Source Information
About U.S., Evangelical Free Church of America, Swedish American Church Records, 1842-1947
The records in this collection consist of administrative records from the Evangelical Free Church of America. Indexes have been provided for baptisms, marriages, burials, and membership records (arrivals, dismissals, and member lists), as well as congregational histories, meeting minutes, and biographical files of church leaders. The member lists in particular have a wealth of information, including vital dates and emigration information. Some member lists may include the location in Sweden an individual or family was originally from. Records are mainly written in either English or Swedish.
Records vary, but the information found may include:
Baptism
- Name and Gender
- Name of the Mother
- Name of the Father
- Birth Date and Place
- Baptism Date and Place
- Church
Marriage
- Name and Age
- Name and Age of the Spouse
- Marriage Date and Place
- Church
Burial
- Name, Age, and Gender
- Death Date and Place
- Burial or Funeral Date and Place
- Church
Member List
- Name, Age, and Gender
- Birth Date and Place
- Baptism Date
- Marriage Date and Place
- Death Date and Place
- Arrival Date and Place
- Departure Place
Patronymic Surnames in this Collection
Although the patronymic naming system was still in use in Sweden during the early period of these records, most of the records follow a family surname pattern.
Questions about Swedish American Genealogy?
The Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center at Augustana College provides resources and expertise for the study of Swedish immigration to North America. Visit www.augustana.edu/swenson for more information on the Swenson Center and the research assistance it provides.
Updates:
18 Apr 2019: Added 60 new records from 1947.