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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. 

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

What do we do?
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Library & Archives

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

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Newsletter

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News

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Events

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  • Irrbloss Folk Concert
    Irrbloss Folk Concert
    Thu, Oct 06
    Wallenberg Hall, Denkmann Building
    Oct 06, 7:00 PM CDT
    Wallenberg Hall, Denkmann Building, 3520 7th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201, USA
    Swedish folk musicians Maja Heurling and Ola Sandström who will present the poetry of Signe Aurell, a Swedish immigrant and labor activist. This performance will feature songs based on the poetry of Aurell, as well as stories from her life in both Sweden and Minnesota.
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  • Swedish 1
    Multiple Dates
    Swedish 1
    Sun, Oct 09
    Zoom
    Oct 09, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM CDT
    Zoom
    Learn Swedish with us!
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  • Nordic Book Club, October
    Nordic Book Club, October
    Tue, Oct 11
    Zoom
    Oct 11, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Zoom
    Shadows Over Bishop Hill: A Bishop Hill Mystery by Mary Davidsaver, 2021. With visit from the author!
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  • Genealogy Club, October
    Genealogy Club, October
    Mon, Oct 17
    Zoom
    Oct 17, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Zoom
    Family Tree Software: learn about the different brands of genealogy software available, what they can do, etc., and show us what you like about yours.
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  • Preserving Your Family Archives
    Preserving Your Family Archives
    Wed, Oct 19
    Zoom
    Oct 19, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT
    Zoom
    Do you have boxes of old family records? Do you wish to properly care for them, but don't know how to get started? Come hear an archivist and preservation specialist give practical tips for storing and handling your family keepsakes so they last for generations.
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  • Nordic Book Club, November
    Nordic Book Club, November
    Tue, Nov 08
    Zoom
    Nov 08, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST
    Zoom
    An Elderly Lady Who Must Not be Crossed by Helene Tursten (translated by Marlaine Delargy), 2021
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  • Gnomevember Workshop
    Gnomevember Workshop
    Thu, Nov 17
    Rock Island
    Nov 17, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
    Rock Island, 3520 7th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201, USA
    Come learn a brief history of Scandinavian gnomes (tomte, nisse, tonttu) and make a small gnome of your own!
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  • Swedish Advent Stars
    Swedish Advent Stars
    Sat, Dec 03
    Rock Island
    Dec 03, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Rock Island, 3520 7th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201, USA
    Come learn how to weave Scandinavian advent stars from old book pages. These make great tree toppers, ornaments, or package decorations.
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  • Nordic Book Club, December
    Nordic Book Club, December
    Tue, Dec 13
    Zoom
    Dec 13, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Zoom
    Children of the Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren (translated by Florence Lamborn)
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  • Nordic Book Club, January
    Nordic Book Club, January
    Tue, Jan 10
    Zoom
    Jan 10, 2023, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST
    Zoom
    Join us to discuss "Son of Svea: A Tale of the People's Home" by Lena Andersson, 2022.
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  • Genealogy Club, January
    Genealogy Club, January
    Mon, Jan 16
    Zoom
    Jan 16, 2023, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST
    Zoom
    Research in Skåne Province: learn about different record sources available for Skåne. Share your experiences and research successes.
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  • Nordic Book Club, February
    Nordic Book Club, February
    Mon, Feb 13
    Zoom
    Feb 13, 2023, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST
    Zoom
    Join us to discuss "So Much Longing In So Little Space: The Art of Edvard Munch" by Karl Ove Knausgaard, 2019. JOINT PROGRAM with the Figge Art Museum (Davenport, IA)
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  • Genealogy Club, February
    Genealogy Club, February
    Mon, Feb 20
    Zoom
    Feb 20, 2023, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST
    Zoom
    Swedish Records in FamilySearch: Join us while Savannah Larson, on the Nordic staff of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, shows us about the Swedish research that can be done using FamilySearch.org
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  • Nordic Book Club, March
    Nordic Book Club, March
    Tue, Mar 14
    Zoom
    Mar 14, 2023, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
    Zoom
    Join us to discuss "Everything I Don't Remember: A Novel" by Jonas Hassen Khemiri, 2016
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Testimonials

Submit Yours
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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.