Researching an Orphan in Sweden Case Study

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These are the steps that were taken to find the parents of Carolina Aspling (1796 – 1849), an orphan girl from Stockholm City who lived her adult life in Västernorrland, Sweden. The research strategy was done by finding her as an adult with her husband and children and then following her back in time to her birth.



Step 1, Establish your Ancestor in the parish records. Carolina Aspling was first seen as the wife of Johan Mattsson at the time of the birth of their son Johannes on 24 Dec. 1830 in Westanå village, Viksjö parish, Västernorrland County, Sweden. The birth entry says the parents lived on Westanå in an area called Stordalen. With this information the next step was to look at the household examination of Viksjö (in the village Westanå) that includes the same year of the birth.

Step 2, Follow the Ancestor from one household examination to another for their entire life span.

Every household examination that Carolina Aspling is listed on was looked at. The moving in and out records in between were searched as needed (when they moved from one parish to another.)

Carolina was followed in household examinations (going forward in time) from Viksjö parish until they moved to Stigsjö parish in 1831. There was no moving-in record for Stigsjö to say where to look in the Stigsjö household examination, so the entire household examination was searched page by page. Then they moved to Ljustorp parish in 1845. The moving-in record in Ljustorp says they moved to a village called Wester Frötuna. She was found in the Ljustorp household examinations in Wester Frötuna. They stayed there on each household examination until she died in 1849. The entry for Carolina in the Ljustorp death records was looked at. This completes searching each household examination from the time of their second child until Carolina passed away.

Then each household examination was searched from 1830 going back in time towards her birth. The household examination of Viksjö that includes 1830 did not say where the family moved in from. The previous one did not show them in Westanå, and there is no moving-in record for Viksjö at that time. Further there is no moving certificate for the family, showing where they came from prior to 1830. Since the couple is married, and of childbearing years, a search was done in the birth and christening records of the parishes that are immediately next to the parish of Viksjö. During that search, a birth entry was found in the parish of Ljustorp for a boy Mathias who was born to Johan Matsson and Carolina Aspling in 1827. This showed the parents were living in the village of Gällwik at the time of the birth. The next step was to look up the family in the household examination records of Ljustorp that include the birth year of 1827. This was found in the section for Gällwik, and it showed the family (including a reference of moving to Viksjö in 1829.) This household examination also showed a marriage year of 1827, which was verified in the Ljustorp marriage records. At the time of the marriage both the groom and the bride were from the village of Tuna in Ljustorp parish. A search continued from one household examination to another going back in time. Before the marriage Carolina was listed as a Piga (female servant) until she was about 16 years old. The household examinations prior to that show her as a Barnhus Flicka (orphan girl.) One of the household exams showed that she arrived in Ljustorp parish in 1807.

Step 3, Find which orphanage that Carolina came from.

Since Carolina is listed as an orphan girl, who was born in Stockholm on 4 Sept., 1796 the next step is to check the orphanages in Stockholm City. At this time in Stockholm there are 2 major orphanages, the Allmänna Barnhus (General Public Orphanage) and the Frimurarbarnhus (Freemason’s Orphanage). The registration lists for the Allmänna Barnhus have been indexed and are available through the Stockholm City Archive’s website at: http://www.ssa.stockholm.se/Anvand-arkiven/Sjukvard-/Socialtjanstens-arkiv/Allmanna-barnhuset/Sok-i-allmanna-barnhusets-register/ A search in this database showed 2 entries for a Carolina Aspling, one in 1807, and another in 1806.

Step 4, Search the records of the orphanage.

Gratefully the Stockholm City Archive database for the Allmänna barnhus has the foster home placement files scanned and available in PDF. The file for 1807 gives her name, date of birth as 4 Oct. 1796, and shows that Carolina was placed in the household of Jon Larsson Höglin in Tuna village, of Ljustorp parish. This is an exact match to the first household examination record that Carolina is listed in. The file for 1806 shows that Carolina was received at the orphanage in 1806, she was placed in a foster home and was later returned to the orphanage. Neither of the forms show a parent by name. Only that her father was a deceased vice consul. At this point, the Stockholm City Archive was contacted to search the admittance papers that have not been microfilmed or digitized (as of 2013.)

The admittance papers for Carolina included a letter from her mother stating that her name was Anna Charlotta Lindblad. She was born in Catharina parish in Stockholm City where her father had lived for 30 years. She married a G. Aspling (later found to be Gustaf Aspling.) In 1803 he took a job in Björneborg (Pori), Finland. He was going to send for her and the children but became sick and died, leaving her with 4 children and 1 unborn child. The letter also shows verification of genuine need by her parish priest in Catharina parish.

Step 5, Continue to search for this ancestor in Swedish Lutheran Church Records

We know from the records that Carolina Aspling was born in Stockholm City but we do not know which parish. A search was done in the parish records for every parish in Stockholm City to find the birth and christening of Carolina. Her birth and christening was found in the parish of Jakob / Johannes on 4 Oct. 1796. She is listed as the daughter of the secretary Gustaf Asping and his wife Anna Charlotta Lindblad.

Detailed List of Every Step
1. Record: Viksjö Husförhörslängd, AI:3 (1823 – 1834)-Bild 150- sid-139 Place: Westanå i Nybrodalen, Viksjö Listed as: Hs. (abbrev. for hustru) Carolina Aspling Birth date: 4 Sept. 1796 Birth place: Stockholm Notes: She is listed as a wife to Johan Matsson. No information to moving in. They moved to Öije in Stigsjö in 1831

2. Record: Stigsjö Husförhörslängd, AI-3-1827-1836-Bild-209-sid-197 Place: Öije, Stigsjö Listed as: Hust. Carolinas Aspling  Birth date: 1796 Birthplace: Not stated Notes: She is listed as a wife to Johan Matsson. Came from Wiksjö in 1831.

3. Record: Stigsjö Husförhörslängd, AI-4-1837-1846-Bild-226-sid-218 Place: Öije, Stigjö Listed as: Hust. Carol. Aspling Birth date: 1796 Birth place: Not stated Notes:She is listed as a wife to Joh. Mathss. They move to Ljustorp in 1844.

4. Record: Ljustorp Moving-In, BI-1-1845-1850-Bild-6 Moving-In Record from Stigsjö on Nov. 19, 1845 Listed as: Not stated Birth date: Not stated Birth place: Not stated Notes: She is not mentioned by name. She is included with Johan Mattsons household from Stigsjö to V. Fr. tuna

5. Record: Ljustorp Moving Certificate, HII:1-2, Flyttningsbetyg, Moving Certificate from Stigsjö to Ljustorp Place: to Ljustorp Listed as: Carolina Aspling Birth date: 1796 Birth place: Stockholm Notes: The family is moving from Stigsjö (prev. from Wiksjö) to Ljustorp on 29 Oct. 1844.

6. Record: Ljustorp Husförhörslängd, AI-5-1841-1849-Bild-190-sid-178 Place: Wester Frötuna, Ljustorp Listed as: Hu. Carolina Aspling Birth date: 1796 Birth place: Stkhlm Notes: She is listed as a wife to Johan Matsson. They move in from Stigsjö in 1845. They move to p. 131

7. Record: Ljustorp Husförhörslängd, AI-5-1841-1849-Bild-140-sid-131 Place: Gällwik, Ljustorp Listed as: Hust. Carolina Aspling Birth date: 1796 Birth place: Stkhlm. Notes: She is listed as a wife to Johan Mattsson. They move in from p. 178. They move to p. 181

8. Record: Ljustorp Husförhörslängd, AI-5-1841-1849-Bild-193-sid-181 Place: Wester Frötuna Listed as: H. Carolina Aspling Birth date: 1796 on 4 Sept. Birth place: Sthlm. Notes: She is listed as a wife to Johan Mathsson Widen. They moved in from p. 131. It says she died on 26 Apr. 1849.

9. Record: Ljustorp Death and Burial, C:2 (1814 – 1844) Bild 124 – sid 120, Death entry Place: Wester Frötuna Listed as: Hustru Carolina Aspling Birth date: Not stated Birth place: Not stated Notes: She is listed as the wife to Johan Matthsson of Wester Frötuna.

10. Record: Ljustorp Husförhörslängd, AI-3-1821-1831-Bild-96-sid-89 Place: Gällwik, Ljustorp Listed as: Hust. Carolina Aspling Birth date: 4 Sept. 1796 Birth place: Not stated Notes: She is listed as a wife (Hustru) to Johan Matsson. They married in 1827. No reference to moving in. They move to Viksjö in 1829.

11. Record: Ljustorp Marriage, C-2-1814-1844-Bild-102-sid-98, Marriage Entry in 1827 Place: Tuna Listed as: Pigan Carolina Aspling Birth date: Not stated Birth place: Not stated Notes: This marriage record says the groom and the bride were from Tuna.

12. Record: Ljustorp Husförhörslängd, AI-3-1821-1831-Bild-69-sid-62 Place: Tuna, Ljustorp Listed as: Pig. Carolina Aspling Birth date: 4 Sept. 1796 Birth place: Not stated Notes: She is listed as a female servant (Piga) in the household of Nils Åslund. No moving in or out information.

13.Record: Ljustorp Husförhörslängd, AI-3-1821-1831-Bild-67-sid-60 Place: Tuna, Ljustorp Listed as: Pig. Carolina Aspling Birth date: 4 Sept. 1796 Birth place: Not stated Notes: She is listed as a female servant (Piga) in the household of Jonas Höglin. No moving in or out information.

14. Record: Viksjö Husförhörslängd, AI:2 (1811 – 1822) Bild 62- sid 54 Place: Nordansjö, Viksjö Listed as: Pig. Carolina Aspling Birth date: 4 Sept. 1796 Birth place: Not stated Notes: Came from Ljustorp 1814, born 1796 on 4 Sept. Barnhus fl. Came from Stockholm 1807

15. Record: Ljustorp Husförhörslängd, AI-2-1812-1821-Bild-57-sid-48 Place: Tuna, Ljustorp Listed as: Barnh.flick Carol. Aspling Birth date: 4 Sept. 1796 Birthplace: Not stated Notes: No information saying where she is from. Living in the household of Jonas Höglin.She moved to Viksjö 8 Oct. 1814.

16.Record: Ljustorp Husförhörslängd, AI-1-1803-1812-Bild-53-sid-46 Place: Tuna, Ljustorp Listed as: Barnhus Flick, Carolina Aspling Birth date: 1796 Birth place: Not stated Notes: No information saying where she is from, or going to. Living in the household of Jonas Höglin. Later husförhör shows she arrived in 1807.

17. Search the Allmänna Barnhus Register on Stockholm City Archive’s website: http://www.ssa.stockholm.se/Anvand-arkiven/Sjukvard-/Socialtjanstens-arkiv/Allmanna-barnhuset/Sok-i-allmanna-barnhusets-register/

18. Record: Allmänna barnhusets rullor fore 1913 Database Place: Allmänna Barnhus, Stockholm Listed as: Carolina Aspling Birth date: 4 Oct. 1796 Birth place: Not stated Notes: File number: 6432, Received July 14, 1807, No. 152, Father: deceased Vica Consul, Foster placement to Jon Larsson Höglin in Tuna village, Ljustorp parish, Wester Norrland

19. Record: Turinge Husförhörslängd, AI:3 (1800 – 1808) Bild 94 – sid 85 Place: Kjellsvik Listed as: Barnh. Fl. Carolina Aspling Birth date: 4 Oct. 1796 Birth place: Stockholm Notes: Moved to Kjellsvik from the orphanage in 1806. Moves to Sthlm in 1806

20. Record: Allmänna barnhusets rullor fore 1913 Database Place: Allmänna Barnhus, Stockholm Listed as: Carolina Aspling Birth date: 4 Oct. 1796 Birth place: Not stated Notes: File number: 5968, Received Nov. 26, 1806, No. 70, Father: deceased Vica Consul., Foster placement to Johan Simonsson of Kellswik, Turinge parish. See no. 5800., Mar. 16, 1807 returned to the orphanage as the foster father is moving. See no. 152

21. The next step is to contact the Stockholm City Archive at E-mail: [mailto:stadsarkivet@stockholm.se stadsarkivet@stockholm.se] to get further help (which required paying for their research services.)

22. Record: Allmänna Barnhus – EIVc.b Handlingar till protokoll över intagna barn Place: Allmänna Barnhus, Stockholm Listed as: Carolina Aspling Birth date: 4 Oct. 1796 Birth place: Stockholm Notes: No. 70 and 71, Admittance papers include a letter from their mother, the widow Anna Charlotta Lindblad.She states that she was born in Catharina parish in Stockholm. She says that she was married to the Clerk G. Aspling. In 1803 he took a job in Björneborg (Pori), Finland. He was going to send for her and the children but became sick and died. Leaving her with 4 children and 1 unborn child. The letter also shows verification of genuine need by her parish priest in Catharina parish.

23. Record: Jakob och Johannes Birth and Chirstening, CIa:19 (1787 – 1806) Bild 150 – sid 238 Place: Jakob och Johannes Birth Entry Listed as: Carolina Birth date: 4 Oct. 1796 Birth place: Jakob och Johannes parish in Stockholm Notes: Parents: Gustaf Asping, and Anna Charlotta Lindblad

Key Learnings

 * Carolina Aspling is found on 21 records from the time of her birth until her death in 1849 at 53 years old.


 * She is listed on 13 household examination records


 * She was recorded in a birth, marriage, and death record.


 * Her correct birth date is listed on all records between 1796 and 1806. After 1807 all records that show her birth information is off by 1 month.


 * She is listed as an orphan girl, in Swedish a Barnhus Flicka (abbreviated as Barnh. Fl. or Barnhus Flick.) on 3 of the 13 household examinations when she was under the age of 16.


 * She is listed as a female servant, in Swedish a Piga (abbreviated P or Pig.) on 2 household examinations when she was between 16 years old and when she married.


 * She is listed as a wife, in Swedish a Hustru (abbreviated Hust., Hs., Hu., and H.) on 8 household examinations from the time she married until her death.


 * She lived in 5 different parishes during her life.


 * Eight of the 21 records showed her birthplace as Stockholm. The rest did not show a birthplace.


 * To find all the records that Carolina is listed on required looking at records that are available online, on microfilm, and the originals in paper form at the Stockholm City Archive.