How Far Back?

Often people want to know how far back a family historian or genealogist has gone in the family line. When I was in my first few years of genealogy research, collecting a new ancestor, a new generation, going back farther in time was a real thrill.

Today, I'm all about trying to learn more about their lives and document HOW they lived and died, WHAT they did for a living, WHY they moved or immigrated.

But I can tell you the farthest I've gone back on Elin Andersson Linn's line is to my 7th great grandfather, Jons Larsson, born in Vastra Eneby Parish in Ostergotland County on August 1, 1680. Once a person can establish an ancestor that far back, you can imagine how few records there are to give any details about a person's life. That's why I've not spent more time writing about these ancestors of ours who are back that far in Swedish history.

Unless we had an ancestor who did something extraordinary, there would be little mention of that person except in the birth, marriage, and death records. Maybe a probate record. Perhaps a tax record. And even then, there would be just a notation, a date. No proper obituary. No details about their occupations. Nothing more about their lives.

The "begats" of our genealogy lines can be boring and cause many people to just roll their eyes when I tell them that my hobby is genealogy. While I wouldn't agree 100 percent, it's the thrill of learning about their lives and telling their stories that is really exciting. But just to show you some of the "boring begats", here is our pedigree from Elin's line, starting with my 7th great grandparents:

Jons Larsson married Maria Mansdotter, also from Vastra Eneby Parish on May 16, 1706. Together, they had 11 children. Their second child is my 6th great grandmother, Kerstin Jonsdotter, born October 11, 1710.

Kerstin married Lars Mansson in 1729 and had 6 children, the oldest of whom was my 5th great grandfather, Carl Larsson, born in 1732.

Carl married Brita Carlsdotter in 1760, and they had  just 3 children, the middle child being my 4th great grandfather, Carl Carlsson.

Carl married Lena Abrahamsdotter in 1792 and had 5 children, the fourth being my 3rd great grandfather, Abraham Carlsson.

Abraham married Anna-Brita Johannesdotter in 1826 and had 8 children, their third being my 2nd great grandmother, Anna Maja Abrahamsdotter.

Anna Maja married Carl Magnus Andersson in 1856. They had 5 children. And here is where I'm sure everyone can pick up the story. Their 3rd child was my great-grandmother, Elin Mathilda Andersson.

You can see that, with just 7 generations and all of the children and in-laws and cousins who could be researched, this hobby of mine will never end.

I learned very early in my research that we are fortunate to be Swedish descendants. Their records are fantastic!! And not hard to read once you get the hang of it. You just need a few Swedish words and the ability to strain and squint to read some very old handwriting. Beginning in 1686, every birth, marriage and death needed to be recorded by the local parish priest. So, to work my way back to the late 1600's, as long as the records weren't destroyed and are readable, can be done. Anything prior to 1686 would just be available as long as a priest had decided on his own to keep records and those records were preserved.

So who wants to join me in this hobby? There are plenty of people, more lines, more records to research!