Tag Archives: history

The Salt Mines

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Janette Silverman

The Wieliczka Salt Mine was likely the driver of the economy in the area for hundreds of years. During the partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 18th century, it fell under control of the Austrian Empire. The operation of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Avoidance

Posted on September 4, 2025 by Janette Silverman

Today we visited one of the most amazing museums – Polin. The museum is about 10 years old, and is absolutely incredible. I’ve been here before and I’m always finding something new, something to marvel at, and something to capture … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Every City

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Janette Silverman

If I were to tell you that I have a favorite city that I’d be visiting on this trip, I’d be lying. Every city we go to, I can be found saying that I love this city. Today we flew … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Flowers, History, and Tears

Posted on August 31, 2025 by Janette Silverman

Today we walked into the past – into the mid-19th century. This amazing ethnographic museum portrays life as it was in the various regions of Lithuania through its houses, villages, and other structures. Apparently, buildings representative of 19th century life … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Tears

Posted on August 30, 2025 by Janette Silverman

Today we visited one of those all too many lost communities. It was about a two hour drive from Kaunas to Švėkšna. In 1897 there were about 1000 Jews living in Švėkšna. By the interwar period, Jews owned more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

History, Culture, Food, and of course, Ice Cream

Posted on August 29, 2025 by Janette Silverman

This morning, because the hours spend at the Palace of the Grand Dukes didn’t cure us, we went to see Trakai and Trakai Castle. If you followed my blog or spoke with me after my 2018 and 2019 research trips, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Raindrops keep falling, and falling…

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Janette Silverman

The raindrops are very real, but they are also metaphorical. Today we took a long drive to Plungė. I’ve never been there before, and neither has Lina, a native of Lithuania. I have probably not been to half or maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in Eastern European Travel, Genealogy, Holocaust, Jewish Genealogy | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Streets

Posted on August 24, 2025 by Janette Silverman

Last night I was lulled to sleep by the musicians playing on the street outside the hotel – accordions, guitars, I think I saw a violinist when I was outside, too. This morning, I woke up early and was lulled … Continue reading →

Posted in Eastern European Travel, Holocaust, musing on research | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Our Never-ending Stories

Posted on July 5, 2025 by Janette Silverman

Those of you who read my book Stories They Never Told Us may think you’ve heard (or read) all my stories and all the techniques and resources available for genealogical research. However, our lives are filled with stories. The minutia … Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogy, musing on research, research tips | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quests and Questions

Posted on November 2, 2024 by Janette Silverman

Yesterday, I indulged myself with research into my own family. I didn’t start with anything particular in mind. I thought I would look at JRI-Poland and see if there was anything new I could find of interest. I was looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogy, immigration, Jewish Genealogy, laws affecting genealogical research, musing on research, research tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment