Finnish Genealogical Word List
This list contains Finnish words with their English translations. The words included here are those that you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a Finnish-English dictionary (see the "Additional Resources" section below).
Finnish is related to Estonian and distantly related to Hungarian. It is not related to other European languages. The official languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish. Until the end of the 1800s, records were kept in Swedish. For help reading those records, see the Swedish Genealogical Word List(31028). Some Latin phrases also appear in older Finnish parish registers. For help, use the Latin Genealogical Word List (34077).
LANGUAGE CHARACTERISTICS
Variant Forms of Words
In Finnish, as in English, the forms of some words will vary according to how they are used in a sentence. Who—whose—whom or marry—marries—married are examples of words in English with variant forms.
As you read Finnish records, be aware that the endings of most words vary with usage. One word in Finnish often translates into English as two or more words. For example, talo (house) changes to talossa (in the house).
Plurals. Finnish indicates the plural of a word in two ways:
* The letter t is added to nouns that have no other endings. For example, talo (house) becomes talot(houses). * The letter i is added if the noun has another ending. For example, talossa (in the house) becomes taloissa (in the houses).
Possessives. In addition to or instead of using words like my and theirs, Finnish adds endings to words to show possession. If a word already has another ending on it, the possessive ending appears at the end of the word. For example, see how possessives change the words talo (house) and talossa (in the house):
his house hänen talonsa in his house hänen talossansa
See Table 1 for a more complete description of possessives.
Prepositions and postpositions. In English, words like in, on, with, before, and after are prepositions. They come before a noun. For example, in the house.
Depending on the various grammar rules, Finnish prepositions may appear in one of three ways:
* They may come before the noun. For example, ennen sotaa (before the war). * They may come after the noun. (In this case, it is called a postposition.) For example, sodan jälkeen(after the war). * They may be added to the noun. For example Helsinki becomes Helsinkiin (into Helsinki). Table 2, on the next page, contains other examples.
Word endings. Endings are also added to words for other grammatical purposes. See Tables 1 and 3 for other examples.
Table 1. Possessive Endings
Possessive and Ending Meaning Examples: talo (house), talossa (in the house) Translation minun, -ni my talo » minun talonitalo » minun talossani house » my househouse » in my house sinun-, si your (singular) talo » sinun talositalo » sinun talossasi house » your househouse » in your house hänen, -nsa, -nsä or double vowel + n his, her talo » hänen talonsatalo » hänen talossansatalo » hänen talossaan house » his (her) househouse » in his (her) househouse » in his (her) house meidän -mme our talo » meidän talommetalo » meidän talossamme house » our househouse » in our house teidän, -nne your (plural) talo » teidän talonnetalo » teidän talossanne house » your househouse » in your house heidän, -nsa, -nsä or double vowel + n their talo » heidän talonsa talo » heidän talossansatalo » heidän talossaan house » their househouse » in their househouse » in their house
Table 2. Prepositional Endings on Nouns
Ending Basic Meaning Example Translation -a, -ä, -ta, -t of, some suku » sukua family » of a family -in by means of, with oma käsi » omin ksin one’s own hands » with one’s own hands -ine + a possessive ending (see Table 1) together with lapsi » lapsinensa or lapsineen child » together with his (her or their) children -ksi changed into, become vaimo » otti vaimoksi wife » took for a wife or became a wife -lla, -llä at, by, in Tampere » Tampereella Tampere » in (at) Tampere -lle to Tampere » Tampereelle Tampere » to Tampere -lta, -ltä from Tampere » Tampereelta Tampere » from Tampere -n of talo » talon väki house » people of the house -na, -nä as lapsi » lapsena child » as a child -ssa, -ssä in Helsinki » Helsingissä Helsinki » in Helsinki double vowel + n into Helsinki » Helsinkiin Helsinki » into Helsinki -sta, -stä from Helsinki » Helsingistä Helsinki » from Helsinki
Table 3. Other Word Endings
Ending Basic Meaning Example Translation -t forms a plural talo » talot house » houses -ko, -k indicates a question Helsingissä » Helsingissäkö in Helsinki » in Helsinki? -ton without, -less, un- lapsi » lapseton child » childless -tta, -ttä (on verbs) without nähdä » näkemätt to see » without seeing -n, -t shows a direct object talo » näen talon talo » näen talot house » I see the house house » I see the houses
Ending: -lla, -ll followed by a form of the verb olla (to be): on, ei ole, oli, ei ollut, on ollut, or ei ole ollut Basic Meaning: shows possession or ownership (to have)
Example Translation
Anna » Annalla on Anna » Anna has Anna Toivonen » Anna Toivosella oli Anna Toivonen » Anna Toivonen had minä » minulla on ollut I » I have had sinä » sinulla oli you (singular) » you had hän » hänellä oli he/she » he/she had me » meillä ei ole ollut we » we have not had te » teillä on you (plural) » you have he » heillä ei ole they » they do not have
Spelling Changes
When an ending is added to a word, the consonants within that word may also change. Consider the following examples:
Letters that Change Examples ht to hd lahti to lahden k to (nothing) Ilmajoki to Ilmajoen kk to k kirkko to kirkon lt to ll ilta to illan mp to mm lampi to lammen n to s Heinonen to Heinosen nk to ng Helsinki to Helsingin nt to nn isäntä to isännn p to v orpo to orvon pp to p pappi to papin rk to r Turku to Turun rt to rr virta to virran s to d or t uusi to uuden, uuteen tt to t tyttö to tytön uku to uvu suku to suvun vowel+t to vowel+d iti to idin
Alphabetical Order
Written Finnish uses three letters in addition to the twenty-six letters used in the English alphabet: ä, ö, and for Swedish names, å. Finnish dictionaries and indexes, this word list, and the Locality Search of the Family History Library CatalogLook this term up in the glossary. all use the following alphabetical order:
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z å ä ö
The letters v and w are frequently alphabetized as the same letter.
Finnish Genealogical Word List
Table of Contents Language Characteristics Additional Resources Key Words General Word List
Ä Numbers Dates
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
This word list includes only the words most commonly found in genealogical sources. For more help, use a Finnish-English dictionary. Several such dictionaries are available at the Family History LibraryLook this term up in the glossary. in the Scandinavia collection. Their call numbers begin with 494.541321. The following dictionary is also available on microfilmLook this term up in the glossary. for use in Family History CentersLook this term up in the glossary.:
Alanne, V. S. Suomalais-englantilainen suursanakirja [Great Finnish-English Dictionary]. 3rd ed. Porvoo: Werner Söderström Osakeyhtiö, 1968. (FHL film 1224706 item 3.)
Additional dictionaries are listed in the Subject Search of the Family History Library Catalog under FINNISH LANGUAGE - DICTIONARIES or in the Locality Search under FINLAND - LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGES - DICTIONARIES.
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KEY WORDS
To find and use specific types of Finnish records, you will need to know some key words in Finnish. This section gives key genealogical terms in English and the Finnish words with the same or similar meanings.
For example, in the first column you will find the English word marriages. In the second column you will find Finnish words with meanings such as marry, marriage, wedding, wedlock, unite, legitimate, joined,and other words used in Finnish records to indicate marriage.
English Finnish banns kuulutetut baptism kastetut, kaste-, ristimä- births syntyneet, synty- burials haudatut, hauta-, hauda- child lapsi christenings (See baptism.) confirmations rippilapset, ripille päässeet deaths kuolleet, kuoli- father isä husband mies, aviomies marriages vihityt, vihki-, naim-, avio- month kuukausi, kuu mother äiti name (given name) nimi, etunimi, kastenimi, ristimänimi name (surname) (suku)nimi parents vanhemmat parishs seurakunta, kunta wife vaimo, aviovaimo year vuosi, vuoden, vuonna
Finnish Genealogical Word List
Table of Contents Language Characteristics Additional Resources Key Words General Word List
Ä Numbers Dates
GENERAL WORD LIST
This general word list includes words commonly seen in genealogical sources. Numbers, months, and days of the week are listed both here and in separate sections that follow this list.
In this list, optional versions of Finnish words or variable endings are given in parentheses. Parentheses in the English column clarify the meaning.
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| aamu | morning |
| aamulla | in the morning |
| aamupäivä | forenoon |
| aateli(nen) | noble |
| aatelisto | nobility |
| aatto | eve |
| aika | time, date |
| aikainen | early, (a.m.) |
| aikaisempi | earlier |
| aikakauskirja | periodical |
| aikanaan | in due time |
| aina | always |
| ainoa | only |
| aivokuume | encephalitis, inflammation of the brain |
| aivotärähdys | concussion |
| ajaja | coachman |
| ajomies | coachman |
| ala, ali | low(er), under |
| alaikäinen | minor, underaged |
| alla | under |
| allekirjoittanut | undersigned |
| alue | region, district |
| alus | ship |
| ammatti | profession, occupation |
| annettu | given |
| anoppi | mother-in-law |
| appi | father-in-law |
| appivanhemmat | parents-in-law |
| apteekkari | pharmacist, druggist |
| arkisto | archive |
| arkistoluettelo | archive list |
| arvo | title, rank, status |
| asema | station, class, standing |
| asevelvollinen | conscript soldier |
| asiakirja | document, record |
| asua | live, reside |
| asuinpaikka | place of residence |
| asukas | inhabitant, resident, lodger |
| asunto | residence |
| asutuksen yleisluettelo | general register of inhabitants |
| a.u. | illegitimate |
| aukko | gap (missing records) |
| autio | uninhabited |
| avioero | divorce |
| avioliiton ulkopuolella | illegitimate, out of wedlock |
| avioliitto | marriage |
| avioliittoasiakirjat | marriage documents |
| aviomies | husband |
| avionrikkoja | adulterer |
| aviopari | married couple |
| aviopuoliso | spouse |
| avioton | unmarried, illegitimate |
| aviovaimo | wife |
| D | |
| deltiseppä | tinner, tinsmith |
| E | |
| edellinen | former, preceding, previous |
| edellämainittu | above mentioned |
| edesmennyt | deceased (adjective) |
| edessä | in front of |
| Eesti | Estonia |
| eestilänen | Estonian |
| ehkä | perhaps |
| ehtoo | evening, eve |
| ei | no, not |
| ei koskaan | never |
| eilen | yesterday |
| eimitään | nothing |
| ei vielä | not yet |
| ekäkkeellä oleva | pensioned, retired |
| eli | lived, or |
| elokuu | August |
| eloonjäänyt | surviving, survivor |
| elossa | alive |
| eläke | pension |
| eläkeläinen | pensioned person |
| elämäkerta | biography |
| elää | to live, living, alive |
| ennen | before |
| eno | uncle (maternal) |
| ensimmäinen | first |
| ent. (entinen) | former, previous |
| erikoistuomioistuimia | special court records |
| erilainen | various |
| ero(nnut) | divorce(d) |
| erotettu (kirkosta) | excommunicated (from the church) |
| esi-isä | ancestor |
| esikoinen | firstborn |
| esivanhemmat | ancestors |
| esteettömyystodistukset | certificates attesting freedom from liability |
| esteetön | free of liability, unhindered (to travel, marry, etc.) |
| etelä | south |
| että | that |
| etunimi | given name |
| F | |
| folio | page |
| H | |
| hakemisto | register, index |
| hallitus | government, administration |
| halvaus | stroke, paralysis |
| hampaiden puhkeaminen | teething |
| harjoittelija | apprentice |
| hattumaakari | hatmaker |
| hatuntekijä | hatmaker |
| hauda(ta) (-ttu) | bury, buried |
| hauraus | weakness of old age |
| hauta | grave |
| hautajaiset | funeral |
| hautaus(toimitus) | funeral |
| hautausmaa | cemetery |
| he | they |
| heidän | their, theirs |
| heikkous | weakness (of old age) |
| heimo | tribe, clan, family |
| heinäkuu | July |
| helmikuu | February |
| hengenahdistus | shortness of breath |
| henkikirja | tax list, census |
| henkikirjoitus | census |
| henkilö | person |
| henkilöhakemisto | name index |
| henkilötiedot | personal data |
| herra | Mr., sir |
| Herran ehtoollinen | communion |
| herrasväki | gentry, Mr. and Mrs. |
| herttua | duke |
| herttuakunta | duchy |
| herttuatar | duchess |
| heti | right away, immediately |
| hiippakunta | diocese |
| hinkuyskä | whooping cough |
| historia | history |
| historiakirjat | births, marriages, and deaths |
| holhokki | minor person under legal guardianship |
| holhooja | guardian |
| holhous | guardianship |
| hopeaseppä | silversmith |
| hovioikeus | court of appeals |
| huatajaiset | burial |
| huhtikuu | April |
| hukkunut | drowned, lost |
| huomautuksia | remarks |
| huomautus | remark |
| huomenna | tomorrow |
| huonekalupuuseppä | cabinetmaker, furniture maker |
| huora | whore |
| husaari | light cavalryman |
| huutolainen | pauper receiving his sustenance from the parish |
| huutolaislapsi | pauper child receiving his sustenance from the parish |
| hyvä | good |
| hän | he, she |
| hänen | his, her, hers |
| hätäkaste | emergency baptism |
| hääpäivä | wedding day, date |
| häät | |
| I | |
| ikä | age |
| ikäkirjat | church census |
| illalla | in the evening |
| ilman | without |
| ilmoittaa | to declare |
| ilta | evening |
| iltapäivä | afternoon |
| iltapäivällä | in the afternoon |
| inventaario | inventory |
| irtolainen | vagabond |
| iso | large, big, great |
| iso-iso-isä | great-grandfather |
| iso-iso-äiti | great-grandmother |
| isoisä | grandfather |
| isorokko | smallpox |
| isovanhemmat | grandparents |
| isoäiti | grandmother |
| isä | father |
| isänisä | grandfather (paternal) |
| isäntä | proprietor, host, landlord, farmer |
| isänäiti | grandmother (paternal) |
| isäpuoli | stepfather |
| isätön | fatherless |
| itse | self |
| itsellinen | tenant farmer |
| itä | east |
| iäkäs | aged |
| J | |
| ja | and |
| jalkavaimo | concubine |
| jalkaväki | infantry |
| johto | administration, leadership |
| joka | which, who, every |
| jokainen | each, every |
| jokavuotuinen | annual |
| joki | river |
| joskus [1890] luvulla | sometime in the [1890s] |
| josta | from which |
| joten | thus |
| joulu | Christmas |
| joulukuu | December |
| julistettu (kuolleeksi) | declared (dead) |
| juomanpanija | brewer |
| juoppous | intoxication |
| jälkeen | after |
| jälkeenjäänyt | surviving, survivor, retarded |
| jälkeläinen | descendant |
| jälkimmäinen | latter, last |
| jalkinekorjaaja | shoemaker |
| järvi | lake |
| jäsen(enä) | (as a) member |
| jäänyt | left, remaining |
| K | |
| k. (kuollut) | dead |
| kaatumatauti | epilepsy |
| kado(ta) (-nnut) | lose, lost |
| kahdeksan | eight |
| kahdeksantoista | eighteen |
| kahdeksas | eighth |
| kahdeksastoista | eighteenth |
| kahdeskymmenes | twentieth |
| kahdeskymmenes-ensimmäinen | twenty-first |
| kahdeskymmenes-kahdeksas | twenty-eighth |
| kahdeskymmenes-kolmas | twenty-third |
| kahdeskymmenes-kuudes | twenty-sixth |
| kahdeskymmenes-neljäs | twenty-fourth |
| kahdeskymmenes-seitemäs | twenty-seventh |
| kahdeskymmenes-toinen | twenty-second |
| kahdeskymmenes-viides | twenty-fifth |
| kahdeskymmenes-yhdeksäs | twenty-ninth |
| kahdestoista | twelfth |
| kaikki | all |
| kaima | namesake |
| kaivos | mine |
| kaivostyöläinen | miner |
| kaksi | two |
| kaksikymmentä | twenty |
| kaksikymmentä-kahdeksan | twenty-eight |
| kaksikymmentä-kaksi | twenty-two |
| kaksikymmentä-kolme | twenty-three |
| kaksikymmentä-kuusi | twenty-six |
| kaksikymmentä-neljä | twenty-four |
| kaksikymmentä-seitsemän | twenty-seven |
| kaksikymmentä-viisi | twenty-five |
| kaksikymmentä-yhdeksän | twenty-nine |
| kaksikymmentä-yksi | twenty-one |
| kaksitoista | twelve |
| kakso(nen) (-set) | twin(s) |
| kaksoiskappale | duplicate record |
| kalastaja | fisherman |
| kallio | hill |
| kalustoluettelo | inventory |
| kankuri | weaver |
| kansa | people |
| kansalainen | citizen |
| Kansallisarkisto | state archives |
| kansallisuus | nationality |
| kanssa | with |
| kantaisä | male progenitor |
| kantaäiti | female progenitor |
| kantoluettelot | tax assessment rolls |
| kappalainen | assistant minister |
| kappeli | chapel |
| kara(ta) (-nnut) | to run away |
| karjakko | milkmaid |
| karjapaimen | herdsman |
| karkuri | runaway, fugitive, deserter |
| kartano | manorial estate |
| kartta | map |
| kastamaton | unbaptized |
| kaste | christening, baptism |
| kastekirja | record of baptisms |
| kastenimi | given name |
| kastettu(t) | baptized, (births) |
| kasvain | tumor |
| kasvatti(lapsi) | foster child |
| kasvattivanhemmat | foster parents |
| katselmuspöytäkirjat | visitations |
| katu | street |
| kauppala | country town |
| kauppias | shopkeeper, merchant |
| kaupunki | city, town |
| kautta | via |
| keisari | emperor, czar |
| keisarillinen | imperial |
| kelloseppä | watchmaker |
| keltatauti | jaundice |
| kerjäläinen | beggar |
| kerta | times |
| keskellä | in the middle |
| keskenmeno | miscarriage |
| keskipäivä | noon, midday |
| keskiviikko | Wednesday |
| keskiyö | midnight |
| keskonen | prematurely born child |
| kesä | summer |
| kesäkuu | June |
| keuhkotauti | consumption, tuberculosis |
| kevät | spring |
| kieli | language, tongue |
| kihlakunnanoikeus | rural district court |
| kihlakunta | rural civil district |
| kihlattu | engaged, betrothed |
| kihlaus | engagement |
| kihlkeuhkotulehdus | pneumonia |
| kihti | gout |
| kilometri | kilometer |
| kinkeriasiakirjat | catechetical meeting records |
| kinkerit | catechetical meeting, household examination |
| kirja | book, register |
| kirjaaja | register |
| kirjannitoja | bookbinder |
| kirjanpitäjä | bookkeeper |
| kirjasto | library |
| kirje(et) | letter(s) |
| kirjeenkantaja | mailman |
| kirjekirjat | correspondence, letters |
| kirjuri | clerk, scribe |
| kirkko | church |
| kirkkoherra | minister, priest |
| kirkkoherranvirasto | office of the parish minister |
| kirkon asiakirjat | records regarding the church building |
| kirkonkirja | parish register |
| kirvesmies | carpenter |
| kisälli | journeyman |
| kohtaus | seizures, illness |
| kolera | cholera |
| kolmas | third |
| kolmaskymmenes | thirtieth |
| kolmaskymmenes-ensimmäinen | thirty-first |
| kolmastoista | thirteenth |
| kolme | three |
| kolmekymmentä | thirty |
| kolmekymmentä-yksi | thirty-one |
| kolmetoista | thirteen |
| kolmoset | triplets |
| koneenkäyttäjä | machinist |
| korkea | high |
| korkea ikä | old (high) age |
| korkein oikeus | supreme court |
| kortisto | card index |
| kortteli | block |
| koska | when, because of |
| kot(i) (-ona) | (at) home |
| kotimaa | homeland, native land |
| kotipaikka | residence |
| kotirouva | housewife |
| koulu | school |
| kouluasiakirjat | school documents |
| kouristus | convulsions, cramps |
| kramppi | cramps, convulsions |
| kreikkalaiskatolinen | (Eastern) Orthodox |
| kreivi | count (earl) |
| krenatööri | infantryman, grenadier |
| kristinoppi | (knowledge of) Christian doctrine |
| kruunu | crown, state, government |
| kuin | as |
| kuinka | how |
| kuka | who |
| kulkuri | vagabond |
| kulkutauti | epidemic |
| kultaseppä | goldsmith |
| kuluva | current |
| kummi(t) | sponsor(s), godmother, godfather |
| kun(ta) (-nat) | parish(es), commune(s) |
| kuningas | king |
| kuningaskunta | kingdom |
| kuningatar | queen |
| kuninkaallinen | royal |
| kunniallinen | honest |
| kunta | municipality |
| kuolema | death |
| kuoli | died |
| kuoli ilman perillisiä | died without issue |
| kuolinilmoitus | obituary |
| kuolinpesä | death estate |
| kuolinsyy | cause of death |
| kuolintoclistus | death certificate |
| kuolleena syntynyt | stillborn |
| kuolleet | deaths, death records |
| kuollut | dead, died |
| kuppa | syphilis |
| kurkkumätä | diphtheria |
| kuski | coachman |
| kuten | as |
| kutsu(a) (-ttu) | call(ed) |
| kuudes | sixth |
| kuudestoista | sixteenth |
| kuukausi | month |
| kuulustelu | examination |
| kuulutetut | banns, marriage intentions |
| kuume | fever |
| kuuro(mykkä) | deaf (and dumb) |
| kuusi | six |
| kuusitoista | sixteen |
| kylä | village |
| kymmenen | ten |
| kymmenes | tenth |
| käly | sister-in-law |
| käräjäkunta | primary rural judicial district, assize division |
| käräjät | local court, assizes |
| käsikirja | manual |
| käsityöläinen | artisan |
| kätilö | midwife |
| käytös | conduct |
| kääntymys | conversion |
| köyhä | poor |
| köyhäinhoitoasiakirjat | poor relief records |
| köyhäintalo | poorhouse |
| köyhien luettelot | poor relief records |
| L | |
| laakso | valley |
| laamanni(n)oikeus | lower court of appeal |
| lahja | gift, donation |
| lahjoitus | donations |
| laillinen | legal, legitimate |
| laiskanlukijat | list of slow readers |
| laiva | boat |
| laki | law |
| lamp. (lampuoti) | tenant farmer |
| lanko | brother-in-law |
| lap(si) (-set) | child(ren) |
| lapsenlapsi | grandchild |
| lapseton | childless |
| lapsihalvaus | polio |
| lasinleikkaaja | glass cutter, glazier |
| lastenkirjat | preconfirmation roll |
| lastenkoti | orphanage |
| Latvia | Latvia |
| Latvialainen | Latvian |
| lauantai | Saturday |
| lautamies | juror |
| lavantauti | typhoid fever |
| leipuri | baker |
| leski | widow, widower |
| levyseppä | sheet metal worker |
| Liettua | Lithuania |
| liettualainen | Lithuanian |
| linna | castle, jail |
| lki. (leski) | widow, widower |
| loinen | dependent lodger |
| lois. | dependent lodger |
| lokakuu | October |
| luettelo | list, index, directory |
| lukkari | cantor, parish clerk |
| luku | number |
| lukutaito | ability to read, literacy |
| lunastus | fee |
| luona | at |
| luonnollinen kuolema | natural death |
| luostari | monastery |
| lupa | permission |
| luterilainen | Lutheran |
| luumätä | caries |
| lähellä | near |
| lähtenyt | departed |
| länsi | west |
| läpi | through |
| läsnä | present |
| läsnäolo | presence |
| lääkäri | physician |
| lääni | county |
| lääninhallitus | county government |
| löytölapsi | foundling |
| M | |
| maa | land, country, earth |
| maakirja | land record |
| maakunta | province |
| maakunta-arkisto | provincial archives |
| maalaiskunta | rural parish near a city |
| maalari | painter |
| maaliskuu | March |
| maanantai | Monday |
| maanjako-oikeuden asiakirjat | documents of parcelling of land |
| maanmittari | surveyor |
| maanviljelijä | farmer |
| maasta muuttanut | emigrated |
| maattu nainen | woman who has had illicit relations |
| maine(todistus) | (certificate of) character |
| mainittu | said, stated |
| maistraatti | city administration, magistrate |
| majatalo | inn |
| makkarantekijä | sausage maker |
| maksatauti | liver disease |
| manttaali | assessment unit of land |
| manttaaliluettelo | tax list, census |
| marraskuu | November |
| matruusi | sailor |
| me | we |
| meidan | our, ours |
| mekaanikko | machinist |
| mennyt(aika) | the past |
| meri | sea |
| merimies | sailor |
| merkintä | entry, remark |
| merkitty | entered, noted |
| mestari | master, expert |
| metsä | forest |
| metsänhoitaja | forester |
| metsästäjä | hunter |
| miehistö | crew |
| mies | man, husband |
| miespuolinen | male |
| miilunpolttaja | charcoal burner |
| miksi | why |
| mikä | what, which |
| miniä | daughter-in-law |
| minun | my, mine |
| minuutti | minute |
| minä | I |
| missä | where |
| mitätön | minor, insignificant |
| m.n. (maattu nainen) | woman who has had illicit relations |
| molemmat | both |
| molempien | belonging to both |
| monenlainen | various |
| morsiain | bride, fiancée |
| morsiuspari | bridal couple |
| muistiinpano | record, note, entry |
| mummo | grandmother |
| muonamies | farmworker receiving wages in commodities |
| murha(ttu) | murder(ed) |
| mutta | but |
| muurari | mason, bricklayer |
| muut asiakirjat | miscellaneous documents |
| muutt(i) (-anut) | moved |
| muuttaneet | moving record |
| muuttokirja | certificate of moving |
| mylly | mill |
| mylläri | miller |
| myrkytys | poisoning |
| myöhäinen | late (p.m.) |
| myös(kin) | also |
| mäkitupalainen | cottager |
| mökki | cottage |
| N | |
| naapuri | neighbor |
| nahkuri | tanner |
| naida | to marry |
| naimaton | single, unmarried |
| naimattomana | unmarried (at the given time) |
| naimisissa | married |
| nainen | woman |
| naispuolinen | female |
| neiti | Miss |
| neitsyt | virgin |
| neljä | four |
| neljäs | fourth |
| neljästoista | fourteenth |
| neljätoista | fourteen |
| nikkari | carpenter |
| nimi | name |
| nimismies | rural police chief |
| noin | approximately |
| Norja | Norway |
| norjalainen | Norwegian |
| notariaatti | notary |
| numero | number |
| nuo | those |
| nuohooja | chimney sweeper |
| nuorempi | (the) younger |
| nuori(n) | young(est) |
| nuorimies | youth, unmarried man, bachelor |
| nuoripiika | maid, unmarried woman |
| nuoripoika | youth, unmarried man, bachelor |
| nuorukainen | young man |
| nykyinen | present, current |
| nälkä | hunger |
| O | |
| oikea | right (direction) |
| oikeus | right, court |
| oli | was |
| olivat | were |
| olla | to be |
| olosuhteet | circumstances |
| oluenpanija | brewer |
| oma | own (adjective) |
| omaa sukua | maiden name, née |
| omainen | relative |
| omaisuus | property |
| omistaa | to have, to own |
| omistaja | owner |
| on | is |
| opettaja | teacher |
| opiskelija | student (at university) |
| oppilas | student (grades 1 to 12), apprentice |
| orpo | orphan |
| ortodoksi | orthodox |
| o.s. (omaa sukua) | maiden name, née |
| osa | volume, part |
| osoitehakemisto | directory |
| ote | extract |
| ottolapsi | adopted child |
| ottovanhemmat | adoptive parents |
| ovat | are |
| P | |
| paikka(kunta) | place, locality |
| paikkakuntahakemisto | gazetteer |
| paitatehtailija | shirt maker, shirt manufacturer |
| pakolainen | refugee, fugitive |
| palo | fire |
| palvelija | servant |
| palvelu(s) | service |
| papintodistus | official certificate of birth, marriage, or death |
| pappi | clergyman, priest |
| pappila | rectory, parsonage |
| pappilan asiakirjat | records of the parsonage |
| pastori | pastor |
| pastorinkanslia | office of the parish minister |
| peltiseppä | tinner, tinsmith |
| penkkijärjestys | pew lists |
| perhe | family |
| perhehistoria | family history |
| perheluettelo | family register |
| perikunta | the heirs |
| perillinen | heir |
| perinnönjako | distribution of an inheritance |
| perintö | inheritance |
| perintötila | family (or inherited) estate |
| perjantai | Friday |
| peru(n)kirjat | private inventories of the deceased\'s property |
| perunjakokirjat | private inventories of the deceased\'s property |
| perunkirjoitus | estate inventory, probate |
| pieni | little, small |
| piika | maid, unmarried woman |
| pikkulapsi | infant |
| pikkuserkku | second cousin |
| pitäjä(läinen) | parish(ioner) |
| pitäjänkokousten pöytäkirjat | minutes of parochial meetings |
| pohjoi(s-) (-nen) | north |
| poika | boy, son |
| poikamies | bachelor |
| pois | away |
| poismennyt | deceased (adjective) |
| pojan poika | grandson, son\'s son |
| pojan tytär | granddaughter, son\'s daughter |
| polveutua | descend from |
| pormestari | mayor |
| porvari | burgher, tradesman, middle class citizen |
| posteljooni | mailman |
| preussilainen | Prussian |
| prinsessa | princess |
| prinssi | prince |
| protestantti | protestant |
| punainen | red |
| punatauti | dysentery |
| puolalainen | Polish (of Poland) |
| puolenpäivän aikaan | at noon |
| -puoli (ending) | step, half |
| puoliso | spouse |
| pursimies | boatswain |
| puuseppä | carpenter, joiner |
| puutarhuri | gardener |
| pyhä | holy, sacred, saint |
| pyhäkoululapset | list of Sunday School children |
| päin | toward |
| päivä(nä) | day |
| päivämäärä | date |
| päivätyöläinen | day laborer |
| pääkirja | communion book |
| pääsiäinen | Easter |
| pöytäkirja | minutes |
| R | |
| raastu(pa) (-vanoikeus) | city court |
| raatihuone | town hall |
| raatimies | council man, municipal judge |
| raha(määrä) | money (sum of) |
| rahvas | people, peasantry |
| raja | border |
| rakastajatar | concubine |
| rakennusmestari | contractor, builder |
| rakuuna | light cavalryman |
| rampa | crippled |
| raskaana | pregnant |
| ratsumestari | cavalry captain |
| ratsumies | cavalryman |
| ratsutilallinen | holder of farm obliged to furnish a cavalryman |
| ratsuväki | cavalry(men) |
| rautaseppä | iron smith |
| rautatie | railroad |
| rehellinen | honest |
| rekisteri | register, index |
| renki | youth, unmarried man, farmhand |
| rikollinen | criminal |
| rikos(luettelo) | misdemeanor (list) |
| ripitysluettelo | absolution list |
| rippikirja | communion book |
| rippilapset | confirmations |
| ripuli | diarrhea |
| risti(ä) (-itty) | baptize(d) |
| ristimäaika | baptism date |
| ristimänimi | Christian name, first name |
| ritari | knight |
| rokko | (small) pox |
| rokotetut | vaccinations |
| rouva | Mrs., wife |
| rovasti(kunta) | dean(ery) |
| ruhtinaskunta | principality |
| rulla | record, roll |
| rumpali | drummer |
| ruokamyrkytys | food poisoning |
| ruotsalainen | Swede, Swedish |
| Ruotsi | Sweden |
| ruotu | district maintaining a foot soldier |
| ruotusotilas | foot soldier |
| ruotuvaivainen | pauper, dependent on the \"ruotu\" |
| rusthollari | holder of farm obliged to furnish a cavalryman |
| rutto | plague |
| ruukki | foundry, mill, industry |
| ruumis | corpse |
| rykmentti | regiment |
| rälssi | tax exempt, nobility |
| rälssitila | tax exempt farm |
| räätäli | tailor |
| S | |
| s. (syntynyt) | born |
| saapuneet | arrived, moved in |
| saapuneet asiakirjat | correspondence, letters |
| saapunut | arrived |
| saha | sawmill |
| sairas | sick (person) |
| sairaus | sickness |
| sakkoluettelot | lists of fines |
| saksalainen | German |
| sama | same |
| sanakirja | dictionary |
| sanomalehti | newspaper |
| sanottu | said, stated |
| satulantekijä | saddle maker |
| savenvalaja | potter |
| se | it |
| seitsemän | seven |
| seitsemäntoista | seventeen |
| seitsemäs | seventh |
| seitsemästoista | seventeenth |
| sekä | and, also |
| sen | its |
| seppä | smith |
| seppä | blacksmith |
| serkku | cousin |
| setä | uncle (paternal) |
| seura | society (genealogical) |
| seuraava | next |
| seurakunta | parish |
| seutu | region, vicinity |
| siellä | there |
| siirtolainen | emigrant, immigrant |
| siirtolaisrekisteri | emigration records |
| siirtolaisuus | immigration |
| siirtolaisuus | emigration |
| sikotauti | mumps |
| sikäläinen | of that place |
| silta | bridge |
| sinun | your, yours (singular) |
| sinä | you (singular) |
| sisar | sister |
| sisarenpoika | nephew, sister\'s son |
| sisarentytär | niece, sister\'s daughter |
| sisarpuoli | half-sister, stepsister |
| sisarukset | siblings |
| sisko | sister |
| sisäinen | inside |
| sisällysluettelo | register, index |
| sisältö | contents |
| siviilirekisteri | civil registration |
| sivu | page |
| sokea | blind |
| sokeritauti | diabetes |
| sorvari | turner |
| sota | war |
| sotamies | soldier |
| sotaväki | troops, army |
| sotilas | soldier, military |
| suku | family |
| sukua(olla) | related |
| sukukirjat | lineage books |
| sukulainen | relative |
| sukulaisuus | relationship |
| sukunimi | surname |
| sukupolvi | generation |
| sukupuoli | sex |
| sukupuolitauti | venereal disease |
| sukupuu | family tree, pedigree |
| sukuselvitys | report of family relationships |
| sukutaulu | genealogical table |
| sukutiede | genealogy |
| sukututkimus | genealogical research |
| sukututkimusseura | genealogical society |
| sulhanen | bridegroom, fiancé |
| sunnuntai | Sunday |
| suomalainen | Finnish |
| Suomi | Finland |
| suorittaa | perform |
| suostumus | consent |
| suuri | big, great |
| suutari | shoemaker |
| sydänvika | heart trouble |
| syksy | autumn |
| sylilapsi | baby, infant |
| synnytys | childbirth |
| syntymä | birth |
| syntymäaika | date of birth |
| syntymäpaikka | place of birth |
| syntymätodistus | birth certificate |
| syntyneet | births, birth records |
| syntynyt | born, maiden surname |
| syyskuu | September |
| syytinki | allowance, person receiving allowance |
| syöpä | cancer |
| säteri | tax exempt estate |
| sääty(läinen) | station, class, standing (person of) |
| T | |
| tahtoa | to want |
| tai | or |
| taiteilija | artist |
| takana | behind |
| talo | house |
| talollinen | farmer |
| talonpoika | peasant farmer |
| talous | household |
| talousapulainen | housemaid |
| talvi | winter |
| tammikuu | January |
| tap(po) (-ettu) | murder(ed) |
| tapaturma | accident |
| tarkastuspöytäkirjat | visitations |
| taulu(kko) | table, chart |
| tauti | disease |
| te | you (plural) |
| tehdas | factory |
| teidan | your, yours (plural) |
| testamentti | will, testament |
| teurastaja | butcher |
| tie | road |
| tiedottaja | informant |
| tiilentekijä | brickmaker |
| tiistai | Tuesday |
| tila | house, farm |
| tilallinen | farm owner |
| tilikirjat | record of accounts |
| titattomat | landless population |
| todistaja | witness |
| todistus | certificate, evidence |
| toimeentulo | livelihood |
| toimi | occupation |
| toimittaa | perform |
| toinen | other, second |
| toisella nimellä | alias, a.k.a. |
| -ton (ending) | without, not |
| tontti | parcel |
| tori | market |
| torppari | crofter, tenant farmer |
| torstai | Thursday |
| toukokuu | May |
| tsaari | czar |
| tuhkarokko | measles |
| tulehdus | inflammation |
| tulipalo | fire |
| tulirokko | scarlet fever |
| tulli | customs |
| tullut (+ -sta or -lta) | came (from) |
| tuntematon | unknown |
| tunti | hour |
| tuomari | judge |
| tuomio | judgment |
| tuomioistuin | court |
| tuomiokirkko | cathedral |
| tuomiokunta | judicial district |
| tupa | cottage, house |
| turvotus | swelling, edema |
| tynnyrintekijä | cooper, barrel maker |
| tyttären poika | grandson, daughter\'s son |
| tyttären tytär | granddaughter, daughter\'s daughter |
| tyttö | girl, daughter |
| tytär | daughter |
| työläinen | laborer |
| työmies | laborer |
| työntekijä | laborer |
| täkäläinen | of this place |
| tällä paikkakunnalla | in this place |
| tämä | this |
| tämä paikka | this place |
| tänään | today |
| täti | aunt |
| täysi-ikäinen | of legal age |
| täällä | here |
| U | |
| ukko | old man |
| ulko | outer |
| ulkoluku | reciting from memory |
| ulkomaalainen | foreign, strange |
| ummetus | constipation |
| usein | often |
| uskonto | religious affiliation |
| uudisasukas | settler |
| uusi | new |
| V | |
| v. (vihitty) | married |
| vaakuna | coat of arms |
| vaakunaoppi | heraldry |
| vaari | grandfather |
| vahtimestari | caretaker |
| vaimo | wife, married women |
| vainaja | deceased, (the) late |
| vaivainen | poor, sickly |
| vaivaisrahat | poor relief accounts |
| vaivaisruodut | poor relief records |
| vaivaistalo | poorhouse |
| vajaamielinen | mentally defective |
| vakituinen | permanent, regular |
| valokuvaaja | photographer |
| valtakunta | state, empire |
| valtio | state |
| Valtionarkisto | state archives |
| valuri | foundry worker |
| vanha | old |
| vanhapoika | bachelor |
| vanhemmat | parents |
| vanhempi | (the) older |
| vanhin | oldest, elder |
| vanhus | old person |
| vanhuus | old age |
| vanki | prisoner |
| vankila | prison |
| vapaa | free |
| vapaaherra(tar) | baron(ess) |
| vapaasääty | nobility |
| varas | thief |
| varkaus | theft |
| varrella | by, at side |
| varten | for the purpose of |
| vartia | warden |
| vasen | left (direction) |
| vaskiseppä | coppersmith |
| vastaanotettu | received |
| vastanainut | newlywed |
| vastasyntynyt | newborn |
| vasten | against |
| vatsatauti | stomach disease |
| vauva | baby |
| vauva(na) | (as an) infant |
| veli | brother |
| velipuoli | half-brother |
| veljenpoika | nephew, brother\'s son |
| veljentytär | niece, brother\'s daughter |
| velka | debt |
| Venäjä | Russia |
| venäläinen | Russian |
| verensyöksy | hemorrhage |
| verenvuoto | hemorrhage |
| veritulppa | blood clot |
| vero | tax |
| verotus | taxation |
| vesipöhö | dropsy, edema |
| vesirokko | chicken pox |
| vielä | still |
| vieras(seurakuntalainen) | guest, person not of a given parish |
| vierasseurakuntalaisten historiakirjat | registers of members of other parishes |
| vihityt | marriages, marriage records |
| vihkiminen | marriage (ceremony) |
| vihkimäsopimus | marriage contract |
| vihkimätodistus | marriage certificate |
| vihreä | green |
| viides | fifth |
| viidestoista | fifteenth |
| viikko | week |
| viime | last, past |
| viisi | five |
| viisitoista | fifteen |
| virasta eronnut | retired |
| virasto | office, department |
| virka | office, position, occupation |
| virkaa tekevä | officiating, deputy |
| virkamies | public official |
| virkatodistus | official certificate (of birth, marriage, or death) |
| Viro | Estonia |
| virolainen | Estonian |
| vouti | bailiff, overseer (historical governor) |
| v.t. (virkaa tekevä) | officiating, deputy |
| vuoden ikäinen | years of age |
| vuokralainen | lodger |
| vuori | mountain |
| vuorokausi | twenty-four hours |
| vuosi | year |
| vuosi(päiva) (-juhla) | anniversary |
| vuosikymmen | decade, decennial |
| vuosisata | century |
| vuosittain(en) | yearly |
| vuotias | years old |
| väestö(rekisteri) | population (registry) |
| väestönlaskenta | census |
| väki | people, folk, crew, forces |
| väliaikainen | temporary |
| välillä | between |
| välittömästi | immediately, direct |
| värjääja | dyer |
| vävy | son-in-law |
| Y | |
| yhdeksän | nine |
| yhdeksäntoista | nineteen |
| yhdeksäs | ninth |
| yhdeksästoista | nineteenth |
| yhdestoista | eleventh |
| yhteinen | together, belonging to both |
| yhteiskunta | community |
| yksi | one |
| yksitoista | eleven |
| yleinen | general, common |
| yli, ylä | over, upper, ended |
| ylkä | bridegroom |
| ylä | upper |
| ympärillä | around |
| yskä | cough (noun) |
| ystävä | friend |
| yö | night |
| Ä | |
| äidinisä | grandfather (maternal) |
| äidinäiti | grandmother (maternal) |
| äiditön | motherless |
| äiti | mother |
| äitipuoli | stepmother |
| äpärä | illegitimate child |