![The Dagys surname has a rich history in the US and in Lithuania. While, the surname itself is fairly common, our Dagys line derives from the small villages of Jotkonys, Skvarbai, and Daujociai. These villages can be found around the Svedasai Parish in Lithuania. Throughout the last 200 years, the Lithuanian Catholic churches have held a special meaning for our family. Marriages, Baptisms and other celebrations revolved around the church. You will find most records are drawn from the Skapiskis and Svedasai Roman Catholic Church. Throughout this site you will find a wealth of information on our Dagys line. There are still many unanswered questions. Following, you will find a brief outline of my direct Dagys line. Over the years I have made contact with distant DAGYS cousins. They are currently living in Lithuania and together, we have discovered that family is more than an exchange of birthday cards. In the summer of 2005 I plan to visit Lithuania, meet my [new-found] cousin and experience the culture.](images/u3480-11.png?crc=4294592077)
The Dagys surname can be traced back to Pranciskus Dagys born Abt. 1786 in the Jotkonys Village in Lithuania.
Kazimieras Dagys (grandson to Pranciskus) was married twice. His first spouse, Domicele was born Abt. 1856 and died March 24, 1886 of accouchement soon after the birth of their daughter Ona. Domicele's maiden name is UNKNOWN.
Kazys soon remarried (February 01, 1887). His wife (my great great grandmother) Anele Motiejunaite was born Abt. 1864 around the Vederiskiai Villiage of ?? Parish, Lithuania. Together, they had 5 children.
Jonas Dagys (son of Kazys and Anele), along with his brother Juozas and wife Emilijia (nee. Slapelyte) immigrated to the United States.
It's rumored Emilija and Jonas were married in Lithuania (before their immigration) but no records have been found in the Lithuanian Archives nor in any family documents.
We can not find any records of their landing in America. We are not sure which port they came through. It's known they immigrated to the US between 1905 and 1911. We guess that they came through New York. Census records indicate an immigration around 1906.
Emilija and Jonas settled in the East St. Louis, Illinois Lithuanian Community shortly after their arrival. It has not been determined if they temporarily lived elsewhere. They were a part of the Immaculate Conception Lithuanian church on Baugh Ave. Their children were Baptized and married in this church.
Jonas' brother, Juozas Dagys remained in the New York area where his Dagys branch lives today.
After their arrival to the US, Jonas and Emilija kept in touch with their family back in Lithuania. The only letter remaining is torn therefore the full context of it is lost. We are still trying to determine it's Author. We believe the letter was written by K. Varanavicius who may have been married to Emilija's sister, Marijona. We not 100% certain of the Varanavicius connection to our family but they were also (Juozapas Varanavicius) witnesses at the marriage of Emilija's parents. For more information, take a look at the letters. Can you translate it? Know what it means? Relates to your family? Look familiar?! Let me know!
In 1911, Jonas and Emilija gave birth to their first born child; a son. Joseph Dagys died 12 short days after his birth.
The surnames DIRECTLY Linked to me through my Grandmother who was a Dagys are as followed:
Yakstis
Dagys
Mikenaitė
Peciuras
Neniskyte
Motiejūnas
Baciulyte
Šlapelytė
For COMPLETE List of names; please see the master list of names
Lithuanian Towns and Parishes my family descends from:
Pelyšiai Village
Simonys Settlement
Kupiškio Municipality District
Panevezys County
Skvarbai Village
Svėdasai Parish
Simoniai Municipality
Jotkonys Village
Skapiškis Village
Vederiskiai Villiage
Daujociai Village
South American Countries, Towns and Parishes my family descends from:
Brazil
Argentina
United States: States and Cities my family descends from:
New York
Scranton, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
East St. Louis, IL
St. Louis, MO
