Not much is known on the Cernius surname. As far as our family knows, no Cerniai family members immigrated to the US. While, the surname itself is fairly uncommon, our Cernius line derives from the small village of Pelysiai. This villages can be found around the Simonis and Kupiskis Parishes 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 Pelysiai Village of the Simonys Settlement of Kupiskis Municipality, Panevezys County, Lithuania.

Throughout this site you will find a some information on our Cernius line. There are still many unanswered questions. Following, you will find a brief outline of my direct Cernius line.

If you'd like more information on this Cernius line, please let me know. When requesting information, please indicate the individuals name, year of birth and reference number.

Here are some highlighted facts about our family ::

• The Cernius surname can be traced back to Adomas Cernius born in the late 1700's.
   

• Adomas Cernius married Pranciska Dapsyte. Together, they had 8 children. All their children were  born in the Pelysiai Village of the Simonys Settlement, Lithuania.
   

• Petronele Cerniute [born abt. 1823], daughter of Adomas married Petras Slapelis and together they had 4 children. All their children were  born in the Pelysiai Village of the Simonys Settlement, Lithuania.
   

• Throughout this part of the site, there is a collection of Lithuanian Archive Extracts that entail a comprehensive  list of Cernius, Dagys, Slapelis and Vilaniskis Family Relatives that have not been directly connected to our family. They come from the same region as my direct ancestors. Some records indicate a connection because some of our direct ancestors are listed as God Parents, Marriage Witnesses and family friends. For more information visit the Random Vitals section.
   

• The Grand-Daughter, Emilija Slapelyte and her Husband, Jonas Dagys, left for the United States. It's unknown if any other Slapeliai family members immigrated to the US.
   

• In the 1930's, 1940's, after the death of her husband, Emilija traveled to Chicago Illinois to visit. In this photo, she is shown with an unknown man. We believe it may be a Slapelis cousin. Can you identify him?
   

• 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.