|
About Sami
Genealogy
For hundreds of years in
Sápmi, Sami lived side-by-side with Norwegians, Swedes, Finns
and Russians. At the same time, the governments' policies of
integration aimed at diminishing unique ethnic characteristics and
qualities. As a result, populations of northern provinces became
ethnically mixed; sometimes even indistinguishable.
When opportunities in North America began to draw increasing numbers of
immigrants, economic opportunity was especially attractive to inland
populations of traditional Sami districts. Folk of Sami heritage
came
as Norwegians, Swedes, and Finns and fanned out across the
continent.
For many reasons a higher concentration of Sami immigrants settled in
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, the Seattle area, and the
Dakotas. Many of Sami heritage in the Seattle area are the
descendants
of herders brought to North America to teach indigenous Alaskans about
reindeer - descendants also remain in Alaska and Canada.
Generally,
common language was the identifying factor - Sami of Norway spoke
Norwegian among Norwegians. That which would distinguish the Sami
became less of a factor.
As the current generation looks to its ethnic heritage, efforts are
required to search beneath the surface. Two or three generations
of
national bureaucracy have overlaid the information that would reveal
true ethnic identity. The task of genealogical research is being
made
easier with increasing amounts of data online and cross-referenced with
documentation not accessible in the past. Sami paid special taxes
and
were often identified in census and parish records, among other
documents.
Today members of the Siida include immigrants and the descendents of
immigrants. There are currently active groups in the Midwest and
in
California who welcome your contact. Members of the Siida groups
may be
able to provide you with helpful information regarding genealogies and
methodical document searches that will be of significant help.
Learn more about your heritage. Siida activities and publications
endeavor to make the culture more alive in the hearts and minds of the
North American Sami cultural heirs!
Sami
American Family Histories
Lapland
Ancestry
Family
history of Solveig Arneng and
Rudolph Johnson
Slekt
in Finnmark and Troms Norway
Ancestors
of descendants of Gunhild Andrea Wang
Sami
Genealogy Resources
Emigration from Finnmark, Norway
Far
Northern Connections
Finding Your Sami (and Other)
Family in Northern Norway, Sweden,
Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia
Book
by Virginia
Schultz
Johansen family tree
Pursuing Sami
Genealogy
Informational
article by Chris Pesklo
General
Genealogy Resources
Ancestry.com
Cyndi's List
FamilySearch.org
Genealogy.com
Rootsweb.com
|
