About us
This project connects families that have male (yDNA) and female (mtDNA) line ancestry in the Tjust area of Sweden.
Swedes did not use hereditary surnames until relatively recently. Most people used patronymics. In the Middle Ages, only noble families had surnames. The gentry and priests began assuming surnames in the 15th century. In the 17th century soldiers were often required to assume surnames, but these did not usually become hereditary. In 1901 a new law required everyone to stop using patronymics and adopt a surname.
Because surnames were a late development in Sweden, DNA can be very important for connecting families that have adopted different surnames.
Swedes did not use hereditary surnames until relatively recently. Most people used patronymics. In the Middle Ages, only noble families had surnames. The gentry and priests began assuming surnames in the 15th century. In the 17th century soldiers were often required to assume surnames, but these did not usually become hereditary. In 1901 a new law required everyone to stop using patronymics and adopt a surname.
Because surnames were a late development in Sweden, DNA can be very important for connecting families that have adopted different surnames.