The Danenberg Family

Valdis Laimdots Sirlaks

Valdis Laimdots Sirlaks 1924–1995

Peter's first cousin twice removed.

Valdis Laimdots Sirlaks was born on 28 Sep 1924 in Vīstuči farm, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia1,2,3, the son of Dāvis Sirlaks and Alma Leontīne Āboltiņa2,12. He married Valda Katlapa13. He died on 12 Oct 1995 in Vīstuči farm, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia2,9 and was buried at Jaunrauna cemetery, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia10,11.

Family

Parents
Dāvis Sirlaks 1886–1952 and Alma Leontīne Āboltiņa 1887–1959 documented
Wife
Valda Katlapa b. 1933 · married 13
Children

Life events

EventDatePlace and details
Born28 Sep 1924Vīstuči farm, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia1,2,3
Educationbet 1943 and 1950Jelgava, Kurzeme (Courland), Latvia
Studied at the Jelgava Agricultural Academy ('Jelgavas Lauksaimniecības akadēmija') before becoming chief engineer of the Priekuļi plant-breeding station.4
Military servicebet 1943 and 1945Cēsis, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia
Served in the Latvian Legion; pleurisy, hospital in Cēsis; punished for returning 3 days late (carrying 40 kg of bricks, no greatcoat, head shaved). General Bangerskis mentioned. Told by Ilga.7
Died11 Oct 1995According to an online family tree8
Died12 Oct 1995Vīstuči farm, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia
Preferred version: Aina's memoir: 12 Oct 1995, Vīstuči (buried 20 Oct). Raimonds's MyHeritage tree (2026) gives 11 Oct 1995, no record cited.2,9
Buried20 Oct 1995Jaunrauna cemetery, Jaunrauna, Rauna, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia10,11
EducationPriekuļi, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia
Mechanical engineer (Latvian Agricultural Academy, Jelgava).5
WorkPriekuļi, Cēsis district, Vidzeme, Latvia
Chief engineer of the Priekuļi Selection Station (director Jurkāns, p. 34). Lived in Rīga in 1993; returned to farm Vīstuči from 1993 and led its recovery.6
Marriedwith Valda Katlapa13

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.

  • Other: LEAD (M): Deaths and graves of Ilga (7.I.2011, handwritten), Valdis (11/12.X.1995) and Alma (1959), whose graves adjoin. Confirms the handwritten dates and identifies the family plot (probably Jaunrauna, where Velta was later buried). Also the Jaunrauna graves of Jēkabs Zirnis and Velta Grīslis (alternate draft).14 Would be settled by: Jaunrauna and Jaunpiebalga cemetery registers; timenote; BillionGraves. (Lead from the alternate draft, research/aina-memoir/alt/.)
  • Other: LEAD (W): Valdis Sirlaks in the Latvian Legion (1944). Service record (unit, dates).14 Would be settled by: LVVA Legion files; Arolsen if he was a POW. (Lead from the alternate draft, research/aina-memoir/alt/.)

Photographs

Vīstučos Sirlaka Emīļa unElzas kāzās
Vīstučos Sirlaka Emīļa unElzas kāzās. 1930. MyHeritage family tree 'Dzimta' of Peter's third cousin (his family site), member GEDCOM export of 26 Oct 2026.
Alma Leontīne Āboltiņa · Mirdza Augusta Sirlaka · Velta Skaidrīte Sirlaka · Valdis Laimdots Sirlaks · Dāvis Sirlaks · Aina Modrīte Sirlaka · Elvīra Antonija Sirlaka · Ilga Laimdota Sirlaka · Mārtiņš Vilhelms Sirlaks · Emma Smukule

Open questions

Sources

  1. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, pp. 22, 26, 34, section "LEJAS VĪSTUČOS SAVU DZIMTAS KOKU IESTĀDA MĀRČA MAZDĒLS DAVIDS".
    Valdis Sirlaks 1924.28.IX- 1995.11.X … Tā ir bijusi svētdiena- 28.septembris. … Valdis Sirlaks, dz. 1924. 28. septembrī
    Translation: Valdis Sirlaks, 28 IX 1924 – 11 X 1995 … It was a Sunday, 28 September. … Valdis Sirlaks, b. 28 September 1924

    Born Sunday 28 Sep 1924 (a Sunday indeed) at home at Vīstuči; "Podniekmamma" from the manor attended the birth (p. 26). The fifth child counting Jānis (p. 33).

  2. Raimonds Voronins, family tree shared on FamilyTreeDNA (Sirlaks / Gibboy lines), Dāvis Sirlaks family.
  3. MyHeritage family tree 'Dzimta' of Peter's third cousin (his family site), member GEDCOM export of 26 Oct 2026, I56 (person-6000056), GEDCOM lines 2361–2397.
    BIRT · 28 SEP 1924 · Vīstuči, Jaunrauna
  4. Valdis Sirlaks at the Jelgava Agricultural Academy.
    Arī Valdis iestājās un beidza Priekuļu Lauksaimniecības vidusskolu, pēc tam ar nelielu pauzi, Jelgavas Lauksaimniecības akadēmiju, iegūstot inženiera mehāniķa grādu.

    Studied at the Jelgava Agricultural Academy ('Jelgavas Lauksaimniecības akadēmija') before becoming chief engineer of the Priekuļi plant-breeding station.

  5. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 30, section "NĀKAMĀS VĪSTUČBĒRNU SKOLAS".
    Arī Valdis iestājās un beidza Priekuļu Lauksaimniecības vidusskolu, pēc tam ar nelielu pauzi, Jelgavas Lauksaimniecības akadēmiju, iegūstot inženiera mehāniķa grādu.
    Translation: Valdis too entered and finished the Priekuļi Agricultural Secondary School, then, after a short pause, the Jelgava Agricultural Academy, taking the degree of mechanical engineer.

    Mechanical engineer (Latvian Agricultural Academy, Jelgava).

  6. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 33, section "DĀVJA UN ALMAS PIEKTĀ BĒRNA VALDA DZĪVES GAITA".
    Priekuļu selekcijas galveno inženieri izvadīja no kūts 1 km.gara bērinieku rinda
    Translation: The chief engineer of the Priekuļi selection [station] was carried out of the barn by a kilometre-long line of mourners

    Chief engineer of the Priekuļi Selection Station (director Jurkāns, p. 34). Lived in Rīga in 1993; returned to farm Vīstuči from 1993 and led its recovery.

  7. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 2, section "VĪSTUČI".
    Viņam bija plevrīts. Ielika slimnīcā. … Viņš bija leģionārs. Kad izrakstīja, nokavēja 3 dienas.
    Translation: He had pleurisy. He was put in hospital. … He was a legionnaire. When he was discharged he was 3 days late [back].

    Served in the Latvian Legion; pleurisy, hospital in Cēsis; punished for returning 3 days late (carrying 40 kg of bricks, no greatcoat, head shaved). General Bangerskis mentioned. Told by Ilga.

  8. MyHeritage family tree 'Dzimta' of Peter's third cousin (his family site), member GEDCOM export of 26 Oct 2026, I56 (person-6000056), GEDCOM lines 2361–2397.
    DEAT · 11 OCT 1995 · AGE 71
  9. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, pp. 3, 22, 48, section "VĪSTUČI".
    Biju “Vīstučos” Valda pēdējā dzīves dienā. 1995.gada 11.oktobris. … Valdis nomira. Klāt bija Valda. Pulksten 108. Pēdējais vārds: “Jāni.” … To pašu ar pēdējo vārdu: "Jāni!" vēlējās teikt Valdis 11./12.oktobra naktī.
    Translation: I was at Vīstuči on Valdis's last day of life, 11 October 1995. … Valdis died. Valda was present. At 1:08. Last word: "Jāni." … Valdis wanted to say the same with his last word, "Jāni!", in the night of 11/12 October.

    Died at Vīstuči at 1:08 a.m. in the night of 11/12 Oct 1995 (so 12 Oct by the clock; the register on p. 22 prints 11.X). Pancreatitis, hospital in Rīga from 1 Aug 1995 (p. 47).

  10. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 48, section "1995.GADS".
    Piektdiena, 20.oktobris. "Vīstuču" bēdu diena. … Kapu rokot, atsedzās mammas zārka sānu dēlis.
    Translation: Friday, 20 October. Vīstuči's day of mourning. … While the grave was dug, the side board of mamma's coffin was exposed.

    Funeral Friday 20 Oct 1995 from the Vīstuči barn, Pastor Tālis Rēdmanis; buried beside his mother. Pall-bearers V. Ulmanis, A. Amatnieks, E. Širons, A. Jurciņš, A. Ošups, J. Veinbergs. Stone inscribed by Aug 1996 (p. 49).

  11. MyHeritage family tree 'Dzimta' of Peter's third cousin (his family site), member GEDCOM export of 26 Oct 2026, I56 (person-6000056), GEDCOM lines 2361–2397.
    BURI · Jaunraunas kapi, Latvija
  12. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, pp. 9, 21, 26, section "PAR PĒTERA UN MARIJAS PIEKTO BĒRNU DĀVIDU".
    Viņiem ir pieci bērni: Jānis, Velta, Aina, Valdis, Ilga. … Mūsu vecākā māsa- 1918.gada septembrī. Mēs, pārējie trīs bērni, ik pēc 2 gadiem. … Mēs četri: Velta, Aina, Ilga, Valdis
    Translation: They have five children: Jānis, Velta, Aina, Valdis, Ilga. … Our eldest sister, in September 1918. We, the other three children, every 2 years. … We four: Velta, Aina, Ilga, Valdis

    Children: Jānis (1916–1918), Velta (1918), Aina (1920), Ilga (1922), Valdis (1924). p. 9 lists Valdis before Ilga, but the dated registers (pp. 22, 34) put Ilga first.

  13. Ainas Sirlakas atmiņas ("Vīstuči"), Aina Jurciņa née Sirlaka, Priekuļi, 1998, p. 34, section "DĀVJA UN ALMAS OZOLS ZAROJAS".
    Valdis Sirlaks, dz. 1924. 28. septembrī … Valda Katlapa, 1933 … Bērni: Jānis, dz. 1956 … Inga, dz. 1959
    Translation: Valdis Sirlaks, b. 28 Sep 1924 … Valda Katlapa, 1933 … Children: Jānis, b. 1956 … Inga, b. 1959

    Wife Valda née Katlapa (LIVING); children Jānis and Inga (LIVING). Marriage date not given (before 1956).

  14. S-aina-memoir-ainas-sirlakas-atminas-vistuci-aina-jurcina.

See in the family tree