Eastern European Genealogical Research – Overview of Resources – 2025 Update
Research in the Eastern European region has always presented unique challenges. Most countries speak and write various forms of the Slavic language which can be challenging to read and understand to many people from the west. Secondly, the region has seen a significant amount of political strife historically. An example of this in modern terms would be the following:
1. The collapse of the Soviet Union that lasted through the late 1980s and early 1990s.
2. The splitting up of Yugoslavia into multiple countries
a. Bosnia and Herzegovina b. Croatia c. Macedonia
d. Montenegro
e. Serbia f. Slovenia
3. Within Serbia, two autonomous provinces were established a. Kosovo b. Voivodina
4. The splitting up of Czechoslovakia into two countries a. Czech Republic b. Slovakia
5. Splitting up parts of Romania
These actions have resulted in the re-emergence of many countries that had been swallowed up by Russia and Yugoslavia. The changing political climate has led to the opening of more records, making genealogical research feasible for the first time in countries where previously it was almost impossible. Many of the larger public libraries in cities with large concentrations of Eastern European and Russian ethnic groups often have access to many print and online resources for research. In recent years several major repositories have added a significant amount or research materials both online and in print sources to facilitate patron access to detailed information. Some popular examples of major repositories include the following.
1. Allen County Genealogy Center – Fort Wayne, Indiana
2. American Ancestors Research Center – Boston, Massachusetts
3. FamilySearch Library – Salt Lake City, Utah
4. Mid-Continent Genealogy Center – Independence, Missouri
To begin research in Eastern Europe, one must first determine the birth date of the immigrant and his or her exact place of origin. If the ancestor was a 20th century immigrant, passenger lists will usually list the town. For earlier arrivals, researchers may need to consult family Bibles, religious records (especially marriage and burial registers), newspaper obituaries, and county histories, as well as interview living family members, for clues. After determining the name of the country and specific place of origin, one must become familiar with the major record groups and resources for the country of interest. The sources listed in this study guide are designed to assist with that search.
While challenges continue to exist, new and expanding online resources are making the search for ancestors much easier. Europe has a strong historic tradition of record keeping. Civil and ecclesiastical laws required that all births, marriages, and deaths be recorded. Thus Eastern Europe has a far greater pool of resources to draw from for research than many family historians initially realize. Even with these advantages, it is important that researchers, before beginning work overseas, (1) exhaust all resources in North America; and (2) familiarize themselves with the history of the various countries and regions from which the ancestors came.
Eastern Europe has been the scene of many wars and conflicts during its history. Empires have grown and fallen. Each government had its own rules and traditions regarding the keeping of records. Understanding border changes can help with determining what records existed at the time the ancestors lived there. In addition to the basic sources listed at the end of this article, I can send you an electronic copy of my more detailed study guide on this topic free upon request.
Another excellent source for research is the FamilySearch Wiki. The Wiki offers a comprehensive research page on all of the countries that make up the historical panorama of Eastern Europe and Russia. These guides provide the most up to date information that is critical for research success when using the records and include:
1. Historical overview of major economic, political, social, and religious events impacting genealogical research.
2. Description and illustrations for all major record types containing the most useful genealogical information.
3. Recommended research strategies.
4. Bibliographies of major print and online sources.
5. Contact information for jurisdictional archives, civil registration offices, and repositories.
6. Potential sources for research assistance.
Here is sampling of the sources available in book and online formats. My study guide will go into greater detail.
------------------------------------------------------. In Their Words: A Genealogist’s Translation Guide to Polish, German, Latin, and Russian Documents.New Britain, CT., 2000 and 2002. NOTE: Fort Myers Regional Library has: v.1 Polish; v.2. Russian Genealogy (G) 929.1 SHEA https://libpac.leegov.com/polaris/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.6&pos=3&cn=359031