A number of our early members were asked to share their personal experiences about SFHS. Let’s start with Arletha Northrop.
“My interest in SFHS arose from my heritage on my father’s side. My father was born in Kronoby, Finland in 1925. He served in WWII for Finland and was a wounded veteran. He came to America in 1954 at the age of 29. The Order of Runeberg helped connect him, and his family, with other Swedish speaking Finns. It was a wonderful connection and wonderful organization.”
“SFHS grew out of the Order of Runeberg connections.”
“I was privileged to be one of the early Order of Runeberg high school exchange students for the 1980 – 1981 school year. Attending school in Finland had been a lifelong dream, and my year there was truly one of the highlights of my life. I’m hoping to take my children back to Finland to meet relatives next summer.”
“For me, one of my favorite things [about SFHS] was the culture and camaraderie of being with other Swedish Finns. Sharing language, music, traditions, and food, and introducing my children to a little bit of their heritage, similar to what I grew up with. I have fond memories of my children dancing to Swedish Christmas songs while Syrene [Forsman] played accordion.”
“I heartily support the SFHS organization’s efforts [to] provide tools to connect others with their ancestral roots. Swedish speaking Finns are a very rare, unique group. It is important to research, acknowledge, share, educate, and promote their impact in the world and to help others discover their connection to their unique heritage. For each of us, our unique heritage, and our connection to our ancestors, wherever they came from, provides valuable information of understanding life, history and our identity, and provides a foundation for thinking about the future.”
“The success of this platform over the past 35 years, as it has expanded and flourished internationally to help others chart and understand Swedish Finn immigration and emigration history, heritage and contributions to society, and to help others connect to their ancestors, is a remarkable accomplishment. I am grateful to Syrene Forsman and Sue Alskog for their commitment and perseverance in making this a reality!”
