Survival of orphans in 19th century Sweden—the importance of remarriages

Abstract

The study aims at elucidating the fate of orphans in 19th century Sweden. A cohort of all children born in the region of Sundsvall was followed. The Cox regression model was used. The population increased 12‐fold in the sawmill parish, and doubled in the other parishes. Every 13th child lost either his or her mother or father. The death risk represented by being a motherless infant exceeded every other death risk for the child, and was further enhanced if parents were crofters or coming from the sawmill parish. For children beyond the age of 1 year, factors other than parental deprivation became decisive. Stepparents had an immense positive influence on the survival of the children. The social network worked relatively well for those children who were orphans beyond the age of 1 year. The motherless infants had the worst outcome. The best chance for survival was found for children with step‐parents.