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Next Meeting – October 5, 2024 Read More »

Approximately 1.3 million citizens of Sweden left their homeland between 1850 and 1930.  Among European countries, Sweden ranked third in per capita emigration, trailing only Ireland and Norway. Although Sweden has excellent genealogical records pertaining to emigration, this presentation will focus on the steps taken by Swedes once the decision was made to emigrate. Not only would they have had to settle affairs in their places of residence, but they also had to make final preparations at the port of departure. For the majority of Swedish emigrants, that port was Göteborg (Gothenburg). The street Sillgatan was the center of activity for these emigrants in Göteborg. Many of the departing ships ferried passengers on an indirect route by way of Hull, England. The presentation will include typical emigrant experiences while on board these ships.