Brazias County? Vilkininkai

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richie C. on September 1, 2010 at 8:09am

J,
That's a strange one. My answer would be 'no'. Keep in mind there are/were regions, counties, administrative districts, towns, cities, villages....their geography is divided in a more complicated way than most of us are used to. "Brazias", might not have been a county at all. However, I couldn't find any reference to Brazias. There is a place called Brazavas, also listed as Braziai, but it is not near Valkininkai, lying to the west near the Polish border. Valkininkai is located at the intersection of the A4 highway and route 220, northeast of Varena in southern Alytus County. Alytus County was formed from part of Trakai County in 1801.

Perhaps you person left Valkininkai and traveled west on his/her way to the ships in Germany, and passed through or spent some time in Braziai? Death certificates are very troubling sometimes, because the only information recorded is given by a survivor, who may not have been told much information, or may have remembered incorrect information. I'd put more stock in the ship manifest.

You can look at the evolution of maps of Lithuania in the History, Reglion, Politics discussion forum of the group; however, I don't know that they'll give you the level of detail that you're looking for.

Permalink Reply by J Oakes on September 1, 2010 at 12:40pm

Thank you, Richie. The manifest is clear enough that he reported his place of birth, and residence of his father, as Vilkininkai. Even his traveling companion, an 11-year 'nephew' (not substantiated that there is blood relation), reported the same.

The information was reported on his death certificate by his wife, Anna, who also had Lithuanian lineage but yet was reportedly born in Scotland. Her obituary provided the following: Her father was Matthew Trakimas and Mother was Kastancia Szukewecute. Her place of birth was Stoneyburn,Whitburn, Scotland.

To your knowledge, was it typical for Lithuanians to settle in Scotland permanently or temporarily, on their way to the US? I have been unable to find a manifest that would list their passage to the US.

Permalink Reply by Richie C. on February 29, 2012 at 9:04pm

How's this for a late reply?

The answer would be 'both'.  Some worked in Scotland temporarily to earn passage to the USA, others stayed, or couldn't earn enough to continue their trip.  There's an interesting article about what happened to the Lithuanian names of those who remained in Scotland, specifically Glasgow in this article.  Sometimes people also went back to Lithuania.  Maybe they stayed months, or a few years...long enough to have a child or four.  Did you look for Anna's birth on http://freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl ?

Permalink Reply by Joan Cook on September 4, 2010 at 1:25pm

Hi, From what I can tell, quite a few Lithuanians worked in the coal mines in Scotland before coming to America. I discovered this for my family & it was a complete surprise.

I am curious about your Brazias County. My Great grandmother's maiden name was Braza. I wonder if there is a connection?

Cheers,
Joan