Copyright © Hans Högman 2021-01-11
Enrollment Book for
Conscript, 1892 - Sweden
Conscription
Introduction
A new Conscription Act was passed in the Swedish
Parliament on 5 June 1885. The Act stated that every
young male was obliged to fulfill military training the
year they became 21 years old and the draft age was
set to years 21 to 32.
The military conscript system was called Beväringen.
At the age of 21, young men were called up for
registration (“mönstring” or “inskrivning”) with the
military. The registration was held locally at the draft
board in the area where the young man lived.
In 1886 Sweden was divided into 31 Conscription
Enrollment Areas (“Inskrivningsområden”). Each of
these enrollment areas was in turn divided into
several Company Areas [draft boards]
(“Kompaniområden”).
The enrollments of conscripts (draft registrations)
were done in the respective company area (draft
board) which means that the enrollment records
were kept per company area (draft board).
Enrollments/registration of conscripts were carried
out annually.
The conscripts (draftees) were registered in the so-
called “inskrivningslängd” (enrollment roll) and each
conscript was assigned a unique enrollment
number (“inskrivningsnummer”).
The enrollment number was a three-part draftee
identification number noted in the form SSS CCC/YY
where SSS was the conscript’s personal serial
number in the roll, CCC is the company area
(kompaniområde) of the enrollment area and YY the
year of enrollment of the draftee. Example of a
military registration number: 102 153/92.
The image to the right
shows drafted soldiers
being drilled at the
Södermanland
Regiment’s drill-ground
Malma hed around
1900. The image is
shown with the
consent of Malmköpingsortens Hembygdsförening
(Local culture society).
About the Military enrollment numbers.
Enrollment books
From 1885 an enrollment book (“inskrivningsbok”)
was assigned to each draftee when they were
enrolled. This enrollment book was the draftee’s
personal belonging and had to be presented every
time the draftee reported for duty.
Enrollment Book for a Conscript -
1892
The enrollment book in this article belonged to
conscript 23 132/1892, son of a farmer Johan Arvid
Jansson, born in Rasbo parish (C) 1 September 1871.
His enrollment number (“inskrivningsnummer”),
which is stated on the front cover of the enrollment
book, was 23 132/1892.
The last part on the number, 1892, was the year of
his enrollment (registration). “132” is the Company
Area (draft board)) which tells us where he was
enrolled. “23” is his personal serial number in the roll
Company Area 132 was “Rasbo kompaniområde”
which was attached to the Uppland Regiment’s
Enrollment Area.
There is information in the book requesting the
holder to always bring the book
when called up for military
service:
“This enrollment book must be
brought and shown upon request
when called up for service in
times of peace as well as in times
of war and must be presented
when reporting for duty”.
The image to the right shows
the front cover of Johan Arvid
Jansson’s enrollment book, 23
132/1892.
Below are a few images from Jansson’s
enrollment book:
Inskrivningsbok för 23
132/1892 J. A. Jansson
utfärdad av befälhavaren
för Rasbo kompaniområde
n:r 132.
Enrollemnt book for 23
132/1892 J. A. Jansson
issued by the commander
of Rasbo Company Area
n:o 132.
Innehavarens
•
för- och tillnamn:
Johan Arvid Jansson
•
födelse-år och dag: 1/9
1871
•
födelseort: Rasbo
socken
•
yrke eller titel:
bondson
The holder’s
•
Given names and
surname: Johan Arvid
Jansson
•
Date of birth: 1
September 1871
•
Place of birth: Rasbo
parish
•
Occupation/Title: Son
of a farmer
Jansson fulfilled his military training at I8, Uppland
Regiment in 1892.
Images: Hans Högman, 2005.
