Latvia Jurisdictions

Over the centuries Latvia has undergone several administrative changes which have significance for researchers. Knowing which jurisdiction a place was in at what time will allow researchers to identify the correct set of records to examine.

Historical Maps
During the Great Northern War (1700-1721) between Sweden and Russia the eastern borders of the Swedish Kingdom were challenged by the Russia who wanted to improve Russian access to ports in the Baltic. In 1710, Peter I (Peter the Great) captured the Latvian Capitol of Riga and Latvia came under Russian influence.

1589-1617
The 1589 amendment to the Livonian Constitution established 26 townships (pilsnovadus or stārastijas) in the Duchy of Livonia. Eighteen of those townships were in Latvia and were created around castles (pils) formerly owned by Catholic bishops. These townships were as follows: • 3

1617-1688
The Constitution of the Duchy of Kurzeme and Zemgale (Latin: Formula regiminis et iudiciorum in Ducatu Curlandiae et Semigalliae) established a government of four councilors (Oberräte) who Friedrich Kettler, the Duke of Kurzeme and Zemgale, was required to consult with regarding any political issues or affecting the rights and privileges of the nobility. This government also divided the duchy into four court districts: Jelgavas, Kuldīgas, Sēlpils, and Tukuma. These were further divided into eight eight precincts and many parishes. The constitution also approved the civil statutes of Courland (Statuta et leges Curlandiae et Semigalliae) at this time. The adoption of the Gregorian calendar on 1 January 1618 was also ordered by this constitution.

1688-1783
This change in the administration of Swedish Livonia replaced city courts with parish districts (härad) as administrative units. In Latvia this affected only Rīga and Cēsu counties, and Parnu and Terbata counties in Estonia. Parish schools were also formed at this time.

1783-1866
In 1783, Russian Empress Catherine II ended the Riga Governorate and replaced it with the Riga Viceroyalty (Rīgas vietniecība). This new jurisdiction contained nine districts, each with their own court, four in Latvia and five in Estonia. The four Latvian districts were Rīga, including the cities of Rīga, Daugavgrīva, and Sloka, and 25 parishes; Cēsu, the city Cēsi, and 16 parishes; Valmierias, with the cities Valmieria and Limbaži, and 13 parishes; and Valkas, with the city of Valka and 11 parishes. In 1796 the Riga Viceroyalty was renamed the Vidzeme Governate.

The other districts in Latvia were Veravas, including the city of Verava and 8 parishes; Tērbatas, the city of Tērbata and 14 parishes; Vīlandes, the city of Vīlande and 8 parishes; Pērnavas, the city of Pērnava and 13 parishes; and Ārensburgas, the city Ārensburga and 16 parishes.

1866-1924
The 1886 Baltic Provinces Parish Municipalities Act (1866. gada Baltijas guberņu pagastu pašvaldību likums, Russian: Положение о волостном общенийном управлении 11 июня 1866 г.). This law transferred rights from manors to parish municipalities and regulated the rights of peasants and farm owners.

1924-1945
The 1924 act divided the Republic of Latvia into four regions and 19 counties. After the German occupation on 1 September, 1941, six districts were created: Liepāja, Jelgava, Rīgas rural, Rīgas city, Daugavpil, and Valmiera.

This table lists 575 parishes and cities in Latvia from 1824-1945, sorted by County (Apriņķa). The table identifies if the place is a city (pilsēta) or parish (pagasts). The Region identifies the historical Latvian lands associated with each place. These lands were Kurzeme (Courland), Latgale (Latgallia), Vidzeme (Livonia), Zemgale (Semigallia), and Sēlje (Selonia or Augšzeme). During this period Zemgale and Sēlje were consolidated as one region.

This information is helpful in identifying places in the 1935 census and 1941 census published on FamilySearch Historical Records.

Kurzeme
Note that Saldus is both a city (pilsēta) and parish (pagasts).

1945-2009
After the Second World War ended, Latvia was occupied by Soviet Russia and the country was divided into 26 districts (administratīvais rajons) and 7 Republican cities (republikas pilsētas) which operate as a separate administrative authority. The seven cities are Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jūrmala, Liepāja, Rēzekne, Rīga and Ventspils. Latvia gained independence from Russia on 6 September 1991.

2010-2020
The Administrative Territorial Reform of 2009 (2009. gada administratīvi teritoriālā reforma) reduced the number of administrative entities by abolishing the districts (rajons) and uniting cities and parishes in counties (novado) and designating two additional Republican cities, Jēkabpils and Valmiera.

2021
On 1 July, 2021 Latvia was reorganized into 36 counties. The nine Republican cities were designated "state cities" (Valstspilsētas) with the municipality of Ogre being added to them.