Military name changes

[Larry Danielson]

My great-grandfather was given the last name of Krig when he entered the Swedish military service in the 1840s, eventually living on a soldier's torp in Tuna, close to Vimmerby.  Any suggestions for finding out what his surname was before Krig?  He seemed to have connections with the Hultsfred area, Vena socken, where his wife came from.

[Sten Myrberger]

Larry,
You may try this link http://soldat.dis.se/soldater.php This is the central register for Swedish soldiers. A search for soldier Krig in Tuna results in one hit: Nils Gustaf Larsson born March 22, 1831. His wife was Lena Sofia Svensdotter born September 27, 1836. Could this be the right one?
/Sten

[Jeff Benson]

Larry,
 
Secondary sources, like Central Soldier's Register, can sometimes give useful hints but researching your soldier still depends heavily on the church records as a starting point.
 
This link gives very detailed and useful information about researching your soldier using both church and military resources:
http://www.algonet.se/~hogman/soldiers_research.htm
 
Good luck,
Jeff

[Larry Danielson]

Thanks, Sten, for substantiating what I found late last night in the church census records on Genline:  Nils Gustaf's birth and baptism information.  His father was Hemmansägaren Lars Svensson, which gives me Nils Gustaf Krig's earlier surname as Larsson, as your source states.  The information about his wife from your source also verifies what I've found in the church records.
 
And thanks, Jeff, for the soldiers research citation.  It will be very useful.
 
Two more questions:  How did a hemmansägare differ from a brukare?  Has Moberg's novel about soldier life, RASKENS, ever been translated into English?  I can't locate it, if so.
 
Thanks again!  --Larry

[Bo Johansson]

Hemmansägare = farm owner
 
Brukare = user of the farm, often means he doesn't own it
 
Ägare och brukare = owner and user
 
// Bo Johansson

[Bertil Ericsson]

Moberg´s novel RASKENS has not been translated into English but som other novels has been translated.
 
look at
http://www.vilhelmmoberg.com/english.html

[Larry Danielson]

Bo--  The distinction between user and owner is significant, so this is very helpful information.
 
Bertil--  This Moberg website looks great.  I've read the emigrant/immigrant novels and will explore the others. Maybe it's time to get to work and try reading RASKENS in Swedish.  Thanks.--Larry