Time for Week 18 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge! As noted in my first post of this challenge, I am starting with my most ancient known ancestors.

This week’s ancestor is Andrejs EglÄ«tis, born c. 1774, died 1858. He is my great-great-great-great-grandfather by way of my maternal grandfather’s maternal grandfather, Ansis EglÄ«tis.

Andrejs Eglītis was born c. 1774 on Limbaži estate, Skuduli farm, according to his death record. Skuduli was located northwest of the town of Limbaži, and approximately 6km north of Langači farm, where he spent much of his life. Langači was located southwest of the town of Limbaži.

He is enumerated as a resident of Langači farm in 1826, 1834 and 1850, with the mention of his death in the 1858 revision list. His father is listed as Jānis. Andrejs had a brother Ansis, who was also enumerated at Langači farm in 1826 and 1834. It is unknown if they had any other siblings.

Either Andrejs and his wife LÄ«ze married later in life than was the custom of the time, or Andrejs already had children grown and out of the house by 1826, though the numbering present in the 1826 revision list makes the latter unlikely. In 1826, he is listed as 52 years old, with his wife LÄ«ze 45 years of age. There are three sons listed – my great-great-great-grandfather Ansis, age 8 (“first son”), Kārlis, age 6 (“second son”) and Jespers, age 4 (“third son”), as well as a daughter Anna, age 2 1/2. If Andrejs already had grown children, it is unlikely that Ansis would be listed as his first son. As such, it appears likely that Andrejs and LÄ«ze had their first child when they were approximately 44 and 37, respectively. Unusual, but not outside the realm of possibility.

Līze died sometime between the 1834 revision list and the 1850 revision list, however I have not been able to find her death record, since a number of the records for the 1840s are missing for the Limbaži Lutheran Church. Andrejs died on March 14, 1858, at 3:30 in the morning at the age of 84. His cause of death is listed as chest trouble.

What ancestor will be next? Find out next week when 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks returns!