The purpose of this essay was to study the conditions and causes of infant mortality in two typical Värmland environments during the nineteenth century. Two parishes were studied, the agrarian Ölme and Nedre Ullerud dominated by the mill industry. The two parishes have been studied from several angles and perspectives. The influence of gender, illegitimacy, social class, living conditions, time of death, age and stated cause of death. The study reveals several conclusions. Breast-feeding was common and thus of no importance here. More boys than girls did not survive their first year and likewise children without official fathers. Social class did matter. The upper class had more surviving children then the lower classes, with one important exception in Nedre Ullerud. Despite their social and economic benefits the artisan class here had relative high mortality. However, the living conditions were the most important element for mortality. In Nedre Ullerud the mill industry felt responsibility for the population and thereby aided them in rough times and aranged health care. There was no such protector in Ölme and a lack of wood and timber made the buildings cold and inhospitable for infants. Another important factor were the epidemics even if they were diminished by vaccinations towards the end of the century.