Forum | PolishOrigins :: View topic - Why Genealogy research is so difficut in Russia..

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BobK
PO Top Contributor

Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Replies: 231
Location: Portland, Oregon USA
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Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 10:19 pm Post subject: Why Genealogy research is so difficut in Russia..

I get the "Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter" every day. Usually 2 to 6 new articles each time.
(It is free, unless you want the Plus Edition, then it's a small amount for the year. http://blog.eogn.com/)
He keeps about a weeks work of articles on his home page, and you can search for keywords in past articles.
You can also listen to his articles, they're all in print AND audio. One of the BEST newsletters I've found.

Today's edition has a URL of a Youtube video explained as such

Quote:

Genealogy in Russia: Research Challenges

Genealogist and historian Vitaly Semionoff has created a YouTube that describes some of the problems he faces while researching material in Russian archives. An old dilapidated church served as the archival center for the entire Tula Oblast. This brief discussion was presented in Tula, Russia in September 2009.

You can watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmNg7lny4qM

Is this why I'm having such difficulties getting through any Belarus 'archives'?
(my mom was born in Lida Poland, but that area is now in Belarus, along with all documentation from then)
Bob K

1/2pint

Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Replies: 36

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Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 6:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Bob,

Have you tried writing directly to the religious organization her parents' belonged to? Or to the local ZAGS office (civil registry office)?

What year was she born?

Arlene Vic
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Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Why Genealogy research is so difficut in Russia..

BobK wrote:

Quote:

Is this why I'm having such difficulties getting through any Belarus 'archives'?
(my mom was born in Lida Poland, but that area is now in Belarus, along with all documentation from then)
Bob K

They are very secretives. My uncle did went to Moscow to see his sister. He want to know more informations about his parents. His sisters didn't have much to say but told him about wars in Russian & Poland.

He never got any informations since that. But he passed away in 1985. I think Russians aren't allowed to tell.

BobK
PO Top Contributor

Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Replies: 231
Location: Portland, Oregon USA
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Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:01 pm Post subject:

1/2 Pint: I did not try the church, which is the Catholic Church of Lida (don't have the exact name,, but "Exaltation" is in it's name).
The year of my mother's birth was 1911, but I have a letter dated 1933 confirming her birth (she used it in 1940 for her naturalization).
The documents I want will be in the years of 1870-1910 and earlier, my grandmother's her siblings, their parents, more. My
understanding is that the government is to handle documents over 100 years old (but I could be mistaken), and I wouldn't think
the local Catholic church would be handling old documents, or able to copy them.
But, I may give it a try, thanks for poking me on that..

Arlene Vic: Back before 1985, the "cold war" created much fear. My own German grandparents, born in Russian controlled
Poland in the 1880's would tell everyone they were from "Germany", but my research led me to learn both were born to large
German families that lived near Lipno. They were so secretive, their youngest daughter didn't know they were born there!!
And her older sister told me I was wrong saying that, unless she was being secretive too (but she wasn't that way in other
matters)... So yes, the wars did create much of that fear.

Bob K.

Loucee08

Joined: 28 Mar 2011
Replies: 5
Location: Indiana
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:00 pm Post subject:

My father was the same way, could not get much information from him. When we came to the USA in 1950 he started using my mothers maiden name. I learned later there were rumors about Russia looking for their people in the USA. He was so afraid, also, that they may do something to his relatives back home.
My father passed away 5 years ago, I wish there would be a way to find any relatives I may have in Russia. I just don't know where to begin. I have an adress for his sister about 20 years ago, but she may be passed away. I do know she had a daughter.
Anyone know where I can go? I do not speak Russian very well, we were brought up only to speak English.

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