Hi Linda, In one of excellent articles by the Swede Ingela Martenius, she tells about the different treatment of a wife after birth (churching) and the treatment of the mother of an illegiimate child when they were allowed to return to church. (Women, married or not, were considered "unclean" until a few weeks had gone by. This is her article on birth/baptism customs. http://web.comhem.se/~u31263678/genealogy/Baptism.pdf This is her website with other excellent articles. http://web.comhem.se/~u31263678/genealogy/ Judy Orland Park, Illinois Sent: 11:03 A.M. U.S. Central Time, October 17 ----- Original Message ----- My great grandmother was absolved by the Swedish church because of illegitimate births (1881 and 1895). I have tried to find information on what the process was to gain absolution but have not had luck discovering what she needed to do. I am hoping one of the listers can give me some information. Thanks Linda in Minnesota