Lithuania Census

Family Lists / Local Censuses
Research use: Excellent source for identifying family groups.

Record type: Population enumeration for the purpose of assessing a poll tax and identifying those for conscription into the military. The family lists continued the gathering of data that was previously collected in the revision lists.

General: In some areas, the term supplemental revision lists was used when referring to family lists. Since there was no universal mandate to create these records, as there was with the revision lists, family lists occur randomly at different times for different places. Family lists were also created by conscription offices that listed all male members of a family along with their parents.

Time period: 1860-1920.

Contents: Head of household, family members, ages; other details vary.

Location: State Historical Archive in Vilnius and the Kaunas State Archive.

Population coverage: 30% coverage because conducted randomly on a local basis and not always preserved.

Reliability: They are not completely reliable because of efforts to evade taxation or conscription by avoiding correct enumeration.

All-Russian Empire Census
Research use: Identifies family groups and give extensive personal information. Also, identifies place of birth as well as residence, leading to other research sources.

Record type: Population enumeration primarily for statistical purposes.

General: The only nineteenth century general census in Lithuania was conducted in the middle of winter, January 28, 1897, when the population was least mobile. It was undertaken by the Central Census Bureau, subordinate to the Central Statistical Committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Russian Empire. Two copies were created, one kept locally and the other sent into the Ministry. The Ministry copy was eventually destroyed. A second census was anticipated in 1914 but World War I intervened.

Time period: 1897.

Contents: There is a separate list for each household. The first page of each enumeration form notes the province, county, district, village, name of head of household, number of dwellings, number of souls found on day census was taken (divided by sex), number living there permanently, how many people are there who are not peasants, those who live there but are not official residents, and signature of person who compiled the form. On the following pages is listed: name; note if blind, deaf, mute, or insane; relationship to head of family and head of household; age; marital status; social rank; birthplace where registered; residence; note if person is absent at the time of the census; native tongue; literacy; place of study or graduation; main profession; additional profession; military status.

Location: A remnant of the census is located at the State Historical Archive in Vilnius.

Population coverage: 10% (see preservation note).

Reliability: High.

Preservation of records/vulnerability: The records are well preserved in a good facility. They were little used during the period of Russian control, 1940-1990.