Genealogical research in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia — searching for ancestors and archival documents

One of the most important documents for reconstructing family history is the parish register, maintained in places of worship of different faiths, where baptisms, marriages, and deaths were recorded. In predominantly Catholic Lithuania, Lutheran Estonia, and multi-confessional Latvia, in addition to Lithuanians, Estonians, and Latvians, there were also Poles, Germans, Russians, and Jews. Depending on the denomination, records were kept in Catholic churches, Lutheran kirks, Orthodox churches, or synagogues. During the period when the Baltic States were part of the Russian Empire, tax censuses were conducted, documenting the composition of households and the relationship of family members to the head of the household. These documents remain a highly valuable source of information for researchers and descendants to this day, providing unique insights into the social, cultural, and economic life of past generations. Nationality confirmation may grant eligibility for citizenship or residency in the respective country by descent.

Genealogical research in the former territories of the Estland, Livland, Courland, and Vilna governorates requires careful study of various valuable documents that help reconstruct the biographies of people from past centuries. Our specialists actively examine 19th- and 20th-century personal files, which contain extensive information about individuals' education, professional activities, and places of employment, as well as working with official service records that document careers, ranks, and positions held over time. Equally important sources include local population registers, conducted both in cities and in rural areas, including household lists that allow researchers to trace family structures. Additionally, we analyze military records, property inventories, plans, and maps, which make it possible to gain deeper insight into the everyday lives of ancestors, their social ties, and material conditions. All these sources together allow for a comprehensive study of regional history and the preservation of memory about ancestors who left a significant mark on the history of the Baltic States.