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    • Main contributor: Alina Borisov-Rebel
    Image of the Sovetskaya Belarus newspaper from 1929
    Savetskaya Belarus Nr 123 (2612) 2-June-1929

    Newspaper archives are a valuable resource for genealogical research in Belarus, offering insight into the lives of ancestors, social contexts, and historical events that shaped communities. The rich history of Belarusian newspapers spans from the 19th century, with the first official publications emerging under the Russian Empire, to the early Soviet period, and beyond. These records often contain obituaries, birth and marriage announcements, property transactions, and local news, all of which can help genealogists trace family histories. Articles about local life, school graduations, or political events may also provide context for understanding the lives of ancestors.

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    History of newspapers in Belarus

    Early Newspapers

    The first newspaper printed in Belarus was "Noviny Hroznye, a Zhalostlyvye" ("Terrifying and Lamentable News"), published in early 1563 in Nesvizh, reporting on military events like the siege of Polotsk. In 1707, the first regular publication, "Nesvizhskaya Gazeta", appeared. By 1776, the "Gazeta Grodzienska" ("Grodno Gazette") was launched in Grodno.[1]

    The first official newspapers in Belarus began as official government publications during the Russian Empire. One key publication was the "Gubernskie Vedomosti" (Provincial Records), which started in 1837. Published in several regions, including Minsk, Vitebsk, Grodno, and Mogilev, these newspapers included government announcements, legal notices, and community news. For genealogical researchers, "Gubernskie Vedomosti" can provide information on property ownership, legal disputes, and significant events in local families.[2]

    In the second half of the 19th century, Belarusian-language periodicals began to emerge. Publications like "Hutarka" and "Muzhytskaya Prauda" ("Peasant's Truth") appeared briefly in the early 1860s. In 1884, the journal "Gomon" ("Resonance") was published in Saint Petersburg, followed by the socio-political newspaper "Minsky Listok" ("Minsk Leaflet"), which gained popularity for publishing fresh news by telegraph. It featured Belarusian poets and cultural content.

    In 1902, "Minsky Listok" became "Severo-Zapadny Kray" ("Northwestern Territory"), a left-leaning daily. In 1905, Yanka Kupala's "Muzyk" ("Peasant") was first published there.

    After the 1905 Tsarist Manifesto allowed publications in national languages, the first Belarusian-language newspaper, "Nasha Dolya" ("Our Fate"), appeared in 1906 in Vilno.

    Soviet-Era Newspapers

    Image of Zvyazda newspaper from 1928
    Zvyazda newspaper, 1928

    The tradition of "Nasha Dolya" was continued by *"Nasha Niva", a daily Belarusian-language newspaper published from 1906 to 1915, using both Cyrillic and Latin scripts. It played a key role in the Belarusian national revival, known as the "Nashanivsky" period. The paper featured articles on history, folklore, peasant and artisan budgets, the lives of Belarusian immigrants in the U.S., and language issues, along with humor and anecdotes.

    During this time, many newspapers focused on local readers, such as "Minsky Golos" and "Minskoye Ekho." Revolutionary events led to the emergence of socially democratic publications, like "Minsky Letuchiy Listok." Other papers appeared in smaller towns, including "Lidskoye Slovo" and "Bobruyskaya Zhizn." During the Soviet period, newspapers became a tool of mass communication and propaganda but continued to document local and national events. Papers like "Zvyazda", "Sovetskaya Belorussiya", and regional Soviet publications often included obituaries, promotions, personal achievements, and social events. These sources, though heavily controlled by state ideology, can still yield useful genealogical data, especially for tracing relatives who lived in Belarus between 1917 and the 1980s. [3]

    Contemporary newspaper records

    Several modern newspapers in Belarus continue to document public life and may be useful for genealogical research:

    • Zvyazda: One of the oldest Belarusian newspapers still in circulation, Zvyazda provides coverage of national and regional news, obituaries, and social events.
    • Sovetskaya Belorussiya: The state-owned newspaper covers national politics, government announcements, and some personal notices.
    • Narodnaya Volya: An independent publication, Narodnaya Volya features investigative journalism as well as obituaries, personal stories, and regional news.
    • Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belarusi: A widely read newspaper with broad coverage of social events, public figures, and significant personal announcements.

    Accessing newspaper records

    Belarusian newspaper archives can be accessed through several institutions:

    National Historical Archive of Belarus This archive holds extensive collections of local newspapers, including rare and single-copy issues. It has collections of newspapers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as Soviet-era publications.

     Local Libraries Regional libraries, especially in Minsk, Grodno, and Vitebsk, may have physical or digital collections of historical newspapers.

     Online Resources Some Belarusian newspapers have been digitized and are available through online archival platforms, although many are still held in physical collections and may require a visit to Belarus or contacting the archive for copies.

    Unlike older records, many contemporary newspaper archives are now digitized, making them easier to access from anywhere in the world. Some newspapers maintain their own online archives, and genealogists can search for relevant articles or announcements using digital platforms.

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    References

    1. ↑ "С чего начиналась белорусская пресса". 1prof (in русский). 2024-09-14. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
    2. ↑ Край, Асiповiцкi (2021-04-16). "Первая периодика на территории Беларуси". osipovichi-region.by (in русский). Retrieved 2024-09-16.
    3. ↑ Край, Асiповiцкi (2021-04-16). "Первая периодика на территории Беларуси". osipovichi-region.by (in русский). Retrieved 2024-09-16.
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