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Marilyn’s Lithuanian Adventure
  • Marilyn Kennedy
  • Marilyn Kennedy

Marilyn’s Lithuanian Adventure

After years of planning, I am finally traveling to Lithuania, home to many of my ancestors. I am joined by Scott Slykas and Joanne Zrenda Moore. This is the first time since my Grandfather left Lithuania in 1913 that anyone in his family has visited. Read more
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  • Marilyn KennedyMarilyn’s Lithuanian AdventureTraveler
    Daugirdas Hotel in Kaunas
    The Front Desk at the Daugirdas Hotel in KaunasScott in the Daugirdas Hotel LobbyMy Bed at the Daugirdas Hotel in KaunasMy Bed at the Daugirdas Hotel in KaunasMy Closet at the Daugirdas Hotel in KaunasMy Very Messy Desk at the Daugirdas Hotel in KaunasThe Bathroom at the Daugirdas Hotel in Kaunas

    Daugirdas Hotel in Kaunas

    August 15, 2022 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    We had previously stayed at the Daugirdas Hotel in Kaunas when we were on our way to Klaipėda. We came back for our "family history" part of the trip because our guide Vincas Bundza lived in Kaunas. It was also the closest major city to the various villages and towns we wanted to visit.

    The hotel was very clean but in some ways awkward. My bed was king-sized and basically a wall-to-wall bed. The suitcase stand was so narrow that I had to put my big suitcase on the desk. The hotel had air conditioning, but I had to request that they turn it on at the front desk. Not everyone uses AC and hotels try to save on their use of energy. But, breakfast was great!    Read more

  • Marilyn KennedyMarilyn’s Lithuanian AdventureTraveler
    St. Peter and Paul's Church in Panevėžys
    St. Peter and Paul's Church in PanevėžysSt. Peter and Paul's Church in PanevėžysSide Yard of St. Peter and Paul's Church in PanevėžysSide yard of St. Peter and Paul's Church in Panevėžys showing priests' play yardSide of St. Peter and Paul's Church in PanevėžysRight side gate of St. Peter and Paul's Church in PanevėžysLeft side gate of St. Peter and Paul's Church in PanevėžysRectory at St. Peter and Paul's Church in PanevėžysOutside of St. Peter and Paul's Church in PanevėžysScott and Vincas walking toward the back of The back of St. Peter and Paul's Church in PanevėžysAn icon outside The back of St. Peter and Paul's Church in PanevėžysLourdes altar outside of the back of St. Peter and Paul's Church in Panevėžys

    St. Peter and Paul's Church in Panevėžys

    August 16, 2022 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    St. Peter and St. Paul's Church is a Roman Catholic church in Panevėžys, Lithuania. The current brick masonry church was built between 1877 – 1885, however, the parish dates to 1507 when the first church in Panevėžys was built on the right bank of Nevėžis. It has an authentic organ constructed by Juozapas Radavičius which dates to 1887. The church was renewed in 2018 and a new altar, made of Greek marble and gilded wood carvings, was added.

    This is the church in which my Šlikas Great-Grandparents were married.    Read more

  • Marilyn KennedyMarilyn’s Lithuanian AdventureTraveler
    Šlikų Kapinės (Šlikai village cemetery) sign at entrance
    Scott walking into the front gate of Šlikų KapinėsHeadstone of Aloysis Šlikai - not sure of our relationshipGrave of Aloysis Šlikai - not sure of our relationshipŠlikai Bagdonai headstoneŠlikai Bagdonai grave may have several people buried here but not marked individuallyHeadstone of Jonas Aleliunas - also a possible relationŠlikų šeima (Slikas Family) headstone - several family members may be buried hereŠlikų šeima (Slikas Family) Grave - may have several family members buried hereGeneral view of Šlikų KapinėsGeneral view of Šlikų KapinėsVincas speaking to a man who remembered the Šlikas familyScott and Marilyn with a man who remembered the Šlikas family

    Šlikų Kapinės

    August 16, 2022 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    Šlikai village cemetery is a functioning cemetery of the municipality of Panevėžys district. Several Slikas relatives are buried here, but they still need to be researched to find out how our family is related to them.

    We met a gentleman who remembered the Slikas family that used to live nearby, but unfortunately, he didn't know any specific stories.    Read more

  • Marilyn KennedyMarilyn’s Lithuanian AdventureTraveler
    St. Anne's Church in front and the Church of St. Francis and St. Bernard in the background
    Brick shapes used to create the façade of the churchesThe main altar of the Church of St. Francis and St. BernardThe main altar of the Church of St. Francis and St. BernardSide view of the main altar of the Church of St. Francis and St. BernardA side chapel at the Church of St. Francis and St. BernardA confessional at the Church of St. Francis and St. BernardTombstone for Stanisław Radziwiłł (d. 1599)The organ at the Church of St. Francis and St. Bernard

    Church of St. Francis and St. Bernard

    August 17, 2022 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Scott and I had a free day in Vilnius after we completed our family history tour so we decided to visit a couple of places that we had not visited before.

    On the day we initially went to St. Anne's Church in Vilnius, the church was closed for major renovations. But in addition to St. Anne's Church, there is another church dedicated to St. Francis and St. Bernard adjacent to it.

    Bernardine monks built a wooden church in the second half of the 15th century, and at the end of the same century - a brick one. In the early 16th century, it was reconstructed. At the beginning of the 16th century, the church was incorporated into the construction of the Vilnius defensive wall, so there are shooting openings in its walls. Afterward, it was renewed many times, particularly after the 1655-61 war with Moscow, when the Cossacks ravaged the church killing the monks and citizens who had taken shelter there. According to the legend, the Bernardine monks used to tell such good sermons that crowds would come to listen. That is why the church is so large.

    Stanisław "the Pious" Radziwiłł (12 May 1559 – 19 March 1599) was a sixth-generation Radziwill family noble of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and was buried in this church. He was a general elder of the Duchy of Samogitia (from 1595 until his death) and the Great Lithuanian Marshal (from 1592 until his death). Raised as a Calvinist, he converted to Roman Catholicism and was known as a very pious person. He was also known for his scholarly interests - he collected books and could read in many languages.    Read more

  • Marilyn KennedyMarilyn’s Lithuanian AdventureTraveler
    Entrance to Restoranas Lokys in Old Town Vilnius
    Inside the Courtyard of the Restoranas Lokys in Old Town VilniusScott at the Restoranas Lokys in Old Town VilniusMarilyn at the Restoranas Lokys in Old Town VilniusOur dinners at the Restoranas Lokys in Old Town VilniusIce Cream at a shop in Old Town Vilnius

    Restoranas Lokys in Old Town Vilnius

    August 17, 2022 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F

    Scott and I had dinner at the Restoranas Lokys in Old Town Vilnius. "Lokys" is a second-generation family restaurant, where a brother and sister work together. Brother Evaldas Keršulis took over the restaurant 20 years ago from his mother. Sister Rita Keršulytė–Ryčkova has been a qualified wine sommelier for more than ten years and in 2018 she received a diploma from the prestigious culinary and pastry school, Le Cordon Bleu Grand Diplôme.

    After dinner, we walked around Old Town Vilnius and stopped for ice cream at a small ice cream shop. This was how we ended most of our evenings while we were traveling.

    The restaurant is a home to forest products - mushrooms, berries, nuts, and game - telling the stories of Lithuanian cuisine from the time of the conquests of Vytautas the Great.

    It is the oldest restaurant in the old town of Vilnius, operating since 1972. The restaurant is located in a merchant's house built in the Middle Ages, its Gothic-style cellars date back to the 15th century.

    Scott had wild boar for dinner and I had a salad with a delicious piece of beef. (I am not a game lover.) It was a terrific meal!    Read more

  • Marilyn KennedyMarilyn’s Lithuanian AdventureTraveler
    Indianapolis Airport
    Marilyn on the plane returning home

    Going Home

    August 18, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    My trip home started out badly. My plane leaving Vilnius was 2 1/2 hours late leaving. When I arrived in Stockholm, Sweden, the airline (SAS) had to hold the plane for me and other passengers to make a mad dash across the large airport. It was really difficult for me since I haven't been able to run for years. Luckily, a very kind gentleman helped me carry my carry-on luggage across the airport. He was headed to another plane at a location near my gate. I made the flight, but, unfortunately, I didn't have any time for photos in Sweden.

    My flight from Sweden took me back to Newark Airport where I re-entered the United States. I had a good experience going through customs. The next thing I knew, I was on the flight back to Indiana.

    This was a trip that I wanted to take for many years. I am so happy that I was finally able to see the place of most of my family's heritage. Lithuania is a beautiful country with wonderful people. I am so lucky to have been able to experience it.    Read more

    Trip end
    August 18, 2022
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