What did grandfather find in America?
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 10am
Jim Kurle writes, "The story of Swedish immigration to America is dramatically portrayed in novels like Vilhelm Moberg’s The Emigrants and Ola Larsmo’s Swede Hollow. In these novels, emigration to North America is often explained by population pressure in Sweden and the availability of rich agricultural land in America. The Emigrants ends optimistically. Swede Hollow is much darker. What was my family’s experience? When I investigated my grandfather's story, I found that it included escape from poverty as a homesteader, a complicated and challenging religious odyssey, pacifism and avoidance of military conscription, and an idealistic vision of a new society tempered by homesteading in western North Dakota."
A Zoom invitation will be sent to all UMRA members one month and again one week before the program. We hope you can join us.
—Lynn C. Anderson and Craig Swan, co-chairs, Family History Interest Group
Upcoming Events
The theme for December is historical family photos. Join us for photography and fun.
There are a few fun events coming up at the Campus Club that are open to everyone. See these events on the Campus Club Facebook and Instagram.
Meeting to plan books for next year.
There has been a lot in the news recently about the University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota Physicians, and Fairview Health Services. Please join us at breakfast on January 8 for a respectful and engaging discussion of their relationship.
The theme for January is great MN views.
Developing a sense of identity is a central psychological task of the lifespan. Memories and stories from our personal past, as well as cultural memories and stories in society play key roles in how we develop our identities. This presentation will discuss psychological theory and research on how memories and stories make us who we are.
When you are of Icelandic descent you can trace your ancestors back to around 1200 and sometimes further.
Bleak House by Charles Dickens.
Here’s another great opportunity to buy discounted tickets and join your UMRA friends to cheer for the Gophers when the Women’s Basketball team hosts the Purdue Boilermakers at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on February 1.
UMRA’s special event for this winter will again be a celebration of brighter days and the approaching end of winter. We’ll have food, fellowship, and music provided by Urban Sound, one of the University’s premier student a cappella ensembles.
Family history with Jim Kurle. A tale of Swedish emigration to Dunn County, North Dakota, including my grandfather whose unusual relationship to several churches and religion in general was one of the reasons for his emigrating.
Growing Up by Russell Baker.