Resources for Swedish Research
The following books and publications will be helpful to anyone compiling their family’s history who has discovered roots in Sweden. They are listed in seven categories to help you locate the type of book you are looking for easily. Click on the category above to go directly to that section of the bibliography. Check this page frequently, as new references will be added as we learn about them.
SWEDISH GENEALOGY
Johansson, Carl-Erik, Cradled In Sweden Revised Edition, Logan, Utah: The Everton Publishers, Inc., 1995
One of the best reference books for the person tracing their Swedish roots. This book includes chapters on language, the civil and ecclesiastical jurisdictions of Sweden, place names, naming practices, church and civil records available to the researcher, archive locations, an alphabetical listing of all parishes in Sweden and much more.
Olsson, Nils William, Tracing Your Swedish Ancestry, Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 1987
A small booklet which gives an overview of records and resources available to the genealogist. Examples of forms and documents are shown. Excellent resource for getting started. Available from “Tracing Your Swedish Roots” web page. (see links)
Thomsen, Finn A., Genealogical Guidebook & Atlas of Sweden, Bountiful, Utah: Thomsen’s Genealogical Center
Similar to the Beginner’s Guide by the same author, except includes more extensive information for the experienced researcher.
GENERAL & COMPUTER GENEALOGY
Howells, Cyndi, Netting Your Ancestors Genealogical Research on the Internet, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1997
For the beginner or more experienced internet user this book is full of information on how to use the internet and e-mail as a valuable tool in your genealogy. The basics of getting hooked up to the internet are briefly explained. The remaining chapters are devoted to using e-mail, mailing lists and news groups and the world wide web as resources. Although short lists of helpful sites are offered, the focus is on learning how to find resources as URL’s change and printed lists can become obsolete. Used in conjunction with Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet this book can help put you in contact with the world.
SWEDISH CULTURE, TRAVEL, ETC.
Chisholm, Jane and Struan Reid Illustrated by David Cuzik Designed by Vicki Groombridge, Who were the Vikings?, London: Usborne publishing Ltd., 1995
Written at an early to middle elementary level, this book of history explains the story of the Vikings. The book includes maps of their travels, illustrations and descriptions of everyday objects, their homes and villages. Many short sections address such aspects of Viking life as the ruling structure, fun, travel, food, trading and others.
Estus, Charles W., Sr. and John F. McClymer, gå till Amerika, The Swedish creation of an Ethnic Identity for Worcester, Massachusetts,
Worcester, Massachusetts: Worcester Historical Museum, 1994
A study of the arrival of early Swedes in Worcester, MA and the establishment of the Swedish community in Quinsigamond Village. Details of family life, occupations and the overall community. Concentration is on Quinsigamond Village, but includes some information on Swedes in other parts of the city as will.
Evans, Cheryl and Anne Millard, Designed and Illustrated by Rodney Matthews Usborne Illustrated Guide to Norse Myths and Legends, London: Usborne Publishing Ltd., 1986
Written at an upper elementary or junior high school level. The introduction includes a brief history of the Norsemen, a map of their travels, an explanation of what myths are and how and why they were told. The major Norse gods are introduced and their stories told.
IMMIGRATION
Colletta, John P. Ph.D., They Came In Ships A Guide to Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Arrival Record, Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry, 1989, 1993
This guide helps the researcher begin by determining what they already know and what they will need to find out about their immigrant ancestor before they can find the passenger ship list for the ancestor. Suggestions for how to find this information and how to use the information to further research are discussed. This book also includes extensive information about what resources are available at the National Archives and other locations to help the researcher locate a ship’s passenger list.
Stein, R. Conrad, Cornerstone of Freedom: The Story of Ellis Island, Chicago: Children’s Press, Inc. 1992
This children’s history of Ellis Island gives a brief overview of immigration from all nations and the experience of immigrants as they arrived in the USA at Ellis Island. Illustrated with many period photographs and recent photographs of the restored museum at Ellis Island. (see web page links)
Szucs, Loretto Dennis, They Became Americans finding Naturalization Records and Ethnic Origins, Salt Lake City: Ancestry Incorporated, 1998
The goal of this book is to educate the researcher in the process of finding immigration and naturalization information for ancestors. It explains the historic background of immigration and naturalization and how it has changed over the years. The book is illustrated with hundreds of reproductions of documents and photographs to illustrate the ideas presented in the text.
FINDING AIDS
Lindberg, Marcia Wiswall, C.G., Genealogist’s Handbook for New England Research 6th Edition, Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2021
This book is not a how-to book, but rather a guide to the records available in libraries, archives and other places throughout New England. It is divided into sections for each state and then organized by types of records and repositories available. Just a few of the categories include: a list of towns in each state, vital, probate, cemetery, military, land, immigration and church records. There are also lists of libraries, genealogical societies and publications.
WRITING AND PUBLISHING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
Ledoux, Denis, Turning Memories into Memoirs a Handbook for Writing Lifestories, Lisbon Falls, Maine: Soleil Press, 1993
This how-to guide teaches the reader how to preserve the moments and stories of their own or another’s life in a step by step fashion with a series of exercises for writing life stories. This guide was written by the originator of the life stories process, Denis Ledoux.
SARA’s Favorite Links
Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness
Volunteers do local area research charging only for expenses (video tape, copy fees, etc.)
Cyndi’s List – Scandinavia & The Nordic Countries Index
The section of Cyndi’s List pertaining to Scandinavia. Cyndi’s List is a site full of genealogical links organized into convenient categories.
The largest Swedish genealogy site. Most entries are in Swedish, but it includes some pages in English.
The Swedish Emigrant Institute & the House of Emigrants
A new Internet address for this long established research center. (in English)
Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center
The Swenson Center, located at Augustana College, is a national archives and research institute for the study of Swedish immigration to North America.
Biographies of the current Swedish Royal Family, the Bernadotte “Family Tree”, a history of monarchy in Sweden and it’s role, and other bits of information about Swedish monarchy. Available in both Swedish and English.
Let us know if there’s another site we should add to this list!
