Danish Roots

When tracing your family history in Denmark the most valuable records will be found in the church’s parish records.

The state church of Denmark is the Lutheran Church and since the Protestant Reformation the parish has been where the primary records are kept. These parish records go back to the 1600s. Parish priests were required by law to record all births, marriages and deaths. In later years priests recorded confirmations and also lists of who came into and who left a parish.

Before 1812, when the Danish government developed a uniform set of forms for this information the records can take a variety of forms. The priest could record the information in any manner that worked for him. After the record forms were developed all the births were recorded in order on one set of forms, marriages on another and deaths on another. The same is true for the recording of confirmations and comings and goings in the parishes.

These records have a wealth of valuable information. Birth/christensing records were made when the child was brought to the church usually within a week or so of birth. Information noted includes name of child and the christening date, the names of the parents and the names of the godparents. Often the age of parents and the occupation of the father is listed. The names of the godparents can be very helpful as they typically were relatives of the parents.

Marriage records may have been made at the time of marriage or perhaps earlier at the time the engagement was announced. The names of the bride and groom, their ages and where they lived will be noted. Witnesses to the marriage will also be listed and again, these individuals may be relatives.

Death records were made at the time of burial. They will include the date of burial, age and the father or husband’s name. Some records may also include the cause of death.

These records can be especially valuable not only to determine the events in an individuals life but also to put together family groups as other family members are listed in the records.