Sweden Probate Records: Difference between revisions

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In Sweden, at the time of a person’s death, it was common practice to conduct an inventory of the estate of the deceased. This post mortem inventory is called in Swedish “''bouppteckning''”. All household items, as well as personal effects of the deceased were inventoried and assigned a monetary value. The inventory was conducted by court-appointed appraisers called “''värderingsmän''”. At the conclusion of the inventory, the appraisers turned the probate (inventory) over to the court for probate.  
In Sweden, the Act of 1734 made it mandatory to conduct an inventory of the estate of the deceased. This legal proceeding is called in Swedish “''bouppteckning''”.  


'''Court''' was held on a quarterly basis and each session took its name from the season of the year in which the court was held:
Soon after a death, the heirs assembled at the home of the deceased along with the court-appointed appraisers called “''värderingsmän''” who were experienced in the required procedures and legalities. All household items, as well as personal effects of the deceased were recorded and assigned a monetary value so that they could be properly divided between the heirs. At the conclusion of the inventory, the appraisers turned the probate (inventory) over to the court for probate, which took place at the next court session.


*''Vintertinget'' – winter court (December, January, & February)
Between two and four court sessions were held each year. Each session took its name from the season of the year in which the court was held:
*''Vårtinget ''– spring court (March, April, & May)
*''Sommartinget'' – summer court (June, July, & August)
*''Hösttinget'' – autumn court (September, October, & November)


At death, the deceased’s estate was sealed for 30 days to allow all legal heirs the opportunity to assemble at the home of the deceased prior to the inventory. Heirs were permitted to be physically present for the inventory, if they so desired. If heirs were living overseas, then the estate could be sealed for up to a year.
*''Vintertinget'' – winter court (December, January, & February) 
*''Vårtinget'' – spring court (March, April, & May)
*''Sommartinget'' – summer court (June, July, & August) 
*''Hösttinge''t – autumn court (September, October, & November)


Personal effects and household items were grouped by subtitles for the "'''''inventory"'''''. For example, probate subtitles might include:
All probating was done by the district court (''häradstinge''t) for rural parishes or by the city court (''rådhusrätten'') for those living in a city. Nobility had the privilege of having their probate processed by the court of appeals (''hovrätten'') between the years 1737 and 1916.  


*Gold (guld),  
The "''bouppteckning"'' was to be performed within a year of death but it was not uncommon that it would drag out for a year or two. However, most were within 3 months.  
*silver (silfver),
*pewter (tenn),
*books (böcker),
*clothing (gångkläder, sängkläder)
*linen (linnetyg),
*cattle (kreatur),
*horses (hästar),
*debts (skulder),
*assets (tillgångar), etc.


The “'''''preamble'''''” of the probate contains the most genealogical information. In the preamble, you will normally find:
Although a probate was obligated with death, often it was made only for the wife or husband which ever died first. Other factors could also decrease the odds of finding a probate such as being unmarried, poverty, youth, or a lax court system. Some probates have been lost due to poor storage or the destruction of the records for many reasons. Odds of finding a probate are increased for married persons, especially if leaving minor children. Also if the person had significant assets and/or a high social status they are more likely to have had a probate. In any event it is always worth checking to see if a probate exists.


*The name of the surviving spouse
The probate is usually made up of two main parts, the preamble and the list of inventory . To that may be added a closing statement with the signatures of the heirs or just their initials. Sometimes the probate record is followed by a record of the division and distribution of the property among the heirs called “''arvskifte''” in Swedish.
*The names of sons, their ages, and residences
*The names of daughters, their ages, and residences
*The names of sons-in-law, if any daughters are married
*The names of guardians for under-aged or minor heirs
*The names of grandchildren, if their related parent to the deceased is dead
*The name of the place of residence (farm or village) of the deceased


Some '''important insights''' to remember about probates:  
<br>Some '''important insights''' to remember about probates:  


*Male heirs became of age at marriage or if not married, at age 25 years  
*Male heirs became of age at marriage or if not married, at age 25 years  
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