A Swedish soldier-Frastaage- 1650

[Larry Hand]

SWEDISH SOLDIERS BECOME PRUSSIANS-circa 1650
          It has been speculated, in my Mother's family, that the Fratzke's, were descendants from a Swedish clan the Frastaages. The clan's home was in the Bay of Byske, on the Gulf of Bothnia, Vasterbotten County, Sweden in a place called Frastaage. Frastaage is directly south of Byske, north of Skelleftea. This area was said to be a debarkation point for the Swedish army, sent by the King of Sweden, to fight in the religious wars of Europe (1524-1648).
            The theory continues that the Frastaages came to the Poznan area of Prussia. They probably came during the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) (with their families) and were later assimilated into Prussian/German culture until 1850, when they emmigrated to the USA. Of note is the pronunciation of the name Fratzke. One would think the final “e” would make it pronounced “Fratz-ka” but the family pronounces it “Fratz-key”. Also, the name has a very small footprint in the Prussian area of present day Germany. My great grandfather married a Schacht (in the US) and let me tell you, the Schachts have many references in German (Polish) historical records going back to the 1600's, but no Fratzkes.  
         Any thoughts or opinions on whether this is worth further research and if so, how to proceed?  
           Larry Hand
          Sept. 24, 2015

[Marghareta LindEkers]

Hi Larry,  
I have relatives in the area you are mentioning. I don´t know anything about your soldier, but think you mean a place where I also have ancestors. South of Byske there is a place called Frostkåge. The Swedish å there is pronounced like a in the verb call. So also the o in Frost-. The bigger area where Frostkåge, Byske and also Skellefteå are situated is Västerbotten. Short form for that area is (AC).  
 
In Swedish church books of different kinds, such as for birth, death, marriage and also yearly husförhör, you will find the village Frostkåge. At that time it was a small place where most man were farmers. Maybe you there will find a note about your soldier; if you have any name and/or any year to begin with. Here are two places where you can subscribe. The text on the web pages is available in English, but the church books of course are written in Swedish: http://www.arkivdigital.net/ or http://sok.riksarkivet.se/svar-digitala-forskarsalen
I wish you the best in your search for your Swedish ancestors. Maybe we are relatives?/M

[Bertil Englund]

Something to investigate? This was the closes match to Fratzke and the time period I found.

 

 
found at::
Rullor 1620-1723 PersonReg:4 (1620-1699) Bild 2607 (AID: v793061.b2607, NAD: SE/KrA/0022)
http://www.arkivdigital.se/aid/info/v793061.b2607
and
Rullor 1620-1723 PersonReg:4 (1620-1699) Bild 2609 (AID: v793061.b2609, NAD: SE/KrA/0022)
http://www.arkivdigital.se/aid/info/v793061.b2609