Pennsylvania: Swedish American
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Contents
Background[edit | edit source]
The first Swedes in Pennsylvania came up the Delaware River from the early Swedish settlement called New Sweden. The Swedes from this settlement came in the 1600's from Sweden and settled first in Delaware and then spread to Pennsylvania and New Jersey. For more information on the history of New Sweden in America see: http://www.phila.gov/phils/carchive.htm
Demographics[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Repositories for Pennsylvania Genealogy[edit | edit source]
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
ELCA Regional Archives
Region 7: For all synods except Metropolitan New York and the Slovak-Zion Synod
John E. Peterson
Lutheran Archives Center
Northeast Region Archives ELCA
7301 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19119-1794
Phone: 215-248-4616, Ext. 34
Fax: 215-248-4577
Email: mtairyarchives@ltsp.edu
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
ELCA Regional Archives
Region 8: For Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Western Maryland
Sarah (Sally) Roth
Tri-Synod Archives
Thiel College
College Avenue
Greenville, PA 16125
Phone: 724-589-2131
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
ELCA Regional Archives
Region 8: General Synod for Central Pennsylvania, Delaware-Maryland and Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
Elwood W. Christ
A.R. Wentz Library
Lutheran Theological Seminary
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: 717-334-6286, Ext. 2131
Email: echrist@ltsg.edu
Website: http://www.abs.net/~lhs/
Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 686-5322.
Map Collection (215) 686-5396
Newspaper Center (215) 686-5431
Website: http://www.library.phila.gov/
The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
1300 Locust St., 2nd Fl.
Philadelphia, PA 19107-5699.
Phone: (215) 545-0391
Website: http://www.genpa.org/
Church and cemetery records for most Pennsylvania counties, microfilms of early Philadelphia Orphans' Court estate papers, many county records, including deeds and probate on microfilm; CD-ROM collection. Partial catalog on-line plus indices to some collections.
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
1300 Locust St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: (215) 732-6200
Website: http://www.hsp.org/
Library houses the Genealogical Collection that was compiled mainly by GSP volunteers, plus the library of the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies. Four card catalogs serve as a guide to their holdings: published materials catalog, published books prior to 1952, manuscript collections, and microfilm collection. Strong in all areas of genealogical and historical research. Online catalog includes most GSP holdings for churches and cemeteries.
National Archives, Mid-Atlantic Region
900 Market St. (entrance on Chestnut Street between 9th and 10th)
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone:(215) 606-0100
Website: http://www.archives.gov/midatlantic/public/index.html
Research center with U.S. census, military – WWI and WWII draft cards, ship passenger lists, federal court records, including naturalizations, 1798 U.S. Direct Tax – Pennsylvania (window pane tax). Access to Ancestry.com.
Philadelphia City Archives
3101 Market St., 1st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2807
Phone: (215) 685-9400
Website: http://www.phila.gov/phils/carchive.htm
Vital records from 1860 to 1915, deeds before 1952, naturalization records from Philadelphia county courts, early Philadelphia tax records. City directories.
Cemeteries in Pennsylvania with Swedish population
[edit | edit source]
Clearfield County[edit | edit source]
Old Swedish Cemetery
Jordan Township http://www.pa-roots.com/clearfield/townships/jordan/oldswedish.html
Lawrence County[edit | edit source]
Bessemer Swedish Cemetery
Bessemer, PA
Census of the Bessemer Cemetery in Lawrence County, PA, includes the Bessemer Finnish, Bessemer Swedish, Bessemer Jugo-Slav and Saint Anthony Catholic Cemeteries. http://stores.homestead.com/mechlingbooks2/-strse-448/Bessemer-Cemetery%2C-Bessemer%2C-Lawrence/Detail.bok
Warren County[edit | edit source]
New Scandia Cemetery in Elk Township
Old Scandia Cemetery in Elk Township
Swede Hill Cemetery in Pine Grove Township
Swedish Cemetery in Sugar Grove (See: Mission Covenant Church Cemetery)
Swedish Lutheran Cemetery in Brokenstraw Township
Swedish Lutheran Cemetery in Youngsville
Swedish Union Church Cemetery in Tidioute
Triumph Swedish Union Cemetery in Tidioute
Churches[edit | edit source]
The Swedish American churches listed below have microfilmed records in the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center at the Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. These microfilms are not available via interlibrary loan but may be searched in person or a search may be requested for a fee. See http://www.augustana.edu/x13917.xml for years of availability, guidelines, and research request forms.
Allegheny County
Stoneridge Covenant Church
Allison Park, Pennsylvania
Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church
Braddock, Pennsylvania
Christ Lutheran Church
Duquesne, Pennsylvania
Zion Lutheran Church
Duquesne, Pennsylvania
Riverview Baptist Church
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Tabor Lutheran Church
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Evaline Evangelical Lutheran Church
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran
Ptttsburgh, Pennsylvania
Swedish Congregational Mission Church
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Wilson, Pennsylvania
Cambria County
Hebron Lutheran Church
Patton, Pennsylvania
Clearfield County
Bethany Covenant Church
DuBois, Pennsylvania
Christ Lutheran Church
DuBois, Pennsylvania
Lebanon Lutheran Church
De Bois, Pennsylvania
Grassflat Lutheran Church
Grassflat, Pennsylvania
Bethel Lutheran Church
Houtzdale, Pennsylvania
Evangelical Covenant Church
Lanse, Pennsylvania
Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church
Lanse, Pennsylvania
Nebo Lutheran Church
Peale, Pennsylvania
Emanuel Lutheran Church
West Clymer, Pennsylvania
Lebanon Lutheran Church
Winburne, Pennsylvania
Svenska Baptist Förs.
Winburne, Pennsylvania
Clinton County
St. John Lutheran Church
Renovo, Pennsylvania
Crawford County
Emanuel Lutheran Church
Titusville, Pennsylvania
Delaware County
Pilgrim Mission Lutheran Church
Havertown, Pennsylvania
Resurrection Lutheran Church
Havertown, Pennsylvania
Elk County
Maria Lutheran Church
Dagus Mines, Pennsylvania
Gustaf Adolfs Församling
Instanter, Pennsylvania
Mission Covenant Church
Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Ridgway, Pennsylvania
Evangelical Covenant Church
Ridgway, Pennsylvania
Evangelical Mission Covenant
Wilcox, Pennsylvania
Nazareth Lutheran Church
Wilcox, Pennsylvania
Erie County
Bethany Lutheran Church
Erie, Pennsylvania
Calvary Covenant Church
Erie, Pennsylvania
Grace Baptist Church
Erie, Pennsylvania
Svenska Evan. Luth. Church
Brookston, Pennsylvania
Svenska Kristna Friförsamling
Brookston, Pennsylvania
Jefferson County
Elim Lutheran Church
Anita, Pennsylvania
Lawrence County
First Covenant Church
Bessemer, Pennsylvania
Zion Lutheran Church
New Castle, Pennsylvania
Lycoming County
Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran
Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania
McKean County
Emanuel Lutheran Church
Bradford, Pennsylvania
Mission Covenant Church
Bradford, Pennsylvania
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Clermont, Pennsylvania
Emanuel Mission Covenant Church
Kane, Pennsylvania
Tabor Lutheran Church
Kane, Pennsylvania
Kanesholm Fria Lutheran Church
Kanesholm, Pennsylvania
Lebanon Evangelical Lutheran Church
Kanesholm, Pennsylvania
Moriah Lutheran Church
Ludlow, Pennsylvania
Nebo Lutheran Church
Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania
Sion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania
St. Matthew Lutheran Church
Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania
Evangelical Covenant Church
Port Allegany, Pennsylvania
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
Port Allegany, Pennsylvania
Trinity Lutheran Church
Smethport, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County
Calvary Lutheran Church
Bustleton (Philadelphia), Pennsylvania
Gustav Adolf Lutheran Church
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Zion Lutheran Church
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Potter County
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Galeton, Pennsylvania
Tioga County
(see Lebanon Luth. Ch., Whitehall, MI)
Antrim, Pennsylvania
Lebanon Lutheran Church
Antrim, Pennsylvania
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
Arnot, Pennsylvania
(see Lebanon Luth. Ch., Whitehall, MI)
Morris Run, Pennsylvania
Siloa Lutheran Church
Morris Run, Pennsylvania
Venango County
Zion Lutheran Church
Oil City, Pennsylvania
Warren County
Hessel Valley Lutheran Church
Chandlers Valley, Pennsylvania
Svenska Evang. Luth. Congregation
Clarendon, Pennsylvania
Berea Lutheran Church
Pittsfiled, Pennsylvania
St. Paul Swedish Lutheran Church
Pittsfield, Pennsylvania
Bethany Lutheran Church
Sheffield, Pennsylvania
Evangelical Mission Covenant Church
Sheffield, Pennsylvania
Mission Covenant Church
Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania
Sugar Grove Lutheran Church
Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem Covenant Church
Warren, Pennsylvania
Calvary Baptist Church
Warren, Pennsylvania
St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church
Warren, Pennsylvania
Saron Lutheran Church
Youngsville, Pennsylvania
Westmoreland County
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Salem Lutheran Church
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Irwin, Pennsylvania
History[edit | edit source]
Early Swedes in Pennsylvania[edit | edit source]
Early Swedish colonists came to the New World in eleven voyages between 1638 and 1656 and some of the settlers were in what is present day Pennsylvania. For more information see the history section of the "Old Swedes' Episcopal Church" http://www.old-swedes.org/History4522.php
The oldest church building in Philadelphia, Gloria Dei was nicknamed Old Swedes because its founding members were Swedish Lutherans who moved from Wilmington, Delaware in 1643. For more about this church see http://www.whyy.org/tv12/HolyPhilly/GloriaDei.html
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
Swedish-American Newspapers in Pennsylvania
Title of Newspaper and City of Publication
- Pennsylvania-Posten in McKeesport
- Svenska Veckobladet in McKeesport
Availability
Many Swedish-American newspapers are available on microfilms at the Swenson Center at Augustana College and are available to borrow via interlibrary loan throughout the United States. See http://www.augustana.edu/x14666.xml to see specific newspaper and years you would like to view. Contact your local library if you are interested in placing a request. Supply your library with the following information:
- Title of newspaper
- The specific years you need for your research
Inform your library that the requests can be sent directly via OCLC (“ICY”), fax 309 794-7230, or via mail to Augustana College Library, 639 38th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201-2296
Societies[edit | edit source]
Statewide Historical Societies[edit | edit source]
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
1300 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215-732-6200
Fax: 215-732-2680
Website: http://www.hsp.org/
Genealogical society of Pennsylvania
1300 Locust St., 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107-5699
Phone:(215) 545-0391
Fax: (215) 545-0936
Website: http://www.genpa.org/index.html
Swedish Colonial Society
916 South Swanson Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147-4332
www.ColonialSwedes.org
The American Swedish Historical Museum
1900 Pattison Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19145
Phone: 215-389-1776
Fax: 215-389-7701
Website: http://www.americanswedish.org/
Adams County[edit | edit source]
Adams County Historical Society
P.O. Box 4325
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone:(717) 334-4723
Website: http://www.achs-pa.org/index.htm
Berks County[edit | edit source]
Historical Society of Berks County
940 Centre Avenue
Phone: 610-375-4375
Henry Janssen Library
160 Spring Street
Phone: 610-375-4375
Website: http://www.berkshistory.org/library/
Chester County[edit | edit source]
Chester County Historical Society
The History Center
225 N. High Street
West Chester, PA 19380-2691
Phone: 610-692-4800
Website: http://www.cchs-pa.org/index.php
Crawford County[edit | edit source]
Crawford County Historical Society
PO Box 411
Meadville, PA 16335
Phone:(814) 724-6080
Email: crawfordhistorical@zoominternet.net
Research request to: cchsresearch@zoominternet.net
Cumberland County[edit | edit source]
Cumberland County Historical Society
21 N. Pitt Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Website: http://www.historicalsociety.com/
Jefferson County[edit | edit source]
Jefferson County Historical Society
172-176 Main Street
Brookville, PA 15825
Phone: 814-849-0077
Website: http://www.orgsites.com/pa/jeffersoncohistsoc/
Mercer County[edit | edit source]
Mercer County Historical Society
119 South Pitt Street
Mercer, PA 16137
Phone: 724-662-3490
Website: http://www.mchspa.org/
Northampton County[edit | edit source]
Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society
107 South Fourth Street, Easton, PA 18042
Phone: (610) 253-1222
Fax: (610) 253-4701
Website: http://www.northamptonctymuseum.org/index.html
Websites[edit | edit source]
- "New Sweden Settlers, 1638-1654" in Sweden Genealogy Links at http://www.genealogia.fi/emi/3d41indexe.htm (accessed 4 November 2008). Originally published in the Swedish American Genealogist vols. 16-19.
- "List of the Swedish Families Residing in New Sweden in 1693 for Genealogy Research" in Colonial Ancestors at http://colonialancestors.com/de/families.htm (accessed 4 November 2008). 188 families, 932 persons.
- "List of persons to the Colony of New Amstel, compiled from 'Return of Moneys paid for the Colonie on the Delaware River, November 18, 1659 - November 3, 1662'" in New Netherland and Beyond Delaware River Settlements 1637-1682 at http://sites.rootsweb.com/~nycoloni/amsteld1.html (accessed 2 Nov 2018). 41 names.
- Swedish Colonial Society - history, churches, and settlers.
- Peter Stebbins Craig, "1671 Census of Delaware," in Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, 40 (Spring/Summer 1998): 197-231, and continued in Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, 40 (Fall/Winter 1998): 314-60. Biographical sketches of over 175 mostly Swedish and Finnish residents on the west side of the Delaware River from what is now New Castle County, Delaware, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Also includes a few families in Zwaanendael (now Lewes, Sussex, Delaware), and east of the Delaware River in present day New Jersey.
