While it was not until 1688 that vital record-keeping was required by law in Norway, some pastors began keeping records much earlier. The earliest parish record dates from 1623, but most start about 1700. Registers usually give the infant's and parents' names, place of residence, legitimacy status, names of godparents and witnesses and the christening date. The records include date, names of bride and bridegroom and usually indicate if the individuals were single or widowed, plus names of witnesses. After the 1830s, names of their fathers and birthplaces are given.
Registers give name of deceased, date and place of burial.
This test and first communion, called confirmation, usually took place when a person was 14 to 20 years old. No one could get married unless they had been confirmed. These records include names, ages, place of residence, and from the 1830s, the parents' names. It is possible to access most Norwegian parish registers through the Family History Library system as they are available on microfilm.