Sweden, Södermanland Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Foreign Language Title
Sverige Sodermanland Lutherske Kyrkoböcker Register

Collection Time Period
These records cover from the earliest years (about1550) to 1860.

Collection History
The Lutheran Church was the official church in Sweden and the ministers recorded all vital events. The ministers also compiled a yearly census of each family within the parish arranged by farm or dwelling. After 1860, the ministers were required to send a yearly summary of all vital events to the government. Almost all of the population is covered in these records.

Why This Collection Was Created
Church records provided a complete record of vital events for the population.

Collection Reliability
Lutheran church records are very accurate.

Collection Description
The records are handwritten in narrative style.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found in most Lutheran birth or christening or birth (Födde) records are: • Child’s name • Christening date • Sometimes the birth date • Parents’ names • Parents’ marital status • Parents’ residence • Fathers’ occupation • Sometimes the mother’s age • Witnesses and their residences

The key genealogical facts found in most Lutheran marriage (Vigde) records are: • Groom’s name • Depending on the time period, the groom’s marital status, residence, and age • Bride’s name • Depending on the time period, the bride’s marital status, residence, and age • Witnesses and their residences

The key genealogical facts found in most Lutheran death or burial (Döde) records are: • Name of the deceased • Death date • Burial date • Residence • Occupation • Age • Marital status and sometimes the spouse’s name • Sometimes other biographical notes

The key genealogical facts found in most Lutheran moving records (Inflyttnings and Utflyttnings) are: • Name of person moving • Former residence • New residence • Residence • Occupation • Age • Sometimes marital status

The key genealogical facts found in most Lutheran clerical survey (Husförhörslängd) records are: • Name of each member of the household • Birth dates • Birthplaces • Residence • Occupation • Deaths within the year • Marriages within the year • Moves within the year (including where they moved to or from) • Marital status • Relationships

How to Use the Collection
Church records are an excellent source for validating the vital events in someone’s life and are also the best source of individual information. Use the index to find your ancestor in the parish registers. Keep in mind that as with any index, transcription errors may occur. The ages listed can be used to determine birth dates. The place of residence and occupation lead you to other records, such as census records, that may have information on parents and siblings. The witnesses or sponsors are often relatives.

Related Websites
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Related Wiki Articles
Sweden Church Records

Sweden Church Records, part II

Sources of Information for This Collection
“Sweden Sodermanland Lutheran Church Records Index,” database, FamilySearch Record Search (http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch); from National Archives of Sweden, Riksarkivet SVAR. Sweden Sodermanland Lutheran Church Records to 1860 Index. National Archives of Sweden, Riksarkivet SVAR. FHL microfilm, 15 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

How to Cite Your Sources
Instructions for citing this source can be found at: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections