Forum

Who are these people in Martins Krumins’ Family Album

2012-01-13T11:20:08-08:00

My Aunt, Mara Krumins, died some months ago at age 104, and I’ve been looking through her photos and realize I don’t know many of these people. I have posted some of the photos on a special Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/229072297173150/

If you know anything about any of these people, please send me a Facebook message or a message here. I will be posting more photos as time goes on and I go through the family albums.

The people in Martins’ family are:

Martins Krumins
Roberts Krumins
Katerina Krumins
Kris Krumins
Andrejs Vite
Uldis Benikis

My own website is:

http://www.dainakrumins.com

Thanks.

Strautnieks, Goslar, 1945

2011-08-22T19:09:18-08:00

Strautnieks, Goslar, 1945

I have received a scan of aged pages of original notes written by a “Luftwaffenhelfer” 1944-1945.
While I am not at liberty to disclose the contains at this time, I have a hitch and need somebody’s help:

June 10, 1945 ” Es aizeju uz koncertu Goslārā - - - mani iepazīstina ar Strautnieku —?— nometnes latviešu vecāko. “
June 14, 1945 ” ... mēs - - - viegli atrodam nometni, kur - - - mūs labi uzņem. “
June 15, 1945 ” ... izrunājamies ar Strautnieku un viņš sola prasīt mūs dabūt iekšā.”

I would love to find out the name of the camp, location, and Mr. Strautnieks’ activities as Camp Leader of Latvians.

With my undying respect for this forum, I would appreciate your replies and questions sent via Personal Messenger. Any civilized language will do.

Thanks,

Mr. L. L.

Looking for Snikeris family members

2008-02-01T09:00:34-08:00

I am trying to find a more complete family tree on my father’s side. Naturally – I do have enough information on him – but as to others that I will mention, I basically have the names only – I am with holding names of living relations, in that I have not obtained their permission to post this

My Father’s name was Talivalds Snikeris. Born in Ventpils or the Ventspils area on August 9, 1921.

His father’s name was Adolfs (and later Kristaps) – by his first wife (Don’t have name) there were 3 children – Ausma, Talivalds & Harijs (both T & H are deceased – and I understand A likely is as well)– By his second wife (don’t have name) there were 2 children – both female and still living in Latvija – by his third wife (Alice) there were 2 children – 1 male & 1 female – both still living in Latvija.

Adolfs’ father’s name was Jukums – I understand that there was another son Vilis ( who may or may not have died in Siberia), possibly a son Otto (who may have been executed) – and apparently other kids as well.

As you can see – I certainly don’t have much – but even this information took years to compile.

As to the living Latvian relations that I have – they do not know the information – in that they were separated by various circumstances during the war years – and in the case of one – she was only born after My grandfather’s return from Siberia.

Even the issue of my grandfather’s name remains outstanding. He was most certainly born Adolfs. Some believe Kristaps was his middle name – others maintain he did not have a middle name. At any rate – he was known as Kristaps when he returned from Siberia, and is buried under that name.

I understand his return was only due to the general amnesty provided upon Stalin’s death. He was however under house arrest even after his return, and apparently may not have died of natural causes. A great deal of mystery.

My ultimate goal is to find relatives stemming from grandfather’s siblings.

Of Vilis I do know that one of his sons had been sent to Siberia as well – I do not what became of him and do not have a name. I was also told in a letter once that Vilis had died in “zirgstalli” – I do not know if that was an area – or that he literally died in a horse stable.

I had only heard that Otto was executed – possibly by firing squad at some time of one of the Soviet occupations. Not much info – do not know if he was married etc.

Even I question much of the information that I have - in that some is rumour only - other is speculation only. Hopefully someone out there can provide more - and more accurate info - thanks.

Looking for Kazimirs Dvorions/Kazimieras Dvarionas

2010-08-20T03:55:02-08:00

Hello,
I’m looking for any information about my grandfather Kazimiras Dvorions/Kazimieras Dvarionas,born in Lithuania aprx in 1883,granted Latvian citizenship in 1920 (according to Latvian archival reseach),married a Latvian woman and lived in Riga until at least 1943.I’d also appreciate any information about his Latvian family or his burial place.
Latvian archives offered their assistance but it might take 9-12 months.
Information may be provided in Russian or Lithuanian as well.
Looking forward and thanks in advance.

Searching for Zanis (Janis) Freimanis and/or his relatives in Australia

2011-04-05T04:59:16-08:00

My family is trying to find Zanis Freimanis, a distant relative, who resides near Adelaide, Australia. We haven’t heard from or of him for a couple of years. Any information would be appreciated.

Looking for relatives of Francis Smeilis

2010-09-26T18:47:27-08:00

I am searching for relatives of Francis Smeilis, born on 15 March 1915 in the Rezekne District (birth registered at the Rozentova Roman Catholic Church) to parents Donats and Jelizabeta.
Francis left Latvia in 1944 going to Germany until 1947, England until 1952 and from there on to Australia.
I believe Francis had eight siblings, six sisters and two brothers, all born before him.
I will be grateful to make contact with anyone who can provide more information about his relatives.
Thank you.

Insula DP camp 1945-1949

2011-04-26T14:30:48-08:00

Insula DP camp (1945-49) Berchtesgaden, Germany.

In 2005 we published a book titled,Insula. Over 25 persons, who had lived in Insula, contributed their stories. We are in the process of re-publishing the book with more stories and photos.

Did you live in the Insula DP camp? Did your parents or grandparents or someone you know who lived there? We have almost 600 names out of the 675 that had been in the Insula DP camp.
Please contact me to contribute either names, stories or photos for this worthwhile historical record of persons and those years.
The first edition of Insulal is in the Latvian Academic and National Libraries in Riga and also in the Occupational Museum.
See http://www.insulabook.com website and contact information.
Insula in 1948 also became a study center (American Zone) along with Imbshausen (British zone) . It provided conferences for pastors , training of Sunday school teachers, and youth leadership training from the various DP camps. Dr. Howard Hong (1912-2010)was instrumental in his work as the first director of LWFSR
In 1999 Dr Hong received Latvia’s highest award to a non Latvian for his work with the refugees -the Order of the Three Stars.
http://www.stolaf.edu/collections/kierkegaard/about/hongs.html#howard

Starr Family in Riga WWI

2010-12-15T03:06:50-08:00

Bruno Martuzans has very kindly provided me with information on the family STARR who owned businesses in Riga around WWI?

I wonder if anyone knows what kind of businesses these were? Some of them were barbers/hairdressers. That much I know.

My searches have found nothing to date. Where else can I search?

Warm greetings from Australia

Looking for Andy of Rochester - 1970s

2010-10-05T11:59:32-08:00

Trying to remember the last name of a Volleyball player from Rochester. He played for the Syracuse team in the 1970s.

Looking for descendants of Janis Kalnins, arrived in Australia in 1949 and lived in Brisbane

2011-02-06T03:37:06-08:00

Could you help me, please, how to get the information about relatives (children or other descendants) of Janis Kalnins - date of birth 22 July 1907 (his parents were Janis Kalnins and Emma Kalnina (Heislere). He left Latvia in 1941 going to Germany, then USA, and then to Australia. Accordingly stories of relatives he lived in Brisbane. Searching National Archives of Australia I found the record about Janis Kalnins, A11534, (DOB 22 July 1907) as a displaced person travelled to Australia per “General Stewart” arriving in Melbourne 13 April 1949. There is also Milda Kalnins on this record (DOB 8 August 1906). But I cannot found other information.
I am very interested in building Family Tree, my grandfather was Alberts Kalnins (brother of Janis father, also Janis - DOB 26 June 1873).
I will be very grateful to anyone who would help me! Thank you in advance.