The same saying could be applied to all the migrating nations. The Gothic nation, also, wherever it roamed, left some traces behind. From the old Gothic coins, from the extant Gothic names, from documents, etc., the scholars are able to judge about the origin of the Gothic nation.

There are two opinions in regard to which group of nations the Goths belonged. Some think that the Goths belonged to the Teutonic group (German, Scandinavian etc.); others think that the Gothic people were of the Aestian (Lithuanian—Latvian and Old Prussian) origin.

The ethnology of the Goths was always fascinating to me. For many years I had been investigating this subject, and finally I was convinced that the Goths were the nearest kinsmen of the Lithuanians---Latvians and Old Prussians. A part of these studies I am publishing in this book.

Dr. R. G. Latham, the noted English scholar, ethnologist, and philologist, probably was the first man to prove, that the hypothesis concerning the Teutonic origin of the Goths is erroneous. He repeatedly stated that the Goths were of Lithuanic origin. Dr. Latham's authority is highly regarded amongst the scholars, and he is quoted in different encyclopaedias. I have read all of his works, appreciated them, and found plenty of valuable information in his writings.

In this volume readers will find a fair collection of facts concerning the past history of Goths and Lithuanians. Also they will find some of my original arguments, which I employ in proving that the vanished Gothic people and the still existing Lithuanian nation are of the same blood and the same origin.

Alexander M. Rackus, M. D.
Chicago, Ill., USA
October, 1928.