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Huguenot Links -- Sweden:

As early as the 1580s, Walloons from Belgium escaped persecution in their home country by immigrating to Sweden where they worked in the iron ore smelters. During the 1400s-1500s, the Walloons had already developed a sophisticated method of processing iron and had established thriving smelters in the area around Meuse, Liege and Namur (Belgium).

The migration of Walloons into Sweden continued into the 1600s with large numbers arriving in the time period between the 1620s and the 1690s.

~ The Walloon Society of Sweden was founded in 1938. Their website is here: http://www.vallon.a.se

Anyone with an interest in or a connection to Walloon history and genealogy can become a member. The aim of the Society is to acknowledge Walloon contributions to the economic and cultural history of Sweden and to support research in this area. It is also interested in maintaining the aspects of Walloon culture still remaining in Sweden.

The Society website includes an on-line forum where people can post questions regarding Walloon genealogy. Postings are in Swedish but almost all Swedes read/write English so anyone can send in a query. There is also information about the Society of the Descendants of the Walloons of Sweden.

A journal, called "Vallonättlingen", is also published four times a year. It contains articles about Walloon history, genealogy, culture, Society activities, etc.

For a list of some of the Walloon surnames found in Sweden, please go to the HWE list archives to view a post sent by an subscriber on 20 Apr 2000. The subject line of that post is Walloon Society of Sweden. Please click here to gain access to the: List archives.

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