Finland Record Selection Table from FamilySearch Wiki

by , under FamilySearch, Finnish, Online Research, Vital Records

I have been doing genealogical research for about 20 years, and since my paternal grandparents came from Finland, I have spent a good amount of time trying to do Finnish research. FamilySearch.org has provided a table that helps organize your approach to what records to seek and how to access them.
I have copied the table from the wiki page that provides links to the various types of records. Go here to access the wiki page and the actual links. NOTE: It is most helpful for research from 1800 to the present.

Step 1. In column 1 select a research goal. Choose an ancestor you would like to know more about. What new information would you like to learn about that person?

Step 2. In column 2 find the types of records most likely to have the information you need.

Step 3. In column 3 find additional record types that may be useful.

What you are looking for: Try these records first: Other useful records:
Age Church Records Census, Probate Records
Birth date Church Records
Boundaries and Origins Gazetteers Maps, History
Children Church Records Census, Probate
Death information Church Records Probate
Emigration date Emigration and Immigration Church Records
Ethnic background Church Records Minorities, Social Life and Customs, Ethnology
Historical background History Social Life and Customs
Maiden name Church Records
Marriage information Church Records
Occupations Church Records Probate, Occupations
Other family members Church Records Census, Probate
Parents Church Records Census, Probate
Physical description Military Records Biography, Genealogy
Place-finding aids Postal and Shipping Guides Gazetteers, Maps,
Place of residence Church Records Geographical Names Census, Taxation
Previous research Genealogy, Periodicals Biography, History, Archives, and Libraries
Record-finding aids Archives and Libraries Bibliography, Genealogy
Religion Church Records Minorities, Encyclopedias, and Dictionaries
Social activities Social Life and Customs History

  1. Marilyn Mattson

    Hi! I am trying to get some history on my great great grandparents, who came from Finland, to Canada, to MI. I have traced it back that far, but seem to hit a dead end at the 1910 census. I know that they immigrated in 1897. Can you share any of the places that you were able to get info? I cant seem to get anything from before they hit the u.s.!

    Reply
    • whuskonen

      Marilyn,
      Have you thought of going to the Finland Institute of Migration database at http://siirtolaisuusinstituutti.fi/en/. It is a subscription service but the cost is modest and you may wish to research other relatives, making it more worthwhile. If you can find either or both of your great grandparents’ passenger records on this website, you will learn the parish that they emigrated from. Then you can try to find records in Hiski or Finland Family History Association websites. They can be found with a Google search.
      Wally Huskonen

      Reply

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