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Whether you are studying old family group records, looking for original sources to check or running a search in a database, knowing the county (the ''Län'') and the parish (the ''socken ''or''församling | Whether you are studying old family group records, looking for original sources to check or running a search in a database, knowing the county (the ''Län'') and the parish (the ''socken ''or''församling '') your ancestor lived in is vital to your Swedish family history research. It is also important to understand the difference between a County ([[Swedish Län|Län]]) and a Province ([[Swedish Landskap|Landskap]]) in Sweden. Although a Swedish ''landskap ''had political authority prior to 1634, they were not known as counties. This article offers a good introduction to the counties of Sweden with reference to changes through the years.<br> | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| [[Kalmar County, Sweden Genealogy|Kalmar]] | | [[Kalmar County, Sweden Genealogy|Kalmar]] | ||
| Kalmar County was created with the county organization of 1634, but did not have its current | | Kalmar County was created with the county organization of 1634, but did not have its current borders until the 1700’s. In many ways the county was divided in two areas a northern and a southern half until the 1970’s. The northern half had Västervik as its capital with Kalmar city as a capital for the southern half. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Karlstad | | Karlstad | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| [[Kopparberg County, Sweden Genealogy|Kopparberg]] | | [[Kopparberg County, Sweden Genealogy|Kopparberg]] | ||
| The administrative organization of Kopparberg County is unclear. In medieval times the province of Dalarna was often under the jurisdiction of Västerås castle. Gustav Vasa divided Dalarna into 2 jurisdictions. Gustav II Adolf and the guardian of Queen Kristina (while the queen was still underage) tried to establish a Bergslän which would include parts of Dalarna and Västmanland. | | The administrative organization of Kopparberg County is unclear. In medieval times the province of Dalarna was often under the jurisdiction of Västerås castle. Gustav Vasa divided Dalarna into 2 jurisdictions. Gustav II Adolf and the guardian of Queen Kristina (while the queen was still underage) tried to establish a Bergslän which would include parts of Dalarna and Västmanland. Interestingly, the county is sometimes referred to as Fahlu Län (meaning Falu County) on maps and other publications from the 1700's and 1800's. It was an unofficial name based on the County seat of Falun. A government Act in 1634 created a county called “Dalarna and Kopparberg”. A royal decree in 1647 renamed the county to be Kopparberg. The county kept this name until 1997 when it was renamed Dalarna County. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Kristianstad County, Sweden Genealogy|Kristianstad]] | | [[Kristianstad County, Sweden Genealogy|Kristianstad]] | ||
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| The province of Småland was its own county between 1679 and 1680. It’s now divided between the counties of Jönköping, Kronoberg and Kalmar. | | The province of Småland was its own county between 1679 and 1680. It’s now divided between the counties of Jönköping, Kronoberg and Kalmar. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Stockholm County, Sweden|Stockholm]] | | [[Stockholm County, Sweden Genealogy|Stockholm]] | ||
| | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Stockholms och Uppsala | | Stockholms och Uppsala | ||
| existed as one county between 1634 and | | existed as one county between 1634 and 1641 and was called Upplands län. Between 1641-1654 the counties were seperated. The counties were combined between 1655-1714. In 1714 the decision was made to reorganize Upplands län into the counties of Stockholm and Uppsala. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Stockholms överståthållarskap | | Stockholms överståthållarskap | ||
| was the name of the highest civilian management authority (a governor) for the City of Stockholm between July 29, 1634 and 1967. The Överståthållarskap was closed down by the end of 1967, | | was the name of the highest civilian management authority (a governor) for the City of Stockholm between July 29, 1634 and 1967. The Överståthållarskap was closed down by the end of 1967. In 1968, Stockholm City was merged with Stockholm County. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Svartsjö | | Svartsjö | ||
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| was a county between 1634 and 1646. It is now part of Dalarna County. | | was a county between 1634 and 1646. It is now part of Dalarna County. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Södermanland County, Sweden|Södermanland]] | | [[Södermanland County, Sweden Genealogy|Södermanland]] | ||
| The countys history goes back to 1683 when Södermanland was created by combining the three former Castle counties: Nyköping, Gripsholm, and Eskilstuna Counties. | | The countys history goes back to 1683 when Södermanland was created by combining the three former Castle counties: Nyköping, Gripsholm, and Eskilstuna Counties. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Uppsala County, Sweden|Uppsala]] | | [[Uppsala County, Sweden Genealogy|Uppsala]] | ||
| was established as a county in 1634. | | was established as a county in 1634. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Värmland County, Sweden|Värmland]] | | [[Värmland County, Sweden Genealogy|Värmland]] | ||
| Värmland County was created in 1779 from the earlier Närke och Värmland County. Sometimes this county is called Karlstads län because the capital city for this county is Karlstad. | | Värmland County was created in 1779 from the earlier Närke och Värmland County. Sometimes this county is called Karlstads län because the capital city for this county is Karlstad. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Västerbotten County, Sweden|Västerbotten]] | | [[Västerbotten County, Sweden Genealogy|Västerbotten]] | ||
| was created in 1638 from the county of Norrland. It covered the provinces of Västerbotten and the western part of Lappland and the entire area of Tornedalen. After the loss in the Finnish War in 1809, Sweden gave up Finland to Russia, including Västerbotten east of the Torne River and Muonio River. More changes came in 1810 with Nordmaling transferred to Västernorrland County. At the same time as a separation from the northern area forming Norrbotten. After some changes with municipalities in 1837, 1862, and 1869 Västerbottens boundaries have remained unchanged. | | was created in 1638 from the county of Norrland. It covered the provinces of Västerbotten and the western part of Lappland and the entire area of Tornedalen. After the loss in the Finnish War in 1809, Sweden gave up Finland to Russia, including Västerbotten east of the Torne River and Muonio River. More changes came in 1810 with Nordmaling transferred to Västernorrland County. At the same time as a separation from the northern area forming Norrbotten. After some changes with municipalities in 1837, 1862, and 1869 Västerbottens boundaries have remained unchanged. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Västernorrland County, Sweden|Västernorrland]] | | [[Västernorrland County, Sweden Genealogy|Västernorrland]] | ||
| was created in 1654 by combining Härnösand County and Hudiksvall County. In 1658 Jämtland and Härjedalen were ceded to becoming part of Trondheims County. They were reunited with Västernorrland in 1660. In 1762 the county was divided into two parts. The southern part became Gävle County. The northern part continued to be Västernorrland County with Sundsvall as its capital until 1778 when Härnösand took over this role. | | was created in 1654 by combining Härnösand County and Hudiksvall County. In 1658 Jämtland and Härjedalen were ceded to becoming part of Trondheims County. They were reunited with Västernorrland in 1660. In 1762 the county was divided into two parts. The southern part became Gävle County. The northern part continued to be Västernorrland County with Sundsvall as its capital until 1778 when Härnösand took over this role. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Västmanland County, Sweden|Västmanland]] | | [[Västmanland County, Sweden Genealogy|Västmanland]] | ||
| From the early 1500s up to 1719 it was divided between Västerås and Strömholm Counties. Västmanland was created in 1634. | | From the early 1500s up to 1719 it was divided between Västerås and Strömholm Counties. Västmanland was created in 1634. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Älvsborg County, Sweden|Älvsborg]] | | [[Älvsborg County, Sweden Genealogy|Älvsborg]] | ||
| was created in 1634. On Dec. 31, 1997 the county was dissolved, becoming part of the county of Västra Götaland on Jan. 1, 1998. | | was created in 1634. On Dec. 31, 1997 the county was dissolved, becoming part of the county of Västra Götaland on Jan. 1, 1998. | ||
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| The county of Öland was created in 1819 with its boundaries matching the island itself. It continued as a county until 1826 when it was combined with the county of Kalmar. The area belongs to the county of Kalmar today. | | The county of Öland was created in 1819 with its boundaries matching the island itself. It continued as a county until 1826 when it was combined with the county of Kalmar. The area belongs to the county of Kalmar today. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Örebro County, Sweden|Örebro]] | | [[Örebro County, Sweden Genealogy|Örebro]] | ||
| was created in 1779 from the earlier Närke och Värmland counties. | | was created in 1779 from the earlier Närke och Värmland counties. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Östergötland County, Sweden|Östergötland]] | | [[Östergötland County, Sweden Genealogy|Östergötland]] | ||
| was created in 1634. Has occasionally been called Linköping county. | | was created in 1634. Has occasionally been called Linköping county. | ||
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• On January 1, 1997 Kristianstads and Malmöhus Counties merged to a new county called Skåne. Skåne had been the provincial name of that geographic area back into medieval times. <br> | • On January 1, 1997 Kristianstads and Malmöhus Counties merged to a new county called Skåne. Skåne had been the provincial name of that geographic area back into medieval times. <br> | ||
• On January 1, 1998 Göteborg and Bohus County, Älvsborg County and Skaraborg County, with the exception of Habo and Mullsjö municipalities, were merged into one county called Västra Götaland. Habo and Mullsjö municipalities joined the county of Jönköping instead of becoming part of Västra Götaland. <br> | • On January 1, 1998 Göteborg and Bohus County, Älvsborg County and Skaraborg County, with the exception of Habo and Mullsjö municipalities, were merged into one county called Västra Götaland. Habo and Mullsjö municipalities joined the county of Jönköping instead of becoming part of Västra Götaland. <br> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
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• Swedish Wikipedia articles (in Swedish) at: http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Huvudsida <br> • Län abbreviations (in Swedish; [http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A4nsbokstav Länsbokstäver)]<br> | • Swedish Wikipedia articles (in Swedish) at: http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Huvudsida <br> • Län abbreviations (in Swedish; [http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A4nsbokstav Länsbokstäver)]<br> | ||
[[Category:Sweden]] | [[Category:Sweden History]] | ||