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The minister would generally designate a well-to-do farmer's house in the area as the place to come for the examination, so not everyone would have to make the sometimes long journey to the church. On the appointed day, they all gathered and had a personal interview with the minister. He asked them questions about Luther's Catechism and had them explain their understanding of and adherence to those principles. He also asked them about their prayers, if they occurred morning and evening and at meals. He asked them if they were following the Ten Commandments and other such questions. He also had them demonstrate their ability to read or not in the catechismal book or the Bible. | The minister would generally designate a well-to-do farmer's house in the area as the place to come for the examination, so not everyone would have to make the sometimes long journey to the church. On the appointed day, they all gathered and had a personal interview with the minister. He asked them questions about Luther's Catechism and had them explain their understanding of and adherence to those principles. He also asked them about their prayers, if they occurred morning and evening and at meals. He asked them if they were following the Ten Commandments and other such questions. He also had them demonstrate their ability to read or not in the catechismal book or the Bible. | ||
The results of this examination were then recorded at the parish level, in the Husförhörslängder ( | The results of this examination were then recorded at the parish level, in the Husförhörslängder (Household Examination Roll) as they are called in Sweden. In Finland, this record is called Rippikirjat (Communion book) or Lastenkirjat (pre-confirmation book). Each of these books could cover anywhere from a two- to twenty-year time period, depending upon the size of the parish. Normally, the book would cover the examination results of a five-year span. | ||
Each person was listed in the book under the name of the place where he or she lived at that time, in the household he or she belonged to. The first time the list was made, the owner, leaser, or head of the household residing at that place would normally be listed first, then the subsequent members of the household from the wife and children on down to the mother and father or mother-in-law, and even brothers and sisters who might be living there at that time. After that, the family members that were not related to the head of the household but who may have been working as farm hands or farm girls were listed. An unmarried farm hand or Dr. (Dräng) would also be listed later on the page after the family members. | Each person was listed in the book under the name of the place where he or she lived at that time, in the household he or she belonged to. The first time the list was made, the owner, leaser, or head of the household residing at that place would normally be listed first, then the subsequent members of the household from the wife and children on down to the mother and father or mother-in-law, and even brothers and sisters who might be living there at that time. After that, the family members that were not related to the head of the household but who may have been working as farm hands or farm girls were listed. An unmarried farm hand or Dr. (Dräng) would also be listed later on the page after the family members. | ||