Vivahdejuuresta

Vivahdejuuresta is a Finnish term used primarily in historical and genealogical contexts to refer to the source or original basis for information about a betrothal (vivahde). The word combines vivahde (betrothal or marriage arrangement) with juuri (root, origin), and the elative suffix -sta meaning “from.” In practice, the phrase signals that a claim about a betrothal rests on a primary source rather than on later summaries or secondary accounts.

In archival and genealogical work, vivahdejuuresta denotes the evidentiary origin of a piece of information—for example, a church parish book, a formal betrothal contract, or an official record from a local authority. Identifying the vivahdejuuresta helps researchers assess the reliability and provenance of family history data, and it often guides how researchers cite sources when reconstructing marriage ties in historical populations.

The term is specialized and largely archaic, and it is not commonly used in contemporary legal language. Modern Finnish typically uses more standard terms such as kihlaus (betrothal) or avioliitto (marriage). Despite its niche status, vivahdejuuresta remains relevant for scholars working with early modern records, where distinguishing the original betrothal source is important for accurate genealogical reconstruction.

See also: vivahde, kihlaus, avioliitto, genealogia.