Starting Research in Norway: Difference between revisions

Step 1. Find the year of your ancestor's christening or baptism record. <br>Step 2. Find the entry for your ancestor. <br>Step 3. Find the entries for each brother and sister of your ancestor. <br>Step 4. Copy the information, and document your sources. <br>Step 5. Analyze the information you obtain from the christening record.&nbsp;<br><br>Beginning about 1500, but usually much later, churches required their clergy to keep christening (or baptism) records. Before 1814, the records should at least contain the christening date, the father's first name, the child's name, and generally the residence. The birth date, mother's name, and names of christening witnesses are sometimes given. A printed record format was introduced in 1814, which included columns for both parents' names, birth date, christening date, place of residence, names of witnesses, and other information.  

The earliest Norwegian church records date from 1623, though information about individual ministers may date to the 1500s. Most christening records began in the late 1600s after King Christian's law of 1686, which made the registration of christenings mandatory for all of Norway.&nbsp; At this time a separate copy of the parish registers were kept by the church warden/sexton.&nbsp; The priest and the church warden would get together at the end of the year and compare their books.&nbsp; If one parish register is difficult to read make sure you check the copy since the handwriting could be much better in the copy!