ABSOLUTELY DON’T MISS!
Swedish Colonial Farmstead Rambo and Stiddem Family Reunions
June 10 – 12, 2022
Wilmington, De – Philadelphia & Tinicum, Pa
The Swedish Colonial Society will welcome the 15th National Timen Stiddem Reunion and the Rambo Family 375th Reunion to the Annual Gathering at the Swedish Colonial Farmstead at Tinicum, at 10:30 am, June 12, 2022.
PLEASE NOTE: The All-Events, June 10-12, 2022 Registration is sold out! There are a few reservations left for the Corinthian Yacht Club Luncheon featuring SCS Historian Dr. Kim-Eric William’s keynote “Remembering New Sweden in a woke world” and Dr. Cynthia Forde’s description of the “Society’s DNA Project.” Click here to register.
The Annual Gathering has three speakers. Richard Steadham’s “The Legacy of Timen Stiddem” will cover the event-filled life of New Sweden’s barber-surgeon. Dr. Forde’s topic is “Brita and the Women of New Sweden“ and their role in the colony. Of special significance is “Life and Legacy of Peter Gunnarsson Rambo” by the chronicler of the Rambo Family, Ronald S. Beatty, author of the “Rambo Family Tree, 2nd ed.”
The Rambo Family includes allied branches Bankston, Cock, and Mattson, and others, many of whom are represented at the Reunion.
Without a doubt, living history actor and researcher Robert K. Rambo’s first-person portrayal of Peter Gunnarson Rambo in “My Life in a Very Splendid Fruitful Land” is something folks will remember for a long time. See photo below.
The popular vocalist and 2015 Swedish American of the Year Emily Samson “IVA” Tepe appears as Britta Mattsdotter.
The Swedish Colonial Society’s Annual Gathering is open to the public.
A note to remind everyone to be prepared for all weather by bringing a poncho or umbrella and water.
Click here to learn more and register for events!
The New Sweden Colonial Farmstead at Tinicum
Gallery from the Opening Celebration in June 2021
Photo credits; BA Britt Apell and SP Sandra Pfaff
The Swedish Colonial Society Welcomes New Members. No Swedish relative or ancestry is required – only an interest in the colonial history of our nation. Membership is available for all parties interested in the history of the New Sweden Colony and the early Swedes and Finns in America. Swedish heritage is not a requirement. The four classes of Active Membership and application fees are: Individuals ($45.00) Family (Parents and children under 18 -$52.50) Organization (Business or Institution Name $52.50) Lifetime ($600.00). We do not have automatic recurring payments, set up at this time.
OUR MISSION
Our Mission is to preserve and promote the history, genealogy and culture of the New Sweden Colony in America.
Our Purposes are:
- To collect, archive and publish materials
- To make colonial genealogical records broadly available
- To acknowledge members’ proven descent from colonial forefathers
- To encourage awareness and preservation of monuments at historic sites
- To celebrate historic and cultural events and accomplishments relating to the colonial Swedes and Finns in America
Join Today!
SALE, SALE, SALE!!
The Swedish Colonial Society is having a sale on books. The more you buy, the more you save!
Buy the COLONIAL RECORDS OF SWEDISH CHURCHES IN PENNSYLVANIA series today!
NEW PRICING for this 9-Volume, hardbound, library binding series, covering the years 1646-1786
- Each single book is on sale for $10
- The complete set of 9 books is $50
- Includes free shipping
Checks should be made out to “Gloria Dei Church”.
Please mail checks to:
Swedish Colonial Society
916 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, PA 19147-4332
Purchase in person:
Gloria Dei Church
916 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, PA 19147-4332
215-389-1513
Hours: 9-3, Tues-Thurs
SWEDISH COLONIAL SOCIETY DNA PROJECT
DNA Project Update by Rev. Cynthia Forde-Beatty and Becky Griswold at Family Tree DNA.com
So far, the SCS New Sweden DNA Project is going very well, even better than we expected!
For those of you who have tested at Ancestry DNA or 23andMe and want to transfer your results to Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) and join the SCS DNA Project, we have good news! Now it is FREE to transfer your DNA results to FTDNA. After transferring you can unlock all Family Finder Features,which include the Chromosome Browser, myOrigins and ancientOrigins for only $19. Please email Becky Griswold, beckygrizz@yahoo.com for more information.
The Farmstead Project
There are big undertakings under way for Governor Printz Park in Essington PA.
Governor Printz Park in Essington, Tinicum Township, Pennsylvania was the site of the capital of the New Sweden colony beginning in 1643, and it has been recently renovated for its 375th anniversary. The New Sweden Company is reconstructing a log farmstead in the Park, which, together with historical markers prepared by The Swedish Colonial Society, will serve as an education center hosted by the Tinicum Township Historical Society.
To contribute to the Farmstead or re-constructing a cabin, you can BUY-A-LOG for $100. Your name or organization’s name will be added to a plaque. Any contribution is greatly appreciated.
Contributions can be sent to:
The Swedish Colonial Society
Attn: Linda Alexy, Treasurer
916 Swanson Street
Philadelphia PA 19147
If you would like to BUY-A-LOG online, please click on the PayPal button below. Thanks!
The Peter S. Craig Collection
ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP!
Photo by Britt Apell. 2019
As a member of the Swedish Colonial Society:
- You can learn about the early Swedes who landed in Wilmington, DE beginning in 1638
- You can help preserve the legacy of the Colonial Swedes in America
- You can help increase awareness and preservation of monuments at historic sites
- AND MUCH MORE!
Click here for more information!
Click here to download the Membership Application form!!
Hear what our happy members have to say about the Swedish Colonial Society!
Thank you for a great presentation of the SCS Journal, Winter Issue, VOLUME 5, excellent, informative articles, well-written! With each issue I wonder how will you top this one, and you do. One of my favorite items is the winter photo of the Farmstead. Great job!
—Rev. Cynthia Forde
WOW, The SCS Journal only seems to get better and better. An exciting layout, new visuals, lots of information, and more info about Lars Lock than anyone ever knew.
—Rev. Dr. Kim-Eric Williams
I am very proud of the SCS. The first cabin is only the beginning of the Swedish Cabins in Governor Printz Park. The rest will be coming soon. The Printzhof, located in Governor Printz Park in Essington, Pennsylvania, was the home of Johan Björnsson Printz, governor of New Sweden. In 1643, Johan Printz moved his capital from Fort Christina to Tinicum Island. At that time Fort Gothenburg was established in addition to Printz’s dwelling and headquarters.
—Michael D’Andrea, Honorary Governor, Swedish Colonial Society
The SCS is a wonderful path for keeping history alive. It provides a remarkable way to meet others with similar or related ancestors. Their Facebook page has interesting tidbits to enjoy and the fellowship is unprecedented. Lifetime membership is a thoughtful one of a kind bequest to a family member
—Judy Glowiak
The SCS resources available to New Sweden colony researchers are unmatched; Camaraderie with fellow members, distant cousins in many circumstances, an added bonus.
—Richard L. Steadham, President & Newsletter Editor, the Timen Stiddem Society
Your newsletter has been of interest to our family. Thank you for the great work you are doing to keep the story and tradition alive.
— Kathleen
I have really enjoyed the literature you have sent out since I joined.
— Sandra