#ancestry #findingyourroots #ancestrydna #dnatest #finns #finland #swedes #familyhistory #genealogy #courtcases
In the compelling narrative of Finnish immigrants, the court case of John Svan stands as a pivotal moment in their quest for whiteness in America. In 1908, Svan's application for naturalized citizenship was initially rejected, as Finnish immigrants were deemed "mongols" and "yellow," and "China Swedes" rendering them ineligible. However, a state supreme court judge offered a remarkable perspective, acknowledging that while the Finns may have had Mongolian origins, their adaptation to the harsh, Northern climate and historical assimilation had turned them into one of "the whitest people in Europe." This significant ruling allowed John Svan and other Finnish immigrants to be recognized as white, affording them the protective benefits and legitimacy of U.S. citizenship, in an era where notions of whiteness were deeply entwined with societal power and acceptance.Who counts as "white" ?
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SOURCES AND REFERENCES:
Court Opinion:
http://www.historymuseumeot.com/mfahs...
http://www.historymuseumeot.com/mfahs...
Finnish Folk Song:
Library of Congress Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, DC USA 205404610 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/folklife.home
Digital Id
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/afc1940001...
The documentary series "Finding Lola" is done, but is the journey over?
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Come join me on a new docuseries that explores identity, racial tensions in the South during the 20th century, and the unique experiences of those who historically called Louisiana home.
My name is Danielle Romero, and all my life, I have romanticized Louisiana.
Growing up in New York, it represented a place where I could step back the sepiatoned life of my great grandmother, Lola Perot, who died before I was born.
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