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Why is Barkeryd, Sweden important to Texans? Print

Barkeryd, Sweden is a small parish near Nässjö in Småland. The church is a beautiful rose color and can hold as many as 450 people. This small parish had half of the population emigrate to Texas between 1836 and 1927. The conditions were bad and the opportunity of settling in America was given to the people of Barkeryd. Around 1867 many young people left Barkeryd and S.M. Swenson and Svante Palm paid for their passage to come to work for them in Texas. Texas was a new place where workers were needed to help on the farms. The immigrants worked off their passage in about 2 years. After the debt was paid off they were free to live and work for themselves.

In honor of the large number of immigrants to Texas from Barkeryd, the people of Barkeryd were proclaimed honorary citizens of Texas on May 27, 1975 by Gov. Dolph Briscoe.

There are many Swedish communities around Central Texas which were settled by the Barkeryd immigrants. Some of them are New Sweden, Hutto, Lund, Austin, Manor, Govalle, Palm Valley, Round Rock, Georgetown and many more. The Swedish settlers made a real mark in Texas' history; many important people were of Swedish decent. Today you can travel in Central Texas and see the many beautiful churches and landmarks that Swedes helped make. Be proud of your Swedish heritage. Travel to Sweden and find out where your roots came from!