Document Translation!

[wolcottdigger]

I found this document with some things my Mother left me.
I think it is about my grandfather and it might be written in Lithuanian.
It has religious decorations on on the top part and a photograph of
a person I think is a Pope or other Catholic clergy.
If someone can translate it that would be great.
Joe

 

[One mans trash...]

Is it Lithuanian? The Lithuanian translation software makes some sense of some of it but chokes on about half of it. Seems to be addressed to Your Reverence, which I take to be Your Holiness. Seems to begin "Joseph Svaizas and his parents Razimieris and Bazbora Svaizai..." (The plural ending on the parents' surname is, I assume, grammatically correct to agree with use with two first names.) Later, something about "real pity." End with "Jesus name..." Maybe a plea for a blessing to the Pope.

 

[wolcottdigger]

My grandfather was Joseph he spelled it SVEZAS, his parents were Charles and Barbara.
My aunt Debbie (Joseph's daughter) told me Charles real first name was KAZIMIER (not sure if I'm spelling it right).
I think the R in Razimieras was supposed to be a K, it might have been a misspelling.
But maybe my aunt is wrong, Charles died eighteen years before she was born maybe his name was Razimieras.
Well now I know it is about my grandfather and his parents.
I sent a scan of the top part, if the person in the picture is a pope does anyone know which pope that might give me
a time frame.
thanks for the help
Joe

 

[DCMatt]

Pope Pius XI

Pope from 1922 - 1939

DCMatt

 

[DANGLANGLEY]

Wow, you just never know what you will see on here. Thanks for sharing this with us.

DANGLANGLEY

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Whatever it translates, it's beautiful...mike

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Interesting. My Grandparents on my Moms side were from Lithuanian. Often names were shortened or misspelled as they came through Ellis Island. We have another member here that helped me ID a medallion and may be able to help. Ill send her a PM. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,58864.0.html

 

[Moe (fl)]

I think you may have a Papal benediction (indulgence) from Pope Pius XI. His birth name was Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti.

Here is one in English.

http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/Auction_Item.asp?Auction_ID=38347

 

[chipveres]

Mr. Digger:

Is there anyone in your area who actually speaks Lithuanian? I bet it would be a simple job for someone who does. I have been trying to use an automatic translator with a gross lack of success. In the opinion of the machine translator, your ancestors attacked someone's feet. While this may or not be true, it seems a very unlikely subject for a Papal message. I am ready to attack the computer with a sledgehammer, but I would sure love to know what it says.

Chip V.

 

[TimC]

Wolcottdigger,

I have a ladyfriend that grew up in Lithuania. I gave her a print of your picture. She has to work tonight, but will get back to me.

TimC

 

[lamar]

Dear Moe(fl)
A benedicition and an indulgence are two completely different things, my friend. A benediction is a blessing whereas an indulgence is either a plenary(full) or a partial remission of a temporal sin which has already been forgiven. An indulgence can only be granted after the sinner has confessed and has recieved absolution. Indulgences can be granted through charitable works or prayers. Papal indulgences are the most widely known types, however, all Bishops have the right to grant specific indulgences at their own behest.
Your friend;
LAMAR

 

[wolcottdigger]

Thanks to All,

Hey guys thanks for all the help with this.
I tried a website that translates too, but had mixed results.
Thank you TimC I hope your friend can figure it out.
Until I posted it I thought it was just a memento from
a confirmation or a christening or a first holy communion.
I didn't even notice the papal seal, this last year I've been
researching my mothers side of the family and want to know
everything I can about them.
Here is my poor attempt to translate it, I put the English translation in red letters above the
Lithuanian words.
Joe

 

[Moe (fl)]

Dear Lamar,

The link I posted with the example states that the request is both a Papal Benediction and a Plenary Indulgence. Although the benediction and indulgence are different here the document makes the request for both!

Below is a transcript of the document in English which may be similar to the document in Lithuanian:

Most Holy Father
Mr. and Mrs. xxxxxx(names)
Humbly prostrate at the feet of your Holiness, beg the Apostolic Benediction and a Plenary Indulgence to be granted at the hour of death on condition that, being truly sorry for their sins, even though unable to confess them and to receive the holy Viaticum they shall at least invoke with their lips or heart the holy Name of Jesus.

 

[elle]

Dear Joe,

Bigcypresshunter sent me a PM that you needed help.

The full translation of your document would be:

Most Holy Father,
Mr. Juozas Šviažas and his parents Mr. Kazimieras and Mrs. Barbara Šviažas humbly prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness beg for the Apostolic Blessing and a Plenary Indulgence to be gained at the hour of death on condition that being truly sorry for their sins but unable to confess them and to receive the holy Viaticum they shall at least invoke with their lips or heart the holy Name of Jesus.
Somebody's signature, April 21, 1934

Some points:
First of all, the capital "K" in caligraphy tends to look like "R", but I never see it that way. Yes, it is Kazimieras.
Secondly, the Lithuanian combination of two vowels "ia" is pronounced exactly the same as Lithuanian single vowel "e". So the original name "Šviažas" was easily switched to "Švežas", and in English spelling to "Svezas". Some people would have changed to "Shvezas", because the Lithuanian consonant "š" is pronounced as in English the combination of "sh" or German "sch". It is true that the form of "Šviažai" of their last name is the plural for both - Kazimieras and Barbora (but be careful not to mix up the order of these vowels; at the beginning I talked about "ia", and now I commented about "ai").

Hope that helps you out!
Laura

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I say its solved. Great job Laura and Moe.

 

[wolcottdigger]

WOW

Thanks to everyone that helped with this especially Laura for her translation and the fascinating info about
the Lithuanian language. The many forms of my mothers family name has always been a mystery to me, now
I think I understand it a little better.

Joe

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

If you feel this is solved,

Go back to your original post,

Click on Modify,

Click on Message icon down arrow,

Click on Solved,

The Green Check will appear.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

 

[wolcottdigger]

Thanks Bigcypresshunter "Solved"