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Finnish roots impossible to find

Finnish roots impossible to find

Posted: 19 Aug 2012 12:02AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Sodergren Hermans
I am trying to find family members from the Vaasa or Tjarlax area of Finland by the last name of Sodergren. They changed their last name to Hermans when they reached the US, around the mid-1800's, settling mostly in the Washington State area. I have also been told that their last name had originally been Hermans before it was Sodergren.

Any ideas how to get records from Finland?

Re: Finnish roots impossible to find

Posted: 31 Aug 2012 12:44AM GMT
Classification: Query
I am trying to find some roots from Finland also, and also hitting a wall. My family members are the Terpennen/Raatika, I don't know where in Finland they came from other than arriving in the US in 1896 and changing the name to Turpen. Anyway...

I did have someone contact me saying that there is a gentlemen doing research in Finland for a price. Unfortunately I have not contacted him yet to see prices or anything. His website is: www.famangle.com if you want to look into him. Good luck and if you find any other hints I would love to share info if possible.

Re: Finnish roots impossible to find

Posted: 31 Aug 2012 3:32PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Hermans or Sodergren
So, you have the same problem I do. It's sad we weren't more inquisitive in our younger years....

I will check out the website. I would love to hire a researcher. My biggest concern is that if they charge by the hour (which they do) our difficult family history situations will take many, many, many hours to track down. There's always the possibility that a researcher won't find any family history. I guess I will have to make the decision to spend a lot of money on a gamble or just leave things as they are.

Thanks for your input!

Re: Finnish roots impossible to find

Posted: 11 Sep 2012 1:33AM GMT
Classification: Query
Hi there! I too was having a difficult time researching as well. I recently met long lost family who helped me a bit. Our family were farmers so they adopted the name of the farms they were working on at the time. If they moved from farm to farm then their names changed as well. Very confusing! I guess the fins didn't have last names until this century according to my cousin. I have a website that she referred me to so I hope it will help the both of you as well. It is www.pp.htv.fi/lkivinie/romanov/sukupuu.htm I have actually been able to find some history so hope you do too. Good luck! Serena

Re: Finnish roots impossible to find

Posted: 11 Sep 2012 3:16AM GMT
Classification: Query
Thanks so much! I just heard about the not having last names till this century challenge this week myself.... Could make for interesting hunting!

Re: Finnish roots impossible to find

Posted: 11 Sep 2012 4:04AM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 11 Sep 2012 4:11AM GMT
I had read that the Finns didn't use last names, so it makes sense that they might use the name of the place where they farmed. I think that's where my family took their names from.

I looked at the website and didn't find either family name.

Thanks for your input!

Marsha

Re: Finnish roots impossible to find

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 1:25AM GMT
Classification: Query
Post on the message board in Finland,
Alicia

Re: Finnish roots impossible to find

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 5:10PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thanks so much!!

Re: Finnish roots impossible to find

Posted: 10 Dec 2012 12:49PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hi

I am offering professional family history services when you are trying to find your ancestors in Finland and can't get help from this great message board. There is always free consultation at the beginning. See our webpage for services and contact information:
www.sukuhaku.fi/en.html

best regards
Tommi Huhtanen / SukuHaku

Re: Finnish roots impossible to find

Posted: 9 Apr 2013 5:56AM GMT
Classification: Query
Have you looked at the censuses and located them on all of the censuses? Deaths are sometimes on Find A Grave and try Familysearch.org Sometimes you get additional facts from obituaries found or death certificates or obituaries. I do a lot of MN and death certificates ask where the parents were born; sometimes it is not filled in. Try lots of name spellings, there are transcription errors and some enumerators didn't understand speech accurately. Do you have naturalization certificates? Grace in AK
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