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Quite simply, Destination Lithuanian America is a massive project which aims to eventually document 100% of the Lithuanian sites that exist in the United States. You might be tempted to think that’s an easy task, but no, the Destination Lithuanian America project (aka “Tikslas – Amerika” in Lithuanian) has documented nearly 600 sites, interviewed more than 500 people, and has traveled more than 3,000 miles across the entire Northeastern and Midwestern portion of America. There’s still more work to be done.
PURPOSE OF THE DESTINATION LITHUANIAN AMERICA PROJECT
Called “Tikslas – Amerika” in the Lithuanian language, its name says it all. The word tikslas means both a ‘destination’ and a ‘goal’ or ‘objective.’ It’s appropriate in that the goal of this project is the destination! That is to say that the goal of this project is to document all of the sites in the United States that have been founded by the Lithuanian people over time. These sites include churches, cemeteries, stores, statues, parks, schools, anything and everything that is Lithuanian-American. It’s a wonderful undertaking and a monumental tribute to our ancestors, as well as a legacy for the future.
I bet you didn’t know that there are some pretty famous Lithuanian-Americans! They include actress Ruta Lee, Dick Butkus, Johnny Unitas (Jonaitis), Charles Bronson, Bob Dylan, Ruta Sepetys, Jason Sudeikis, Rose Namajunas, not to mention all of the Lithuanians in the NBA such as Arvydas Sabonis and Jonas Valančiūnas!
WHO THE PROJECT IS DOCUMENTING
According to Ameredia, as of the 2000 Federal Census there are 659,992 people of Lithuanian descent living in the United States. The highest concentration of Lithuanians living in America have always been along the eastern seaboard from New York to Massachusetts to Connecticut; however, due to work opportunities and the attraction of prosperity, the highest percentiles are now in and around Chicago, Illinois. Chicago currently boasts the largest Lithuanian diaspora outside of Lithuania!
SCOPE OF THE DESTINATION LITHUANIAN AMERICA PROJECT
Taking that fact into context, the scope of the Destination Lithuanian America project becomes quite an epic undertaking. Factoring in the realization that Lithuanians have been coming to the United States since the 1860s, that amounts to a fairly lengthy span of time where a people have been building and memorializing their heritage in spaces such as churches, graves, businesses, parks, museums, and more.
Thankfully the product that the Destination Lithuanian America team has produced is much more than a simple list! It is an INTERACTIVE MAP which consists of three major categories that include “Belief,” “Life,” and “Memory.” As a continuing advocate of the power of GEOLOCATION, this “Tikslas – Amerika” endeavor is superbly done.
THE MAN BEHIND THE PROJECT
Created by Augustinas Žemaitis, this important project has corroborated facts from over 600 locations interviewing over 500 people since 2012. Mr. Žemaitis hosts this project on his website truelithuania.com – the site is in both English and Lithuanian. “Tikslas – Amerika” is a true cultural heritage service and a continuing reminder of the people that make America great and the importance of family history!
- DESTINATION LITHUANIAN AMERICA >> HOME PAGE
- DESTINATION LITHUANIAN AMERICA >> MAP PAGE
- DESTINATION LITHUANIAN AMERICA >> FACEBOOK PAGE
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