Mogilev (Mahilyow) Governorate

Mogilev (Mahilyow) Governorate existed in 1772–1919, with Mogilev city as its administrative center. The county was created after the First Partition of Poland in 1772. It consisted of Orshansky, Mogilevsky, Mstislavsky and Rogachevsky Provinces.  The Governorate was renamed into Mogilev Viceroyalty which was demolished in 1796, and its counties became part of Belarus Governorate with Vitebsk as its administrative center.

. In 1777, the Governorate was divided into 12 counties: Orshansky, Babinovichsky, Belitsky, Klimovitsky, Kopysky, Mogilevsky, Mstislavsky, Rogachevsky, Sennensky, Starobykhovsky, Chausovsky and Cherikovsky.

GENEALAGICAL DASLEDAVANNI ON THE ORDER

Genealogy research is a difficult intellectual task which requires vast knowledge of history, laws of the past centuries, topography, geography, ethnology and sociology. Additionally, abilities such as being able to freely navigate through data across various archives, paleography skill, and, quite often, having knowledge of several languages, are also required. Such skills can only be honed through years of dedicated work.

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. The Governorate was renamed into Mogilev Viceroyalty which was demolished in 1796, and its counties became part of Belarus Governorate with Vitebsk as its administrative center. Mogilev Governorate was re-establsihed in 1802 and its former counties returned to its rule, divided into 39 stans (unit of administrative division, part of county or principality) and 147 volost (part of provincial counties). In 1849, Babinovichsky county was demolished and became part of Orshansky county; in 1852, Belitsky county was renamed into Gomelsky county, and Starobykhovsky county was renamed into Bykhovsky countyr. Kopysky county was demolished in 1861, its former territory divided among Sennensky, Orshansky and newly-established Goretzky, which has also acquired a part of Orshansky county. Starting with September 1917, Mogilev Governorate became part of Western Oblast; became part of BNR established on 25.03.1918; from the beginning of January 1919, as a part of BSSR, later that year in February as part of RSFSR. Mogilev Governorate was demolished on 11.7.1919, nine of its counties became part of Gomel Governorate, Mstislavsky county was transferred to Smolensk Governorate, and Sennensky county was transferred to Vitebsk Governorate.

The Governorate was part of Mogilev Orthodox and Mogilev Catholic dioceses. By the end of XIX century there were as many as 804 Orthodox churches, 6 friaries and 5 nunneries, 30 Catholic churches, 2 Lutheranian churches, 29 Edinoverie and Old Believers praying houses, 340 synagogues and Jewish praying houses.

Genealogy and family history agency “WENDA” was found in Poland in 2015 thanks to the efforts of Witold Chanecki. The agency aims to offer its help with archive search and material processing, as well as offering its support to all the people interested in, and researching, history of their heritage originating in former Grand Dutchy of Lithuania (currently Belarus Republic and partially Lithuania). During the course of our work, we keep in close contact with numerous scientists and researchers, scientific establishments and archives across Belarus, Lithuania, Russia and Ukraine, as well as people of various artistic occupations.