Catholic Church

The reformation took place only in Vidzeme [Livland] and Kurzeme [Kurland]. Latgale at that time was under Poland and there the Catholic religion remained like in other parts of that country. Therefore in Latgale the population was usually Catholics as far as Latvians, Poles and those Belorussians whose ancestors lived in Polish regions are considered. Latgale is known as the Catholic region of Latvia.

In 1634 the Alsunga [Allschwangen] region of Kurzeme was reconverted to Catholicism by the owner von Schwerin, who married a Polish wife (Catholic, which is common for Poles), converted to Catholicism all his serfs and himself. Their descendants are still living there and practicing Catholicism.

In urban regions the situation depended on the migration of people, but, of course, in Latgale towns the percentage of Catholics was greater. The Catholic parishes and their churches are situated throughout all of Latvia, but I don't have precise information at this moment.

The Catholic clergy are not allowed to marry, so the information on them is less important for genealogical research than that on the Lutheran clergy. However for family history research the information about Catholic clergymen could be useful.

In 1863 an armed revolt of Poles in Polish and Lithuanian provinces took place. The revolt was suppressed by the Army, and many participants were executed including some Catholic priests. After the revolt the Catholics were treated by the officials of the Empire with rather great suspicion. It was not of great difference what ethnicity they belonged to, so the Catholic Latvians in Latgale had problems as well. The most important of them was that they could buy a real estate in Latgale only with special permission of the Governor. So, if wished to own their own land, they frequently migrated to Siberia, where they could attain land.

In spite of these problems between the State and the Catholic clergy, the Catholic priests received salary from the Crown. Unfortunately, I do not know how much.