The First World War was a time of chaos across Europe. And yet, there was order as well, at least in Latvian territory and amongst Latvians residing elsewhere. The documentation surrounding Latvian refugees of the First World War is extremely
Ž is for Žandarmērija
So now we have come to the end of the Family History Through the Alphabet challenge! I’m happy that I’ve been able to complete the whole challenge. What next, I wonder? So, Ž is for ŽandarmÄ“rija… “žandarmÄ“rija” is the Latvian
U is for Ultimatum
I know, the official ending of the Family History Through the Alphabet challenge is this week, and I still have a few letters to go, but I did start the challenge late (two months late!), and I had extra letters
Ņ is for Ņižņijnovgoroda
Wow! That sure looks like a mouthful, doesn’t it? Don’t be too afraid though. This latest edition of Family History Through the Alphabet is just the Latvian name for the Russian city and oblast of Nizhny Novgorod. Nizhny Novgorod is
N is for New Style
Almost caught up on the Family History Through the Alphabet challenge! Today we’re talking about dates, dates and more dates – the topic is New Style vs. Old Style! No, we’re not talking about fashions for an evening out, but
What Are Your Goals?
Today I’m expanding a bit beyond my usual discussion on Latvian genealogy, to discuss a topic that is relevant to all fields of genealogy. The point of discussion – What are your goals? It is important to define your genealogical
Ä¢ is for Ä¢enerÄlgubernators
This next Family History Through the Alphabet challenge is a bit tricky, but I found something that works – Ä¢enerÄlgubernators. This means “governor general” in Latvian. Canadian readers will be familiar with this term as the Queen’s representative in Canada.
G is for Germans
What’s next in the Family History Through the Alphabet challenge? Germans! Germans and the German language have a long history in Latvia. Ever since the first bishops of Bremen came to Latvian territory in the late 12th century to Christianize
F is for Flight of the Wild Geese
Some of you may look at the title for this Family History Through the Alphabet challenge post and wonder if you’re on the right blog. After all, what does an Irish Jacobite army have to do with Latvia? As it
E is for Emancipation
On to letter E of the Family History Through the Alphabet challenge! E is for Emancipation To many Westerners, particularly Americans, “Emancipation” means the freeing of slaves from slavery, more specifically black slaves in the American South, during the Civil