The Gyllenhaal Family Tree Project: Project Information

The Gyllenhaal Family Tree Project was begun in the summer of 1996 for the purpose of gathering as much information as possible about the history of the Gyllenhaal family. To date most of the research efforts have been in the area of the early history of the family, from its origins in 17th century Sweden until around the turn of the 20th century in both Sweden and America. This work has been a collaborative effort between the Swedish and American sides of the family. Happily the two sides have been able to meet face to face several times in both Sweden and the U.S.A., with some "field work" being done together in Stockholm and Västergötland.
The Gyllenhaal Family Tree Project Database includes more than 2700 individuals, including all the Gyllenhaals listed in Gustaf Elgenstierna's 1927 edition of Svenska Adelns Åttartavlor, and all known Gyllenhaals living in Sweden and the U.S.A.
An archive of "Gyllenhaaliana" is being compiled in Bryn Athyn, PA, U.S.A. Any photographs, letters, or other pertinent documents would be gratefully accepted for preservation in the archive. (Photocopies, preferably on acid-free paper, are fine.) If you would like to contribute material, or would like to know more about the archive, please contact Ed Gyllenhaal at the address below for more information.
A project has been begun to create a CD-ROM archive of old Gyllenhaal photographs and important documents. If you have photographs or other materials that you would like included in this project, please contact Ed Gyllenhaal at the address below for more information. Copies of this CD-ROM will be made available at no cost to Gyllenhaal relatives.
Research is ongoing into the origin of the Gyllenhaal name, early Gyllenhaal estates, and many other issues of genealogy and family history. Keep an eye on the What's New section for recent developments.
The Gyllenhaal Family Tree Project Web site has been available since the summer of 1996, and has led to many useful contacts with relatives and others interested in the family's history.
The sources below have been translated from Swedish to English:
- Herrgårdsliv och Uppsalaromantik ("Manor Life and Uppsala Romance"), 1935, by Vivi Horn (26 pages on Leonard Gyllenhaal (1752-1840) and the contemporary Herman Gyllenhaals).
- Svenska Adelns Åttartavlor, 1927, by Gustaf Elgenstierna (9 pages of genealogical and some biographical information on all Gyllenhaal families from the early 17th through early 20th centuries).
- Svenskt Biografiskt Lexicon, 1968, (13 pages of biography on Johan Abraham Gyllenhaal (1750-1788), Leonard Gyllenhaal (1752-1840), Carl Henrik Gyllenhaal (1788-1857), Lars Herman Gyllenhaal (1790-1858), and Mathilda Beatrix Valeriana Maria della Trinitá Gyllenhaal (1796-1863)).
- Several personal letters of Leonard Gyllenhaal (1752-1840) which concern the translation of certain works of Emanuel Swedenborg from Neo-Latin into Swedish.

How you can help...

If you are a Gyllenhaal descendant, perhaps the best way you can help is to return any genealogical information that is requested of you in a timely manner. We would also appreciate the opportunity to copy any old documents, diaries or photographs. The originals will be returned to you promptly and safely, and the copies will be added to our growing family archive.
A number of important sources await translation. If you would like to assist with this effort, please contact Ed Gyllenhaal at the address below for more information.
If you enjoy genealogical or historical research, there is a great deal of work to be done.
We welcome any additions or corrections to the information contained in the database.
We welcome any and all suggestions about the format and content of this Web page. Any ideas for new sections? Would you like to write one yourself?