Disappearing and already gone villages of Jonava district

Abstract

During this period, the Žeimai subdistrict lost 24 villages, Bukonys lost 17 village names, Dumsiai – Šveicarija lost 16 village names, and other subdistricts – fewer village names. Most of the place names disappeared during the period between the years 1979 and 1989 [2; 3]. In the same period the names of the dwellings were eliminated – Gorunuvka, Pediškės. Three dwellings have acquired village status. According to the decree of 2015, 10 place names were eliminated, of which 4 had the title "Railway station": Žeimiai, Dumsiai, Kalnėnai, Gaižiūnai railway stations. The disappearance of the villages resulted from the works of land reclamation and demolish of individual farm-steads during the existence of collective farms; as well as intensive farming was developed, the transfer of population from single villages to larger settlements took place; the economic and social situation of the population, as most of the population went to cities, and after Lithuania's accession to the European Union, a large proportion of the population went to work and live abroad. During the period between the years 1979 and 2017 the number of inhabitants in rural areas decreased by 18%. In 1979, the number of inhabitants was about 18.000 in Jonava district villages, and in 2017 – 14757. The largest decrease in population took place during the period between the years 2001 and 2017 (decreased by 2,795 inhabitants, i.e. 15%). During the period between the years 1979 and 2017, 25% of the villages were abolished in Jonava district municipality, most of the village names were abolished in Žeimiai subdistrict (45% of all the place names of the subdistrict). The largest abolition of the place names of villages took place during the period between the years 1979-1989, 20% of the district's villages were abolished at that time. There has been a steady decline in the number of inhabitants in rural areas of Jonava district, mainly (16%) decreased in 2001-2017. The aim of this research is to analyze the disappearing and already gone villages of Jonava district and to determine the causes of their disappearance. In the course of the research, literature sources, statistical data, legal acts and other documents were analyzed. For the fulfilment of the research Rural Plans M 1:10 000 of the Jonava district for the end of the 20th century were used. Analytical, statistical grouping and comparison methods were used as well. This topic is relevant in many countries. Since the middle of the 20th century in both Lithuania and other countries, the processes of urbanization have intensified. For economic and social reasons, many rural residents went to cities. These processes also touched Jonava district situated near Kaunas. There are 8 rural subdistricts in this district. At present, there are 259 villages. From 1979 to 2017 the number of villages has decreased by 25%. In 1979, there were 344 place names of villages in Jonava district, in 1989 – 274, in 2001 – 269, and in 2017 – 259.