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Sweden Emigration and Immigration: Difference between revisions
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Back to [[Portal:Sweden|Sweden Portal Page]]► | Back to [[Portal:Sweden|Sweden Portal Page]]► | ||
Emigration and immigration sources list the names of people leaving (emigrating) or coming into (immigrating) a country. Swedish emigration records can be a useful source of genealogical information. They are usually found as passenger lists. There are also some records of passports issued. | Emigration and immigration sources list the names of people leaving (emigrating) or coming into (immigrating) a country. Swedish emigration records can be a useful source of genealogical information. They are usually found as passenger lists. There are also some records of passports issued. | ||
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=== The History of Emigration from Sweden === | === The History of Emigration from Sweden === | ||
The first Swedish emigrants to the United States left Sweden in 1638 and founded the colony of [[New Sweden|New Sweden]] at present-day Wilmington, [[Delaware|Delaware]]. [[New Sweden|New Sweden]] soon included villages and forts in what is now [[Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]], and [[New Jersey|New Jersey]]. Although Sweden held the colony for only 17 years, to 1655, this was the start of Swedish immigration to the United States. These Swedish and Finnish emigrants brought the first [[Sweden: Church Records# | The first Swedish emigrants to the United States left Sweden in 1638 and founded the colony of [[New Sweden|New Sweden]] at present-day Wilmington, [[Delaware|Delaware]]. [[New Sweden|New Sweden]] soon included villages and forts in what is now [[Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]], and [[New Jersey|New Jersey]]. Although Sweden held the colony for only 17 years, to 1655, this was the start of Swedish immigration to the United States. These Swedish and Finnish emigrants brought the first [[Sweden: Church Records#General_Historical_Background|Lutheran]] ministers, and first log cabins to America. | ||
Swedes who emigrated from Sweden between 1638 and the early 1800s usually traveled through other European ports. An estimated 1,300,000 people left Sweden between 1820 and 1920. Most of them were farmers, but some were craftsmen and others professionals. | Swedes who emigrated from Sweden between 1638 and the early 1800s usually traveled through other European ports. An estimated 1,300,000 people left Sweden between 1820 and 1920. Most of them were farmers, but some were craftsmen and others professionals. | ||
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The Swedish-American Line began carrying passengers directly from Sweden to America in 1915. Before that, ships left Swedish ports and went to other European countries where the passengers changed ships for their transatlantic voyage. | The Swedish-American Line began carrying passengers directly from Sweden to America in 1915. Before that, ships left Swedish ports and went to other European countries where the passengers changed ships for their transatlantic voyage. | ||
Swedes emigrated for several reasons. Among them were poor economic conditions, avoidance of military service, glowing accounts from emigration agents, availability of free land and encouragement from other family members in the new land, and religious persecution. | Swedes emigrated for several reasons. Among them were poor economic conditions, avoidance of military service, glowing accounts from emigration agents, availability of free land and encouragement from other family members in the new land, and religious persecution. | ||
=== Finding the Emigrant's Parish of Origin === | === Finding the Emigrant's Parish of Origin === | ||
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Most Swedish emigrants left from the port of Göteborg (Gothenburg). Emigrants from southern Sweden left from Malmö. Relatively few left from Stockholm and Norrköping. | Most Swedish emigrants left from the port of Göteborg (Gothenburg). Emigrants from southern Sweden left from Malmö. Relatively few left from Stockholm and Norrköping. | ||
Some Swedish emigrants who lived in Värmland county, which borders Norway, left via the port of Oslo. Emigrants from other parts of Sweden may also have gone through that port. Indexes for Oslo exist on microfilm and online. The web address is: [http://digitalarkivet.uib.no http://digitalarkivet.uib.no] | Some Swedish emigrants who lived in Värmland county, which borders Norway, left via the port of Oslo. Emigrants from other parts of Sweden may also have gone through that port. Indexes for Oslo exist on microfilm and online. The web address is: [http://digitalarkivet.uib.no http://digitalarkivet.uib.no] | ||
Others may have gone through the port of Copenhagen, Denmark. These records have been microfilmed. They are "letter grouped" which means all the "A" surnames are together chronologically, all the "B" surnames, and so forth. There is also an index which may be accessed at [http://ddd.dda/dk/ddd_en.htm http://ddd.dda/dk/ddd_en.htm] | Others may have gone through the port of Copenhagen, Denmark. These records have been microfilmed. They are "letter grouped" which means all the "A" surnames are together chronologically, all the "B" surnames, and so forth. There is also an index which may be accessed at [http://ddd.dda/dk/ddd_en.htm http://ddd.dda/dk/ddd_en.htm] | ||
The Swedish passenger lists are indexed. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of both the indexes and the original passenger lists. | The Swedish passenger lists are indexed. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of both the indexes and the original passenger lists. | ||
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The indexes for Göteborg and Malmö are alphabetical, first by the surname of the person. This alphabetizing is for individuals traveling alone. A second index follows the first, which alphabetically lists by given name, youths traveling alone. Most of these individuals are under the age of 21 years. Sometimes a reference is given to whom the minor child may be traveling with. A third and final index alphabetically lists the surnames of families traveling together. A family is composed of at least one adult and one or more children. Remember the inclusion of the Swedish diacritical letters, Åå. Ää, Öö follow the letter “Z”. | The indexes for Göteborg and Malmö are alphabetical, first by the surname of the person. This alphabetizing is for individuals traveling alone. A second index follows the first, which alphabetically lists by given name, youths traveling alone. Most of these individuals are under the age of 21 years. Sometimes a reference is given to whom the minor child may be traveling with. A third and final index alphabetically lists the surnames of families traveling together. A family is composed of at least one adult and one or more children. Remember the inclusion of the Swedish diacritical letters, Åå. Ää, Öö follow the letter “Z”. | ||
The following table lists the original lists and indexes available for each port. | The following table lists the original lists and indexes available for each port. | ||
===Original Lists Indexes=== | === Original Lists Indexes === | ||
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | {| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders" | ||
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To find a film number for a specific port in a specific year, look in the Family History Library Catalog. Each port is listed under: <br> | To find a film number for a specific port in a specific year, look in the Family History Library Catalog. Each port is listed under: <br> | ||
===Sweden - Emigration and Immigration=== | === Sweden - Emigration and Immigration === | ||
Many Swedes also left from the following ports: | Many Swedes also left from the following ports: | ||
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[COUNTRY] - EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION | [COUNTRY] - EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION | ||
===Extracts of Parish Records=== | === Extracts of Parish Records === | ||
Parish ministers were required to send yearly extract records to the Central Bureau of Statistics (Statistiska Centralbyrån) of people leaving Sweden or arriving in Sweden from another country. This practice was supposed to have started in 1851, but it did not become regular until 1865. | Parish ministers were required to send yearly extract records to the Central Bureau of Statistics (Statistiska Centralbyrån) of people leaving Sweden or arriving in Sweden from another country. This practice was supposed to have started in 1851, but it did not become regular until 1865. | ||
The Central Bureau of Statistics compiled these records by county. These records have been microfilmed to the year 1940. Thus far, the records between 1851 and 1860 have been indexed. The indexing is an ongoing project. Some counties have indexes more recent than 1860. | The Central Bureau of Statistics compiled these records by county. These records have been microfilmed to the year 1940. Thus far, the records between 1851 and 1860 have been indexed. The indexing is an ongoing project. Some counties have indexes more recent than 1860. | ||
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SWEDEN, [COUNTY] - EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION - INDEXES | SWEDEN, [COUNTY] - EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION - INDEXES | ||
===Passport Journals=== | === Passport Journals === | ||
Between 1798 and 1851, the names and residences of persons applying for passports were recorded yearly in the records of the Swedish Navy. The Navy kept the records because the passport fees went into the Navy's pension fund.<br> | Between 1798 and 1851, the names and residences of persons applying for passports were recorded yearly in the records of the Swedish Navy. The Navy kept the records because the passport fees went into the Navy's pension fund.<br> | ||
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SWEDEN, [COUNTY], [CITY] - EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION | SWEDEN, [COUNTY], [CITY] - EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION | ||
===Emigration Archives=== | === Emigration Archives === | ||
Sweden has several regional emigration archives. The most prominent one is the Emigrant Institute in Växjö. It houses the largest collection of Swedish emigration materials as well as a microfilmed collection of church records from the Swedish-American Lutheran Church. The Institute's address is:<br> | Sweden has several regional emigration archives. The most prominent one is the Emigrant Institute in Växjö. It houses the largest collection of Swedish emigration materials as well as a microfilmed collection of church records from the Swedish-American Lutheran Church. The Institute's address is:<br> | ||
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Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center<br>Augustana College<br>639 38th Street<br>RockIsland IL 61201-2296<br>Tel: 309.794.7204<br>Fax: 309.794.7443<br>E-mail: sag@augustana.edu | Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center<br>Augustana College<br>639 38th Street<br>RockIsland IL 61201-2296<br>Tel: 309.794.7204<br>Fax: 309.794.7443<br>E-mail: sag@augustana.edu | ||
=== LDS Emigration === | === LDS Emigration === | ||
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SWEDEN - CHURCH RECORDS - INDEXES | SWEDEN - CHURCH RECORDS - INDEXES | ||
=== Emigration to Countries Outside North America === | |||
<u>'''Australia'''</u> | |||
Early Emigration to Australia from Värmland The gold rush of 1850 in Australia attracted the miner's sons, Peter and Anders Pettersson from Herrnäs to Australia in 1853. They emigrated with 4 other miners' sons, among them Lars Fredrik Pettersson who later took the name Westblad. A couple of hired hands also went with this first group. Lars Fredrik Westblad returned to Sweden to visit his home in Bjurtjärn. When he returned to Australia in 1857, two brothers went with him and later two more brothers joined them along with a cousin and a nephew. Most likely other men emigrated from Bjurtjärn for Victoria County, Australia also. | |||
Lars Fredrik Westblad became a justice of the peace and the owner of an inn in Mia Mia which became a gathering spot for the Swedes. With three of his brother and four sons he operated a farm of more than 40,000 acres at Kerang, northeast of Melbourne. He did well in the cattle business. | |||
The Westblad family in Australia reached considerable numbers and in 1976 about 300 descendants of Lars Fredrik gathered for a reunion in Kerang. | |||
The carpenter, Axel Nilsson, born in Gillberg, emigrated from Värmland to Melbourne Australia in 1891. Alongside his carpentry work, he was also involved in parish work and the congregation wanted him to become their regular minister. He declined and became a building contractor in Bunbury in West Australia and also manufactured church furniture. | |||
After 1860 only a few Swedes from Värmland went to America. From the sixteen parishes in Värmland only 27 people, three of whom were children, emigrated to Australia during the years 1865-1882. | |||
Source: Gunnel Kvarnström. Early Emigration to New Zealand and Australia from Värmland. The Bridge. March 1996 page 10 and 11. | |||
'''<u>New Zealand</u>''' | |||
<br> | |||
=== Books on Swedish Emigration === | |||
An excellent book about Swedish emigration available at the Family History Library is: | An excellent book about Swedish emigration available at the Family History Library is: | ||
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has microfilmed most Swedish immigrant church records in the United States. Its address is: <br> | The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has microfilmed most Swedish immigrant church records in the United States. Its address is: <br> | ||
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)<br> | Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)<br>8765 West Higgins Road <br>Chicago, Illinois 60631-4198 <br>USA <br>Telephone: 312-380-2818 <br>Internet: http://www.elca.org/<br> | ||
8765 West Higgins Road <br> | |||
Chicago, Illinois 60631-4198 <br> | |||
USA <br> | |||
Telephone: 312-380-2818 <br> | |||
Internet: http://www.elca.org/<br> | |||
The microfilms are available through the Augustana College. See "[[Sweden: Societies|Societies]]" section of this outline for the address.<br> | The microfilms are available through the Augustana College. See "[[Sweden: Societies|Societies]]" section of this outline for the address.<br> | ||
===Naturalization Records=== | === Naturalization Records === | ||
US Naturalization records can sometimes provide the necessary information regarding place of origin. However, these kinds of records frequently only list the name of the country from where the individual came and the name of the king, etc. of that country. Naturalization records are found in the FHLC at the county level of the state in which the county is located. First papers are filed with the clerk’s office at the time the individual first applied for citizenship. However, citizenship was not granted until the residency requirement, which was 5-7 years had been satisfied.<br> | US Naturalization records can sometimes provide the necessary information regarding place of origin. However, these kinds of records frequently only list the name of the country from where the individual came and the name of the king, etc. of that country. Naturalization records are found in the FHLC at the county level of the state in which the county is located. First papers are filed with the clerk’s office at the time the individual first applied for citizenship. However, citizenship was not granted until the residency requirement, which was 5-7 years had been satisfied.<br> | ||
===Passenger Arrivals=== | === Passenger Arrivals === | ||
Most Swedish immigrants to the United States arrived at the ports of New York and Quebec. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of the records and some indexes.<br> | Most Swedish immigrants to the United States arrived at the ports of New York and Quebec. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of the records and some indexes.<br> | ||
An important book on Sweden immigrants to the United States is: <br> | An important book on Sweden immigrants to the United States is: <br> | ||
Olsson, Nils William and Erik Wikèn. Swedish Passenger Arrivals in U.S. Ports 1820-1850<br> | Olsson, Nils William and Erik Wikèn. Swedish Passenger Arrivals in U.S. Ports 1820-1850<br>Stockholm, Sweden: N. W. Olsson and E. Wikèn, 1995. (FHL book 973 W3on.) <br> | ||
Stockholm, Sweden: N. W. Olsson and E. Wikèn, 1995. (FHL book 973 W3on.) <br> | |||
=== County Histories === | |||
Histories from the counties where Swedish immigrants settled sometimes provide the immigrants' town of origin.<br> | Histories from the counties where Swedish immigrants settled sometimes provide the immigrants' town of origin.<br> | ||