Surnames were first used by nobility and wealthy land owners. Later the custom was followed by merchants and townspeople and eventually by the rural population.

Most Swedish surnames are patronymic. Patronymic surnames changed with each generation. For example, Lars Pettersson was the son of a man named Petter. If Lars had a son named Hans, the son would be known as Hans Larsson (son of Lars). His brothers would be called Larsson, while a sister would be known as Larsdotter (daughter of Lars). When people used patronymics, a woman did not change her name at marriage.

When a young man went into the military he was given a new surname. This name could be based on his characteristics, such as Stark (strong) or Modig (brave), or the place where he was stationed. If the place was called Lillebäck, he may have been called Bäck. Before the late 1800s, a military surname seldom became a family name. Later, when family names were more common and sometimes when people emigrated from Sweden, the military name became the family surname.

When a young man became an apprentice to learn a trade, he would choose an additional surname.

The clergy and other learned men often “Latinized” their names. Thus Eric Karlsson became Ericus Caroli.

In 1901 a law required people to adopt permanent surnames to be passed onto successive generations.

Given Names

When baptized, children were usually given one or two given names. The name may be that of a parent or other relative.

Some good books on names are:

Kjöllerström, P. A. (Per August). Svenska dopnamn och släktnamn (Swedish Given Names and Surnames). Stockholm: Wahlström & Widstrand, 1913. (FHL films 1440226 item 14.)

Otterbjörk, Roland. Svenska förnamn: krotfattat namnlexikon (Swedish Given Names: A Brief Dictionary of Names). Stockholm: Esselte Studium, 1979. (FHL book 948.5 D4o.)

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NOBILITY

Kings rewarded a person who performed a heroic deed, had a notable achievement, or held a prominent position in government by granting them a noble title. Because Sweden limited the growth of the noble class, only about two percent of Sweden's population were noblemen. There was not much division between upper and lower nobility.

Most noblemen did not emigrate, and few disowned family members for unacceptable behavior. Thus, most traditions of a noble ancestor being “erased” or “eliminated” from all records are unfounded.

If your research in the original records of Sweden indicates that your ancestor was a nobleman, there are additional records that will be helpful. Although some original records (such as the grant of nobility) still exist, you can adequately accomplish most nobility research in secondary sources. These include published or manuscript genealogies of noble families. Some important sources for Swedish nobility research are:

Sveriges ridderskap och adelskalender (Genealogy of the Swedish Nobility). Stockholm: Bonniers, 1854. (FHL book 948.5 D55s.)

Elgenstierna, Gustaf. Den introducerade Svenska adelns ättartavlor: med tillägg och rättelser (Genealogy of the Introduced Nobility of Sweden). Stockholm: P.A. Norstedt & Söners Förlag, 1925-1936. (FHL book 948.5 D5e; films 1440193-5.)

Leijonhufvud, Karl Karlsson. Svensk adelskalender (Genealogy of Swedish Nobility). Stockholm: P.A. Norstedt, 1899-1906. (FHL book 948.5 D22ak; films 1440245-6.)

The Family History Library has many records of Swedish noble families. These records are listed in the catalog under:

SWEDEN - NOBILITYSWEDEN, [COUNTY] - NOBILITYSWEDEN, [COUNTY], [CITY] - NOBILITY

See also the “Heraldry” and “Genealogy” sections of this outline.

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OCCUPATIONS

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Occupations were a measure of social status. Some trades were viewed as more prestigious than others. For example, goldsmiths had more prestige than shoemakers. Many trades, such as butchers, tanners, shoemakers, tailors, and others were organized into guilds, which were in charge of training apprentices and regulating a trade's practice in an area.

Guilds were usually established in each city. Guild records include lists of members, information on journeymen practicing in the town, marriages of journeymen, and advancements from the rank of apprentice to journeyman and from journeyman to master craftsman. In addition, contracts between masters and parents of apprentices may be included.

Guild records are now stored in the provincial archives for the area where the records originated. The Family History Library has some Swedish guild records. It also has a few books about Swedish guilds and occupations. To find these sources, look in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:

SWEDEN - OCCUPATIONSSWEDEN, [COUNTY] - OCCUPATIONSSWEDEN, [COUNTY], [CITY] - OCCUPATIONS

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PERIODICALS

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Most genealogical and historical societies in North America and in Sweden publish magazines and newsletters. The articles often include:

• Family genealogies and pedigrees.
• Transcripts of church records, migration lists, and cemetery records.
• Social life and customs.
• Helpful articles on research methodology.
• Information about local records, archives, and services.
• Book advertisements and reviews.
• Research advertisements.
• Queries or requests for information that can help you contact other researchers interested in specific ancestors.
  

North American Periodicals

Several historical and genealogical societies publish periodicals focusing on the Swedish immigrants to North America. These are often published quarterly and may focus on the immigrants to a particular region or state. Some major periodicals are:

The Swedish-American Historical Quarterly. Chicago: The Society, 1982-. (FHL book 973 B25sp.)

Swedish American Genealogist. Winter Park, Fla.: Swedish American Genealogist, 1981-. Published by Nils William Olson, P.O. Box 2186, Winter Park, FL 32790. (FHL book 973 F25s.)

Swedish Periodicals

Many societies and organizations in Sweden publish genealogical periodicals in Swedish. Much of their content is devoted to compiled genealogies of native families. They also are an excellent place to publish queries or advertisements for a lost ancestor from Sweden. Some major examples are:

Släkt och hävd: tidskrift (Family and Tradition). Stockholm: Genealogiska Föreningen, 1950-. (FHL book 948.5 D25sh.)

Personhistorisk tidskrift (Journal of Personal History). Stockholm: P.A. Norstedt, 1900-. (FHL book 948.5 D25pt; films 254935-6, 1440261 items 2-6, 1440262 items 1-5.) This periodical has been indexed for the years 1898 to 1956. (FHL films 254961-66.

Obtaining Periodicals

Copies of periodicals are available from the societies that publish them. Major archives with genealogical collections have copies of many periodicals, particularly those representing the area they serve.

The Family History Library subscribes to many periodicals. These are listed in the Family History Library Catalog in several ways. If you know the title, use the Author/Title Search of the catalog. Otherwise, use the Locality Search:

SWEDEN - GENEALOGY - PERIODICALSSWEDEN - HISTORY - PERIODICALSSWEDEN - PERIODICALSSWEDEN - EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION - PERIODICALS

Also see the “Societies” section of this outline.

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PROBATE RECORDS

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Probate records are court records dealing with the distribution of a person's estate after he or she dies. Information recorded may include the death date, names of heirs and guardians, relationships, residences, an inventory of the estate, and names of witnesses.

These records are very helpful because the authorities began recording probate actions before the earliest vital records.

While probate records are usually one of the most accurate sources of genealogical information, they must be used with some caution. For example, they may omit the names of deceased family members or those who have previously received an inheritance. Most Swedish probate records are inventories that sometimes mention only the minor children in a family. Not every person that died had a probate record, but anyone, wealthy or not, may have left a probate.

The laws and customs regarding probate and the probate process have been in use since the 1300s. In 1734 Swedish probate laws changed to reflect the laws used on the European continent. The surviving spouse inherited half of the estate and the children the other half, with a son receiving twice the amount of a daughter. Although most Swedish probates are from after 1734, there are many earlier ones.

Availability of Probate Records

The Family History Library has a good collection of Swedish probate records listed in the catalog under:

SWEDEN, [COUNTY], [DISTRICT] - PROBATE RECORDSSWEDEN, [COUNTY], [CITY] - PROBATE RECORDS

Many probate records have separate indexes, found at the beginning of each record or on a separate roll of microfilm. Probate indexes are listed in the catalog under:

SWEDEN, [COUNTY], [DISTRICT] - PROBATE INDEX

To find out which district (härad) a probate should have been registered in, look in:

Parishes and Maps of Sweden. Family History Library, 1992. (FHL book 948.5 E77p; fiche 6068254.)

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SCHOOLS

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If your ancestor was educated in a Swedish university, he may have been recorded in the matriculation records of that university. Some of these records have been published, notably for the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

These records may contain valuable information about your ancestor, such as name, age, hometown, and date of enrollment or graduation. Sometimes they contain biographical information, including names of parents, spouse, and children. The Family History Library has collected some school records. These records are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under:

SWEDEN - SCHOOLSSWEDEN, [COUNTY] - SCHOOLSSWEDEN, [COUNTY], [CITY] - SCHOOLS

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SOCIAL LIFE AND CUSTOMS

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Effective family research requires some understanding of the society in which your ancestor lived. Learning about everyday life, religious practices, customs, and traditions will help you appreciate your ancestor and the time he or she lived in. This information is particularly helpful if you choose to write a family history.

Research procedures and genealogical sources are different for each area and time period and are affected by the local customs and traditions. Those that might affect your research strategies include mortality rate, life spans, apprenticeship customs, and courting and marriage customs that affected the birth rates.

The Family History Library has a few sources about Swedish social life and customs. They are listed in the catalog under:

SWEDEN - SOCIAL LIFE AND CUSTOMSSWEDEN, [COUNTY] - SOCIAL LIFE AND CUSTOMS

A good book describing many aspects of Swedish social life and customs is:

Lorenzen, Lilly. Of Swedish Ways. Minneapolis: Dillon Press, Inc., 1981. (FHL book 948.5 H6lo.)

Swedish periodicals are a particularly good source of information about social life and customs. See the “Periodicals” section of this outline.

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SOCIETIES

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There are several societies and organizations in Sweden that may have valuable information for your genealogical research. Many Swedish communities have genealogical and historical societies, called hembygdsföreningar, many of which publish books and periodicals. You can write to Riksförbundet för hembygdsvård for an address of a local hembygdsförening. (See the "History" section for the address.)

There may also be some Swedish societies in the country your ancestor immigrated to, especially in the United States.

Genealogical Societies

Many societies publish periodicals, transcripts, and compiled genealogies. They may also have special indexes, collections, and projects. Some publish queries about Swedish ancestors or maintain a list of members' research interests. Some specialize in the immigrants to a specific area. The following societies may be of interest:

Genealogiska Föreningen (The Genealogical Association of Sweden)
Box 2029
S-103 11 Stockholm
Sweden

Personhistoriska Samfundet (The Personal History Association of Sweden)
Box 34106
S-100 26 Stockholm
Sweden

Historical Societies

Swedish historical societies can be valuable sources of information. Such societies exist in countries where Swedish emigrants settled, and they often collect information about Swedish immigrants. Many societies have special collections of books and manuscript material for Sweden that may be hard to find in libraries and archives. Two historical societies are:

The Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center
Augustana College
639 Thirty-Eighth Street
Rock Island, IL 61201-2296
USA

Swedish-American Historical Society, Inc.
5125 North Spaulding Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
USA

These societies' collections of family and local histories and manuscripts may be helpful. The material in their collections can be circulated.

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OTHER RECORDS FOR SWEDEN

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Other types of records that are not mentioned in this outline are listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog. For example, see:

ALMANACSBIBLIOGRAPHYETHNOLOGYHANDWRITINGMINORITIESMANORSNAMES, GEOGRAPHICALOBITUARIESOFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEESPUBLIC RECORDSYEARBOOKS

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FOR FURTHER READING

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You can find more detailed information about Swedish research and records in the catalog under SWEDEN - GENEALOGY - HANDBOOKS, MANUALS, etc. and in the following works:

Johansson, Carl-Erik. Cradled in Sweden. Logan, Utah: Everton Publishers, Inc., 1995. (FHL book 948.5 D27j.)

Clemensson, Per and Kjell Andersson. Släktforska!, Steg för steg (Guidebook to Swedish Genealogy). Stockholm: LTs förlag, 1983. (FHL book 948.5 D27c.)

Clemensson, Per and Kjell Andersson. Hembygdsforska! Steg för steg (Guide to Local History). Stockholm: LTs förlag, 1990. (FHL book 948.5 D27ca.)

Thorsell, Elisabeth and Ulf Schenkmanis. Släktforskning–väg en till din egen historia (Genealogy, The Road to Your Own History). Västerås: ICA-Förlaget, 1993.

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COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

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The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this outline. Please send your suggestions to:

Publications Coordination
Family History Library
35 North West Temple Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3400
USA

We appreciate the archivists, librarians, and others who have reviewed this outline and shared helpful information.

Paper publication: English approval: 8/00.

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