Genealogy Articles

by Joelle Steele

The following are a few of my 100+ published genealogy articles, several about my Swedish-Finn ancestors in Terjärv, Finland. There's also an article about me and my digital photo restoration services. You might want to read my genealogy advice column too. And, I have written a few books on genealogy topics. I also provide genealogy services and teach genealogy classes too.

GENEALOGY AND GENETICS

Haplogroups-Your Earliest Origins: If you're researching your genealogy, you can gain greater understanding of your origins through DNA haplogroups.

DNA Test Results Compared: There are many labs performing DNA profiles for consumers interested in discovering their genetic backgrounds.

Genealogy and Genetics: The difference between Genealogy and DNA, and how when combined they tell us who we really are. Also a look at sibling DNA.

Genealogy Versus Genetics: One of the biggest stumbling blocks in family research is discovering the differences between genealogy (nationality) and genetics (biology).

Understanding Kinship: Are you second cousins, half-cousins, third cousins twice removed? Which is which?

When Cousins Marry: Intermarriage in families was once common and resulted in infertility, frequent miscarriage, still births, high infant mortality, deformity, and inherited diseases caused by recessive genes.

Schnyder's Corneal Dystrophy: Learn about this little-known disease that affects people of Swedish-Finn ancestry as well as those of other ethnicities.

Vital Statistics Documents Are Important: Always start your family research with your birth certificate, and the birth certificates of your parents and grand-parents.

Avoid Online Ancestry Research Problems: No genealogical website is 100% accurate, so always visit several to be sure you have the right information.

SWEDISH-FINN STORIES

What Happened to Victor Bredbacka?: Viktor went missing sometime after 1904, turned up in 1918 and again in 1928. But what happened to him after that? And when and where did he die?

Ray Milton Dolby: Multiple award-winning inventor, best known for his Dolby Noise Reduction System and Dolby Digital Surround Sound.

Johan Ludvig Runeberg: An influential Swedish-Finn writer, best known for the lyrics to the (unofficial) Finnish National Anthem, "Our Land."

Matt Karlsson Forsbacka Forström: A hardworking landowner in Rochester, Washington who died a very sad death at Western State Hospital.

Tapio Wirkkala: One of the most decorated artist/designers in Finland.

Father and Daughter Forstroms: Swedish-Finn Cpl. Adrian Forstrom and his daughter Lt. Col. Donna Mae Forstrom served as support personnel for the fighting troops.

Swedish Finns – Living Well and Living Longer: Researchers have determined that Swedish Finns use social capital to stay healthier and live longer and productive lives.

Matts Johansson Torp Svartsjö: (08/16/1674-08/01/1759): One of many famous Swedish Finns and the 3x great-grandfather of Finnish National Poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg.

Frans Uno Fagernäs: The General from Terjärv, Uno was a distinguished Swedish-Finn military officer in several wars ranging from World War I through World War II.

Forstrom Family Tragedy: Arvid Forstrom Dies in Train Accident: Swedish Finn Arvid Forstrom was killed when his milk truck was struck by the northbound Seattle train in Centralia, Washington in August 1917.