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In Sweden during the 18th and 19th century each parish had a "Husförhörslängd", a book tallying the people in the parish keeping track of how well they knew their biblical history, and if they had taken their communion.

Very often in these books I find that some people have a marking of three small rings in a triangle. See enclosed picture.

What does this marking mean?

Example of three rings marking

Lennart Regebro
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  • It might have to do with the Trinity. – Luke_0 Nov 04 '12 at 18:35
  • @Luke Possible: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shield_of_the_Trinity –  Nov 04 '12 at 21:46
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    @Luke though it appears on some and not others, so even if it does symbolize the Trinity it probably has more meaning such as "they completed these sacraments" or something –  Nov 04 '12 at 21:48
  • What do the headings mean? – Luke_0 Nov 04 '12 at 21:48
  • Is it correct that Omstandigheter in the heading means "circumstances", making this column a general collection of other relevant information? – Fortiter Nov 05 '12 at 00:12
  • @Fortiter: Correct. It's used like we today would use a "Notes" column. The other columns are about where you moved inf from (and too, but they are outside the picture) and if you can read, and how well you understand the bible. – Lennart Regebro Nov 05 '12 at 07:07

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I happened on the answer:

signs

Turns out it means the person has been vaccinated against smallpox, either by vaccine, or by "protective pox", which I think means cowpox.

Lennart Regebro
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