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Genealogy Terms

Genealogy Terms A - E

• Adel Noble (of noble birth) / The nobility (aristocracy) • Adelsman Nobleman (peer) • Amiralitetet The Admiralty (Navy) - the Admiralty Board • Ana (förfader) - singular Ancestor (forefather) / a person in an ancestor chart • Anor (förfäder) - plural Ancestors (forefathers) / persons in an ancestor chart • Ansedel / personakt A personal record containing biographical data about an ancestor • Antavla Ancestor chart, family tree. A chart where a specific person is the starting point for a genealogical study of this persons ancestors. • Anförlust ???. A married couple normally have eight ancestors in the second generation, four on each side. However if two cousins marry they will partly have jointly grandparents. We have “lost” 2 persons in the second generation (6 instead of 8). This kind of situation in an ancestor chart is called “anförlust” in Swedish. • Arrendator Tenant farmer • Arrende Tenancy • Arv Inheritance • Arvsskifte Distribution of an inherited estate. • Assessor Deputy judge in a court of law • Barbarnsbarn Great-grandchildren • Barn Children • Barnbarn Grandchildren • Barnhus/barnhem Orphanage • Barnmorska Midwife • Bataljon Battalion • Begravning Burial / funeral • Begravd i stillhet / begravd i tysthet ”Begravd i stillhet” or ”begravd i tysthet” means that it was a quiet funeral with only the closest family present. • Berg Mountain • Bergskollegium A department called Bergskollegium handled the Government control of the mining industry. This department has had different names throughout the centuries but the name Bergskollegium was used from 1744. • Bergslag Mining district • Bergsman A bergsman was the occupant of a bergshemman, a mine proprietor. The Bergsman could the sole owner or a part owner. So, a Bergsman was in the mining business. • Bergmästare Mine-inspector. A bergmästare was appointed by the government and subordinated the Bergskollegium. The bergmästare’s job was to supervise the mining operations within his jurisdiction on behalf of the government. More exactly, among a Bergmästare’s duties was inspections and examinations the mines and the mining industry, evaluation of mines, supervision of government forests and supervision subordinated mining clerks, supervise that mining regulations were followed etc. Among his responsibilities was also to judge in disputes regarding mining matters in a special court of law called Bergstinget (Mining court of law). In the court the bergmästare had 7 assistants called nämndemän (A "nämndeman" is an appointed layman in a court of law – a lay assessor). The criminal cases could vary, for example cheating with weighing, payments, fractions between miners, or thefts. Larger cases like manslaughter or arguments about proprietorship to forests used by the mines etc was handled by the Häradsrätt – the ordinary district court of law in the countryside. A Bergsting session was held once a year, normally in May or June and was announced in the churches at the latest 10 weeks prior to the beginning of a Bergsting. The special courts of law the Bergsting represented were abolished in 1851. From then the mining cases were handled by the ordinary courts of law. • Bergmästardöme Sweden was subdivided into 11 Bergmästardömen, and from the middle of the 18th century 12 bergmästardömen. A bergmästardöme was a territorial area (jurisdiction) and the term itself could be translated into mine-inspector’s jurisdiction. • Bevis Evidence • Beväring Conscript (soldier), recruit, draftee • Biskop Bishop • Bisittare Assessor, member of a district court of law • Bonde Farmer, freeholder • Borgmästare Mayor • Bouppteckning Estate inventory proceeding • Bouppteckningsdokument Probate records / estate inventory • Bror Brother • Brorsdotter Niece • Brorson Nephew • Brud Bride • Brudgum Groom • Bruk (ex: järnbruk eller papperbruk) Mill/works, for example ironworks or paper mill • Bruksarbetare Laborer at a mill/factory/works. Ironworks: ironworker / foundryman. Paper mill: millman. • Brukspatron Works proprietor. Foundry (ironworks) proprietor. (Paper) mill owner • Brylling/fyrmänning Third Cousin • Bröllop Wedding • By Village • Båtsman (motsv soldat) Seaman/deck hand (Navy personal provided by the Allotment System) • Böter Fine (legal) • Det stora nordiska kriget The Great Nordic War (1700 - 1721) • Dombok Court records (court of law) • Domprost Cathedral Dean (church) • Domsaga The territorial district of a Häradsrätt. • Domstol Court of law • Dop Baptism/Christening • Dopvittne Sponsor / Godparent • Dotter Daughter • Dragon • Dragoon: Dragoon was formerly mounted infantry. They traveled on horseback to the battlefield but they fought as foot soldiers. As mounted infantry they were very mobile units. It happened that dragoons fought as cavalry in battles. However, this was a type of warfare they weren't trained for and could end up in disaster. During the 18th century the dragoons were more and more used as cavalry and therefore also trained as cavalry. Finally it was only the name that separated them from other cavalry. During the 19th century dragoons was a term for heavy cavalry. • Drottning Queen • Dräng Farm hand • Dödsboken Death records • Dödsfödd Stillborn • Döpa Baptize/Christen • Egendom Property / estate • Egendomsägare Owner of a property / estate. (An older Swedish spelling is: Egendomsegare) • Eriksgata An Eriksgata was a King’s first tour of the country after being crowned

Genealogy Terms F - J

• Faddrar (vid dop) Witnesses (at baptism) • Far Father • Farbror Uncle (father's brother) • Farfar Grandfather (father's fathers or paternal grandfather) • Farfars far Great-grandfather (on the father's side - paternal) • Farmor Grandmother (father's mother or paternal grandmother) • Faster Aunt (father's sister) • Fattig Poor • Fattighus Workhouse/poorhouse • Fattigjon Pauper • Fideikommiss Entailed estate • Filare (yrke) Filer. A "filer" was a craftsman working for example in a workshop filing off or smoothing parts made of steel or iron with a file. Casting shops weren’t able to cast parts with 100% precision in the past. In order to fit different parts together filers were needed to file off or smooth the parts in order to achieve the required precision. • There were also other types of filers; for example, filers sharpening sawblades. • Fiskare Fisherman • Fjärdingsman Parish constable (UK) / Sheriff's Deputy (US) A fjärdingsman was a deputy and didn't have the right to act in police matters on his own. He always had to act on orders by the länsman. See also länsman. • Flottan (örloggsflottan) The Navy • Flottare Log driver / Floater Log driving or floating was a way of conveying timber or logs from the locale of lumbering to sawmills and pulp mills downstream using the current of a river. The people employed to do this were called floaters or log drivers. • Flottning Conveying timber in floats, log driving • Flytta Move. "Flytta från" = move from. "Flytta till" = Move to. • Flyttbetyg Moving certificate • Forskning Research • Fort/Borg Fortress • Fotsoldat Foot soldier • Fregatt Frigate • Friherre/Friherrinna Baron/Baroness • Frånskild Divorced • Furir Sergeant • Fru Mrs. • Fröken Ms. • Fånge Prisoner • Fältväbel Sergeant major • Fängelse Prison • Född Born • Födelse Birth • Födelsebevis, födelseattest Birth certificate • Födelseboken Birth records • Födelseort • Place of birth • Församling/socken Parish. See socken • Föräldrar Parents • Gallärflottan Galley Feet • Garnison Garrison • Generaldirektör Agency Director (US) • Generalmönsterrulla General-muster roll • Gesäll Journeyman • Gesällprov Qualifying piece of work for an apprentice to become a journeyman in a guild • Gift (som i civilstatus) Married • Gods (slott etc) Estate, Manor • Godsägare Landed proprietor, landowner, estate owner, land lord • Grenadjär A form of infantryman (Grenadier) • Greve/Grevinna Count (Earl in the UK) / Countess • Grosshandlare Wholesale dealer, wholesaler • Gruva (järngruva) Mine (iron mine) • Gruvarbetare Miner • Gästgivare Innkeeper • Gästgiveri Inn • Hammarsmedsämbetet (Skrå) The guild for hammersmiths • Handelsman Merchant • Hantverkare Craftsmen / artisan • Hembygdsgård Local history center (US) / Village hall (UK) / Community center • Hemman Homestead, freehold • Hemmansägare Farmer, freeholder, owner of a homestead • Hemvist Residence • Herr Mr. • Herrgård Country estate, Manor • Hertig/Hertiginna Duke/Duchess • Hovrätt Circuit court of appeal (Regional court) • Hovrättsråd Judge of appeal • Husar Light cavalryman, hussar • Husförhör Household examination • Husförhörslängd Household examination roll or Clerical survey • Hustru Spouse, wife • Hytta (järnbruk) Smelting house • Håll och stygn Pneumonia • Härad Civil district within a court, it's jurisdiction. • Häradsdomare A honorary title of the oldest nämndeman in a häradsrätt (district court of law) • Häradshövding District court judge. He was the chairman of a häradsrätt (district court of law). The häradshövding was the only member in the häradsrätt with a law degree. The others are called nämndemän (lay members of a court). • Häradsrätt District court of law in the countryside. This court's jurisdiction was a Härad. A “häradshövding” was the chairman of a “häradsrätt”. The “häradsrätt” was manned by the “häradshövding” and a board of 12 lay members called “nämndemän”. Since they were 12 members they were also called “tolvmän” (tolv = twelv). The häradsrätt convened three times per year, the so-called ”lagtima ting” (the regular court sessions) in spring, summer and fall. Each court session could last for one or more days depending on the number of cases they had to handle. For urgent matters there was also “urtima ting“ (extra court sessions). The Häradsrätt was replaced by the Tingsrätt in 1971. Courts in the cities were called Rådhusrätt. • Indelningsverket (militära) Allottment system (the old system of organizing and financing the Swedish armed forces) • Infanteri Infantry • Jordbrukare Farmer, peasant • Jordbruksarbetare, Farm laborer, farmhand • Järnbruk Ironworks / Iron foundry • Järnmalm Iron ore

Genealogy Terms K - O

• Katolik Catholic • Kavalleri / rytteri Cavalry • Klart skepp (mil) General quarters (naval term) • Klockare Parish clerk and organist • Knekt (soldat) Soldier, infantry soldier • Komminister/kaplan Assistant parish minister, assistant vicar (rector) (Church) • Kommun Municipality, the local (municipal) authority • Konfirmation Confirmation • Kontrakt/Prosteri (kyrkan) Rural deanery (Church) • Kontraktsprost Rural Dean (Church) • Krig War • Krigsarkivet Swedish Military Record Office / War Archive • Krigsfartyg Warship, man-of-war • Krigsfånge Prisoner of war • Krigsmakten The armed forces • Kronofogde County Police Commissioner (UK) / Enforcement Officer (US) • Kung King • Kunglig Royal • Kusin First cousin • Kusinbarn First cousin once removed • Kusinbarnbarn First cousin second removed • Kyrka Church • Kyrkbokföring Parish regestration • Kyrkböcker Church records / Parish registers • Kyrkogård/begravningsplats Cemetery • Kyrkoherde Parish minister in Church of Sweden - a Lutheran Church. Vicar (UK), rector, reverend, pastor • Kyrkosamfund Church communion • Kyrktorn Church tower, steeple • Kyrkvaktmästare Verger, sexton • Källa (informationskälla) Source references or Source of information • Kärande (i domstol) Plaintiff (in legal proceedings) • Kön (man/kvinna) Sex (male/female) • Lag Law • Lagman Chief judge in court of law • Landsarkiven Regional/Provincial archives • Landsfiskal District police superintendent (and public prosecutor) • Landshövding County Governor • Landskap Province • Lantarbetare farm laborer, farmhand • Lantmätare Land surveyor • Legosoldater/legoknektar Mercenaries • Linjeskepp Ships of the line • Lysning Bann • Lytt Crippled, disabled • Läkare Physician, doctor • Län County. The Swedish County (Län) have a role more similar to the State in the USA compared to the role of the US County. However, the Swedish Counties doesn't have the independence of the States in the USA. The US County is better compared to the Swedish “Kommun” (Municipality) rather then to the Swedish county (län). See also The Subdivisions of Sweden into Provinces and Counties • Länsman Chief Constable (UK) / Sheriff (US) A länsman was a local police officer and had the authority to act as a police and proceed with police work. See also "fjärdningsman" (deputy). • Lärling Apprentice • Lönskaläge Illicit sexual relations between unmarried persons • Lösdrivare Vagrant • Mantal "Mantal" was a property tax code and every farm who had to pay taxes was assigned a "mantal". In the beginning (1600’s) one "mantal" meant a farm with a annual yield large enough to support the farmer's family and their farm hands. In the forest provinces in northern Sweden a farm of 1 "mantal" had to be big to produce a yield corresponding to 1 "mantal". In the plains in southern Sweden, with a better climate and a richer soil, a farm could be a lot smaller than in the north and still produce a yield of 1 "mantal". So “mantal” is not a value for the size of the farm but rather it’s capability of yielding a good crop. Farms with the same “mantal” paid the same amount of tax. Not all farms could produce a yield corresponding to 1 "mantal" but was still able support a family. It was common with farms of ½ "mantal or 5/8 "mantal" etc. Throughout the centuries the “mantal” rating has changed into lower values. Farms have been split up between siblings due to inheritance and the tax code has been adjusted to that in order to get a fair taxation. Farms in the 1700’s and 1800’s with a “mantal” rating of ½, ¼ or 1/8 could still support a family. A farm in the 1800’s with a “mantal” rating above 1 (1¼ for example) was a farm with a large yield. So, the “mantal” rates have changed over the years. Sometimes you will find the “mantal” rate for a fram in the Household Examination Rolls (Hfl). • Mantalsskriven Registred for tax/census purposes • Mantalslängd Tax/census records • Masugn Blast furnace • Medborgerligt förtroende [one's] civil (civic) rights • Medelpad Province of Medelpad • Menig Private soldier, soldier-of-rank-and-file • Militärtjänstgöring Military service • Mor Mother • Morbror Uncle (mother's brother) • Morfar Grandfather (mother's fathers or maternal grandfather) • Morfars far Great-grandfather (on the mother's side) • Mormor Grandmother (mother's mother or maternal grandmother) • Moster Aunt (mother's sister) • Murare Bricklayer • Måg Son in law • Målsman Guardian • Mästarbrev A craftsmans diploma or certificate • Mästersmed Master smith • Mönstring (mil.) Muster, inspection, review, enrollment • Namn Name • Nationalitet Nationallity • Nattvard The Holy Communion • Nämndeman Courts in Sweden don't have a system with juries. Instead there are a judge and a number of "nämndemän". The "nämdemän" are appointed laymen. They are not chosen by random, you have to apply and be approved by the local council / county council (a position of trust). It is not a profession but something that's done beside the nämndeman's ordinary profession. Unlike a juryman the "nämndeman" actually is a member of the court and take an active part in the trial. Together with the judge they set the sentence. They can ask questions to the prosecuted. In courts of appeal there are more professional lawmen (jurists) then "nämndemän". However, in district courts and city courts the "nämndemän" are in majority. • Officer Officer • Ofärdig Crippled, disabled • Ogift Unmarried / single • Okänd fader Father unknown • Orlovssedel In former days employees weren’t normally employed until further notice but for 1 year at a time. That is, they were signed up for a 12 months period at a time. At the end of the 12 months period the employer could renew the contract for another 12 months. During the 12 month employment period an employee could not leave his position to take up another job. The only time he could take up another employment was at the end of the 12 month employment period. That’s why the employee needed a certificate from his former employer stating that he was free to take another job. This certificate was called orlovssedel. The orlovssedel also contained some sort of “service record” and also information if he was in debt to his former employer. • Ort Place • Oäkta barn Illegitimate child

Genealogy Terms P - S

• Pappersbruk Papermill • Pappersmassa Paper pulp • Pastor Parish minister, pastor • Pastorat Parish • Pastorsexpedition Parish office • Patronymikon Patronymic • Piga Maid • Polis The Police • Poliskonstapel Police constable / Police officer / Patrolman • Predikstol Church pulpit • Prins Prince • Prinsessa Princess • Proband Proband or subject. The person you start with when you do genealogical table (family tree) where you start with a specific person and do a genealogical research back in time tracing this person's ancestors. • Profoss Provost / Flogmaster (military) • Prost Rural Dean (church) • Prosteri/Kontrakt (kyrkan) Rural deanery (church) • Protestanter Protestants • Präst Clergyman, Vicar (UK), Parish Minister. Priest (catholic), Pastor, Reverend. • Prästgård Vicarage (UK), parsonage (US), rectory, minister's house, parsonage • Rakt nedstigande led (släktskap) A lineal (direct) descendant of... (kinship) • Rakt uppstigande led (släktskap) In lineal (the direct line of) ascent (kinship) • Regemente Regiment • Rekrytering Recruitment • Religion Religion • Repslagare Rope-maker • Residensstad County seat or County capital • Riddarhuset The House of Nobility • Riksarkivet The National Archive • Riksdag The Swedish Parliament • Riksdagshuset The Riksdag (Parliament) building • Riksdagsman/Riksdagsledamot Member of the Swedish Riksdag (Parliament) • Rulla Record, roll • Rådhusrätt City courts of law before 1971 when they were replaced by the Tingsrätt. It was the borgmästare (mayor / chief magistrate) that was the chariman (judge) of the Råshusrätt. Courts in the countryside were called Häradsrätt. • Rådman District court judge • Räntmästare [äldre benämning på en tjänsteman som hade hand om en förvaltningsenhets ekonomi och förestod dess kontor] Treasurer • Rättare Farm foreman (larger farms, manors etc) • Rättegång Legal proceedings in a court of law • Rödsot Dysentry • SCB utdragen Civil registration • Sexman (pl. sexmän) A position of trust in a parish (socken) before the 1862 municipal reform. There were six men of trust in the board of sexmän, therefore the name (sexmän = six men). The sexmän supervised: that church decisions were carried out, that the church as well as the parsonage was maintained, church discipline, etc. • Sjukdom Disease • Sjukhus Hospital • Självmördare / Självspillning A person who has committed suicide. People who had committed suicide (or been executed) weren’t allowed to be buried at the church cemetery (consecrated earth). Instead they were to be buried by the “bödel” (executioner/hangman) somewhere else. If the suicide was committed due to mental derangement, someone other than the executioner was allowed to bury the dead, however not at the church cemetery. From 1864 the Church agreed to bury suicides at the cemetery, but the funeral ceremony had to be "i stillhet" (quiet). However, from 1894 this type of burial could be performed the same as any other burial. ”Begravd i stillhet” or ”begravd i tyshet” meant in those days that there was no bell ringing at the funeral (quiet funeral). A funeral without bell ringing was considered to be degrading. • Sjömän Seamen, Sailors • Skarprättare, bödel Executioner, hangman • Skatt (ex: inkomstskatt) Tax • Skattefrihet Exemption from land dues to the crown (taxation) • Skild Divorced • Skomakare Shoemaker • Skomakarmästare Master shoemaker • Skogsvaktare Forest ranger or forester • Skrå Guild • Skräddare Tailor • Skräddarmästare Master tailor • Slott, Borg Castle • Släkten Högman The Högman Family • Släktforskare Genealogists • Släktforskning Genealogy, Genealogical research • Släktforskningslitteratur Literature on Genealogy • Släktföreningar Family Societies • Småbrukare (mindre jordbruk) / Lantbrukare Small farmer / small holder / farmer • Smed / Mästersven Smith, after 4 years as an apprentice, i.e. journeyman) • Smedsdräng Apprentice smith, smith's henchman • Snickare Carpenter • Socken/församling A geographical area served by a church, an ecclesiastical unit. In other words a parish. (the church socken). Prior to 1862 all parishes were referred to as “socken” in Swedish. However, after 1862 they are called “församling”. So, socken = församling = parish. • Socken (lokalt styre) The worldly (secular) socken - A geographical area for local administration. A local administration council (sockenstämma) ran the "socken". Before 1862, the church "socken" and the administrative "socken" encompassed the same territorial area. However, the worldly "socken" was replaced by an administrative subdivision called "kommun" (municipality) in that year. • Sockenstämma Local administration council • Soldattorp Soldier croft/cottage • Son Son • Spinnsidan (av en släkt) The distaff side (of a family) • Stad City or town • Stadsfiskal (åklagare) Public prosecutor • Stamfar First ancestor / progenitor / forefather. The person you start with when you do a pedigree (descendant chart) where you start with a specific person and do a genealogical research forward in time tracing this person's descendants. • Stamtavla Genealogical table / Descendent chart A chart where a specific person forms the starting point (progenitor/ancestor) for a genealogical study of this persons descendants. • Stadsarkiv City Archives • Statare Agricultural laborer receiving allowance (payment) in kind • Statsminister Prime Minister • Statssekreterare Under-secretary of State • Sterbhus Estate of a deceased person • Stift (kyrkostift) Diocese • Stånghammare Tilthammer / Helve hammer • Stämmning (i domstol) Summons / subpoena (legal)

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• Svarande (i domstol) Defendant (in legal proceedings) • Svenska kyrkan Church of Sweden • Svensk adel Swedish nobility • Svenska stormaktstiden The Swedish Great Power Period • Sveriges Riksdag The Swedish Parliament • Svåger Brother-in-law • Svägerska Sister-in-law • Svärdsidan (av en släkt) The male line (of a family) • Syskon Sibling / Brothers and sisters • Syskondotter Niece • Syskonson Nephew • Syssling/tremänning Second Cousin • Sysslingsbarn Second Cousin once removed • Sysslingsbarnbarn Second Cousin second removed • Syster Sister • Sörkörare Sörkörare needs an explanation since it can’t be translated with one word. The farmers in Southern Norrland, i.e. provinces Hälsingland, Medelpad and Ångermanland, all far north of Stockholm, went south to Stockholm and other cities around Lake Mälaren to sell their produce. The purpose was to increase their yield. They made the journeys by horses and sledges in winter when the snow lay on the ground and the lakes were frozen. Their produce was butter, fur, handicraft, woodland birds, linen etc. Each farmer could have several sledges loaded with goods, with hired hands driving each sledge. Normally they left their homes mid-January and didn’t return until about two months later. On the journey back home, they had other products of interest for the communities up north, such as grain, wrought silver, spices and exotic luxury goods like silk. Many farmers managed to build up a wealth out of these trading journeys. These farmers who made the journey south during winters to sell their products were called “Sörkörare” in Swedish. “Sör” can be derived from “south” and “körare” means “rider” or “driver”. So, “sörkörare” roughly means “south bound traders” referring to the fact that they went south in winter to sell their products.

Genealogy Terms T - Ö

• Testamente Will ( last will and testament) • Tingsrätt /Tíng District court of law. Replace the older Häradsrätt as well as the Rådhusrätt in 1971. • Tolvman (pl. tolvmän) A board of 12 lay members in the district court (häradsrätt) called “nämndemän”. Since they were 12 members they were also called “tolvmän” (tolv = twelve => twelve men). • Torp Crofter's holding or cottage/croft. See also "torpare" below. • Torpare Crofter, tenant farmer. The tenant had to do a certain number of a full days' work per year on the landowner's land or estate as a payment for the tenancy. In British English the term is crofter but in the USA a "torpare" is best compared with a renter farmer. • Trolovad Engaged to be married • Trädgård Garden • Trädgårdsmästare Master Gardener • Tullen Customs • Utfattig Destitute • Valuta Currency • Vanför Crippled, disabled • Vapensköld Coat of arms (escutcheon) • Vigsel Marriage • Välborne / Högvälborne The Honorable xxxx / the Right Honorable yyyy. The title "The Honorable" was carried by untitled noblemen, younger sons of counts (earls in the UK) and by children of barons plus by ladies-in- waiting (hovdamer), members of the Supreme Court (högsta domstolen ) and by certain government officials etc. The title "The Right Honorable" was carried by counts (earls in the UK) and barons etc. In other words, born of noble family. The masculine form is Välborne / Högvälborne and the the feminine form is Välborna / Högvälborna. • Vällärd Scholar • Värnplikt Conscription service (mil.) • Värnpliktig A person liable for military service, a conscript, draftee. • Värvning (mil.) Enrolment, enlistment • Yrke Occupation, profession • Åbo Tenant farmer with a conditional, inherited lease • Åklagare Public Prosecutor / District attorney • Ålderman Alderman • Ägare Owner / proprietor (An older Swedish spelling is: Egare). • Äktenskap Marriage • Äktenskapsbrott Adultery • Ärkebiskop Archbishop • Ättling Descendant / a person in a family tree