INTRODUCTION TO 1882 FAMILY LIST FOR PUSALOTAS, LITHUANIA

The original Family List (census) for the Jewish Community in Pusalotas, Lithuania is located in the Kaunas Archive, F217, A1 B1 and consists of 82 pages. The list enumerates 120 families, and contains 1,021 individual names.

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 aReviskieSkazki, 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 aReviskieSkazki. 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 the 10th of May, 1883. No omissions or mistakes were found. Signed by the leader of the local council. From the Jewish Community – M.Shtein.

From the Christian Community – FelixShaulis,MarcianDvorzlecky.

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. ReginaKopilevich 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 Lithuania, it would have been KAGAN, KATS, KATZ, or something similar. Also, using the age given to determine the year of birth may not give you the exact year. The exact date of birth may be in the year before or in the year after.

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 inPushelat (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