A #52Ancestors project exploration of chain migration through one Swedish family’s experience
When three siblings from Kristianstad län, Sweden set sail for America in the 1920s, they became part of the final wave of the Great Swedish Migration. Their journeys—separated by years but connected by family ties—perfectly illustrate the concept of chain migration that helped shape both Swedish and American communities during this era.
The Swedish Exodus of the 1920s
Sweden in the 1920s was a country in transition. The aftermath of World War I created economic uncertainty across Europe, while Sweden itself was moving from an agricultural society toward industrialization. For many young Swedes, especially those from rural areas, this meant:
- Limited economic opportunities in their home communities
- Scarcity of available farmland for growing families
- Displacement of traditional livelihoods by industrial development
- Restrictive social structures that offered little room for advancement
Meanwhile, America represented possibility. Swedish communities had already established themselves across the American Midwest, with letters home describing jobs, land, and opportunities unavailable in the old country. These connections made America seem like a promising alternative to the challenges facing young Swedes.
Alma: The Pioneer (1921)
Alma Svensson-Sten, born in 1896 in Vånga, became my family’s first Swedish-American immigrant when she boarded the Drottningholm in September 1921. At 25 years old and unmarried, Alma demonstrated considerable independence by undertaking this journey.
Unlike many immigrants who ventured into the unknown, Alma had an advantage—a friend or employer already established in America. This connection provided her with a crucial foothold in the new country, likely offering initial accommodation and employment prospects upon arrival. Such personal connections were invaluable for new immigrants, providing practical support and helping to navigate cultural differences that might otherwise prove overwhelming.1
The ship manifest reveals an important aspect of migration—Alma traveled alongside other Swedish emigrants, suggesting that even those who left without family rarely journeyed completely alone. These fellow travelers provided an important support network, sharing language, customs, and the emotional experience of leaving home.
As the first family member to emigrate, Alma established herself as what migration scholars call a “bridgehead”—creating a foundation in America that would later support other family members making the same journey.
Chain Migration in Action: Hugo Follows His Sister (1923)
Two years after Alma’s departure, her younger brother Hugo followed her path across the Atlantic. His journey aboard the Kungsholm in December 1923 perfectly demonstrates chain migration theory in practice.
Chain migration occurs when immigrants from a particular town follow others from that same town to a specific new location, creating a chain effect where each migrant reduces the costs and risks for those who follow by:
- Providing housing and immediate support upon arrival
- Sharing knowledge about jobs and opportunities
- Creating social connections in the new country
- Easing the emotional transition to a new culture
Hugo explicitly listed Alma as his contact in America, confirming the family connection that facilitated his journey. At 18, he was considerably younger than Alma had been when she emigrated, suggesting that her established presence made it possible for a younger sibling to undertake the journey.
Completing the Chain: David’s Journey (1926)
When my grandfather David boarded the Gripsholm in December 1926, he was following a well-established family pathway. At 18 years old—the same age Hugo had been when he emigrated—David benefited from the knowledge, connections, and emotional support his siblings had established.2
By 1926, American immigration policy had changed significantly with the Immigration Act of 1924, which established national origin quotas. However, the quotas for Northern European countries like Sweden remained relatively generous, allowing David’s migration to proceed without the restrictions faced by immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe.
Arrival in America: Ellis Island in the 1920s
When the Svensson-Sten siblings disembarked in New York, they entered America through Ellis Island, though the experience in the 1920s differed somewhat from the peak immigration years.
By this time, processing at Ellis Island had become more streamlined, but still included:
- Medical inspections to identify contagious diseases or disabilities
- Legal questioning about backgrounds and intentions
- Verification of documentation and sponsors
- The transition to American soil and culture
As Swedish immigrants, they likely faced less discrimination than those from origins deemed “less desirable” according to prevailing attitudes. Their Nordic appearance, Protestant backgrounds, and the positive reputation of Swedish immigrants worked in their favor during the admission process.
Those Who Remained: Olof and Ida
While migration stories often focus on those who left, equally important are those who stayed behind. Olof and Ida’s decision to remain in Sweden offers an important counterpoint to their siblings’ journeys.
Olof, having married in 1918, had established family ties that likely anchored him to Sweden. Ida’s situation reflects another common pattern—the unmarried daughter who becomes the family caregiver. Her choice to remain and care for her father and grandmother Sissa until 1941 speaks to the family obligations and gender expectations of the era.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Migration Decisions
The Svensson-Sten family story captures essential elements of Swedish-American migration during the 1920s: young adults seeking opportunity, the practical implementation of chain migration, and the divided families that resulted from these decisions.
Each sibling—whether crossing the ocean or remaining in Kristianstad—made choices that would echo through generations. Their decisions ultimately created two branches of one family, separated by the Atlantic but connected by their shared origins in the countryside of southern Sweden.
These personal stories remind us that behind the broad historical patterns of migration are individual decisions made with courage, hope, and often uncertainty about what the future might hold.
- “New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957,” database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7488/records/4028401274: accessed 12 Feb 2025) > Date > 1921 > October > 04 > Drottningholm > images 33-34, “List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival,” S.S. Drottningholm, arriving 4 Oct 1921; citing National Archives microfilm publication Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 6/16/1897 –7/3/1957, micropublication number T715 (8,892 rolls; exact roll unidentified), National Archives catalog identifier NAI: 300346. ↩︎
- https://passengershipsandliners.fandom.com/wiki/MS_Gripsholm_(1924); CC BY-SA license ↩︎