Lithuanian connections

By Nancy Battick

Usually, people consider resolutions as the new year dawns and, sadly, much of the time we fail at them. Perhaps we just set too many or make them too difficult.  

I didn’t make resolutions at the end of 2022.  I called them goals, which is just sophistry.  Call them what you want, they were resolutions.  My first was to lose weight, and I did that, not as much as I wanted to or that infamous Body Mass Index Chart insists I should, but I did lose. I had some personal genealogical research and writing goals that didn’t get met.  I got bits and pieces done but far from what I wanted to accomplish. Maybe in 2024.  

I did intend to start a new genealogical project, and I have.  I’m trying to identify and write brief biographies of the first and second generations of Lithuanians who came to Piscataquis County.  These immigrants are in danger of being forgotten with only tombstones to reveal their presence.  

Once upon a time, just about everyone in town could pronounce and even spell my maiden name.  Recently I met a former classmate’s nephew and asked him to remember me to his uncle.  I wasn’t sure if the uncle would recognize my married name, so I gave my maiden one and was met with a blank stare, and he asked what kind of name is that?  When I mentioned it was Lithuanian, he didn’t know there had ever been any living here. I’m not sure he knew where Lithuania is.  It was a wakeup call. At the same time, another third-generation Lithuanian descendant spoke to me, lamenting that no one remembered the role these immigrants played in this county. I decided I’d better do something before it was too late.

So, I embarked on this project.  It’s a major challenge.  Some of these first-generation Americans lived in Piscataquis County for a single census then moved, often leaving no trail with no clue where they went.  Many Americanized their names; others picked new names at random.  Most assimilated quickly, and by the second generation had married into the Yankee population.  The second generation often moved out of state. Some have vanished from the records completely; others chose new common surnames, making it impossible to identify which person of that name is the one I’m seeking.  

Will I make resolutions for the coming year?  Yes, especially to continue work on my Lithuanian project.  I’d be interested in hearing from any of my readers who have any Lithuanian (or Baltic state) connection to Piscataquis County, or if you have any memories of any of the Lithuanians who lived here.  If you’re a descendant, I’d love to speak with you or exchange emails about your family.  

When I finish this project, copies will be housed with the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society and other research institutions, so at least there will be some record of the population and the role they played in the county’s history.  

Columnist Nancy Battick of Dover-Foxcroft has researched genealogy for over 30 years. She is past president of the Maine Genealogical Society, author of several genealogical articles and co-transcribed the Vital Records of Dover-Foxcroft.  Nancy holds an MA in History from UM and lives in DF with her husband, Jack, another avid genealogist. Reader emails are welcome at nbattick@roadrunner.com.