Latvian Genealogy
Latvia Genealogy Introduction
Welcome to our extensive guide on Latvian genealogy, designed to help you trace your Latvian ancestry with ease. This page serves as a central hub for anyone interested in exploring their Latvian roots, offering a comprehensive collection of Latvian genealogy resources. Here, you’ll find valuable links to various tools and information, including detailed guides on accessing Latvian military service records, engaging with Latvian genealogy forums, and exploring databases on repressed individuals in Latvian history.
In addition to these resources, we provide contact details for Latvian archives, making it easier for you to obtain essential documents and records. Whether you’re seeking birth, marriage, death certificates, or more specialized records, our curated list will guide you to the right sources.
Our page also features links to relevant articles that delve into specific aspects of Belarus genealogy, offering insights and tips to enhance your research. From understanding the historical context of your ancestors’ lives to navigating the complexities of Latvian naming conventions, these articles are invaluable resources for both beginners and seasoned genealogists.
We are committed to keeping this guide up-to-date with the latest information and newly discovered resources. New links and articles are added regularly, so we encourage you to check back often to stay informed about the latest developments in Latvian genealogy.
Content
Please refer to the Table of Contents below to easily navigate through this page. Our selection of Latvian genealogy links covers a wide range of topics, ensuring you have access to the best resources for tracing your Latvian ancestry.
Table of Contents
Links
War records
| Name | Link | Description | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pamyat Naroda "Memory of the People" | pamyat-naroda.ru | The database contains information about Soviet soldiers in WW2, including awards, hospital and death records, mobilization records and more | WW2 |
| OBD Memorial | obd-memorial.ru | The database of Soviet soldiers who died or went missing during WW2 | WW2 |
| Podvig Naroda "The Feat of the People" | podvignaroda.ru/ | The database of documents about awards given to Soviet soldiers during and after WW2 | WW2 |
| Doroga Pamyati "The Road of the Memory" | 1418museum.ru/ | The database which contains information about Soviet soldiers in WW2 | WW2 |
| Bessmertniy Polk "Immortal Regiment" | moypolk.ru/ | A memory-based social movement with a website that contains profiles of Soviet soldiers, where you can add profile of a veteran or search for existing one. | WW2 |
| Memory of the Heroes of the WW1 | gwar.mil.ru/ | The section "Heroes of the War" allows searching for Russian soldiers who participated in WW1. Website also contains useful information about WW1, chronology of the battles and more. | WW1 |
| Cavalier | cavalier.rusarchives.ru/ | The database of Georgian Cavaliers (award) of the WW1 | WW1 |
| Numismat | numismat.ru | The database of Russian soldiers who received various awards in WW1 | WW1 |
| Russian Civil War (White Army) | swolkov.org/ | The database of people who participated in White Movement during Civil War in Russia | Civil War |
| Russian Civil War (Red Army) | https://t.ly/Z19Go | Losses of the Red Army in the Russian Civil War | Civil War |
| Russian Civil War (Red Army) | https://t.ly/VC2w2 | A list of participants in the Civil War who were awarded the Order of the Red Banner. Listed in four volumes of the collection | Civil War |
| Russian Civil War (Red Army) | https://t.ly/D5mZp | Monument to the fighters of the proletarian revolution who died in 1917–1921 | Civil War |
| OST-West | ost-west.memo.ru | Lists of individuals deported to work in Germany during WW2 | WW2 |
| Stalingrad | stalingrad.rusarchives.ru/ | The "Stalingrad" online project is a virtual exhibition featuring over 450 documents and multimedia that commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Soviet counteroffensive and the city's defense. | WW2 |
| STSG | ru.stsg.de | Databases with information about Soviet soldiers who died in captivity in Germany | WW2 |
| STSG | ru.stsg.de | Database of Soviet citizens/soldiers buried in Saxony | WW2 |
| RF Poisk | rf-poisk.ru/ | Books which list Soviet soldiers who died in WW2, with names identified through medallions, personal items, and archive research. | WW2 |
| Polk | www.polk.ru | The database includes information on missing persons, unawarded medals, and soldiers found by search teams, covering not only WWII but also conflicts in Afghanistan, the Caucasus, and other local conflicts | WW2, Afghanistan, Caucasus |
Repressed and executed
| Name | Link | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Openlist | ru.openlist.wiki | The most comprehensive database of victims of political repression in the USSR (1917–1991) |
| Memorial lists | lists.memo.ru | Victims of Political Terror in the USSR |
| Memorial base | base.memo.ru | Victims of Political Terror in the USSR |
| Bessmertny Barak "Immortal Barrack" | bessmertnybarak.ru | Victims of Political Terror in the USSR |
| Stalin lists | stalin.memo.ru | Stalin's Execution Lists |
| Returned Names | visz.nlr.ru | Victims of Political Terror in the USSR |
| Posledny Adres "Last address" | poslednyadres.ru | Search by Address of the Repressed |
Forums
| Name | Link | Description |
|---|---|---|
| VGD | vgd.ru | The largest Russian genealogy forum, covering information about all countries that were once part of the Russian Empire or the Soviet Union. |
| J-roots | j-roots.info | Jewish Russian genealogy forum, which covers information about all countries that were once part of the Russian Empire or Soviet Union. |
Records Online
| Resource Name | Website | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Latvian Surname Project | celmina.com | Database of Latvian surnames and trends from the 19th and 20th centuries. |
| Students of the University of Latvia | archiv.org.lv | Database of students from Latvian universities (1862–1945). |
| Latvian Vital Records | raduraksti.arhivi.lv | Largest database of Latvian scans of vital records. |
| Jews of Latvia: Names and Fates | www.names.lu.lv | Records of Jewish names and fates during 1941-1945. |
| MyHeritage | myheritage.com | Family tree builder with various records. |
| FamilySearch | familysearch.org | Global records including birth, death, and marriage records. |
| Ancestry | ancestry.com | Extensive global records for genealogical research. |
| Geni | geni.com | Family tree builder with connections to other trees. |
| Latvia Telephone Directory | genealogyindexer.org | Directory organized by locality; manual search recommended for accuracy. |
Cemeteries
| Resource Name | Website | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Latvian Cemeteries | cemety.lv | Information on Latvian cemeteries and burial records. |
| BillionGraves | billiongraves.com | Cemetery records and gravestone photos globally. |
| Find A Grave | findagrave.com | Global cemetery records and gravestone images. |
Jewish Records
| Resource Name | Website | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Jews of Latvia: Names and Fates | www.names.lu.lv | Records of Jewish names and fates during 1941-1945. |
| J-roots | j-roots.info | Jewish Russian genealogy forum, which covers information about all countries that were once part of the Russian Empire or Soviet Union. |
| JewishGen | jewishgen.org | Largest Jewish records database, including information from Latvia. |