Sweden Abbreviations in Family History Sources
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Here are some abbreviations that you may come accross in your Swedish family history research:
| Abbreviation | Swedish | English |
| a. | anno (Latin) | year |
| a.a. | ad acta (Latin) | to the record |
| a.-b. | aktiebolag (-et) | joint stock company |
| abs. | absolvera | (to) absolve |
| abs. | absens (Latin) | not present |
| a.d. | anno domini (Latin) | in the year of the Lord |
| adm. | admitterad | confirmed |
| a.f. | annan fastighet, andra fastigheter | other property (ies) |
| afg. | afgång | decease, depart to, departure |
| afl. | afliden | (to) expire, die |
| afsk., afsked. | afskedade | discharge, resigned |
| afskr. | afskrift | transcript |
| allm. | allmän (-na) | common |
| a.n. | ante nuptius (Latin) | illegitimate, birth before marriage |
| ank. | ankommande | arrived |
| anm. | anmärkning | remark, annotation |
| annot. | annotation | note, annotation |
| arb. | arbetare | worker, laborer |
| arb. bet. | arbetsbetyg | work permit |
| arrend. | arrendator | tenant farmer, leaseholder |
| art. | artikel (-n) | article |
| arv. | arvingar | heir(s) |
| avd. | avdelning (-ar) | division, part of |
| avg. | avgående | leaving |
| avs. | avsöndring (ar) | severance, seperated |
| avskr. | afskift | transcript |
| b. | bonden | farmer, peasant |
| b. | barnet | the child |
| backst. | backstugesittare | resident of a small house or shed |
| bandl. | bandland | group land |
| banktj:man | banktjänsteman | bank servant |
| bar. | barn | child, children |
| b.b. | bär barnet | carried the child at christening |
| bef. | befordrande | promotion |
| beg. | begraven | buried |
| begr. | begraven | buried |
| bg. | bergslag | region abounding in mines; mountain district |
| b.i.1stg. | barn i förste gift | child(ren) of the first marriage |
| bisp. | biskop | bishop |
| bl.a. | bland annat | among other things |
| Blek. | Blekinge | Blekinge (county) |
| blg. | bergslag | region abounding in mines; mountain distict |
| bond. | bonde | famer, peasant |
| bondeförb. | bondeförbundet | farming cooperative |
| borgerl. | borgerliga (-a) | civil, middle class |
| bou. | bouppteckning | inventory of the estate |
| br. | bror | brother |
| br. | brukare | user, employer; farmer, tenant |
| br. | bröder | brothers |
| brod. | broder | brother |
| brudg. | brudgum | bridegroom |
| bröd. | bröderna | brothers |
| byggm. | byggmästare | building contractor |
| ca., c:a | circa (L) | about |
| caut. | cautionister | witness |
| c:o | kompani | company |
| cop. | copulerad (Latin) | married |
| copul. | copulatus (Latin) | married, marriage |
| cr. | crono | crown owned, pertaining to the crown (government) |
| cr.h., cr.hem | crono hem | crown owned home |
| d. | den | the |
| d.(D.) | dotter | daughter |
| d. | det | it |
| d. | död | dead |
| dagl. | dagligen | daily |
| d.b. | denna bok | this book |
| db | dödbok | death book/register |
| d.g. | den gamla | the old |
| d.h. | dess hustru | his wife |
| d.i.1stg. | dotter i förste giftet | daughter of the first marriage |
| dir. | direktör (er) | director (s) |
| disp. | disponeras | dispose |
| distr. | distrikt | district |
| distr. vet. | distriktsveterinär | districts veterinarian |
| div. | diverse | diverse |
| dkfg/dkfs | domkyrkoförsamling | cathedral parish |
| D.M. | danneman | gentleman, farmer |
| Dmca., Dnca | Dominica (Latin) | Sunday |
| d.o. | detta/dessa ord | this word |
| d:o | det ovan/ ditto | the above / ditto |
| d:o, do. | dito | ditto |
| doms., doms:s, doms:or. | domsaga (-s, -or) | judicial district |
| dot., dr. | dotter | daughter |
| dr. | dräng | farmhand, bachelor |
| Dr. | doktor | doctor |
| drag. | dragon | light cavalryman |
| dt., dtr. | dotter | daughter |
| d.v.s. | det vill säga | that is to say, I.e. |
| d.y. | den yngre | the younger |
| d.å | detta år | this year |
| d.ä. | den äldre | the older |
| e. | extra | extra |
| E. | Enkling or Enka | Widower or widow |
| e.d./ejusd. | ejusdem | same (same month) |
| eg. | egare | owner |
| e.Kr. | efter Kristus | after Christ |
| el. | eller | or |
| e.m. | efter middag | p.m. |
| end. | endast | only, if only |
| enk. | enka | widow |
| enkl. | enkling, enkeman | widower |
| evang.-luth. | evangeliskt-lutherska | evangelical lutheran |
| f. | fadder | sponsor, godparent, witness at christeing |
| f. | född | born |
| f. | far, fader | father |
| f. | filia (Latin) | daughter |
| f. | filius (Latin) | son |
| f. | följande | following |
| f. | förlofvad | engaged |
| f. | förre | former |
| f. | föräldrar | parents |
| fabr. | fabrikör(er) | manufacturer |
| fad. | fader | father |
| fadd. | fadder | sponsor, witness |
| fam. | familj | family |
| fast. | fastighet | real estate |
| fb. | födelsebok | birth book |
| f.d. | före detta | before this, formerly |
| fg | församling | parish |
| Fhr. | Friherre | baron |
| fil.dr | filosofie doctor | doctor of philosophy |
| fil.mag. | filosofie magister | master of philosophy |
| f.Kr. | före Kristus | before Christ, B.C. |
| fl. | flicka | girl, miss |
| fl. | flyttar | moved |
| f.m. | förmiddag | morning, a.m. |
| forts. | fortsättning | continuation |
| fr. | från | from |
| fris. | frisinnad (e) | liberal-minded |
| fr. o. m. | från och med | from and with |
| frih. | friherre, friherrar | baron, lord |
| frkn. | fröken | miss of status |
| frånsk. | frånskild | separated, divorced |
| frånv. | frånvarande | absent |
| fs. | församling | parish |
| fsg. | församling | parish |
| f.ö. | för övrigt | for the rest |
| fögd., fögder | fögderi (er) | administrative unit within county for taxing, etc. |
| följ. | följande | following |
| för. | föräldrar | parents |
| förb. | förbindelse | connection |
| föreg. | föregående | preceding |
| förkl. | förklaring | explanation |
| förl. | förlofvad | engaged |
| förs., förslg., församl. | församling | parish |
| förs. | förestående | the above (foregoing) |
| försv. | försvarlös | person without guardian or legal protection, vagrant |
| fört., förteckn. | förteckning | list, catalog, index |
| g. | gift | married |
| gam. | gamla, gammal | old |
| g.b., G.B. | gamla bok | old book, previous book |
| gb. | gårdsbrukägare | farm owner |
| gd. | gård | farm, extate, yard, court, house |
| gdm. | gudmoder | godmother |
| ges. | gesäll | apprentice |
| gl. | gammal | old |
| g.m. | gift med | married to |
| Gotl. | Gotland | Gotland (island) |
| graff. | begrafning | burial, interment |
| grat. | gratialist | retired soldier receiving a pension, pensioner |
| grdbr. | gårdsbrukägare | farm owner |
| grdf., grdfolk. | gårdsfolk | farmers, farm servants |
| grossh. | grosshandlande | wholesale dealer |
| grufarb. | grufarbetare | miner |
| grufveg. | grufvegare | mine owner |
| Gävl. | Gävleborg | Gävleborg (county) |
| Göteb. | Göteborg | Göteborg och Bohus(county) |
| H. | Herr | Mr. Used only for prominent people - clergy, doctors, government officials, nobility, estate or factory owners. |
| H., Hu. | hustru | wife |
| Hall. | Halland | Halland (county) |
| handl. | handlande | trading |
| hd., hdt., hds., hdr., hrds. | härad (-et, -s, -er, -ers) | court judicial district (probates) |
| h.eg. | hemmansegare | farm owner |
| hem. | hemman | farm, homestead |
| hem.d. | hemmadotter | unmarried daughter living at home |
| hem.eg., hem.äg., hemäg. | hemmansegare | farm owner |
| hem.s. | hemmason | unmarried son living at home |
| herrg., herrg:ar. | herrgård (-en, -ar, -arna) | Manorial estate |
| HFL | husförhörslängd | household examination |
| hkr. | hästkrafter | horsepower |
| h:n., hn. | hemman | farm, homestead |
| hpl., hplr. | hållplats (-en, -er, erna) | railroad stopping places |
| H:r. | Herr, Herre | Manor lord, squire, master, Mr., Lord |
| hsm., husm. | husman | crofter, cottager, tenant |
| hu. | hustru | wife |
| hust. | hustru | wife |
| h.äg. | hemmansägare | farm owner |
| härst. | härstädes | here, at this place |
| ib., ibid., ibm | ibidem (Latin) | the same place, the same as, same |
| ifr. | ifrån. | from |
| i.l., I.L. | in loco (Latin) | in this place |
| infl. | inflyttad | moved in |
| ing. | ingenjör (-er) | engineer |
| inh., inhys. | inhyses | lodger |
| inneh. | innehåll | contents |
| intend | intendent | intendent |
| introd. | introducera | introduce |
| inv. | invånare | inhabitant |
| jan, febr. o.s.v. | Januari, Februari och så vidare | January, February and so forth |
| j.arb. | jernarbetare | iron worker |
| j.arb. | jernvägsarbetare | railway laborer |
| jbr. | jordbrukare | farmer |
| jbrf | jordbruksfastighet (-en, -er, -erna) | farming properties |
| jbrv | jordbrukvärde | farming property's value |
| jerns.arb. | jernvägsarbetare | railway laborer |
| jernv. | jernväg | railway |
| jernvägsarb. | jernvägsarbetare | railway laborer |
| jernväkt. | jernbaneväktare | watchman, line keeper on railroad |
| jfr., jgfr. | jungfru | miss, maiden, virgin |
| Jlght., jlghtn., jlghtr. | jordbrukslägenhet | farming apartments |
| j:or. | junior | junior |
| jordbr. | jordbrukare | farmer |
| jordbruksarb. | jordbruksarbetare | farm worker, farm hand |
| jordk. | jordkasta | bury, buried, burial |
| järnv. | järnväg | Railway |
| jvg., jvgr. | järnväg (ar) | railroad |
| jvgsförb. | järnvägsförbindelse (-r) | railroad connection |
| jvgstn., jvgstnr. | järnvägsstation (-en, -er, -erna) | railroad station |
| Jäg. | Jägare | hunter, a light infantry soldier |
| jägm. | jägmästare | crown forester |
| Jönk. | Jönköping | Jönköping (county) |
| Jämt. | Jämtland | Jämtland (county) |
| K:a. | kyrka | church |
| Kalm. | Kalmar | Kalmar (county) |
| kbfd | Kyrkobokföringsdistrikt | District of church registration |
| kbm. | kubikmeter | cubic meter |
| k.f. | kvinnsfaddrar | female sponsors at christening |
| kh., khde. | kyrkoherde | parish minister, parson |
| k.kg. | kyrkogång | introduction into church after childbirth |
| kl. | klockan | time, o'clock |
| km. | kilometer | kilometer |
| K.Maj:t. | Kunglig Magestät | the King |
| kmt | kopparmynt | copper coin |
| kn., k:en, k:ens, k:er, k:ers | kommun (-en, -ens, -er, -ers) | municipality |
| kommunal-nämndsordf. | kommunalsnämndsordförande | muncipality chairman |
| Kongl.Maj:t | Kunglig Majestät | the king |
| kontr. | kontrakt | contract (land) |
| Kopp. | Kopparberg | Kopparberg (county) |
| kr. | kronor | crown (monetary unit) |
| KRA | Krigsarkivet | Swedish National War Archives |
| ktg. | kyrkotagning | introduction of mother into congregation after childbirth |
| Kungl.Maj:t | Kunglis Majestät | the king |
| kv. | kvinna | woman |
| kvf. | kvinnlig fadder | female sponsor |
| kvf. | Kvinnsfaddrar | female sponsors at christening |
| kvkm. | kvadratkilometer | quadrant kilometer |
| kyrkl. | kyrklig | ecclesiastical |
| kyrkov. | kyrkovaktare | church officer or caretaker |
| kyrkovakt. | kyrkovaktare | church officer or caretaker |
| köp. | köping (-en, -ens, -ar, -ars | small market town |
| köpm. | köpman | merchant |
| l., l:a, La, L:a | lilla | small(er) |
| landsf.-distr. | landsfisalsdistrikt | land fiscal district |
| landsförslg. | landsförsamling | rural parish of a city |
| landsh. | landshövding | governor |
| lfg., lfs. | landsförsamling | rural parish of a city |
| lg., lärl. | lärling | apprentice |
| lght., lghtn., lghtr. | lägenhet (-en, -er) | apartment |
| lib. | liberal (-a) | liberal |
| lysn. | lysning | banns |
| löjtn. | löjtnant (-er) | lieutenant |
| M. | man | man, male; husband |
| m. | man | man, male, husband |
| m. | mater (Latin) | mother |
| m. | mor, moder | mother |
| m. | måg | son-in-law |
| m. | med | with |
| m., m:s. | meter (-s) | meter |
| Mad. | Madam | Madam. Exclusively "upper class" person |
| Malm. | Malmöhus | Malmöhus (county) |
| mams. | mamsell | miss, young lady of "upper class". |
| mek. | mekanik | mechanic |
| mell. | mellersta | middle |
| m.f. | mansfaddrar | male sponsors at christening |
| m. fl. | med flera | and several others |
| mil. | militära | military |
| mm. | millimeter | millimeter |
| m.m. | med mera | with others |
| mod., modr. | moder | mother |
| mod. | moderat (-a) | moderate |
| mort. | mortua (Latin) | deceased |
| motorf. | motorfartyg | motor boat |
| mtl. | mantal | assessed unit of land, taxation of farm |
| mun. samh., munsamh:en | municipalsamhälle (-t, -n) | urban district |
| murges. | murargesäll | journeyman bricklayer |
| mvh | med vänlig hälsning | with friendly greeting (best regards) |
| mån. | månad | month |
| månd., tis., o.s.v. | måndag, tisdag, och så vidare | Monday, Tuesday and so forth |
| mäst. | mästare | master, expert |
| mäst. | mäster | master, the boss |
| n. | nata, natus (Latin) | born |
| n. | nomen, nomine (Latin) | name |
| N., N:a. | norra | north |
| nat. | natur | natural (in reference to having had smallpox) |
| nat. | nata | born |
| nattvak. | nattvaktare | night watchman |
| nattv.g. | nattvardsgång | communion |
| N.B., n.b. | nya bok | new book, (next household examination) |
| Ne | nedre | lower |
| n:m: | nämndeman | juryman, member of district court |
| NN., nn. | nomen nescio (Latin) | name not known |
| nom. | nomine (Latin) | name |
| n:r, nr. | nummer | number |
| NO. | nordost | northeast |
| NNO. | nordnordost | north northeast |
| Norrb. | Norrbotten | Norrbotten (county) |
| NV | nordväst | northwest |
| NNV | nordnordväst | north northwest |
| nr. | nummer | number |
| nup. | nuptiae (Latin) | wedding |
| nuv. | nuvarande | present |
| näml. | nämligen | namely, since, as |
| o. | och | and |
| O. | öst | east |
| obs. | observera | notice |
| o.d., o.ä.d. | oäkta dotter | daughter out of wedlock |
| og. | ogift | unmarried |
| omkr. | omkring | about, around |
| ONO. | ostnordost | east northeast |
| o.s. or o.ä.s. | oäkte son | son out of wedlock |
| OSO. | ostsydost | east southeast |
| o.s.v. | och så vidare | and so forth |
| oä., o.ä. | oäkta | illegitimate child |
| o.ä.d. | oäkta dotter | illegitimate daughter |
| o.ä.s. | oäkta son | illegitimate son |
| p., pag. | pagina (Latin) | page |
| p., pig | piga | maid, spinster, single girl |
| past. | pastorat | diocese |
| p.b. | pigebarn | female child |
| pg., pgr. | penning (-ar) | penny (coin) |
| pgld. | penningland | penny land |
| pig. | piga | maid, spinster, single girl |
| postexp. | postexpedition | parish office |
| posth. | posthumus | born after father's death |
| prakt. | praktiserande | to be in practice |
| prof. | professor (-er) | professor (teacher) |
| prov.-läk. | provinsialläkare | provincial doctor |
| P.Ä. | pastorsämbete | Pastorate, the parish office. |
| q. | qvinna | woman |
| Qvf. | qvinnfaddrar | female witness at christening |
| Qv.mil | qvadratmil | square mile |
| r. | ryttare | cavalryman, horseman |
| RA | Riksarkivet | Swedish National Arhies. |
| Rdr. | Riksdaler | Old Swedish currency |
| reg. | regemente | regiment |
| reg.ton. | registerton | registrar |
| ren. | renata, renati, renatus (Latin) | christened, baptized |
| rep.verkstad. | reparationsverkstad | repair shop |
| resp. | respektive | respective |
| r:hu. | ryttare hustru | wife of a cavalrymann |
| riksd. | riksdaler | national currency |
| runst. | runstycken | part of a rune stone |
| rymd., rymt | rymmande | desertion, running away |
| rytt. | ryttare | cavalryman, horseman |
| ryttm. | ryttmästare | cavalry captain |
| s., S. | son | son |
| s. | socken | parish |
| S. | söder, södra | south |
| s. | söndag | Sunday |
| s., sal. | salig | deceased, blessed |
| samn., samh:en | samhälle (-t, -n) | community |
| SCB | Statistiska Centralbyrån | Central Bureau of Statistics, "Sweden statistics" |
| sd. | samma dag | same day |
| sd. | sonsdotter | son's daughter, granddaughter |
| segelf. | segelfartyg | sailing ship |
| sek. | sekund | second |
| sekr. | sekreterare | secretary |
| sep. | sepultus (Latin) | buried |
| sfg | stadsförsamling | city parish |
| s:ger | svåger | brother-in-law |
| s:hu | soldat hustru | soldier's wife |
| s:hu | sonhustru | son's wife, daughter-in-law |
| s.k. | så kallad | so called |
| s:ka | svägerska | sister-in-law |
| Skar. | Skaraborg | Skaraborg (county) |
| skattm. | skattmästare | tax collector |
| Sk.Dr. | Skånska Dragonregementet | regiment of dragoons from Skåne |
| skgsv. | skogsvärde | forest ranger |
| skill. | skilling (ar) | monetary unit |
| skogsv. | skogsvaktare | forest ranger |
| skom.arb. | skomakerarbetare | worker in a shoemaker's shop |
| skplg. | skeppslag | district along the coast |
| skräd. | skräddare | tailor |
| s:kt | sankt | saint |
| sl. | salig | deceased, blessed |
| smt | silvermynt | Old Swedish currency, silver coin |
| sn. | socken | parish |
| snesl. | snesland | measurement |
| SO. | sydost | southeast |
| soc. | socialdemokratisk | social democratic |
| sockn. | sockenman | person who is entitled to vote in the parish |
| sold. | soldat | soldier |
| s:or | senior | senior |
| spannl. | spannland | old unit of measurement |
| spons. | sponsorer | witness |
| ss. | sonson | son's son, grandson |
| ss. | såsom | as |
| SSO. | sydsydost | south southeast |
| SSV | sydsydväst | south southwest |
| st. | stycken | part of |
| St. | stad | city |
| S:t, S:ta | Sankt | saint |
| S:ta, St., st., St:a | stora | large, big |
| stallm. | stallmästare | master stableman |
| stbhs. | stärbhus | estate of the deceased |
| st:dr | statdräng | farm laborer |
| stds. | standard | standard |
| Sthlm. | Stockholm | Stockholm (county) |
| stn., stnr. | station (-en, -er, -erna) | station |
| stud. | student | student |
| susc. | susceptrix (Latin) | godmother, female sponsor |
| SV | sydväst | southwest |
| sv. | svensk | Swedish |
| Svf., Sv:f, | svärfar, svärfader | father-in-law |
| Svm., sv:m | svärmor | mother-in-law |
| Svåg. | Svåger | brother-in-law |
| Sväg. | Svägerska | Sister-in-law |
| Svärf. | Svärfader | father-in-law |
| Svärm. | Svärmoder | mother-in-law |
| sy., syst. | syster | sister |
| s.å. | samma år | same year |
| Söder. | Södermanland | Södermanland (county) |
| t. | testes (Latin) | witnesses or sponsors at christening |
| takt. | taktäckare | tiler, slater, shingler, thatcher, roofer |
| tandläk. | tandläkare | dentist |
| tax. | taxera | assess, tax |
| tax.v. | taxeringsvärde | assessed value |
| test. | testes (Latin) | witnesses or sponsors at baptism |
| t.ex. | till exempel | for example |
| tg. | tingslag | judicial district |
| tgslg. | tingslag | court district |
| t.h. | till höger | on the right side |
| tills. | tillsammans | together |
| tillverkn. | tillverkning | manufactured |
| tj. | tjäna | (to) serve, work |
| tnld. | tunnland | Swedish acre |
| t.o.m. | till och med | including |
| tomt-o. industriv | tomt o. industrivärde | store value of merchandise |
| torp., tp. | torpare | crofter, peasant |
| trol. | trolofvad | betrothed, engaged |
| trädgårdsmäst, | trädgårdsmästare | gardener |
| tunnl. | tunnland | measurement (Swedish acre) |
| t.v. | till vänster | to the left |
| t.v. | tills vidare | until further notice |
| txv., txvn. | taxeringsvärde | assessed value |
| Ty. | Tysk | German |
| u. | under | under; at; during, while, wonder, miracle |
| u. | unge | the younger |
| uk., ungk. | ungkarl | bachelor, single man |
| u.m. | utom mantal | not included in the taxation census register |
| undant.enka | undantagsmans enka | widow of an undantagsman |
| undt. | undantagsman | previous farm owner receiving his livelihood/support from the person to whom the farm now belongs (usually related, as in father and son). |
| ung. | ungefär | about, approximately |
| ungk. | ungkarl | bachelor, single man |
| u.p.a. | utan personligt ansvar | without personal responsibility |
| uppf. | uppförd (-a, -es, uppfört) | behavior |
| Upps. | Uppsala | Uppsala (county) |
| U.R. | ute roten | outlying district, old expression for the outer districk of parish |
| utfl | utflyttad | moved out |
| u.ä. | utom äktenskap | outside of marriage |
| v. | vice | assistant |
| v. | vaccinera | (to) vaccinate |
| V. | väster | west |
| vacc. | vaccinera | (to) vaccinate |
| vb | vigselbok | marriage book/register |
| VNV. | västnordväst | west northwest |
| VSV. | västsydväst | west southwest |
| vard. | vardag | weekday |
| vägh.-dist. | väghållningsdistrikt | highway district |
| välb. | välboren | honorable |
| Värml. | Värmland | Värmland (county) |
| Västerb. | Västerbotten | Västerbotten (county) |
| Västern. | Västernorrland | Västernorrland (county) |
| Västm. | Västmanland | Västmanland (county) |
| y. | yngste | the youngest |
| yngl. | yngling | young man, youth |
| yst. | yngste | the youngest |
| åb., åbo. | åborätt | tenant right, hereditary lease |
| ångb.förb. | ångbåtsförbindelse | steamship connection |
| ä | änka | widow |
| ä. | äldste | the oldest |
| äg. | ägare | owner |
| äkt. | äktenskap | marriage, wedlock, matrimony |
| Älvsb. | Älvsborg | Älvsborg (county) |
| änk. | änka | widow |
| änkl. | änkling | widower |
| äst. | äldste | the oldest |
| Ö., Ö:a | östra | east, eastern |
| Öf | öfra | upper |
| ö.h. | över havet | upper harbor |
| Ör. | Örebro | Örebro (county) |
| öresl | Öresland | measurement |
| Östg. | Östergötland | Östergötland (county) |
| Öv | övre | upper |