My Finnish Female Ancestors' Surnames
I feel like every time I post in this group, it has something to do with a surname. But my Finnish ancestors are really throwing me for a loop.
My latest problem: I have come across two female ancestors that, as I follow them through the Finnish Communion Books, their surnames (or what I believe to be surnames) may change. I have one who is Sophia Joransdotter but may sometimes be listed as Sophia Georgii. Another is Walborg Johansdotter who may sometimes be listed as Walborg Henrici.
I understand Joransdotter and Johansdotter, but what are Georgii and Henrici?
If it helps, Sophia lived 1709-1794 and Walborg lived 1697-1789. Both lived in Vaasa.
I appreciate any help you can lend me.
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This article from the Family Search Wiki may help you understand Finnish names: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Finland_Personal_Names.
I am also going to tag @Heidi Kuosmanen to see if she will help answer your question.
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Jöran or Göran is the Swedish form of Latin Georg(ius). Georgii is the genitive "of Georgius", i.e., dotter of Georg = Jöransdotter.
Note that the dominant language in the Vaasa/Wasa region was Swedish at that time.
What regards Johansdotter/Henrici: Walborg's father may have had both names, Johan and Henrik.
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In medieval church records in Finland, the language is Latin. Swedish was used in Finland as an official language from the 13th century onwards, but Latin was still often used in church records and in individual words. From about 1880 onwards, Finnish is used. Finland was and still has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish and there are lots of Swedish speaking people mainly in the southern and westers coastal areas. Vaasa area is one of those Swedish areas where people always have had mainly Swedish names also.
"Walborg Johansdotter who may sometimes be listed as Walborg Henrici"
There are 3 possibilities with Wallborg. First is that the father's name was Johan Henric, second is that priest wrote wrong patronymic on some record, third possibiliy is that there were two different woman, other Walborg Johansdotter and other was Walborg Henricsdotter. You need to be very careful and have good sources showing relationships is you think that these were same person.
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I have explained little bit more of this naming problem on my this year's Rootstech video, if you would like to watch. https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/challenges-in-finnish-family-history-research
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@Norm Baker Thank you so much for the article! It was full of very helpful information for me. Especially since I've only just tapped into the Finnish part of my family. My mother's side is half Finnish so I have a lot of searching to do.
@Ulrich Neitzel Thank you for explaining the relationship between Joran and Goran/Georgii. This makes more sense now.
@Heidi Kuosmanen Thank you for the video. I am going to watch it this afternoon. Walborg Henrici and Walborg Johansdotter have the same birth month and year (no day shows for either of them) so I suspect they are the same. I am still doing some searches on her side so perhaps it is as you all say - the father is Johan Henric.
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Virginia, could I look those Walborgs and say my opinion of them?
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Yes, I'd appreciate it. I work today and tomorrow but can share them with you on Tues.
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@Heidi Kuosmanen I sent you a message.
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