Dumčiai: kilmė, giminystės ryšiai, veikla

LTKnygoje pirmą kartą pagrįstos Dumčių kilmės iš prūsų-sūduvių arealo ištakos. Dumčiai yra XVIII a. gyvenusių dviejų brolių - Mykolo iš Šakių rajono Paežerėlių parapijos Eiciūnų kaimo ir Tomo iš Sintautų parapijos Mockupių kaimo - palikuonys. Sudarytas dažnai "dumčynėmis" vadinamų Dumčių gyvenviečių, esančių Šakių, Vilkaviškio ir Marijampolės rajonuose, žemėlapis, Dumčių giminės genealogijos schema. Iš Dumčių išaugo nemažai Lietuvos šviesuolių - dažniausia mokytojų, kunigų, karininkų, ūkininkų ir visuomenės veikėjų, kurie, nors ir nukentėjo nuo okupacijų, visais laikais prisidėjo prie lietuvių tautos, kalbos, raštijos ir krikščioniškos dvasios gyvybingumo stiprinimo [p. 382].

ENThe book presents the first ever substantiation of the descent of the Dumčius family from the Prussians/Sudovians. The members of the Dumčius family are the descendants of two brothers who lived in the 18th century: Mykolas of Šakiai District, Paežerėliai Parish, Eiciūnai Village and Tomas of Sintautai Parish, Mockupiai Village. The map of the settlements of the Dumčius family, often referred to as the "Dumčynės", in Šakiai, Vilkaviškis and Marijampolė Districts along with the family tree of the Dumčius family were compiled. The Dumčius family gave rise to many Lithuanian intellectuals, most often teachers, priests, military officers, farmers and public figures. Despite their loses during the occupation, all of them contributed greatly at all times to the preservation and strengthening of the Lithuanian nation, language, written word and Christian spirit. Eiciūnai School, also known as the Academy of Petras Dumčius, a teacher, educator and book smuggler, was the meeting place of V. Kudirka, J. Basanavičius, J. Kriaučiūnas, J. Jablonskis and M. Jankus, all of whom were members of the Varpininkai Lithuanian National Organization. Poet P. Lembertas, Communications Minister K. Germanas and Cultural Historian A. Vaičiūnas were graduates of this school. The family of Elena and Petras Dumčius raised four sons: two teachers Vaclovas and Steponas, farmer and deportee Liucijonas who was also a captain during the fight for independence, and educator Stasys who organized firefighting endeavors, served as Chief Firefighter of Kaunas City Municipality and was later tortured in a Soviet internment camp. Professor A. Dumčius, son of Konstancija (Mažuolytė) and Stasys Dumčius, is a renowned Lithuanian physician, one of the pioneers of cardiac surgery in Kaunas, a public figure and a politician.The following are several of the most prominent members of the Dumčius, Mažuolis and Gervė families: Oculist M. Arštikaitytė, MD (Toronto), Orthodontist and Sculptor, Professor A. Gečiauskas (New York), Dentist J. Dumčiūtė-Žukauskienė, Operatic Soloist V. Kuprys, Pianist M. Kuprienė, Painter L. Dumčiūtė-Pociūnienė, Entrepreneur R. Pociūnas, Doctor M. Dumčius, Cultural Historian A. Vaičiūnas, Basketball Expert of International Level E. Ruseckaitė-Matutis, Wrestler A. Andriukonis, Pianist and Choirmaster J. Andriukonytė-Namajūnienė-Frank, UFC World Champion R. Namajūnaitė, and J. Škėrys who is one of the karate pioneers in Lithuania. The homestead of Farmer Motiejus Dumčius and the successor of the other family line, located in Mockupiai Village, housed a school. Four brothers who belonged to the Lithuanian intelligentsia were born and grew here. Rev(d). Vincentas Dumčius who lived until the honorary age of 100 years was an erudite and a multilingual person. Canon Jonas Dumčius supported his family members. Primary schools were established in the homestead of Juozas Dumčius in Pikžirniai Village and the homestead of Antanas Dumčius and his son Juozas in Kušlikiai Village. Professor Jonas Dumčius, son of Juozas, is a world-renowned linguist and expert of ancient literature.This branch of the Dumčius family has many members of merit who did great deeds for the sake of science, culture and education in Lithuania, to a mention a few: Jonas Naujokas, Vilkaviškis Seminary Rector and Prelate; Justinas Strimaitis, Player of Kanklės (Lithuanian plucked string instrument) and one of the pioneers of the Lithuanian legal system; Ordinary Law Professor Vladas Mačys; prominent selectionist Jurgis Mačys; Professor Petras Avižonis, Chancellor of Vytautas Magnus University, incorporator of Eye Clinic, the person who worked to standardize the official Lithuanian Language and who published the Lithuanian Grammar Book together with J. Jablonskis; and Vytautas Avižonis, prominent developer of the US strategic defense systems. All these family members are described in great detail in separate chapters of the book.