Time and again I have heard genealogists discuss the difficulties of researching their Scandinavian ancestors. Having, myself, a line of Norwegian ancestors I can attest to the difficulties sometimes found in this research. However, author Dr. Penelope Christensen, in Finding Your Scandinavian Ancestors, declares the process is much easier than is often expected.
According to Christensen, Scandinavians kept detailed records and did an excellent job of preserving them. Common research records include parish registers for christening, marriage and burials. Census, probate, and military records are often readily available as well. Finding Your Scandinavian Ancestors covers general topics useful to researching the region as well as country by country resources.
The first section examines languages, common naming practices, namely the patronymic naming method, key dates, and major resources. Following this general information, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden are reviewed in that order. Common coverage for each country includes a brief history, personal and/or surnames, geographical information, and key records resources.
Dr. Christensen has four degrees and over 25 years university leaving teaching experience. She obviously loves family history and genealogy and has lectured on the subject in England, the U.S., and Canada.
For you own copy of Finding Your Scandinavian Ancestors, please visit Family Roots Publishing; Item #: HV06, Price: $16.66.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
- Chart 1: Map of Scandinavia
LANGUAGES
- Chart 2: Anglicization of Scandinavian Letters
- Typing Scandinavian Characters on an English Keyboard
- Chart 3: Interchangeable Letters in Scandinavia
- Chart 4: Old Scandinavian Handwriting
NAME PRACTICES
- Patronymic IGI
DATES
- Julian and Gregorian Calendars
- Feast Days
- Chart 5: Common Scandinavian Fixed Feast Days
- Chart 6: Common Scandinavian Movable Feast Days
- Chart 7: Guide to Calendars of Movable Feast Days, 1607–1699
- Chart 8: Guide to Calendars of Movable Feast Days, 1700–1753
- Chart 9: Guide to Calendars of Movable Feast Days, 1754–1824
- Chart 10: Calendar Tables for Movable Feast Days in Scandinavia – Numbers 1-12
- Chart 11: Calendar Tables for Movable Feast Days in Scandinavia – Numbers 13-24
- Chart 12: Calendar Table for Movable Feast Days in Scandinavia – Numbers 25-35
MAJOR SOURCES
- Scandinavian Genealogy on the Internet
- General Comments on Land Divisions
- Chart 13: Counties & Parishes in Scandinavia
- General Comments on Parish Registers
- Reading the Parish Register
- Reading Parish Records with Patronymics
- Note on Civil Registration
- General References for Scandinavia
DENMARK: Including Faeroes, Greenland & The Danish West Indies
- Chart 14: Brief History of Denmark
- Languages Used in Danish Records
- Chart 15: Danish Genealogical Word List
- Danish Given Names
- Danish Geography & Place Names
- Chart 16: Alphabetical List of Danish Counties, 1793-1970
- Recommended Strategy for Successful Danish Research
- Danish Parish Registers
- Finding Your Parish Register
- Chart 17: Contents of Danish Parish Registers
- Chart 18: Danish FHLC Parish Register Entry
- Chart 19: Danish Parish Register Column Heading
- Danish Civil Registration
- Danish Censuses
- Danish Probates
- Danish Military & navy Levying Rolls
- Other Danish Sources
- General References for Danish Genealogy
- Danish Archives & Genealogy Societies
FINLAND
- Chart 20: Brief History of Finland
- Languages Used in Finnish Records
- Chart 21: Finnish Genealogical Word List
- Finnish Surnames
- Finnish Given Names
- Finnish Geography & Place Names
- Chart 22: Lists of Finnish Counties as of 1945
- Recommended Strategy for Successful Finnish Research
- Finnish Communion Books & Preconfirmations
- Chart 23: Finnish Communion Books and Preconfirmations
- Chart 24: Contents of Finnish Main Books
- Finnish Parish Registers
- Finding Your Parish Register
- Chart 25: Contents of Finnish Parish Registers
- Chart 26: Finnish FHLC Parish Register Entry
- Chart 27: Finnish Parish Register Column Headings
- Confirmations
- Marriages
- Deaths and Burials
- Arrivals Into the Parish
- Departures From the Parish
- Finnish Civil Registration
- Finnish Certificates of Departure
- Finnish Censuses
- Finnish Probate
- General References for Finnish Genealogy
- Finnish Archives & Genealogy Societies
ICELAND
- Chart 28: Brief History of Iceland
- Languages Used in Icelandic Records
- Chart 29: Icelandic Genealogical Word List
- Icelandic Personal Names
- Icelandic Geography & Place Names
- Chart 30: Alphabetical List of Icelandic Counties
- Recommended Strategy for Successful Icelandic Research
- Icelandic Parish Registers
- Chart 31: Contents of Icelandic Parish Registers
- Finding Your Parish Register
- Chart 32: Icelandic FHLC Parish Register Entry
- Chart 33: Icelandic Parish Register Column Headings
- Icelandic Civil Registration
- Icelandic Censuses
- Icelandic Probates
- Other Icelandic Sources
- General References for Icelandic Genealogy
- Icelandic Archives & Genealogy Societies
NORWAY
- Chart 34: Brief History of Norway
- Languages Used in Norwegian Records
- Chart 35: Norwegian Genealogical Word List
- Norwegian Surnames
- Norwegian Given Names
- Norwegian Geography & Place Names
- Chart 36: Alphabetical List of Norwegian Counties
- Recommended Strategy for Successful Norwegian Research
- Norwegian Parish Registers
- Finding Your Parish Register
- Chart 37: Contents of Norwegian Parish Registers
- Chart 38: Norwegian FHLC Parish Register Entry
- Chart 39: Norwegian Parish Register Column Headings
- Norwegian Civil Registration
- Norwegian Farm & Family History Books
- Norwegian Censuses
- Norwegian Probates
- Norwegian Military Records
- Other Norwegian Sources
- General References for Norwegian Genealogy
- Norwegian Archives & Genealogy Societies
SWEDEN
- Chart 40: Brief History of Sweden
- Languages Used in Swedish Records
- Chart 41: Swedish Genealogical Word List
- Swedish Personal Names
- Swedish Given Names
- Swedish Geography & Place Names
- Chart 42: Alphabetical List of Swedish Counties
- Recommended Strategy for Successful Swedish Research
- Swedish Clerical Surveys
- Chart 43: Column Headings for Swedish Clerical Surveys
- Swedish Parish Registers
- Finding Your Parish Register
- Chart 44: Contents of Swedish Parish Registers
- Chart 45: Swedish FHLC Parish Register Entry
- Chart 46: Swedish Parish Register Column Heading
- Swedish Church Record Extracts
- Swedish Civil Registration
- Swedish Certificates of Departure or Exit Permits
- Swedish Censuses
- Swedish Probates
- Swedish Military Records
- Other Swedish Sources
- General References for Swedish Genealogy
- Swedish Archives & Genealogy Societies
CONCLUSION
INDEX