The Swedish Finn Historical Society

Mission

Our mission is to gather and preserve the emigration history of Swedish Finns across the world, connect Swedish Finns to their roots in Finland, and celebrate our cultural heritage.

About SFHS

Today, approximately 5.6% of the current Finnish population are Swedish-speaking Finns. This history of Swedish-speaking Finns dates back several centuries to when Finland was under Swedish rule and trade was prominent along the Baltic coast.

In the 1830's, Swede Finns moved to Alaska and beyond. Another period of emigration occurred in 1848 when gold was discovered in California. The Great Emigration occurred between 1860-1940. 390,000 people, 70,000 of which were Swedish speaking, left Finland.

People left Finland due to difficult times, overpopulation compared to available land, threats of conscription into the Russian army, lack of economic opportunity, smaller farms and the perception that opportunities were better elsewhere. They left families, traditions, culture and a unique lifestyle.

The Swedish Finn Historical Society was founded in 1991 by descendants of Swedish-speaking emigrants from Finland interested in preserving the cultural heritage of their families. There are now about 700 members from around the world in this unique organization.

In Washington, Swede Finns settled in communities within Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Everett, South Bend, Hoquiam, Aberdeen, Port Angeles, Anacortes and Rochester. Are you a descendant of a Swede Finn emigrant?

The Swedish Finn Historical Society can help you learn more about your ancestors and to reconnect with your Swede Finn culture and family. 

2025 Upcoming Events

• We all look forward to seeing other SFHS members at our Annual Meeting in March.  This year's meeting will be on Saturday, March 15th and held at 'Swede Hall' in Rochester, Washington.  'Swede Hall' was built by local Swede Finns in 1939.  It served as Runeberg Lodge #120 for many decades.  The meeting is for SFHS members & Rochester community members and will be availble on Zoom to members across the globe!
• Dick Erickson, SFHS Board Treasurer and Karen Lundgren, Board Member are planning another 'SFHS Heritage Tour'  for the summer of 2025! The tour travels through southern and western Finland.  One of the highlights will be for participants to visit (known and long-lost)  relatives  living in the Östrobothnian region.