History of the Finns in Michigan (Great Lakes Books)

Michigan's Upper Peninsula was a major destination for Finns during the peak years of migration in the nineteenth century and the early decades of the twentieth century. Several Upper Peninsula communities had large Finnish populations and Finnish churches, lodges, cooperative stores, and temperance societies. Ishpeming and Hancock, especially, were important nationally as Finnish cultural centers. Originally published in Finnish in 1967 by Armas K. E. Holmio, History of the Finns in Michigan, translated into English by Ellen M. Ryynanen, brings the story of the contribution of Finnish immigrants into the mainstream of Michigan history. Holmio combines firsthand experience and personal contact with the first generation of Finnish immigrants with research in Finnish-language sources to create an important and compelling story of an immigrant group and its role in the development of Michigan. Michigan's Upper Peninsula Was A Major Destination For Finns During The Peak Years Of Migration In The Nineteenth Century And The Early Decades Of The Twentieth Century. The Origin Of The Finns -- Early Emigration From Finland -- More Recent Emigration From Finland -- The First Finn In Michigan -- The Copper Country -- Gogebic County -- Marquette, Dickinson, And Iron Counties -- The Eastern Counties Of The Upper Peninsula -- Lower Michigan -- Churches -- The Rise And Decline Of The Temperance Movement -- The Rise And Decline Of The Labor Movement -- The Knights And Ladies Of Kaleva -- The Cooperative Movement -- Cultural And Educational Achievements -- The Swedish Finns In Michigan -- Finland And The Finns Of Michigan -- From What Parishes Did They Come? Armas K.e. Holmio ; Translated By Ellen M. Ryynanen. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 451-483) And Index. Originally published in Finnish in 1967, this text brings the story of the contribution of Finnish immigrants into the mainstream of Michigan history. Firsthand experiences are combined with research in Finnish language sources to create the story of an immigrant group in Michigan's development.