Baltic Lives:
An Exploration of Latvian History
Come on a unique journey through Latvian history. Walk through forested cemeteries and down busy Riga streets. Witness the rise of industry and the glory of the Tsar. Feel the devastation of war and the thrill of freedom. The journey is just beginning…
Nicholas II and his family with the Mayor of Riga (on the right) George Armistead during the visit in July 1910 (photo from vintage postcard image)
For...
Daugavpils Prison today (Wikipedia Commons: Glossologist)
An imposing white brick building rises four stories high in the center of Daugavpils City....
Krišjānis Valdemārs (Wikipedia Commons -Carl Schulz)
In 1864, the famous Latvian scholar and nationalist, Krišjānis Valdemārs, founded a school in the...
St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in 1865 (Wikipedia Commons)
St. Martin’s Lutheran Church is one of the most prominent churches in Riga. Until...
Skyline of Iļģuciems c. 1910 (photo held by the Latvian National Library)
The neighbourhood of Iļģuciems on the west bank of the Daugava River in Riga...
Aspazija c. 1912 (Wikipedia Commons)
Aspazija is the pen name of writer, poet and playwright, Elza Rozenberga. Aspazija is one of the most famous Latvians...
Žanis (John) Zekants is the link between all the family lines in this story. All of this history in some way culminates with him. He is the reason I have...
Lavize Rozentals c. late 1870s (photo in private family collection)
Lavīze Rozenbergs/Rozentals was the only sibling of Kristaps Rozentals/Rozenvalds,...
Anna Rozentals/Rozenvalds Bermanis c. 1926 (photo held in the Latvian Historical Archives – Riga)
Anna Zelma was the youngest daughter of Kristap Rozenvalds...
Willi Droune, 1948. (photo in private family collection)
Willi was the second husband of Olga Rozentals/Rozenvalds. He was a Baltic German from the town...