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Aust-Agder kirkebøker (parish records)

About this list:

    I have compiled the information on this list from the LDS Family History Catalog as well as from information from the web site of the Norwegian National Archives.  It contains a list of the parish records - kirkebøker - from Aust-Agder that have been microfilmed. Parish records that have not been microfilmed are not included in this list, and these parish records can only be viewed at the Norwegian State Archive if they are more than 60 years old.
     I have translated the word prestegjeld as "clerical district" and the word sokn as "parish". This is the convention used in the LDS Family History Catalog.
 
Arendal Fjære Hylestad - see Valle Tovdal (Topdal) - see Åmli
Austad - see Bygland Flosta - see Dypvåg Høvåg Tromøy
Austre Moland Froland Iveland - see Evje Tvedestrand
Barbu Gjerstad Landvik - see Hommedal Valle
Birkenes Gjøvdal - see Åmli Lillesand - see Vestre Moland  Vegusdal - see Evje
Bygland Grimstad Mykland - see Åmli Vegårshei - see Gjerstad
Bykle - see Valle Herefoss Risør Vestre Moland
Dypvåg Hisøy Sandnes - see Bygland Øyestad (Øiestad)
Eide - see Hommedal Holt Stokken - see Austre Moland Åmli (Omblie)
Evje Hommedal Søndeled Årdal - see Bygland
Hornnes - see Evje Omblie - see Åmli

Dissentercongregations i Aust-Agder

Arendal

    Arendal parish records are available on microfilm from 1703-1927.  The first church in Arendal was buildt in 1670, and this congregation, Trefoldighet menighet (Trinity congregation), was part of Holt clerical district until 1705, when Arendal parish was separated out to become its own clerical district.
    Note 1:  The parish records for Øyestad clerical district contain the christening (baptism) records for Arendal parish for the year 1804.
    Note 2: There were three dissenter congregations in Arendal.  See Dissenter congregations below.
 

Austad - see Bygland

 

 

Austre Moland

    Austre Moland parish records are available on microfilm from 1747-1936.  Austre Moland clerical district consists of Austre Moland parish and Stokken annex parish.  Austre Moland clerical district belonged to Holt clerical district until 1747 when Austre Moland parish along with Tromøy parish and Barbu parish were separated out and became Austre Moland clerical district.  This new clerical district included Barbu parish and Tromøy parish until 1877 when these two parishes were separated out and became their own separate clerical districts (see Barbu clerical district and Tromøy clerical district).  In 1879 a church was buildt in Stokken in Tromøy, and from then on Stokken was considered an annex parish in Austre Moland clerical district.
    For church records prior to 1747 see Holt clerical district.  Parish records for Stokken parish prior to 1879 are found in the parish records for Tromøy clerical district and Austre Moland clerical district.
    Note: Thirty years ago, as of 01 January 1972, Flosta parish from Dypvåg clerical district was transferred to Austre Moland clerical district.
 
 

Barbu

   Barbu parish records are available on microfilm from 1878-1922.  Barbu was originally a parish in the Holt clerical district.  In 1747 Barbu parish along with Austre Moland parish and Tromøy parish were separated out to became Austre Moland clerical district.  This new clerical district included Barbu parish and Tromøy parish until 1877 when these two parishes were separated out and became their own separate clerical districts (see Barbu clerical district and Tromøy clerical district).  In 1902 Barbu clerical district was annexed to Arendal city.  For earlier parish records see Tromøy clerical district.
 
 

Birkenes

     Birkenes parish records are available on microfilm from 1794-1930.  This clerical district was created in 1905 when Birkenes parish was separated out from Tveit clerical district in Vest-Agder county to become its own clerical district in Aust-Agder county.  In 1845 the farms Vassbotn, Odderdalen and Ramseli were transferred from Vegusdal parish in Evje clerical district to Birkenes parish.  The farm Skjervedal was in 1854 transferred from Birkenes parish to Vennesla parish.  A part of the Steinsvann farm was in 1882 transferred from Birkenes clerical district to Landvik parish in Hommedal clerical district.
     In 1976 when Herefoss clerical district was closed down, Herefoss parish and Vegusdal parish were transferred to Birkenes clerical district.
 
 

Bygland

Bygland parish records are available on microfilm from 1725-1926.  Bygland clerical district consists of the parishes Bygland (Nedre Setesdal), Sandnes, Austad and Årdal.
 
 

Bykle - see Valle clerical district

 

 

Dypvåg

Dypvåg parish records are available on microfilm from 1699-1924.  Prior to 1812 Dypvåg (Dybvåg) parish and Flosta (Flaugstad) parish were part of Holt clerical district.  In that year, these two parishes were separated out from Holt clerical district to form Dypvåg clerical district.  In 1813 the farm Gjeving and the islands of Holmen, Odden and Lyngør were transferred from Søndeled clerical district to Dypvåg parish.  In 1866 the farm Risøy was transferred from Søndeled clerical district to Dypvåg parish.  In 1962 Flosta parish was transferred to Austre Moland clerical district.  Dypvåg clerical district was closed down in 1973, and Dypvåg parish was transferred to Holt clerical district.  For parish records prior to 1812 see Holt clerical district.  In addition, see Søndeled clerical district for some church records for the years 1801-1815.
 
 

Eide - see Hommedal

 

 

Evje

Evje parish records are available on microfilm from 1704-1926.  Evje clerical district includes the following parishes: Evje, Hornnes and Iveland. It also included Vegusdal parish until 1875 when that parish became part of Herefoss clerical district.  In 1845 the farms Vassbotn, Odderdalen and Ramseli were transferred from Vegusdal parish in Evje clerical district to Birkenes clerical district.
 
 

Fjære

Fjære parish records are available on microfilm from 1732-1925.  Fjære clerical district was originally a parish in Øyestad clerical district, but it was separated out from that clerical district in 1845 along with Grimstad parish, to form Fjære clerical district.  In 1885 Grimstad parish was separated out to become Grimstad clerical district, but in 1968 it was again transferred back to Fjære clerical district as a parish.  For earlier parish records see Øyestad clerical district.
     Note: On 04 October 1933 there was a fire in the parsonage (vicarage) and most of the church books for 1839-1930 were destroyed.
 
 

Flosta - see Dypvåg

 

 

Froland

Froland parish records are available on microfilm from 1742-1920.   Froland parish was separated out from Øyestad clerical district in 1849 to become Froland clerical district.  In 1976 Mykland parish was transferred from Herefoss clerical district to Froland clerical district.  For earlier parish records see Øyestad clerical district.
 
 

Gjerstad

Gjerstad parish records are available on microfilm from 1695-1925.  Prior to 1745 Gjerstad clerical district consisted of the parishes Gjerstad, Vegårshei, Sønneløv (Søndeled) and Risør.  In 1745 Sønneløv (Søndeled) and Risør parishes were separated out to become Risør clerical district.  In 1746 the workers at Egelands Jernverk in Gjerstad received permission to attend church in Søndeled parish.  Vegårshei was annexed to Holt clerical district in 1812 but in 1828 was returned to Gjerstad clerical district.
 
 

Gjøvdal - see Åmli

 

 

Grimstad

Grimstad parish records are available on microfilm from 1867-1922.  Prior to 1845 Grimstad parish was part of Øyestad clerical district.  In that year Grimstad parish and Fjære parish, also in Øyestad clerical district, were separated out to become Fjære clerical district.  In 1885 Grimstad parish was separated out from Fjære clerical district to become its own clerical district.  In 1968 Grimstad once again became a parish in Fjære clerical district.  For earlier parish records see Fjære and Øyestad clerical districts.
     Note: The parish records for Fjære for the time period 1839 - 1869 were lost when Fjære parsonage (vicarage) burned on 04 October 1933.
 
 

Herefoss

Herefoss parish records are available on microfilm from 1704-1932.    Herefoss clerical district was established 01 April 1875 when Herefoss parish was seperated from Hommedal clerical district; Vegusdal parish from Evje clerical district; and Mykland parish from Åmli clerical district.  These three parishes became the new Herefoss clerical district.  In 1976 Herefoss clerical district was closed down, and the two parishes of Herefoss and Vegusdal were transferred to Birkenes clerical district, while Mykland parish was transferred to Froland clerical district.  For earlier church records see the respective clerical districts that the parishes Herefoss, Vegusdal and Mykland came from.
 
 

Hisøy

Hisøy  parish records are available on microfilm from 1849-1923.  Hisøy clerical district was originally a parish in Øyestad clerical district, but was separated out and became its own clerical district in 1871.  See Øyestad clerical district for earlier records.
 
 

Holt

Holt  parish records are available on microfilm from  1699-1930.  Holt clerical district originally included Holt, Dypvåg, Flosta, Tromøy, Barbu, Austre Moland, Tvedestrand and Arendal parishes.  Arendal was separated out in 1705 to become Arendal clerical district.  In 1747 Tromøy, Barbu and Austre Moland were separated out to become Austre Moland clerical district.  In 1812 Dybvåg and Flosta parishes were separated out to become Dybvåg clerical district.  Vegårshei parish was moved to Holt clerical district from Gjerstad clerical district in 1812, but was moved back again to Gjerstad clerical district in 1828.  In 1880 the farm Gården Eikeland (but not løpenummer 817a and 818 Skottevik) was transferred from Holt parish to Flosta parish in Dybvåg clerical district.  Tvedestrand parish was separated out in 1902 when it became Tvedestrand clerical district.  In 1973 Dypvåg parish and Tvedestrand clerical district were transferred back to Holt clerical district and once again became parishes in this clerical district.
     Note:  There were no Klokkerbok (sexton's copy of parish records) maintained in Holt during the time period 1823 - 1849.
 
 

Hommedal

Hommedal parish records are available on microfilm from 1690-1929 .  Hommedal clerical district consists of the parishes of Landvik and Eide.  Prior to 01 April 1875 Herefoss parish also belonged to Hommedal clerical district, but it was separated out to become Herefoss clerical district.  In 1882 a part of the farm Steinsvann was transferred from Birkenes clerical district to Landvik parish.
 
 

Hornnes - see Evje

 

 

Hylestad - see Valle

 

 

Høvåg

Høvåg  parish records are available on microfilm from 1688-1930.  Høvåg parish was separated out from Vestre Moland clerical district in 1860 to become its own clerical district.  The farms Vatne, Ådnevig, Eftevåg, Grønnevoll and Romstøl were in 1861 transferred from Høvåg clerical district to Randesund parish in Oddernes clerical district in Vest-Agder fylke.  In 1975 Høvåg clerical district was transferred back to Vestre Moland clerical district and became a parish in that clerical district.  For earlier parish records see Vestre Moland clerical district.
 
 

Iveland - see Evje

 

 

Landvik - see Hommedal

 

 

Lillesand - see Vestre Moland

 

 

Mykland - see Åmli

 

 

Risør

Risør parish records are available on microfilm from  1695-1921.  Risør was originally a parish in Gjerstad clerical district until 1745, when it was separated out to become its own clerical district.  This new clerical district included Sønneløv (Søndeled) annex parish until 1877 when it separated out to become Sønneløv (Søndeled) clerical district. In 1971 Risør clerical district was closed down and the Risør parish became part of the Sønneløv (Søndeled) clerical district.
     Note: When the city burned in 1861 two church books were lost. See Sønneløv (Søndeled) clerical district for some church records for the years 1801-1815. See Gjerstad clerical district for earlier parish records.
 
 

Sandnes - see Bygland

 

 

Stokken - see Austre Moland

 

 

Søndeled

Søndeled  parish records are available on microfilm from  1746-1900.  Søndeled was an annex parish in Gjerstad clerical district until 1745 when it was transferred to the newly created Risør clerical district.  The farm Gjeving and the islands Holmen, Odden and Lyngør were in 1813 transferred from Søndeled parish to Dypvåg clerical district.  In 1866 the farm Risøy was transferred from Søndeled parish to Dypvåg clerical district.  In 1877 Søndeled annex parish was separated out to become its own clerical district.  At the same time, Søndeled was divided into two parishes: Ytre Søndeled and Indre Søndeled.  In 1971 when Risør clerical district was closed down, it became part of the Søndeled clerical district.  For earlier parish records see Risør and Gjerstad clerical districts.
 
 

Tovdal - see Åmli

 

 

Tromøy

Tromøy parish records are available on microfilm from 1747-1925.  Tromøy parish originally belonged to Holt clerical district until 1747 when Tromøy with Barbu and Austre Moland parishes were separated out to became Austre Moland clerical district.  In 1877 Tromøy parish was separated out from Austre Moland to become its own clerical district.  See Holt clerical district and Austre Moland clerical district for earlier records.
     Note:  a few births for the time period 1715 - 1738 are also listed in the Klokkerbok (sexton's copy of the parish records) in Dypvåg clerical district.
 
 

Tvedestrand

Tvedestrand parish records are available from 1861 to 1902.  A church was built in Tvedestrand in 1861, and from 01 April 1863 Tvedestrand became an annex parish in Holt clerical district.  In 1902 Tvedestrand was separated out from Holt clerical district and became its own clerical district.  In 1973 Tvedestrand clerical district was closed down, and the parish once again became part of Holt clerical district.
     Note 1:  All parish records for Tvedestrand are listed under Holt clerical district in the LDS Family History Catalog.
     Note 2.  There was a dissenter Baptist congregation in Tvedestrand, and the parish records for this are listed at the end of this page under Dissentersamfunn i Aust-Agder.
 
 

Valle

Valle parish records are available on microfilm from  1714-1928.  The Valle Clerical district consists of three parishes: Valle (Øvre Setesdal), Bykle and Hylestad.
     Note: The parsonage (vicarage) burned in 1861.
 
 

Vegusdal - see Evje

 

 

Vegårshei - see Gjerstad

 

 

Vestre Moland

Vestre Moland parish records are available on microfilm from 1688-1929.  Vestre Moland clerical district includes the parishes Vestre Moland and Lillesand.  It also included Høvåg parish until 1860 when this parish was separated out to become Høvåg clerical district. In 1975 Høvåg clerical district was closed down and Høvåg parish was again transferred back to Vestre Moland clerical district.  Lillesand parish was created in 1889 when a church was buildt there.
     Note: the oldest parish records were lost when the parsonage (vicarage) burned in 1688.
 
 

Øyestad (Øiestad)

Øyestad parish records are available on microfilm from 1630-1932.  Øyestad clerical district originally included the following parishes: Øyestad, Fjære, and Froland.  Fjære parish was separated out in 1845 to become its Fjære clerical district.  Froland parish was separated out in 1849 when it became Froland clerical district.  Hisøy parish was established in 1847, and was separated out in 1872 when it became Hisøy clerical district.
     Note: The parish records for Øyestad (Øiestad) clerical district also included christening (baptism) records for the Arendal church for the year 1804.
 
 

Åmli

Åmli parish records are available on microfilm from 1711-1928.   Åmli clerical district originally included the parishes Åmli (Omblie), Gjøvdal, Tovdal (Topdal), and Mykland.  On 20 December 1830 the farm Mo was transferred from Åmli parish to Mykland parish, and in 1875 Mykland parish was transferred to Herefoss clerical district.  The farms Høgeli, Hesteklev, Tveitli and also Søndre Skjeggedal, Nedre Skjeggedal and Øvre Skjeggedal were on 06 April 1859 transferred from Mykland parish to Tovdal parish.  When Herefoss clerical district was closed down in 1976, Mykland parish was transferred to Froland clerical district.
     Note: One "kirkebok" (parish records book) for the time period 1684-1710 has been lost.
 
 

Årdal - see Bygland

 

 

Dissenter congregations i Aust-Agder

Note regarding "Dissenters and non-Christians":

     I my article on Norwegian kirkebøker - parish registers I discuss some of the historical background regarding "dissenters and non-Christians" in Norway, and the requirement that was imposed upon their congregations regarding recordkeeping for baptisms, marriages, etc.
     The Norwegian National Archives point out on their web site that these congregations are not legally obligated to hand over their old congregation records to the National Archives.  This legal requirement is only binding on the Norwegian state Lutheran churches.  Nevertheless, some of these congregations have decided to do so, and these records have been microfilmed.  The information contained in the records varies from the standard formats used by the Norwegian state Lutheran churches.  The Norwegian National Archives has therefore tried to "fit" the information into formats that are similar to the standard formats that have been in use by the Norwegian state Lutheran churches.  For example, the records of a dissenter congregation might have a form for Barn, underviste og eksaminerte i religionskunnskap (Children that have been instructed and examined in their knowledge of religion).  The Norwegian National Archive has decided to call this form Konfirmerte (Confirmed) because it is similar to the form used by the Norwegian state Lutheran churches for confirmations.  Likewise the standard form used by the Norwegian state Lutheran churches for Døpte (Baptisms) has in some cases been changed to "Births" because the dissenter congregation only baptised adults, or because their records only included the date of birth, not the date of baptism.
     Note:  The dissenter congregations often had members from a wide geographic area.  This means that even if the congregation had its meeting place in, for example, Arendal, the members could be from any of the clerical districts surrounding Arendal.

     The LDS Family History Library Catalog lists the following parish records of  "Dissenters and non-Christians" in Aust-Agder fylke:


 
 
 

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John Follesdal
Copyright 2002
This page was created 04 September 2002