ethnicity – Maja's Blessings

Swedish American Book Review: My Maja A Grandson’s Tribute

Swedish Immigrant Adversity: How Did Women Fare?

My grandmother certainly was not the only Swedish woman immigrant who suffered significant difficulties and adversity in making the commitment to come to America and have to make harsh adjustments. The stress and strain my dear Grandma Maja endured as a woman, widow, single mother breadwinner was in my opinion cruel and abusive. She boreContinue reading “Swedish Immigrant Adversity: How Did Women Fare?”

Swedish Family Heirlooms: Genealogy Show and Tell Treasures

My Swedish Grandmother Maja and family have left behind treasures which each tug at heartstrings linked with cherished memories. What are your family heirlooms?, and why do you hold them to be treasures? In 2004, exploring the attic of grandma Maja’s daughter, Linnea, I found a treasure chest almost tossed out with the trash. LinneaContinue reading “Swedish Family Heirlooms: Genealogy Show and Tell Treasures”

Genealogy and Museums Spark Grandma’s Imaginations Come Alive

There is something special, very hard to describe about Swedish Grandmother’s softly expressed intent on sharing customs and traditions with grandchildren. I was fortunate to experience this Swedish nurturing firsthand, and to watch it as my mother was magically transformed into a mentor, teacher, tour guide into the mythical love of ethnic traditions and lore.Continue reading “Genealogy and Museums Spark Grandma’s Imaginations Come Alive”

Swedish Strong and Tough With a Courageous Heart

My Swedish Grandma Maja was one of the strongest and toughest people I have ever met. It takes me a whole book to explain how very strong she was in proving herself as an immigrant. I built my own life celebrating the example of gritty resilience Maja demonstrated. At the very same time, this strongContinue reading “Swedish Strong and Tough With a Courageous Heart”