Stougård Estate, Skanderborg, Denmark Genealogy

History
Stougård (a.k.a Stovgård) was an estate located in Tørring parish, Skanderborg county. It was a major land owner in southern Skanderborg and northern Vejle counties. In 1791, it was inherited by Thyge Jesper de Thygesen who had already dissolved several other estates. De Thygesen sold the fæste (copyhold) land to the peasants who occupied it, allowing them to become freeholders. He kept the desmesne lands and the remainder of the estate is still intact today.1 Up until 1791, Stougård kept several genealogical records for the peasants and cottagers who were bound to it.

Probate Records
Probate records from Stovgård estate survive from 1720 until 1754 and guardianship records are available for the year 1774. Originally (probably due to the estate closing) these records were buried inside the Nørre Jylland (Northern Jutland) archives. They were unknown when the Utah Genealogical Society was microfilming Danish records and thus they are not available through FamilySearch. Fortunately, Erik Brejl found them by sheer coincidence and he has published abstracts on his website. They can be accessed by clicking here.

Military Reserve Lists
Until 1789, Danish estates were responsible for providing men for the military. Stovgård estate kept lists of males who were eligible to serve and two of these, covering 1741 and 1787, have survived. These lists name each potential draftee and provide his age, name of father, and current residence. Erik Brejl has abstracted both of these lists and they can be accessed by clicking here. Additionally, the Danish National Archives have published scans of the 1787 list. That can be accessed by clicking here.

Land Records
In order to keep track of the dues peasants and cottagers owed, Stovård created multiple land registration lists (jordebøger). These lists name head of household and lists either their annual dues, the value of the land they leased, or both. Erik Brejl has abstracted these lists and they are available on his website. They can be accessed by clicking here.

Place Names
Nørvang herred

Givskud: Bjerlev, Egholm, Givskud, Sandvad

Hvejsel Sogn: Ildved, Haustrup

Langskov Sogn: Hauge, Ølholm 

Nykirke Sogn: Alsted Vang, Kirkegården

Sindbjerg Sogn: Lund

Slavs Herred

Grindsted Sogn: Ankelbo

Vrads herred

Nørre Snede Sogn: Søhale og Hundshoved

Tørring Sogn: Eegholm Mølle, Tørring, Tørringskov, Urskov

Åle Sogn: Åle