Parish (Denmark)

A parish (sogn) in Denmark is an ecclesiastical community (parish). Danish parishes originated in the Middle Ages. Beginning in 1645, Danish pastors were required to maintain a parish register, which in modern times has become a valuable tool for genealogical research.[1]

Until the municipal reform of 1970, sogns were an administrative territorial unit of Denmark. In 1870, there were 1097 parish communities (sognekommuner). In 1970, there were more than 1300, and this number was reduced by the municipal reforms to 277 communities.[2] After 1970, a community often comprised multiple parishes.

Even in the present day, the original parish boundaries still play a significant role, for example in determining community boundaries and school districts.

Hierarchy

Example hierarchy of Beder parish in the Ning hundred of Aarhus County

Until 1970, a parish made up part of a hundred, which was part of a county.

References

  1. ↑ "Parish Registers". The State Archives. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
  2. ↑ "Kommunalreformen 1970" (in Danish). Dansk Center For Byhistorie. Retrieved 2014-04-07.

External links