Steve's Genealogy Blog

The Vilnius Cathedral (Arkikatedra Bazilika)

Posted on November 11, 2007 by Steve

The Roman Catholic Vilnius Cathedral is built on the site of an ancient pagan temple dedicated to Perkūnas, the god of thunder and fire. Five different cathedrals have been built on this site, each one destroyed by war or natural disaster.

The Vilnius Cathedral

SOURCE: The Vilnius Cathedral, Vilnius, Lithuania. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 October 2007.

Under Stalin and Soviet rule, the statues of Saints Helena, Casimir, and Stanislaus on theÂ roof were destroyed. The CathedralÂ was used as anÂ auto repair shop. After Stalin’s death, the Cathedral was converted to an art gallery. In 1988 the structure was returned to the Roman Catholic Church andÂ eight years later the statues of Saints Helena, Casimir, and Stanislaus were replicated and replaced.

Altar of the Vilnius Cathedral

SOURCE: Altar of theÂ Vilnius Cathedral, Vilnius, Lithuania. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 October 2007.

In Cathedral Square, surrounding the cathedral itself, there exists one paving stone that is different from all the others. On it is the word “stebuklas”, the Lithuania word for “miracle”. Local legend says that you must search for the miracle stone yourself – no one can reveal the exact location. When you find the stone, you can make a wish while turning 360 degrees clockwise.

The Miracle Stone

SOURCE: The Miracle Stone in Cathedral Square, Vilnius, Lithuania. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 October 2007.

Like other cathedrals, the Vilnius Cathedral contains many small chapels. One such chapel is the 17th Century Baroque Chapel of St. Casimir which survived the destruction of the previous cathedral and was incorporated into the present one. This chapel contains the remains of St. Casimir, patron saint of Lithuania, who died of Tuberculosis in 1484 at the age of 25. Casimir was the son of Casimir IV Jagiellon and grandson of Władysław II Jagiełło both of whom, in their respective times, served as Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland.

Click on the photograph of the Chapel of St. Casimir and look closely at the white plaster depiction of the Madonna and Child behind the altar and notice how oddly broad the Blessed Virgin’s smile is. Though not clear enough in this photograph to notice, the silver portrait towards the bottom of the photograph shows St. Casimier with three hands, depicted in this way to emphasize his generosity.

The Chapel of St. Casimir

SOURCE: The Chapel of St. Casimir in the Vilnius Cathedral, Vilnius, Lithuania. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 October 2007.

Outside the cathedral stands the Clock Tower. The lowerÂ tier of the Clock Tower was part of the 14th century fortifications of the Lower Castle and contains many gunports. Two additional tiers were added in the 1520s to convert the structure to a bell tower. A fourth tier, added still later, contains a clock.

The Vilnius Cathedral and Clock Tower at Night

SOURCE: The Vilnius Cathedral and Clock Tower at Night, Vilnius, Lithuania. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 22 October 2007.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Lithuania | Comments Off

Russian Orthodox Churches in Vilnius

Posted on November 10, 2007 by Steve

As a whole, Lithuania’s population is Roman Catholic, but as a result of the strong Russian influences throughout history, Vilnius is home to several Russian Orthodox Churches, including the Church of St. Nicolas and the Church of the Holy Spirit.

The Church of St. Nicolas (Exterior)

SOURCE: The Church of St. Nicolas (Exterior). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 October 2007.

The Church of St. Nicolas is located on a busy part of DidÅ¾ioji Street, close toÂ a bustling flea market. Candlelit and serene, this small church is a quite respite from the activity outside.

The Church of St. Nicolas (Interior)

SOURCE: The Church of St. Nicolas (Interior). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 October 2007.

In stark contrast to St. Nicolas, the Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit is a busy destination for tourists. The exterior courtyard is currently being renovated, but the modest exterior of the church belies the opulence inside.

The Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit (Exterior)

SOURCE: The Orthodox Church ofÂ the Holy SpiritÂ (Exterior). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 October 2007.

The focal point of the Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit is a glass topped case containing the bodies of Saints Anthony, Ivan, and Eustace, martyrs killed when they refused to renounce their faith.

The Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit (Interior)

SOURCE: The Orthodox Church ofÂ the Holy SpiritÂ (Interior). Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 25 October 2007.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Lithuania | 3 Comments

Trakai and the Karaites

Posted on November 9, 2007 by Steve

In Trakai, a group of people called the Karaites have had a significant influence on local architecture and culture. The Karaites are an offshoot of Judaism, although they are not Semitic. Karaites are of Turkish origin and were living in the Crimean peninsula when Grand Duke Vytautas brought them to Lithuania (some as prisoners of war).

View of Lake GalvÄ— in Trakai, Lithuania

SOURCE: View of Lake GalvÄ— in Trakai, Lithuania. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 23 October 2007.

In Lithuania, the Karaites were allowed to practice their own religion. They served as guards in the fortresses and as personal bodyguards to Vytautas. The Karaites culture has permeated daily life in Trakai and many restaurants serve kibinai, a delicious pastry filled with mutton or mushrooms or other delicacies.

Karaites Houses in Trakai, Lithuania

SOURCE: Karaites Houses in Trakai, Lithuania. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 23 October 2007.

Karaites still live in Trakai. Their houses are distinctive with three windows facing the street. In fact, the houses are typically constructed sideways to the street, with the length of the houses extending away from the street and the entrance on the side. Many of the houses are built on stone foundations.

More Karaites Houses in Trakai, Lithuania

SOURCE: More Karaites Houses in Trakai, Lithuania. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 23 October 2007.

Just down the street from the houses of the Karaites stands the Russian Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. The church was consecrated on 22 September 1863 in commemoration of the defeat of the Polish-Lithuanian Uprising against the Russian government.

Russian Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary in Trakai, Lithuania

SOURCE: Russian Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary in Trakai, Lithuania. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 23 October 2007.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Lithuania | 7 Comments

The Island Castle in Trakai, Lithuania

Posted on November 8, 2007 by Steve

On Tuesday, 23 October 2007, my cousin Liliana and I traveled to Trakai to visit the Trakai Historical National Park, the smallest of Lithuania’sÂ five national parks.

We traveled from Vilnius to Trakai by bus and then walked the remainder of the distance to the Island Castle on Lake GalvÄ—. The Island Castle was left in ruins after the 17th century wars with the Russians, but was restored between 1951 and 1962. The Island Castle is one of Lithuania’s most famous sights.

Trakai itself dates back to the 12th century. The city was conquered by the Teutonic Knights, but later became one of Europe’s strongest fortresses under Grand Duke Vytautas.

The Island Castle across the Water – Trakai

SOURCE: The Island Castle across the Water – Trakai. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 23 October 2007.

The Island Castle – Trakai

SOURCE: The Island Castle – Trakai. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 23 October 2007.

Interior Courtyard of the Island Castle – Trakai

SOURCE: Interior Courtyard of theÂ Island Castle – Trakai. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 23 October 2007.

Artifacts in the Island Castle – Trakai

SOURCE: Artifacts in the Island Castle – Trakai. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 23 October 2007.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Lithuania | 1 Comment

The Lithuanian Parish of Butrimonys

Posted on November 7, 2007 by Steve

While living in the Lithuanian village of LikiÅ¡kÄ—s, my grandmother’s family attended church in Butrimonys, although some records show that, at times, they attended church in StakliÅ¡kÄ—s.

The Church in Butrimonys – 1

SOURCE: The Church in Butrimonys – 1. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 October 2007.

The Church in Butrimonys – 2

SOURCE: The Church in Butrimonys – 2. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 October 2007.

Shrine at the Church in Butrimonys

SOURCE: Shrine at the Church in Butrimonys. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 October 2007.

MemorialÂ to the Lithuanian Martyrs in Butimonys

SOURCE: Memorial to the Lithuanian MartyrsÂ in Butrimonys. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 October 2007.

Posted in Chmielewski/Meleski, Daily Journal | Tagged Lithuania | 2 Comments

More Photographs of the Chmielewski Farm in Lithuania

Posted on November 6, 2007 by Steve

In years past, a road ran by the main house on the Chmielewski farm in LikiÅ¡kÄ—s, Lithuania, and on that road, close to the house stood this shrine. One of the neighbors told us that, on their way to the local cemetery, the villagers would stop at this shrine to pray.

Shrine at the Chmielewski Farm

SOURCE: Shrine at the Chmielewski Farm. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 October 2007.

Buildings on the Chmielewski Farm – 1

SOURCE: Buildings on the Chmielewski Farm – 1. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 October 2007.

Buildings on the Chmielewski Farm – 2

SOURCE: Buildings on the Chmielewski Farm – 2. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 October 2007.

Neighbors of the Chmielewski Farm

SOURCE: Neighbors of the Chmielewski Farm. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 October 2007.

The final photo shows a farm once owned by neighbors and relatives of the Chmielewskis in LikiÅ¡kÄ—s, Lithuania. I don’t know who lived here, other than they were related to the Chmielewskis.

Posted in Chmielewski/Meleski, Daily Journal | Tagged Lithuania | 3 Comments

The Chmielewski Farm in Lithuania

Posted on November 5, 2007 by Steve

On Wednesday, 24 October 2007, our cousin Vitas drove Liliana and me to the farm where our grandmothers were born. The farm is located in the small village of LikiÅ¡kÄ—s, just to the northeast of Alytus, Lithuania.

The buildings on the farm have fallen into disrepair, although the land around the buildings is still cultivated. In theÂ middle of the row of trees in the backgroundÂ of the first photo below is a pear treeÂ from whichÂ one of the neighborsÂ claimedÂ he stole pears when heÂ was young.

Chmielewski Farm in LikiÅ¡kÄ—s

SOURCE: Chmielewski Farm in LikiÅ¡kÄ—s. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 October 2007.

Chmielewski Farm Buildings

SOURCE: Chmielewski Farm Buildings. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 October 2007.

Barn on Chmielewski Farm

SOURCE: Barn on Chmielewski Farm. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 October 2007.

Interior of Barn of Chmielewski Farm

SOURCE: Interior of Barn on Chmielewski Farm. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 24 October 2007.

Posted in Chmielewski/Meleski, Daily Journal | Tagged Lithuania | 2 Comments

SMCGS Seminar with Christine Rose

Posted on November 4, 2007 by Steve

The San Mateo County Genealogical Society held its Fall Seminar on Saturday, 03 November 2007 at the 1st Presbyterian Church in San Mateo, California with guest speaker Christine Rose, CG, CGL, FASG.

Christine Rose, CG, CGL, FASG

SOURCE: Christine Rose, CG, CGL, FASG. Photographed 03 November 2007 by Stephen J. Danko.

Addicted toÂ CourthousesÂ

Christine’s first lecture of the day was entitled Addicted to Courthouses. Christine described how to find courthouse records and etiquette to use when searching records.

Christine recommended that researchers check where the records are kept before venturing to the courthouse in person. Some records may have been transferred to a state archives, a local historical society or library, or may be kept in a separate Surrogate’s Office. Take good maps and schedule a minimum of traveling time during courthouse hours. Be sure to verify that the courthouse will be open on the days and at the times you intend to visit.

After arriving, approach the clerk and ask to see the indexes, ask where the earliest volumes are kept, and inquire about photocopying. Do not start reciting the details of your research problem.

When recording information, note the index and volume used (even if you didn’t find any information in it). Label the information as it appear on the spine. If the spine differs from the contents, make a note. Use all available indexes including newer consolidated indexes and the original indexes.

StudyÂ state law and how it affects the information contained in the records. Know the terminology used in the records for which you are searching. Do you know what the following terms mean and what the difference is between the terms in each pair?

primogeniture/entail
testate/intestate
devise/bequeath
administrator/executor
administrator cta/administrator dbn
holographic will/nuncupative will

Christine then discussed the various types of indexes (some very creative), estate files, marriage records, and civil records (including divorces, disputes, naturalizations, and changes of name).

County and Other Local Land Records

Christine’s second lecture was about land records. She began by defining a number of terms:

warranty deed – the person granting the deed agrees to defend the title from claims of others
deed of trust – three parties are involved, a “trustor” (borrower), aÂ “trustee” (who holds the money), and a “beneficiary” (lender)
crop lien – money advanced on the present crop
quit claim deed – someone gives up their interest (if any) to someone else
dower release – a wife releases her dower interest if the land is sold
cemetery plot – a deed of a plot of land to become a cemetery or an individual plot within a cemetery
lease – a contract granting use or occupation of property
execution – to recover a judgment unpaid
and many others including mortgage deed, partition, three lifetime leases, lease and release, bargain and sale, life estate, power of attorney, surveys, oil gas and mineral rights, foreclosures, rights of way, bill of sale, marriage contract, and discharges.

Christine discussed using newspapers as sources of information about land records. She also reviewed the use of indexes of the original records.

Using Military Records for Problem Solving

After lunch, Christine continued by discussing military records, discussing the types of military records available, where to find the records, and providing case studies as examples.

Compiled military service records consisting of pay rolls, muster rolls, volunteer enlistment, hospital records, and others are available for the Revolutionary War, the Post-Revolutionary War period, the War of 1812, the Indian Wars (prior to the Civil War), the Mexican War, and the Civil War.

She then delved into Federal Pension Records including Revolutionary “Service Pension” files, Old War Pension files, the War of 1812 Pension files, the Indian War Pension files, the Mexican War Pension files, the Pension files for the Civil War (Regular Army), Spanish-American War, and the Boxer Rebellion, and Confederate Pension files.

Christine also discussed Federal Bounty Land Records, including those from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, Indian Wars, and Mexican War.

Using case studies, Christine showed how these records include information about birth, birthplace, marriages, divorces, deaths, locations lived, siblings, and physical descriptions.

Using Little Known and Neglected Sources

Christine’s final lecture focused on using records that are either not used to their fullest extent orÂ are frequently overlooked.

Her lecture included a description of land records, military records, legislative papers, newspapers, and court records, several of which she already discussed in her previous lectures.

She provided case studies of deeds of gift, deeds of personal property, final pension payments, legislative papers (including private claims for pensions presented to the House of Representatives), funeral notices, cards of thanks, court papers, divorces, registers of enlistment, surveys, declarations of intention, surrendered land warrants, letters, and state acts.

The purpose of these records is not only to learn statistics about our ancestors, but to find more information about who out ancestors were. These little known and neglected sources can help provide details about the times in which our ancestors lived andÂ help us to truly know them.

1st Presbyterian Church inÂ San Mateo, California

SOURCE: 1st Presbyterian Church inÂ San Mateo, California. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 03 November 2007.

The day was enjoyable. The weather was perfect (just look at the blue sky in the photo above!), the lunch was delicious, and the seminars insightful. I left the seminar with a pile of books authored by Christine Rose and a pile of old journals and newsletters from the New England Historic Genealogical Society and the National Genealogical SocietyÂ culled as duplicates from the library ofÂ the San Mateo County Genealogical Society.

Now I just need some time to read everythingÂ I brought home!

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Genealogy Conferences | 1 Comment

The Rasos Cemetery in Vilnius, Lithuania

Posted on November 3, 2007 by Steve

While in Vilnius, I visited the Rasos Cemetery where many famous Lithuanian, Polish, and Byelorussian writers and artists are buried. On the day I was there, various groups of students were there, having been given the day off from school to tend to the graves in the cemetery in anticipation of the Day of the Dead.

Entrance to Rasos Cemetery

SOURCE: Entrance to Rasos Cemetery. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 25 October 2007.

Rasos Cemetery was founded in 1769 by Bazyli Miller, the mayor of Vilnius. In 1801, a chapel and belltower were built.

Grave of Józef Piłsudski

SOURCE: Grave of Józef Piłsudski. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 25 October 2007.

Józef Piłsudski’s grave in Rasos cemetery is somewhat controversial, since Polish Marshal Piłsudski was not only a hero in the fight for Polish Independence, but was also the key figure in the Polish annexation of the Lithuanian city of Vilnius. Piłsudski’s body is buried in Wawel Castle in Kraków, but at his request, his heart was cut out and buried in Vilnius with the body of his mother.

Grave of Mikalojus Konstantinas ÄŒiurlionis

SOURCE: Grave of Mikalojus Konstantinas ÄŒiurlionis. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 25 October 2007.

Mikalojus Konstantinas ÄŒiurlionis was a renowned Lithuanian painter and composer. He died in 1911 at the age of 35, leaving a legacy of about 250 painting and 300 works of music. Some of his works can be seen and heard online.

Graves of Polish Home Army Soldiers

SOURCE: Graves of Polish Home Army Soldiers. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 25 October 2007.

Buried near the front of the cemetery are the bodies of members of the Polish Home Army who died during World War II. Their graves were destroyed during the years the Soviets were in power, but were rebuilt by the Republic of Poland in 1993. Until 18 September 1939 when Soviet forces invaded the city of Vilnius, three soldiers always stood guard at the entrance to the cemetery. They refused to give up their arms to the Soviets and were shot. They are buried next to Piłsudski’s heart.

Posted in Daily Journal | Tagged Lithuania, Vilnius | 3 Comments

The Samsanavicius and Sarakauskas Graves in Alytus, Lithuania

Posted on November 2, 2007 by Steve

While in Lithuania, I visited the graves of my grandmother’s sister Ona Chmielewska, Ona’s husband Jonas Samsanavicius, Ona and Jonas’ daughter Elena Samsanaviciute, and Elena’s husband Jonas Sarakauskas.

The cemetery is located in Alytus, Alytaus County, Lithuania. All were buried from St. Ludwig’s Roman Catholic Church (Å v. Liudviko baÅ¾nyÄia) built in 1818.

It was appropriate thatÂ I visited the grave with my cousins Liliana and VitausÂ at this time of the year. In both Lithuania and Poland, great care is taken in the days before All Saints’ Day on November 1st to tidy the graves in preparation for the Day of the Dead. Jasia of Creative Gene wrote about this holiday last year and this year.