Ukraine & Russia: A question about Rootschat

[SurnameIndex]

www.SurnameIndex.info - site geared toward Russian Empire ancestry (that doesn't just mean Russians, but any of the former Soviet republics, Finland, Poland and any country from which or to which immigration happened (Germany, Scotland, England, France, Italy, Greece, Serbia, etc, etc)).

Many transcribed books and resources that I can do look ups for. Check for latest additions at http://surnameindex.info/news/

Good luck in your genealogical research!

[Hannia]

grammatj8,

Your Immigrant Ancestors were from what is TODAY selo/village Davydivtsi (Давидівці in Ukrainian)> Kitsmanskij (Kitsman) raion/district > Chernivetska (Chernivtsi) oblast/region > Ukraine, latest zip code 59309. Population today 1,100.

This region was/is still referred to as the Historic Region of Northern Bukowyna/Bukovyna, the LAND OF BEECH TREES, in the Carpathian Mountains.

GEOPOLITICAL HISTORY:

From late 18th century to 1919 Dawisdestie > Kotzman county > Czernowice region > Historic Bukowyna Province > Austro-Hungarian Empire.  During the Interwar Period (between the two major wars - 1919-1939), Davidisti > Cernauti > Romania. Post WW2 thie region became a part of SSR Ukraine under Soviet domain until it became independent in 1991.
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The surname Kotchan (Кочан ) would indicate that they were  very likely Hutsul, a micro-ethnic Ruthenian/Ukrainian group.  Your family was Christian Orthodox and LDS has filmed Orthodox Church Registers for Davydivtsi.

Title
Metrical books, 1840-1909

Authors
Orthodox Church. Dawidestie (Bukowina) (Main Author)

Notes
Microreproduction of originals at the Chernivtsi State Archive.
Civil transcripts of Orthodox Church records (births, deaths) for Dawidestie, Bukowina, Austria; later Davideşti, Cernăuţi, Romania; now , Davydivt︠s︡i, Kit︠s︡man′, Chernivt︠s︡i, Ukraine. Headings in German and Romanian, text in Romanian written with old Cyrillic script before 1874, changed to Roman script sometime in the following decade.
Chernivtsi State Archive: Fond 1245, opis 1, no. 385-386, opis 2, no. 17.

Subjects
Austria, Bukowina, Dawidestie - Church records
Romania, Cernăuţi, Davideşti - Church records
Україна, Чернівці, Кіцмань, Давидівці - Метричні книги
Ukraine, Chernivt︠s︡i, Kit︠s︡man′, Davydivt︠s︡i - Church records

Format
Manuscript (On Film)

Language
Romanian
German
Russian

Publication
Salt Lake City, Utah : Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 2002-2003

Physical
on 3 microfilm reels ; 35 mm.

Film Notes
Note - Location [Film]
Volume 1245-1/385 Births 1840-1889 -  VAULT INTL Film [ 2349404 Item 2 ]
Volume 1245-1/386 Deaths 1841-1882 -  VAULT INTL Film [ 2349404 Item 3 ]
Volume 1245-1/386 (cont.) Deaths 1882-1905 -  VAULT INTL Film [ 2349405 Item 1 ]
Volume 1245-2/17 Births 1890-1909 -  VAULT INTL Film [ 2362993
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PS> Selo Stavchany (Kitsman raion) is exactly 2.8 miles NNW of selo Davydivtsi.

[grammatj8]

Hannia, Thanks for the info.  I know I am dumb as a post, but how would I get information from Latter day saints in this regard.  Thanks

[Hannia]

gram,

Everyone starts out a bit overwhelmed.  Don't even think twice about it.  You will get smarter as you go along.   
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There is an exc HOW-TO RESEARCH FILMS TUTORIAL at following link. Pay special attention to details re the Orthodox Records. Take all the time you need to prepare yourself.  The films are not going to disappear. 

You will need your surnames as they would appear using Cyrillic. 

www.halgal.com/

See following link to locate a convenient location.  Order films.  The cost is $7USD  to cover handling and mailing charges and it takes a number of  weeks before the film arrives at your convenient family center.  Then you will  have 30 days to research the contents. If you need more time, you can renew the film, at $7 per renewal, for two more 30 day periods.

http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHC/frameset_fhc.asp

MAKE SURE TO BRING A MAGNIFYING GLASS.  These are handwritten church registers and it will come in handy.   

KEEP IN MIND TO ALWAYS WORK BACK, NOT FORWARD.

HAVE FUN!!! 
__________________________________________________

Meanwhile I will see if I can dig up some more village history and photos for u.

[grammatj8]

Thanks Hannia.  One quick, question - I'll bet money I have to know how to read ukraine.  Won't I.  If so, we have a small problem.  I can't.
I am going to see the tuturials that you mentioned. Thanks again.

[Hannia]

I'll bet money I have to know how to read ukraine.  Won't I.  If so,
we have a small problem.  I can't.

gram,

You just need to recognize the surname and make copies.  Give it a try.  You may surprise yourself. 

Following is a Ukrainian Alphabet Transliteration (SOUNDS LIKE)  Table.  It will give you a feel for the look and feel of the letters.  It only looks difficult.

http://pages.prodigy.net/l.hodges/translit.htm

After trying the research yourself, you may very well decide to throw up your hands and declare  I can't.  It will have cost you very little money for the effort and then I can always  put u  in contact  w/local help in Ukraine, if you like.

Stressing out over something that is not a problem yet is a waste of time.

BTW you already know one of the most difficult languages to learn, English. 

[grammatj8]

I shall give it a try.  I'll give it 110%.  Thanks

[grammatj8]

Hanna, I know I said I would try, but could you put me in touch with local help in the Ukraine.  I really want to find this information and with me working and not being able to get to a Latter Day Saints building, it would be appreciated.  I want to be able to tell my Mom what I can find out.  Thanks for any help.  It really will be appreciated.

[greeneyesgudge]

hi my step g granfather was born in ukraine in 1877 but his surname is irish  o connel .im trying to work out why the irish were in ukraine at that time .he later imigrated to canada with his wife and son and then moved to usa .id like to find philip o connels parents .have u had much luck searching in ukraine ? cheers mish