Karelia as a Region for Genealogical Research
Karelia, as a historical and cultural region, has been divided into several parts due to political changes, which significantly affects genealogical sources and methods. This article focuses on ceded Karelia, Viena Karelia, Aunus Karelia, and Border Karelia, offering guidance for researching families from these areas. Genealogical research in Karelia offers a unique opportunity to connect family stories with a broader historical context. However, it also presents particular challenges, such as fragmented records, language barriers (especially Russian-language documents), and differing administrative histories.
The complex history of the Karelian region—including wars, border changes, and population transfers—has directly shaped the availability and nature of genealogical sources. These historical events have affected the fate of archives, such as the destruction of some Viipuri archives during the Winter War, and influenced how and where population data is stored today. Therefore, understanding this historical background is essential for researchers to effectively search and interpret sources. It’s not only about names and dates but about piecing together a larger historical puzzle. This often makes Karelian genealogy more complex than research in other parts of Finland.
The development of digital tools and databases, such as the Katiha database, the Sampo portal of the Karelian Cultural Society, the National Archives' Astia online service, and of course MyHeritage’s own extensive Karelia database, has revolutionized genealogical research in Karelia. These tools have made previously hard-to-access records more approachable. Before digitization, studying these materials often required physical visits to archives, which was time-consuming and expensive. While digitization has democratized research, it also emphasizes the importance of source criticism and a deep understanding of the original documents. Digital tools are powerful but do not replace thorough research and careful assessment of context and potential errors in the original records.
The concept of "Karelia" is multifaceted, and genealogists must understand its various historical and geographical meanings. "Ceded Karelia" refers to the territories Finland had to cede to the Soviet Union under the peace treaties that ended the Winter and Continuation Wars in 1940 and 1944. Research on these areas mainly involves records preserved in Finland's National Archives.
East Karelia traditionally includes Viena Karelia, Aunus Karelia, and Border Karelia. Viena and Aunus have historically belonged to Russia, and research often requires familiarity with Russian archival sources and administrative structures. Border Karelia is particularly interesting, as it belonged administratively to the Viipuri Province of Finland (as the Salmi district), but its culture and population were strongly connected across the eastern border, being mostly Karelian-speaking and Orthodox. This interpretive complexity can cause confusion unless the researcher is careful.
Understanding naming conventions is crucial in Karelian genealogy, as it directly affects search strategies and document interpretation. In Eastern Finland, including Karelia, family surnames have been in use for centuries and are inherited. These Eastern Finnish surnames often derive from a founding ancestor's first or additional name, such as Hyvönen (from "Hyvä"), Penttinen (from "Pentti"), or Jalkanen (from the nickname "Paksujalka").
Orthodox areas, especially Border Karelia, had distinctive naming practices. The use of patronymics (father’s names) was common, especially in Russian-language documents (e.g., Ivan Petrovich, meaning Ivan, son of Peter). Before 1880, many individuals in Border Karelia were recorded with only their Russian first name and patronymic; only a few had hereditary surnames at that time. Personal bynames, which could be in Karelian, Finnish, or Russian, could later become family surnames. In Border Karelia, many surnames are based on pet forms of given names (hypocorisms) that originally served as house names (e.g., Patronen, Reittu) or various bynames (e.g., Löllö).
Most Orthodox residents of Border Karelia received hereditary surnames only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Surnames might vary between documents, and names were also consciously "Finnicized" during Finland’s national awakening and later campaigns. Researchers must be aware of name variants in Finnish, Swedish, and Russian documents, and the potential changes in names over time.
1. Church Records of Lutheran and Orthodox Parishes1. Church Records of Lutheran and Orthodox Parishes
Church records form the backbone of genealogical research in ceded Karelia, but coverage varies by area and parish.
Lutheran church records: These are primary sources and traditionally include registers of births and baptisms, banns and marriages, and deaths and burials (the so-called historical books). Other key sources are communion books (with family details, residences, literacy, and communion attendance) and children's books (recording information on children under confirmation age). The activities of Lutheran parishes in the ceded areas officially ended on December 31, 1949.
Orthodox church records (metriks and communion books): These contain similar information as Lutheran records, although the language (often Russian in older documents) and practices differ.
Availability: Both Lutheran and Orthodox church records from ceded Karelia have been widely digitized. They are available via the Astia online service of the National Archives and searchable through the Katiha database. However, access is restricted: material over 100 years old is freely available, but newer records require a research permit and can only be used in the reading rooms of the National Archives.
The Archive of the Ingrian Refugee Parish deserves special mention. It contains information on Ingrian refugees who came to Finland after the Russian Revolution and is stored in the Mikkeli branch of the National Archives.
It’s important to note that not all parish records have survived. The greatest losses concern the records of Viipuri city parishes, where wartime destruction was severe. This underlines the importance of surviving or reconstructed records, such as the new communion book of the Swedish parish of Viipuri.
2. Census Records as Supplementary Sources2. Census Records as Supplementary Sources
Census records (henkikirjat) are population lists compiled for taxation purposes and are excellent supplementary sources, especially where church records are missing or incomplete. Although they generally lack precise birth dates or detailed family relations, they can help place individuals and families in time and space and trace moves and property ownership.
Their importance is particularly evident in places like Viipuri, where many church records were destroyed. Census records can help construct family connections when traditional sources are unavailable. Interpreting them requires a different approach and often combining information with other possible sources, such as estate inventories or court records.
Availability: Census records from the ceded Karelian area have been extensively digitized and can be accessed via the Astia service. For example, census records for Viipuri Province are available from 1818 to 1945. Archives of local census officials from the ceded districts, stored at the Mikkeli branch of the National Archives, also contain valuable documents.
Remember above all: MyHeritage’s own database includes many of the ecclesiastical records mentioned above. You can find baptisms, marriages, deaths, and communion and children’s books directly in MyHeritage’s collection catalog. This means you can conduct genealogical research focused on Karelia directly in your preferred service, and verify original sources if needed via the Astia portal of the National Archives of Finland.
References
This article was adapted from Arkistojen Portti, Kansallisarkisto, . [1].