Ok, so I've been getting many questions as to scope and depth of who is "Viking" what is a Scandinavian or what is the focus. Let me give you a little background into myself and where I'm coming from and what I'd like to see.
I've been working on my Norse family tree since I was about 10 yrs old pouring over paperwork, books and other documents with my grandfather. We both were able to trace back our family tree on both sides of his family to pre AD800. Because both his mother and father came from upper middle class families there is an intertwining of nobility starting from 800 and going through the late middle ages into the mid 1700 when they transitioned to be more merchant class than upper class. On my father's side of the family they are mostly all Scot/Irish but, because of many interactions during the Viking age my parents are actually very distant cousins. I hold a degree in history from Washington State University and wrote many research papers on this period of history. Focusing on the fall of the Roman Empire to the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. My research also included the Welfs of Saxony and the noble houses of Northern Europe.
Now, as to the project. I stated that I wanted to focus on the nobility of Norway, however, this is a misnomer. Looking at history pre AD 1066 or the formation of the Kalmar Union in AD 1397 many of the noble houses of Norway and Denmark were one in the same. There were periods of time that nobles from either place claimed lands that were distinctly their own and not jointly ruled but, there were times when the crown or land was jointly controlled. So, for simplicity sake we can call this the Norse nobility or nobility from Scandinavia. After the Battle of Stamford Bridge and Hastings the Vikings in general went into decline and retreated back to northern Europe. No longer sending out large raiding parties to pillage England or coastal Europe.
Also, someone, wrote about William the Conqueror. Technically, yes, he was of Viking ancestry, through Rolo. William was fighting his own cousins at Hastings. He and Harold Godwinson were of Norse ancestry. Yet, William is identified as Norman and not Viking or Norse. Just as I'm identified as American and not Scottish or Norwegian. Now, for the period of time from 1066 to the formation of the Kalmar Union; Denmark, Sweden and Norway can be identified as independent nations till the death or marriage of nobles caused the houses to become merged again and formed the Union, you can blame the black death for the decline in population and the struggle for power from once powerful noble houses. Take Norway and Denmark until till Norwegian independence in the late 1800's. They were one in the same. The same can be said for Sweden till it broke away from the union in 1523.
So, I see three distinct periods to focus on. First, The Viking age itself from 750 to 1066. Second, the period from 1066 to the formation and breakup of the Kalmar Union. Lastly, from 1500 to the present. By doing it this way we can have those that aren't pre 1500 certified work on profiles as well. As for me and Sheri. We're both waiting to be approved on our pre-1500 certs. I hope this happens quickly because I have many profiles where I'm the sole manager.
I'm sorry that this answer was so long but, there were to many questions to keep it short.
Adam
