Beyond Parish Registers:A Case Study: Difference between revisions

Following is a case study which used a combination of information found in Swedish births, marriages and deaths, Household examination rolls or communion records, catechism records and tax lists to extend a family tree branch 3 generations beyond the parish registers.  

*''Asmund Jönsson ''was born 11 Sep 1718 in Barsebäck parish, Malmohus County, Sweden to Jöns Jönsson and his wife Elena Asmundsdotter.  Asmund fathered 11 children and died in Barsebäck on 4 Feb 1768, age 50. 

NOTE: To check if a place name is a parish, you can consult the [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Swedish_Parishes_I-R Swedish parish listing ]in the FamilySearch wiki.  

A search of ''Svensk Ortforteckning'', a major Swedish gazetteer, listed ''Henkelstorp'' as a farm area belonging to Västra Karaby parish, also in Malmohus county.  

In 1712 the hoped for entry finally showed up i.e.  "the 4th Christmas Day (29 Dec 1712) married the farm hand (and bachelor) Jöns Jönsson of Henckelstorp, and "the female person" Elena Asmundsdotter."  

Normally, a Swedish female who had never been married before is referred to as a "Piga" in the records.  The phrase the minister used to describe Elena, i.e. "female person", indicated something had happened in her life previous to her marriage to Jöns.  Experience said that "something" was probably an illegitimate child.  Subsequent research proved that to be the case.   

Searching backwards from the date of Jöns and Elena's marriage, the following was found. "On 11 Jun 1712, Boel, the illegitimate daughter of "Asmon Tors.(son's)" dotter Elena from Henchelstorp and the soldier Mattis Hall, reportedly in Captain Vrangel's Company, Vestmanlan Regiments, was christened."  A further note in this entry indicates Elena was publicly absolved of her sin on 23 Nov 1712, at which time she had the district court's resolution or judgement in her posession.  

Jöns must have loved Elena a great deal as he was willing to marry her within 6 months of her having borne a child he had not fathered, and to raise the child as his own.  

Swedish tax lists were one of the records which could help with this.  The "Mantalslängder" (tax lists) exist from circa 1658 for the whole country, and from about 1580 for some areas of Sweden.  You can read more about the content and use of these records in the wiki under the topic of  "[https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Special:Search?fulltext=true&search=Sweden+Taxation Sweden - Taxation]."   

That article also gives the format of the tax lists and explains the columns&nbsp;( <u>/</u>&nbsp; _&nbsp; <u>/&nbsp;</u>&nbsp;<u>/</u>&nbsp;_ _ = 3 taxables)&nbsp; so you can understand what each mark means in the following extracts&nbsp;of information&nbsp;taken from the actual tax lists.  

Research premise: &nbsp;If the "Asmun Tors(son)" listed as Elena's father in the christening record of Elena's illegitimate child in 1712 was also there at Henckelstorp in the 1680, 1681, 1682, and/or 1683 tax lists when Elena was supposed to be born, that would lend great credence to the research conclusion that she was our ancestor, and that she was indeed born in Västra Karaby parish, as her death record information stated.  

The initial search through the tax rolls covered 1680-1720.&nbsp;&nbsp;It should be noted here as a point of research procedure - once you begin searching tax lists, search a VERY wide time frame, and do not skip years! A remark made one year, or a name found in one year's list may NEVER show up again.  

&nbsp;<br>Unfortunately, the tax lists&nbsp;for 1682, 1683, and 1685-1691 were missing.&nbsp; As you'll see, however, that deficiency was definitely overcome by the information found in extant tax lists, gathered after searching a large time frame.  

Sweden 1691 Tax List - Page 4 https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/File:Sweden_1691_Tax_List0004.jpg  

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Asmun Torson 1 1 _ _ _ _ 1= 3 taxables (Asmund, a wife, and an "other" person taxable)  

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;#6 Asmun Torson 1, (wife) Pernilla _ 1, (dau) Boel _ _ _ 1 = 3 taxables&nbsp;  

Sweden 1700 Tax List - Page 1 https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/File:Sweden_1700_Tax_List_p10001.jpg  

<br><br>'''''DO YOU SEE HOW THE TAX LISTS COULD BE HELPFUL IN YOUR RESEARCH&nbsp;- A&nbsp;SIBLING IS FOUND, AND THE NAMES OF THE WIVES AND PROBABLE MOTHERS OF THE CHILDREN ARE LISTED!&nbsp;!'''''  

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #6&nbsp; Asmun Torson 1, (wife) Pernilla _ 1, Lars (farmhand) &nbsp;_ _ _ _ _ _1&nbsp; = 3 taxables  

<br>1705&nbsp;p. 587&nbsp; Hänkelstorp '''(Note:&nbsp; Book burned - parts missing around the edges''')&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Adding such pieces of information to your extracts and/or research logs is adviseable, as it lets you know why pieces of information that logically should be in that record couldn't be found and/or read.  

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; #2&nbsp;&nbsp;Jöns Torson 1, (wife) Gertru _ 1, _ _ Niels (farmhand)1 = 3 taxables,  

Sweden 1705 Tax List - Page 5 https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/File:Sweden_1705_Tax_List0005.jpg  

1709, p. 683&nbsp;Hänkelstorp&nbsp; #2&nbsp; Anders&nbsp;Jönsson 1 _ _ _ , (farmhand) Anders 1, (farmgirl) Ellsa&nbsp; 1  

The parish register deaths show Asmon Torsson died betweeen 4th &amp; 5th of Jan,&nbsp;1711, having been sick for 8 days.&nbsp; He was buried on 11 Jan, and was&nbsp;listed as age 67 = born @ 1643/4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  

The next available tax list was 1720.&nbsp; The only person listed at Henckelstorp, of those for whom we were searching,&nbsp;was Anders&nbsp;Jönsson, Asmund Torsson's nephew, and his family.&nbsp; That indicates Pernilla, Asmund's wife, was either too old or ill to be taxed, or, had also passed away.  

<br>A search of the parish register deaths showed the latter was the case.&nbsp; "Pernilla, widow of Asmun Torson died 18 Apr and was buried 24 Apr 1719, age 68" = born about 1651.  

(pull im death image here)  

Now we had a partial family structure - more records could be searched to try and add generations!  

The&nbsp;first available list was dated 1658.&nbsp; Living at Henkelstorp was "Jenns Tordsen, (his) wife, (a) female farmhand, and Tord Andersen and wife.&nbsp; The name "Tord" is not the most common of names, so, we took a bit of license and made the assumption, until otherwise proved false,&nbsp;this was probably Jöns and Asmund Tordson (Torsson's)&nbsp;father.&nbsp;&nbsp;Information from the tax lists has extended this family tree branch yet another generation!  

Sweden 1658 Tax List - Page 1 https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/File:Sweden_1658_Tax_List0001.jpg  

Sweden 1663 Tax List - Page 7 https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/File:Sweden_1663_Tax_List0007.jpg  

In 1664 and 1665 Tor Andersson and Jöns are still there. Sweden 1664 Tax List - Page 1 https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/File:Sweden_1664_Tax_List0001.jpg  

<br>Note:&nbsp; Original images of church, probate, and some tax&nbsp;records are being put online at [http://www.svar.ra.se/ SVAR]. (Swedish Archive Information)  

Jôns Torson and wife (1 1&nbsp; _ _ _) appear in the extant 1670, 1671, 1672, and 1675 lists - still residing at Henckelstorp.&nbsp; In 1672, a possible brother of&nbsp;Jôns and Asmund appears i.e.&nbsp;a Måns Thorson and wife, also&nbsp;listed at Henckelstorp.&nbsp; They did not&nbsp;appear before that, and they never appear after.&nbsp; That shows again why <u>'''''it is so very important''''' once you have begun a&nbsp;tax list search, to search every extant year, and a&nbsp;wide time frame.</u>  

Sweden 1675 Tax List - Page 6 https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/File:Sweden_1675_Tax_List0006.jpg  

The next available list was 1680 where we started the search in the tax lists. '''''(See Step 4)'''''&nbsp;It is interesting to&nbsp;note that both Jöns Torson and Asmund Torson are&nbsp;listed as single taxables i.e. no wives&nbsp;being taxed.&nbsp; Perhaps that is the year&nbsp;Jôns first wife died, and Asmund had not yet married.&nbsp; We can't say for sure, as the parish registers don't exist, but, it is something to consider.  

&nbsp;{PULL IN LI NK TO VASTRA KARABY PARISH LISTING}  

A study of the catechism record for&nbsp;Västra Karaby parish show&nbsp;their format was to list the&nbsp;names of the heads of household and the names&nbsp;of confirmation age&nbsp;children who&nbsp;resided in that household.&nbsp; These could be&nbsp;their own child (children), and/or the farmhands and farmgirls working for them,&nbsp; It is possible the head of the house was responsible for seeing that these young people knew their Lutheran catechism. Because not every household had confirmation age children, the catechism lists for Västra Karaby do not necessarily reflect all households in the parish.  

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; dau Lisebeet&nbsp;Jönsdtr&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5 parts&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "  

Jôns Thorson&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;son Anders&nbsp;Jônsson&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5 parts&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "  

wife Gäeretrud Andersdtr&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; dau Anna Jönsdtr&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5 parts&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "  

Asmun Torson&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; dau Boeld Asmunsdtr&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2 parts&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "&nbsp; (possibly a younger child who hadn't  

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'''maiden name!)'''&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kierstiene)  

1699&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Asmun Torson&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (note that this year, the record keeper decided '''not to list '''the names of the wives, only the head  

dau Anne  

4 Jul 1701  

Since Pernilla Jönsdtr, widow of Asmund Torson did not show up on the 1720 tax list, she was either too&nbsp;old to be taxed, or ill, or had died between 1711&nbsp;and 1720.&nbsp; We chose the middle point of that time period to begin searching the death records.&nbsp; We worked our way from 1715 to 1719.&nbsp; 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 circa 1651.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  

Depending upon when Asmund and Pernilla married, (between about 1671 and 1681 when Elena was born), there could be several more children belonging to the familiy.&nbsp; In fact, we know from the catechism records and the tax lists Elena had at least two siblings, Boeld and Kierstene.  

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

{NOTE:&nbsp; ADD FGS FOR ASMUND &amp; PERNILLA SHOWING ALL&nbsp;CHILDREN TO DATE}&nbsp;  

Jöns Torsson, Asmund's brother, and&nbsp;Jöns' wife Gertru disappeared off the tax rolls between 1705 and 1709.&nbsp; Searches of the death records began in 1705 since, if the tax list was taken early in the year, they could have died the latter part of the year. As the records show, both of them died in 1708.&nbsp; "10 Apr 1708 buried&nbsp;Jöns Torsson's wife Giertrud who died&nbsp;the 1st of April&nbsp; (after)&nbsp;becoming sick on 25 March.&nbsp; Age 66 years &amp; 20 weeks"&nbsp;= born approximately Nov of 1641.&nbsp;  

"The 4th Dec (1708) cast earth upon&nbsp;Jöns Torsson of Henckelstorp who in the night between the 25th and 26th of November died; many years sick, bedridden 1 month.&nbsp; Age 85 years" = born circa 1623.  

(pull in imge here)  

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

<u>'''''4 Dec 1712 dr. Jöns Jönsson of Henckelstorp and the "Qvindfolket" Elna Asmunsdtr'''''</u>  

**Dom Mis. (19 Apr) 1713 Täle Pärsson of Henckelstorp and (the) pigen Ingrid Pärsdtr..."(whose) "faster" (father's sister is (the) selig (deceased) Gertrud, Jöns Tors' in Henckelstorp"&nbsp;&nbsp;

**Note that the minister didn't always list the day dates for life events.&nbsp; Many times the name of the feast day, or the name for that Sunday was given.&nbsp; For an explanation of this type of system, and a an explanation of how to turn "feast day dates" into a day date, click on the following link.

{PULL IN LINK TO ARTICLE ON[https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Scandinavia:_Feast_Day_Calendar FEAST DAY DATES]}  

<br>The last set of records to be searched were the deaths.&nbsp;&nbsp;We began with the first entry in 1691, and continued to 1741.  

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

&nbsp; The family group sheets belonging to that line now appear like this:  

It is hoped this case study will give you ideas and direction as to how you might extend your own family tree lines beyond parish registers.&nbsp; If the records exist, search them!  

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!!!  

[[Category:Sweden]]