i am trying to find out how i am Swedish

[Bubblz21585]

I know that i got the gene from my grandfather Chester Walstead who was born in South Dakota on a farm and his fathers name is Harry Walstead. That is as far as i have gotten. If you know anything that would help a lot.

[bosse_s]

Harry Walstead is probably the name he took when arriving to America.

Harry is not very common in Sweden, but I cannot really think about any Swedish equivalent... so, his name might have been Harry.

Walstead could have been Wahlstedt or something like that in Swedish.

Do you have any clue where in Sweden he came from???

[Melker]

Harry is not very common in Sweden, but I cannot really think about any Swedish equivalent... so, his name might have been Harry.
[/b]

His Swedish first name was most likely Harald.

Hej, Mr. President,

(by the way, this is the former Flyg; now quill)

Is there any chance that Melker could do some tracing of his family line throught the churches in Sweden?

I know that my grandafather in Lund, Carl Oscar Mattsson, traced our family line back to 1704 with the great help of church records there.

Maybe it's a start?

[bosse_s]

Hej Quill, the poster formely known as Flyg!

Using the "church-books" works great... We have managed to trace backwards on my mothers side at least 300-400 years (and we could just keep on going if we hade the time!).

The documents are out there, one just needs a lot of patience and a great deal of fantasy when it comes to read old handwriting, as well as understanding the older forms of the language.

People did not move that much during the old days, so if Bubblz21585 knew which area/parish Harry came from, I think it would not be so hard to find him and your family.

[Kristy2003]

I'm beautiful. So is everyone else. No matter what your ethnicity is or isn't, be proud of who ya are. But, I must make a point. Here in the United States of America, we don't know our roots or our ancestry because we're so mixed up. Me, for example. Physically: 21 years old. 5'7" tall. Hour glass shape. 169 lbs. (yeah, i like to eat!). Hair:reddish-brown. Eyes: green/grey/blue face: oval, dimples, long, straight nose, top lip is curved like a cupids bow, and thin, bottom lip is thicker and pouty. I have high cheek bones, round eyes, long lashes, straight even teeth, dimples. I am fair but tan nicely. i have hints of red in my skin, and don't really break out all that much. I ambig boned, and wear a shoe size 11 in womens. Foods I like: Roast beef, saurkraut, sausages, chocolate, jalapenos, hot sauce, breads, oranges, mangoes, chicken,tomatoes,icecream,milk,pizza, BIG SEAFOOD JUNKIE. My heritage:NOTE: THIS ISN'T COMPLETE. My dad was abandoned by his biological father, and never knew him. The guy's name was Lee Parker, from New York, USA. I am, all that I know of: German, English, Irish, French, Swedish, and 1/ 8 Indian ( Native American), and might have some black blood.So,by the way I described myself, what country or ethnicity would you say is most dominant in me? People say I look : German, Swedish, French, or Russian

[Mamie]

Northern European? actually the Vikings and Swedes traded with or invaded all those countries.

Normans for norseman - France
Russia was named for The Rus which some say are actually Swedes.

Trade occured with all the countries on the Baltic Sea at some time or other.

[vargtass]

Well, swedish wikings invaded russia, and built towns over there, so it makes some sense

[metrobunny]

The most helpful website for you is the Mormons' http://www.familysearch.org
It's free and extensive. I have been able to trace my Swedish ancestry back to the early 1600's on the site!!!
And Harry, although not a common name in sweden, does exist, so it is not at all unlikely that that was his birth name (although probably a nickname for Harald), but search both names on the site. Hope this helps!