ancestors - Swedish American Ancestors

Best DNA Companies for Swedish American Genealogy

Anna — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 05:00:24 +0000

DNA Companies for Swedish American Genealogy

A range of companies offer DNA testing for those researching their family trees. Which are the best DNA testing companies for Swedish American genealogy? Below are my thoughts on things to consider.

Ps: The above image is AI generated.

Researching Ancestry Up To 5 to 7 Generations

Ancestry.com

Autosomal DNA testing is the best starting point for those researching ancestors from approximately three to four generations ago, and it can even provide up to seven generations back. Several companies offer such tests, but one stands out – Ancestry.com. It has the largest database of DNA-tested individuals worldwide and the most Swedish Americans in its database.

This significantly increases your chances of finding Swedish American DNA matches if you test with them. Ancestry also provides a suite of tools to facilitate DNA matching between the tested individuals. The enhanced shared matches tool is one of them and it allows you to see how much DNA your matches share and their predicted relationships with each other.

MyHeritage.com

Despite these advantages, Ancestry.com may not be the best company for every ancestry research focus. MyHeritage.com has a large number of Swedish test takers in their database – many of whom you may not find on Ancestry. Testing with MyHeritage could therefore be a valuable choice.

However, MyHeritage allows you to upload DNA test results from other companies, while Ancestry does not. Therefore, you may choose to test with Ancestry and then upload your results to MyHeritage. This way, you can search for DNA matches in both databases while only paying for one test. My Heritage also offers excellent research tools, including triangulation that helps identify common ancestors by analyzing DNA segments shared among matches.

FamilyTreeDNA.com

FamilyTreeDNA is a third company that offers autosomal DNA testing that I use in my Swedish American genealogy research. Like MyHeritage, they allow users to upload DNA results from other companies to their site. A unique feature of FamilyTreeDNA is that they display the X-chromosome for your DNA matches.

The the X-chromosome is inherited in a specific pattern from mother to child, and can provide valuable insights into DNA connections (but more on that in a future blog). The X-chromosome is included in autosomal testing but Ancestry and MyHeritage do not show those results or matches. In addition, FamilyTreeDNA offers Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing, which can help verify paternal or maternal lines in your family tree (more on that below).

While other companies also provide Autosomal DNA testing services, these are the three I use most frequently, so I will leave it at that for now.

Researching Beyond and Verifying Up To 5 to 7 Generations

If you are looking to take your Swedish American genealogy research beyond autosomal DNA, FamilyTreeDNA.com offers both Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing. These tests enable researchers to verify and trace direct paternal and maternal lines. This makes it possible to extend research well beyond seven generations and even reach back to Viking times and beyond.

This is possible because the Y-chromosome is passed down from father to son almost completely unchanged over long periods. mtDNA is passed down from mothers to their children and mutates even more infrequently. In contrast, autosomal DNA is recombined and about halved with each generation.

Unlock Your Ancestry

Y-DNA and mtDNA testing do not provide the breadth of cousin matches that autosomal DNA testing does. However, they offer a good way to confirm lineage with certainty. They can help bridge the gap between biological ancestry and historical documents, where documentation most often is incomplete or completely lacking.

Other companies also offer Y-DNA and mtDNA testing, but FamilyTreeDNA is the one I am most familiar with, so I will leave it at that for now.

Photo taken by Anna Schnell at the Gamla Uppsala museum, Sweden, of items from the Vendel time period that preceded the Vikings.

Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna

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Best DNA Test for Swedish Americans

Anna — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 05:00:28 +0000

Best DNA Tests for Swedish Americans

What is the best DNA tests for Swedish Americans? A DNA test might be the missing piece you need to fill gaps in your ancestry research. By combining traditional paper trail genealogy with DNA testing you may uncover previously unknown branches of your family tree.

Three Types of DNA Tests

Before choosing a DNA test, it is essential to know the three main types of tests available:

Autosomal DNA (atDNA)
Y-DNA
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)

Each type of test serves a different purpose and is useful for various research goals. Below, we discuss their relevance to Swedish American genealogy

Autosomal DNA (atDNA)

Autosomal DNA testing is the most common and widely used type of DNA test, especially among those researching their Swedish American roots. It analyzes DNA inherited from both parents and is ideal for exploring ancestry within about 3 to 4 generations. It can also be helpful for tracing ancestors as far back as 5 to 7 generations, though at that range it becomes increasingly difficult to find distant cousins who share identifiable DNA segments – and thus a common ancestor – with you.

You may be fortunate if only one branch of your family emigrated from Sweden. With fewer ancestral lines to consider, it can be easier to identify family tree connections to Sweden. This is particularly valuable if you are working with a limited paper trail or incomplete family records, which is often the case for emigrant ancestors from the 19th or early 20th centuries. That said, the ease of discovering your Swedish roots depends on many more variables than just the number of branches leading back to Sweden. You may very well be lucky in other ways – such as having relatively close Swedish DNA-matches who have already done good work tracing your common ancestors.

Finding Very Distant Cousins Is Unlikely

If you are very lucky, you might find distant cousins with matching DNA from even a few more generations back than 7, but it is unlikely. The further back you go, the more distant and numerous the shared ancestors become, making it harder to pinpoint DNA connections. This is due to the way DNA is inherited, where individuals pass on approximately 50% of their DNA to their children. Additionally, there are typically few or no paper trails for ancestors that far back in time, unless your ancestor was a part of the royal family or nobility.

Y-DNA

The Y-DNA test can trace your paternal lineage (father’s father’s father’s…) over hundreds or even thousands of years. It focuses on the Y-chromosome, passed down from father to son and is therefore ideal for those looking to trace their paternal lineage over generations. Since the Y-DNA test can only be taken by males you either have to be a male to take it, or find a male to test that shares the line you would like to trace. For close matches – such as those with few or no mutations – the most recent common ancestor may be within 2–25 generations depending on which level of Y-DNA test you take.

One of the most powerful aspects of Y-DNA testing is its ability to trace surnames over generations. Do you know your emigrated Swedish ancestor’s surname on a paternal line you want to research? Y-DNA may help confirm if other people with that surname in America or Sweden are related to you. Y-DNA could therefore be a good test for Swedish Americans who want to fill a gap in their genealogy research.

Tracing Surnames May Not Be Useful

Despite what was said above, tracing surnames may be of little use to those researching Swedish Americans. It was not very common for Swedes to have fixed surnames before the end of the 1800s. Swedes’ surnames used to be based on their fathers’ first name (patronymics). The surnames therefore changed from generation to generation.

Patronymics also resulted in members within the same family having different surnames (see the family in the image above, and check another blog we have on the topic). Y-DNA is still useful, even without surname matching, since it will show you others who have tested that you share a paternal line with. With that information, you can check if they have already built a reliable family tree – or you can attempt to build their family tree yourself to find your shared ancestor.

Mitrochondial DNA (MtDNA)

(Mitochondrial DNA testing offers a unique way to trace direct maternal ancestry, as it is passed from mother to child with little change over generations. Since mothers pass it down to all their children, anyone – regardless of sex – can take the test. Because MtDNA mutates very seldom (even less seldom than Y-DNA) and only slightly over time, it is a powerful tool for exploring deep ancestral roots. Such tests can reveal maternal lineage connections stretching back thousands of years.

However, even those with a perfect MtDNA match to you may share a common ancestor with you who lived hundreds or thousands years ago. This makes mtDNA testing too broad, in most cases, to pinpoint a shared ancestor within a genealogically useful timeframe. Still, it can offer a valuable piece of the puzzle – especially when your paper trail research on a particular line aligns with the results of your mtDNA test.

Since MtDNA testing focuses exclusively on individual’s maternal line (mother’s mother’s mother’s…), you need to find a relative to test on that line or take the test yourself if it is your line.

Best DNA Testing for Swedish Americans: Which Company?

There are several companies that offer DNA testing, each with its own strengths. In an upcoming blog, I will share my thoughts on which ones could advance your Swedish American family research.

Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna

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U.S. 1890 Census Destroyed by Fire

Anna — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 05:00:59 +0000

U.S. 1890 Census Destroyed by Fire

A January 1921 fire in the Commerce Department Building in Washington, D.C., destroyed most of the 1890 U.S. census records. Only fragments survived, preserving information on just over 6,000 individuals.

Records of Around 63 Million People Destroyed

The 1880s marked the peak of Swedish emigration to America. The 1890 U.S. census could therefore have been an invaluable resource for Swedish-American genealogy research. With nearly 63 million people recorded, this census could have provided crucial insights into the lives of Swedish immigrants in America.

The photo above was taken in 1894 (source: Library of Congress). It shows the tabulation machine used in the 1890 census. The machine made counting the results less time consuming. Punched cards were used to work the machine. The results were presented by the dials on the machine and written down manually. The man at the machine is Herman Hollerith who invented it a couple of years earlier.

The photograph above shows some of the damaged remains of the 1890 U.S. census. Source: Library of Congress

A Rare Survivor: Swedish Clara in the 1890 Census

Among the few surviving records from the 1890 census is one documenting Clara Anderson. Clara’s census entry provides details such as these:

She was a around 26-year-old Swedish immigrant.
She worked as a servant in the household of Emily Chisolm, 56, and her 24-year-old son.
She was single and employed as a domestic worker.
She had no chronic illnesses, disabilities, or legal troubles.
She could read, write, and speak English.
She, along with her parents, was born in Sweden.

While only a handful of Swedish individuals appear in the surviving 1890 census records, Clara Anderson’s case is a rare census glimpse into the lives of Swedish immigrants during that era.

Source: United States, Census 1890, FamilySearch : Accessed 6 May 2025), Entry for Clara Anderson.

Alternative Records for 1890 Research

If your Swedish-American ancestors are not among the few recorded in the 1890 U.S. census, there are other records that may be of use. State censuses can serve as valuable substitutes. Many states conducted their own censuses between federal census years. For example, Minnesota conducted state censuses in 1885 and 1895, which can provide comparable information. Other states with large Swedish immigrant populations also have state census records that may be useful.

Several other 1890 U.S. census alternative records can also help bridge the 1890 census gap. Here are some examples:

City and County Directories, which list residents, their addresses, and occupations. However, all residents are not recorded in them.
Tax Records can be used to confirm an ancestor’s residence and property details.
Voter Registration Lists can verify an ancestor’s location and political affiliations, but women were generally excluded from voting at that time.
Newspapers, such as local U.S. newspapers or Swedish American ones, for example often included obituaries, marriage announcements, and community news.
Church Records most often included registers of baptisms, marriages, and burials. Many Swedish immigrants chose to join churches in America, but by no means all of them did.
Land and Property Records, such as deeds and land grants, can provide information on residency and property ownership.

I will talk some more about the above records in future blogs.

Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna

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Census Records: Key to Tracing Swedish Ancestry

Anna — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 05:00:58 +0000

Census Records: A Key to Tracing Swedish Ancestry

Census records play a role in North American genealogy similar that of household examination records in Sweden. While a whole range of other records may be relevant depending on the research question, censuses are included in almost all research projects tracing Swedish ancestors in Canada the United States. In addition, census records are often a very effective starting point.

Censuses in Canada and the U.S.

Canada and the United States share some similarities in their census histories. U.S. federal censuses have been conducted every 10 years since 1790. Additionally, some states carried out their own censuses between federal counts. Canada has held nation wide censuses every ten years since 1871, with earlier ones conducted by individual colonies. Canada also organized shorter censuses every five year (years ending with 6). All of these censuses potentially offer vital clues when researching Swedish American ancestry.

First U.S. Census – 1790

The first U.S. federal census in 1790 covered the original 13 states, as well as select districts and territories. It recorded only the name of the head of household; all other members were simply counted numerically. As a result, the names of children, wives, or enslaved individuals do not appear in this census. Instead, it listed the number of individuals in the following categories: free white males aged 16 and over, free white males under 16, free white females, other free persons, and enslaved persons.

At that time, the number of Swedes in the U.S. was small – estimated at just 2,000 to 3,000 people. Many were descendants of settlers from the former New Sweden colony (1638–1655), located in present-day Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, which had later come under Dutch and then British control.

Names in the 1850 & 1870 U.S. Censuses

The 1850 federal census was the first to list the names of every free person in each household. This means you can find the names of all non-enslaved women and children in those census records. This is especially helpful for tracing Swedish ancestors who had immigrated to the U.S. by that time.

In addition to names, the 1850 census also gathered data on schooling, taxation, crimes, wages, estate values, and mortality. The 1870 census, which was conducted after the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, recorded the names of all household members.

Canada’s First National Census – 1871

Canada’s 1871 census covered Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and parts of Manitoba. It focused on agricultural, industrial, and fishing occupations, and recorded names, ages, birthplaces, occupations, religion, and ethnic origins. These may contain important details for confirming Swedish ancestry. The 1871 census also documented land ownership, household members, and migration patterns, offering insights into family movements.

Many Swedish immigrants worked in farming, forestry, or fishing, making the industrial schedules particularly useful. Those schedules were specialized census forms used alongside the population schedules in some Canadian censuses – most notably in 1871 – to collect detailed information about industrial, commercial, and manufacturing activity.

No note is also that some Swedes moved between Canada and the U.S. before settling permanently, so if ancestors are not found in U.S. records, they might appear in Canadian censuses instead – and vice versa.

Peak of Immigration: 1880 & 1890 U.S. Censuses

Swedish immigration to North America peaked during the 1880s. As a result, the 1880 and 1890 U.S. census records are especially valuable for genealogical research.

The 1880 federal census was the first to record each person’s relationship to the head of household, greatly aiding genealogists in identifying family structures. It also included the birthplaces of each person’s parents, years spent in the U.S., and citizenship status – details critical for tracing immigrant origins.

Unfortunately, most of the 1890 U.S. federal census was destroyed in a fire in 1921. Only fragments survived, covering about 6,000 individuals out of a total population nearing 63 million. A search for Swedes in the surviving 1890 census at FamilySearch yields only a handful of results. Due to this loss, researchers must rely on alternative sources from that era, such as city directories, state censuses, veterans schedules, tax records, or land deeds.

Swedes in the 1881 & 1891 Canadian Censuses

The 1881 Canadian census covered all provinces and territories that were part of Canada at the time, including Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and the Northwest Territories. The 1891 census followed a similar structure, collecting data on population, occupation, religion, and ethnicity.

Both the 1881 and 1891 censuses recorded names, ages, birthplaces, occupations, and ethnic origins. This is key information for confirming Swedish (and people of other nationalities’ roots). The 1891 census went a step further by adding the year of immigration and parents’ birthplaces, which helps trace family movements. This is especially helpful for tracking Swedes who moved between Canada and the U.S. or who settled in Swedish communities in provinces like Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.

North American Censuses in the 1900s

The censuses of the 1900s are of course also helpful when researching Swedish immigrants to North America. If your ancestors immigrated to the U.S. in the 1880s, the census of 1900 may be the best replacement record for the burnt 1890s census data.

In the United States, the most recent available census for genealogy research is from 1950. This is because the U.S. has a 72-year privacy rule for those records, meaning the 1950 census became publicly available in 2022. The 1950 U.S. Census is particularly useful for confirming immigration details and family relationships. It includes each person’s name, age, birthplace, and citizenship status. This may give you clues to look for documents such as naturalization records and passports that can provide you with more information.

In Canada, the most recent available census is from 1931, released in 2023 due to the country’s 92-year privacy rule. This census provides important immigration and ethnic origin information. It includes names, ages, birthplaces, and years of immigration – key data for tracing Swedish arrivals and settlement patterns in Canada.

Hejdå for now 🙂
Anna

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