Vecslabada File / תיק קהילה

🏘️ Rural Latvia: Statistical Register 1935

These sources are part of an official statistical publication from 2016. 1936 The reviewer Villages in Latvia Based on data collected in the 1935 census. The text focuses on a detailed description of specific localities, such as Rundēni andVecslabada, detailing their administrative and demographic structure. The data includes a segmentation of Ethnic composition of residents, the number of buildings in the village, and information on essential infrastructure such as schools and clinics. In addition, the document lists the Businesses The local businesses, including grocery stores and pharmacies, and lists the names of the property owners at that time. This overview provides a rare historical glimpse into Economic and social life In rural Latvia before World War II.

The following overview is based on official statistics of the Latvian government as published in 1936, based on the census conducted in 1935The information focuses on rural communities in the district. Ludzas and provides a demographic and economic picture of the Jewish presence in this region in the period between the world wars (C155-2f).

Demographics and Jewish presence in the Rundēni settlement

The village Rundēni, located in the district Ludzas In the province Rundēnu parish, counted in 1935 a population of 288 residents (155 men and 133 women). Of the total population, 155 were identified 5 Jews, which constitute 1.74% of the village's residents (C155-2f). The majority of the village's population was made up of Latvians (55.55%) and Russians (32.99%), with minorities of Poles and Belarusians (C155-2f). There were 53 separate households in the settlement, and most of the houses (55.26%) were privately owned (C155-2f).

Economic and commercial activity in Rundēni

Despite the small number of Jews in the settlement, they held key positions in local commerce. The source mentions a number of prominent Jewish business owners: Nochums Lifšics (Nochum Lifshitz) was the owner of a textile and small goods store (Manufaktūras un sīppreču tīgātavaAnother character mentioned is Saula Luftas, who ran a textile store, andPesja Diamonds (Pesia Diment), who owned a haberdashery and colonial goods store (Galanterijas un koloniālpreču tërgatava) (C155-2f).

Demographics and Jewish presence in the settlement of Vecslabada

In the locality Vecslabada, belonging to the region Istra parish In the same district, in 1935, 383 residents (184 men and 199 women). The Jewish community in this settlement consisted of 7 people, which constituted 1.83% of the total population (C155-2f). Similar to Rundēni, the demographic majority here was Russian (59.27%) and Latvian (35.77%). There were 87 households in this settlement, with most buildings equipped with kerosene lamps (C155-2f).

Commercial life and business owners in Vecslabada

The Jewish presence inVecslabada It was particularly evident in the commercial sector, with a high concentration of shop owners selling food and colonial goods. Among the names mentioned in the list of business owners: Sona Averbuch (Sonia Averbuch), Jankelis Arona (Yankel Aharona), Borucha Arona (Baruch Aharona), andArona Averbuch (Aharon Averbuch) – All of them ran colonial stores (C155-2f). In the field of textiles and clothing, the following are mentioned: Movseja Beilina (Moshe Beilin) ​​andLeo Averbukh (Leo Averbuch), and Haja Beilins (Chaya Beilin) ​​who owned a ready-made clothing store (Ready-made clothing retailer(C155-2f). In addition, the list of property owners in the locality includes the names Tatjana Šapiro (Tatiana Shapiro), Afanasijs Rabinkins and-Nikita Rabinkins, indicating ownership of land or buildings in the settlement (C155-2f).

Holocaust period

The information contained in the attached sources is limited to statistical data collected and published between the years 1935–1936As a result, The sources do not contain information. About the fate of the Jewish communities in Rundēni and Vecslabada during the period The Holocaust or events that occurred after 1936. The existing documentation reflects only the demographic and economic situation on the eve of World War II (C155-2f).

Archival notes and handwritten marks

On the title page of the printed document "Latvijas ciemi" there are several handwritten notes that are not part of the original printed text: in the upper left corner there is the note "L 12" (or similar numbers under a line), and on the top right appears the letter "L" And above it the inscription "Dusi" And below it the number "33"At the bottom of the page are the listings. "L-1" and-"B-1" (C155-2f).

Explanation of professional terms

Below is an explanation of the terms that appear in Latvian language sources:

• Pagasts: An administrative unit in Latvia, equivalent to a "province" or "regional council".
• Colonial goods store: A store selling "colonial goods" (products imported from overseas such as coffee, tea, sugar, and spices).
• Manufaktūras tīrgotava: A store selling textile products, fabrics and manufactured goods.
• Haberdashery shop: A haberdashery shop (sewing products, buttons, decorations and small fashion accessories).
• Ready-made clothing retailer: Ready-to-wear clothing store.
• Grocery store: A store selling small goods or various products (similar to a small "department store").

List of sources

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• C155-2f – An official statistical publication from 1936 (Latvijas ciemi) that includes detailed demographic, social, and economic data on the settlements of Rondani and Raselvada, including lists of property owners, craftsmen, public institutions, and population data by ethnic division.

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