
Hello!
I recently discovered that my Latvian grandfather was married before the war (WWII) in his hometown parish, just before he was drafted into the Latvian Legion, where he served as a war journalist and correspondent. After the war, he met my German-born grandmother while living in a DP camp.
I found this out while going through a box of his belongings and came across what I believe is his wedding invitation from his first marriage. I’m hoping for some help in confirming whether I’m reading his wife’s name correctly as “Zelma Katcens.”
Additionally, while searching my grandfather’s name in the Arolsen Archives, I came across a record that I think belongs to her brother, named “Evald’s Katcens,” since it looks like he listed my grandfather as his “brother-in-law” on one of his forms.
However, I’ve run into a bit of a dead end when trying to find more information about her or her family. It seems that the last name “Katcens” might not be a common Latvian name, or perhaps not Latvian at all?
I’d really appreciate any insights or guidance you could share to help me keep moving forward in learning more about her and her family.
Thank you!
https://i.redd.it/o7z7x4r4ntgg1.jpeg
Posted by LATViALAURA

1 Comment
Yes, it’s Zelma Katcens (and Arvīds Eglītis).
Katcens isn’t a very common last name but common enough, I’ve heard it before.