LithuanianCatholic

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Lithuanian Roman Catholic (RC) Ancestor Search Information

Lithuania Roman Catholic Parish Registers

(in the Lithuanian State Historical Archives and Online)

Languages Used in the Birth, Marriage and Death Registers of Lithuanian Roman Catholic Churches (RCCs)


All of the pre-WWI registers of Lithuanian RCCs are handwritten in a foreign language. The earliest records are in Latin, later in Polish, later in Russian, a few in German during WWI, and later in Lithuanian. Most of our Lithuanian ancestors never spoke in Latin and probably never spoke more than a few words in Russian or German.  With the exception of some Polish-speaking Lithuanians ("nobility", some priests, and some residents of villages in areas of Polish influence), our Lithuanian ancestors probably spoke Lithuanian exclusively (although there were various dialects).

The Latin language was used in the registers of Lithuanian RCCs at least through the early portion of the nineteenth century. It appears that RCCs in the Vilnius diocese used the Latin language through the first half of 1827, and that RCCs in the Telšiai diocese used the Latin language through the end of 1827.


The Polish language was used in the registers of Lithuanian RCCs during a portion of the nineteenth century. It appears that RCCs in the Vilnius diocese used the Polish language from the second half of 1827 through the first half of 1848, and that RCCs in the Telšiai diocese used the Polish language from the beginning of 1828 through the end of 1848.


The Russian language was used in the registers of Lithuanian RCCs during a portion of the nineteenth century and in the early part of the twentieth century. It appears that RCCs in the Vilnius diocese used the Russian language from the second half of 1848 through at least WWI, and that RCCs in the Telšiai diocese used the Russian language from the beginning of 1849 through at least WWI.


The German language was sometimes used in areas of Lithuania that were occupied by the German army during WWI.


The Lithuanian language was used after Lithuania declared its independence at the end of WWI, but the change from Russian-language to Lithuanian-language wasn't implemented immediately by the RC dioceses.
 


 


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