Husförhör and Husförhörslängderna - differences ?

[Dianne Catalano]

I have seen the following 2 words used in a very similar manner: Husförhörs and Husförhörslängderna. Could someone please tell me what the difference in these 2 words is? Thank you very much in advance. Dianne Catalano

[Katrin Lundstedt-Enkel]

Husförhör- the actual yearly check-up performed by the priest when the priest asked questions regarding the bible, the psalms, Luther's Small Catechism. In short, asked the persons in a house (hus) about the christian faith. Also made notes regarding the ability read, write, understanding etc. This was done between 1686-to the end of the 19th century.
 
Husförhörsläng- the actual church books the priest (or priest assistant) wrote down facts about the persons in the different homes. Became common in the 1700-hundreds (18th century) mostly to keep a civil registry, but also to write about the christian faith (...), the number of communities the person attended, if he/she had been vaccinated (public health), change of parishes etc. Some husförhörslängder are detailed and contains a lot of facts, some are written by sloppy priests that are almost un-readable... You can find them (beautifully photographed pages in color) at Arkiv Digital http://www.arkivdigital.net/ under Swedish church records.

[Dianne Catalano]

Thank you very much, Katrin! That was a very quick reply! Now I should be able to use the words properly in a story that I am writing about my ancestor. Your help is very much appreciated!