Finland, Church Census and Pre-Confirmation Books, 1600-1916

What is in This Collection?

These records were created by the Lutheran priest in each parish. As the Lutheran church was part of the state in Finland, this collection serves as a census for the entire county. The parish priest was required by church law of 1686 to annually interview each member of the parish to determine their understanding of the Lutheran catechism. This church census (rippikirjat / kommunionböcker) was recorded in books that generally cover a five-year time period. Significant vital statistical events, such as births, marriages. deaths and moving from the parish were also recorded. Some parishes began keeping these records before the law was passed. Records from parishes in Eastern Finland generally do not record children who have not been confirmed.

Pre-confirmation books (lastenkirjat / barnböcker), also called children’s books and pre-communion books list the names of children who had not yet been confirmed members of the Lutheran church and are eligible to receive communion. After confirmation, which usually took place at age 15, they would be recorded in the communion book. The child's residence and parent's names are generally recorded. These records are generally kept in parishes from eastern Finland. After confirmation, which usually took place at age 15, they would be recorded in the communion book. Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

Reading These Records

These records are written in Finnish and Swedish. For help reading them see:

What Can These Records Tell Me?

These records generally contain the following information:

Church census Person's name Residence Birth date

Preconfirmation Child's name Parents' names

Collection Content

Sample Images

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  Church census (rippikirjat), 1848-1870, Uudenkaarlepyy, Forsby village, Drakabacka farm

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  Pre-Confirmation (lastenkirjat), 1871-1879, Sortevala village, Airande farm

Digital Folder Number List

This collection was published as a DGS browse collection. The list does not contain any description of the DGS folder's content. A table listing each DGS number and its contents can be found at Finland, Church Census and Pre-Confirmation Books Digital Folder Number List.