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Hejsan!
Learning about the many things that Swedes have contributed to the world is a never-ending process. This learning enriches us as individuals and the fabric of our organizations! Through this learning, we find connections to the past and the present.
The Swedes who immigrated to North America throughout history have impacted society in many ways. And, of course, those Swedes who later returned to Sweden contributed to the development of Swedish society, as well. But it is not just the persons who contributed to the changes in society - it is also the things that Sweden brought to the global market which have contributed to the numerous developments around the world. Did you know that some of the iron for the Eiffel Tower came from Sweden? It is true! The iron was mined in Borgvik, Sweden located in the province of Värmland. The Eiffel Tower was built for the World's Fair of 1889 and one of Sweden's contributions to the fair was the steel for the tower!
The breadth and depth of the contributions of Swedes continue to enrich our daily lives. Great Swedes and their contributions to society are celebrated throughout Sweden - and it is amazing to see how many of the contributions have some connection to North America.
As the school year starts anew, I encourage you to take some time to research something about a great Swede or a contribution that Sweden has made to the world. I am certain that you will find something of interest - and I encourage you to share your discoveries with me so that I may share them with the SCA eUPDATE readers in the future.
And as always, if you have suggestions or ideas for enhancements to SCA's website or programs, I encourage you to contact me!
Med vänliga hälsningar - Elise Peters, Executive Director
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The Swedish American Genealogist Workshop in Salt Lake City, Oct. 12-19 |
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 By Elisabeth Thorsell, Editor of Swedish American Genealogist
In the early 1990s the late Nils William Olsson, founder of Swedish American Genealogist (SAG) started a workshop in Salt Lake City, Utah, for SAG subscribers, where we work at the famous Family History Library for a week in October.
The workshop, which usually attracts around 50 researchers and some spouses, is now in the capable hands of Jill Seaholm of the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. More details are available here.
SAG staff members Ulla Sköld from Västerås (especially good at soldiers), Priscilla Sorknes of Minneapolis (handwriting teacher), Jill Seaholm (immigrants), and I will be present to work with you for the entire week at the Family History Library. We help you read the curious old Swedish script and solve other mysteries, and advise you of where to go next.
This year the lecture topics are diverse with subjects like soldiers in the 1808-1809 war with Russia, changes in Swedish society during the 1800s, slash- and-burn Finns in Sweden in the 1600s, and more.
The Swenson Center is a national archives and research institute for the study of Swedish immigration to North America. SAG is a quarterly journal devoted to Swedish American biography, genealogy, and personal history, now published by the Swenson Center and edited by Elisabeth Thorsell.
For more information about subscribing to SAG or joining the 2008 SAG Salt Lake City Workshop, please e-mail Jill as soon as possible at JillSeaholm@augustana.edu or call her at (309) 794-7204, as deadlines are fast approaching.
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Spotlight on Swedish School of Tampa Bay |
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 This article was submitted by Malin Samuelsson, Swedish School teacher/secretary and edited by Cynthia Wentland.
The Swedish School of Tampa Bay was founded on the initiative of two Swea-sisters of SWEA South Florida and opened its doors for the first time in August of 2006. It is funded by member fees and support from Sweden and other sponsors. Today the school meets on Sunday afternoons in a "real school environment", renting facilities of the Family of Christ Christian School in Tampa, FL. Children are divided into age groups according to their grade in the American school system. We also assist students of Sofia Distans and adult beginners Swedish.
The school's common area is open for fika every school day. The community is invited to visit and share a cup of coffee and some Swedish-American company. We also have a library of Swedish books, generously donated by the Swedish community of Central Florida, and other locations in America. We have close to 400 books and are always looking to expand our collection with newer books, games, and media.
We will start off the fall semester with grammar books and acknowledge different themes and holidays as the semester goes on. Themes we have worked with in the past include Swedish immigration now and then, Vikings, Vasalopppet (ski race), Regeringen (government), and Melodifestivalen (pop song competition).
If you are in the area visiting please feel welcome to join us for some fika. If you are moving here we would love to meet you, and if you are thinking about starting a Swedish school where you live, we will gladly share all that we know with you. Please visit our home page for further information.
Photo: Swedish School of Tampa Bay students play brännboll.
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Affiliate Events |
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Sep. 26 - 27 - Minneapolis, MN. Law Symposium. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the law exchange program between the University of Minnesota Law School and Uppsala University Faculty of Law, a symposium on five different topics of American and Scandinavian/European legal comparative interest will be offered. A faculty member from Minnesota and a faculty member from Uppsala will present on each issue. More information available at SACC Minnesota.
Sep. 26 - Chicago, IL. 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Opening of the exhibit Johnson - Morrison: Tradition and Innovation in Contemporary Textile Art, featuring the collaboration between David Johnson and Vivian Morrison, two weavers of Swedish descent. The exhibit will feature wall pieces, clothing, fiber jewelry and other items along with texts and photographs documenting some of the artists' tools and processes. The exhibit will be on display at the Swedish American Museum from Sept. 26 through Nov. 30.
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News from Sweden |
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Lung cancer has overtaken breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths among Swedish women, according to a new report from the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen).
Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic will establish its European base in Kiruna in conjunction with Spaceport Sweden, bringing up to 500 new jobs to the region. Spaceport Sweden is a cooperative venture of the Swedish Space Corporation, ICEHOTEL, Kiruna Airport and Kiruna's business development company Progressum.
Sweden eases name restrictions. The Swedish National Tax Board (Skatteverket) has changed its guidelines as to what names are suitable for both adult Swedes and children born in Sweden. The change in policy has come about in order to minimize the number of appeals they receive when they have turned down names in the past.
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About the Swedish Council of America | < |