Exploring Jewish-Belarusian Heritage: A Cemetery Guide

Jewish people have a long history in Belarus, with some sources indicating their presence in the region as early as the 8th century. By the 19th century, it was impossible to find a Belarusian city or village without a synagogue. However, the 20th century brought significant upheaval, with the horrors of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the Second World War, during which the Nazis murdered an estimated 800,000 Belarusian Jews. As such, finding lists of Jewish people from Belarus who were buried in cemeteries can be challenging. One useful resource is the JewishGen website, which contains a multitude of databases with over 800,000 entries from Belarus, including burial records, Holocaust databases, and birth, marriage, and death records. Another useful resource is the Museum of Family History website, which contains information on various memorials and cemeteries dedicated to Jewish victims of the Holocaust in Belarus. Additionally, the Archives of Belarus website has over 50 web pages of Jewish information available online, including information on Jewish cemeteries. Finally, for those with Belarusian Jewish ancestry, the FamilySearch website provides guidance on how to conduct genealogical research.

Jewish cemetery records

Historical Context

The Jewish community in what is now Belarus was historically made up of Lithuanian Jews. During World War II, the Jewish population of Belarus suffered greatly at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators. Many were murdered, and those who remained were forced into ghettos, where they suffered terrible living conditions, illness, and starvation. Their property was looted, and the Nazis destroyed Jewish cemeteries, reusing the tombstones for other purposes.

Finding Cemetery Records

The International Jewish Cemetery Project provides information on Jewish cemeteries in Belarus. The JewishGen website also has a wealth of resources, including the Online Worldwide Burial Registry Project, which includes entries from Belarus. The Belarus SIG Mosty Project is another useful initiative for genealogical research in the region.

Other Records

In addition to cemetery records, there are several other resources that can aid genealogical research. These include vital records (birth, marriage, divorce, and death records), census records, synagogue records, obituaries, and naturalization/immigration records. Many of these can be found on the JewishGen and FamilySearch websites, as well as through the Miriam Weiner Routes to Roots Foundation.

Language

It is important to note that Belarusian Jewish records are typically written in Russian or Hebrew, so translation services may be required.

Holocaust databases

The Holocaust was a tragic event that saw the murder of millions of people, including an estimated 800,000 Belarusian Jews. This was around 90% of the total Jewish population in Belarus at the time. Many databases exist to help people find information about their family members or others persecuted under the Nazi regime. Here is some information about some of these databases:

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has a Holocaust Survivors and Victims Database that contains records of people persecuted during World War II under the Nazi regime. This includes Jews, Roma and Sinti, Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, persons with disabilities, political prisoners, artists, Catholic and Lutheran clergy, resisters, Jehovah's Witnesses, male homosexuals, and criminal offenders, among others. The database contains millions of names, and if a name is linked to a document, you can request to have the document sent to you. The database includes a wide range of historical documents, including census records, registration forms, ghetto inhabitant lists, death lists, and concentration camp records.

Yad Vashem Central Database of Shoah Victims' Names

The Yad Vashem Central Database of Shoah Victims' Names is a database dedicated to the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust. It contains the names and information of individuals who were murdered or went missing during the Holocaust.

European Holocaust Research Infrastructure Online Portal

The European Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI) Online Portal provides information on Holocaust archival material held in institutions across Europe and the world. It is a great resource for those researching the fates of individuals persecuted by the Nazis and their collaborators.

Arolsen Archives

The Arolsen Archives, also known as the International Center on Nazi Persecution, is one of the largest archives on the victims of Nazi persecution. Many of their holdings are available to research online.

JewishGen Online Worldwide Burial Registry

The JewishGen website has a wealth of resources for those researching their Jewish ancestry, including the Online Worldwide Burial Registry, which includes information about Jewish cemeteries and burial records from around the world.

International Jewish Cemetery Project

The International Jewish Cemetery Project, part of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, has a Jewish Cemetery Database that includes information about Jewish cemeteries and burial records from around the world.

Indexing Historic Graves in Belarus

This is a growing index of historic tombstones located in Belarus. There are several ongoing projects in Jewish cemeteries to index the names of those buried there.

JewishGen Belarus Database

The JewishGen Belarus Database includes a wealth of information for those researching their Jewish ancestry in Belarus, including census records, revision lists, family lists, vital records (birth, marriage, divorce, and death records), and burial records.

Routes to Roots Foundation Archive Database

The Routes to Roots Foundation has an Archive Database that can be used to locate records for a specific town, including Holocaust documents, police files, and school records.

Jewish Roots Database

The Еврейские Корни (Jewish Roots) website is a Russian-language resource that helps users locate archival documents. The website can be translated into English using the Google Chrome browser.

Archives of Belarus

The Archives of Belarus website has over 50 web pages of Jewish information available online, which can be found by searching the word "Jewish" in their database.

Jewish genealogy research

Identify the Town of Origin:

It is essential to go beyond just the country name and identify the specific town or village your ancestors came from. Knowing the district and province names is also crucial. If you're unsure, try searching for a nearby larger town, as this can also be helpful.

Research Strategies:

Start by investigating records in the country of immigration. Vital records such as marriage, death, and birth certificates, as well as census records, synagogue records, obituaries, and naturalization/immigration documents, can provide valuable clues about your ancestors' birthplace and origins. Utilize online resources like Wiki pages and genealogy websites specific to the country, state, or county your ancestor immigrated to.

Utilize Databases and Online Tools:

Take advantage of online databases such as the JewishGen Family Finder, a worldwide database that allows you to connect with others researching similar ancestors. Miriam Weiner's Surname Database, compiled over 30+ years of working in Eastern European archives, is another valuable resource. You can also use online gazetteers and maps, such as the JewishGen Gazetteer and Radzima, to locate your ancestor's town and understand political boundaries, place names, and alternate spellings.

Census and Revision Lists:

The 1897 Russian Imperial Census, the first and only census carried out in the Russian Empire, can provide valuable information. While many records were destroyed, some returns have survived for locations in Belarus. Revision lists, enumerations of the taxable population, are also a foundational source as they provide names, ages, and relationships. Many of these records have been indexed and are accessible through databases like the JewishGen Belarus Database.

Vital Records:

From 1835 onwards, the Jewish community in the Russian Empire was required to keep birth, marriage, divorce, and death records. These records were typically kept in a tabular format with the left side in Russian and the right side in Hebrew. Many of these vital records are now available online in indexed formats and digital images.

Cemetery Records:

Cemetery records can be a valuable resource for Jewish genealogy research. Databases such as the JewishGen Belarus Database, International Jewish Cemetery Project, Indexing Historic Graves in Belarus, and Jewish Roots provide information on tombstone inscriptions and burial registries.

Holocaust Records:

If your ancestors were victims of the Holocaust, you can refer to databases like the Holocaust Lists Database at Routes to Roots, which helps locate Holocaust documents such as victim and survivor lists. Other resources include the European Holocaust Research Infrastructure Online Portal, Arolsen Archives, and the Yad Vashem Central Database of Shoah Victims' Names.

Yizkor Books:

Yizkor books are memorial books published by former residents, commemorating Jewish communities destroyed during the Holocaust. They are valuable sources of information about homes, people, and ways of life lost. Many of these books have been translated and made available online through projects like the JewishGen Yizkor Book Project, Genealogy Indexer, and the New York Public Library's collection.

Additional Records:

Don't forget to explore other types of records such as city directories, school records, tax records, and more. Archives, such as the Archives of Belarus, can be a treasure trove of information. Utilize online databases and catalogs, such as the FamilySearch Catalog, to access these records.

Reading and Translating Records:

Finally, when accessing records, keep in mind that Belarusian Jewish records are often written in Russian or Hebrew. Familiarize yourself with reading and translating these records using online resources and guides, such as those provided by FamilySearch Community and JewishGen View Mate.

Jewish cemeteries in Belarus

The International Jewish Cemetery Project, under the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, provides valuable resources and documentation on Jewish cemeteries worldwide, including those in Belarus. The project's Belarus pages offer insights into the country's Jewish cemeteries, their history, and their current state.

The Jewish Heritage Research Group, established in 2002 by several Jewish organizations in Belarus, is another valuable resource. The group comprises local historians, genealogists, and guides dedicated to documenting and preserving Jewish heritage sites across the country. They have produced a comprehensive map of heritage sites and have been actively involved in restoring Jewish cemeteries and synagogues.

Some notable Jewish cemeteries and burial sites in Belarus include:

• Rakov Jewish Cemetery: Located in the centre of the town, this cemetery dates back to the 18th century, with the earliest known grave marker from 1742. It has been photographed and indexed, and the information is available online.
• Druja Jewish Cemetery: This unique cemetery in the small town of Druja is considered one of the oldest in Belarus, with burials dating back to the 16th century. It is the only place in the country where you can find coloured paintings on matzevahs (tombstones).
• Lenin Jewish Cemetery: This cemetery, established in 1568, is known for its rare wooden matzevahs, believed to be the only ones of their kind in Belarus, Poland, and neighbouring countries.
• Mir Jewish Cemetery: Located in the northeastern part of the town, this cemetery contains several hundred matzevahs that survived World War II, despite many being stolen and used for construction.
• Volozhin Jewish Cemetery: This cemetery, established in 1568, is located in the village of Lenin and is known for its wooden matzevahs.
• Gomel Region Mass Grave: In the once Nazi-controlled town of Stresyn, a mass grave containing the remains of 23 people, including 11 children, was discovered. They are believed to have died due to harsh conditions or illness while confined in the local ghetto.
• Minsk Hollow: Located on the site of the former Minsk ghetto, this memorial commemorates the killing of approximately 5,000 Jewish prisoners in March 1942.
• Bobr Memorial: An obelisk erected in memory of the nearly 1,000 Jewish residents of Bobr who were murdered by the Nazis in October 1941.
• Bogushevichi Memorial: Dedicated to the memory of the 380 Jews from the area who were brutally murdered in 1941.
• Dolhinov Memorial: A memorial plaque honours the Jews of Dolhinov who were massacred by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Holocaust in 1942.
• Horodok Memorial: A memorial tombstone commemorates the slaughter of 900 Horodok Jews in the summer of 1942.

Despite the passage of time, the discovery of mass graves and the ongoing restoration efforts, the majority of old Jewish cemeteries in Belarus remain abandoned and neglected.

Jewish life in Belarus

Before World War II, Jews were the third-largest ethnic group in Belarus and made up more than 40% of the urban population. Cities such as Minsk, Pinsk, Mogilev, Babruysk, Vitebsk, and Gomel were over 50% Jewish.

In the 1920s, Jewish cultural life in Belarus was thriving, with religious, Zionist, Bundist, socialist, and communist movements competing for the youth. However, under Soviet rule, synagogues and yeshivot were closed, and private trade was prohibited, which disproportionately affected Jews.

During World War II, the Nazi invasion of 1941 led to mass slaughter and imprisonment in ghettos. It is estimated that 800,000, or 90% of the Jewish population of Belarus, were killed during the Holocaust.

After the war, Jewish life in Belarus continued to face challenges, with ongoing antisemitism, religious persecution, and restrictions on freedom of speech and religion. Jewish immigration to Israel and the United States has been constant since World War II, with a large wave of immigration to Israel in the second half of the 20th century.

Today, there are approximately 12,000 to 13,705 Jews living in Belarus, most of whom are of Ashkenazi origin. National Jewish organizations, local cultural groups, religious schools, and charitable organizations have been established to support the Jewish community.

Frequently asked questions