http://swedishfinnhistoricalsociety.org/

Swedish Finn Historical Society, 1920 Dexter Avenue North, Seattle, WA (2026)

10/04/2026

What a lovely Autumnal weekend…starting with Swedish treats and ending with Finnish music! Food and music are just two ways to find Swedish Finnish connections where ever you may be. On Saturday (1 day early), I celebrated Cinnamon Bun Day 2026 (Kanelbullens Dag, always celebrated on October 4 in Sweden) with Fika at the Kaffestugan Coffee Shop at the Scandinavian Cultural Center & Library in Newton MA. I’ll definitely be returning for Fika again very soon!

On Sunday, I returned to the Scandinavian Living Center to attend a concert featuring Finlandia Foundation’s Performer of the Year Ruut DeMeo (artist name, Ruut), “a Finnish-born, multidisciplinary artist whose work as a musician, author, and educator celebrates the transformative power of creativity and cultural heritage. She has built a unique and authentic body of work and is deeply influenced by Finnish oral storytelling traditions and the shamanistic worldview of her ancestors. Ruut’s upcoming album, Motherland, is a musical journey into Finnish mythology and heritage, bridging past and present through song. Closely tied to her forthcoming novel, which reimagines the world and characters of the Kalevala, the project embodies her lifelong vision: that creativity is not only an act of expression, but of renewal—a way to connect, to remember, and to shape the human experience.” What a beautiful way to round out the weekend.

Looking for other ways to learn about Swedish Finn history? Check out the Swedish Finn Historical Society website at https://www.swedishfinnhistoricalsociety.org/ to see how you can make even more connections!

09/16/2026

Looks like these musicians are all ready to celebrate a very HAPPY 35 YEARS to the Swedish Finn Historical Society (SFHS)! https://www.swedishfinnhistoricalsociety.org/

SFHS was founded in 1991 by the descendants of Swedish Finn emigrants in Seattle, USA. Did you know that being a Swedish Finn is exceedingly rare? Between 1860–1920 less than .0025% of immigrants to the United States were Swedish Finns. Since 1991, SFHS has helped Swedish Finns in America and abroad find and make connections to the past, present and even the future. These experiences help our members learn more about Swedish Finn customs, cultures and celebrations in Ostrobothnia through sharing what relatives taught them growing up or if they are learning about them for the very first time (like me!)

Looking for another way to learn more about Swedish Finn culture? SFHS offers members “Books Without Borders”, a collaboration between the Swedish Finn Historical Society and Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet, two societies dedicated to preserving, celebrating and contributing to the cultural heritage of Swedish Finns in Finland and across the globe. These members only meetings are held over Zoom a few times a year and include Swedish Finns from across the USA and Finland in guided discussions. So far, we have read “The Summer Book” by Tove Jansson and “Deep River” by Karl Marlantes. For our October 21, 2026 book club (registration deadline of September 30 is coming up SOON) , we are reading “Tangled Roots” by Maria Turtschaninoff - a sweeping multi-generation saga that weaves together Finnish folklore and magical realism on a small farmstead over four centuries. The reading selections and guided discussions provide fascinating insights by Swedish Finn writers about the emigrant experience, Finnish-specific customs, and stories of survival.

Looking ahead to 2027, plans are currently underway for the Swedish Finn Historical Society’s Annual Meeting to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota in April, offering members the opportunity to connect in yet another community for Swedish Finns. 2027 also features the SFHS Finnish Heritage Trip, which SFHS organizes and can tailor to the area where your ancestors lived – perhaps you will be able to travel to meet the cousins you have found with the help of the SFHS genealogy resources and experts.

These are just a few of the experiences that SFHS has provided its members over the past 35 years – I am excited to be part of the future for this well established and still growing organization which remains committed to celebrating the cultural identity and legacy of our ancestors. Please join us! Häng gärna med oss! Tule mukaan! https://www.swedishfinnhistoricalsociety.org/

Photo: Swedish Finn Dance Band from Cedarville/Oakville, Washington, circa 1920 (provided by John Ostegard, long time volunteer for SFHS. John’s father is one of the band members, holding the French Horn). Published in “Immigrants of Independence Valley”, an SFHS publication by Dick Erickson (2016).

09/10/2026

Are you curious about your family history? Where your ancestors came from and if you have any relatives still in that country? Did you know that many people who grew up thinking they were Swedish are actually Swedish Finns, whose ancestors came from Ostrobothnia, the Swedish speaking part of Finland? Are you ready to make a leap into the past, find more about some past generations and perhaps even find new relatives?

When you become a new member of the Swedish Finn Historical Society (SFHS), https://www.swedishfinnhistoricalsociety.org/ you have immediate access to researchers who can help you find more about your Finnish ancestors, even if all you start with is the name of the town or region where they came from. When I contacted them with questions about my paternal Swedish Finn ancestry, I only had a family name, a town in Finland, and the general timeframe of emigration to America. Within a short time, using their extensive database, genealogy experts, translators and additional resources, SFHS was able to provide me with a family tree going back 6 generations as well as names of current 2nd and 3rd cousins. I was fortunate to meet several of them in person last summer on a family trip and even visited the home locations and final resting places of my Finnish relatives. This meaningful and genuine connection started with me reaching out to Swedish Finn Historical Society for their assistance.

Check out the www.swedishfinnhistoricalsociety.org website for more information about how to find your Swedish Finn roots. SFHS members are eligible for one query per year, and nonmembers pay a fee for this service. There’s no better time to start learning how your family’s journey from Finland brought you here today!

08/30/2026

Have you heard of the giant recycled wood trolls created by Danish recycling artist Thomas Dambo? These beautiful wooden sculptures created from scrap wood and recycled materials can be found all over the world. They carry messages promoting care and respect for the earth and hope for its animal, human, and environmental inhabitants to live together. "Nestled in forests around the world, a gentle army of giant wooden trolls want to show humans how to live better without destroying the planet." As part of his upcoming "Trail of a 1000 Trolls" expansion, Dambo has the goal of bringing a giant troll to all eight Nordic countries by the summer of 2027 (so far, Finland has committed, along with Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, and Iceland). To see more information about these beautiful sculptures and find one near you, visit https://trollmap.com/

Since I couldn't travel to Finland this summer, I recently found a collection of Dambo's trolls in Tupper Lake, NY at The Wild Center. "Thomas Dambo's TROLLS: Save the Humans" exhibit is open daily until October 31, 2026. All of the exhibits are wonderful. Being surrounded by the natural beauty and dense healthy forests of the Adirondack Park helped me feel connected to my Swedish Finn heritage and cousins in Ostrobothnia, even though we are many many miles apart. Just another way to "find a feeling of Finland" where ever you may be!

08/19/2026

In August, there is a very traditional eating and drinking celebration in the Nordic countries called Kräftskiva (Crayfish Party). "The tradition, originating in Sweden, has also spread to Finland via its Swedish-speaking population (the Swedish Finns). Crayfish parties are generally held during August, a tradition that began because the crayfish harvest in Sweden was, for most of the 20th century, legally limited to the late summer. Customary party accessories are novelty paper hats, paper tablecloths, paper lanterns (often depicting the Man in the Moon), and bibs. These are outdoor gatherings with long tables, lanterns, paper hats, and a very relaxed atmosphere. Aquavit and other kinds of snaps are served, as well as b**r, and traditional drinking songs (snapsvisa) may be sung. The crayfish are boiled in salt water and seasoned with fresh dill – preferably "crown dill" harvested after the plant has flowered – then served cold and eaten with the fingers." The important thing is not so much the quantity of food as the social ritual, the leisurely conversation, and the enjoyment of the soft late-summer light.

I was delighted to join the Scandinavian Athletic Club's annual Kräftskiva in Shrewsbury MA last weekend, where we enjoyed plenty of crayfish, fresh salads, corn, and of course, snaps. The music (featuring traditional and modern instruments) and mood were festive and celebratory, as befitting a summertime celebration. Many thanks to the S.A.C. of Shrewsbury MA for inviting me to join in this traditional feast, and I hope you are finding your own ways to celebrate the summertime bounty!

08/05/2026

A few years ago I attended a company picnic at Vasa Park on the shores of Lake Sammamish. At the time I was captivated by the beautiful setting, but I had no idea I was visiting a place with such deep Nordic roots.

Vasa Park was founded in 1926 by Swedish immigrants from Seattle’s Ballard community who purchased the property as a gathering place for fellowship, cultural traditions, and community. Over the years, it evolved into one of the region’s oldest private parks and a lasting testament to the contributions of Nordic immigrants in the Pacific Northwest.

The park’s historic hall continues to reflect Nordic traditions. It is also home to Vihta Sauna, which offers a traditional wood-fired sauna experience along the shores of Lake Sammamish, connecting visitors to another Finnish cultural tradition.

Looking at these photos now, I’m reminded of how many traces of Nordic history can still be found throughout our region, often in places we might otherwise overlook.

Have you visited Vasa Park or have memories of Swedish Finnish gatherings there?

08/03/2026

More Than Names on a Family Tree

Genealogy often begins with names and dates. But sometimes it becomes something much more.

For descendents of Swedish Finn families from Malax and Petalax, detailed family histories have preserved generations of stories stretching back to Daniel Johansson Kiöping and his descendants. These records document thousands of individuals whose lives helped shape communities in Finland and later throughout North America and beyond.

Within those pages are farmers, sailors, craftsmen, emigrants, church leaders, mothers, fathers, and children. Some remained in Ostrobothnia. Others crossed oceans in search of new opportunities.

Today, the Swedish Finn Historical Society continues to help connect descendents with both their family stories and one another.

Family history is more than a tree of names - it is a story of people, places, and connections that continue across generations.

07/31/2026

A memorable moment from the SFHS Heritage Tour in Helsinki.

As we explored the historic heart of Finland, we were treated to the stirring sounds of a Finnish military band marching through Senate Square. Framed by Helsinki’s iconic neoclassical architecture and statue of Emperor Alexander II, the scene provided a vivid reminder of Finland’s rich and complex history.

Senate Square has witnessed generations of change, from Finland’s time as a Grand Duchy under the Russian Empire to its emergence as an independent nation. Experiencing this tradition in such a historic setting made our visit especially meaningful.

Have you visited Senate Square during your travels? Let us know in your comments.

07/29/2026

A Swedish-Finn Family Story: Part 3 of 3
The Daughters Who Built the Future

When Johan Emil Krut died in 1899, the future of his family rested with his daughters.

In 1903, Anna Lovisa Krut and her sisters left Finland for America and eventually settled in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Born in Petalax in 1886, Anna Lovisa never forgot her Swedish-Finn roots. She married Karl Oscar Erickson and maintained close ties with relatives in Finland throughout her long life. She traveled back to her ancestral homeland and preserved connections that might otherwise have been lost.

After her husband died at a relatively young age, Anna Lovisa demonstrated remarkable independence by operating a large farm on her own while raising her family.

Her sisters followed different paths. Ida remained in Massachusetts, while the youngest sister eventually returned to Finland and spent her final years in Vaasa.

Today, more than a century later, family photographs, letters, and memories preserved by their descendants continue to reconnect relatives across oceans and generations. This very story became possible through one such connection, when descendants sharing a common ancestor rediscovered one another through genealogy research.

What began on a farm in Malax and continued through Petalax, New York, and Worcester remains a living story today.

Tack to all who preserve and share our Swedish-Finn heritage.

07/27/2026

A Swedish-Finn Family Story: Part 2 of 3
From Petalax to New York

Johan Emil Abraham Krut was born in Petalax in 1863, the son of Abraham Erik Svenn Krut.

Like his father, Johan Emil served in the Russian military. Yet his life's journey would take him far beyond the villages of Ostrobothnia.

In the late 1880s, Johan Emil and his wife Anna Lisa left Finland for New York City. Their oldest daughter, Anna Lovisa, had been born and baptized in Petalax before the family departed. Two more daughters would be born in New York, creating a family that bridged two continents.

Like many immigrants of the era, their path was not easy. Illness eventually forced Johan Emil to return to Finland, where he died in 1899 and was buried in Petalax. Anna Lisa would later return as well.

Their daughters, however, would remain in America and build new lives, ensuring that the family's Swedish-Finn heritage continued on both sides of the Atlantic.

In Part 3, we meet the daughters whose descendants ultimately preserved this remarkable family story.

Swedish Finn Historical Society

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