Hello, Patricia,
I have taken a Genline subscription for 90 days (almost up.) It is very worth while but not easy! Most of the records I have used have no table of contents or index of villages, etc. I have learned a lot about my family (make that a tremendous amount), plus I have received help from kind Swedes in deciphering records that I just could not figure out. I think Genlines really is worth the money, at least for a 60 or 90 days subscription. For example, my family moved from parish to parish, and if I were to order the microfilm from the FHC it would have taken me months to cover what I have done in 2 months.
Here are some practical suggestions:
1. Buy the books Cradled in Sweden and Your Swedish Roots--the latter is relatively new and very helpful. I know you can get the latter from Ancestry.com. Both books will give you help in learning how to use the parish records, with samples, etc.; study them before you begin. I keep them near the computer while I am working.
2. When you are searching for a particular family, focus on a particular birth year-- for the father, for example, and scan the records looking for that date. I find it very confusing sorting through the names, and much faster looking for the dates. The numbers are easier to figure out than the names. Then I can visually scan to the left and check out the names.
3. Once you locate your family in a household examination record, note the page number. You should be able to find your family in that approximate page number or vicinity in the next set of records, so you will not have to scan through the entire set-- just go to that page number and then go forward and backward until you have found your family. Always make a record of the GID number so you can go back to it, especially if you are quitting for the day! (Hard lesson learned.)
4. Pay attention to the headings on the columns. I wasted time/made mistakes the other night, not realizing that what I thought was a date of death was the date of widowhood. Fortunately, I caught my error and went forward in time to find the date of death.
5. In the household records, pay attention to the columns where information is given for families/individuals leaving the parish. Dates and page numbers will be given. If page numbers and date are given, the family has moved within the parish. You should be able to find them again. If they moved to another parish, the name of the parish should be given, and the date of departure. You should be able to find them in their new parish; you will not know exactly where in the new parish, but you will know the date.
6. These searches are much harder than searching the census records in Ancesty.com. Some are very hard to read, others relatively easy. It just depends on age of document, etc. They are not indexed, they are hard on your eyes, and they are tedious--but triumphs await! I wish you could have heard my cries of joy when I found my long-lost family, about whom I knew virtually nothing. Don't try to do much at a time. I would recommend at least a 60 day subscription. I am thankful for all the work that went into scanning these records.
7. Ask for deciphering help when you really get stuck. There are many wonderful people who give aid.
I hope these suggestions are helpful to you and to others in unraveling the mysteries of our Swedish families. I cannot begin to count the number of people who have helped me, so hope I can return the kindness in some measure.
Kristin
Ämne: Anna Andersdotter b. 28 Jan. 1781 Lungsund parish (läst 1247 gånger)
Cookie policy