Summer at the Lithuanian State Historical Archives: A Season of Discovery
Midsummer at the Lithuanian State Historical Archives is a time of exploration, research, and discovery. While summer is often associated with holidays and travel, the archives continue to welcome numerous visitors united by a desire to learn more about Lithuania’s history, their family past, and the country’s cultural heritage.
On 29 June 2026, the Lithuanian State Historical Archives welcomed Professor Eugenijus Butkus, Chair of the Board of the Research Council of Lithuania. During the visit, discussions focused on the importance of archives for academic research, access to historical sources, and opportunities for cooperation in promoting and advancing knowledge of Lithuania’s documentary heritage.
On 9 July, the archives hosted the LRT Investigations Team. Since 2018, the unit has been examining and analysing issues of public importance, investigating the causes and consequences of significant events, and presenting its findings through LRT Television, LRT Radio, and the LRT news portal. During their visit, the team became acquainted with documents preserved in the archives and explored their potential use in investigative journalism.
On 14 July, participants of the “Bring Together Lithuania” programme visited the archives. This initiative is designed for young members of the Lithuanian diaspora, introducing them to contemporary Lithuania, its history, and culture. The visitors learned about the work of the archives, the principles of preserving documentary heritage, and had the opportunity to see authentic testimonies of Lithuania’s past firsthand.
Another noteworthy visit took place on 13 June, when Barbara A. Feinstein came to the archives. A career diplomat of the U.S. Department of State and a member of the Senior Executive Service, she currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti. During her visit, she researched her family history and explored her Jewish ancestry. Using archival records, she traced the complex histories of Jewish families from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, their migration routes between East Prussia, Lithuania, and South Africa, and gained a deeper understanding of the impact of historical events on individual lives.
Many hours were devoted to analysing archival documents that helped reconstruct family histories, establish family connections, and deepen knowledge of personal origins. Ms. Feinstein also visited the archives’ storage facilities and viewed the 1765 census of the Jewish population of Vilnius, which records the family of the Vilna Gaon (Elijah ben Solomon Zalman). This census is considered one of the most important sources attesting to the Vilna Gaon’s life in Vilnius.
Summer is often a time for travel, meetings, and new discoveries. For many, it is also an opportunity to explore their family history. The documents preserved in the Lithuanian State Historical Archives continue to assist those searching for their roots and anyone interested in Lithuania’s past.
Last updated: 16-07-2026
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