The Swedish midsummer has medieval roots Maybe you’ve heard of the Swedish celebration of Midsummer, or midsommar as we call it. Swedes often joke about it being our unofficial national day. Midsummer celebrations have an old history in Sweden. It was first documented in the year 1555. At the time, Swedes celebrated Midsummer by dancing […]
The main emigration port One day over a century ago, your ancestor stepped on a ship to leave Sweden. Hopefully it was a clear day with brisk winds. Most likely it happened in Gothenburg on the Swedish west coast. About 80% of Swedish emigrants, or 1 million people, left the country from the ports in […]
Alma spent most of her adult life in Manchester, New Hampshire. She died in 1932 and as far as I can tell she led a quite ordinary life and that’s what makes her interesting.
Scandinavia Did you know that Scandinavia only is three countries? Well, it depends on who you ask. But Norway, Denmark and Sweden make up Scandinavia. At least if you’re asking anyone from those countries. That’s the definition of Scandinavia in Scandinavia, so to speak. In the English speaking world, Scandinavia is often used for a […]
Today is the last day of Christmas in Sweden. January 13 is Twentieth Day Knut, when the Christmas tree is thrown out, the decorations are put away and the gingerbread house gets eaten. One last chance to come together and dance around the tree. The celebration is named by the plundering of the tree, julgransplundring. […]
Merry Christmas! The Swedish-Norwegian flag and a cup of coffee at the turn of the century. A doll and a book for the girl. Christmas Eve is when gifts are exchanged in Sweden.
