maczaike
Witnesses Jozas Miki***** (no idea the rest of the name, cannot even guess at the letters)
and Alzbieta Rackelute
Great stuff here
First, the tie of addresses. Adomas, Ona's father, lived at 28 Noew Orbiston, and died there. And that is where Ona lived until she got married.
Amusing to note the registrar wrote her parents down with same last name as Ona, when the Lithuanian custom is that Adomas *should be* Rackelis (not the maiden female Rackeliute) and Marijona *should be* Rackeliene or something similar, the ending denoting the status of a married woman.
In any case, we have Marijona's name as Marijona, not "Mary", so this is good. We can peg Ona / Anni as being born around 1895 - 1896
AND, we have a surprise - Alzbieta Rackelute as a witness!
Alzbieta is really Elzbieta, an older sister of my Grandmother Ursula's. (Ona would also be a sister, and apparently older as well)
The surprise is, to me, up till now I had no inkling that Elzbieta (Lizzie) was ever in Scotland. She is buried in Lithuania. My grandparents used to go on fairly regular trips to Lithuania to visit her and other relatives there. (I have pics from trips they made in 1976 and 1980).
Elzbieta had two children in Lithuania, who also appear in some photos. (Grazina and Kostas), as well as Grazinas son Romas, and his children.
With all of that, I just sort of assumed she was never in Scotland. I had no idea who left Lithuania when, when I started all this - and it seemed that some children had been born in Lithuania, and left behind - or something.
So - Elzbieta was in Scotland, at least in 1915 - possibly even born there, and returned to Lithuania.
Very interesting as I unravel the threads....
Adomas Rackelis / Rackels 1901 Census
Also today, I discovered another trace of Adomas, in the 1901 census.
He is listed as being age 31 at the time of the census, living as one of several boarders with a family at 14 Viewpark Square, Bellshill.
He is listed as a Coal Miner and single. He, along with all residents and boarders of the house, are listed as being born in Russia / Poland. Not terribly surprising, giving the changes of the border lines of the Lithuanian area at the time and also, it is possible it just wasn't worth it to the people to point out to the census taker who was from where precisely. Much easier to just say "We're all from Russia / Poland!"
As added note, the Head of the Household was a 25 year old man named Jonas Markewiczus, his wife Maggie was 24, a daughter Ursula was 1 year old, and a son Juozas was 1 month old.
The census lists his name as Adomas Rackels (missing the i in Rackelis)
Interesting discrepancy is that, being 31 years old in 1901 would make his birth year 1869 - 1870 (versus the 1864 - 1865 range we get from the Death Record)
I am discovering though, that discrepancies are fairly common, for a multitude of reasons. Assuming his death record is correct and that the census is wrong, i can see a few possibilities -
There may have been a reason to lie about his age. Maybe the Coal Mines wouldn't start an older man? Maybe you could GET old while working there, but not start past a certain age? Maybe the boarding house couple wanted men under a certain age? Or, maybe, since Adomas didn't speak English, either the man or his wife spoke to the census person and just guessed his age?
As a side note, it was interesting to me that NO Klostaitas (or variation) showed on the 1901 census anywhere in Scotland. So now I have a "not before" year for the arrival in Scotland. Same with Szlikas.
Unfortunately, 1911 census are not available yet. THAT will be a treasure trove, since so much activity appears to have occured just after the 1901 census.
He is listed as being age 31 at the time of the census, living as one of several boarders with a family at 14 Viewpark Square, Bellshill.
He is listed as a Coal Miner and single. He, along with all residents and boarders of the house, are listed as being born in Russia / Poland. Not terribly surprising, giving the changes of the border lines of the Lithuanian area at the time and also, it is possible it just wasn't worth it to the people to point out to the census taker who was from where precisely. Much easier to just say "We're all from Russia / Poland!"
As added note, the Head of the Household was a 25 year old man named Jonas Markewiczus, his wife Maggie was 24, a daughter Ursula was 1 year old, and a son Juozas was 1 month old.
The census lists his name as Adomas Rackels (missing the i in Rackelis)
Interesting discrepancy is that, being 31 years old in 1901 would make his birth year 1869 - 1870 (versus the 1864 - 1865 range we get from the Death Record)
I am discovering though, that discrepancies are fairly common, for a multitude of reasons. Assuming his death record is correct and that the census is wrong, i can see a few possibilities -
There may have been a reason to lie about his age. Maybe the Coal Mines wouldn't start an older man? Maybe you could GET old while working there, but not start past a certain age? Maybe the boarding house couple wanted men under a certain age? Or, maybe, since Adomas didn't speak English, either the man or his wife spoke to the census person and just guessed his age?
As a side note, it was interesting to me that NO Klostaitas (or variation) showed on the 1901 census anywhere in Scotland. So now I have a "not before" year for the arrival in Scotland. Same with Szlikas.
Unfortunately, 1911 census are not available yet. THAT will be a treasure trove, since so much activity appears to have occured just after the 1901 census.
Adomas Rackelis / Rackels Death Record 1914
Today I dug up a bit of information on Adomas Rackelis. Until today he was just a name on a hand-written family tree that my mother had done in the early 1990's. He was one of my Great Grandmother Marijona's three husbands. I have no pictures of him in the stacks of photos I have. (That's an idea for a blog entry - list of people I have photos of). No documents. No notes about this man. Just his name on the tree.
And actually, Mom got a bit confused when she wrote it down. Had him written as Admoas Rackelis, then crossed out Rackelis and wrote Mazioka. Then listed Miklas Rackelis as husband # 2 for Marijona.
Well, it's still early in the game, we'll see how that all pans out.
What i DID find today though, at the Scotland's People website, was a Death Record for Adomas Rackelis
Adomas Rackelis, died December 24, 1914 at 1:30 am, at age 49, at 28 (or 48, hard to read)New Orbiston in Bellshill Scotland.
The listing says he was a Coal Miner (So many of these say Coal Miner) and married to Mary Mazaukute.
The listing states his daughter Anni Rackelis was present.
This looks good so far - Marijona was written of as Mary often enough and Mazaukute is a valid maiden name. (Her father being written on the trees as Martinas Mezaikas, and the Lithuanian custom is to change the ending of the last name for women -ute noting an umarried woman)
Annie is a daughter listed on the family trees as well. A sister of my Grandmother.
Looks like we are in good shape with Adomas. If he died at age 49, and it was 1914, that puts his birth year around 1864 - 1865
And actually, Mom got a bit confused when she wrote it down. Had him written as Admoas Rackelis, then crossed out Rackelis and wrote Mazioka. Then listed Miklas Rackelis as husband # 2 for Marijona.
Well, it's still early in the game, we'll see how that all pans out.
What i DID find today though, at the Scotland's People website, was a Death Record for Adomas Rackelis
Adomas Rackelis, died December 24, 1914 at 1:30 am, at age 49, at 28 (or 48, hard to read)New Orbiston in Bellshill Scotland.
The listing says he was a Coal Miner (So many of these say Coal Miner) and married to Mary Mazaukute.
The listing states his daughter Anni Rackelis was present.
This looks good so far - Marijona was written of as Mary often enough and Mazaukute is a valid maiden name. (Her father being written on the trees as Martinas Mezaikas, and the Lithuanian custom is to change the ending of the last name for women -ute noting an umarried woman)
Annie is a daughter listed on the family trees as well. A sister of my Grandmother.
Looks like we are in good shape with Adomas. If he died at age 49, and it was 1914, that puts his birth year around 1864 - 1865
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Introduction - The blog begins
Just this past week I began putting focused effort into gathering together the family tree information I have from hand-written trees, jotted notes, photos and documents. I started actually searching on the internet for official information on ancestors.
I decided to do this blog for a few reasons - One, to keep a log of where I have searched, and for what, and the results - so I don't end up going in circles. Two, I think by publishing this, there is a small chance that someone with information will find it. ~laughing~ Maybe I am dreaming big. Who knows.
In any case, the general outline of the relations I am researching at the moment, all came from Lithuania. All great grandparents of mine are Lithuanian. And all settled in the Lankarkshire area of Scotland, primarily Bellshill although there are traces of Glasgow and Edinburgh in the records so far.
These relatives, so far, were coal miners and iron/steel workers in the Bellshill area. Their parents are noted in records as having been "Agricultural Laborers" or "Farmers", and at this point, I presume that these great-great-grandparents were farming in Lithuania. My presumption is that it is the generation of the Great-grandparents that left Lithuania and ended up in Scotland.
My mother told me that one in particular, my maternal grandmother, had been bound for the United States, and the ship arrived in Scotland and unloaded the passengers and told them it was the United States.
Being unable to speak English, it would be difficult for them to have known the difference at first.
Is this true? Partially true? I do not yet know. I have found reference to many Lithuanians emigrating to the U.S.A via Scotland, stopping in Scotland for a day or so (articles refer to them allowed to only get off the boat to go to a few specific buildings). Other articles mention Lithuanians who got passage to Scotland, worked a few years to save up for the cost of passage the rest of the way to the US.
And some of these, who had originally intended to continue on to the U.S, decided to stay in Scotland.
Is this what happened to my ancestors? Perhaps some of them. And maybe the one ship that brought my great grandmother Marijona to Scotland really did tell the passengers it was the US. I've not come across any similar stories yet, but it doesn't mean it isn't true.
I decided to do this blog for a few reasons - One, to keep a log of where I have searched, and for what, and the results - so I don't end up going in circles. Two, I think by publishing this, there is a small chance that someone with information will find it. ~laughing~ Maybe I am dreaming big. Who knows.
In any case, the general outline of the relations I am researching at the moment, all came from Lithuania. All great grandparents of mine are Lithuanian. And all settled in the Lankarkshire area of Scotland, primarily Bellshill although there are traces of Glasgow and Edinburgh in the records so far.
These relatives, so far, were coal miners and iron/steel workers in the Bellshill area. Their parents are noted in records as having been "Agricultural Laborers" or "Farmers", and at this point, I presume that these great-great-grandparents were farming in Lithuania. My presumption is that it is the generation of the Great-grandparents that left Lithuania and ended up in Scotland.
My mother told me that one in particular, my maternal grandmother, had been bound for the United States, and the ship arrived in Scotland and unloaded the passengers and told them it was the United States.
Being unable to speak English, it would be difficult for them to have known the difference at first.
Is this true? Partially true? I do not yet know. I have found reference to many Lithuanians emigrating to the U.S.A via Scotland, stopping in Scotland for a day or so (articles refer to them allowed to only get off the boat to go to a few specific buildings). Other articles mention Lithuanians who got passage to Scotland, worked a few years to save up for the cost of passage the rest of the way to the US.
And some of these, who had originally intended to continue on to the U.S, decided to stay in Scotland.
Is this what happened to my ancestors? Perhaps some of them. And maybe the one ship that brought my great grandmother Marijona to Scotland really did tell the passengers it was the US. I've not come across any similar stories yet, but it doesn't mean it isn't true.
