Beyond Parish Registers:A Case Study: Difference between revisions

Since Pernilla Jönsdtr, widow of Asmund Torson did not show up on the 1720 tax list, she was either too old to be taxed, or ill, or had died between 1711 and 1720.  We chose the middle point of that time period to begin searching the death records.  We worked our way from 1715 to 1719.  On 24 Apr 1719 the entry was found which reads, "Cast earth upon Pernilla, Asmun Torsson's (who) died 18th of the same month, age 68 years" = born @1651.       

The child bearing years of Elena Asmundsdotter's mother, Pernilla, could range from @1664 to @1702.  Accordingly, the first searches in the christening records of Vastra Karaby ran from 1688, when the records began, to 1703.  Three additional siblings were found - Lars, Gertru and Jöns!  There could have been 2 to 3 more children born between 1681 when Elena was born, and 1688, when the parish registers began.  If they survived to teen-age or beyond, their names could be picked up if they survived and married in Västra Karaby parish, or, if they can be identified working on someone else's farm in the tax lists.  

When Jöns Torsson and his brother Asmund Torsson's information is plotted out, ie. Jöns Torsson born @1623 and Asmund born @ 1644 as per their ages at death, it appears these two brothers may be the first and at least among the last children of Tor and Hanna. It's also possible that Jöns had a different mother, since there is 20 + years between them.

If any of Jöns and Asmund's siblings i.e. people surnamed "Torsson/Tordson" had had a 2nd or perhaps even third marriage in Västra Karaby, a search of those records could add more information to the family tree.  The catechism lists had provided the name of at least one probable sister, "Nilla Torsdtr" wife of Jöns Christensson.  There could still be other siblings, especially if a spouse had died and they had re-married, so a search of the marriage records ensued, covering the time period 1691 (when they began) to 1722.    

With all the information found in the parish registers, tax lists, and catechism records, the pedigree line for Asmund Jönsson, born in Barsebäck parish, now looks like this:  

<u>'''''(PULL IN FAMILY GROUP RECORDS)&nbsp;'''''</u>  

 

 

Obviously, such a study will not necessarily work if your ancestor is named Ola Olsson, and there are 4 or more of them in the parish at the same time.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, you don't know until you try - so, GO FOR IT!!!

'''''Ruth Maness, Senior Research Consultant, Family History Library - International Section, Scandinavian Unit.&nbsp;'''''&nbsp;