PUBLICATION, ACCESS AND PRESERVATIONOF SCANDINAVIAN IMMIGRANT PRESSIN NORTH AMERICA

摘要

The 19 th century brought more than two and a half million immigrants from the Nordic countries to North America. Whether due to political upheaval, population explosion, famine, individuals or communities seeking religious freedom, or simply enterprise, the Scandinavian emigrants traveling westward had a measurable impact on the settlement and development of both the United States and Canada. These highly-literate populations developed a social infrastructure that was both true to their traditional heritage as well as uniquely "American." Communities established religious and social institutions that promoted linguistic and cultural heritage. Thousands of vernacular and hybrid newspapers were founded by local communities, with some of the larger titles becoming de facto national newspapers for the immigrant population. This paper will explore the publication of ethnic Scandinavian newspapers published in the Midwestern region of the United States and the western Canadian provinces and territories from the mid-19 th to the early-20 th centuries. Drawing on examples of press held extensively by the Center for Research Libraries (based in Chicago, Illinois, a hub of immigrant expansion), the authors will describe the type and context of news publications, their reflection of (and impact on) the settled communities, and their collection and retention status by research institutions and other cultural organizations.