Suomi College Finnish-American collection, 1880-1972

Summary

Creator:

Suomi College.

Abstract:

The Finnish Collection consists of 100 reels of microfilm concerning Finnish-American Churches, Labor Societies, Temperance Organizations, and other materials from the United States and Canada. The collection is the result of a joint project between the Bentley Library, Suomi College (now Finlandia University), and the University of Turku, Finland, coordinated in 1974-75.

Extent:

100 microfilms

Language:

Finnish
English
Swedish

Call Number:

89318 Bd microcopy

Authors:

Finding aid created by Keijo Virtanen (1975) and Kent Randell (2008 revisions)

Background

Scope and Content:

The Suomi College Finnish-American Collection is comprised of 100 reels of microfilm containing records from 151 separate organizations (68 of which are located in Michigan). These organizations are comprised of the following kinds of records:

1. Church materials: 62 record groups (32 from Michigan)
2. Labor societies: 9 record groups (0 from Michigan)
3. Temperance materials: 61 record groups (26 from Michigan

Other organizations, including educational, relief, musical, athletic, national, historical societies, publishing companies, and some personal: 19 record groups (10 from Michigan)

Because the materials have been filmed in a random order, an index at the end of the container listing has been prepared to guide the researcher to specific kinds of records: church, temperance, etc.

Biographical / Historical:

The Finnish Collection consists of 100 reels of microfilm concerning Finnish-American Churches, Labor Societies, Temperance Organizations, and other materials from the United States and Canada. The contents were filmed at the Suomi College (now Finlandia University) Historical Archive and are the result of a joint project between the Bentley Library, Suomi College (now Finlandia University), and the University of Turku, Finland, coordinated in 1974-75. Much of the fieldwork and cataloging of the Finnish Collection at the Bentley Historical Library, including the obtaining of materials, was performed by Keijo Virtanen, doctoral candidate at the University of Turku who held a Research Assistantship at the Michigan Historical Collections in 1974-1975.

Acquisition Information:

The microfilm collection was received by arrangement with the college in 1975.

Accruals:

No further additions to the records are not expected.

Rules or Conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Related

Additional Descriptive Data:

Subject Index to Microfilm

This index was prepared from the original container listing. As the materials were microfilmed in a somewhat random order, this index intends to bring together church, temperance, labor, and other organizational records. In this index, the records are further listed alphabetically and then by place name.

1. Church Records:
   • The Archives of Suomi Synod (the top organization of the Finnish Lutheran congregations), Reels 98 and 99
   • Eastern Conference of Suomi Synod Lutheran Guild, Reel 43
   • The Families of the ministers in the Eastern Section of Suomi Synod, Reel 63
   • Finnish Congregational Churches
     • Maine
       • Harrison, Maine, Reel 100
       • West Paris, Maine, Reel 100
     • Massachusetts
       • Maynard, Mass., Reels 48 and 49
     • New Hampshire
       • Troy, N.H., Reels 52 and 53
   • Finnish Lutheran Congregations
     • Canada, Ontario
       • Cobalt, Ontario, Canada, Reel 62
     • Ohio
       • Girard, Ohio, Reel 32
     • Illinois
       • Waukegan, Illinois, Reel 26-30
     • Massachusetts
       • Gardner, Mass., Reel 48
       • Hyannis, Mass., Reel 81
       • Maynard, Mass., Reels 79 and 80
       • West Barnstable, Mass., Reel 81
       • Worcester, Mass., Reels 45-48
     • Michigan
       • Amasa, Mich., Reel 7
       • Covington, Mich., Reel 7
       • Crystal Falls, Mich., Reels 5 and 6
       • Elo, Mich., Reel 13
       • Gwinn, Mich., Reel 9
       • Hancock, Mich., Reels 95 and 96
       • Ironwood, Mich., Reels 18 and 19
       • L'Anse, Mich., Reel 8
       • Laird, Mich., Reels 12 and 13
       • Munising, Mich., Reels 9 and 10
       • National Mine [Winthrop], Mich., Reel 8
       • Newberry, Mich., Reels 10 and 11
       • Nisula, Mich., Reel 13
       • Palmer, Mich., Reel 8
       • Pelkie (Kyrö), Mich., Reels 13 and 14
       • Pequaming, Mich., Reel 7
       • Princeton, Mich., Reel 9
       • Ramsay, Mich., Reel 18
       • Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Reel 12
       • Stambaugh, Mich., Reel 7
       • Uusi Suomi [New Finland], Mich., Reel 8
       • Wakefield, Mich., Reels 17 and 18
     • Minnesota
       • Aitkin, Minnesota, Reel 97
       • Markham, Minnesota, Reel 96
       • Middle River, Minnesota, Reel 97
       • Virginia, Minnesota, Reel 65 and 96
     • Pennsylvania
       • Glassport, Penn., Reel 56
       • Monessen, Penn., Reel 97
       • Nanty Glo, Penn., Reels 32 and 33
       • New Castle, Penn., Reel 34
       • Rankin, Penn., Reel 34
       • Walston, Penn., Reel 34
     • Wisconsin
       • Iron Belt, Wisc., Reel 18 and 36
       • Marengo, Wisc., Reel 18
       • Montreal, Wisc., Reel 18
     • Unknown State
       • Cave Hill, Reel 63
   • Finnish National Lutheran Congregation of Ironwood, Mich, Reels 14-17
   • Swedish-Finnish Congregations
     • Michigan
       • Grand Marais, Mich., Reel 9
       • Newberry, Mich., Reel 10
       • Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Reel 12
   • Swedish-Finnish Lutheran Congregations
     • Michigan
       • Amasa, Mich., Reel 7
       • Crystal Falls, Mich., Reel 6
       • Metropolitan, Mich., Reel 5
       • Munising, Mich., Reel 10
       • Norway, Mich., Reel 4
2. Labor Organizations
   • Finnish Workers' Associations
     • Massachusetts
       • Maynard, Mass., Reels 77-79
       • Quincy, Mass., Reels 82-86
       • Worcester, Mass., Reels 44 and 45
     • Minnesota
       • Cloquet, Minnesota, Reel 31
     • New Hampshire
       • Newport, N.H., Reel 49-52
     • Unknown State
       • Maple Ridge, Reel 97
   • The Finnish Workers' Illness and Funeral Aid Organization, Monessen, Penn., Reels 58-60
   • Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) Union (Virginia, Minnesota), Reel 70
3. Temperance Societies:
   • Suomalais-Kansallis-Raittius-Weljeysseuran (SKRW) arkisto [The Archive Finnish-National-Temperance-Brotherhood], the top organization of the Finnish-American temperance societies, Reel 94
   • Illinois
     • Sivuttaja [Passer], Waukegan, Illinois, Reels 91-93
     • Temperance League of Illinois, Reel 33
   • Maine
     • Riento [Active], Monson, Maine, Reel 42
   • Massachusetts
     • Alku [Beginning], Maynard, Mass., Reels 39-42
     • Sovittaja [Mediator], Worcester, Mass., Reels 87-91
     • Valon Leimu [The Flame of the Light], Rockport, Mass., Reels 66 and 67
   • Michigan
     • Aamurusko, [Glow], Negaunee, Mich., Reel 71
     • Apilan Kukka [Blossom of Clover], Rudyard, Mich., Reel 43
     • Auran Kukka [The Flower of Aura], Baltic Mine, Mich., Reel 87
     • Elo [Grain], Winona, Mich., Reel 72
     • Huvitus [Amusement], Baraga, Mich., Reel 87
     • Hyvä Toivo [Good Hope], Calumet, Mich., Reel 12
     • Iltarusko [Sunset Glow], Trout Creek, Mich., Reel 71
     • Korven Kukka [The Flower of the Wilderness], Amasa, Mich., Reels 75 and 76
     • Kyntäjä [Plowman], Copper Range, Mich., Reel 73
     • Kyntää [Plowman], Covington, Mich., Reel 87
     • Nuorison Kaunistus [The Beauty of the Youth], Redridge, Mich., Reel 100
     • Onnela [Place of Happiness], Iron Mountain, Mich., Reel 33
     • Onnen Aarre [The Treasure of Happiness], Newberry, Mich., Reel 10
     • Onnen Kukka [The Flower of Happiness], Chassell, Mich., Reel 87
     • Onnen Satama [Harbor of Happiness], Covington, Mich., Reel 43
     • Rannan Ruusu [The Rose of the Beach], Oskar, Mich., Reel 72
     • Roihu [Flame], Coburntown, Mich., Reels 42 and 43
     • Taimi [Plant], Palmer, Mich., Reel 73
     • [The Seed of Hope], Shafer, Mich., Reel 71
     • Temperance League of Iron County, Mich., Reel 33
     • Temperance League of Marquette County, Mich., Reel 33
     • Toivo [Hope], Wakefield, Mich., Reel 53
     • Toivola [Place of Hope], Crystal Falls, Mich., Reels 74 and 75
     • Urpa, Tamarack Mills, Mich., Reel 71
     • Valkoruusu [White Rose], Rockland, Mich., Reel 74
     • Väinötär, National Mine, Mich., Reel 76
   • Minnesota
     • Elon Toivo [The Hope of Life], Iron, Minnesota, Reel 72
     • Ilmarinen, Cloquet, Minnesota, Reel 33
     • Pohjan Leimu [The Flame of the North], Soudan, Minnesota, Reels 64 and 65
     • Rantakorven Kukka [The Flower of the Wilderness Beach], Buhl, Minnesota, Reel 65
     • Toivon Tähti [The Star of Hope], Duluth, Minnesota, Reel 33
     • Valon Lähde [The Source of the Light], Eveleth, Minnesota, Reels 67 and 68
     • Vesi [Water], Ely, Minnesota, Reels 69 and 70
   • New Hampshire
     • Onnen Koitto [The Dawn of Happiness], West Concord, N.H., Reel 34
   • New York
     • Tähti [Star], New York, N.Y., Reels 57 and 58
   • Ohio
     • Hedelmä [Fruit], Warren, Ohio, Reels 21 and 22
     • Hyvä Tahto [Good Will], Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio, Reel 20
     • Kasvi [Plant], Fairport Harbor, Ohio, Reels 36-38
     • Kunto [Condition], Ashtabula, Ohio, Reel 20 and 21
     • Sovinto [Harmony], Ashtabula, Ohio, Reel 20
     • Suomen Ruusu [The Rose of Finland], Cleveland and Ashtabula, Ohio, Reels 1,2, 20, and 56
     • Toivon Alku [Beginning of the Hope], Girard, Ohio, Reel 22
     • Toivon Sankari [The Hero of the Hope], Youngstown, Ohio, Reels 2 and 3
     • Uuudenvuoden Lahja [The Gift of the New Year], Lowellville, Ohio, Reel 3
   • Oregon
     • Suomi [Finland], Astoria, Oregon, Reel 38
   • Pennsylvania
     • Laakson Ruusu [The Rose of the Valley], Ansonville, Penn., Reel 22
     • Pyrintö [Aspiration], Coal Centers, Penn., Reel 32
     • Rauhan Alku [The Beginning of Peace], Monessen, Penn., Reel 32
     • Toivon Liitto [The Alliance of Hope], Monessen, Penn., Reel 34
     • Uusi Toivo [New Hope], New Castle, Penn., Reel 35
     • Vesa [Sprout], Glassport, Penn., Reels 56 and 57
     • Voiton Lippu [The Flag of Victory], Monessen, Penn., Reels 32, 34, 60, and 61
   • West Virginia
     • Elämän Toivo [The Hope of Life], Weirton, West Virginia, Reel 63
     • Tähti [Star], Clarksburg, West Virginia, Reel 63
   • Wisconsin
     • Kalevan Miekka [The Sword of Kaleva], Montreal, Wisc., Reel 35
4. Other Organizations
   • The Accident, Illness and Burial Relief Society of Monessen, Penn., Reel 3
   • The Archive of the Finnish-American Historical Society of Mich. (Detroit, Mich.), Reel 23
   • The Archive of the Historical Museum in Kaleva, Mich., Reels 23-26
   • The Archive of Mr. Alex Kyyhkynen (Duluth, Minnesota), the former Honorary Consul of Finland, Reels 30 and 31
   • The Archives of Rev. Arvi Henri Saarisuu (Crystal Falls, Mich.), Reel 5
   • Athletic Club Oma Voima [Self Power], Monessen, Pa., Reel 22
   • The Illness Aid Organization of Monessen, Penn., Reel 55
   • The Finnish-American Historical Society of Iron County, Mich., Reel 62
   • Finnish-Athletic Club Tarmo ja Huima [Energy and Hotspur] South Range, Mich., Reel 71
   • Finnish Club of Quincy, Mass., Reel 43
   • Finnish Illness and Accident Aid Association (Hancock, Mich.), Reel 76
   • Finnish Lutheran Publishing Company (Hancock, Mich.), Reel 100
   • The Finnish National Committee of De Kalb, Illinois, Reel 70
   • Help Finland Committee of Troy, N.H., Reel 77
   • Help Finland Materials (to help Finland during the Second World War), Reel 70, 72
   • Help Finland Materials from Mich. (during the Second World War), Reels 54 and 55
   • Kalevan Ritarit [The Knights of Kaleva], Fitchburg, Mass., Reel 48
   • Kansanvalistusseura [Popular Educational Society], Calumet, Mich., Reel 97
   • Lännen Lähtysliitto [The Mission League of the West], Astoria, Oregon, Reel 62
   • Materials on Suomi College, Hancock, Mich., Reel 97
   • Musical Society Sibelius Club (Monessen, Penn.), Reel 22

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Finnish Americans -- Michigan.
Finnish Americans.
Labor movement -- United States.
Labor unions -- United States.
Registers of births, etc. -- Michigan.
Temperance -- United States.
Immigrants -- United States.

Places:

Amasa (Mich.) -- Church history.
Baraga (Mich.)
Calumet (Mich.)
Chassell (Mich.)
Coburntown (Mich.)
Covington (Mich.) -- Church history.
Crystal Falls (Mich.) -- Church history.
Elo (Mich.) -- Church history.
Grand Marais (Mich.) -- Church history.
Gwinn (Mich.) -- Church history.
Hancock (Mich.) -- Church history.
Iron County (Mich.)
Iron Mountain (Mich.)
Ironwood (Mich.) -- Church history.
L'Anse (Mich.) -- Church history.
Laird (Mich.) -- Church history.
Marquette County (Mich.)
Metropolitan (Mich.) -- Church history.
Munising (Mich.) -- Church history.
National Mine (Mich.) -- Church history.
Negaunee (Mich.)
Newberry (Mich.) -- Church history.
Nisula (Mich.) -- Church history.
Norway (Mich.) -- Church history.
Oskar (Mich.)
Palmer (Mich.) -- Church history.
Pelkie (Mich.) -- Church history.
Pequaming (Mich.) -- Church history.
Princeton (Mich.) -- Church history.
Ramsay (Mich.) -- Church history.
Redridge (Mich.)
Rockland (Mich.)
Rudyard (Mich.)
Sault Sainte Marie (Mich.) -- Church history.
Shafer (Mich.)
Stambaugh (Mich.) -- Church history.
Suomi (Mich.) -- Church history.
Tamarack (Mich.)
Toivola (Mich.)
Trout Creek (Mich.)
Wakefield (Mich.) -- Church history.
Winona (Mich.)
United States -- Emigration and immigration.
Finland -- Emigration and immigration.