This is a part of pages of Lithuanian heritage created by Lithuanians abroad. In the beginning a set of Lithuanian version were created: the history of famous Lithuanian Father Aleksandras Burba and his activity in Lithuania and at Plymouth, Pennsylvania. As continuation the new page was prepared - the history of St.Trinity Church at Wilkes-Barre. I'll be thankful to everybody who will help to translate these pages into English. Write to my at info@lithuanian.net

Father Aleksandras Burba, Plymouth, Pensylvania

Father Burba arrived to assume his duties as pastor of St.Mary's on August 22, 1889. He had been instructed by Bishop O'Hara to use both the Polish and Lithuanian languages. However, his stay at St.Mary's lasted only nine weeks. On Thursday, October 24, 1889, a split between the two nationalities became permanent. Instead of the one national parish, there were henceforth to be two. Not only did the Lithuanians secede to form St.Casimir's, they also elected to take Father Burba along with them as their founding pastor.

The first person to come to the assistance of Father Burba, thus giving him the needed courage, was Father W.Donahue. Pastor of St.Vincent's Parish, Plymouth, who invited him to conduct services in St. Vincent's Auditorium. There, on October 27, 1889, the Lithuanians held church services in their native tongue.

After the Bishop had given his sanction, Father Burba was soon joined by a group of persons who recognized an opportunity to have their own place of worship. They contributed their time, their energies, their means, and also solicited funds for the project. Outstanding among them were Adam Adzdrauskas, Michael Balyta, Casimir Brazys, Casimir Ivanauskas, Thomas Kazlauskas, Anthony Pajaujis, Joseph Paukstis, Sylvester Paukstis, A.Maslauskas, Matthew Mociejunas, N.Tamulis, Michael Tautoris, and John Zukauskas.

When enough funds were raised, Father Burba purchased a plot of land in what was then Plymouth Township, and which later became Larksville Borough. This site, situated on a hill overlooking the Susquehanna River and Plymouth Borough, was centrally located. It was meant to serve Lithuanians living throughout Wyoming Valley. Parish records reveal that father Burba went as far as Pittston to minister to the Lithuanians living there.

"And to provide a filling abode where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass could be offered, the Catholic people came afar from the country side bringing materials, and after many months of arduous toil, and by the sweat of their brows, erected a church in which to worship the King of Kings, Our Lord Jesus Christ. And here they worshipped, and their children were taught the word of God".

Construction began on the church and rectory on June 1, 1890m and the cornerstone was laid on August 24, 1890. While awaiting their completion, the members of the infant parish continued to worship in St.Vincent's Auditorium. The first prayer service was held in the new church on December 21, 1890.

After a great deal of work and hardship, but amid great joy, their new church was blessed by Bishop O'Hara on january 1, 1891. The cost of the church and rectory, both wooden frame buildings, was about `$16.000.

Much of thanks to "Brothers Entertainment" at Plymouth and personally to Gary for a help and an information.

Will be continued...

The Lithuanian history pages (in Lithuanian):
The history of church in Salantai (West Lithuania, Samogitia)
The Old Church of Buivydziai (East Lithuania, Aukstaitija)
The history of Ula's territories (South Lithuania, Dzukija, Dubiciai)
The historical weekly Voruta (a name of legendary Lithuanian fortress)

We prompt you to leave your words, commentaries, and additional information - about that parish and other places related Lithuania and Lithuanian heritage. Write, your words will help to point us new paths the Lithuanians went across the world. They left the signs and we need to see them. Let's be active - not as mankurts at prairies (steppe) of Sarozeques.

NOTE: if you entered your message and don't see it now, click "Refresh" (or "Reload") button of your browser - to reload this page.

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eileen remavege Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 19:54:46
my cousin just gave me the correct spelling of my family's lithuania name Rimivichus. I would be most interested about my deceased father's family and backgroud. any ideas for me?
Thank you!

Susan Knox Saturday, January 30, 2010, 03:47:54
Do you have access to parish members list from 1908. My father's family arrived in Wilkes Barre at that time. I am looking for help in my genealogy search? The name was Wilhelm and Anna Pusch or Busch. Would you have the names of other Lutheran churches in Wilkes-Barre at that time?
Thank You.
Susan

Ann-Marie Townsend Thursday, January 28, 2010, 21:21:18
Does anyone have any relatives with the name "Balanda"?

Bea Saturday, December 19, 2009, 19:50:07
Does anyone know how we might try and save St. Casimirs in Hanover Township Pa from closing??? Would getting a priest from Lithuania help and how would you go about doing so. It is a shame that the Church is trying to close the ethnic parishes stating it is a lack of Priests.

pat Friday, November 27, 2009, 19:23:45
When the Old Latin Mass was no longer is when churches began the downward spiral to there final ends. If we could return to the Old Mass i think there would be better hope. the Lithuanians know this more than most.

pat hurtuk Friday, November 13, 2009, 16:43:00
there is a church called st casimer, in cleveland that the bishop shut down last sunday, nov 8 but there could still be hope, before stripped and bulldozed. please read the comments on internet it is under st. casimer closing and THEN add comments too, as many as possible. spread this request to others PLEASE, quickly.

Timothy W. (Tim) Davis Sunday, November 8, 2009, 04:56:40
My wife's great-grandfather was named Casimir Brazys, b. abt. 1840 in Russia (married to "Ludwig", b. abt. 1844 in Russia). They had a son, Antonius (Anthony) Brazis/Brazys, b. 25 Mar 1869 in Russia, who came to Baltimore, Maryland, by 1913. "Anthony" Brazis married Alexandria Krasauskas (Kazlauskas?), b. 13 Feb 1875 (Vilnius, Lithuania/Russia), whose father was Peter Krasauskas (related to Thomas Kazlauskas?).
Do you know if any of this information fits with the family information for Casimir Brazyz, an important contributor to the birth of St Casimir Parish?
Thank you for any information you can provide to me.
Tim
Timothy W. Davis
tdavisfam@gmail.com

Jodie Sunday, November 1, 2009, 01:00:56
hello. My grandmothers side of the family came from Lithuania from just out side Vilniun and the family name was Zumarus (i am unsure how to properly spell this). On behalf of my father I would realy like to find out more information on my family and the full history but i am unsure the best way to do this so would be very gratefull to anyone who can help me. thanks Jodie

LINDO ROSSI Sunday, May 17, 2009, 23:30:22
IF ANYONE COULD HELP INTO THE FINDING OF ANY HISTORY AND OR PICTURES OF ST. CASIMIR'S CHURCH (LARKSVILLE) NOW LOCATED IN LYNDWOOD PA. WE ARE HAVING OUR 120 ANNIVERSARY AND WE ARE TOLD THIS IS THE OLDEST LITHUANIAN CHURCH IN THE COUNTRY. WE WOULD LIKE TO PUT TOGETHER A MEMORY BOOK TO CELEBRATE OUR ANNIVERSARY. THANK YOU! LINDO ROSSI

Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 23:32:36
Hi Neil,
SHAKI - that is a town Šakiai (Shakiai) in Lithuania

NEIL CARTAWICK Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 04:08:46
HI MY FAMILY CAME FROM LITHUANIA ABOUT AN 100 YEARS AGO TO BRITAIN IM STRUGGLING TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MY HERITAGE DO U HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR ME I BELIEVE WE CAME FROM A PLACE CALLED SHAKI IM NOT 2 SURE HOW TRUE THIS IS THANKS HOPE 2 HEAR FROM U SOON NEIL

Kathy Monday, December 15, 2008, 02:20:47
I thank the Lord for giving us the gift of brilliant preachers!

Debra Worthington Thursday, May 10, 2001, 15:00:48
Does anyone have any info on a young Lituanian girl who immigrated from Lithuania late 1800s or very early 1900s named Magdelin Baladiuskutis? She married a German immigrant named George Stonis and they lived in Pennsylvania. Her children went to Catholic School (Bill Stonis, Elizabeth C. Stonis)

louise albitis Monday, May 7, 2001, 00:33:28
thankyou for the site. Although I cannot read or write in Lithuanian, I am Lithuanian by heritage. My father was born in England after his mother and father left Lithuania about 1900. His father's name was Dominic Albitis and his mother's name was Louisa Kathleen Shutrick. If you have any records for these people or where they came from in Lithuania I would be most grateful. Keep up the good work,
.
louise

Linda MacDougall Thursday, May 3, 2001, 02:07:23
My dad was Lithuanian but our name was messed up by immigration. We ended up with Vervewski, but it may have been Veverskis. My dad grew up in Plymouth, PA. I am trying to trace roots, but cannot find much. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. All of his family are deceased.

David Schultz Sunday, April 29, 2001, 20:36:56
I went to Holy Cross Perish of the So. side of Chicago and graduated in 1964.The order of Sisters were "The Sisters of St. Casimer". Is this group of nuns from your area? I remember when asking one of the sisters where she was from and she told me Pennslyvania.

ASHE WEDNESDAY BURBA Thursday, March 29, 2001, 01:35:33
my name is ashe wednesday burba and my grandfather was benjamin michael burba sr. (1910-ish to 1986-ish) he moved to connecticut and
married kate russo. i am very interested in learning anything about my family's history.thank you.

Kathleen( Antonovich ) Weber Sunday, March 4, 2001, 08:06:35
Anyone who has any information on where I can find out what ship and other information about my grandparents please e-mail me. I have their naturalization papers.I was told there was a way if I had them? Also any information on these names, Antanovich,Antonovich, Antanovice, Antanovicius.Any help would be greatly appreciated......Thanks

Linda Friday, February 9, 2001, 20:02:20
Researching surname KASLAUSKAS from Lithuiana. My mother-in-law's family is from there. Can anyone help me? Thank you.

Robert O. Dadurka Sunday, January 28, 2001, 20:19:32
My grandparents Michael and Anna Mark DaDurka (DaDurkiewicz) were married in St. Mary's church Oct. 24, 1899.
They came to USA in 1915.
Currently there are 8 famileis using the same last surname as I do (DaDurka)
I'm 62 years old and I' m want to pass on the family tree and stories of the family.
I have a substantial listing of the DaDurka's in the US. Anyone is interested I will forward the information.
I have been unable to contact anyone in Lithuania. Sad but true I do not read or write any other language but English. If any request is made in Polish or Lithuanian is will seek to have it translated in the US.
If you can pass on my e-mail to family in Lithuania I would be very grateful.
Bob Da Durka
3890 Chutney Street
Las Vegas, Nevada 89121

Kostya Demas Wednesday, December 13, 2000, 06:13:58
Hi!
I am currently doing research on the Easter Eggs of Eastern Europe and I am looking for the book: LITHUANIAN
EASTER EGGS by Antanas Tamosaitis. Please advise if you know where i can find a copy to buy.
Thanks.
Kostya Demas
PO BOX 399
Fullarton 5063
S.AUSTRALIA

B Harrison Steele Wednesday, October 25, 2000, 04:19:49
Hello, My husband's Great Grandmother was America Burba b. abt. 1848 in Kentucky USA She married Thomas J. Caswell. Her father was Miles Peter Burba, her mother Azuba Burba (they were cousins) Would like to know if you know their ancestors. Thank you very much.

Dan Paugstat Monday, September 25, 2000, 18:16:39
I was told that the name Paugstat originated from the Lithuanian word "Paukstis." My relatives were from Tilset, Prussia. Does anyone know anything about Paugstat/Paukstis connection?

Kelly Killeen Thursday, August 31, 2000, 22:05:48
I am in the early stages of researching my family genealogy. I am trying to locate any information on the Burba and Kasulis families. John Peter Burba is my great grandfather. He reportedly came to the U.S. from Lithuania in the 1890's(?) with four brothers (two went back to Lithuania) and a sister. In America John Burba married to Agnes Kasulis. The family settled the Shenandoah, PA area. Any information about either of these families would be greatly appreaciated.
Thanks,
Kelly Killeen

Monica Macejunas/Mociejunas Thursday, August 10, 2000, 05:31:26
In establishing St. Casimir's the name Matthew Mociejunas was mentioned. Is there any information on him for my genealogy chart which I am so interested in establishing. Please let me know!
Thank you so much!

Monica Macejunas/Mociejunas Thursday, August 10, 2000, 05:31:22
In establishing St. Casimir's the name Matthew Mociejunas was mentioned. Is there any information on him for my genealogy chart which I am so interested in establishing. Please let me know!
Thank you so much!

Jaci Dotson Thursday, June 29, 2000, 03:44:24
I am trying to locate information on my family - the Maslowsky's of Omaha, originally Maslauskas in Pennsylvania. My great grandparents names were Bernardas and Eleonora Maslauskas. Found the A. Maslauskas listed here and wondered if there is a family connection. Any help would be appreciated.

Georgia Remavege Ricci Saturday, June 3, 2000, 20:30:46
Hello,
I believe my grandparents(on my father's side) lived in a house just down the hill on the right when facing uphill from this church. They lived on Gould St., Plymouth, Pa. My grandparents were George & Anna Remavege. They had 3 sons, Edward(the oldest), George(my father,the middle son) & John(the youngest). They are all deceased. I think all the sons were alter boys at this church too, probably in the late 20's & 30's. Edward & John were career Army. George was a locomotive engineer on the D&H railroad. I would love to hear from anyone who knew them.Sincerely,
Georgia Remavege Ricci

Rasa Ardys-Juska Tuesday, March 21, 2000, 22:27:18
After reading this article and the letters that follow,
it seems to me that many of you are very concerned with
preserving your Lithuanian Church's history. By publishing
several articles about other churches in BRIDGES, reader response
has helped to make known not only the rich histories of the
Lithuanian-Americans but the churches which may be in dire need
of help. Please don't hesitate to send along your Church's
history and photos to us at BRIDGES (can be seen without subscribing
on www.javlb.org). Maybe a reader, a past member of your church,
will come up with the answer to our prayers through us.
Good luck to you all, Rasa Ardys-Juska, editor, BRIDGES

Mary Strovink Daukas Wednesday, February 16, 2000, 02:16:51
Found your note asking for other Lithuanians with the
surname of SHAKIS.
Our Lithuanian family originally had the surname
SHAKIS pronounced "sharekees" by our first emigres to
the US.
The earliest family member was known as Rudis the Red
SHAKIS c. 1837. He owned a brewery with his three
sons. They spoke the Lithuanian language and
considered themselves Lithuanian Nationals.
He became the first family member to bear the name
STRAVINSKY when he changed his surname to accommodate
to the political climate.
Rudis had three sons c. 1857, one of whom was
Augustus who fathered my grandfather in Grodno,
Russia in 1877.
The brewery which, was passed down to the family,
eventually employed my grandfather, Kayeton Augustus
Stravinsky nee SHAKIS, and his brothers.
In 1898 all the brothers but one emigrated to
Lawrence, MA, USA.
We have had no contact with the family in Lithuania
since before WWII. One U.S. family member tried to
locate the Lithuanian relatives on a trip to
Lithuania in the seventies before the fall of the
iron curtain. She could not find them.
Now with the inter-net, I am trying to locate any
surviving family.
I also located an American via the inter-net by the name
of Al SHAKIS who is also looking for Lithuanian
relatives.
Mary Strovink Daukas

j. regina Sunday, February 6, 2000, 17:18:02
I have Lithianian books, art, folk art and national dress for sale.
For instance, a large unique painting by Antanas Tamosaitis.
J. Regina R.R. 2,Gananoque, Ontario Canada (613) 382-4366
fax, (613) 342-1831

Normlasko Thursday, January 13, 2000, 03:11:29
My family came over in the early 1900's. Grandfather Ignatz Dambrauskas came over first, then his son William, they somehow got to Rock, Michigan. Sent for my mother Anastasia, she came over in 1910 at the age of 14. I guess they needed a housekeeper.
The story gets a little blurred here. She got to Chicago -married a widower Frank Rimkus, who had two sons Vito & Bart. They had another child, Albert. They divorced. She ended up in Rock, Michigan, where she met my father John Lasko( Laskauskas). We ended up in Chicago. The Bridgeport area, where all good Lithuanians seemed to converge. Attended St. Georrge's Church and school. We moved out of Bridgeport in 1935, but stayed on the good old Southwest side of Chicago.
Let's here from some Lithuanians out there

Fay Brachulis Thursday, October 21, 1999, 21:26:46
My grandfather Alexander Brachulis immigrated from Lithuania before 1900 married a Michli Petcavage from Duryea, Pennsylvania. They built
a three family flat in Plymouth Pennsylvania at the foot of the hill on which St. Casimer Church was built. It was very sad when I went back
one year and found that the church had been taken down and the mountain
leveled. Family still lives in the house. THe men were mostly coal
miners or bar owners. The church was a wonderful center of the
community. Can you please tell me if there are church records
from pre-1900 thru 1915. I still cannot trace the name of the Lithuanian town that he immigrated from. Would appreciate a reply
if anyone has the answer.

Ray Delin Sunday, September 12, 1999, 16:29:47
We have several Lithuanian speaking members in our organization. Perhaps they could help
with the translations that you need. We are in need also - check our website at
http://pionet.net/~rdelin/
Sincerely
Ray Delin

Ronald Gillen Friday, July 16, 1999, 04:05:12
we cordially invite you to join LithRatPack, signup located at:

http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/LithRatPack

A new community has been born where "anything Lithuanian goes."
LithRatPack@onelist.com
History, politics, economics,culture, geography, current events, travel,
books, poems, romance or lively discussions. And we will occasionally
accept,
genealogy issues.
NO PROFANITY. And no name calling. My mother reads this list. Lively
discussions opposing views are encouraged and welcome.
Our soul purpose is to enjoy life, have some fun and fellowship. The
Arizona
Gila Monster is our Mascot.

Click here: Marx and Lennon Stamp from the Republic of Abkhazia
http://www.crl.com/~rcsutton/bigstamp.html

Let "The Curmudgeon Manifesto" be our guide

Before I begin this little rant, I would like to first delineate the
difference,
as I see it, between the cynic and the curmudgeon.
The cynic is often a humorless and bitter man
who delights in scorning and cursing
all that falls into the line of his narrow vision,
for he has discovered the simple truism,
that it is easier to hate than accept, to fight than to agree, to ignore
than
to believe.
Society, he feels, is too corrupt and too petty for the likes of him,
who is somehow superior by virtue of his spite.

The curmudgeon, on the other hand, is in his heart an idealist.
His jibes are intended, not to scar,
but to bring about a degree of enlightenment to their recipient.
For unlike the cynic, it is not people whom the curmudgeon hates.
His animosity is directed at the ills with which man has infected
himself.
Author Unknown
Rimgaudas, Listmaster
Phoenix, Arizona
Three rules we follow:
1. Thou shalt never talk evil about another Lithuanian.
2. Thou shalt never talk evil about another Lithuanian.
3. Thou shalt never talk evil about another Lithuanian.

Stanley J. Pauksis, III Wednesday, June 9, 1999, 06:24:26
Hi, my family has been here now to the third and fourth generations. I do know that my grandfathr had a brother who came here with or around the same time. My family grew up in and near Forest City, Pa. Does any one know or any other Paukstis families? I understand the name is quite common in Lithuania, but not so common in the States.

Linda "Shakis" Bell Friday, April 23, 1999, 20:01:28
We are looking for other Lithuanian's with surname of "SHAKIS"

Richard Anderson Saturday, March 20, 1999, 18:41:42
Im looking for info on King Vitow, aprox. 14th century

Ronald Gillen Saturday, March 13, 1999, 20:01:34
I am seeking a list of all active
Roman Catholic churches in the US.

Can you be of help???

Sincerely,

Ron Gillen

Peter Smith Monday, December 28, 1998, 17:09:25
I'd like to find histories of all Lithuanian churches...