During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many people of Scandinavian origin came to the United States in search of arable land, economic security, religious freedom, and the opportunity for social mobility. Many settled in rural farming areas in the Midwest; a growing number found work in urban industry or entrepreneurship. As Scandinavian Americans achieved economic success, they developed distinct religious, cultural, and political organizations. By the end of the Civil War, many Scandinavian Americans once again left the familiar communities they had developed and relocated to the western frontier.
These western settlers were struck by the Pacific Northwest's physical similiarity to their Scandinavian homelands. The abundance of mountains, forests, and waterways provided economic opportunities in familiar vocations, namely logging, boatbuilding, and fishing. Transcontinental travel via the railroad and information from western settlers enticed greater numbers of people, and the 1880s was consequently a period of widespread migration to the Pacific Northwest, specifically the Washington Territory.
Scandinavians migrating from the Midwest as well as immigrating from Europe quickly comprised a significant portion of Washington's rapidly growing population. They worked in many sectors of the economy and developed social, political, religious, and cultural institutions that celebrated their heritage; eased the transition to the new area; provided aid to settlers, the unemployed, or the widowed; and encouraged commonly accepted values like temperance. These groups also sponsored festivals and celebrations at holiday time as well as song, dance, and theater performances. Publications in native languages became widely available and covered news from the Old Country as well as local issues.
The collection documents the lives of individuals of Scandinavian origin in the Pacific Northwest from the 1890s to the 1970s. It focuses specifically on immigrants from Sweden, Norway, and Finland (although it also includes peoples of Icelandic and Danish origin) and the industries they developed, as well as their cultural associations and benefit societies. The collection contains photographic images of individuals; members of benefit societies like Vasa Order of America and the International Order of Odd Fellows; choirs; dance groups and theater productions; events like the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909; industries as varied as logging, iron production, and journalism; and educational institutions such as Adelphia College in Seattle. The pictures were taken by individuals as well as photograph studios like Grady Photography and Nordlund's Foto Company. Many of the images are accompanied by text in Scandinavian languages. Square brackets surrounding a word indicates that an attempt has been made to decipher the spelling.
The photographs are arranged in six series: I. Portraits; II. Northwest Scandinavian Societies; III. Northwest Scandinavian Cultural Groups; IV. Northwest Scandinavian Life; V. Education; VI. Miscellaneous Scandinavian.
Open to the public.
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Processed by Micheline Lopez, 2003.
Item ID number 119 was not used.
Name written on back of photograph nearly illegible, possibly "Aug."
Carlsson was killed as a pedestrian in Portland, Or.
Biography included in folder.
Biography included in folder.
Photograph of a painting by Wilford Conrow.
Shown are O.P. Erikson, Johan Egardh, Daniel Johanson, [next two names illeg.], Nels Gillgren, [next four names illeg.].
Reproduction of painting on cardboard backing.
Jónas Hallgrímsson (1807-1845) was a notable Icelandic poet and scientist.
Family members included Oscar, Cecilia, and Billy.
Johanson founded the Millionaire Club in 1921 to provide food, clothing, and temporary jobs for the homeless. Now located on Western Avenue, downtown Seattle, Wash.
Gift: Mrs. Svante Lofgren, 1957.
Hallgrímur Pétursson [spelling varies] (1614 – October 27, 1674) was an Icelandic poet and minister. He was an influential pastor during the Age of Orthodoxy in Iceland, and he played a major role in the creation of the Lutheran hymnody.
Two copies.
Reproduction of painting on cardboard.
Jón Sigurdsson (1811-1879) was an Icelandic scholar and political leader who spearheaded the Icelandic struggle for independence during the 19th century.
Photograph of a painting by Roland Hinton Perry.
Two copies of item 73.
Gift: Albert Anderson, Nov. 18, 1957.
Top row: Martha Johnson, Ida Nyberg, Rena Bjorklund, Hulla Abrahamson (married name: Mrs. Pele Carlson of Bainbridge Island); middle row: Anna Gibson, Ida Gibson, Julia Johnson, Hilda Carlson, Anna Carlson; bottom row: Signe Larson, Bertha Johnson, Esther Johnson, Hilda Holmberg, Viva Johnson.
Enlarged copy of smaller photo with wife, poor quality.
Belstad and Edenholm are identified.
On item: “First winter in Seattle.”
On item: “The original bachelors, when 3 were married. Now 7 are married.”
Tintype has been hand-tinted to give pink coloring to the men's cheeks. Hand-tinting was a common technique in tintype portraiture.
Item 131 shows same group as in Hall photographs.
Names included on back (from bottom to top), First row: 1. Charly Carlson, 3. Charly Runquist, 4. John Nelson, 5. Holmgren, 6. Anna Swedberg, 7. Fred Erickson. Second row: 1. Carl Feldin, 3. William Pederson, 4. Mary Sigstedt, 5. Anton Sigstedt, 6. Molie Sanders, 7. Emil Feldin, 8. Oskar Carlson, 9. Jenny Alander, 11. Fred Wilson, 12. Fritz Carlson. Third row: 2. Mr. Lindberg, 5. Otto [Srom?]. Fourth row: 1. Louis Lindquist, 2. Erik Johnson, 3. Ida Johnson, 4. Ellen [Alander?], 5. Mimie Anderson, 6. Kristina Anderson, 8. Tekla Moller.
Names included on photograph, First row (seated third from right): Alf [Anderson?]. Third row: 5. Alf Sanden.
Names included on back: 1. Axel Smith, 2. [Pelof?] Olson, 3. Bill Anderson, 4. John Brunstrom, 5. Henry Carlson, 6. Oscar Olson, 7. [Einar Lundborn?], 8. [Oscar Lundborn?], 9. Gust Lundborn, 10. Mrs. Einar Lundborn.
Names included on back, top row, left to right: [G.?] Dahl, O. Olson, Silvia [Svostrou?], S. [Sundtrudt?], R. Rasmussen. Middle row, left to right: E. Lundquist, J.E. Swanson, A. Swanson, Kristina [Dahl?], [illeg.]. Bottom row, left to right: N. [Haustad?], S. [illeg.], A [illeg.], C.J. Engsall, G. [illeg.].
Names included on back, bottom row, left to right: Gust Walgren, Herman Peterson, Albert Ericson, J.W. Nordstrom, Charles Swanson, J.E. Hellenius. Middle row, left to right: E.W. Henderson, E.R. Peterson, M.J. Rumin, Robert [Challman?], Peter J. Adamson, Carl J. Smith. Top row, left to right: Oscar Kalberg, Sture Moline, C.R. Linden, Albert Dahl, Dan Walgren, Andrew Olson.
Names included on back, top row, left to right: J.W. Nordstrom, Charles Swanson, Gost Walgren, J.E. Helenius, Andrew Olson, Peter Adamson, Ernest Peterson. Middle row, left to right: Carl Smith, E.W. Henderson, Carl Linden, Albert Ericson, Robert [Chaltman?], Martin Rumen, Dan Walgren, Nedre Raden. Bottom row, left to right: Albert Dahl, Oscar Kalberg, Sture Molin, Carl G. Benson, S.A. Gunderson, Capt. John Wahlborg, Victor Lysell.
Names included on back, bottom row, left to right: C.R. Linden, Axel Morris, unknown. Top row, left to right: Peter Adamson, Ernst Peterson, Albert Ericson.
Two copies.
Names included on back.
Newspaper articles and other explanatory material included with the gift of items 170a- are filed with the collection case file.
Lodge formed June 27, 1924.
Included in photo: Mrs. Halvarson, Miss Anna Anderson, Mrs. Victor Anderson, Mrs. Nels D. Nelson, Mrs. Mary Sjöblom, Mrs. Katarina Kristrom, Mrs. Arthur Oberg, Andra Raden, Mrs. Alva Martin, Miss Signe Berg, Mrs. Anna Sandberg, Mrs. Selma Liné, Mrs. Tilda Moller, Mrs. Vendla Lindberg, Mrs. Fred Carlson.
Caption includes some names of individuals in the photograph, some illegible. Legible names are: Knut Engdahl, Otto Grandstrom, Ivan Pearson, Nels D. Nelson, William Patterson, Alfred Gruen.
Caption includes some names of individuals in the photograph, some illegible. Legible names are: Otto Grandström, Mrs. Grandström, Albert Dahl, Alfred Gruen, Paul J. Larson, Nels D. Nelson, Emil Sandren.
Names included on photograph: 1. A.L. Hegstrom, 2. Max Anderson, 3. Hubert Leif.
Names included on back, left to right: Gust Carlson, C.E. Carlson, Albert Nicholson, Ludwig Hegstrom, J.E. Anderson, Oscar F. Johnson, Victor B. Olson, Anna Carlson, Gust Nilson, Hjalmer Anderson, Rina Bjorklund, Arthur Swanson, Ivan Pearson, Knut F. Engdahl, Vendla Swanson, Hubert A. Lei, Mrs. Alf Olson, Oscar Stenberg, H. Sahlin.
Names included on back, top row, left to right: Robert Strand, A.L. Hegstrom, [illeg.] Johnson, Gust Nelson. Bottom row, left to right: Ed Hokanson, John A. Anderson, [illeg.].
Names included on photograph.
Two copies.
Two copies.
Names included on back, standing, left to right: Rose Johanson, Axel Lundberg, Ethel Evertz, Carl Olin, Evelin Strand, Oscar Asplund. Seated, left to right: George Lindstrom, Karen Anderson, Alice Evertz, Gust Anderson.
Names included on back, left to right: Sire Jacobson, John Hogberg, Emel Nelson, Casper Ogard, John Nelson.
Names included on back, bottom row, left to right: Knute Evertz, John L. Hogberg, Mrs. Mary Curry, E.J. Bjorkquist (general chairman), Mrs. John Peterson, Axel Lindquist, Mrs. John Englund. Middle row, leeft to right: Mrs. John L. Hogberg, Sigfrid Obrink, Mrs. Siri Smith, Mrs. Knute Evertz, Mrs. Robt. Eckberg, Mrs. Oscar Brandt, Mrs. Olof Selander, Carl Asplund, Olaf Selander. Top row, left to right: Robt. Eckberg, Arvid Osblom, Helmer Rudd, Oscar Brandt, August Matson, Carl Kindlund, John Englund, Carl Lindquist.
Names included on back, first row (top), left to right: Carl Boli, Ernest Carlson, Gust Johnson, Alfred Person, Nels Person, Henry Person, Leonard Svedberg, Carl Svedberg, Elof Lindbeck. Second row, left to right: [illeg.], Charley Lagstrom, John Berglund, Alfred Person, Clarence Person, Elmer Person, John Ostrom, Gotfred Lund, Carl Allan. Third row, left to right: Harold Bergstedt, Stammond Kalle, Nels Lindgren, Ch. Quarnstrom, Martin Carlson (Ledare), Elmer Wilson, Carl Nelson, William Hoglund, Louis Person. Fourth row, left to right: Albin Danielson, Gust Petterson, Emil Bertle, Axel Carlson, Gunnar Blomberg, P.O. Petterson, Eric Freed, Gust Moller. Fifth row, left to right: Wm. Anderson, Gunnar Hogberg, Hugo Johnson, Helge Gustavson, John Blixt, John Wikstrom, Arvid Lindgren, Valfrid Lutter, John Erickson. Sixth row, left to right: Hjalmer Swanson, Axel Jackson, John Nelson, Allan Person, Sven Sundgren, Carl Person.
Names included on back, left to right: Bruce Wickler, Jonas Nordwal, Richard Ober.
Charles Eklund “last person to the right, 3rd row.”
Handwritten on verso: Runebergkoren i Grays Harbr., Miss Anna Anderson, Perigent.
Names included on photograph: Albert Dahl, first on the left standing; Victor Lysell, first on the right standing.
Caption on image: CA Libby, '16, 12729x.
Names included on back, top row, left to right: Matilda Johnson, Hanna Ek, Gladys King, Ebba Grandstrom, Hilda Johnson, Hilda Olson, Lottie Person, Anna Richardson, Ina Ek, Edith Dalstrom, Olivia [Sinder?]. Middle row, left to right: Jennie Olson, Anna Johnson, Gennie Granstrom, Valborg Erickson, Blanch Haleson, Mathilda Halstrom, Esther Oquist, Emma Anderson, Nina Grot, Ester Oquist. Bottom row, left to right: Anna Tolefson, Hazel Dahlby, Ester Sito, Lillian Bradle, Beda [Sheel?], Anna Carlson, Cecilia Martenson, Tillie Petterson.
Names included on photograph.
Photographs probably from 1961, after Vice President Nixon left office.
Gift of Mrs. A. Nelson of Portland, Ore., 1957.
Banner advertises Nixon's visit on Tuesday October 26th.
Names included on back, bottom row, left to right: Anna Ronquist, Anna Sjodin, Ida Swanson, Lilly Hedberg, [illeg.], [illeg.], Clara Larson, Stella Wallin, Jenny Anderson [Erickson], Lilly Anderson. Middle row, left to right: Emma Bergstedt, Anna Carlson [Whalen], Helen Nord [Svardal?], Marta Sjodin, Gertrud Olson, Kristina Erickson [Billmark?], Hattie Edenholm, Emmy Erickson [Berg]. Top row, left to right: Sigfrid Backman, Nore Aronson, Josef Hammarberg, H.P. Sather, Carl Anderson, Oscar Abramson, Algot [Hellman?], Elmer Nylin.
Names included on back, bottom row, left to right: Hoseas Thorlakson, Brantz Sumarlidason, Sigurdur Helgason (leader), Sigurdur Stefanson. Middle row, left to right: Bjorn Erlingson, Einar Jonsson, [illeg.], Torfi Sigurdson, Halldor Halldorson, Paul Bjornson. Top row, left to right: Arni Sumarlidason, Skuli Bergman, Sveinn Arnason, Gunnar Matthiasson, Karl Frederick, Jon Thorbergson, Askill Sigtrig.
The First Swedish Baptist Church is now the Central Baptist Church, 9th and Pine Streets.
Names included on back.
Names included on back, left to right: Erik Frantz, [illeg.], Eskil Swanson, Ernest Rosengren, Julius Karlquist, Edwin Larson, Ragnar Stromquist, [illeg.] Magnuson, leader Enoch Elmgren, John Elmgren, Magnus Ulin, Knut Green, Oliver Stromquist, Theo Lindroth, Ed Ulin.
Names included on back, left to right: John Rosenblom, Geo Johnson, leader Phillip Hillstrom, Carl Burquist, Harry Anderson, John Bystrom, David Dahlin, Carl Smedlund, Gunnar Smedlund, Linus Westman, Joel Okerstrom, Jack Anderson, Arvid Dahlin, Mr. Myers, Gust Smedlund, Otto Granstrom, Erick Nordbery, Mr. Anderson, Ed Swanson, Willard Erlandson, Walter Edfast, Justin Lind, Adolf Gotberg, Mr. Hagglund, Rudolph [Hultman?].
[Top row left to right]: Elaf Lindbeck, Louis Wickström, Louis Landström, Andrew Larson, J.M.A. Hulten, Peter Westlund. [2nd row from top left to right]: Nels Person, Nels Larson, Gust Callson, George Johnson (director) [center photo], Gustav Parson, Victor Lindholm, Alfred Sundell. [3rd row from top left to right]: Carl Hellström, Emil Bertil, P.O. Peterson, Olaf Nordgren. [4th row from top left to right]: Bertil Nordblad, Martin Carlson, Beckman, Algat Högberg, John Berglund, Sundberg, Carl Anderson, Gustav Björklund.
Oval portraits of glee club members glued to cardboard backing.
Note originally attached to photo board contains names of individuals in the photograph. Note is filed with collection case file.
Written on verso: Directors: Olle Bull, P.O. Peterson, George Johnson, Per Olson, Pastor Blomquist.
Names included on front, bottom row, left to right: C. Peterson, O. Peterson, C.F. Wallin, O. Berg, H.P. Sather, president N.B. Nelson, [illeg.] Rood. Middle row, left to right: [illeg.] Hokanson, K. Anderson, N. Nelson, Frank Anderson, P.O. Sorman, Emil Johnson, Olander F[illeg.]. Top row, left to right: Gust Falk, Erni Anderson, Walter Nasstrom, Alex Engstrom, Oscar Ohlson, Oscar Moberg, Carl Faclen.
Names included on photograph: John Nelson (fifth from left), Alf Sanden (sixth from left), [illeg.] Bark (leader holding flute).
Names included on back, bottom row, left to right: Daniel Larson, Linus Johnson, F. Jonson, Eric Shellberg, C. Johnson. Middle row, left to right: Frits Hult, O. Anderson, president N.B. Nelson, director H.P. Sather, C.F. Wallin, Emil Johnson, Carl Lindberg. Top row, left to right: H. Hokanson, W. Halleson, G. Lindholm, O. Petterson, Gust Falk, Oscar Moberg, C. Fallin, P.O. Sorman, O. Shonbeck.
Names included on back.
Item #212 shows members of the Columbia Male Chorus of Portland, Or.
Names included on photograph, left to right: Albert Brodie, Lilian Borgquist, Ed. Anderson, Annie Mattson, E.R. Stromquist.
Names included on back, top row, left to right: [illeg.] Seagren, [illeg.] Hillstrom, Carl Thorslund, [illeg.] Rosenblom, Robert Gedlund, Gustof Falk, Oscar Moberg, [illeg.] Nelson, [illeg.] Wickstrom, Carl Seaholm. Bottom row, left to right: Dan Larson, [illeg.] Halleson, S. Hakanson, Erik Shellberg, director [illeg.] Godin, accompanist Hattie Edenholm, C.J. Erickson, Oscar Peterson, Oscar Olson, Carl Tenggren, Carl Lindberg.
Names included on back, bottom row, left to right: [illeg.] Ehrlin, Th. Mattson, H.P. Sather, Bob Gedlund, Frits Hult, B. Nylin, E. Nelson. Middle row, left to right: C. Carlson, E. Falund, Gosta Loftman, G. Hellstrom, K. Lagergren, Karl Thorslund, Oscar Olson, Oscar Moberg, Martin Nystrom. Top row, left to right: V. Oberg, C. Asplund, F. Lindstrom, D. Dahlin, Eric Shellberg, D. Okerstrom, J. Nelson.
Names included on back, bottom row, left to right: Eric Shellberg, Alfred Frycksell, Joe Hammerberg, H.P. Sather, Frits Hult, Daniel Larson. Middle row, left to right: Albert Anderson, Linus Ruth, Frank Olson, Carl Engberg, Elmer Ohrne, Carl Seaholm, Linus Johnson, Carl Thorslund, Bob Gedlund, F. Carlson, O. Albertson, Oscar Strom, Emil Johnson. Top row, left to right: Frank Norman, John Nelson, C. Hallgren, Frank Strom, Bob Eckberg, O. Westling, Oscar Ohlson, Axel Erickson, Carl Adams, Claus Frans.
Two copies.
Names included on copy mounted on board.
Names included on back, first row (bottom), left to right: [illeg.] Fredin, [illeg.] Carlson, Axel Johanson, Carl Winquist, director C.H. Sutherland, Max Anderson, Eric Shellberg, [illeg.] Nordlund. Second row, left to right: Frank Norman, Eric Janson, Dr. Stromberg, Dave Johnson, Wm. Hedberg, Bob Gedlund, V. Palmer, V. Nordstrom, Linus Ruth, Carl Seaholm. Third row, left to right: Axel Frycksell, G. Bergman, Birger Branow, Ernie Anderson, Oscar Olson, Scar Thurnquist, Albert Anderson, Geo. Swanson, Emil Engman. Fourth row, left to right: A. Hokanson, Frits Hult, [illeg.] Fredin, Adrian Erickson, Steve Hedlund, John Nordin, Axel Erickson, Al Johnson, John Nelson.
Names included on back, top row, left to right: Gunnar Blomberg, John Nelson, Oskar Peterson, Art Rundquist, Carl Svedberg, Nels Person, Leonard Svedberg, John [Storm?]. Bottom row, left to right: Ernst Bertel, [illeg.], Peter Hagstrom, Albert Anderson, P.O. Peterson, [Johnas?] Svanson, [illeg.], Harry Peterson, [illeg.], Roy Peterson, Edw. [Ahlsberg?].
Names of band members included on note originally attached to photograph: [Back] Nils Person, Lenard Svedberg, Oscar A. Peterson, Carl Svedberg, Gorge Anderson, P.O. Peterson [illeg.], Hegstrom; [Front row] Nels August Person, Albert Anderson, Gunner Blomberg, Harry H. Peterson, John Stolpe, Raymond C. Peterson.
Hand-written note originally attached to the photograph contains list of band members. Note now filed with collection case file.
Photographs originally taped to posterboard frame; dismantled for preservation reasons, 2011. Original artifact was preserved in virtual form and can be viewed in digital collections.
Gift of Clarence Person, Nov. 18, 1957.
Items c-f (top row of original display, L-R): Alfred Sundell, Frank Anderson, Fred Smith, Charles Johnston. Items g-h (second row, L-R): Adolf Johnson, Norman. Items i-l (center, clock-wise): P.O. Peterson, Andrew Peterson [brother of P.O. Peterson], Emil Bertil, Chilberg. Items m-n (third row, L-R): Pitman, Frank Johnson. Items o-r (bottom row, L-R): Otto Olson, Oscar Ericson, Nels Bremer, Otto Burk (or Bjork).
Names included on back, top row, left to right: [illeg.], Axel Carlson, Nels Larson, Arvid Lundgren, Dan Swanson, Elof. Lindbeck, Steve Forslund, Walf. Larson, Andrew Meyer. Middle row, left to right: Bert Norblad, Austin Peterson, Martin Carlson, Prof. Per Olsson (conductor), Emil Bertle, Ferdinand Forslund, [Consil Halmoham?]. Bottom row, left to right: John Berglund, Gustaf Larson.
Two copies in different sizes.
Names included on copy 2.
Names included on back for items 229 and 230, bottom row, left to right: Cora Johnson, Hulda Nelson (Mrs. Oscar Moberg), Anna Anderson, Ellen Peterson (Mrs. Dan Larson), Mae Palmen, Mrs. Jack Raymond, Bessie Tullberg (Mrs. G.E. Kastengren), Mrs. Otto Roseleaf. Top row, left to right: Mr. Leaf, Oscar Moberg, Daniel Johanson, Clarence Sanders, Daniel Larson, Will. Lindberg, Ben Lofgren, Dr. Gustaf Osterberg.
Names included on back, bottom row, left to right: Carl Tenggren, [illeg.]. Middle row, left to right: Hilma Lindquist (Mrs. John E. Johnson), Alva Juhlin, Anna Forsberg (Mrs. Oscar Soderquist), Gust Tenggren, Esther Norberg, Edith Brattstrom, Hildur Laurud. Top row, left to right: Binger Branow, Gust Magnus, Gust Eckman, Karl Thorslund.
Names included on back, left to right: Ingeborg Johnsen, [illeg.] Mikkelsen, Stine Andersen, Oscar Vodder, Hans Hansen, Heddi Meiner, Hans Jonker, Anskar Petersen, Ellen Hoch Andersen, Harold Christiansen, Laura Christiansen, Viggo Kjorsgnard.
Names included on back, left to right: Ruth Friden, Myrtle Bergman, Nels Haglund.
Three images on one photograph: top and bottom images of crowds at an event, and middle image of people in traditional costume.
Probably a dance group.
Probably a dance group.
Names included on back.
Names included on back, left to right: Jesse Andersen, Gladys [Davesen?], Gertrude [Montensen?], [Rolph?] Petersen, Minnie Kilgren, Rignar Jensen, Paul [Montensen?], Laura Christiansen, [illeg.] Andersen, Edith Jorgensen, Harold Christiansen, Ellen Andersen, [Harry?] Jensen, Einar Nielsen.
Album containing 8 prints.
Names included on back.
On item: [Fra vor Håstfest I efderaarnet?].
Names included on back: [illeg.], Ellen Anderson, Mrs. T. Jensen, Viola Anderson.
On item: “O what a mob.”
Names included on photograph: 1. Knut Engdahl, 2. A.L. Hegstrom, 3. Allen Nelson, 4. Carl F. Soderberg.
Postcard to L.A. Sundquist, father of Richard Sundquist, in Candle, Alaska.
Postcard copyright Winter Travel Co., Juneau, Alaska.
Sponsored by United Societies.
See also item 300.
See also item 297.
Names included on back.
Names included on back, left to right: Axel Wide, Melanie Wide, and [illeg.].
Opened 1905, closed during WWI.
Founded 1860.