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Welcome/Välkommen!

The Swenson Center is a national and international research center for the study of Swedish-American history and relations. 

We collect, preserve and make available archival and library materials, promote and initiate research, and are a leader in Swedish-American genealogy. 

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Library & Archives

Discover our resources by searching both the library catalog and archives database. 

Newsletter

Stay informed with our monthly email newsletter

News

Events

  • Lecture: U.S. Media & Pop Culture in Sweden, with Ulf Jonas Bjork, Ph.D.
    Lecture: U.S. Media & Pop Culture in Sweden, with Ulf Jonas Bjork, Ph.D.
    Tue, Apr 30
    Swenson Immigration Research Center
    Apr 30, 2024, 3:30 PM – 4:20 PM CDT
    Swenson Immigration Research Center, 3520 7th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201, USA
    Apr 30, 2024, 3:30 PM – 4:20 PM CDT
    Swenson Immigration Research Center, 3520 7th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201, USA
    Join us for a presentation on and discussion of the history of U.S. media and popular culture in Sweden. Faculty, students, and community members are welcome.
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  • Swedish 1
    Swedish 1
    Multiple Dates
    Sun, May 05
    Online, via Zoom
    May 05, 2024, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM CDT
    Online, via Zoom
    May 05, 2024, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM CDT
    Online, via Zoom
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  • Genealogy Club, May 2024
    Genealogy Club, May 2024
    Mon, May 13
    Virtual, via Zoom
    May 13, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Virtual, via Zoom
    May 13, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Virtual, via Zoom
    SPECIAL DATE: May 13, 2024 THIS MONTH ONLY the Swenson Center will be hosting our Genealogy Club on the second Monday of the month, due to extenuating circumstances. We will resume our regular meetings on the third Monday of the month in June.
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  • Nordic Book Club, May 2024
    Nordic Book Club, May 2024
    Tue, May 14
    Virtual, via Google Meet
    May 14, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Google Meet
    May 14, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Google Meet
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  • Nordic Book Club, June 2024
    Nordic Book Club, June 2024
    Tue, Jun 11
    Virtual, via Google Meet
    Jun 11, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Google Meet
    Jun 11, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Google Meet
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  • Genealogy Club, June 2024
    Genealogy Club, June 2024
    Mon, Jun 17
    Virtual, via Zoom
    Jun 17, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Zoom
    Jun 17, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Zoom
    Submit your questions for Kathy Meade in the Genealogy Club's suggestion box by Monday, May 27!
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  • Nordic Book Club, July 2024
    Nordic Book Club, July 2024
    Tue, Jul 09
    Virtual, via Google Meet
    Jul 09, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Google Meet
    Jul 09, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Google Meet
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  • Genealogy Club, July 2024
    Genealogy Club, July 2024
    Mon, Jul 15
    Virtual, via Zoom
    Jul 15, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Zoom
    Jul 15, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Zoom
    Share
  • Nordic Book Club, August 2024
    Nordic Book Club, August 2024
    Tue, Aug 13
    Virtual, via Google Meet
    Aug 13, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Google Meet
    Aug 13, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Google Meet
    Share
  • Genealogy Club, August 2024
    Genealogy Club, August 2024
    Mon, Aug 19
    Virtual, via Zoom
    Aug 19, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Zoom
    Aug 19, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Virtual, via Zoom
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Testimonials

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Anne-Charlotte Harvey

Professor Emerita, San Diego State University

Having twice been a guest scholar at the Center myself, I can testify to its unique holdings, its skilled and dedicated staff, and its welcoming ambience. In SSIRC's focused setting, research can be done more efficiently than at larger institutions. SSIRC is one of the two foremost archives worldwide holding Swedish-American newspapers, currently digitizing this resource to offer increased accessibility.

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