INTRODUCTION
TO 1882 FAMILY LIST FOR
The
original Family List (census) for the Jewish Community in
A Family
List was actually a census. It differed from censuses recorded in western
countries in that the previous census was revised, or updated, until the next
census was recorded. For example, the 1882 Family List for Pusalotas includes
the names and ages of children born, as well as other events that took place,
after 1882. It also notes what happened to people registered on the list since
the last census, or where they previously lived, so the information provided
covers a period of time greater than the actual date the Family List was
recorded. Censuses recorded in western countries were more of a snapshot taken
during an exact date in time. No information is given pertaining to an earlier
or later event.
Prior to
Family Lists, the census was called a Reviskie Skazki, or Revision List. There is no difference between a
Family List and a Revision List except for the name the particular list is
called. Up to, and including 1858, the census was called a Reviskie
Skazki. After 1858, it was called a Family List. The
information in both is the same.
From a
standpoint of genealogical research, Revision or Family Lists are invaluable.
From them you can obtain approximate years of birth and, in some cases, the
year of marriage or death. Also, you can find the name of the village or town
where they previously lived or, where they moved to. No other known records are
as comprehensive. The exception to this is the 1897 Census of the Russian
Empire. Unfortunately, the 1897 census for Pusalotas was destroyed and no
longer exists. However, some Jews were registered in Pusalotas but were living
elsewhere in January, 1897 when the census was recorded. Do a “town search” for
Pusalotas on the 1897 census of the Russian Empire and the data pertaining to
those Jews will show up. http://www.jewishgen.org/databases/Lithuania/LithCensus1897.htm
The exact
wording on the cover page of the Family List is as follows: “Family list of
Pusalotas, Jewish dwellers congregation, natives and those who came from other
congregations (without the consent of the congregation). Panevezys District.”
Former
natives of the following communities are listed.
BAISOGOLA –
SHAVLI DISTRICT
BIRZAI
DATNOVA –
KOVNO DISTRICT
JONISKELIS
JOSVAINIAI –
KOVNO DISTRICT
KRAKENAVA
LINKUVA
LYGUMAI
PANEVEZYS
PANDELIS –
DISTRICT OF NOVA-ALEXANDROVSK (now ZARASAI)
POSVOL
(PASVALYS)
POKROI (PAKRUOJUS)
PUMPIYAN
(PUMPENAI)
REMIGOLA
SEDUVA
VALBANINKAS
– PANEVEZYS DISTRICT
On the last
page of the document is the official seal of the Pusalotas Chamber together
with the following wording: “This family list checked on
From the Christian Community – Felix Shaulis, Marcian Dvorzlecky.
The columnar
headings on the original document are as follows:
1) Family number on 1882 Family List
2) Family number according to 1858
revision list.
3) Last Name – First Name – Patronymic
name of Males.
4) Age in revision list of 1858. (This
is not included in the database. According to the Lithuanian archivists, the
age listed does not always match up with the stated revision list).
5) Age for the 1st of January
for the year that the Family List was completed.
6) The year, month, and date of birth
according to vital statistics. (This information was not listed on the 1882
Family List for Pusalotas).
7) Notes about males who came or
disappeared after the list was completed.
8) Relationship to the army; Drafted,
exempted, found fit, found unfit, draft delayed, discharged.
9) Feminine names belonging to the
family.
10) Age of female to the 1st
of January of the year when the Family List was completed.
11) Notes about females who came or
disappeared after the list was completed.
A copy of
the original 1882 Pusalotas Family List was obtained by Howard Margol. Regina Kopilevich translated it. A minimum amount of information
could not be translated due to illegible handwriting on the original. Using
Microsoft Excel, Howard Margol keyed the entire list in to the database.
Researchers should be aware that some guesses about some names, both surnames
and given names, were made. A little imagination should be used regarding
spelling of names when looking for family. A good example is the surname COHEN.
In
Connected to
several family listings is the name of an individual who is researching that
family. If you would like to contact him or her, please send a message to me,
Howard Margol, and I will forward it to that individual. Also, if any of the
families listed were ancestors of yours, I would appreciate you letting me know
that. I am gathering material to be used in a book about the history of the
Jews of Pusalotas. Please do not send me an entire family tree as I am only
interested in those who actually lived in Pushelat
(Pusalotas).
This
information and database is being provided on the condition that it not be
copied, or reprinted, without the permission of Howard Margol.
Howard
Margol, researcher