R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Finland
Research Outline
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Helps For Using This Research Outline
     References To The Family History Library Catalog
     References To Other Family History Library Publications
     Finnish Terms
     Map Of Finland - Provinces
     Map Of Finland - Counties Of 1939
     Map Of Finland - Counties Of 1960
Archives And Libraries
     National Archives
     Provincial Archives
     Parish Offices
     Military Archives
     Other Finnish Archives And Libraries
     United States Archives
     Inventories, Registers, Catalogs
     Computer Networks And Bulletin Boards
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
     General Background
     Using Census Records
     1634–1809
     1810–1860
Church History
Church Records
     Information Recorded In Church Registers
     Births [syntyneet/födda] And Baptisms [kastetut/döpta]
     Marriages [vihityt/vigda]
     Deaths [kuolleet/döda] And Burials [haudatut/begravna]
     Church Records Extracts [kirkonkirjojen Kopiot/avskrifter Av Kyrkoböcker]
     Confirmation Registers [rippilapset/skriftskolebarn; Konfirmationer]
     Communion Records [rippikirjat/kommunionböcker]
     Preconfirmation Records [lastenkirjat/barnböcker]
     Moving Records [muuttaneet/muuttokirjat; Flyttningslängder/flyttningsbetyg]
     Finding Church Records
     Records At The Family History Library
     Records Not At The Family History Library
     Search Strategies
Civil Registration
Court Records
Emigration And Immigration
     Finding The Emigrant’s Town Of Origin
     Emigration From Finland
     Australia
     Sweden And Norway
     Russia
     Immigration Into Finland
     Finnish Passport Lists
     Passenger Lists (departures)
     The Institute Of Migration
     National Archives
     Records Of Finnish Emigrants In Their Destination Countries
Encyclopedias And Dictionaries
Gazetteers
Genealogy
     Major Collections And Databases
     Family Histories And Newsletters
     Family Registers [perheluettelot/familjeregister]
Heraldry
History
     Local Histories
     Calendar Changes
Language And Languages
     Language Aids
Maps
     Using Maps
     Finding The Specific Place On The Map
     Finding Maps And Atlases
Merchant Marine
Military Records
Names, Personal
     Surnames
     Given Names
Nobility
Occupations
Periodicals
     Obtaining Periodicals
Probate Records
     The Probate Process
     Availability Of Probate Records
Public Records
     The Old And New Collections Of Accounts
     Old Collection Of Accounts, 1531–1634
     New Collection Of Accounts, 1635–1809
     Suomen Asutuksen Yleisluettelo (say)
Schools
Social Life And Customs
Societies
     Genealogical Societies
     Historical Societies
Taxation
Other Records For Finland
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions


INTRODUCTION

This outline can help you find information about people who lived in Finland. It gives information about records of genealogical value for Finland and helps you decide which types of records to search.

Generally, you must know the specific town in Finland where your ancestor was born before beginning research in Finland. Sometimes you can find this information in Finnish or other European or United States sources.

You will need some basic understanding of genealogical research procedures. You may want to read A Guide to Research (30971) or Principles of Family History Research (34020) or see the video orientation program, all of which are available at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers.


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HELPS FOR USING THIS RESEARCH OUTLINE

Before using this outline you need to choose the information you would like to learn about one of your ancestors, such as a birth date or a maiden name.

After you have decided what information you want to find, look at the “Record Selection Table” in this outline. It lists the kinds of information you may want and the best types of records for finding that information.

You can find a section in the outline for each type of record listed in columns 2 and 3 of the “Record Selection TableLook this term up in the glossary..” The subsequent sections referred to in this outline give more information about these records and how to find them. The sections are in alphabetical order.

This outline does not mention all possible genealogical record sources. At the end of the outline, you will find a brief list of additional topic headings under “Other Records” and a short bibliography of sources under “For Further Reading.” For help in tracing Finnish immigrants, use the research outlines for the country of arrival and the Tracing Immigrant Origins Research Outline (34111).


References to the Family History Library Catalog

The Family History Library CatalogLook this term up in the glossary. is a listing of all the records available at the Family History Library. The catalog is available at the Family History Library and at each Family History CenterLook this term up in the glossary.. Staff at the library or centers can help you learn to use the catalog.

This outline gives instructions for finding information in the catalog. For example, in the section of this outline called “Genealogy” you may find the following statement:

For more information about genealogical collections, look in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:
finland- genealogyfinland, [county]- genealogyfinland, [county], [town]- genealogy
This tells you to look in the catalog under:

  • Finland and then the subject GENEALOGY.
  • A county in Finland and then the subject GENEALOGY.
  • A town in a county in Finland and then the subject GENEALOGY.

This outline includes many references to specific records. The references include call numbers and computer numbers, which are listed in parentheses.

  • Call NumbersLook this term up in the glossary.. The call number is used to find a record in the Family History Library (FHL).
  • Computer NumbersLook this term up in the glossary.. Each record is assigned a number to identify it in the catalog. If you are using the Family History Library Catalog on computer or compact disc, you can search for the record by the computer number. This is the quickest way to find the listing of the record in the catalog.

For additional information on using the catalog see Using the Family History Library Catalog (30966).


References to Other Family History Library Publications

The Family History Library has many other publications that may be helpful to you in your research. Some are referred to in this outline. Their titles are in italics and their item numbers are in parentheses. They are available at the Family History Library and the Salt Lake Distribution Center.


Finnish Terms

In this outline, Finnish and Swedish language terms are frequently given in brackets and italics after the English terms, such as marriages [Vihityt/Vigda]. The Finnish word is listed first. English translations in parentheses follow Finnish- or Swedish-language book, microfilm, or microfiche titles.


Records Selection Table

RECORDS SELECTION TABLE: FINLAND
This table can help you decide which records to search. It is most helpful for research from 1800 to the present.Step 1. Choose an ancestor you would like to know more about. Decide what new information you would like to learn about that person. This new information is your research goal.Step 2. In column 1 of this table, find the goal you selected.Step 3. In column 2 of this table, find the types of records most likely to have the information you need; then read the sections in this outline about those types of records.Step 4. Look in the Family History Library Catalog, and choose a specific record to search.Step 5. Look at the record.Step 6. If you do not find the information you need, return to column 3 and search those record types.Note: Records of previous research (Genealogy, Biography, History, Periodicals, and Societies) are useful for most goals, but they are not listed unless they are especially helpful.
1. If You Need 2. Search These Record Types First 3. Search These Record Types Next
Age Church Records Census, Probate Records
Birth date Church Records
Boundaries and Origins Gazetteers Maps, History
Children Church Records Census, Probate
Death information Church Records Probate
Emigration date Emigration and Immigration Church Records
Ethnic background Church Records Minorities, Social Life and Customs, Ethnology
Historical background History Social Life and Customs
Maiden name Church Records
Marriage information Church Records
Occupations Church Records Probate, Occupations
Other family members Church Records Census, Probate
Parents Church Records Census, Probate
Physical description Military Records Biography, Genealogy
Place-finding aids Postal and Shipping Guides Gazetteers, Maps,
Place of residence Church Records Geographical Names Census, Taxation
Previous research Genealogy, Periodicals Biography, History, Archives and Libraries
Record-finding aids Archives and Libraries Bibliography, Genealogy
Religion Church Records Minorities, Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
Social activities Social Life and Customs History


Map of Finland - Provinces

(This graphic may take a while to download.)


Map of Finland - Counties of 1939

(This graphic may take a while to download.)


Map of Finland - Counties of 1960

(This graphic may take a while to download.)

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Version of Data: 6/8/2001]