Question about third name on parish record

[Dianne Catalano]

While researching the family of Nils Jonasson, f. 1691, Hällefors, Örebro, I found a record of a Brita, who seems to have been Nils' sister, f. 1688. However, while the father's name appears only as Jonas Jonsson on Nils' record, the word “Storfelt” appears immediately after the Jonsson on Brita's record. Can anyone tell me what the “Storfelt” might indicate? I found 1 or more Storfelt families in Varmland at a much later date, and a Storfelt rote in Stellefteå, but I can find no connection between Jonas and the Varmland Storfelts, and Stellefteå is far to the north of Hällefors. An attempt at translating Storfelt gave the result “large fault,” which did not seem to be helpful. Any help that anyone can give me would be highly appreciated. Dianne Catalano

[Heikki Särkkä]

Storfelt (modern orthography: Storfält) means 'large field'.

[Dianne Catalano]

Thanks very much for replying. Do you have any idea why Storfelt might appear to be a third name on Brita's record?

[John Bentley]

A birth record will have the fathers name and where the family lived.  If Storfelt is not the place or farm name, it is possible it is an extended family name acquired say as a soldier (see http://www.dis.se/english/RootedInSweden_9_low.pdf for a little bit on naming including soldiers names) or possibly as a craftsman eg blacksmith in the country or a master craftsman in a town.
 
Where I do my researching, sailors names are common.  I was first taken aback where I encountered someone called Papegoja (parrot), who turned out to be an indentured sailor (båtsman).   Since the soldiers/sailors had a small plot (torp) to allow them a wife and home and hence to have children during their service years, children to say Nils Svensson Papegoja are then found.  When the man ceased service sometimes he might still use the name for some years unless his successor took the same name.  If a soldier/sailor, the children would however be Nilsson/Nilsdotter.  If the father stayed as a skilled craftsman, some or all children might have his name, ie Storfelt in your instance.
 
(Meddelandet ändrat av Johnb 2010-10-04 18:17)

[Dianne Catalano]

Many, many thanks, John! Maybe I will try a posting for Hällefors parish, and see if anyone who follows those posts knows of any Storfelt farms that might have been operating in Hällefors or nearby Värmland at an earlier date than I found that family there. Dianne