Alternate names: Krekenava [Lith], Krakinove [Yid], Krakinovo [Rus], Krakinów [Pol], Krakanova, Krakenovo, Krakinava, Krakinova, Krekenova, קראַקינאָווע-Yiddish. Russian: Кракиново. 55°33' N, 24°06' E, 16 miles SW of Panevežys (Ponevezh). 1900 Jewish population: 1,505. Yizkor: Krakenowo; our town in Lithuania, the story of a world that has passed. (Johannesburg, 1961); Yahadut Lita (vol. 3) (Tel Aviv, 1967); Yahadut Lita (vol. 4) (Tel Aviv, 1984); Pinkas ha-kehilot; entsiklopediya shel ha-yishuvim le-min hivasdam ve-ad le-aher shoat milhemet ha-olam ha-sheniya: Lithuania (Jerusalem, 1996). Słownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego (1880-1902), IV, p. 586: "Krakinów". Before WWI, 300 Jewish families lived there. In 1915, during WWI, they were expelled to central Russia and the town was burned down. After the war (1921) 150 families living returned but by 1939 60 families lived there. The Jews earned their living in the linen trade with a few artisans and two large flour mills. Market days were Monday and Thursday. The town had a synagogue, Beit Midrash, a kloiz, and a large yeshiva. The Tarbut school had some 170 students. A 2000 volume library, charitable institutions, social welfare, and youth organizations.[March 2009]
CEMETERY: The very old Jewish cemetery is partially preserved and fenced. A monument has been erected here in memory of the Jewish population. Farms are already encroaching upon the cemetery. It cannot survive too long. Source: Betty Starkman, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. [Feb. 1998]
UPDATE: Photo. Located in Krekenava Regional Park [March 2009]