Individual Details

Mother (Velta) came here from Latvia when she was 18 years of age. She was adopted, she never met her real mother & her father's name wasn't in her birth certificate (shock horror!) Her twin sister was adopted by a different family, but she wasn't able to tell us anything about her sister or her adoptive parents. Mother passed away 20 years ago this April. Mother's original surname name was Matveja, and she was adopted by the Pavars. I could never understand why our mother didn't try to find her real mother. I guess she had her reasons perhaps. Mother had a half-brother who was sent to Siberia, I guess during the war. I don't know his name though. She never knew what happened to him I don't think.
I think there were problems with him [Velta's father, Janis Pavars]. From what mother told me he was an alcaholic and would even drink meths when he couldn't drink spirits. 🙁 I think he'd get violent and they were afraid of him. Probably why they weren't buried together, very sad really, but a long time ago.
From: Veronica Osborne Sharrod

20 September 2020 Sintija Allen wrote:
I am researching my family tree - Matvejs from Latvia, Taurene.
I was wondering if you have since found out anything else about Velta´s biological parents?
I can tell you that in 1920´s Latvia Matvejs families were in Jaunauce, Taurene, Drusti, Smiltene and Riga (those who moved there from countryside).
Cynthia

Hello again. I checked 1935 Statistics Bureau data and found Velta´s card. It says there that she stays with her stepmother at Dartas iela, Riga and that she comes from Drusti. I send you the card and her family tree - Drusti neighbours with Taurene (check in the google map) and when I discovered there was another family with the same surname in the next village, I did their family tree as well in hope of finding a connection between the two. Latvian State Archives have published data up to 1909 only, therefore I can´t tell you who her parents were, but you should be able to acquire this info from them officially.
Cynthia

Sintija Allen (sintijaallen@gmail.com) wrote 14 Feb 2021:
Francis Pavārs married Milda Nabadziņa in 1928.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSRH-Z3T9-D?i=2
I am not claiming to be your relative at all, however, I come from Taurene (neighbours Drusti) Matvejs family. I have researched my Matvejs family tree and whilst doing that, discovered about the other - Drusti Matvejs. I ended up doing their family tree as well to find a connection between the 2 families as this surname is rare and very unusual to have 2 different families in the neighbouring villages.
I also know that many Matvejs from my family emigrated during the war and I am still tracing them, that's how I found Velta Matvejs on familysearch and contacted you to find out more. One of Velta's parents should be on the family tree I sent to you. Most likely it was a single woman or a widow who could not afford to bring up the child, but as I said before, you can request the info from the archive.
Francis Pavārs mother was Paulīne Katrīne Neumane and father - Jānis Pavārs, it states so here-https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSRH-Z3T9-9?i=3
I could not find Paulīne' s passport, but her name appears on Arolsen Archives, you can also request more info from Arolsen, perhaps there would even be info about Velta's biological parents.
If you wish to find Velta' s relatives, I would recommend using myheritage or geni.com as they automatically notify of any similarities between the family trees (perhaps familysearch also does that, I am not sure, but myheritage is definitely more popular).
Latvian State Archive should really have the adoption case for both children.
Arolsen archives have a lot of spelling mistakes, it is a good idea to try different spellings sometimes.

From Sintija 18 Feb 2021:
Hello Terry and Christopher
Thankyou for the email and sharing your memories - I appreciate your trust - it was very, very interesting for me to read and also heartbreaking, so sad...
I looked through Drusti 1935 census (a lot of information is missing) one more time now that i know the name - Alvīne - and although there is Alvīne (born in 1881, maiden name Matveja) on my draft, I found another Alvīne Matveja (born 30 July, 1886, in Drusti) - widow in 1935, Drusti, "Vecauļi" - she would have been married to one of the Matvejs from my draft, but I don't know which one.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C34Z-WVVQ?i=255
I think there is a high possibility that this Alvīne could have been Velta' s mother (I also believe the correct spelling for Velta's twin sister would be - Aina, a typical name of those days).
I could not find anything else just now, but should I ever come across any information about Velta's family, I' ll get in touch.
Regards
Sintija

Rex conclusions:
The result of all this is that we know that Velta Matveja was adopted in Riga, Latvia by Janis Pavars, born 20 Feb 1877 in Riga & Pauline Katrine Neumane/Neumanis. This couple probably had at least three older children: Francis, born 25 Sep 1904, who married Milda Nabadziņa on 5 Jun 1928; Herberts, born 29 Dec 1905; and Erika. There are passport photos of Milda Nabadziņa, Herberts Pavars, Erika Pavars, and their father, Janis Pavars. As Velta's original family name was Matveja/Matvejs, she was possibly born to one of the Matvejas of Drusti village. Sintija made a hand-drawn family tree that has about three dozen Matvejas of Drusti village, but it is not known which, if any, was Velta's mother.
In the hand-drawn Matveja family tree prepared by Sintija Allen there is a woman named Alvivine Matweij born 1881. This could be Velta's biological mother. Alvivine's parents were Jahn Matweij 1853 & Edde Dzenis. Jahn's parents were Martin Matwei 1819 & Leene 1814. Matin's parents were Jahn Matwe 1775 & Liese 1783, married 1835. His parents were Marz 1743 & Katscha 1747, married 1789.

Sintija Allen wrote on 27 April 2024 to Rex:
I was in Riga State History Archive last week and looked at passport issuing books. As you can see from photos, Alvine had 4 daughters - Marta Matvejs, born on 29. November 1912., Drusti parish, Elza born on 13. July 1918. In Livu parish, (doesnt exist nowadays, it’s just a part of Cesis city now), and twins Aina and Velta. It says there that she was a widow at the time of passport issuing date - ca. 1929. The way her name is written also suggests that she was married only once, otherwise there would have been written that she is a divorcee.
Sintija

Sintija Allen wrote on 29 April 2024 to Rex:
This is Dzerbene ev. lut. church book screenshot from raduraksti https://raduraksti.arhivi.lv/objects/1:4:11:2055:2357:28185#&gid=1&pid=174
Alvīne Elza Gaujēnietis (old style writing masculine writing for women, nowadays - in proper Latvian language - Gaujēniete (feminine)), father - Indriķis, mother - Līze, of Drustu pagasta “Vec - Pērlas�?(residence at the time of wedding), born in “Rudiņi�?in 1886.
Pēteris Matvejs, father - Pēteris, mother - Marija, of Aulenberg - Auļu muižas “Žagatas�?(present Dzērbene - Drusti territory), born in 1886. in Vec-drustu pagasta “Paugšās�?
Both single at the time of marriage, 24 years of age, got married on 14. November 1910. in Dzērbene - Drusti (the same church) Church.
Pēteris Matvejs must have died in period between 1927. and 1929. I am going to be in Latvia in July, I can request his death certificate from local birth and death registry office if you wish.
So Pēteris was born on 3rd November 1885. Now you just have to keep in mind that in those days the actual birth date was not that important, it was not uncommon for people to not know their actual birth date as knowing the year was enough. This can be seen in old church book entries where bride and groom has to give their age - a number instead of actual birthdate.
So Pēteris and his twin Kārlis were born to parents Pēteris and Marija in Alt Drostenhof - Vecdrustu muižā - Old Drusti Manor, which suggests that the parents were the manor employees rather than land renters or owners.
Alvine Elza Gaujēniete born in july 1886., christened in august, born in Vecdrustu “Rudiņi�? father Indriķis, mother Līze. The other people mentioned are those who attended the christening - Jānis Eglīts, Jānis Slaidīts, Jānis Gribulis, Liene Gaujēniete.

Velta's son, Christopher, wrote on 16 Feb 2021:
Mother told me her stepdad worked as a tailor and mainly in Russia. He retired to Riga and died from a heart attack as the German army began to occupy the city, so the date is a matter of history. I have never seen the picture of Erika. She had a ante natal clinic in a room but all the equipment was stolen by the Soviets. She also had a daughter named Birhuta.
[or Briruta/Biruta Pavars, born 9 Nov 1938 in Riga, Latvia]

Christopher, wrote more on 18 Feb 2021:
When the Soviets returned and the German army retreated back to Germany, three women and a girl left Riga and followed the German army. They were Pauline, Erika, Velta and Birhuta. It must have taken several weeks to walk out of Riga, across Lithuania, then Poland and a good way into Germany. They found work on a farm for a couple of years, the farmer was grateful for the help since all the men were taken for the army. They would have stayed there but it was in a sector which the Soviet army started to occupy, so they headed off on the farmer's horse and cart toward the Allied zone, but the Soviets saw them and opened fire. The farmer told the women to get off and run as he turned around to go back. Because they knew the land well they ran along the field ditches, keeping their heads down so the Soviets couldn't see them. Thus they got safely to the Allied lines and until 1947 were cared for in a DP camp. Finally they were told that they must move out and were given the choice of the USA or Britain. Pauline, Erika and Birhuta sailed to the US but my mother Velta came to Britain, eventully to marry Norbert Osborne.
That is most interesting research you shared, thank you so much. mother told me her twin sister's name was Eine or perhaps Ina, I don't know the Latvian spelling so that might help identify which Matveja family family she was from I know Velta's mother was called Alvina.
Back in 1984 when my mother applied for a state pension she was told to supply a copy of her birth certificate. She wrote off for a copy which came back but written in Russian, so she had to find someone to translate into English. I have a photocopy of the certificate and a translation. Surname Matveja (Matveis). Forename Velta born 24. 09 1927. Registration date 2 November 1927. Parents, father ---- Mother Alvina Matveja. Place of registration Dept. ZAGC Tsesis Region Latvia. There is a number below which may not be relevent, No. 005662. This may be on the original or perhaps relates to the copy.

Velta's daughter, Maria, wrote on 18 Feb 2021:
Thank you so much for this fascinating information, Rex. I admire your dedication and patience; the Osbornes are truly indebted to you!
When I was very young, mum used to talk about her life in Latvia a bit, but I was too young to take much of it in.
I was aware that I had an Auntie Erika - in America; I loved that it rhymed! I knew that Pauline, Erika and Velta went to Germany as refugees and saw some awful things on the way. I believe that they joined up with other Latvians on the same journey. I think there’s some connection between Germany and some Latvian citizens. My understanding is that Herberts Pavars joined the German merchant navy.
On their journey some people fed them and allowed them to sleep in barns and some were unkind. German soldiers took potshots at them for laughs, so they had to jump into ditches to avoid being shot.
I always found it strange that Pauline and Erika chose to go to America but mum chose to go to England alone. Later in life, I’ve often wondered about Velta’s relationship with her adoptive family.
All these events are distant memories of mine from what I heard at a young age. By the time I was old enough to ask questions, mum said she didn’t want to think about it anymore, it was a difficult time. I imagine that later in life, long after I’d moved away from Nuneaton, she did decide to talk again. It seems that Veronica knew several details that I was unaware of.
When I was about 8 years old, Herberts and his wife visited us in Nuneaton. I remember getting home from school and seeing two strangers in the house! I have a photo of him somewhere, he was very handsome. They brought gifts of cake and candy and stayed awhile but they were talking to mum in Latvian, so I don’t know what was said. Mum didn’t talk about them afterwards and we never saw them again.
As we children grew up, we asked mum if she wanted to go back to Latvia for a visit. She was vehement in her response - a definite “No!"
Because I knew about the Russian invasion, and the fact that their house and the maternity clinic were taken from them, I’d always imagined Riga as a town of ugly concrete monoliths. About eight years ago, my lovely partner, Bob, arranged a holiday in Riga. What a revelation!
There were indeed some ugly apartment blocks and government buildings, but the old centre of Riga was a delight.
At every turn, you can see the most stunning examples of Art Nouveau architecture, mainly commissioned by the wealthy merchants at the end of 19th Century and early 20th Century. There’s so much to see; I believe that you could spend a year there and still find some exquisite detail that you missed.
The war museum was challenging. You’d need a heart of stone to walk round it without tears. I’m so grateful that Bob arranged this trip. I’d always told myself that I wasn’t bothered, that it wouldn’t matter much to me, but I was stunned by the emotional impact visiting Riga had on me. I think that my mother’s life wasn’t a happy one, for many reasons, and visiting the place where she grew up was a powerful experience.
You may have picked up on the fact that I’m rather estranged from my siblings. This isn’t deliberate, but most of them have stayed in the area we grew up in, whereas I’ve always had itchy feet. At 17, I went to Switzerland for a year, as an Au Pair. My first time away from home. It gave me a taste for learning about other cultures. Now, here I am, in Italy. The black sheep has finally
Hey! I hope my Lockdown ramble hasn’t bored you? Reading your research into the Osbornes has been an interesting journey. I’ve never been one for looking back, always forward looking. As I turned 70 this month, there is, of course, less “forward" than there was! On my last visit to my daughter, in Spain, I realised that I ought to tell her and my son everything I know about their ancestors. They were 11 and 12 when my mother died, and we had only visited a few times, so they didn’t get to know her. Your work, that you so kindly shared, has helped enormously to colour in the past for us.
I hope you and your family are well and happy,
Best wishes, Maria

• 

Birth	24 Sep 1927	Drusti, Latvia
Marriage	1950	Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England - Norbert Gerard Joseph Osborne
Marriage	1974	Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England - Robert Edward Bazeley
Death	5 Apr 1997	Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England
Alt name		Velta Matveja

Spouse	Norbert Gerard Joseph Osborne (1929 - 1972)
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Veronica Ann Osborne (1953 - 2018)
Child	Velta Bernadette Osborne (1958 - 2023)
Child	Living
Child	Living

Spouse

Robert Edward Bazeley (1937 - 2001)

Father	Jānis Pavārs (1877 - )
Mother	Paulīne Katrīne Neumane (1884 - 1963)
Sibling	Francis Pavārs (1904 - )
Sibling	Herberts Janis Pavārs (1905 - )
Sibling	Erika Pavars (1910 - 1999)

Father	Pēteris Matvejs (1885 - 1928)
Mother	Alvīne Elza Gaujēniete (1886 - )
Sibling	Marta Matveja (1912 - )
Sibling	Elza Matveja (1918 - )
Sibling	Aina Matveja (1927 - )

Notes