Swedish Genealogy



The nation of Sweden in northwestern Europe in on the Scandinavian Peninsula. Its neighbors are Denmark, Norway and Finland with the Baltic and North Seas alongside. It has a population of about 9 million.

The Swedish language is part of the North Germanic language family. Other languages such as German, English, French and Finnish have mixed with it over the years to make it unique.

In the tenth century, Sweden had been transformed into a Christian kingdom and a united state. Just like its neighbors, Sweden has been in numerous wars over the centuries.

During the late 19th century, over one million Swedes immigrated to the United States and Canada. Many felt they had to leave their homeland because living conditions (food production) had become quite difficult in Sweden, an interesting aspect in Swedish genealogy.

Sweden has the kinship system which follows the same rules of other European cultures. The nuclear family is most important and then the extended family members. A note in Swedish genealogy, at birth all Swedes automatically become members of the Lutheran Protestant State Church, but they have the right to leave the church. Ninety-two percent of the Swedish population belongs to it.

Swedish foods tend to be very practical and sustaining types. Meat is a major food product including reindeer. A big portion of a meal is centered around dairy products; especially cheese. Potatoes and cabbage are added to most meals. Swedish cuisine has a huge variety of breads of different shapes and sizes, made of rye, wheat, oat, white, dark, sour-dough, whole grain; soft flat-breads and crisp breads. Being by the sea, seafood and especially fish is consumed often. A renowned Swedish culinary tradition is the smorgasbord. It is a variety of items all served in a buffet-style.

Most Swedes speak softly and calmly. It is rare that you would witness a Swede demonstrating anger or strong emotion in public. They like to work hard, but not too hard, they go out and enjoy themselves. Competition is not encouraged and children are raised to believe that they’re any more special than any other child. Swedes also like their private life and only have large parties with family members.

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