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When looking through marriage records and birth records, one should pay attention to witnesses (from bride’s and groom’s side) and to godparents. Most of the time they are relatives, by blood or marriage.

For example, in birth records, sometimes it is possible to determine wife’s maiden name, as her unmarried sister is often a godmother. This can be determined by the same patronymic middle name. However, this should always be double checked with other records as unrelated matches are possible.

Nonetheless, one should approach with caution as godparents and witnesses could be siblings, siblings’ spouses, parents or even unrelated people who were held at high esteem by the parents or the married couple.

Смотрите также: “searching for marriage record” и “Черниговский архив: метрические книги евреев н. п. Черниговской губернии за 1894-1916 гг”.

Once in a while, there will be a Jewish birth record in Russian Orthodox church records. There could be several reasons for that – traveling when birth occurred, for example – however, often in such cases it would be either a young girl or a widow. Unfortunately for researchers, birth is usually recorded in some obscure village, far away from place of residence. But hopefully people will take note and share this information.

An example: birth of Rakhil (Rachel) Bortsev’s daughter in 1894 is recorded in Orthodox church of Olginskoe village.

Рахиль Борцева, мещанка города Мариуполя.

Смотрите также: “Original name, random -io- / -e- substitution”.

When looking for marriage records one usually assumes that marriage took place about 9 months prior to birth of oldest known child. Often, however, it is not the first born. That’s why it is important to check death records for that period and see whether any other children were born and died earlier.

Смотрите также: “Черниговский архив: метрические книги сел Нежинского уезда за 1875-1909 гг” и “witnesses and godparents”.

It is important to remember that birth records in Russian Orthodox church were recorded not on the day of birth, but on the day of christening. And at times that happened much later. Therefore, if birth date is known, but record is not found – one should always check later dates.

Важно помнить что метрические записи православных церквей делались не в день рождения, а в день крещения. А крещение могло быть намного позже рождения. Поэтому если известна дата рождения, но запись не находится – обязательно надо проверить более поздние записи.

Смотрите также: “Нижние чины Георгиевские Кавалеры Гвардейского Э­кипажа с 1810 г” и “Некоторые фамилии жителей с. Тараща за 1921-1926 гг”.