The Baltic Community Photograph Project documents members of the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian communities in Washington State through an exhibit and archival collection. In 2005 Visual Materials Curator, Nicolette Bromberg traveled to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. She visited the Latvian Museum of Photography in Riga, Latvia which inspired her to write a grant in 2006 to document the Baltic community in King County. Created with help from Guntis Schmidchens, head of the Baltic Studies program, and members of the three communities, the project was to create portraits of 19 Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians in the King County area. Later the project was expanded to add more participants from a wider area. In total 31 portraits of Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians in Washington State were all made by the well-known photographer, Mary Randlett.
The project was carried out by Amanda Swain who coordinated the photography sessions and other activities. Contemporary portraits of individuals were made by photographer Mary Randlett. The individuals were also asked to answer some questions about their background to give context to the project. Personal photographs from the participants' early life were copied also to pair with the contemporary portraits. Once the portraits, statements and copies of participants' photographs were made, one set was framed and an exhibit was created. The framed exhibit pieces have been loaned for display for various exhibitions including a 2009 tour to Tallinn, Estonia, Riga, Latvia and Vilnius, Latvia which was supported in part by the U.S. Embassy in these countries. Two books on the project were created in-house and are available in the UW Libraries. The second set of materials is the archival set which along with extra materials acquired during the project is described in this finding aid.
This project was supported by King County 4Culture, the Baltic Studies Program at the University of Washington, the Estonian Society of Seattle, the Lithuanian-American Foundation, the Latvian Foundation, and private members of the Baltic community.
Photographs and statements from Estonians, Lithuanians, and Latvians living in Washington State. Many of these people came to Washington after World War II during the Soviet occupation of their countries. Contemporary portraits were made during 2006-2008. Photographs of the participants' early lives were copied for the collection so many of them are contain scenes from the Baltic countries from before they left or upon return visits after the Soviets gave up control of the countries. Other photographs document personal activities in the Seattle and Washington State Baltic communities
The item number for each negative made by Mary Randlett is created by the item number of the negative group plus the individual frame number of the image. For example, Gorshow 1 is the set of negatives and Gorshow 1/22 is frame 22 from the 1st set of negatives used in the project.
The collection is open to the public.
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Photographs not made by Mary Randlett during the project were loaned for copying by the subjects of the project, 2006-2008.
Processed by Amanda Swain, 2008; Lauren M. Rhodes, 2012; Jack Falk, 2012.
Inscribed and autographed book by Gundars Kings
This collection was presented as an exhibit of 31 framed panels containing modern photographs, historical photographs, and statement excerpts from each subject. Each panel is digitized and can be viewed by clicking the icon labeled "Photographs and statements used in the exhibition".
Inscribed and autographed book by Gundars Kings
September 18, 1920 - July 4, 2009. Gorshkow received his Bachelor's degree at Tartu University in 1944, shortly before leaving Soviet occupied Estonia. He served in the U.S. Army for five years. He entered UW in 1952, and graduated with a Master's degree in 1957. Gorshkow was a founding member and the first chairman of the Seattle Estonian Society and Baltic Action Committee.
While stationed in Germany in 1951 as a member of the U.S. Army, I met a Finnish ski team that was competing in the "International Winter Sports Week" in German Alps. Two of them had fathers who fought against the Soviet Union in 1939-1940 and were delighted to hear that I had also participated in the short but heroic Finnish Winter War. During the Soviet occupation of Estonia (1940-1991) Estonia was totally closed to visitors, but we kept our fighting spirit alive in every way the best we could.
Photograph copied from Ken Gorshkow's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Ken Gorshkow's personal collection.
Leo Hannibal was born in Tartu, Estonia in 1929. He and his family were placed in a displaced persons camp in Germany during World War II. In 1949, they immigrated to Olympia, Washington. Leo was a National Guard Reserve for the United States Army for over 9 years. In 1959, he graduated from University of Washington and started a position at The Boeing Airplane Company, where he continued to work for 32 years. He has been a member of the Estonian Lutheran Church in Seattle, the Seattle Estonian Club, and the Estonian Freedom Fighters Organization. From 1992-1998, Leo organized and implemented sending 14 containers of medical and economic aid to Estonia. In 2001, he received a Red Cross Medallion for his charitable work from the Estonian President Lennart Meri. Leo is a member of the University of Washington' Baltic Studies Fundraising Committee and is Pacific Region Director for the Estonian American Fund for Economic Education, Inc.
Monika Malle Ormus Hannibal was born in Austria in 1945 and adopted by an Estonian family in 1947. They arrived in New York in 1951. In 1969, Malle moved to Seattle with her six month old baby. She married Leo in 1970. Malle was president of the Seattle Estonian Society from 1993 to 1994 and is a member of the University of Washington's Baltic Studies Fundraising Committee.
Leo Hannibal's statement excerpt used in the exhibition: My father had been very active as a leader for the Estonians in Tartu, as well as in the displaced persons camps, and he continued to do so when he arrived in America. Our home on Aurora Avenue became a headquarters for the Estonian community. We constantly had visitors, meetings and get-togethers with Estonians from all over the West Coast and Canada.
Malle Hannibal's statement excerpt used in the exhibition: My husband and I enjoy doing what we can to help preserve our Estonian herritage. We have enjoyed the many blessings that being an 'American' offers, and we appreciate that we are able to pass on some of the culture and traditions of Estonia to our children and grandchildren, and to other Americans who are interested in learning more about Estonia.
Photograph copied from Malle Hannibal's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Leo Hannibal's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Leo Hannibal's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Malle Hannibal's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Leo Hannibal's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Leo Hannibal's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Leo Hannibal's personal collection.
The Hannibals hosted the Estonian Air pilots while they were in Seattle to pick up two airplanes.
Photograph copied from Malle Hannibal's personal collection.
Leo standing on the ground on the far left.
Photograph copied from Leo Hannibal's personal collection.
Lembit Kosenkranius was born in 1925. In 1956, he started work
as an acoustical engineer at Boeing. He met his wife, Helju, in 1958 in
Vancouver, BC and they married the next year. In 2005, O/Ü Grief in Tartu,
Estonia published
I was hired by the Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle as an acoustical engineer and started my job on September 1, 1956. The next day I met some Estonians who had graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle. The Estonians liked to play volleyball, which also became my favorite sport. Soon I discovered several other Estonian volleyball players at Boeing and our star player and team captain entered our team into the yearly Boeing volleyball league tournaments...My childhood desire was to become a pilot. When I got my first paycheck, I used some of that money to have my first flight lesson with an instructor from the Renton airfield on a Cessna-140. After 50 hours of lessons and 10 hours of solo practice, I passed the flight test and got my lifelong pilot license for single engine land airplanes. I used the Cessna-182 on pleasure flights in the western US and Canada.
Kosenkranius is on the far right.
Photograph copied from Lembit Kosenkranius' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Lembit Kosenkranius' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Lembit Kosenkranius' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Lembit Kosenkranius' personal collection.
Andu Lauba was born in Tallinn, Estonia in 1932. In 1944, his family left Estonia for Sweden. They departed Sweden in 1945 for São Paulo, Brazil and then to Victoria, Canada in 1948. Andu graduated from University of British Columbia in 1956 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1957, Andu moved to Seattle to work for Boeing Airplane Company and worked there for 42 years.
Taima Lauba was born in Tallinn, Estonia in 1935. In 1944, her family left Estonia for Sweden. In 1951, Taima and her family moved to Canada. She married Andu in 1956 and they moved to Seattle in 1957.
When we left Estonia in 1944, we expected Estonia to regain its independence after the war and we planned to return at that time. However, by the time we arrived in Seattle tweleve years later, independence for Estonia appeared extremely remote. We truly appreciated the freedom we found in this country, and quickly fell in love with the Northwest. Within a few years, we adopted the place as our permanent home.
Photograph copied from Andu and Taima Lauba's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Andu Lauba's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Andu and Taima Lauba's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Andu and Taima Lauba's personal collection.
Eino Moks was born in 1929 in Estonia. In 1949, his family re-settled in New Orleans, Louisiana after living in a displaced persons camp in Germany. His parents relocated to Olympia, Washington while Moks stayed behind in New Orleans. In 1950, Moks started school at University of Kansas City. He graduated from University of Kansas City in 1953 with a degree in Chemistry. In 1953, he joined his parents in Seattle and entered into the PhD program in Biochemistry at University of Washington. Moks chaired the 15th Annual West Coast Estonian Days in 1981. He also spent two years as an advisor to Junior Achievement of Washington.
The First West Coast Estonian Days were organized by the San Francisco Estonian Society in 1953 on Labor Day weekend and, a year later, a unique organization was created: the Association of Estonian Organizations on the West Coast. Its goal was to organize Estonian Days every two years, rotating between the cities of Los Angeles, San Franciso, Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, BC. The Days became quite popular and started to draw Estonians from the East Coast and from countries all over the world...Now, years later, I still marvel at what a small community of like minded people can achieve. The 15th Annual Estonian Days in 1981 in Seattle was unquestionably a success. It could not have been that way without the 100 of the 150 members, working thousands of hours, to make the more than 30 different events memorable.
Cropped version of original photograph.
Original version of image.
Eino Moks is second from the right in the back row.
Photograph copied from Eino Moks' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Eino Moks' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Eino Moks' personal collection.
Eino Moks is not in this photograph.
Photograph copied from Eino Moks' personal collection.
Photograph of Eino Moks by Mary Randlett not used in the exhibit (Moks 1b/11).
Toomas (Tom) Napa was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1952 to parents who had immigrated to Canada after living in a displaced persons camp in Germany. Napa's family moved to Seattle, Washington from Vancouver in 1964. He received his Masters in Business Administration from University of Washington in 1976. After graduation, he worked as a Senior Accountant at Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte & Touche) in Seattle. In 1980, he started to work at Phsyio Control in Redmond, Washington, as their International Controller. From 1984 to late 2000, Napa was the CFO/VP of Finance at Precor.
Sustaining one's heritage, I feel, begins at home and,
fortunately, my parents helped me along the way by speaking Estonian to me and
encouraging my participation in various Estonian related events and activities
which continue to the present. These include Estonian-themed social events, the
Estonian Lutheran Church, the Estonian academic fraternity
Cropped version of image used in exhibition.
Photograph copied from Tom Napa's personal collection.
Original version of image.
Photograph copied from Tom Napa's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Tom Napa's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Tom Napa's personal collection.
Tiina Oviir was born in 1963 in Estonia. In 1997, she left Estonia to start her graduate studies at Columbia University in New York, NY. In 1999, she moved to Seattle and started teaching at University of Washington School of Dentistry as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Endodontics. In 2006, Oviir was promoted to Clinical Associate Professor. She also maintains a private practice in Endodontics. Oviir was part of the panel "Medicine in the Baltics" during the Baltic Area Studies Summer Institute in 2003.
I had never been a folk dancer in Estonia, but I am a founding member of the Estonian folkdance group in Seattle which was reestablished 3 years ago...The most expensive and special costume I have in my closet is an Estonian folk costume collected together piece by piece. The costume belongs to the Pühalepa district of the Estonian island, Hiiumaa. Every piece of this costume is hand-made. The striped colorful skirt I received as a gift from a friend of mine. The blouse was purchased from a local Seattle Estonian, as well as the brooch, which was made by an Estonian artist in the Seattle area. The rich crocheted lace apron was made by my mother and the belt with copper chains I ordered from an old master in Estonia – one out of two still alive who knows how to make this item.
Photograph copied from Tiina Oviir's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Tiina Oviir's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Tiina Oviir's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Tiina Oviir's personal collection.
Paul Raidna was born in 1970 in Seattle, Washington. His parents were Estonian immigrants who had arrived in the United States in 1948 (his father) and 1949 (his mother) after residing in displaced persons camps in Germany. Paul is a graduate of the University of Washington Foster School of Business. He is a Certified Public Accountant and serves as Managing Director of Graham Capitol Group, LLC. He serves on the Board of the Seattle Estonian Society, on the Advisory Board of the University of Washington Department of Scandinavian Studies, and is the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Estonia in Washington State. Paul married Katre in 2004 and they currently reside in Seattle, Washington.
Katre Raidna was born in Estonia. She is a graduate of the University of Tartu School of Law and was a practicing attorney in Estonia before moving to Seattle, Washington in 2004. Katre is pursuing a degree in Paralegal Studies at University of Washington. She serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Washington Scandinavian Studies Department and on the Board of the Seattle Estonian Society.
I was born here in Seattle, Washington to an Estonian immigrant family...Therefore, I was born an American citizen and while maintaining a life long bond to my ethnic Estonian community, having grown up speaking Estonian at home, I still consider myself very much a typical American of my generation. My wife, Katre, came here in 2004 when we were married. She has quickly adjusted to life in the USA and often comments that she considers herself to now have two homes, the one here and her family home in Estonia.
Cropped version of image used in exhibition.
Photograph copied from Paul and Katre Raidna's personal collection.
Original version of image.
Photograph copied from Paul and Katre Raidna's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Paul Raidna's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Paul and Katre Raidna's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Paul and Katre Raidna's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Paul and Katre Raidna's personal collection.
Eda Roosna was born in 1943 in Estonia. In 1945, her family left Estonia for Stockholm, Sweden. In 1959, Roosna's family moved to the United States and settled in New York State. She moved to Washington State in 1969 with her husband, Valdek Roosna, who was in the United States Military. During her husband's time in the military, Roosna volunteered for the Red Cross in the medical clinics. She currently lives in Tacoma, Washington.
Right after arriving here, my husband and I had a knock on our Motel door and there were two representatives from the Seattle Estonian Community. They had learned of our transfer with the U.S. military through the East Coast Estonian newspaper. We enriched our lives by joining the numerous activities organized by the local Estonians – among them volleyball, choir, cultural group, Mother's Day, Independence Day, Midsummer festivities, and West Coast Estonian Days – and expanded our Estonian friendship network immensely. We had been participating in Estonian groups in other parts of the world so it was not difficult to fit in, especially since we both were of Estonian heritage and spoke the language.
Photograph copied from Eda Roosna's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Eda Roosna's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Eda Roosna's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Eda Roosna's personal collection.
Karl Taht was born in 1933 in Viljandi, Estonia. In 1941, his family fled Estonia for Germany after the Soviet occupation of Estonia. In 1951, Taht and his family immigrated to Lincoln, Nebraska after living in a displaced persons camp in Germany. In 1952, he joined the United States Airforce and was assigned to Air Force Intellegence in Germany for three years. In 1960, Taht graduated from University of Maryland with a Bachelors of Science in Aeronautic Engineering. From 1960 to 1967, he was an engineer for Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut, Sea Space Systems in California, and Lockheed Aircraft in California. In 1967, Taht moved to Seattle, Washington to work as a flight test engineer for Boeing Commercial Aircraft Company. He retired from Boeing in 1999. In 2001, Karl was a board member of the Kistler-Ritso Foundation to build the Museum of Occupation in Tallinn, Estonia. He is also active in the Estonian Lutheran Church and the Estonian fraternity. Taht has been married to his wife, Eva (who is from Hungary), for over forty-four years.
My family, wife Eva and our one-year old son, moved to Seattle in May, 1967 after accepting an offer to work as a Flight Test Engineer for Boeing Commercial Aircraft in support of their 747 and 737 aircraft certification efforts. The commanding officer from my Air Force days was from Seattle and he ignited my desire years ago to move to this most beautiful territory in the United States. We found a nice home in the Seattle Sand Point District and had a great start with the help of fellow Estonians to enjoy living here...Although my wife of 44 years was born in Hungary, she always encouraged me to support our local Estonian cultural and church activities. I was a member of the Seattle Estonian folk choirs. In 2001, I was a board member of the Kistler-Ritso Foundation to build the Occupation Museum in Tallinn, Estonia about recent history.
Photograph copied from Karl Taht's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Karl Taht's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Karl Taht's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Karl Taht's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Karl Taht's personal collection.
Vaira Christopher was born in 1936 in Latvia. During the Second World War, she and her family escaped Latvia and eventually ended up in a displaced persons camp in Germany. In 1950, Christopher and her family moved to New Jersey, USA. In 1968, she moved to Seattle, Washington with her husband, Graham Christopher, who was attending University of Washington on a fellowship. In 1971, Christopher started work as a Pathologist at Swedish Hospital. She retired from Swedish Hospital in 1995. Christopher is involved in the Seattle Latvian Church and the University of Washington Baltic Studies Program.
My parents, as well as I, were born in Latvia. During World War II, we had to flee from the communists and subsequently lived in a Displaced Persons camp in Germany until 1950 when we came to the United States and settled in New Jersey. Regardless of where we lived, the language at home was always Latvian. The stories and prewar memories from my parents and grandparents nourished my interest about my Latvian heritage. In Seattle I worked as a pathologist at Swedish Hospital from 1971 - first as a resident and then as a staff pathologist. My boss, Dr. Hamlin, said that I was the first female doctor on the hospital-based staff at Swedish. It was a time when men still had some prejudice against women and felt that women should not "invade" their professional fields. Related to this, during my first year on staff, I encountered many obstacles, some difficult, others funny.
Photograph copied from Vaira Christopher's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Vaira Christopher's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Vaira Christopher's personal collection.
Photograph of Vaira Christopher by Mary Randlett not used in the exhibit.
Edvins Circenis was born in 1929 in Latvia. In 1950, he and his family arrived in the United States. In 1953, Circenis married Livija. In 1956, he graduated from University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. That same year, he, his wife, and their daughter moved to Seattle so that he could begin work at Boeing Airplane Company. He worked at Boeing as an engineer in the Project Structural Design Group, which worked on the 707. In 1965, he was assigned to work on the 747 project and eventually invented the High Cab configuration for the 747. Circenis retired from Boeing in 1995. He was the administrator and treasurer of the Latvian children's summer camp "Mežotne" for 15 years. Circenis is also a co-founder of the West Coast Latvian Summer High School "Kursa" and served as its treasurer. He is actively involved in the Seattle Latvian community and helped to design the Latvian Cultural Center in 1971.
When the Boeing 747 project was launched in 1965, I was busy working on its initial baseline configuration development. There I invented the High Cab configuration of the 747 airplane and contributed to numerous other design concepts. But being of Latvian heritage was also like living in two different worlds at the same time. One world was entirely dedicated to my daily work at the Boeing Company and keeping abreast of local and national events. The other world was basically centered on keeping the Latvian heritage alive.
Photograph copied from Edvins Circenis' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Edvins Circenis' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Edvins Circenis' personal collection.
Photograph of Edvins Circenis by Mary Randlett not used in the exhibition.
Ivars Graudins was born in 1939 in Latvia. In 1950, he and his family immigrated to Yakima, Washington. In 1965, Ivars graduated from University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. After graduation, he worked in the Labor Market Research Unit of the Washington State Government. Ivars is currently the Statewide Area Labor Market Information Manager.
Inese Graudins (maiden name: Saukants) was born in 1950 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She eventually moved to Portland, Oregon and graduated from Beaverton High School. In 1969, Inese married Ivars Graudins. In 1973, she graduated from University of Washington with a degree in Pharmacy. After moving to Olympia, Washington in 1986, Inese started to work as a relief pharmacist in Thurston County, Washington. For the past twenty-years, she has worked with Olympia Junior Programs, currently serving as a board member. Inese is active in the Latvian community, having taught folk dancing and Latvian culture to the youth groups, as well as participating in the choir.
Ivars Graudins was born in Latvia and arrived in Washington State to Yakima in 1950 with his family. They were sponsored by the Lutheran World Federation. After passing the required examination and being sworn in as citizens in 1958, they felt that Washington was their new home...Inese Saukants was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Latvian parents and she learned Latvian as her first language. Sunday School classes at the Latvian Lutheran Church, folk dancing, scouting, vocal ensemble work, and other activities all promoted mastery of the language...Both Inese and Ivars have been continually active in all aspects of the Latvian community in Washington – Ivars most often in the financial area, Inese working with children, youth, teaching folk dancing and Latvian culture, as well as participating in various folk dancing and choral endeavors.
Cropped version of original photograph used in the exhibition.
Original version of image.
Photograph copied from Ivars and Inese Graudins' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Ivars Graudins' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Inese Graudins' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Inese Graudins' personal collection.
April 5, 1933 - May 30, 2011. Miervaldis Jansevics graduated from University of Denver in 1964. Shortly after his graduation, he and his wife, Janina, moved to Seattle, Washington. He served on the building committee for the Seattle Latvian Cultural Center in 1971 and assisted in reviving the community's theater. In 1974, Jansevics assited in starting the Latvian Summer High School "Kursa" at Red Barn Ranch and served as a committee member. In 1975, he organized the Sixth West Coast Latvian Song Festival at the Seattle Center. In 1983, he helped to revive the summer camp at its new location in Shelton, Washington. In 1989, Jansevics traveled to Latvia with Ron Dotzauer (then Senator Jackson's Washington State Director) to train young people in Latvia in the democratic voting process. Jansevics served as Chairman of the Board of the West Coast Latvian Education Center from 1983 until 2003. He also served as the Vice-President of the American Latvian Association. Jansevics was active in the Shelton, Washington community: he was a member of the Shelton Skookum Rotary Club and organized the sister city project between Shelton and Talsi, Latvia. In 1994, along with the Rotary Club, he raised money for a project to remodel an office building in Auce, Latvia into a 38 bed country hospital. The project was completed in 2000. Jansevics received the Three Star Medal from the Government of Latvia, the Service Above Self Award from Rotary International, a 1989 International Freedom Award, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
After graduation from University of Denver, my wife and I decided to move to the Northwest. The Seattle Latvian Community welcomed the five of us (three daughters). It is a privledge to live here. We, the first generation Latvians, still had deep connection and roots with our native Latvia. We felt that it was our responsibility to inform our adopted country of the injustice done to Latvia by the Soviet Union. We also wanted to keep our language, traditions and culture alive for our children. I volunteered my time to achieve these goals.
Photograph copied from Miervaldis Jansevics' personal collection.
Photograph copied from DVD containing photos from Miervaldis Jansevics' personal collection.
Jaunauce, Latvia is Miervaldis Jansevics' birthplace.
Photograph copied from Miervaldis Jansevics' personal collection.
Photograph copied from DVD that contains photographs from Miervaldis Jansevics' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Miervaldis Jansevics' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Miervaldis Jansevics' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Miervaldis Jansevics' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Miervaldis Jansevics' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Miervaldis Jansevics' personal collection.
Miervaldis Jansevics is to the right of Senator Jackson.
Photograph copied from Miervaldis Jansevics' personal collection.
DVD contains 41 photos. There are also prints for each of the 41 photos. They are unidentified but they appear to be photographs of Jansevics as a young man with his family in Latvia and the displaced persons camp. Three of the photos are Jansevics 2a-2b, Jansevics 7, and Jansevics 8a-8b. The other photos are numbered 13a-13tt (skipping 13o).
Gundars King was born in Riga, Latvia in 1926. In 1944, his family left Latvia for Germany. In 1949, King graduated from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. In 1950, he left Germany for the United States to study at University of Oregon. In 1956, King graduated from University of Oregon. In 1958, he graduated from Stanford University with a Masters in Business Administration. In 1960, he arrived in Washington State to assist in starting the business school at Pacific Lutheran University. In 1963, he received his PhD in Business Leadership from Stanford University. He served as Dean and Dean Emeritus of the Pacific Lutheran University Business School. He was also President of the Western Association of Collegiate Schools of Business and Beta Gamma Sigma. King was the Founding President of the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies (AABS) and Director of the Baltic Studies Fund. He was also Director of IREX and AABS in the Baltic States. King was awarded a Doctorate, honoris causa, from Riga Technical University in 1991 and was made an Officer of the Latvian Three Star Order in 2006.
I came to live and work in Washington State in 1960, following my graduate studies at Stanford University. At that time, I had been in the United States for 10 years. My preference was for a faculty position at a small, private school in Oregon or Washington, an area much like my native Latvia. Pacific Lutheran University offered me an exciting opportunity to help establish and develop a new business school. I have maintained and expanded my knowledge of Latvian heritage in many ways. I edited a Latvian newsletter in San Francisco. I was one of the leaders of the Latvian community in Tacoma. Much of my professional work involved research, teaching and consulting in the Baltics, mostly to help reorganize collegiate schools and programs after the restoration of independence of the Baltic States.
Photograph copied from Gundars King's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Gundars King's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Gundars King's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Gundars King's personal collection.
Aija Pakulis was born in Latvia. In 1950, her family (including her husband and children) left Latvia for South Dakota by way of Germany. In 1951, they left South Dakota for Seattle, Washington. Pakulis has been active in the Seattle Latvian community: She taught Latvian language at the Latvian Saturday school and has been a member of the Seattle Latvian Lutheran Church for a number of years. Pakulis currently lives in Seattle, Washington.
Sarma Pakulis Davidson (daughter of Aija Pakulis) was born in Latvia and came to the United States with her family in 1950. She is president of the Latvian Association of Washington State.
In 1951 Seattle had quite a few Latvian families that had been sponsored by the Lutheran Federation in Tacoma. We found jobs – my husband Fricis worked day hours and I did night shift so our children could be cared for. I joined Latvian Saturday school where I taught Latvian language and sang in the mixed choir. Our children danced in the folkdance group and acted in the school plays. We joined the Latvian Lutheran church. Our daughters Sarmite and Rudite attended summer camp for many years. In later years Sarmite became a school teacher, camp counselor and director when her children were of age. The Latvian language and culture was engrained in all the activities on weekends and home life.
Translation of Latvian text on verso of original: June 27, 1949. On the Nordstemmen train bound for Emden.
Photograph copied from Aija Pakulis' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Aija Pakulis' personal collection.
Translation of Latvian text on verso of original: August 14, 1949, Children's Festival at Emden.
Photograph copied from Aija Pakulis' personal collection.
Translation of Latvian text on verso of original: Going away from Wentworth towards Grohn on June 2, 1950.
Photograph copied from Aija Pakulis' personal collection.
Translation of Latvian text on verso of original: We are
going by boat on the
Photograph copied from Aija Pakulis' personal collection.
Erik Raisters was born in 1954 in Seattle. His family moved to
Los Angeles in 1961 before returning to Seattle in 1975. He graduated from the
University of Washington in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography and
in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. Erik worked for 17 years in the
oil industry, the last 12 for Sierra Geophysics, which is a geophysical
software producer based in Redmond, Washington. Since 1996, he has worked as a
Software Test Engineer specializing in network secrurity for WRQ (now merged
with Attachmate) which is based in Seattle, Washington. He has participated in
three "2x2" Latvian summer camps, which have the goal of immersing
Latvian-American students in Latvian culture, history, and politics. He worked
as a counselor for two summers at the Latvian Summer High School "Kursa" (when
it was still based in Auburn, Washington) and is a member of the Seattle
Latvian folk dance ensemble
Inese Raisters was born in 1955 in London, Ontario, Canada. Her
family moved to Seattle, Washington in 1965. In 1979, Inese graduated from
University of Washington School of Dentistry. She has had her own private
dental practice in Seattle for more than 27 years. She attended the Sunday
school at the Latvian Lutheran Church and sang in the choir. She joined the
folk dance group
Erik Raister's statement excerpt used in the exhibition: After returning to study at the UW, I joined the Seattle Latvian folk dance ensemble "Trejdeksnitis". Our two boys have attended the Seattle Latvian Sunday school, the West Coast Latvian summer camp, graduated from the Latvian summer high school "Garezers" in Michigan and, of course, both danced in "Trejdeksnitis".
Inese Raister's statement excerpt used in the exhibition: I started with the folk dance group "Trejdeksnitis" at age 16 and have been the director of the group since 1993, also creating new chroreographies that have won awards in competitions at a national level. "Trejdeksnitis" has performed at numerous Northwest Folklife festivals, Skandia Midsommarfest, Seattle Public Library events, for the Bellevue-Liepaja Sister Cities Committee.
Cropped version of image used in exhibition.
Photograph copied from Erik and Inese Raisters' personal collection.
Original version of image.
Translation of Latvian text from verso of original: 1990-7-July festival procession at (to) the Freedom Monument.
Photograph copied from Erik and Inese Raisters' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Erik and Inese Raisters' personal collection.
Photograph of Erik and Inese Raisters by Mary Randlett not used in the exhibition.
Photograph of Erik and Inese Raisters by Mary Randlett not used in the exhibition.
Vija (Rogainis) Rauda was born in 1932 in Valka, Latvia. On
August 25, 1944, her family left Latvia for Germany, eventually ending up in a
displaced persons camp at Alt Garge. In 1950, She and her family left Germany
for New York City. They eventually settled in Asheboro, North Carolina. In
1951, while she stayed in Asheboro for work, the rest of her family moved to
Longview, Washington so that her father could work at the Longview Fiber paper
mill. Later that year, she joined her family in Washington and attended Lower
Columbia Junior College in Longview. In 1953, Vija graduated from Lower
Columbia Junior College and started school at University of Washington. In
1955, she received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from University of
Washington. In 1956, Vija married Vigo Rauda. After graduation, she worked as a
researcher at the University of Washington Department of Medicine and
contributed to several research papers on the role of enzymes in diabetes. In
1964, Vija left University of Washington Medical School and started to work for
her husband at Topographic Map and Model Company (now Rauda Scale Models Inc.),
which designed (and still designs) topographic maps and scale models for
architects, engineers, public visitor centers, and real estate developers. In
1995, Vija became the President of Rauda Scale Models Inc. She has been active
in the Seattle Latvian community: Secretary of the Latvian Summer High School
"Kursa" until 2003, organized the Latvian exhibit at the 1993 Northwest
Folklife Festival, started a Latvian craft education program, under the
direction of Skaidrite Abolins, which lasted for four years, and in 2008, she
organized the exhibit
I entered the University of Washington in the fall of 1953 and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. I was hired by the Department of Medicine to work on enzyme research. I met my future husband Vigo Rauda at the UW and we purchased our first home in the Northgate area of Seattle in December, 1959. That was a milestone – my own home. It gave me that feeling of permanency which I had not experienced since leaving Latvia in 1944. It is a gathering place for the Rauda, Rogainis and Meneks families for holidays, birthdays, and other get-togethers. It also became the first home of my husband's topographic model-making business. I joined him in the business in 1967. This year Rauda Scale Models Inc. celebrates its 48th year in business in Seattle, providing topographic exhibits and scale model exhibits to architects, engineers, real estate developers and public visitors centers.
Photograph copied from Vija Rauda's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Vija Rauda's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Vija Rauda's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Vija Rauda's personal collection.
Standing: Janis, Vija, Andris. Sitting: Ella (mother), Alfred (father).
Photograph copied from Vija Rauda's personal collection.
Maija Reikstins was born in 1950 in Tacoma, Washington. Her
grandparents and parents had arrived in the United States from Latvia in 1949.
Maija studies and teaches Latvian music, particularly the Latvian
I was born in Tacoma, Washington, April 7, 1950. The
newspaper announced me as a sign of hope to the new emigrant community in
Tacoma. I had been told that I was the first birth to Latvian immigrants on the
West Coast. I have studied the origin and development of Latvian music, using
our vast heritage of 1 million songs and word collections called
Maija Reikstins is 3rd from left in the back.
Photograph copied from Maija Reikstins' personal collection.
Left to Right: the Ambassador's Secretary, Maija Reikstins, Latvian Ambassador to Canada, Ausma Lidacis.
Photograph copied from Maija Reikstins' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Maija Reikstins' personal collection.
Guntis Smidchens received his PhD from Indiana University in 1996. In 1993, he was invited to teach four courses at the University of Washington as a Visiting Lecturer. He was also asked to assist with establishing the Baltic Studies Summer Institute (BALSSI). In 1994, Guntis was offered the chance to establish the University of Washington Baltic Studies Program and to teach courses in the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian languages. In 2011, he was named Associate Professor of Baltic Studies in the University of Washington Department of Scandinavian Studies.
In fall of 1993, the University invited me to teach four courses as a Visiting Lecturer, and asked me to help establish the Baltic Studies Summer Institute. My assignment was to teach the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian languages, as well as occasional courses in folklore studies. For me, the opportunity to teach at University of Washington was a dream come true. I could finish writing my dissertation about these three countries, their folklore and their national cultures, and I could earn a living teaching what I loved to study! The students were talented and hard workers, and it was a pleasure to come in every day and meet my colleagues in the Department of Scandinavian Studies. The friendship and goodwill that I felt in the local Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian communities was energizing; I knew that I wasn't alone in my desire to establish the study of these three languages and cultures at the University.
Guntis Smidchens is in the front.
Photograph copied from Guntis Smidchens' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Guntis Smidchens' personal collection.
Guntis Smidchens is standing in the far right corner.
Photograph copied from Guntis Smidchens' personal collection.
Guntis Smidchens is in the back left corner.
Photograph copied from Guntis Smidchens' personal collection.
Kazimirs Upenieks was born in 1923 in the Latgale region of Latvia. In 1941, both he and his brother Voicechs joined the German army to fight against the Soviet forces. In 1944, Kazimirs and his brother left Latvia and were placed in a prisoner of war camp in Belgium in 1945. In 1946, he and his brother were transferred to a displaced persons camp in Germany. They stayed at the displaced persons camp until 1951. In 1951, Kazimirs left Germany for the United States and ended up in Seattle, Washington. He and his brother managed a gas station on Boren and Yesler. They left to manage another station in 1954, which was located in Lake City. They opened their own tire store in 1972 and sold it to Les Schwab in 2000. Kazimirs Upenieks lives in Kenmore, Washington.
Voicechs Upenieks was born in 1920 in the Latgale region of Latvia. In 1941, both he and his brother Kazimirs joined the German army to fight against the Soviet forces. In 1944, Voicechs and his brother left Latvia and were placed in a prisoner of war camp in Belgium in 1945. In 1946, he and his brother were transferred to a displaced persons camp in Germany. They stayed at the displaced persons camp until 1951. In 1951, Voicechs left Germany for the United States and ended up in Seattle, Washington. He and his brother managed a gas station on Boren and Yesler. They left to manage another station in 1954, which was located in Lake City. They opened their own tire store in 1972 and sold it to Les Schwab in 2000. Voicechs Upenieks previously lived in Lynnwood, Washington. He now lives in Kenmore, Washington.
Kazimirs Upenieks' statement excerpt used in the exhibition: We had a sponsor in Seattle who guaranteed work and a room to live. Our sponsor was Royal Brougham from the PI. He was a nice man. He expressed an interest in sponsoring athletes. I was a runner so he sponsored both of us. I was working in a plating shop when I first got here. There were a lot of Latvians. It was tough job but good pay – a dollar and nineteen cents an hour.
Voicechs Upenieks' statement excerpt used in the exhibition: Our first gas station was on Boren and Yesler. Then we had a station on Aurora by the bridge and then one in Lake City. Then we opened our own store. We tried to be competitive and we tried to be honest. I don't like anybody to cheat me and I don't like to cheat somebody else. We got a good reputation. Our business was growing, we bought the property and we bought a bigger store after a while.
The Upenieks brothers managed the station in the 1960s before they opened their own tire store.
Photograph copied from Kazimirs and Voicechs Upenieks' personal collection.
Photograph of Kazimirs and Voicechs Upenieks by Mary Randlett not used in the exhibition.
Irena Blekys was born in 1950 in Chorley, England. Her parents
had escaped the second Soviet Occupation in 1944 and ended up in a displaced
persons camp in Oldenburg, Germany, before immigrating to England. In the
mid-1950s, the Blekys family moved to Chicago, Illinois. Blekys worked in
medical research at the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Medicine,
Dermatology Department, before moving to Seattle with her husband, Allan
Johnson, in 1981. She is actively involved in the Seattle Lithuanian community
and is the Secretary of the University of Washington Department of Scandinavian
Studies Advisory Board. Blekys is a member of the Board of Directors of the
Lithuanian-American Community, Inc. (LAC), an Officer of the LAC, Inc.,
Washington Chapter, and is the Adminstrative Executive Director of the
Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies (AABS). She has written
articles for
Our most intense period of community life was centered on
the changes taking place during the final demise of the Soviet Union in the
late 1980's and the emerging independence of the Republics of Lithuania, Latvia
and Estonia. Public demonstrations were staged to publicize the need for US
recognition of Lithuanian independence and counter the propaganda of Soviet
officials such as Gennadi Gerasimov visiting Seattle. As the number of
Lithuanian families began to grow in the Puget Sound area in the 1990's, it
became clear that our children would benefit from activities that would bring
them together to share their heritage and language. I and a few other mothers,
including Danute Musteikis Rankis and Juarte Mazeika Harrison, started a family
camp we called
Photograph copied from Irena Blekys' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Irena Blekys' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Irena Blekys' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Irena Blekys' personal collection.
From left to right: Irena Blekys, daughters Jessie and Ona Johnson, friend Zita Petkus, friend Jurate Harrison.
Photograph copied from Irena Blekys' personal collection.
Irena Blekys' daughter Ona Johnson in center holding sign. Blekys' daughter Jessie Johnson is to Ona's right.
Photograph copied from Irena Blekys' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Irena Blekys' personal collection.
From left to right: Vytautas Svagzdys, Irena Blekys, Guntis Smidchens.
Photograph copied from Irena Blekys' personal collection.
Irena Blekys is front-left.
Photograph copied from Irena Blekys' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Irena Blekys' personal collection.
Back row, left to right: Jurate Harrison, Bruno Morkunas, Mr. Kukainis, unidentified Latvian. Seated, left to right: Irena Blekys, Ina Bray.
Photograph copied from Irena Blekys' personal collection.
Ina Bertulyte Bray was born in Klaipeda, Lithuania (then Memel) in the mid-1930s. In 1944, her family fled to Germany. In 1950, Bray's family left Munich, Germany for Los Angeles, California. After marriage, she and her husband moved to Seattle, Washington in 1968. Bray has degrees in Library Science from University of California - Los Angeles and University of California - Berkeley. She worked as the school librarian at St. Joseph School for over 17 years, served on the King County Arts Commission (now 4Culture) until 1979 and was a member of the Board and volunteer for Friends of the Seattle Public Library. As part of the Lithuanian community in Seattle, Bray served as the President of the Washington Chapter of the Lithuanian American Community, Inc., for 16 years. She has also promoted Lithuanian culture and ideals through various forums, including involvement in exhibits of Baltic artifacts at the Nordic Heritage Museum, dance and craft lessons in the Seattle Parks and Recreation Program, and as a member of the Advisory Board for the University of Washington Baltic Studies Program. In 1973, Bray received a Community Award "For Outstanding Service to the Ideals of Brotherhood" from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. In 1987, she received a Spirit of Liberty Award on behalf of the Ethnic Heritage Council of the Northwest from then Mayor Charlie Royer.
When we moved here, there existed only a small enclave of
Lithuanians. However, in the early 1970s for various reasons their activities
as an organization began to recede. Yet, sustaining our Lithuanian heritage had
deep significance for many of us, and so, along with a few like-minded
individuals, I undertook the task of reviving the community. I was chosen as
President and served, with a two-year hiatus, for some 16 years. This
organization became
Cropped version of original photograph used in the exhibition.
Photograph copied from Ina Bertulyte Bray's personal collection.
Original version of image.
Photograph copied from Ina Bertulyte Bray's personal collection.
Seated-middle: Bob Walsh, President, Goodwill Games. Seated-right: Ina Bertulyte Bray, President, Lithuanian American Community, Inc., Seattle Chapter. Standing -left: Arvydas Juozaitis, Lithuanian Olympic Organization. Standing-middle: Valdas Adamkus, Lithuanian American Community, Inc. (Valdas Adamkus became President of Lithuania in 1998).
Photograph copied from Ina Bertulyte Bray's personal collection.
Photograph of Ina Bertulyte Bray by Mary Randlett not used in the exhibition.
Vytautas Victor Lapatinskas was born in 1926 in Varnai, Lithuania. He and his family spent time in Germany before leaving for the United States in 1949. In 1961, he arrived in Seattle, Washington from Chicago, Illinois to work for the Boeing Airplane Company. Lapatinskas is the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Lithuania in Seattle and serves on the Advisory Board to the University of Washington Department of Scandinavian Studies.
I arrived in Seattle in 1961 from Chicago. From the very
first days it was clear that this area will be our home for a long time to
come. I had a good job at the Boeing Co. and the natural beauty of the area was
overwhelmingly attractive. In Seattle we met several Lithuanians of our own
generation and a relatively large number of older immigrants from the 1920s and
1930s. They were primarily blue collar workers whom we considered communist
sympathizers. We were the victims of communism and our association with them
was very limited. In retrospect it was our mistake. We refused to take over
their self-help organization
Left to Right: Vytautas Victor Lapatinskas, Ambassador Vygaudas Ušackas, Governor Gary Locke.
Photograph copied from Vytautas Victor Lapatinskas' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Vytautas Victor Lapatinskas' personal collection.
Vytautas Victor Lapatinskas is second from the left.
Photograph copied from Vytautas Victor Lapatinskas' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Vytautas Victor Lapatinskas' personal collection.
Rimvydas Miksys was born in 1942 in Lithuania. In 1944, his family fled Lithuania for Germany. Miksys and his family eventually ended up in the United States, first settling in New York. From 1964-1968, he was in the United States Navy and flew 200 combat missions off of an air craft carrier as a co-pilot, navigator, and bombadier. In 1970, Miksys received his MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. That same year, he, along with his wife and son, moved to Washington State. In the 1970s, he was the Manager of Volume Services, a food service company. He stayed with Volume Services for eight years before founding a bingo newspaper. The newspaper supported the fundraising efforts of various charities including the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Sno-King Hockey Association. Miksys is the Chair of the Washington State Chapter of the Lithuanian-American Community, Inc.
I have sustained my heritage by participation in the life of the Lithuanian-American Community (LAC) here. I am now serving my third term as the president of the organization. Its purpose is to promote the educational and cultural life of Lithuanians in King County. I have also "renewed" my heritage by frequent visits to Lithuania beginning in 1995. The LAC supports three folk dance groups and a summer camp for children as well as numerous exhibitions and performances by Lithuanian artists. At times we have brought Lithuanian scholars to the city and the UW campus.
Photograph by Rimvydas Miksys' father.
Photograph copied from Rimvydas Miksys' personal collection.
Photograph by Rimvydas Miksys' father.
Photograph copied from Rimvydas Miksys' personal collection.
Rimvydas Miksys is on the left.
Photograph copied from Rimvydas Miksys' personal collection.
Antanas Minelga married Aldona (Gylys) in 1950 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1959, they moved to Olympia, Washington from Chicago. He and his brother-in-law started Neringa Construction. The family also purchased a trailer court and an apartment building. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Olympia, Washington.
Aldona Minelga was born in Raseiniai, Lithuania. Her mother, Alexandra "Mama" Gylys, hid three Jewish families during the Nazi occupation of Lithuania. In 1976, Mama Gylys was awarded with the highest honor from the government of Israel ,which declared Mama and her husband Leon "Rightous of the Nations" for their efforts to save their Jewish neighbors. Aldona and her family eventually left Lithuania in 1944 for Germany. In 1948, they moved to Chicago, Illinois. In 1950, Aldona married Antanas Minelga in Chicago. In 1959, she and Antanas moved to Olympia, Washington. In 1960, her parents followed her to Olympia and bought a restaurant. Aldona was a member of the Olympia Art League and was one of the founders of Daughters of Lithuania.
We visited Washington State for the first time in April, 1956. It was love at first sight. A few years later, in 1959, we moved here for good. I, Antanas, started a building business called Neringa Construction. Aldona's parents moved here from Chicago in 1960 and bought a restaurant in Olympia that was one of the first K.F.C. franchises. We also purchased a trailer court and an apartment building. So we have been in the business world most of the time. Our participation in civic organizations was first of all in the Lithuanian community organization. I, Antanas, was also a member of the Kiwanis for 45 years. I, Aldona, was a founding member of Daughters of Lithuania, an organization which started in Chicago over 55 years ago. I was also a member of the Olympia Art League and participated in local art shows.
Photograph copied from Antanas and Aldona Minelga's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Antanas and Aldona Minelga's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Antanas and Aldona Minelga's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Antanas and Aldona Minelga's personal collection.
Dalia Tutlys Mrowiec was born in 1935 in Lithuania. She and her family eventually ended up in Germany before moving to the United States. In 1986, Mrowiec moved to Seattle, Washington when her husband was hired by the Fluke Company. Mrowiec is a member of the Seattle chapter of the Daughters of Lithuania and served as its treasurer for six years. She currently lives in Arlington, Washington and owns Blueberry Acres, a blueberry farm.
I have sustained my Lithuanian heritage by becoming a member of the Lithuanian Community and participating in local events. Also, I joined the Daughters of Lithuania. When my mother was alive and lived with me, we spoke Lithuanian at home. It was wonderful – the kids didn't understand us and it would drive them nuts. Actually, my son started to understand what we were saying and we had to be careful. At one of the Daughters of Lithuania meetings, I was asked if I would host the Annual Picnic/Fundraiser for the Daughters of Lithuania at my blueberry farm. The picnic has been going on for about 20 years and is one of the bigger gatherings of local Lithuanians.
Photograph copied from Dalia Tutlys Mrowiec's personal collection.
Dalia Tutlys Mrowiec is on the right-hand side.
Photograph copied from Dalia Tutlys Mrowiec's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Dalia Tutlys Mrowiec's personal collection.
Photograph copied from Dalia Tutlys Mrowiec's personal collection.
Juozas Petkus arrived in Seattle, Washington from Chicago, Illinois to work for Boeing Airplane Company in 1978. In 1982, he and his wife represented the Lithuanian Community at a rally in support of the Solidarity Trade Union. Juozas lives in Kirkland, Washington.
Zita (Burneikyte) Petkus was born in Lithuania. She and her
family eventually ended up in a displaced persons camp in Germany. In 1949,
Zita and her family left Germany for the United States. She and her family
settled in Chicago, Illinois. In 1978, Zita and Juozas Petkus left Chicago for
Seattle, Washington. For 25 years, she was the editor of the Lithuanian
community's newsletter
For my part, I offered to produce a "one time only"
bilingual newsletter for the Lithuanian community.Twenty-five years and 101
issues later, I finally stepped down as the editor of
The demonstration marked the 50th anniversary of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, which was the pretext for the Soviet occupation of the Baltic countries in 1939.
Photograph copied from Juozas and Zita Petkus' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Zita Petkus' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Zita Petkus' personal collection.
Copied from Zita Petkus' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Zita Petkus' personal collection.
Juozas and Zita Petkus are the couple in front.
Photograph copied from Juozas and Zita Petkus' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Juozas and Zita Petkus' personal collection.
Rasa Raisys was born in 1967. She and her family moved to
Seattle, Washington in 1971. In 1991, Raisys graduated from University of
Washington with a degree in International Studies. She was a member of the
Seattle Lithuanian folk dance group
We have always been active in the Lithuanian Community
here in King County. I joined the dance group at a young age and participated
in the Daughters of Lithuania from a young age. Being active in groups that are
part of your heritage makes you feel like you are part of a community. I danced
in the
Photograph copied from Rasa Raisys' personal collection.
Rasa Raisys is kneeling center-front.
Photograph copied from Rasa Raisys' personal collection.
Rasa Raisys is fourth from the left in the second row.
Photograph copied from Rasa Raisys' personal collection.
Rasa Raisys is second from right.
Photograph copied from Rasa Raisys' personal collection.
Vytautas Svagzdys was born in 1930 in Radvilskis, Lithuania. In 1946, he was arrested by the KGB due to his ties with the Lithuanian partisan movement. The same year, Vytautas was sentenced to ten years in prison for political crimes. His imprisonment was in the Karelia region of Finland, where he stayed until 1948. In 1948, he was relocated to a "special regime camp" (commonly referred to as a Gulag) in the town of Norilsk on the Arctic Circle. In 1953, the political prisoners at the camp led an uprising against the camp's guards. In 1955, Vytautas was released from the camp, but had to stay in Norilsk. In 1955, he met and eventually married Donata Muraskaite (a former political prisoner from Lithuania). In 1969, Vytautas and Donata Svagzdys left Norilsk, with their son and daughter, for Lithuania. In 1993, their daughter and son-in-law moved to the United States. Vytautas and Donata joined their daughter in 1999. Vytautas is involved in the Lithuanian American Community, Inc., Seattle Chapter and has given presentations in courses through the University of Washington Scandinavian Studies Department.
Donata Svagzdys was born in 1928 in Vilaviskis, Lithuania. She was imprisoned for political crimes in the Gulag at Norilsk in the Arctic Circle. In 1955, Donata met and eventually married Vytautas Svagzdys who was a fellow prisoner at Norilsk. In 1969, they returned to Lithuania and remained there until 1999, when they left to join their daughter and her family in the United States. Donata is actively involved in the Seattle Lithuanian community and is a member of the Daughters of Lithuania. She has given presentations to University of Washington students on her experiences during the partisan war against Community occupation in Lithuania during the 1940s. Donata and Vytautas Svagzdys live in Seattle, Washington.
In January of 1946, I was arrested by the KGB (the Soviet political police) for having ties to the Lithuanian partisan movement. In May of that same year, I was sentenced to a ten-year prison sentence for being a "political" criminal. At this time, I was sixteen years old. I was imprisoned in Finland's Karelia region until 1948. Then (at the age of 18) I was sent to the northernmost Arctic Circle, to the town of Norilsk, to a "special regime camp". It was a camp for political prisoners. At the end of February in 1955, I was released to "freedom". I write "freedom" in quotes because I was forbidden to leave Norilsk. Here, I became acquainted with a Lithuanian young woman, Donata, a former political prisoner. We married and started a family. Our son and daughter were born in Norilsk. In 1969 our whole family returned to our Lithuanian homeland.
Photograph copied from Vytautas and Donata Svagzdys' personal collection.
Photograph copied from Vytautas and Donata Svagzdys' personal collection.
William (Vilius) Algirdas Zalpys was born in 1959 in Cuba. He
moved to Vancouver, Washington in 1996. He works for the City of Vancouver as a
grounds keeper for Park Hill Cemetery. Zalpys is an elected Official for Clark
County Cemetary District #1. He was President of the Portland/Vancouver Chapter
of the American Lithuanian Community, Inc. Zalpys and his wife started the
Lithuanian folkdance group
Soon after arriving in Vancouver, Washington, I began
helping the local Portland Lithuanian Community and within a few years became
the President. I also created a Lithuanian folkdance group
Photograph copied from William (Vilius) Algirdas Zalpys' personal collection.
Photograph copied from William (Vilius) Algirdas Zalpys' personal collection.
Photograph copied from William (Vilius) Algirdas Zalpys' personal collection.
Photograph copied from William (Vilius) Algirdas Zalpys' personal collection.
Photograph copied from William (Vilius) Algirdas Zalpys' personal collection.
Photographs copied from William (Vilius) Algirdas Zalpys' personal collection.
Three packing boxes containing framed exhibit panels.