This chapter discusses the experience and meaning of distance and persecution in the life of a family moving – both socially and geographically – from one place to another in order to prosper, stay together and survive. Risto Olavinpoika initially resided in a hunting village in a marginally remote area with his wife and children. There, Risto made a living fishing until, having been considered a little too lucky on his hunting trips, he faced suspicion and charges of witchcraft. As he tried to refute and cope with the charges, Risto moved his family from one place and one occupation to another, ending up on a large secluded farmstead in remote southwestern Finland.

In some ways, the social and geographical journey of Risto and his family is unique, but it is representative in other ways. Geographical mobility was fairly common in early modern Finland for reasons such as work and marriage. People moved to neighbouring parishes, but sometimes they relocated to Stockholm, Tallinn, or Baltic towns in Germany and Poland. They also travelled long distances to maintain their daily businesses: farmers and tar producers had to go to town to sell their produce and buy fabrics, salt, and other wares they could not produce themselves. Although the mercantilist trade laws of the era attempted to dictate which town people should travel to by imposing tolls and checks, peasant farmers stubbornly sought ways to enter markets that were more advantageous.