Durbe file / תיק קהילה

📜 The history of the Dorva community in Latvia and its demographic composition

The sources presented provide a historical and demographic overview of the town. Durba In Latvia, since its establishment by The Teutonic Order in the 13th century. The documents include official statistics from 1935, city maps and details about Public institutionsThe economy and social structure of the settlement. Special emphasis is given to the community. Jewish The smallest in the place, while documenting the decline in numbers over the years until its complete elimination. The sources state that with the German invasion in June 1941, The remaining Jews in the town by the Nazis and their local collaborators. In this way, the collection constitutes comprehensive evidence of the life of the town and its tragic end. Jewish settlement In.

Below is a detailed historical overview of the history of the settlement Durba (Durbe) and its Jewish community. The sources refer to a settlement located inLatvia (and not in Estonia), in the district Liepaja (former Libau) in the region Courland (Kurzeme) (C30-1f, C30-4f).

Historical background and the founding of the settlement

The settlement Durba Founded in the 13th century by Teutonic Order (Teutonic Order), which was an order of Christian knights from Germany (C30-1f, C30-4f). The sources indicate that the order's castle was founded in 1263 (C30-3f, C30-2f). A significant military event occurred on July 13. 1260, then a battle was fought nearby in which the forces of the Order were defeated (C30-2f). During the 16th century, the settlement developed and became the seat of Great artists (C30-1f, C30-4f).

Throughout history, the settlement suffered destruction; in 1701, during The Northern War, the local castle (C30-3f) was destroyed. The sources indicate that at the end of the 18th century, with the annexation of Courland toRussia, the population numbered about 400 residents (C30-3f).

The settlement during the period of independent Latvia (1920–1940)

Between the years 1920–1940, it was included Durba In the territory of Independent Latvia (C30-1f, C30-4f). During this period it was granted the status of city, and it was considered the smallest town in Latvia (C30-1f, C30-4f). The sources state that after World War I about 80% of the inhabitants left the place, but after the war residents returned (C30-3f).

Economically and infrastructurally, the place had processing plants wool, Flour mills and production Beer and wine (C30-3f). The sources list various institutions that operated in the city, including a church (founded in 1451 near the castle), schools, and a library (C30-2f).

Demographics and Jewish Community

Information about the Jewish presence inDurba Based on statistical data from different periods:

• 1881: We were in the settlement. 27 Jews (C30-3f).
• 1920: Lived in place 30 Jews Out of a general population of 453 people (C30-1f, C30-3f, C30-4f).
• 1925: The number of Jews decreased to6 (C30-3f).
• 1930: We were there. 8 Jews (C30-3f).
• 1935: There is a contradiction in the sources regarding this year. Some sources (C30-1f, C30-4f) and the statistical table (C30-3f) indicate that 8 Jews (about 2% of the population, which numbered 525 people). In contrast, the text printed in the statistical survey (C30-2f, p. 180) states that only 3 Jews (0.57% of the population).

Note on uncertainty: In the margins of the page containing the statistical table, a handwritten note appears in parentheses: "(perhaps)", indicating doubt regarding the information appearing on that page (C30-3f).

Holocaust period

At the end of June 1940 Latvia was annexed toSoviet Union (C30-3f). On June 22 1941After the outbreak of war between Germany and the Soviet Union, the place was occupied by the German army (C30-1f, C30-3f, C30-4f). The few Jews remaining in the settlement were murdered in the summer of that year (1941) by The Germans and their Latvian assistants (C30-1f, C30-4f). Another source states that the tiny Jewish community that lived there was murdered by the end of that year (C30-3f).

Terms and explanations

Below are explanations of the terms that appear in the sources:

• Courland (Kurzeme/Kurland): A historical region in Latvia, located in the southwestern part of the country (C30-1f).
• Teutonic Order: A military-religious order of German knights that operated in the Baltic region during the Middle Ages (C30-1f, C30-4f).
• Liepaja: A port city in Latvia, formerly known by its German name Libau (Libau) (C30-1f, C30-4f).

List of sources

• C30-1f: A historical overview and demographic summary in Hebrew about the settlement of Dorba, including information about the founding of the place by the Teutonic Order, Jewish population data and their murder in the Holocaust.
• C30-2f: An official statistical source in Latvian from 1936 that includes a geographical and historical overview of the city of Durba, information on public institutions, infrastructure, economy, and a detailed urban map.
• C30-3f: Data sheet including a statistical table of the population of Dorva and the Jewish community (1881–1935), a historical overview in Hebrew, a handwritten note, and a list of research sources.
• C30-4f: An information sheet in English from the Diaspora Center detailing the history of Durba as the smallest city in Latvia, data on the Jewish community, and a description of their murder in the summer of 1941.

C30-1f

C30-2f

C30-3f

C30-4f

**End of Sources Section**

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