Välkommen!
By 1900 Illinois had almost 100,000 Swedes living in Illinois. This was second only to Minnesota.They came seeking religious freedom and some came seeking a better life for them and their families. Erik Janson was no doubt the beginning of a mass immigration that would eventually lead to Sweden losing almost a fifth of their population.
Some spread out to other counties after the dissolution of Bishop Hill in 1861 some went as far as Chicago with Janson and stopped and settled there, some went to Moline because of the John Deere Company. At one time it was possible to live and die in these towns without speaking a word of English. Most of them faced many hardships but worked hard and became productive citizens. Many of them started businesses, created industries, many Swedes built the railroads.
There is no doubt that Swedes have left their mark on Illinois and it continues even today.Swedish heritage and traditions still remain a part of Illinois.
My gr gr grandparents were part of the Illinois Swedes, Carl and Carolina Svensson Asp. If it hadn't been for their bravery and determination to give their children a better life I wouldn't be here and for that they will always have my love and utmost respect.
This web site is dedicated to those Swedes in Illinois
If you would like to contribute information about your
Illinois Swedes please contact me Here
Any and all contributions will always remain yours and will never
be used for profit.
Biographies of Illinois Swedes
Churches
Life in the Old Country(Genealogy Help)
Helpful Links for Genealogists
Sources for Swedish-American Church Records
For Those of You Who Know Swedish
We've started a tombstone project at Illinois Ancestors http://www.illinoisancestors.org/cemphotos/main.php
This website is designed to allow researchers to add their photos automatically! If you'd like to share your photos with fellow researchers, please contact me at winicaudell@yahoo.com We'll either set up an account for you so that you can add your own photos online or if you prefer you can send me the pictures and I'll put them on for you.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxNOTICExxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Looking for ancestors to emigrants from Farstorp, Skane. I'm trying to find living descendants to emigrants from that parish for a follow-up in my book and I'd love to find people on both sides the ocean. I know that quite a few ended up in Illinois.
Susannah Auerbach
Please contact Susannah Auerbach at saauerbach@msn.com
Susannah Auerbach has a new web site to help those looking for both their American and Swedish roots. Susanna has some wonderful sources for helping people.
Updates HERE
Updated Oct. 14, 2008
©2008/2009 Wini Caudell and Contributors
All rights reserved
Illinois Ancestors
Background by 10,000+free web graphics