Langins Family photograph collection, circa 1898-1981

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Langins family
Title
Langins Family photograph collection
Dates
circa 1898-1981 (inclusive)
Quantity
25 photographs and 1 handwritten letter (1 folder)
Collection Number
PH2016-089
Summary
Letter and photographs of the Langins family, taken in Hungary, Germany, Minnesota, and the Pacific Northwest
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to the public.

Languages
English, Latvian

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

The Langins family was comprised of Arnolds Langins, his wife Zigrida Langins (formerly Zirgelis), and their son Girts Langins. Arnolds Langins was born in Valmiera County, Latvia on February 20th, 1905. Langins completed high school in Latvia and obtained both a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics (1924) and an Engineering degree (1929) in France. While studying Law in Paris, Langins was recalled to Latvia for compulsory military duty in 1930. Between 1932-1940, Langins remained in Latvia and worked in various public service offices, including the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Latvian Legation in Warsaw, Poland. From 1940-1941, during Soviet occupation of Latvia, Langins primarily did clerical work at a tobacco company. He had difficultly finding more lucrative employment due to his previous employment history in independent Latvia. From 1941-1944, when Latvia was occupied by German troops, Langins was employed in the Latvian Board of Trade and Industry (supply of lubricants and fuel). In 1944, Langins was evacuated to Germany and worked as a Gardner until the arrival of US troops. Langins also worked as a technical interpreter with the US Air Force. He did administrative work for United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), International Refugee Organization (IRO), and Lutheran World Federation.

In 1939, during his time in Latvia, Langins met and married Zigrida-Elsa Zirgelis. From 1944 to 1949, they resided in the IRO CP Camp Esslingen/N. Zigrida was born on November 26th, 1909 in Riga, Latvia. She received a Master's degree in Law from the University of Latvia, Riga. Until the outbreak of World War II, Zigrida worked as a lawyer and athletic instructor.

In 1943, Zigrida gave birth to her son, Girts Langins.

In 1950, the Langins immigrated to the US. In 1952, Zigrida began attending the University of Minnesota Law School. From 1955-1959, she worked at the Hennepin County Law Library and took classes in library science. Arnolds worked as an engineer at the Cornelius Company.

The family relocated to Seattle in 1959. Zigrida worked as a book buyer for Gov-Mart and Riches & Adams, Inc. from 1959-1963. Arnolds worked as an Engineering Designer at Boeing. Arnolds died in 1993, followed by Zigrida in 2008.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Photographs taken in Hungary, Germany, Minnesota, and the Pacific Northwest show various members of the Langins family. Mostly portraits and small group photos. Includes one handwritten letter addressed to Mr. A. Langins from his son's godfather in Australia.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donor: Inta Gotelli (donor and trustee of Zigrida Langins Adm. Trust), August 1, 2008.

Separated Materials

Material Described Separately:

Langins Family Papers (Manuscript Collection 5976)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Families--Washington (State)--Photographs
  • Immigrants--Washington (State)--Photographs
  • Latvian Americans--Washington (State)--Photographs

Personal Names

  • Langins, Arnolds,--Archives
  • Langins, Girt,--Archives
  • Langins, Zigrida,--Archives
  • Zirgelis, Marta,--Archives

Family Names

  • Langins family--Archives
  • Langins family--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • Germany--Photographs
  • Hungary--Photographs
  • Minnesota--Photographs
  • Northwest, Pacific--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Personal correspondence
  • Photographs

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Langins, Girts, (creator)
    • Langins, Zigrida, (creator)
    • Zirgelis, Marta, (creator)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)