Explore Your Swedish American Ancestors' History

Swedish Name Changes and Patronymics in Your Family Tree

Anna — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 05:00:14 +0000

Swedish Name Changes and Patronymics in Your Family Tree

Do you have patronymics in your family tree? This is likely the case if you see constant changes of surnames between generations. In this blog, you will find information about what patronymics are, their use over time, and an effective strategy to overcome them in your genealogy research.

What is Patronymics?

Patronymic surnames were the norm for centuries in Sweden. If you have Swedish ancestry it is therefore highly likely that you have patronymics in your family tree. In this blog, we look into the evolution of patronymics over time. Unlike fixed family surnames, people were identified by their father’s first name followed by the suffix “-son” for sons or “-dotter” for daughters. For example, if Lars Eriksson and Maja Jönsdotter had a son named Erik, the son’s name would be Erik Larsson. If he had a daughter named Karna, her name would be Karna Larsdotter.

If Karna then married Pär Andersson, they would keep their respective surnames while their children’s last names would be Pärsson or Pärsdotter. As a result, the people a single nuclear family could have at least three or four different surnames. There could be even more variations of surnames if additional fathers, mothers or perhaps foster children were added to the family over time.

Patronymics: A Practice From Medieval Times

The patronymic tradition made surnames change with each generation. This was a practice that dated back to at least the medieval times and the reign of King Gustav Vasa (also known as Gustav Eriksson Vasa) in the 1500s. The system applied across all social classes. Fixed surnames were very uncommon. If you encounter a fixed name in your family tree from those days, it might indicate origins outside Sweden.

Surnames in Sweden at that time could also be a title reflecting the person’s profession, such as Olof Bagare (Baker), or Johan Skräddare (Tailor). By the 1500s-1600s, many priests had also had taken fixed names, of which many ended in “-ander” and “-us”, such as Wallander and Bergius. In addition, soldiers were given last names when they joined the military to tell them a part from each other. Their names could be adjectives that reflected their character such as Fast (Firm), Frisk (Healthy), and Rask (Brisk).

Evolution of First Names

During the reign of Gustav Vasa’s grandson, Gustav II Adolf, in the 1600s, first name practices in cities began to change. Noble families started giving their children more than one first name. They were inspired by the name of the King Gustav II Adolf and the burghers soon followed suit.

Eventually, the practice of giving children multiple first names spread to the countryside. That was where the vast majority of the Swedish population lived as farmers. Around the same time, the nobility also began adopting fixed surnames. The practice of adopting fixed surnames, as well as multiple first names, can prove beneficial for your family research.

Devolution of Patronymics

By the late 1800s, more people were adopting fixed surnames. This may be good for you research. However, it can also add to the challenges of overcoming patronymics in your family tree. You then have to determine that it is the very person you are researching that changed names. There were no regulations on how to change a name at that time. All a person of legal age had to do was to tell the parish priest that they, and/or a family member of theirs, wanted to change their name. You will often find a note of that in a church record or other.

Although it was easy to take a fixed name, the patronymic system persisted well into the 1900s. It wasn’t until 1966 that a law officially ended the use of patronymics in Sweden. However, already in 1901, a regulation encouraged Swedes to adopt fixed surnames. As a result many took their father’s patronymic name as their fixed family surname or chose an entirely new one. These new surnames were often inspired by the places they lived, such as Westman (man from the west), or by nature, such as Lindgren (linden branch).

What To Do With Patronymics in Your Family Tree?

The patronymic naming system in Sweden can pose challenges for genealogy research. However, it also offers a unique advantage: a surname often reveals the father’s first name, providing valuable clues. The key to navigating patronymics successfully is correctly identifying the first individual in your family tree. Once you establish this person’s identity, tracing earlier generations becomes much more manageable.

Sweden has a long tradition of maintaining detailed population records, which greatly supports genealogical work. Still, no matter how good the records are, starting with the wrong individual can lead your research in the completely wrong direction. A reliable strategy for identifying this crucial first person is to focus on their birth details—when and where they were born—rather than relying solely on their name. This approach helps overcome the complications of patronymic naming.

Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna

Links

The post Swedish Name Changes and Patronymics in Your Family Tree appeared first on Swedish American Ancestors.

U.S. 1890 Census Destroyed by Fire

Anna — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 05:00:59 +0000

U.S. 1890 Census Destroyed by Fire

A January 1921 fire in the Commerce Department Building in Washington, D.C., destroyed most of the 1890 U.S. census records. Only fragments survived, preserving information on just over 6,000 individuals.

Records of Around 63 Million People Destroyed

The 1880s marked the peak of Swedish emigration to America. The 1890 U.S. census could therefore have been an invaluable resource for Swedish-American genealogy research. With nearly 63 million people recorded, this census could have provided crucial insights into the lives of Swedish immigrants in America.

The photo above was taken in 1894 (source: Library of Congress). It shows the tabulation machine used in the 1890 census. The machine made counting the results less time consuming. Punched cards were used to work the machine. The results were presented by the dials on the machine and written down manually. The man at the machine is Herman Hollerith who invented it a couple of years earlier.

The photograph above shows some of the damaged remains of the 1890 U.S. census. Source: Library of Congress

A Rare Survivor: Swedish Clara in the 1890 Census

Among the few surviving records from the 1890 census is one documenting Clara Anderson. Clara’s census entry provides details such as these:

She was a around 26-year-old Swedish immigrant.
She worked as a servant in the household of Emily Chisolm, 56, and her 24-year-old son.
She was single and employed as a domestic worker.
She had no chronic illnesses, disabilities, or legal troubles.
She could read, write, and speak English.
She, along with her parents, was born in Sweden.

While only a handful of Swedish individuals appear in the surviving 1890 census records, Clara Anderson’s case is a rare census glimpse into the lives of Swedish immigrants during that era.

Source: United States, Census 1890, FamilySearch : Accessed 6 May 2025), Entry for Clara Anderson.

Alternative Records for 1890 Research

If your Swedish-American ancestors are not among the few recorded in the 1890 U.S. census, there are other records that may be of use. State censuses can serve as valuable substitutes. Many states conducted their own censuses between federal census years. For example, Minnesota conducted state censuses in 1885 and 1895, which can provide comparable information. Other states with large Swedish immigrant populations also have state census records that may be useful.

Several other 1890 U.S. census alternative records can also help bridge the 1890 census gap. Here are some examples:

City and County Directories, which list residents, their addresses, and occupations. However, all residents are not recorded in them.
Tax Records can be used to confirm an ancestor’s residence and property details.
Voter Registration Lists can verify an ancestor’s location and political affiliations, but women were generally excluded from voting at that time.
Newspapers, such as local U.S. newspapers or Swedish American ones, for example often included obituaries, marriage announcements, and community news.
Church Records most often included registers of baptisms, marriages, and burials. Many Swedish immigrants chose to join churches in America, but by no means all of them did.
Land and Property Records, such as deeds and land grants, can provide information on residency and property ownership.

I will talk some more about the above records in future blogs.

Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna

Links

The post U.S. 1890 Census Destroyed by Fire appeared first on Swedish American Ancestors.

Census Records: Key to Tracing Swedish Ancestry

Anna — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 05:00:58 +0000

Census Records: A Key to Tracing Swedish Ancestry

Census records play a role in North American genealogy similar that of household examination records in Sweden. While a whole range of other records may be relevant depending on the research question, censuses are included in almost all research projects tracing Swedish ancestors in Canada the United States. In addition, census records are often a very effective starting point.

Censuses in Canada and the U.S.

Canada and the United States share some similarities in their census histories. U.S. federal censuses have been conducted every 10 years since 1790. Additionally, some states carried out their own censuses between federal counts. Canada has held nation wide censuses every ten years since 1871, with earlier ones conducted by individual colonies. Canada also organized shorter censuses every five year (years ending with 6). All of these censuses potentially offer vital clues when researching Swedish American ancestry.

First U.S. Census – 1790

The first U.S. federal census in 1790 covered the original 13 states, as well as select districts and territories. It recorded only the name of the head of household; all other members were simply counted numerically. As a result, the names of children, wives, or enslaved individuals do not appear in this census. Instead, it listed the number of individuals in the following categories: free white males aged 16 and over, free white males under 16, free white females, other free persons, and enslaved persons.

At that time, the number of Swedes in the U.S. was small – estimated at just 2,000 to 3,000 people. Many were descendants of settlers from the former New Sweden colony (1638–1655), located in present-day Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, which had later come under Dutch and then British control.

Names in the 1850 & 1870 U.S. Censuses

The 1850 federal census was the first to list the names of every free person in each household. This means you can find the names of all non-enslaved women and children in those census records. This is especially helpful for tracing Swedish ancestors who had immigrated to the U.S. by that time.

In addition to names, the 1850 census also gathered data on schooling, taxation, crimes, wages, estate values, and mortality. The 1870 census, which was conducted after the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, recorded the names of all household members.

Canada’s First National Census – 1871

Canada’s 1871 census covered Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and parts of Manitoba. It focused on agricultural, industrial, and fishing occupations, and recorded names, ages, birthplaces, occupations, religion, and ethnic origins. These may contain important details for confirming Swedish ancestry. The 1871 census also documented land ownership, household members, and migration patterns, offering insights into family movements.

Many Swedish immigrants worked in farming, forestry, or fishing, making the industrial schedules particularly useful. Those schedules were specialized census forms used alongside the population schedules in some Canadian censuses – most notably in 1871 – to collect detailed information about industrial, commercial, and manufacturing activity.

No note is also that some Swedes moved between Canada and the U.S. before settling permanently, so if ancestors are not found in U.S. records, they might appear in Canadian censuses instead – and vice versa.

Peak of Immigration: 1880 & 1890 U.S. Censuses

Swedish immigration to North America peaked during the 1880s. As a result, the 1880 and 1890 U.S. census records are especially valuable for genealogical research.

The 1880 federal census was the first to record each person’s relationship to the head of household, greatly aiding genealogists in identifying family structures. It also included the birthplaces of each person’s parents, years spent in the U.S., and citizenship status – details critical for tracing immigrant origins.

Unfortunately, most of the 1890 U.S. federal census was destroyed in a fire in 1921. Only fragments survived, covering about 6,000 individuals out of a total population nearing 63 million. A search for Swedes in the surviving 1890 census at FamilySearch yields only a handful of results. Due to this loss, researchers must rely on alternative sources from that era, such as city directories, state censuses, veterans schedules, tax records, or land deeds.

Swedes in the 1881 & 1891 Canadian Censuses

The 1881 Canadian census covered all provinces and territories that were part of Canada at the time, including Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and the Northwest Territories. The 1891 census followed a similar structure, collecting data on population, occupation, religion, and ethnicity.

Both the 1881 and 1891 censuses recorded names, ages, birthplaces, occupations, and ethnic origins. This is key information for confirming Swedish (and people of other nationalities’ roots). The 1891 census went a step further by adding the year of immigration and parents’ birthplaces, which helps trace family movements. This is especially helpful for tracking Swedes who moved between Canada and the U.S. or who settled in Swedish communities in provinces like Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.

North American Censuses in the 1900s

The censuses of the 1900s are of course also helpful when researching Swedish immigrants to North America. If your ancestors immigrated to the U.S. in the 1880s, the census of 1900 may be the best replacement record for the burnt 1890s census data.

In the United States, the most recent available census for genealogy research is from 1950. This is because the U.S. has a 72-year privacy rule for those records, meaning the 1950 census became publicly available in 2022. The 1950 U.S. Census is particularly useful for confirming immigration details and family relationships. It includes each person’s name, age, birthplace, and citizenship status. This may give you clues to look for documents such as naturalization records and passports that can provide you with more information.

In Canada, the most recent available census is from 1931, released in 2023 due to the country’s 92-year privacy rule. This census provides important immigration and ethnic origin information. It includes names, ages, birthplaces, and years of immigration – key data for tracing Swedish arrivals and settlement patterns in Canada.

Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna

Links

The post Census Records: Key to Tracing Swedish Ancestry appeared first on Swedish American Ancestors.

Tracing Swedes in Household Examinations

Anna — Thu, 15 May 2025 05:00:31 +0000

Tracing Swedes in Household Examinations

Almost all Swedish family research involves church household examination records in one way or another. Begin your Swedish ancestry journey with these records. They document nearly all Swedes from the end 1600s or early 1700s, into the 1900s and contain a wealth of valuable information. Additionally, these records were updated annually and have been extensively digitized. This makes them an excellent starting point for your Swedish genealogy research.

If I had to choose just one type of record to always begin with in Swedish genealogy, it would undoubtedly be the household examination books. Below, you will find more information about these records and how to access them for free.

The painting above

The painting depicts a Swedish household examination hearing. You see a priest, with a what is likely a Bible in front of him, and the parish members gathered around him. It is a painting by the artist Knut Ander titled “Catechetical meeting” (source: Wikimedia Commons/Bukowskis Auktion).

Swedish Household Examinations

The household examination records were kept by the priests of the Swedish Lutheran State Church. The priests had an obligation to conduct annual hearings with the members of their parishes. At the hearings, the priests gathered different kinds of information about the parish members. They – among other – collected information about names, dates of birth, relocation details, and levels of reading and understanding of the Bible.

The hearings mostly focused on the parish members’ reading and understanding of the Bible as recounted in Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.

Almost all Swedish families therefore had a copy in their home of the “Lilla Katekes”, as it is called in Swedish. As a result, many Swedes learnt how to read by studying the Small Catechism in preparation for household examinations.

The Hearings Were Stated in Law

The priests were tasked with keeping records of the household examination hearings. This obligation of the church to hold, and keep records of, household examinations became Swedish law in 1686. Formal household examinations were consequently held from the end of the 1600s to the end of the 1800s. In addition, more informal such hearings continued well into the 1900s. You can therefore generally find household examination records from sometime in the beginning of the 1700s and onwards. Sometimes, the records go as far back as to the late 1600s.

The extent to which household examination books exist today vary from parish to parish. Some of the early books were discarded because they were not seen as not having a value anymore. Others may have perished in fires or so. However, the great majority still exist and are available for your Swedish family research.

The Content of Swedish Household Examinations

The content of the household examination records evolved over time. You may therefore find more or less information depending on the time period you are researching. The following is information you may find regarding your Swedish family:

Names
Birth dates
Birth places
Relationships
Whether “deaf, blind, or weak minded”
Dates of communions
Dates of marriages
Occupations

Home ownership
How many an estate could support
Relocations from and to places
Vaccinations
Poverty assistance
Dates of deaths
Levels of reading and understanding
of Luther’s Small Catechism

Where to Find the Household Examinations for Free

The household examination records are available for free in the Digital Research Room of the Swedish National Archives. There, you can search by the parish of your ancestors, as well as by their names and birth dates.

You find the household examination books under the classification “AI Husförhörslängder” (before 1895) and “Församlingsböcker” (after 1895) in the “kyrkoarkiv” (church archives). “AI” is the archive classification and “Husförhörslängder” or “Församlingsböcker” are the Swedish words for household examination records. You can access digitized copies of the records for the years of your interest by clicking the icon “bild” (image) you find in the church archives.

In addition, you can find household examination records at FamilySearch. FamilySearch is free, but you have to sign up for an account. You can then search for household examination books from the years 1874-1931 (as of the date of this blog) by entering names, places, and/or birth and death dates.

Below is an example of a household examination record. It is a record from the parish of Mofalla, of a family Andersson whose two eldest children emigrated to America. I will write more about them in a future blog.

Are You Used to Canadian or U.S. Genealogy?

If so, your first instinct may be to look for census records when researching your Swedish roots. Swedish census records do exist and may be of good use to you depending on your research focus. However, the primary go-to-resource for family research in Sweden are the household examination records.

The household examination records play kind of the same role in family research in Sweden as the census records do in Canada and the US. However, a major difference is the frequency of the record taking. The Swedish household examinations were held every year, while the American and Canadian censuses were (and are) done every 10th year at the national level, and in some additional years in certain states/territories/provinces. There are of course also a whole range of other records to research, depending on your research question. Something to cover in future blogs.

Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna

Links

The post Tracing Swedes in Household Examinations appeared first on Swedish American Ancestors.

Explore Your Swedish American Ancestors' History

Swedish Name Changes and Patronymics in Your Family Tree

Swedish Name Changes and Patronymics in Your Family Tree

What is Patronymics?

Patronymics: A Practice From Medieval Times

Evolution of First Names

Devolution of Patronymics

What To Do With Patronymics in Your Family Tree?

Hejdå for now 🙂 Anna

Links

U.S. 1890 Census Destroyed by Fire

U.S. 1890 Census Destroyed by Fire

Records of Around 63 Million People Destroyed

A Rare Survivor: Swedish Clara in the 1890 Census

Alternative Records for 1890 Research

Census Records: Key to Tracing Swedish Ancestry

Census Records: A Key to Tracing Swedish Ancestry

Censuses in Canada and the U.S.

First U.S. Census – 1790

Names in the 1850 & 1870 U.S. Censuses

Canada’s First National Census – 1871

Peak of Immigration: 1880 & 1890 U.S. Censuses

Swedes in the 1881 & 1891 Canadian Censuses

North American Censuses in the 1900s

Tracing Swedes in Household Examinations

Tracing Swedes in Household Examinations

The painting above

Swedish Household Examinations

The Hearings Were Stated in Law

The Content of Swedish Household Examinations

Where to Find the Household Examinations for Free

Are You Used to Canadian or U.S. Genealogy?

Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna