Finland, Tax Lists - FamilySearch Historical Records

Finland

Why Should I Look at This Collection?
While the primary purpose of these records was the assessment of taxes, they also serve as a quinquennial (every five years) census of most of the population for the years 1810 to 1915. In 1809, during the Finnish War between Sweden and Russia, the occupied portions of Finland pledged their allegiance to Tsar Alexander I of Russia in return for allowing Finland to keep their laws and religion. The Treaty of Frederiksham ceded Finland to the Russian Empire as the Autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland (Suomen suuriruhtinaskunta or Storfurstendömet Finland), and the Tsar assumed the title Grand Duke of Finland. This relationship lasted until 1917 when Finland declared independence following the Russian October Revolution.

What is in the Collection?
Index and images of tax lists which were recorded every 5 years beginning in 1810 and continuing to 1915. These documents are called "henkikirjat" in Finnish and mantallslängder in Swedish. The index includes those individuals who were recorded with first and last names or patronymics, usually the head of household or property owner. The images may also include given names, ages, and relationships of other family and household members.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
This record gives the names of all persons resident who are eligible to pay taxes. In addition to their names it generally provides their age or birth year, occupation, and relationship to the head of household. The information varies over time, and is generally more complete in later years. It also identifies the number of persons eligible to pay taxes, the number of persons exempt, their religious affiliation and after 1810 may also indicate if any hold a Russian passport.

1810, 1815, 1820, 1825, 1830
The following fields on this census may contain valuable genealogical information.

1835, 1840, 1845
The following fields on this census may contain valuable genealogical information.

1850, 1855, 1860
The following fields on this census may contain valuable genealogical information.

1865, 1870, 1875
The following fields on this census may contain valuable genealogical information.

1880, 1885
The following fields on this census may contain valuable genealogical information.

1890
The following fields on this census may contain valuable genealogical information.

1895, 1900, 1905, 1910, 1915
The following fields on this census may contain valuable genealogical information.

How Do I Search the Collection?
Fill in the search boxes on the Collection Page with the information you have. This will provide possible matches. Compare the information in the results to what you already know to determine if you found the correct person.

'''Search by Name by visiting the Collection Page.

'''View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page then:’’’ => Select the Province => Select the Village name => Select the Year which takes you to the images.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?
Update your records and determine if there is any new information supplied by this record. Decide how this information can help you continue your search to find additional information.

I Can’t Find Who I’m Looking for, What Now?

 * Consider expanding your search to neighboring villages. Consult a Finnish gazetteer to help you identify nearby areas.
 * 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
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image. Collection Citation:

Record Citation (or citation for the index entry): Image Citation