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From: Leif <leifh@intergate.bc.ca>
British Columbia, Canada
Subject: Origin of the species (list members)

Hello all.
My name is Leif and I live on the canadian west coast. As a fairly new list member and a born-in-Sweden kinda guy, it strikes me that a great deal of other members appear to have first names that indicate they may have been born outside Sweden. That's of course cool, and I wonder if there are members that would want to contribute info about their birth place (country). There might even be those members that would want to indicate their swedish connection and the principal reason for being on this list. After all, there must be more genuine reasons to be on the list than just receiving email messages about spam.

From: André Perman <SGSTAndre@aol.com>

Moi. The short story: Born in Poland 1957. Moved to Denmark at the age of 12. Lived there until 1984 (15 years). Got my education and citizenship. Went for a "visit' to USA in 1984 and am still waiting for an opportunity to return back home to Denmark, where my parents still live and say they don't miss me anymore!! ;-)

From: Grig Larson <PunkWalrus@aol.com>

My maternal grandparents were born in Norbotten, my parents in Chicago, and I was born in Dheklia, Cyprus (long story). My family is mostly from Boden and Luleaa, but some have ventured as far South as Gothenberg.

My real name is Grig Larson, FYI. I use this e-mail address because of a book I write (Punk Walrus is the central character), and leave the ones with my real email address for business only.

From: Don Erickson <don_erickson@pcisys.net>
Colorado Springs, CO

I was born in North Dakota, USA. My father was born in Norra Borgvik, Värmland. My mother was born in South Dakota, USA, but all her ancestors were born in the small towns around Torsby, Värmland.

From: Mary Ann <debtfree@ionet.net>

I was born in Tulsa, Ok. USA.  My father was born in Tulsa, Ok. his mother and her siblings and parents were born in  ?ster Gerdal/N?ter V?sternorrland

From: Valorie Cowan McBee Zimmerman <valoriez@aa.net>
Black Diamond, WA

Hi, Leif! I was just a newbie when this suggestion was last made, and shyly, I didn't join in. I was born right here in Washington state, in the USA, as was my father. His mother was born in Duluth, Minnesota (moved here at age 2) of emigrant Swedish parents, who apparently met there in Duluth, and married there, and never returned to Sweden, even for a visit. I never met these emigrant great-grandparents, but remain intensely curious about the life they left. They were members of the Swedish Club, attended a Swedish-speaking Evangelical Lutheran church, and sent my grandmother to Saturday classes in Swedish. How I wish she'd passed it along! My gr-grandfather owned the Swedish Importing and Baking Company in Seattle, and baked Ry-Tack in the big wheels, I guess mostly for the fishermen. I grew up with pickled herring at every winter holiday (never lutefisk, tho -- my grandmother loathed it).

I have a picture of Selma Christine Anderson, and of her parents, Anders and Ulricka (?) Anderson, but all I know of them is that Selma was born in Dalarna (!). I have the Bible that Karl Otta Fredrik Ka:ll received when he was confirmed in Bjornaholmen, Sandsjo kyrka, I assume in Sma^land (ring atop a). When he became an American citizen, his German immigration lawyer suggested Americanizing that name, so he became Carl Schell!

Anyway, I know this list isn't for genealogy (I'm on Sweden-L@rootsweb.comfor that), but I enjoy the Swedish chat -- about the food, holidays, changing ways, politics, arts -- I enjoy it all (and delete what I don't like).

Thanks to the listowners for this wonderful list!

From: Julie Ann Neywick <janeywic@midusa.net>
Lindsborg KS

I was born in Lindsborg Kansas USA. My grandparents & great-grandparents were born & lived in Sweden in Karlshamm, Sölvesborg, & Stockholm.

Great grandfather John Sjögren born in Blekinge Sweden. Great grandmother Emma Nordström born in Karlshann Sweden. Her parents were Lars Matsson Nordström & Hedvig Bengtsdotter (born in Mjällby). Great grandmother Anna Elizabeth Jonsdotter (Larkin). Was a wood carver also know as Grandma Larkin. Great great grandfather Sven Lars Linderholm born in Kristiantad Sweden. Great great grandmother Hannah Johnsdotter born in Broby Sweden. Nordström great aunts/uncles - Julius, Betty ( married Johan August Lengqvist), Alfred (moved to New Zealand in 1878), Nils Maurits, Jenny, Hedvig Lovisa, & Ida.

From: Daniel Malvin <danesq@pacificnet.net>

Born and raised in the L.A. area. My Swedish connection is the year I spent in Uppsala (1987-1988) as an exchange student.

Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 

From: David Seaquist <dseaq@ma.ultranet.com>
Boston, MA (near)

I was born in Wisconsin (but have lived in Alberta, Canada, and several central US states), currently living near Boston, Massachusetts.

Father was born in Lindesberg, O:rebro. His parents and grandparents were from Fellingsbro. Mother was born in Iowa, USA, her ancestors have been traced back to 1595 in Hishult, Halland la:n.

From: Mary Ann <debtfree@ionet.net>

Patric S. Lundberg <psl@ahabs.wisc.edu> wrote:

> "...?ster Gerdal/N?ter V?sternorrland?" Do you mean O"stra Gerdal/Na"tra?  My hometown, O"rnsko"ldsvik is in Va"sternorrland too, and there is a Na"tra not too far north (there's a nationally known summer market place there).>

All settled in Kearny New Jersey except for my grandmother who met a German Charles Gottlibe Rauch from Brix/Meiningen in the NY/NJ sometime between 1904 and 1908.  She took the to train Claremore Ok. in 1910 with her brother Peter, and married Charles when they arrived.  The story goes that they intended to go to California, however they were robbed on there way to Tulsa, from Claremore.  With no money they had to stay in Tulsa, eight boys latter, twenty plus grandchildren, fifteen plus great grand children, and now 10 plus great great grandchildren.  That is the rest of the story. 

My  grandmother said she begged Charles to take her back to NY/NJ.  She came to America because she did not want to be a poor farm girl, and she ends up in Tulsa, with no paved roads.

From: Erik Möllberg <Emollberg@acpl.lib.in.us>
Fort Wayne, IN

Hej, 
Born in Buchanan Michigan 1959. Grandparents emigrated from Hagfors Värmland in 1923. While the Swedish past was celebrated (Christmas. etc and no, I don’t eat lutefisk) the language was only barely used. It was that old “We are in America now, we speak English”. Have been to Sweden three times. Still in contact with the family living in Stockholm, Karlskoga, Hagfors, Uddeholm via e-mail and visits. 

From: Wilton White <wilton@firstnethou.com>

I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I went to Sweden for a vacation for 10 days in May of 1996. I moved to Örebro, Sweden for a year, in September of 1996 be with a loved one. I'm back in the USA, now.

From: Gregg Nelson <GDNELSON99@aol.com>
Orlando, FL

I was born in South Haven, Michigan - 1948. My grandfather emigrated to the US from Linkoping in the early 1900's, my grandmother was born in Chicago but died young and we are not so sure exactly where her parents were from in Sverige. We recently were in Sverige to finally meet my mothers cousin - we were also able to see my grandfathers farm and church. The cousins and their children will be coming to visit us in Feb 99.

I used to be a Nilsson - at least until my grandfather came to the US in the early 1900's from Linkoping area. He then changed his name to Nelson. [The Linkoping relatives we] visited [are] still Nilsson's. 

There are quite a few Nelsons on the list - could they also possibly be converted Nilsson's? I am trying to get my cousin in Sverige to subscribe to the list - but as yet he has not :(.

From: CynJean mypsgirl@interpath.com
NC

Gregg,
My farmor's mor was a Nilsson, Neta Augusta Nilsson, born 9 Dec 1857 in Fammarp, Rävinge. (She married Petter Håkanson.) Her father was Gustaf Nilsson, born 11 Jan 1834 in Enslöv. Her sister was Hanna Johanna Petronells Nilsson/Gustafsson (she changed her name at some point), born 12 Apr 1860 in Getinge.(She married Robert Anderson but also had a child out of wedlock with Danne DeLien.) 
Warm regards, Cindy

From: Charles F. Anderson <CFANDERSON@worldnet.att.net>

I guess I'll add my two cents worth. I was born and raised in Seattle, as were my parents. Morfar was from Dalsland, mormor from Småland, farfar from Södermanland (or Sörmland, nowadays), and farmor from Värmland. I have made one trip to Sweden, last fall and was able to find the birthplace of three out of four of my ancesters. Mormor's home was in a city (Huskvarna) and was replaced by some urban renewal, so it doesn't exist any more. I also had a stepfather from Luleå and have visited his birthplace. I am currently in contact with many members of all five families in Sweden through mail or email. Currently I sing with the Svea Male Chorus and am president of the Swedish Club of Seattle. I can also state that I like lutfisk, as well as the other Swedish delicacies (haven't tried surströmming yet but am willing).

From: John Sheridan <SheridanJS@aol.com>

Hej,
I'll add my story. Born 1952 in LA; mother born in Montana, Dad in Wisconsin. Mom's heritage English and German. Dad's mother--dvs min farmor--an adopted daughter of a Danish father and Swedish mother, but I never knew her or her parents. Never thought much about my Scandinavian heritage except for when we visited Solvang (Danish village near Santa Barbara, CA) once when I was a kid. Then in 1995 I received a grant to do musicological research on a "forgotten" 18th-century Swedish composer. My edition of his music has just appeared in print in Stockholm. Have been to Sweden 3 times in the past two years; now have friends there and have found Swedish very easy to learn. Could I have led a past life there? Vem vet? Returning this coming January for a month in Uppsala--can't wait!
Hej då.

From: Jorun Feller <jorun@gowebway.com>
Louisville, KY

Well, I too will give my input. I was born in Linköping -68 but with a Danish father this made me a Dane. So I was a Danish citizen living in Sweden (to a Swedish mother I might add). In -92 I meet my and married an American, and am now living in Louisville, Kentucky. So there.

Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998

From: Charlotte Laning <smuggler@mcs.net>

I was born in Stockholm and spent most of my childhood in Täby Kyrkby just north of Stockholm. We then moved to Karlshamn, Blekinge, where I spent my teenage years. 

From: Peter Westerlund <kprwest@ibm.net>
Minneapolis, MN

Hi everyone,
I was born and raised in Umeå, Västerbotten. Did my military service in Boden and Kiruna, Norbotten. Attended University in Uppsala. When I was 22 (1986) I left Sverige for USA and haven't looked back yet. The last two years I been living in Minneapolis, MN. Unfortunately, I haven't been to Sweden for three years, but hope to go next year.

From: Cecilia Switzer (Grönhed) <cicci@INTRADATA.com>

I seem to be the most recent export from Sweden on the list. I was born and grew up in Borås, a town in the southwest. In May of last year I met a very nice guy from Seattle on the internet. To make a long story short, and after spending Christmas in America, I moved here "for good" in February. We got married on Maui in April. Cicci

From: susan larsson <slarsson@ncia.com>
Laconner, WA (north of Seattle)

cicci wrote,
> I seem to be the most recent export from Sweden on the list.

and my origins? nyc born and bred, moved to sweden (lund, malmö, vänersborg, lidköping) 72 - 83, and go 'home' to bokenäs outside of uddevalla every summer. living in laconner wa, north of seattle, for the past 13 years. working in sweden by computer.

jet lagged, susan

Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998

From: Kitty SueMorgan <kitty@val-axs.net> 

>My name is Leif and I wonder if there are members that would want to contribute info about their birth place ... and the principal reason for being on this list. 

I am Canadian born and raised. There is no swedish background here whatsoever. I found this list a couple years ago and subscribed. At that time I had met two very special swedish people on the Internet and they piqued my interest in all things swedish. One of them has since made his way to Canada and we are soon to be parents. The other is still in Sweden and I hope one day to make it there to meet her. 

From: Karin Borei <kborei@Charity.trinityvt.edu>
Burlington, VT

OK: I was born in Stockholm and lived there until I was almost 14. My father was also born in Stockholm, though HIS father was born on a ship in harbor of Philadelphia, PA (or was it Baltimore?), the ship of which my great-grandfather was captain. (The ship by the way was called Bore 1, hence my last name from when Farfar became bored with Påhlsson...) My mother was born in the Netherlands, but only because Morfar, a seaman's minister, happened to be stationed there at the time, they came from farmers in Skåne. -- Anyway, we moved to the US of A when my father got a full professorship at the Univ.of PA, and I've lived here ever since with only infrequent visits to the old country. (Though my brother Sven has moved back there as an adult -- while my brother Ragnar lives in South Carolina and speaks deep y'all...) I'm still fluent in Swedish, though since my father died five years ago, I don't have as much call to practice it as I wish.

More about me at http://faculty.millikin.edu/~kborei.library.mu/index.html

From: susan larsson 

hi karin,
You wrote: >Though my brother Sven has moved back there as an adult -- 
he's a translator, isn't he? i met him in malmö at a conference last spring. something kept ringing in my brain that i knew that name....

From: susan larsson 

You wrote:
>Yes Sven's a translator, operating out of the Göteborg area though 
> obviously he travels to wherever the business is. Small world indeed!!! 
and even smaller - charles just got up (we're on jet lag, just got home on saturday) and he took a zoology course with your dad!

> my mother, as well as my own family, participated in the [Philadelphia] 
> Sw-Amer Museum's Lucia festival for several years,
i was there once sometime after i first met charles way back then, for a lucia festival.

världen *är* liten:- susan

Here's mine --
Born 1961, half Swede half other junk, in Rockford, Illinois -- at Swedish-American Hospital, which when first begun, was Swedish Hospital. First bank account as a kid was at Swedish American Bank -- had been Swedish Bank, now something called AmCore -- blah. Rockford claimed to be the "2nd Largest Swedish Settlement in the U.S." (after the Twin Cities) but I'd bet Chicago and places in the Pacific Northwest had more . . . We were raised "American," but had continual Swedish influences -- ate korv kro:ppkakar, Bo:nd O:st, herrings, etc -- in fact, when I moved to go to university, and couldn't find korv at the grocery store (in Milwaukee), I thought they just must have been out -- all the "mainstream" supermarkets carried plain ol' Swedish food.

People in Rkfd. down in the 7th Street & Kishwaukee Street areas/Broadway spoke a Swedish/English language -- what came to be known as "7th Street Swede." The oral history of my family is really quite funny -- things like:

How the Swedes settled in Rockford: A train load of newly emigrated Swedes set off from Chicago for the west coast. The pastor who had seen them off told them "go as far as the train goes, and only then should you get off." Well, the train stopped at the Rock River (Rockford) because there was no bridge over the river -- people had to get out of the train on the east side, ford the river (Rocky-Ford, duh) and then hop a different train on the west side to California. Well . . . . . the Swedes stayed, as this was the spot where the train went no further . . .

The Nilsson family comes from Skara farm country -- written notes in the family Bible, from Johanna Kirstina Andersdotter Nilsson say near "Lake Siljan" -- I kept trying to find this damn lake on a map, but then learned it means something like "Lake of Sighs" -- i.e., the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. There at "Lake Siljan" is where Johanna lost her husband to illness, and in her 20s, took off with 3 small children (one quite sick) to northern England, then after a time for the sick daughter to recouperate, to North America.

Blah, blah. I notice MANY posts on this issue, as opposed to any other recent issues. We all DO like to chat about ourselves ! :))

From: SheridanJS@aol.com

Hej Jeff, 
In a message dated 98-08-17 08:45:23 EDT, you write:
< "Lake Siljan" -- I kept trying to find this damn lake on a map >

It's not hard to find. Locate the town of Gävle, on the east coast about 90 miles north of Stockholm. Siljan, which is a pretty big lake, is west and slightly north of Gävle about 70 or 80 miles.

From: Jeffrey Nelson

Yo John -- This is very strange -- as my family (both sides on) are from the west -- HUH. Guess this is a new problem to solve . . .

Thanks for the help -- I've been lookin' in all the wrong places!

Born Minneapolis 1958. 3 of 8 great-grandparents were from Småland. Slätthög, Agunnaryd parishes in Kronobergs län, and Önka parish in Jönköpings län. (Other 5 great-grandparents from various parts of Northern Europe). 

My farmor was born here in Minnesota but was the closet link in the family to Sweden through her immigrant parents. She could still speak a little Swedish. Started to get really interested in my origins after reading a short family history that one of my farmor's cousins wrote in the 1960's. With that book as a start, I have now come pretty far in tracing ancestors over there and living relatives both here and there. 

Studied in Uppsala for a few months in 1985. Met a Swedish girl at a Minneapolis showing of "My Life as a Dog" in 1987. Moved to Sweden 1987-1992. Moved back to Minneapolis 1992, married the girl in 1993 in Norra Sandsjö kyrka. Two kids, Niklas and Henrik. Who are right now with their mormor in Sweden; I'll be going over in a week and a half.

From: JoAnn Lepore <Bella@uriacc.uri.edu>

Well, friends.... I am not Swedish, have no Swedish heritage, and do not speak Swedish. BUT....I fell in love with a Swedish man not long ago and we had a wonderful two-week interlude in England! It was magnificent and so wonderful to be with a man who was not a chauvinist. He shared many thoughts with me on his beliefs and how Swedes believe, feel, etc. and I just loved the fact that he believed in a 50-50 relationship. Being married for quite some time to a man born in Italy (now divorced), it was very new to me to be treated so equally. SO...now you know. I just love Swedish anything! I find the list members' contributions interesting and love learning things about Sweden and the Swedish.

From: Vicky Kvist <Scoliver@Augustana.edu>

Hej alla! Not Swedish at all, born in one of the Chicago suburbs and grew up in western Illinois. Went to Sweden as a high school exchange student 20 years ago (last week!) for the first time, returned as a college exchange student, and I still keep in touch with my host family, (my Swedish "nieces" were able to be flower girls in my wedding!) I came to this list because I'm now a Swedish teacher. It's amazing how one event in high school can change one's life. I now have a Swedish husband, and although we were married in Sweden, we met in the US. It's funny how these things happen, neither of us was looking for someone at the time... But that's another story. 

From: Jennifer Gabrielson <jagabrie@facstaff.wisc.edu>
Madison, Wisconsin

My name is Jennifer Gabrielson and I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1973.I'm brand new to this list, which I have to thank my old Swedish teacher Scott Mellor for (who I'm sure is connected to this list too). I have Norwegian, not Swedish blood in me and wanted to take Norwegian classes here at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Unfortunately Norwegian conflicted with my Tagalog language class (the latter needed for my degree, the former just for fun), and so I took Swedish instead, knowing they were linguistic cousins. I really enjoyed the class a lot and found the language fun and easier to learn than any other I'd studied. 

Because I had already visited Sweden once in 1995 while studying abroad in France, and had kept in touch with many Swedes through the internet on a daily basis, I have the opportunity to practic my written Swedish online regularly. I have fallen in love with Scandinavia and the Swedish and Norwegian culture, and was lucky to return to both countries in 1997. I've been seeing a wonderful Swedish man for some time now...so I'm lucky in that sense too. I joined the list hoping to learn more about Swedish culture and just keep in touch with others like myself.

From: Charles R Brandt <crbrandt@juno.com> 

I was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1941. I lurk on the list because of a interest genealogy, and my Swedish ancestry. I had always heard a story that my great grandfather had come here from Sweden, in advance of his wife and two children, about 1901. No person in the current family knew where is Sweden they came from. The family story said that when they arrived they found he had died while they were in transit. His widow remarried a man of Swedish ancestry, but my family line had been lost.

I figured with a surname like Brandt in Sweden it couldn't be a great problem to solve, and, with the help of the LDS Library I quickly found my great grand father, Erick Wilhelm Brandt b. 12 May 1852, J÷nk÷ping, J÷nk÷ping, Kristina f÷rsamling,Sweden and his wife, my great grandmother, Karin Olsdotter, b. 21 April 1849, Dalby, ?, Sweden. My grand father, Thorston Gunnar Brandt, later called William T. Brandt, was also born in J÷nk÷ping, 26 May 1884. My great grandfather, Erick Wilhelm Brandt, left Sweden to come to Boston in Sept of 1887, his family left in Sept of 1891 to follow him to this country. Erick I believe was a tin smith, and was the 3nd son and 4th child of Carl Gustof Brandt, also a tin smith or Bleekslagar, b. 6 Jun 1817 in J÷nk÷ping.

I have traced the Brandt family in Sweden back to Anders Brandt, abt.1745, also in J÷nk÷ping, and the next time in SLC I hope to go back another generation or until the records give out. One day I would like to look forward from my branch of the family leaving Sweden, and find some current day relative probably still living in J÷nk÷ping. I know of no other members of the family to come to this country. 

Does anyone on the list know how far forward the records go before you get into privacy issues in Sweden?

My next real efforts are in this country, trying to find out where and when my great grandfather, Erick Wilhelm, died in this country, and where he might be burried. (NYC, Brooklyn, Boston? She was going to the Port of NYC, but later lived in Brooklyn, he came in via Boston.) Now that I know about when (I assume a few months before his wife traveled to meet him, before news of his death could reach Sweden, and her arrival) I have a time frame to search for the where.

From: Karl Jacobson <swedecj@vcnet.com>

Hej alla,

Gothenburg is my place of birth (Landala Egnahem) shortly before WWII and I moved to the US in 1963.

Worked first in the travel industry and most recently in the Real Estate industry (Century 21 franchise).

Currently back in school (Moorpark CC / Cal State Northridge) to finish a BS in Computer Science.

From: Peter Herman <rpeter@nmsu.edu>

I'm an american with no swedish "official" roots but lots of connections. My wife and I lived in Stockholm (Wennergren Center on Sveavägen) in '85-86 on sabbatical at the Karolinska Institute. We then had 3 swedish exchange daughters (eldest from Stocksund, middle from Lindome and youngest from Landskrona). We then did a 1 month summer course in swedish at Uppsala Univ. International summer session in '93 followed by sabbatical during '95/96 academic year. I was at the Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and my wife at the Biomedical Center (BMC) of Upsala Univ. We get back once or twice a year because I have a grant from our National Science Foundation to continue the colaborative studies which I started on sabbatical.

From: Jo Anne Murphy <Jo.Anne.Murphy@orst.edu>

I was born and raised in Salem Oregon. My mother's side of the family is from Sweden. My great-grandmother and great-grandfather were from Malmo. My mother was born in Hughson, California (near Modesto). Mom's mother, my grandmother, and her siblings all born in Minnesota. My mom's father was born in Sweden, but I haven't found out where yet (unfortunately, all relatives along that line are deceased now). My mom has a first cousin who lived in Kladesholmen in Bohuslan. 

I am a member of "New Sweden" (Swedish Cultural Heritage Society of Oregon and Southwest Washington). We fly a big Swedish flag in the front yard on our namedays and other Swedish "holidays". Our family (5 of us) visited Sweden for the first time this past June. 

From: Maryann Olson <maryann.olson@email.csun.edu>

Thanks for the question, Leif. I am enjoying all the responses.

My name is Mary Ann Olson. My father is half Swedish and half Norwegian. He brought nothing of his culture with him -- said he was an "American." His mother was literate in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and English. She was Norwegian, the first generation born in this country.

My grandfather was Swedish, born in Sweden. He died (or was killed?) before my father was born. He had angered his wife's family so, that they would never talk about him. In pursuing my family genealogy, I learned that he was killed by electrical shock while trimming trees in Twin Falls, Idaho. However, the newspaper article reporting his death indicated that he was too far from the electrical lines for this to happen. His boss said his death was unexplainable. It happened during a period when various electrical companies were fighting for the area. I understand the battles were vicious but have not had time to read the history yet. I have not found out when/how/why he came to this country and hope to have time to delve fully into it one day. 

The only awareness I have of my Swedish culture comes from dancing with the Scandinavian folk dancers in Los Angeles. I loved it. However, I had to stop -- just go to say "hi" now and then. It was a wonderful connection. The dances speak strongly of the culture. 

From: Alice <DHandAH@aol.com>
Hampton, VA

Hello,
I am new to this list and I am still learning what this is all about. I am researching my Swedish Genealogy. My grandfather came from Nykoping, Sweden to the US in 1896 on board the Teutonic. He was only twelve years old and came by himself not long after his father died in a farming accident. His siblings followed later. Some lived in MA, CT, and CA. His mother and an older brother remained in Sweden. I have just recently learned that I may have relatives still in Nykoping. I am trying to find a way to look for people living in Sweden. I am open to any suggestions or help. I found this list on the Roots Genealogy Chat Room. I look forward to learning more about Sweden.

Names [frpm my family history]:
Karl Lundstrom- g-grandfather Hagby Ostra Enby Nykoping, or Norrkoping (spelled Noorkoping in English) 
Klara Johnson (sp) Lundstrom- g-grandmother
Axel Lundstrom- worked in Stockholm
Ada (Eda) Lundstrom Nelson- George Nelson--Turlock, CA
David S. Lundstrom - Josephine Lindall (Swedish)- Concord, MA
Simon (think there is an "e" in it) Theodor Lundstrom- Harvard, MA grandfather (to US in 1896)
Ester Lundstrom Hugo- Otto Hugo Swenson (Swenson dropped when he came to US) -Meriden, CT
Ake Hultgren- worked at Studsvik in Nykoping Married??? Son named Jens.

I enjoy reading everyone's background. Happy I joined this list!

From: Nils E. Theller <theller.1@pop.service.ohio-state.edu>

I'm new to the list and computers and e-mail etc,etc. 

While reading the various epistles, Vasa Lodge was brought up. I would be interested in some information about them. My father was a member. This is where my Swedish heritagge comes from. He was born in Skruv in Smaland 1902 and came to the US in 1928 and stayed. We visited the family in Sweden in 1996. Beautiful people -- Beautiful country, definitely want to go back. 

From: Kimberly Fawn Miller <kimfawn@enol.com>
Lehi, UT

Hello everyone!

I have been watching this list for a few months and have enjoyed all of the conversations. I am researching my Swedish genealogy and would love to converse with people who live in the area (cousins hopefully??). My great grandfather came to America from Haradsarfret, Solleron, Kopparbeg. His mother also listed the birthplace as Mora, Dalarna. I understand that they are roughly the same place but couldn't explain the difference in the names. I know that the film records that I look at include both Mora and Solleron (earlier known as Sophia Magdalene) in the same records of the same priest. Perhaps someone could help both with the explanation and getting me in touch with people in the area?

My gr-grandfather Anders Olsson b. 13 Jun 1876 (he changed his name to Andrew Harold Danielson in the states and taught at Colorado State College) his parents Olof Danielson b. 19 Aug 1846 and Anna Olsdotter b. 16 May 1852 (I have researched this parish for many years and can easily look up any names that anyone wishes to send me to see if we are related)

I myself was born in Redondo Beach, California. I moved to Houston, Texas where I met my husband (I was 9 at the time). He moved to Utah and I followed him up here 7 years later. We've been married for almost 14 years and have three children.
When I first replied to the "Origins" conversation, I put in a little bit but didn't include the other Swedish part of the family since I wasn't researching that area at the time.

My gg grandmother is Amanda Caroline Larsdotter (her father chose the name Sutherland when they moved to the US) was born 26 Jan 1865 in Sone, Skaraborg. Her parents are Lars Andersson also born in Sone 22 Dec 1832 married to Brita Stina Larsdotter born in what looks like "Jerna" and "Jerna pa Dahl" in the clerical surveys born 29 Oct 1833. I have tried to find this parish in the LDS family history films and I have found is Jarna in Kopparberg. The family also lived in Rackeby and Tranum in Skaraborg.

Thank you to everyone and happy hunting/discussing!

From: Terri Smith-Weller <smithwel@u.washington.edu>

I was born in Oregon, my mother in Alberta. However my mormor was born in Svenarum parish in Jo:nko:ping la:n (I hope that's spelled correctly!). My morfar was born in Alberta but his father in Julita parish So"dermanland. Although my mormor threw off all Swedish celebrations the food seems to have remained unchanged, mostly. They spoke Swedish in my mother's family until her farfar died, about when she went to school. There have been many visits back and forth between my mother and her many Swedish first cousins. It's been much fun for us over the years. This list has provided me with much information about Swedish things over the years.

Although my mormor came to the US in 1911, all (7 or so) her father's siblings came to the U.S. in the 1800s. We have only found the descendents of 2 of them. Another family reunion is planned for 2001 in Sweden and I hope to find some more branches of the family to invite to the occasion. I'm looking for some Anderson and Isaksson women born in Adelo"v parish of Jo"nko"ping la"n as well as some Johanssons males. I know the emigration dates, birthdates, and complete names if anyone wants more information! 

From: Lil Judd <knytt@earthlink.net>

Hi Leif and everyone else on the list,
my addition comes a little late, maybe, but I don't seem to have too much time for the computer right now.

Anyhow, my story. I'm born and raised within the Stockholm region by Swedish parents. My father was born in Järpen - Norrlands län, and my mother was born in Kristianstad, Skåne län. They met and married in Stockholm. My father still lives there while my mother has moved to Malmö. Personally I moved to the US, Los Angeles, in 1981. I came here to study film production and married an American in 1985. I am still a Swedish citizen as I'm very proud of my heritage. My daughter, born in 1987, has at this time dual citizenship. So I'm 100% Swedish. ;-) For better or worse. ;-).

From: Grey Ask de Lambert <Grrrey@aol.com>
Oakland CA

I was born in Santa Barbara, CA in 1970, the daughter of a Swedish father and German-American mother. My father emigrated to the US with his family in 1949 and settled in Santa Barbara. He was born in Arvika, Varmland, but had several (14?) addresses all over the southern half of Sweden, including Torsos, Malmo (conveniently I only remember the areas that are easy to spell!). Of my grandfather's six children, 3 live in or have returned to Sweden, one ended up in Australia, and one in Solvang, CA. My father died prior to returning to Sweden where he wanted to retire (under the condition that he had a winter home on a tropical island). 

Two things that stand out about being the daughter of a Swede: Living in Santa Barbara, my father was endlessly fascinated that we could live off whatever we grew in our gardens. Also, we moved to Minnesota for several years, where my father never owned a warm winter jacket because he was, afterall, a Swede :)

From: Leif Hallquist <leifh@intergate.bc.ca>

Thank you [to] all ... list members for the contributions... still hopeful that there are few more coming. I have of course already sorted all the replies into my new "Origin" email folder.

It's been a great and meaningful response in more than one way. For instance, we now know that only myself and another list member live in Canada, I believe, as I am quite certain all other responses came from the US. I am sure that there must be list members residing in Sweden and other countries as well. But then I started this thread asking for responses from people with first names being other than swedish, with the intention that all list members will get a better idea where others are from. By the way, we have yet to hear from Ann-Margret (the actress), who actually came to the US as a young girl with her mother, to join her father that had earlier moved to Chicago from Sweden. WishI could get her on the list, somehow.

Other than learning a bit about the geographical location of members, I can't help thinking at times about Wilhelm Moberg's book and film "The Immigrants" (Immigranterna) while reading some of the replies. Even though the time periods are quite a bit apart from perhaps the mid 1800's, the stories are the same acts of how people moved to seek better opportunities. And then there are a few list members that have no ancestry at all in Sweden, but have met a dear person that is a swede and now they are almost becoming swedes themselves. WOW! Great stuff.

Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998

From: John F. Chandler <JCHBN@CUVMB.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU>
Harvard, MA (not far from Worcester)

I've been on vacation, and so I missed the beginning of this discussion. I gather the idea is to post a profile giving (1) the connection to Sweden and (2) the current cultural Swedish heritage. Forgive me if there is something else.

My greatgrandparents came over from Jo"nko"ping in 1885, along with their first three children and my ggf's sister. My ggm's brother also came about that time, and two of her sisters a little bit later. All but the last two settled in eastern Connecticut, but the brother ended up in Providence. My ggp's had three more children (including my grandmother) in this country, but only my grandmother actually had any children to carry on the line, as the two sons both died of typhoid fever after moving to New York, and two of the daughters never married. Although the family used Swedish part of the time at home, they quickly assimilated, and the cultural connection to Sweden faded away after my ggp's died in 1937. By the time I came along, my grandmother didn't remember much Swedish (pipekaake [spelling?] and little else), although I suppose it would have come back if she had had occasion to need it. When she died, she still had a few Swedish things, such as a Bible that hadn't been used a great deal, a ceramic hot pad that says 'Kaffetaaren den ba"ste a"r av alle jo"rdiske drycker', and a little Christmas decoration consisting of a candle-powered pinwheel with angels and chimes. We use the hot pad and the bells, and I guess you could say that's my heritage.

Contact with the various cousins was sparse because they spread out so much, but I recently regained contact with one cousin in California who has traveled to Sweden for a visit and put me in touch with a 3rd cousin back in Jo"nko"pings La"n. This 3rd cousin sent me some info on his side of the family going back to the 1700's, and I have since been able to confirm and expand on that by doing research at one of the LDS FHC's. I still have no information on exactly where my ggf was born, so his side of the family is unexplored territory.

From: Gary Lewis <GaryL985@aol.com>

My g-g-grandfather Daniel Franz Larsson is reported by the great Swedish- American historian/theologian to be the first Swede to organize and bring a group of Swedes to this country in 1844 on the Swedish ship, Superior. . He settled in Brocton (later North Bridgewater), MA and worked as a shoemaker. He returned to Sweden in 1850 to bring back in 1851 on the ship, Montreal, another group of Swedes including his fiance Catherine Fredrika Nordquist. They remained in North Bridgewater until 1867 when they settled in Goodhue, Goodhue County, MN where he became a farmer and member of the school board. He went by the name Lawson in this country. He died 10 May 1907.

Daniel Fran Larsson was born 23 Oct 1821 in Haurida Parish, Jonkoping, Sweden. He lived with his family on the farm, Haurida Sodergard until a family reversal of fortune caused them to move to a smaller farm, Frastorp. Worsening finances caused them to move to neighboing Lekeryd Parish where they resided until Daniel left for America in 1844 with his father, Lars Landberg Larsson.

My grandparents on my father's side came from Norway in the early 1900's. I am going to visit Norway in November and meet relatives.

From: Juergen Stuber <juergen@mpi-sb.mpg.de>

> ... still hopeful that there are few more coming.

Ok, I give in.

I'm a german (german parents) born in Finsp_ng, +sterg÷tland in 1964. My first name is german, the swedish equivalent would be J÷rgen. The relation of our family to Sweden started in the middle of the fifties, when my father and his sister worked on a farm in Sweden during the summer holidays. It was Wennergren's place near Stockholm, I think (every now and then on a family gathering I hear some old story from that time). My aunt emigrated to Sweden in the early sixties, while my father only stayed there two times for two years, and we finally moved to Germany in 1971. After that we only were in Scandinavia for summer holidays, and my swedish became quite rusty. Then, when I was new in Saarbrncken in 1991 I had the idea to go to a swedish course (the canonical choice would have been french, we are sitting right at the border here), to brush up my swedish and to meet some nice people. That interest has grown over the years, and now I'm quite fluent (and know a lot of nice people with an interest in Sweden).

From: Debra Stover <lindeaux@neo.lrun.com>

I too have enjoyed this thread tremendously and have belatedly decided to add my profile to the list.

I was born and raised (and still live) in Ohio. I have no ancestral connection to Sweden -- my decades-long interest in this beautiful country is a result of a close friendship with a Swedish exchange student at my high-school. We became best friends and she taught me a lot about her homeland (and a little of her language.) A few years later I was fortunate enough to spend six months studying at Lund University (in the spring of 1979.) I loved every minute of my time there! I was particularly fascinated by the rich history of Sweden and I retain that interest to this day. While there a bought a rail pass and managed to see most of the country, going as far north as Kiruna. It was a time I'll never forget. 

Though I have stayed in touch with my friend throughout the years, I only recently returned for a visit. Earlier this summer I spent time in Stockholm, Småland, and Skåne. We stayed at a beach house near Falsterbo, where we managed one trip to the sound long enough to shiver, look around, and say "Nice beach!" before returning to the warmth of our rented cabin...

From: Wayne Brink <wbrink@qcc.mass.edu>
Worcester, MA

I'm from Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, once the largest Swedish city in the world outside Stockholm. My father's side is Swedish, with my grandparents immigrating to this country separately probably in the 1910's. My grandmother was either from Charlottenburg, Varmland, or her sister ended up there. Back in the 1960's I wrote to my grandmother's sister who put me in touch with another boy my own age. We lost touch for about 25 years, but thanks to people on this list I was able to regain contact with him last year. Hopefully, I'll be visiting him next year.

Growing up, we always had Christmas Eve dinner at my grandparents, along with my father's brother's family. My mother (not a drop of Swede in her!) kept up the tradition (and also gained a reputation for making the best glögg in the area), which I took over when she could no longer do it. My version is slightly different: with virtually no relatives left in this area, I've made it into a tradition with friends and a few others who perhaps have no place to be on Christmas Eve. Sometimes, this means a little international stretch--I've served Vietnamese shrimp chips along
with the sill!

From: Jerry Longstrom <jel@netvalue.net>
Peoria, AZ

Greetings from "warm" Arizona.

My name is Jerry Longstrom and I was born in Minnesota and now live in Arizona. My parents Adolph & Lela still live in Mn. My Grandfather Gustave Långström (the, non talker!) was born in Mo Parish in Bullaren Bohuslän and came to Minnesota in 1893. There are many Långströms living in Bullaren today because, when my ggggrandfather changed his name from Olof Olsson Åhs to Långström in 1810, the last name remained. My grandmother Emilie Andersson was born in Hårlunda Parish in Kronoberg Län and came to America as a young girl with her family in 1872. My grandfather & grandmother met while living on farms in the Slayton area. When I was young we used to go to my grandparents place on holidays and had the "delicious" Lutefisk!!! I really miss that!! :) :) :)

My wife Colleens ancestors (Swanson) come from the large Ingevald family near the Mellerud area of Älvsborg County. We were in Sweden last summer and had a great time and, plan on going back again next summer.

From: Birgitta Dagnell <adm.service@sverige.net>

Helsingborg, Sweden (close to)

So it's my turn to give in now?

My name is Birgitta Dagnell and I am 100 % of Sweden but 50% of my heart is in USA since I visited Los Angeles 1983. I did not had the opportunity to go back to U.S. until last year when I visited aNow I have met a man from Maine on the net .... so we'll see what the outcome will be of that ....

I live in south/west of Sweden close to Helsingborg and 20 minutes ferry ride to Denmark. -- Bid

From: Jan Tonsing <jant@well.com> 
St. Louis, MO

I am living in the St. Louis area now but I was brought up in northwestern Pennsylvania where all four of my grandparents and my mother at the age of ten emigrated in 1901. My mother and her parents came from a farm near Markaryd, Smoland. My farfar came from Torupin Halland in 1882. About that same year my farmor emigrated from Halmstad. She was born in S. Ljunga, Smoland. I have genealogical information on all my grandparents except my farmor. I had unsuccessfully tried to find information about her ancestors in the Mormon libraries. However, this summer, while attending an elderhostel on Swedish genealogy at the Swenson Center at Augustana College I learned that I had been searching Ljunby parish records instead
of Ljunga. Now that I have that information straight I am hopeful of finding records on her family.
I found the correct information by reading the Swedish-American church records on microfilm at the Swenson center. That made my week at the elderhostel a big success.

I have taken five trips to Sweden visiting relatives. They have all been warm and hospitable. We have hosted two distant relatives as exchange students, each for a year. Through that experience I am sure that even my grandchildren will have Swedish connections.

Both of our exchange students enjoyed their experiences in an American high school and now have completed their education in Sweden to become teachers. They say their contacts with dedicated American teachers gave them the desire to become teachers themselves. I have learned that one requirement of their education for teaching is to complete an in-depth study and write a paper on their findings. Our youngest former exchange student, Anneli,with the help of Swedish grant money, went to a very small and isolated island (Canhabaque) off the coast of Guinee-Bissau. Her grant money paid for the transportation from Sweden and salary of her translator. The island is a matrilineal society. Anneli interviewed the mothers there about childraising. Her paper compares childraising in Canhabaque with childraising in Sweden. a patrilineal society. Her sister and another future teacher interviewed Swedish mothers. I am anxious to read Anneli's paper.

I have enjoyed being a member of this list, mainly as a lurker.

From: Kjell Nilsson <knilsson@apr.com>
Palo Alto, CA

My name is Kjell A. Nilsson, born in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1938. My roots in Sweden, as far as I have been able to trace them, go back to at least the 1700's. I went to school in Gothenburg and graduated from Chalmers University of Technology with a MS in Mechanical/Nuclear Engineering. 

In 1966 I and my family, wife and one daughter at the time, emigrated from Sweden to the United States, where we settled in Palo Alto, California. I now have four children, all of whom live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

However, I am not the first in the family to move over here. Three of my paternal grandfather's brothers left Sweden in the late 1800's. Karl F. Nilsson left in 1885, Filip L. Nilsson left in 1889, and Erik H. Nilsson left in 1898. The peculiar thing is that their destination, given at the
time of departure from Gothenburg, was Wahoo, Nebraska. This, to me, indicates that an older relative or friend had emigrated to Wahoo earlier.

If there is any Nilsson or Nelson on the List who recognizes this, I would appreciate hearing from you!

Kjell (Male, pronounced "Shell")

From: Bill Nilson <nilson@OpenMarket.COM>

Hi Kjell,
I think I am the only other Nilson on the list. I was born in Boston in 1957. Coincidentally, my great-grand parents emigrated from Gothenburg about the time of your grand parents. They (John or "Jan" Nilsson and Anne Charlotte Karlsson) emigrated to Boston MA and settled in Winthrop, MA, near the city. He was a cabinet maker. Unfortunately, I don't know the names of any of their brothers and sisters.

From: Shari Wessels (Oberg) (Johnson) <Shari_L_Wessels@ferris.edu>
Reed City, Michigan .

It would be nice to include the maiden or geneological name of grandparents /parents too. There could be some listers who are searching for lost relatives or ancestors who come from the same locations in Sweden. To add to the replys, my fathers parents came from Sweden then immagrated to the Chicago area where my father was born. My mothers father came from Sweden and immagrated to the mid-Michigan area where my mother was born. Both immagrated in the late 1800's. I am not totally sure of the locations in Sweden.

From: Montreal bb@aei.ca

> ... I am 100 % Swedish ...

Left Sweden at 20 to study English in England, then French in France. In Neuilly, Paris, I met a Frenchman who was half Swedish (it was one of those things when you think no-one will understand what you are saying; I was rude in words, but not in voice when I spoke to my puppy who was sleeping on the lap of this awfully snotty Frenchman). I went back to Sweden, studied at Uppsala. One evening the phone rang: the Frenchman was downstairs with 20 roses. I went down to open the door. We fell in love. I went to Paris for a year, then he went to Vietnam for a job. A few months later I also got a job there, with the UN. We married, had a stormy and rather long marriage, but never boring; it produced two wonderful children. One was born in Guadeloupe, the other one in Sweden. They grew up partly in Guadeloupe, partly in Nigeria and partly in Montreal, Canada. Summers were spent in France and Sweden.My two wonderful children have left Montreal. One is doing a Ph.D. and teaching in Uppsala, the other one is teaching English at a university in Korea (and I am again becoming a student). They are 25 and 26 this year. The little one plans to do another degree, this time in Sweden which means that for the first time since I left Sweden, my "foreign" kids will both be in Sweden and I will be here, at least for a while.

Am I 100% Swedish? Oh, yes, I am. But my kids certainly are not. But they do know and sing "svenska visor", talar flytande svenska, älskar svensk natur, tar för givet att vi ska baka pepparkakor, vörtbröd, etc till jul, men också att vi gör gåsleverpastej till nyår, vietnameiska krabbrullar till födelsedagar, kalkon till "thanksgiving", etc, etc.

My father's name was a Forss, my mother's name was Jonsson, and her mother's name was WAssen (in case I have any relatives here). Dad was a mucisian and came from Skane, my mother came from Norrland.

Voila!

Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1998

For those who want to know my Swedish credentials, hit http://www.spidra.com/swedish.html

From: Virginia Morgan (Ginny) <morgan@wrightinst.edu>
San Francisco Bay Area, CA

My mothers parents immigrated from Sweden in l902 and eventually ended up in Berkeley, CA. My mormor was Ellen Emmauelsdotter- changed later to Bengtsson then to Sandberg - was from the countryside near Vannersborg - Vassanda Parrish, Alvsborg lan in Vastergotland. My morfar was Karl Johan Frithiof Lindstrom from Kristina Parrish in Goteborg. His parents originally came from Bohuslan - his father was a merchant marine captain and his mother ran a cafe and beauty salon in
Goteborg. My grandparents taught me some Swedish and by example, a lot about the culture including lagom and jantelagen. We ate (and still eat) a lot of Swedish food - lutfisk on jul afton, any time for sill, knakebrod, sylta, limpa, etc. I've been doing some geneology on the net - the Vassanda records are there but I haven't been able to find Goteborg records yet. I still haven't been to Sverige, but hope to go someday.

Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1998 

Better late than never.

Born Warwick, R.I. 1962 - 50% Swede and 50% Swamp Yankee. Mother born Providence, RI to Walter Jacobson (full name Augustas Carl Walter) and Edith Maria Jacobson (maiden:Miller). 

Walter was born 1893 in Nora and came to the U.S. at the age of 14. Enlisted in U.S. Army and served in France. Upon arrival in the U.S. spelling of Jacobson was changed from the original Jakobsson. Walter was son of Augustus and Regina(Larson) Jacobson of Nora. Walter settled in Providence, two sisters settled in Worcester, MA, married names Anderson and Bloom. Five other siblings remained in Nora. 

Edith Jacobson(Miller) was born in Providence, 1899. Maiden name Miller was changed from original Swedish spelling of Mullar(pretty sure). She was the daughter of Maria Miller(Anderson) and Edward Miller from the Damshult area of Hamstald. Had three brothers, all settled in RI. 

Did a "roots" visit in 1995 visted both Nora and Hamlstad. Pretty amazing visit, connected with relatives in Hamstald, unable to locate anyone in Nora. Hope to go back next year. 

Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1998

Hi all,

I, too, decided that I should join in with a little bit about myself. I mostly lurk because I am shy. I joined this list because I was interested in learning about what Sweden is like today. I live in a small town in Kansas and there are not very many other Swedes in the area. I was born in Chicago in 1938 on the south side and grew up in the house that my morfar and mormor owned. My father was born in Halltorp in Kalmar la:n and his parents and brother did not emigrate. His three sisters all came to the US and I grew up in a family where the Swedish culture was a part of my life more than the American culture. Although my mother was born here, since her parents emigrated from Sweden, my family life and values were based on Swedish tradition. I have been working on my family history the last two years so that I can put facts together with my memories. I graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois where I met and married my husband. He is also of Swedish descent. At that time there was only one Brown and one student named Smith that I can remember. Everyone else was named Peterson, Johnson, Olson, etc. So it wasn't until I was in my 20's that I discovered that not all americans ate smorgasbord or knew what limpa bread was. Needless to say, I keep up all the Swedish traditions I can in my family. We make potatis korv and limpa. One of my sons favorite is lutfisk for Christmas! 

I have never been to Sweden so I have enjoyed reading your posts because they help me understand my heritage much better. [I'm] Researching Halltorp Parish, Vestra Torsa*s Parish, Bo Parish, and Tving Parish in Blekinge la:n. Surnames are Johansson (my father), Nyberg (morfar), and Holm (mormor). 

Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 

Greetings to all,
I would just like to thank each and everyone one of you for the help in finding my relatives in Nykoping. Thanks to the "Origin Of The Species" and some through readers, I have located three cousins alive and well in Nykoping and Norrkoping.

When I joined the "List" I thought I would learn about Sweden and the customs of my grandfather's country. I had no expectations of finding relatives still alive. What joy you all have brought to me! Thank you again. I only wish that all of you searching for lost relatives or information on family genealogy will be blessed as I have.

Forever Grateful,
Alice 

Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 

Hello,

I too have enjoyed reading the replies to Leif's request (when I've had the time) and appreciate Karin's summary too.

I've (obviously) wavered for a long time about replying because I feel like I don't really "belong" here. I have no connection to Sweden at all, other than a curiosity about and a natural affinity for a culture/mentality that I perceive as less assertive and competitive than the American I live in. And over the years I have started doing things like making "Lussekatter" for my co-workers on December 13, trying to learn a bit of the language (books, tapes, Radio Sweden), and reading and enjoying this list. 

Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 

I have been following the "Origin of speceis-List Members" with great interest and thought I 'd add my story to list. I grew up in Skelleftea, Vaesterbotten and went to school at the mighty fine University of Umeaa .I studied Scandinavian Languages and General Linguistics under Prof Sigurd Fries, Prof Karl-Hampus Dahlstedet and Prof Eva Ejerhed. I also studied Japanese under prof Choo at University of Stockholm. dept of Japanese and Korean Studies. I keep in touch with what's going on in Sweden and would like to tell you about "Surstroemming" When I was in the last year of high school back in the mid 70:s (Nordanaaskolan, Skellaftea class of 77) we had a "manhood" ritual that involoved drinking Skaane Akvavit mixed with surstroemming piclke juice. It was a very bad experience thatt put a lot of hair of one's chest. Did anybody else have similar experiences?

The local media found it kind of strange that somebody from Vaesterbotten, Sweden was operating in the middle of bluegrass country - teaching people how to play the music. Without being too self-promotional...

http://www.news-observer.com/daily/1998/08/04/day00.html (the news article)[no longer available May 22 2002 kb]
http://members.aol.com/jjohan7937/jams.htm (about Johansson's Acoustic Music Studio, Inc)

hejdaa

From: Lil Judd <knytt@earthlink.net>

My high school years were just a few years later, and since I'm not a man - "manhood" tests have never been on my list of anything. But I must admit that as far as I know none of the young men I went to school with in Stockholm did anything similar to this. It sounds outright disgusting. No wonder it put hairs on your chest! ;-) 
I must admit I've never heard of it. 

Lil, ---- who never eat surströmming or any other product in that direction. It's far too bad smelling. But I do love crayfish. :-) Haven't had any this year though. I'm too depressed to think about them. :-(

Swede-L 2002: more about us