Iceland Church Records

Church Books (Kirkjubækur, Ministerialbækur)
Research use: These records are the primary source of birth, marriage, and death information in Iceland. They identify names of parents and prove other relationships.

Record type: Official vital records of Iceland until 1953. These are records of births and christenings, marriages, deaths, and burials, many of which are indexed; as well as lists of priests, parish move-ins and move-outs, and church census data. The king of Denmark issued a royal decree in 1735 and again in 1746 commanding the Icelandic clergy to keep registers of vital events. Although slow in starting, this system of maintaining vital records became well established. This system of recording vital events worked so well that it became the official government registry of births, marriages and deaths. In 1914 the government established the Statistical Bureau of Iceland [Hagstofa Íslands], responsible for all statistical data for the country. It oversaw the accurate recording of vital events and starting 1916 received transcripts of births, marriages, and deaths from Church records and for non-Lutherans received vital record information from county offices [sýslumaður]. Since 1953, the National Registry, a department of the Statistical Bureau, is responsible for maintaining the national register of persons. It provides unified, centralized registration of the entire population for administrative and statistical uses. The national register of persons is continuously updated and includes ID numbers, addresses and address changes, deaths, etc. Information on births is obtained from birth reports submitted by maternity institutions and midwives. Lutheran ministers and heads of other religious communities report at least monthly on baptisms, marriages, and deaths. Town and county magistrates report on civil marriages. The Ministry of Justice reports naturalizations, divorces, adoptions and name changes. The national register of persons is the one, single register of persons in the country and is therefore utilized by virtually all relevant public authorities and is also used extensively by the private sector: banks, insurance companies, etc.

Time period: The earliest records date from 1664; most date from about 1750-1780 to present.

Contents: Christenings – names of persons born and christened, dates of birth and christening, names of parents, father's occupation and residence; names of witnesses at christening and their residence. Marriages – names of candidates, their ages and places of residence, date of marriage; names of parents and witnesses. Deaths and Burials – names of the deceased, their dates of death and burial, ages, place of residence at time of death, occupations, conditions, cause of death. Arrivals – names of persons moving into the parish, ages, relationships when accompanied by other family members, occupations, places of former residence and new residence. Removals – same as above with a destination given. Confirmations – names of persons confirmed, ages (generally at the age of 14), residence, date of confirmation, sometimes the name of the father; in later years, date of birth. Priests – Lists of parish priests with some biographical data (most date from the 1500s but some as early as the 1100s). Church Census – Many parish church books include a church census [Folkstal] from 1816-1818, and a few parishes include a church census from the 1850s. These provide names, residence, family relationships, age and birthplace. These are similar to, but different from, the civil census.

Location: As required by law, these records are deposited in the National Archives. Copies of recent records are in local parish custody.

Percentage in Family History Library: 74% of the required records. For pre-1880 the Family History Library collection is excellent about 98% coverage; but the library lacks records for many parishes in the 1900 to 1940 time period. The library has records up to 1910 for only 65% of the parishes, up to 1930 for only 21% of the parishes, and up to the cut-off date of 1940 for only 6% of the parishes.

Population coverage: Before 1800 about 60%; by 1900 the coverage was theoretically at 100%. Since 1953 they should cover 100% of the Lutheran population.

Reliability: Excellent.

Accessibility: The National Archives maintains limited research facilities for vital statistics information (not genealogy) and will provide photocopies of extracts from the church records. The fee for this service is quite reasonable but these extracts are available only for individual vital statistics not for genealogical research. Many church records are accessible on microfilm through the Family History Library. Records more recent than those on microfilm must be researched on-site by permission.

Registers of Souls (Sálnaregister, Sóknarmanntöl)
Research use: Registration of parish souls was conducted at irregular intervals from about 1790 onwards, although a few places started earlier. In time, this survey of parish members became more regular. These records provide reliable family relationships. By grouping families together they are particularly valuable in a country that still uses patronymics. In addition to personal information found in these registers, they also give details of people who have left the parish, or were about to leave, and their destinations in Iceland or overseas.

Record type: A pastor’s survey of the population of his parish, updated regularly.

Time period: The earliest records date from 1744; most date from the 1790s or first decade of the 1800s to the present.

Contents: Names of parishioners listed in family units, also names of lodgers and domestic servants, place of residence; relationships, ages, occupations, religious knowledge, personal circumstances.

Location: National Archives and local parish custody.

Percentage in Family History Library: 73% of the required records. For pre-1880 the Family History Library collection is excellent with 98% coverage; but the library lacks records for many parishes in the 1900 to 1940 time period. The library has records up to 1910 for only 63% of the parishes, up to 1930 for only 19% of the parishes, and up to the cut-off date of 1940 for only 5% of the parishes. Population coverage: 70% to 90% in the early 1800s. Theoretically by 1900 they should cover 100% of the population.

Reliability: Good to excellent.

Accessibility: Many records are accessible on microfilm through the Family History Library. Records are also accessible through a local researcher or through on-site research.