Finland, Church Census and Pre-Confirmation Books - FamilySearch Historical Records

Finland

What is in This Collection?
These records were created by the Lutheran priest in each parish. As the Lutheran church was part of the state in Finland, this collection serves as a census for the entire county. The parish priest was required by church law of 1686 to annually interview each member of the parish to determine their understanding of the Lutheran catechism. This church census (rippikirjat / kommunionböcker) was recorded in books that generally cover a five-year time period. Significant vital statistical events, such as births, marriages. deaths and moving from the parish were also recorded. Some parishes began keeping these records before the law was passed. Records from parishes in Eastern Finland generally do not record children who have not been confirmed.

Pre-confirmation books (lastenkirjat / barnböcker), also called children’s books and pre-communion books list the names of children who had not yet been confirmed members of the Lutheran church and are eligible to receive communion. After confirmation, which usually took place at age 15, they would be recorded in the communion book. The child's residence and parent's names are generally recorded. These records are generally kept in parishes from eastern Finland. After confirmation, which usually took place at age 15, they would be recorded in the communion book.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
These records generally contain the following information:

Church census
 * Person's name
 * Residence
 * Birth date

Preconfirmation
 * Child's name
 * Parents' names

How Do I Search This Collection?
You can search the index or view the images. Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the person you are looking for
 * The parish where the person lived

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Try searching by surname only
 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century
 * Check the parish registers to see if the individual died or moved to another parish.
 * The person recording the information may have recorded the person with their name in Swedish or Finnish. Make sure you look for both forms of the name.

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Finlandia, censo de la iglesia y libros de preconfirmación (Registros históricos de FamilySearch) Finlândia, Censo da Igreja e Livros de Pré-Confirmação (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch)