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=== General Historical Background === | === General Historical Background === | ||
Christianity came to Norway around 1152 to 1153 in the form of the Catholic church. The church was organized with an archbishop in Nidaros (now Trondheim), with ten bishop seats under him: four in Norway, two in Iceland, one in Greenland, one in the | Christianity came to Norway around 1152 to 1153 in the form of the Catholic church. The church was organized with an archbishop in Nidaros (now Trondheim), with ten bishop seats under him: four in Norway, two in Iceland, one in Greenland, one in the Faeroe Islands, one in the Orkney Islands, and one in the Hebrides Islands and Isle of Man. | ||
From the time of the Reformation in 1536, Norway became a Lutheran nation. From then until 1843 it was against the law to practice the Roman Catholic religion in Norway. Notable exceptions include Catholic congregations in Fredrikstad (since 1682), Kristiansand (since 1686), and Oslo (Kristiania) (since 1843). A few Quakers were also allowed to live near Stavanger in 1826, provided that they did not move out of the area. | From the time of the Reformation in 1536, Norway became a Lutheran nation. From then until 1843 it was against the law to practice the Roman Catholic religion in Norway. Notable exceptions include Catholic congregations in Fredrikstad (since 1682), Kristiansand (since 1686), and Oslo (Kristiania) (since 1843). A few Quakers were also allowed to live near Stavanger in 1826, provided that they did not move out of the area. | ||
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Because of concerns over possible destruction of church books by fire or loss, the Ordinance of 1812 required that a duplicate register be kept in a separate place. These records, called klokker bøker (clerk books), were kept by the parish clerk. The clerk books are designated as such in the FamilySearch Catalog by the use of "kl" to the left of the volume and time period of the record. | Because of concerns over possible destruction of church books by fire or loss, the Ordinance of 1812 required that a duplicate register be kept in a separate place. These records, called klokker bøker (clerk books), were kept by the parish clerk. The clerk books are designated as such in the FamilySearch Catalog by the use of "kl" to the left of the volume and time period of the record. | ||
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=== History of the Church Records === | === History of the Church Records === | ||
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After the Reformation in 1536 the Evangelical Lutheran Church became the state or national church of Norway, and as such was an arm of the national government. The head of the church was a cabinet member, Kirke- og Undervisningsminister (Secretary of Church and Education). There was no ordinary civil registration organized and in earlier times all registration was entrusted to the ministers of the Evangelical Church, and up to May of 2012 it was the clergy who by entries in the church registers were responsible for the greatest part of this work. Most of these records are available online at Digitalarkivet (Digital Archives) of Norway; as well as on microfilm at the Family History Library. | After the Reformation in 1536 the Evangelical Lutheran Church became the state or national church of Norway, and as such was an arm of the national government. The head of the church was a cabinet member, Kirke- og Undervisningsminister (Secretary of Church and Education). There was no ordinary civil registration organized and in earlier times all registration was entrusted to the ministers of the Evangelical Church, and up to May of 2012 it was the clergy who by entries in the church registers were responsible for the greatest part of this work. Most of these records are available online at Digitalarkivet (Digital Archives) of Norway; as well as on microfilm at the Family History Library. | ||
You may also be able to find more recent family by contacting the Folkeregister (Register of Vital Statistics) but only if you are a direct line | You may also be able to find more recent family by contacting the Folkeregister (Register of Vital Statistics) but only if you are a direct line descendent. | ||
There was no civil registration organized in earlier times when all registration was entrusted to the minister of the Evangelical Church, and for the purpose of this class these are the records we will learn about.<br> | There was no civil registration organized in earlier times when all registration was entrusted to the minister of the Evangelical Church, and for the purpose of this class these are the records we will learn about.<br> | ||
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=== Information Recorded in Church Records === | === Information Recorded in Church Records === | ||
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=== How soon after birth should a child be christened in Norway === | === How soon after birth should a child be christened in Norway === | ||
[[ | [[Image:Norway Christening Record EM.jpg|right|400px|Norway Christening Record EM.jpg]] | ||
How soon after birth should a child be christened in Norway? <br>To find an answer to this question you should consult the Norwegian Encyclopedia “Store Norske Leksikon” available online. | How soon after birth should a child be christened in Norway? <br>To find an answer to this question you should consult the Norwegian Encyclopedia “Store Norske Leksikon” available online. | ||
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Baptism was deemed as necessary to be “saved”, and it was only the clergy who should perform the baptism. However, this caused a problem, as children were usually born at home, many on a farm far away from the parish church, or where the minister resided. It was impossible for the minister to baptize every child in the congregation within a few days unless the child was brought to the church. | Baptism was deemed as necessary to be “saved”, and it was only the clergy who should perform the baptism. However, this caused a problem, as children were usually born at home, many on a farm far away from the parish church, or where the minister resided. It was impossible for the minister to baptize every child in the congregation within a few days unless the child was brought to the church. | ||
This brings up another question. Who should baptize the child? Often a child died shortly after birth, and there was no time for the minister to get there. Therefore it was necessary to give instructions about how an infant was to be baptized. Clean water was to be used, but in some cases beer was used if clean water could not be found. If an infant looked sickly or death was imminent, the baptism could be performed by the father of the child, the midwife or even the mother. In the church records you will often see en entry that a child had been baptized (hjemmedøbt) at home. This baptism, if the child lived, would be confirmed by the minister in the church at a later time. The confirmation of a christening or baptism is not to be confused with the confirmation process that took place when a child was between 13-18 years of age.<br><br> | This brings up another question. Who should baptize the child? Often a child died shortly after birth, and there was no time for the minister to get there. Therefore it was necessary to give instructions about how an infant was to be baptized. Clean water was to be used, but in some cases beer was used if clean water could not be found. If an infant looked sickly or death was imminent, the baptism could be performed by the father of the child, the midwife or even the mother. In the church records you will often see en entry that a child had been baptized (hjemmedøbt) at home. This baptism, if the child lived, would be confirmed by the minister in the church at a later time. The confirmation of a christening or baptism is not to be confused with the confirmation process that took place when a child was between 13-18 years of age.<br><br> | ||
=== '''Introductions''' === | === '''Introductions''' === | ||
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In the middle ages it was against the law to delay a christening of a child longer than absolutely necessary. The Norwegian law of 1687 states that the christening of a child must take place within 8 days of the birth. This law was abolished in 1771, but still in the 1800's children were usually christened 1 to 3 days after the birth. Since the general belief was that christening was necessary to obtain salvation, the clergy of the church early on gave permission to others to perform christenings. During the middle ages education was given on how a person was to perform the christening. Flexibility was given as to where a child should be christened, especially from year 1000 and later. The ideal place was the parish church, but in case of an emergancy it could be performed anywhere. | In the middle ages it was against the law to delay a christening of a child longer than absolutely necessary. The Norwegian law of 1687 states that the christening of a child must take place within 8 days of the birth. This law was abolished in 1771, but still in the 1800's children were usually christened 1 to 3 days after the birth. Since the general belief was that christening was necessary to obtain salvation, the clergy of the church early on gave permission to others to perform christenings. During the middle ages education was given on how a person was to perform the christening. Flexibility was given as to where a child should be christened, especially from year 1000 and later. The ideal place was the parish church, but in case of an emergancy it could be performed anywhere. | ||
To learn more about how soon after birth a child was to be christened [[How soon after birth should a child be christened in Norway?|click here]]. | To learn more about how soon after birth a child was to be christened [[How soon after birth should a child be christened in Norway?|click here]]. | ||
=== Confirmation (Konfirmasjon) === | === Confirmation (Konfirmasjon) === | ||
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After 1830's the parents names were also listed | After 1830's the parents names were also listed | ||
See [[Norway: Confirmation (Konfirmasjon)|Confirmation (Konfirmasjon)]] for more information. | See [[Norway: Confirmation (Konfirmasjon)|Confirmation (Konfirmasjon)]] for more information. | ||
=== Marriages (Viede, Vigde, Copulerede) === | === Marriages (Viede, Vigde, Copulerede) === | ||
[[ | [[Image:Norway Marriages 1716-1763.jpg|right|400px|Norway Marriages 1716-1763.jpg]] | ||
Information found in marriage records: | Information found in marriage records: | ||
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[[Norway Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Norway Marriages, (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | [[Norway Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Norway Marriages, (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
See [[Norway: Marriage (Vielse)|marriage]] customs | See [[Norway: Marriage (Vielse)|marriage]] customs | ||
=== Burials (Begravede) === | === Burials (Begravede) === | ||
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*As you go back in time you might find the name of wives husbands. | *As you go back in time you might find the name of wives husbands. | ||
Burial records may exist for individuals who were born before birth records and marriage records were kept. Some or all of the information can be found in the death and burial records. There is usually less information the farther back in time you search. | Burial records may exist for individuals who were born before birth records and marriage records were kept. Some or all of the information can be found in the death and burial records. There is usually less information the farther back in time you search. | ||
See [[Norway: Burials (Begravelse)|Burials (Begravelse)]] for information on burial customs. | See [[Norway: Burials (Begravelse)|Burials (Begravelse)]] for information on burial customs. '''A wiki article describing an online collections is found at:''' [[Norway Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Norway Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
'''A wiki article describing an online collections is found at:''' | |||
[[Norway Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Norway Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | |||
=== Norway Church Records arrivals and removals (Tilgangslister - Afgangslister) === | === Norway Church Records arrivals and removals (Tilgangslister - Afgangslister) === | ||
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The arrival records may list the person's name, age or birth date, occupation, former residence, and new residence. The departure lists give similar information. These records are important sources for following the movement of the working class. They often include citations given to people leaving a parish for North America. | The arrival records may list the person's name, age or birth date, occupation, former residence, and new residence. The departure lists give similar information. These records are important sources for following the movement of the working class. They often include citations given to people leaving a parish for North America. | ||
See [[Norway: Arrivals/Departures (Innflyttede/Uttflyttdede)|Arrivals/Departures]] for more information. Most of the birth, marriage, and death records are available on the Internet at Digitalarkivet (Digital Archives) of Norway. | See [[Norway: Arrivals/Departures (Innflyttede/Uttflyttdede)|Arrivals/Departures]] for more information. Most of the birth, marriage, and death records are available on the Internet at Digitalarkivet (Digital Archives) of Norway. | ||
=== Vaccination (Vaksinasjon) === | === Vaccination (Vaksinasjon) === | ||
During the last part of 1700's smallpox vaccination was encouraged in Norway, and records of those vaccinated can be found in the parish register. In the early records the pastor listed all the children vaccinated on a particular day. These records may also list the person who performed the vaccination. After 1814 this information was sometimes added as a notation on the christening record. The main genealogical value of vaccination records is to show that a person resided in a parish at a given time. When the vaccination date is given in more than one record it can also be a way to verify that the person you have is the right one by comparing those dates. | During the last part of 1700's smallpox vaccination was encouraged in Norway, and records of those vaccinated can be found in the parish register. In the early records the pastor listed all the children vaccinated on a particular day. These records may also list the person who performed the vaccination. After 1814 this information was sometimes added as a notation on the christening record. The main genealogical value of vaccination records is to show that a person resided in a parish at a given time. When the vaccination date is given in more than one record it can also be a way to verify that the person you have is the right one by comparing those dates. | ||
=== Locating Church Records === | === Locating Church Records === | ||
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You may also search for an ancestor in the follwing database, however it is not as complete as the one for the Digital Archives (Digitalarkivet) as many of the parish records have not been transcribed. | You may also search for an ancestor in the follwing database, however it is not as complete as the one for the Digital Archives (Digitalarkivet) as many of the parish records have not been transcribed. | ||
Registreringssentral for historiske data<br>Ekspedisjon Universitetet i Tromsø<br>N-9037 Tromsø<br>Norway<br>Telephone: 47 77 64 41 81<br>Internet: [http://www.rhd.uit.no/indexeng.htmlThe Norwegian Historical Data Centre]<br> | Registreringssentral for historiske data<br>Ekspedisjon Universitetet i Tromsø<br>N-9037 Tromsø<br>Norway<br>Telephone: 47 77 64 41 81<br>Internet: [http://www.rhd.uit.no/indexeng.htmlThe Norwegian Historical Data Centre]<br> | ||
=== Children of other Denominations (Barn fra andre trossamfunn) === | === Children of other Denominations (Barn fra andre trossamfunn) === | ||
Children of other denominations should be listed in the Lutheran church records up to 1969, but this did not always happen. Children of Jewish descent are usually not listed in the Lutheran church records. They are listed in their own records, which by law should have been reported to the Amtmann and Magistrat (county officials) yearly from 1846-1891. The County official was to bring the records to the State Archive, but unfortunately these lists are not complete. However, children of other denominations are always listed in the fødselsregister (Registers of Vital Statistics). | Children of other denominations should be listed in the Lutheran church records up to 1969, but this did not always happen. Children of Jewish descent are usually not listed in the Lutheran church records. They are listed in their own records, which by law should have been reported to the Amtmann and Magistrat (county officials) yearly from 1846-1891. The County official was to bring the records to the State Archive, but unfortunately these lists are not complete. However, children of other denominations are always listed in the fødselsregister (Registers of Vital Statistics). | ||
=== Birth Clinics (Fødeklinikker) === | === Birth Clinics (Fødeklinikker) === | ||