May I have this Dance? The story of Ulla & Arne Ganstal’s 43-year adventure from Stockholm, Sweden to Vancouver

Before provincial healthcare, Workers’ Compensation, and Employment Insurance provided relief from illness or accidents, which was especially prevalent among BC’s dangerous manual labour occupations — there was Svea. Svea operated as a sick benefit organization (including accidents and illness), which also helped with funeral costs, and donations to needy Swedes. Active during the years 1908-1968,…

Ernst Harald Larsson was born in Flädie, located between Malmö and Lund, on October 15,1881. His parents bought a house and a general store in Lunnarp, and that is where he grew up and went to school. Lunnarp is a village just north of Ystad on the south coast of Sweden. Ernst was strongheaded and…

My father, Harold Swanson, was born in the family home in Spånga, Hanaskog, Sweden on September 16, 1899. His father had a sawmill business. Eventually the family moved to Agnesberg, also in Hanaskog. His father set up an oak flooring business and raised show horses there. My dad graduated from Malmö Tekniska Läroverk which helped…

Carl Sidoff Gustafson was born in Hinneryd, Småland on August 22, 1874. His father was a farmer and cattle trader. Carl stayed on the farm until he was 18 years old, when he emigrated to America. He arrived in Chicago in March 1893 and immediately secured work at the world exhibition buildings. Carl stayed in…

Edwin Albert Alm was born in Bjärme, Jämtland February 9, 1888. His father was a professional soldier, and the family was quite poor. Edwin learned to work hard early in his life. He did well at school and after confirmation, his father and the minister of the local church decided that Edwin should study to…