The Danenberg Family

Jānis Sirlaks 1829–1901

Peter's 4× great-uncle.

Also recorded as Jān Sirlak (gravestone); Sirlak Jonh (Rauna church book, per the memoir).

Jānis Sirlaks was born on 20 May 1829 in Lejas-Spāriņi farm, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia2,3,4, the son of Jānis Sirlaks and Masche5,16,17. He married Līze Veidenbauma in 1855 in Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia18,19. He died on 5 Mar 1901 in Jaunrauna cemetery, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia10,11 and was buried at Jaunrauna cemetery, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia12,13.

Family

Parents
Jānis Sirlaks 1779–1830 and Masche b. 1775 documented
Wife
Līze Veidenbauma 1836–1902 · married in 1855 in Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia18,19
Children

Life events

EventDatePlace and details
Born20 May 1829Lejas-Spāriņi farm, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia
Old Style (Julian) date: 8 May 18292,3,4
Lived1834Lejas-Spāriņi farm, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia5
Livedbet 9 Oct 1850 and 29 Apr 1855Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia6
Married1855with Līze Veidenbauma
Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia18,19
Lived23 Mar 1860Glāznieki farm, Cēsis, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia7
Livedbet 20 Sep 1862 and 1866Jāņmuiža, Priekuļi, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia8
Livedbet 1869 and 5 Mar 1901Vīstuči farm, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia9
Died5 Mar 1901Jaunrauna cemetery, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia
Old Style (Julian) date: 20 Feb 190110,11
BuriedJaunrauna cemetery, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia12,13
NoteLEAD (S): Marriage of Jānis Sirlaks × Līze Veidenbaums, 1855: would give Līze’s father and test the tradition that she was the paternal aunt of the poet Eduards Veidenbaums (1867–1892).14
NoteLEAD (S): Photograph the cast-iron cross of Jān (1829–1901) and Līhze (1836–1901) Sirlak and Pēteris’s pink granite boulder (1896), near the von Pander graves.15

Possible records (not confirmed)

Records that may concern him, but don't settle it: an initial and a surname only, a family recollection, or a reading that needs a second look. Each links to the record.

  • Occupation: footman (sulainis) at Jaunrauna manor; his father Jahn was a manor weaver (Hofsweber) in 1834.20 Oral tradition from Emīlis Sirlaks (Jānis’s great-grandson).
  • Residence 1869 Kalna Vīstuči farm, Jaunrauna (Ronneburg-Neuhof), Rauna parish, Cēsis district (now Priekuļi parish, Latvia): Purchase of the farm (later "Kalna Vīstuči") from Mārcis Vīstucis, with loans from rich relatives in Liepa parish. "Brāļa Jāņa māja- “Kalna Vīstuči”, brāļa Mārča- “Lejas Vīstuči”, vēlākā Dāvja māja." The farm name comes from the Vīstucis family; Mārcis Sirlaks’s wife Anne was the widow of a Vīstucs (1858 revision).20 Oral tradition from Emīlis; the 1872 purchase by Pēteris (p. 4, 34) may concern the other half (Lejas Vīstuči).
  • Other: LEAD (W): Purchase of Kalna Vīstuči (1869, from Mārcis Vīstucis) and Lejas Vīstuči (1872, from von Pander, on instalments). Who was Mārcis Vīstucis relative to Anne’s first husband and her son Dāvis Vīstucs (1858)?20 Would be settled by: Jaunrauna manor sale contracts / Cēsis district land books (LVVA); revisions 1850/1858.
  • Other: LEAD (W): A THIRD brother: the 1834 revision gives the weaver Jahn Sillak’s 1st son Dawe (b. c. 1815/16), who moved to the Lindenhof estate in 1829. Aina knows only Mārcis and Jānis. Was Dāvis the source of the "rich relatives in Liepa" (p. 4)? Lindenhof = Liepa manor.20 Would be settled by: Liepa (Lindenhof) revisions 1834/1850; Liepa/Rauna church books for a Dahw/Dawe Sirlak(s).
  • Other: LEAD (W): Aina lists only three children of Jānis and Līze (1860, 1862, 1866). The passport index has Natālija Zelma Sirlaka, f. Jānis, b. 31 Dec 1893, domicile Jaunrauna: her father must be another Jānis, perhaps an unlisted son of Jānis and Līze.20 Would be settled by: Rauna baptisms 1856–1880 (children of Jānis and Līze) and 1893–94 (Natālija Zelma).
  • Other: LEAD (S): Baptisms of Jānis and Līze's children: Ernestīne 1860 ('Glāznieki'), Reinholds 1862 and Minna 1866 (Jāņmuiža mill). The places point to Cēsis rural parish (Glāznieki; Jāņmuiža/Johannenhof) rather than Rauna; proves the Kalna Vīstuči line.20 Would be settled by: Raduraksti: Cēsis (Wenden) Latvian/rural baptisms 1860, 1862, 1866; Rauna baptisms as fallback. (Lead from the alternate draft, research/aina-memoir/alt/.)
  • Other: LEAD (S): Deaths of Jānis Sirlaks (20.II.1901) and Līze Sirlaka (24.XII.1901). Register entries give ages and birthplaces; the cross dates are probably Julian.20 Would be settled by: Raduraksti: Rauna deaths 1901; photograph of the cast-iron cross, Jaunrauna cemetery. (Lead from the alternate draft, research/aina-memoir/alt/.)
  • Other: LEAD (M): Purchase of Vīstuči: 1869 (Jānis, from 'Mārcis Vīstucis') and 1872 (Pēteris, from von Pander, on instalments); the 16.IV.1915 division act. Contracts and land-book folios would settle the two stories, the split into Kalna/Lejas Vīstuči and the heirs' shares. The alternate draft also cites a division act of 16.IV.1915; that date is not in the memoir text and its source is unknown.20 Would be settled by: LVVA: Jaunrauna estate (Ronneburg-Neuhof) fonds; Livonian land-court mortgage books (Hypothekenbuch) for Wenden district; the modern zemesgrāmata for 'Vīstuči' (Priekuļu pag.), received by Jānis c. 15.VI.1996. (Lead from the alternate draft, research/aina-memoir/alt/.)

Records

The full page of the record, with the part cited outlined in red: Jaunrauna (Ronneburg-Neuhof) soul revision 1834, XXIX. Leis-Sparing, family 4 (Sillak)
Jaunrauna (Ronneburg-Neuhof) soul revision 1834, XXIX. Leis-Sparing, family 4 (Sillak). . The page, large, and the untouched original.
The full page of the record, with the part cited outlined in red: 1855 Cēsis marriage no. 14 & 1850 Jaunrauna soul revision
1855 Cēsis marriage no. 14 & 1850 Jaunrauna soul revision. . The page, large, and the untouched original.
The full page of the record, with the part cited outlined in red: 1860 Cēsis rural baptism no. 50, Ernestine Sirlak
1860 Cēsis rural baptism no. 50, Ernestine Sirlak. . The page, large, and the untouched original.
The full page of the record, with the part cited outlined in red: 1862 Cēsis rural baptism no. 156, Reinhold Sirlak, Johannenhof Mühle
1862 Cēsis rural baptism no. 156, Reinhold Sirlak, Johannenhof Mühle. . The page, large, and the untouched original.
The full page of the record, with the part cited outlined in red: Jaunrauna estate revision 1834, farm XXIX Leis Sparing, family 4
Jaunrauna estate revision 1834, farm XXIX Leis Sparing, family 4. . The page, large, and the untouched original.

Open questions

Sources

  1. MyHeritage family tree 'Dzimta' of Peter's third cousin (his family site), member GEDCOM export of 26 Oct 2026, I74 (person-6000074), GEDCOM lines 2882–2904.
    NAME Jānis /Sirlaks/

    His confirmed Smart Match with another tree: Voroņinu dzimtas lapa, https://www.myheritage.lv/person-1527226_OYYV6GBPG4CM5LFSTTVZUJF4R3XV7FQ_OYYV6GBPG4CM5LFSTTVZUJF4R3XV7FQ/j%C4%81nis-sil%C4%81rs (added by confirming the match).

  2. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 7, section "MĀRČA BRĀĻA JĀŅA GAITAS".
    Jān Sirlak dz.8.maijā 1829.gadā
    Translation: Jān Sirlak born 8 May 1829

    From the cast-iron cross at Jaunrauna cemetery. Brother of Mārcis Sirlaks. Probably Julian (= 20 May 1829 Gregorian).

  3. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 8, section "MĀRČA BRĀĻA JĀŅA GAITAS".
    Sirlak Jonh dz. Jaunraunā “Spāriņos”, dzīv.”Kalna Vīstučos”
    Translation: Sirlak Jonh, born at Jaunrauna, "Spāriņi"; lived at "Kalna Vīstuči"

    Birthplace from Aina’s copy of a Rauna church-book entry (headed "Raunas baznīcas grāmata"). Residence later Kalna Vīstuči.

  4. MyHeritage family tree 'Dzimta' of Peter's third cousin (his family site), member GEDCOM export of 26 Oct 2026, I74 (person-6000074), GEDCOM lines 2882–2904.
    BIRT · 8 MAY 1829 · Jaunrauna, "Spāriņi"

    Date: Julian (Old Style), as in the church books: = 20 May 1829 (Gregorian), as we have it.

  5. Jaunrauna (Ronneburg-Neuhof) soul revision 1834, XXIX. Leis-Sparing, family 4 (Sillak), LVVA f. 199, apr. 1, l. 376, image 112, LVVA f. 199, apr. 1, l. 376, image 112.
    [XXIX. Leis-Sparing] / ... / 4. | Sillak Jahn, Ansche Sohn, Hofsweber | v. d. Hofsleuten | 1830 gestorben | — / deßen 1 Sohn Dawe | dito | 1829 nach dem Gute Lindenhof | — / " 2 " Marz | nachher geb. | — | 12. / " 3 " Jahn | nachher geb. | — | 4. ‖ 4. | Sillak Masche, Ansche Tochter, deßen Frau | 59.
    Translation: [XXIX. Lejas-Spāriņi]: ... Family 4: Sillak Jahn, Ansche's son, manor weaver, from the manor people, died in 1830; his 1st son Dawe, ditto, 1829 to Lindenhof [Liepa] estate; 2nd son Marz, born since, 12; 3rd son Jahn, born since, 4. Sillak Masche, Ansche's daughter, his wife, 59.

    Jaunrauna (Ronneburg-Neuhof) 8th soul revision (1834, LVVA f. 199, apr. 1, l. 376, image 112), farm XXIX. Leis-Sparing, family no. 4: 'Sillak Jahn, Ansche Sohn, Hofsweber | v. d. Hofsleuten | 1830 gestorben' (manor weaver, came from the manor people, where in the 1826 surname revision on image 58 he was listed as 'IV. Sirlack | Jahn, Ansche Sohn, Hofsweber | 1825 v. Gute Wesselshof zugekommen | 47'; died in 1830); his 1st son Dawe ('deßen 1 Sohn Dawe | dito | 1829 nach dem Gute Lindenhof' — moved in 1829 to Liepa / Lindenhof manor, where he later appears as churchwarden 'Kirchenvorm. Dahwis Sillak' in 1859–62); his 2nd son Marz ('2 Sohn Marz | nachher geb. | 12', born c. 1822 — our ancestor Mārcis Sirlaks, who moved from No. XXIX Leis-Sparing to No. XIV Wihstuz and fathered Pēteris Sirlaks in 1847); his 3rd son Jahn ('3 Sohn Jahn | nachher geb. | 4', born c. 1830 — who also moved from No. XXIX to No. XIV Wihstuz by 1850, age 20); and his widow 'Sillak Masche, Ansche Tochter, deßen Frau | 59.' (matching her age 51 in 1826 + 8 = 59).

  6. 1855 Cēsis marriage no. 14 & 1850 Jaunrauna soul revision.
    14. Ronneb. Neuhof Gärtner Dahwis [Jahnis] Sillak (E. Jānis — Mahrz — luth.) | Cēsis Dubinsay Glahsneek Wirths T. Lihse Weidenbaum (E. Jānis — Lihse v.) | d. 17t. April (1855 no. 14); Jahn Sillak, 20 (1850 revision, frame 220, Hofsleute family no. 15)

    Enumerated at age 20 on 27 September / 9 October 1850 in the Jaunrauna soul revision (LVVA f. 199, apr. 1, l. 376, frame 220, fol. 207) under family no. 15 among the manor people (Hofsleute) of Jaunrauna, and worked as a gardener on the Jaunrauna estate ('Ronneburg Neuhof Gärtner') at his 17/29 April 1855 marriage.

  7. 1860 Cēsis rural baptism no. 50, Ernestine Sirlak.
    50. Dubinsay Glahsneek. Ernestine Sirlak. Elt. Jahnis Sirlak u. d. Lihse, luth.

    Lived with his wife Līze Veidenbauma at her family's Glāznieki farm ('Dubinsay Glahsneek') in Cēsis rural parish when their eldest daughter Ernestīne Sirlaka was born there on 11/23 March 1860 (Cēsis rural births 1860 no. 50).

  8. 1862 Cēsis rural baptism no. 156, Reinhold Sirlak, Johannenhof Mühle.
    156. Johannenhof Mühle. Reinhold Sirlak. Elt. Müller Jahnis Sirlak u. d. Lihse, luth.

    Worked as the miller ('Müller Jahnis Sirlak') at the Jāņmuiža watermill ('Johannenhof Mühle') in Cēsis rural parish when his son Reinholds (8/20 September 1862, Cēsis rural births 1862 no. 156) and daughter Minna (1866, per Aina's memoir p. 8) were born there.

  9. Purchase of Kalna Vīstuči in 1869 by Jānis Sirlaks.
    Viens no brāļiem Jānis Sirlaks 1869.gadā nopirka māju no Mārča Vīstuča. … Brāļa Jāņa māja- “Kalna Vīstuči”, brāļa Mārča- “Lejas Vīstuči”, vēlākā Dāvja māja. … Jān Sirlak dz.8.maijā 1829.gadā / mir.20.februārī 1901.gadā

    Bought the Kalna Vīstuči homestead on the Jaunrauna estate from Mārcis Vīstucis in 1869 (while his nephew Pēteris Sirlaks bought Lejas Vīstuči from von Pander on installments in 1872) and farmed Kalna Vīstuči until his death on 20 February / 5 March 1901.

  10. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 7, section "MĀRČA BRĀĻA JĀŅA GAITAS".
    mir.20.februārī 1901.gadā
    Translation: died 20 February 1901

    From the cast-iron cross at Jaunrauna cemetery ("Svētīgi tie mirušie, kas iekš tā kunga nomirst"). Probably Julian (= 5 March 1901 Gregorian).

  11. MyHeritage family tree 'Dzimta' of Peter's third cousin (his family site), member GEDCOM export of 26 Oct 2026, I74 (person-6000074), GEDCOM lines 2882–2904.
    DEAT · 20 FEB 1901 · AGE 71

    Date: Julian (Old Style), as in the church books: = 5 Mar 1901 (Gregorian), as we have it.

  12. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 6, section "PA SENČU PĒDĀM".
    Mārča brālis Jānis guļ Jaunraunas kapsētā ar savu sievu Līzi.
    Translation: Mārcis’s brother Jānis lies in Jaunrauna cemetery with his wife Līze.
  13. MyHeritage family tree 'Dzimta' of Peter's third cousin (his family site), member GEDCOM export of 26 Oct 2026, I74 (person-6000074), GEDCOM lines 2882–2904.
    BURI · Jaunraunas kapi, Latvija
  14. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 8, section "MĀRČA BRĀĻA JĀŅA GAITAS".
    Laulāti Raunā 1855.gadā
    Translation: Married at Rauna in 1855

    LEAD (S): Marriage of Jānis Sirlaks × Līze Veidenbaums, 1855: would give Līze’s father and test the tradition that she was the paternal aunt of the poet Eduards Veidenbaums (1867–1892).

  15. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 7, section "MĀRČA BRĀĻA JĀŅA GAITAS".
    Jaunraunas kapos vecs čuguna krusts vēsta
    Translation: In Jaunrauna cemetery an old cast-iron cross records

    LEAD (S): Photograph the cast-iron cross of Jān (1829–1901) and Līhze (1836–1901) Sirlak and Pēteris’s pink granite boulder (1896), near the von Pander graves.

  16. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 4, section "VĪSTUČU TAPŠANA".
    Tajā atrodam Sirlaku senčus: piecas paaudzes atpakaļ tie bija divi brāļi Mārcis un Jānis. No Mārča izveidojās Dāvja, bet no Jāņa- Emīļa dinastijas.
    Translation: There we find the Sirlaks ancestors: five generations back they were two brothers, Mārcis and Jānis. From Mārcis grew Dāvis’s dynasty, from Jānis Emīlis’s.

    sibling: brother Jānis Sirlaks (b. 8 May 1829, d. 1901). The memoir’s own table (p. 38) repeats "Mārcis- ---- Jānis- 1829. brāļi".

  17. Jaunrauna estate revision 1834, farm XXIX Leis Sparing, family 4, LVVA f. 199, apr. 1, l. 376, image 156 (fol. 145), LVVA f. 199, apr. 1, l. 376, image 156.
    4. Sillak Jahn, Ansche Sohn, Hofsweber[?] | aus Hofsleute[?] | 1830[?] gestorben / dessen 1 Sohn Dawe | dito | 1829 nach dem Gute Lindenhof[?] / " 2 " Marz | nachhergeboren | | 12. / " 3 " Jahn | nachgeboren | | 4. — Sillak Masche, Ansche Tochter, dessen Frau | 59.
    Translation: Jahn Sillak, son of Ansis, manor weaver, from the manor people, died 1830; his 1st son Dāvis, moved 1829 to Lindenhof estate; 2nd son Mārcis, born since the last revision, 12; 3rd son Jānis, born since, 4. Masche Sillak, daughter of Ansis, his wife, 59.

    1834 revision (8th), farm XXIX Leis Sparing, family 4: 'Sillak Jahn, Ansche Sohn, Hofsweber[?]' — died 1830[?] (digit overwritten; possibly 1828); his 1st son Dawe, moved 1829 to the estate Lindenhof[?]; 2nd son Marz, born after 1816, 12 (b. c. 1822); 3rd son Jahn, born after 1816, 4. Female side: 'Sillak Masche, Ansche Tochter, dessen Frau', 59. Earliest appearance of the surname (as Sillak); Mārcis was the son of Jahn and Masche.

  18. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 8, section "MĀRČA BRĀĻA JĀŅA GAITAS".
    Līhze Veidenbaums, Venden- Cēsu “Glāzniekos” … Laulāti Raunā 1855.gadā
    Translation: Līhze Veidenbaums, of "Glāznieki", Venden (Cēsis) … Married at Rauna in 1855

    spouse: Līze (Līhze) Veidenbaums of Glāznieki, Cēsis rural parish.

  19. MyHeritage family tree 'Dzimta' of Peter's third cousin (his family site), member GEDCOM export of 26 Oct 2026, family F26 (I74 Jānis Sirlaks × I75 Līze Veidenbauma).
    MARR 1855 Rauna
  20. S-aina-memoir-ainas-sirlakas-atminas-vistuci-aina-jurcina.

See in the family tree