Belarus Marriages and Divorces Database
The JewishGen Belarus Database contains Jewish marriage and divorce records from towns in Belarus
These records were originally created by the Jewish Congregations of the various towns where the records were recorded. The text is both in Russian (Cyrillic alphabet) and Hebrew script, although some records are in Russian only
Database Fields
The Register of Marriage and Divorce records typically contain the following information:
- Microfilm # -
The microfilm number from LDS Family History Library (if these records were microfilmed).
- Microfilm Item # -
The microfilm item number on the microfilm.
- Image # -
Image number on microfilm, if available, or the page number located at the top right on the record itself (this will enable you to locate the record on the film).
- Place Recorded -
The place that the marriage or divorce was registered.
- Year Recorded -
The year that the marriage or divorce was registered.
- Record # -
The record number of the marriage or divorce in the original books .
- Date of Marriage or Divorce -
Day, month, and year of the marriage or divorce, according to the Julian calendar.
- Date of Death (Hebrew Calendar) -
Day and month of the marriage or divorce, according to the Jewish calendar .
- Husband's Place -
The town where the husband resided or was registered
- Husband's Surname -
The surname (last name, family name) of the husband
- Husband's Given Name -
The first name(s) of the husband.
- Husband's Father -
The husband's father's first name(s).
- Husband's Mother -
The husband's mother's given name(s)
- Husband's Mother's Maiden Surname -
The husband's mother's maiden name
(not always given).
- Husband's Age -
Age of the husband.
- Wife's Place -
The town where the wife resided or was registered
- Wife's Surname -
The surname (last name, family name) of the wife
- Wife's Given Name -
The first name(s) of the wife.
- Wife's Father -
The wife's father's first name(s).
- Wife's Mother -
The wife's mother's first name(s)
- Wife's Mother's Maiden Surname -
The wife's mother's maiden name
(not always given).
- Wife's Age -
Age of the wife.
- Town of Marriage or Divorce -
Place where marriage or divorce was registered.
- District -
The "uyezd"- the district name - of the town of the marriage or divorce.
- Guberniya -
The Guberniya (Russian province) of the town of the marriage or divorce.
- Rabbi -
The name of the official who presided over the marriage or divorce.
- Witnesses-
The name of the people who witnessed the marriage or divorce.
- Comments -
All other information which doesn't fit into any other column. This may include:
- Profession of the husband or wife
- Whether the husband or wife was widowed or divorced
- Archive/Fond -
The archive where this record is now located and the particular Fond / List / Item number in that archive.
Sample Records
Sample Marriage Record
Sample Divorce Record
Contents of the Database
There are approximately 32,000 marriage records for towns in Belarus in the JewishGen Belarus database and All Lithuania database.
Below is a listing of the towns.
There are approximately 200 divorce records for towns in Belarus in the JewishGen Belarus database and All Lithuania database.
Below is a listing of the towns.
Translation/Transliteration Methods
Translators are instructed to follow JewishGen transcription rules. Unless otherwise noted, transliterations follow the BGN/PCGN Romanization of Russian and the YIVO Romanization Standard for Yiddish/Hebrew.
Records have been formatted according to JewishGen transcription templates.
If the Hebrew/Yiddish name differs from the Russian name, both names are listed separated by a forward slash (/)
Recommendations for Searching
Search the records using the Daitch-Mokotoff Soundex as well as the exact name, due to variations in spelling and because some records were transliterated from Russian only and not Hebrew.
Search all town records even if you believe you know the town your relatives came from. Families moved around quite a lot, so the records that you are searching for could be in any database.
Obtaining Copies of Original Records
If a record has been microfilmed by the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS), then one can order the microfilm from any Family History Center. You will need to know the Family History Library microfilm number (FHL #), item number, image number and record number.
If a record was not microfilmed by the LDS then contact the project leader for information on obtaining copies of an original record.
Acknowledgements
- The many translators who helped us with these records: Boris Bayevsky, Arkady Brazin, Vitaly Charny, Rimma Dechter, Zhanna Glazenburg, Vladimir Golynya, Baruch Gorkin, Natasha Grinberg, Ronnie Harpaz, Joshua Kaufman, Greg Mirsky, Frank Proschan, Lara Tsinman, Dena Whitman, Irina Zabelyshinsky, Ludmila Zapletnyuk and Elena Zborovskaya
- Avraham Groll, Alex Kotovskiy, Gary Sandler, Warren Blatt and Michael Tobias for their support at JewishGen
- The many people whose financial contributions have made it feasible
to obtain these records.
Searching the Database
This database is searchable via the
JewishGen Belarus Database.
Last Update: July 28, 2021 PMZ
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