Global True Lithuania: About us
Global True Lithuania provides information on Lithuanian heritage abroad of which there is many.
"Global True Lithuania" is the only site dedicated to this, and has been featured on both Lithuanian and US newspapers, TV, and internet media.
We always seek for more information and are constantly expanding our articles. If you know any information that is not yet on the website or may share images, documents or other things regarding Lithuanian heritage that may be of interest please contact us. Contact us at tour.baltic@gmail.com.
FAQ about "Global True Lithuania"
What is "Global True Lithuania"? It is an online encyclopedia of Lithuanian heritage sites abroad. Its articles include stories and pictures of such heritage, for instance, Grand Duchy of Lithuanian castles, Lithuanian churches and cemeteries in the Americas, graves of famous Lithuanian. Everything is available in English and Lithuanian.
Who is the author of "Global True Lithuania"?. All the texts have been written by Augustinas Žemaitis who also owns and scripts the website. In heritage research trips to foreign lands, he is usually joined by his wife Aistė Žemaitienė who also photographs and films. Hundreds of Lithuanians and Lithuanian organizations from abroad have contributed or volunteered for "Global True Lithuania" by telling the stories of Lithuanian heritage in their countries. Augustinas Žemaitis wrote down these stories.
What are the sources of information for "Global True Lithuania"? Most articles were started as Augustinas Žemaitis collected various bits of then-available information from books, far outreaches of the internet, press. However, as time went on, Augustinas visited most of the sites himself, took images and met the local Lithuanians to listen to their stories. The articles were then accordingly edited and massively expanded.
Who funds "Global True Lithuania"?. Expeditions to many countries have been funded by Augustinas Žemaitis and Aistė Žemaitienė themselves, while most work in programming and updating the website has been done by Augustinas without any salary. Only the largest expeditions to America ("Destination Lithuanian America") are partly funded by external sources such as the government of Lithuania organizations and the Lithuanian-American organizations. The full lists of such donors are available here: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020-2021, 2022. However, the expedition members participate as volunteers. You may also support the project through Patreon or Paypal.
How did the idea of "Global True Lithuania" appear?. Augustinas Žemaitis is an avid traveler and travel blogger who visited over 100 countries. While traveling he noticed many interesting and important Lithuanian sites that were virtually unavailable in any online (and often offline as well) sources. Seeing that "heritage tourism" is increasingly popular worldwide (and Lithuania itself is a popular destination for Poles, Germans, Jews who search for their heritage), Augustinas decided to collect all the information about Lithuanian heritage abroad to a single website. Over time, the project attracted interest from hundreds of people, volunteers and tens of institutions.
What is the scope of "Global True Lithuania"? It must be impossible to write about everything related to Lithuanians. We only collect information about Lithuanian heritage sites abroad. We include, for instance, Grand Duchy of Lithuania castles or memorials for Lithuanians. We don't, however, include places where Lithuanians just lived at or worked at (with no Lithuanian visible signs remaining), graves of non-famous Lithuanians, buildings designed by Lithuanian architects, Lithuanian heritage that is in private areas and inaccessible to the general public.
How many Lithuanian heritage sites are there outside Lithuania? We believe that not more than 3000 sites satisfy our criteria for "Global True Lithuania" inclusion. Some 1000 are already included.
Does "Global True Lithuania" includes heritage sites related to Lithuania's minorities (Jews, Poles, Germans)? We do not take into account the ethnicity of the creators of the site but rather its relation to Lithuania. Therefore, the answer is yes, if such places meet our criteria. For instance, we include a Polish-built monument for Lithuanian king Jogaila (Jagiello) in New York Central Park as well as synagogues named after Vilnius. However, we did not include buildings that were simply designed, built, owned or used by Lithuania-originated Jews or Poles if these buildings have nothing visibly related to Lithuania. In the same fashion, we do not include buildings that were simply designed, funded, owned or used by Lithuanians as well if there never was anything visibly Lithuanian there (see the answer to the question "What is the scope of "Global True Lithuania"?" above).
What is the relation between "Global True Lithuania" and "True Lithuania"?. Both projects share the same trademark, domain, and Facebook account, as well as many readers. They are both owned and created by Augustinas Žemaitis. Yet they are very different in content: while "Global True Lithuania" is an encyclopedia about Lithuanian heritage sites abroad, "True Lithuania" is the largest English portal about Lithuania itself.
What is the relation between "Global True Lithuania" and "Destination Lithuanian America"?. Both projects have been created, owned, and developed by Augustinas Žemaitis. While "Global True Lithuania" is an encyclopedia about Lithuanian heritage sites abroad, "Destination Lithuanian America" is an interactive map of Lithuanian heritage sites. "Destination Lithuanian America" is also the name of expeditions to North America during which Lithuanian heritage sites there are documented and added to both "Global True Lithuania" encyclopedia and "Destination Lithuanian America" map.
When did "Global True Lithuania" expeditions to various countries took place? Argentina - 2019; Australia - 2015; Brazil - 2016, 2019, and 2020; Canada - 2019 and 2022; Colombia - 2021; USA - 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022; Kazakhstan - 2018; Uruguay - 2019. European countries (such as Poland, Latvia, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom) were visited by Augustinas Žemaitis many times.
Why is heritage site X not included in "Global True Lithuania"? If the site surely meets our criteria, it is possible we simply do not know about it. Write in the comments and the encyclopedia/map will be expanded to include it.
How could I help "Global True Lithuania"? Do you know additional Lithuanian heritage sites? Please write comments and encyclopedia will be expanded! Do you want to offer monetary support? You may do so through Patreon and Paypal systems (the link is on the right). All this money will be used for Lithuanian heritage research field trips. Do you want to share information about the project? Please share our Facebook posts, contact us directly, tell your friends about us.
Author of the website Augustinas Žemaitis
"Global True Lithuania" website and all its articles are created by a Lithuanian native Augustinas Žemaitis, who researches Lithuanian sites abroad since 2012 (through visiting the sites, contacting the communities, searching information in sources ranging from old books to old internet forum posts). His researchers have been published in the Lithuanian-American newspapers and journals such as "Draugas" and "Vytis". Since 2017, he is the leader of the Lithuanian-government-funded "Destination America" project aimed to research the Lithuanian sites in America and create a map of them.
Before that, Augustinas Žemaitis visited Lithuanian sites in numerous countries on his own, using his own time and money for that, including Brazil, Australia, Belarus, Poland, Latvia, Ukraine, and more.
Augustinas Žemaitis is an avid traveler who visited more than 100 countries, and the idea to research Lithuanian sites came to him after he noticed that there are many incredibly interesting Lithuanian sites about which there is extremely little information online, both in Lithuanian and in English.
Services we can provide
True Lithuania provides or helps organize the following services:
*Legal services in Lithuania (the website owner is a member of the Lithuanian Bar Association).
*Heritage search inside Lithuania.
*Sale of images of Lithuania (all the ones available on this website may be provided in good resolution, and our database is more extensive than that).
Free online guides we offer
At our sister website Truelithuania.com we offer:
*Guides to Lithuanian cities, towns, resorts, castles, religious sites, museums, valuable for tourists.
*Guides to practical life in Lithuania (transportation, shopping, restaurants, climate, dangers) valuable for both visitors and expatriates.
*The most extensive online English guides to Lithuania's ethnic and religious groups.
*The most extensive online Eglish guides on Lithuanian holidays, architecture, sports, music, and famous personalities.
*A Lithuanian history guide that aims to be brief enough to be read at a single time yet complete enough to help you fully understand history and its results.
*Introductions to the Lithuanian politics, law, state symbols, language, theatre, cinema, art, and literature.
Advertising in Global True Lithuania
Global True Lithuania offers wide advertising possibilities. Our visitors are mainly Lithuanian citizens, expatriates, researchers and people who are descended from Lithuania. Most are from Lithuania and the English-speaking countries.
June 15th, 2015 - 12:54
I am responding to your comments regarding Lithuanians in upstate NY. There was a Lithuanian parish in Albany. NY – St. George. It closed in 1986. It is currently used by the Albany diocese as a community center. There is a soup kitchen, small health clinic, classes on parenting, etc. A statute of the Blessed Mary from the original church is encased in the vestibule of the church along with a placque stating the church was originally founded by the Lithuanians. The last Lithuanian pastor, Fr. Matas Cyvas, is still alive (although 99 years of age) and lives in St. Petersburgh, FL.
I have photos of the church and a copy of the 40th anniversary history book. I am the grand-daughter of one of the original founders of the parish.
July 8th, 2015 - 08:39
Thank you for your addition. I have added information on the Albany chruch to the Upstate New York article.
June 22nd, 2015 - 22:36
I am wondering if you might be able to put me in contact with someone who has knowledge of the Baltic States. Preferably someone who has lived there or visited there and has knowledge of the Baltic States. I live in southwest Illinois, close to St Louis, Missouri. An organization I belong to called Home and Community Education is studying the Baltic States this year and are needing someone to do a program on any one or all of the Baltic States. We can pay a small stipend but to fly someone in to do our presentation would probably not work.
Thanks so much!
Marge Francois
July 8th, 2015 - 08:43
I think you may try contacting Lithuanian institutions in the area. If Chicago is close enough then you have many options, especially the Lithuanian World Center. St. Louis itself has a Lithuanian parish (see our article on St. Louis).
September 13th, 2015 - 12:59
My father Gaudentius Malisauskas was born in Pittsburg in 1905,St. Casimirs church. I have his baptismal certificate.His father , Mateusas Malisauskas married Marijona Rimkunas , roughly 1901. they had come to the states separately. previous to my father being born, there was another child Alfonsas Malisauskas who died during a typhus outbreak ?? I am interested intrying to located his grave if there is one, how would I go about ding that ? Any help will be welcome.
Excellent site and information, Thanks.
September 13th, 2015 - 14:17
You may first try online search, websites like “Find A Grave”. However this is not very likely to yield results. If you know the location where he died, or at least where he was about the time of death, you may search in Lithuanian cemeteries of the area. If that was Pittsburgh, our site has info about Lithuanian cemteries there ( https://global.truelithuania.com/pittsburgh-pennsylvania-1133/ ) . You may contact caretakers regarding exact surname.
May 26th, 2016 - 12:25
Mieli tautiečiai,
Prašome balsuoti, atsidarius nuorodą apačioje.
Mūsų lopšelis-darželis pateikė projektą finansavimui tautiniams kostiumams vaikučiams įsigyti. Finansavimas skiriamas tik dviems projektams (daugiausia surinkusiems balsų), o mes jau treti. Turėti tikrus tautinius kostiumus vaikams – mūsų svajonė. Balsavimas nemokamas iki gegužės 31 d.. Atsidarę nuorodos langą, dešinėje rasite balsavimo būdus. Vienas žmogus balsuoti gali tik vieną kartą visais nurodytais būdais.
http://geridarbai.lt/lt/projektas/tautinis-kostiumas-tautinio-paveldo-atspindys
Mums tai labai svarbu, o jums nekainuos nieko. Ačiū
Gal galite paskatinti ir pasidalinti su draugais, pažįstamais, kolegomis…
Pagarbiai,
Šiaulių r. Kuršėnų lopšelio-darželio “Buratinas”
direktorė Violeta Kumžienė
November 10th, 2017 - 17:00
I recently was gifted with a family journal that was passed down, through many generations, from my great grandfather that I am trying to have transcribed. I thought it was in Polish but the Polish translator stated this was in Lithuanian. I am looking for someone who can translate this journal in English. On his obituary it states he was one of the organizers of St. Steven’s RC Church, he belonged to the Kasa Posmiertna in Perth Amboy, NJ. Can anyone help me?
November 10th, 2017 - 17:27
We offer translation services. How long is the journal? You may send us the scan and we may quote a price. The e-mail is tour.baltic@gmail.com .
November 10th, 2017 - 20:12
Thank you Augustinas for your quick response!
I emailed you a scan of the 1st page. It is about 10 pages of 20 lines each, the last 3 pages look likes birthdates of family members. Due to the documents being so old, I could mail a copy of the journal if that would be more helpful.
Please let me know if I can assist you further and I appreciate any help translating this wonderful gift.
December 18th, 2017 - 18:37
I am director of the Brandywine Workshop and Archives i downtown Philadelphia. In the fall, 2018, in conjunction with the Lithuanian National Museum and the family of the artist, we will host an exhibition of the prints of Romas Viesulas as part of the 100th anniversary of the great Lithuanian printmaker and Temple University art professor. We are also looking to host an artist talk and reception for contemporary NYC-based painter Kes Zapkus during the exhibition that continues throughout the fall, 2018. I wonder who in the local Lithuanian community can serve as a contact for outreach to and audience participation from your community. My contact info is aedmunds@brandywineworkshop.com
December 20th, 2017 - 05:45
We have contacted with Philadelphia Lithuanians who should have contacted you by now.
July 6th, 2018 - 21:21
I am trying to gather information on the statue of Jesus in the St. Anthony Lithuanian cemetery in Forest City, PA. It has a plaque listing all the men from St. Anthony parish who served in WWII. Thank you.
November 11th, 2018 - 12:17
Very expansive website re: Lithuanian connections around the world. Found you while looking for info that does not seem to exist: i am the only child of only children, and can find no data on any original Lithuanian names that I have (MUCKIEWICZ, ORINGE, “LAWRENCE” (Americanized at Ellis Island). Can anyone help?
November 14th, 2018 - 06:57
These names are Americanized. Muckiewicz may be Mackevičius. Oringe may be Eringis. Lawrence is hard to say, as it is a very complete Anglicization in that a real English surname is used. Name Lawrence is generally Laurynas in Lithuania but this is not a surname.
November 14th, 2018 - 12:02
GOOD INFO, NOT MUCH HELP. I GIVE UP.
March 17th, 2019 - 14:05
Cannot find any surname Rutkevcius(z) in Lithuania my great grandmother’s maiden name before married a Spokes?
March 17th, 2019 - 14:06
Cannot find any surname Rutkevcius(z) in Lithuania my great grandmother’s maiden name before married a Spokes? (Americanized)
July 20th, 2019 - 16:18
Of note, and not mentioned in this article, is the Sons of Lithuania Cemetery in the Shaft Hill section of St Clair, Schuylkill County.
This cemetery was unaffiliated with St Casimir’s, the Lithuanian parish in St Clair.
The cemetery shares land with St Mary’s Byzantine Cemetery, with the Sons of Lithuania burial grounds located on the right side of a steep hill.
Lithuanian burials took place there from the 1920s until ~ 1990. Many of the older headstones have ceramic photographs of the dearly departed.
My grandparents (surname Padrazas; dates of death 1942, 1979) are at rest here.
July 21st, 2019 - 17:27
Thank you very much for this information. Lithuanian non-Catholic cemeteries have been among the hardest sites to discover since many of them are not mentioned in any books or websites and are basically abandoned to elements. So, we assume many are still unmarked in our map and website although we aim to eventually mark all of them.
Could you please send me the coordinates (open Google Maps, zoom in on the location, and click on the location of the Sons of Lithuania burial grounds – rather than St. Mary’s Byzantine Cemetery itself – then the coordinates will be shown for you and you could copy and paste them here).
August 13th, 2020 - 09:02
All four (4) of my Grandparents came to the US between 1903 and 1913. Is there any way I could get Dual Citizenship in both the US and Lithuania? I am 100% Lithuanian, and proud of it!
August 14th, 2020 - 22:39
I write more here: https://www.lithuanialaw.com/easier-restoration-of-lithuanian-nationality-463 . Basically, only descendents of Lithuanian citizens may be entitled to dual citizenship. Lithuanian citizenship began to be issued only after the 1918 independence. In some circumstances, though, those who emigrated earlier automaically became citizens ~1918. It depended on real etsate ownership, job, etc. Still, if left before World War 1 (1914) this is more difficult. We may perform archive search to see what documents exist to prove this.
Even if dual citizenship would not be possible, a single citizenship may still be possible, or, alternatively, a descent-based residence permit.
September 2nd, 2020 - 06:56
My name is Father Burt Weigen. I’m the priest at St George’s Anglican Catholic Church in Niagara Falls, New York. St George’s has its roots in Lithuanian Roman Catholicism prior to being purchased by the Independent Anglican Church of Canada in 2008. The IAC has altered nothing in the church’s religious decor in fact we cherish it. I would like to put the church on the Lithuanian map, need help in any way the church can be saved religiously, culturally, and civically for the city
September 2nd, 2020 - 10:38
Yes, we know that. In fact, I have visited your church in 2019, meeting archbishop Peter Goodrich there.
My article on the Upstate New York Lithuanian heritage is here: https://global.truelithuania.com/upstate-new-york-831/
We also made an interview with the archbishop, which is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVWtP5XyBF4&t=2s
The church is already marked on the map here: http://map.truelithuania.com/en/16856-2/
I am glad the Lithuanian history and decor are cherished by your congregation! It is indeed among the best-surviving Lithuanian-American churches among those that are no longer Roman Catholic.
December 8th, 2020 - 11:06
Hello Augustinas
I would like to ask you . Do you have lithuanian shop in Brassil ? My relatives leaves in Rio . I would like to send to them from shop of qourse if you have that shop 😀 something like cake chocolates.
Please can you give more details about it .
Thanks very much
Daiva
Kind Regards
December 9th, 2020 - 11:03
There is a Lithuanian shop, bar, and restaurant in Vila Zelina district of Sao Paulo (not Rio de Janeiro, however). See Brazil
March 26th, 2021 - 04:38
Hi, I was very glad to find your website today. Thanks so much for your excellent site. I reached out to you on Facebook. Please look for my friend request and an important personal message for you. I hope to get to “meet” you soon.
Warmly, Paul
March 29th, 2021 - 03:20
I have replied to you.
January 24th, 2023 - 00:03
Someone is looking for a friend or relative of the recently deceased Cathe Rekis and used this website. I may be able to help.
May 2nd, 2024 - 12:12
Hello, my great-grandfather’s brother Michael (Michal) K Jagmin ( Mykolas K Jagminas born in 1887 in Kuršėnai) came to New York in 1907. In 1914 My great-grandfather John Jagmin ( Jonas Jagminas b. 1884 in Kuršėnai) also came to Baltimore. I found in the archival database that he died in 1917 Wayne. Great-grandfather’s brother according to census data lived in Wayne before 1940. Buried in Palm Springs, California in 1967. Had three daughters. I am looking for information about the death records of my great-grandfather John Jagmin for family history. There may also be information how to search for Mykolas K Jagmin’s descendants. I would greatly appreciate.
Ž.Jagminaitė
May 10th, 2024 - 14:40
This article provides a comprehensive overview of “Global True Lithuania” and its significant contributions to preserving and promoting Lithuanian heritage abroad. It’s inspiring to see the dedication and passion of Augustinas Žemaitis in researching and documenting these valuable cultural sites. Thank you for your invaluable efforts in sharing Lithuania’s rich heritage with the world!