June 3–19, 2017 · Sweden & Norway

Sweden 2017

A family journey back to our Swedish roots

In the summer of 2017, our family traveled to Sweden together for the first time. The trip was especially meaningful because Sweden was the birthplace of my grandmother, Margit Vanja (Bengtsson) Steele. Seven of us made the journey: Bret and Michelle with Cora, Neva, and David; my mother Margaret “Peggy” Blackford; and my sister Sheri “Booi” Blackford.

Explore the full 2017 journal Browse photos

Why this trip mattered

Our family roots in Värmland

Margit Vanja Bengtsson was born in 1906 at Stormon, a home outside Forshaga in Värmland. She was the first child of Carl Bengtsson and Agnes Olsson Bengtsson. The family later immigrated to the United States, but the connection to Sweden remained an important part of our family story.

One of the most meaningful moments of the trip was visiting Stormon with Swedish cousins and standing in the house where Margit was born. Peggy brought a photograph of her mother back into the original kitchen.

Explore the Bengtsson family history →

Church connected with Carl Bengtsson and Agnes Olsson

June 3–19, 2017

Route & trip stops

Follow the trip chronologically through the detailed 2017 journal.

Map of the 2017 Sweden and Norway travel route

Jun 3–4
Travel & Arrival
St. Louis → Chicago → Amsterdam → Stockholm, then train and T-Bana to Hagsätra.
Jun 5–9
Stockholm
Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace, Skansen, the Vasa Museum, Storkyrkan and Drottningholm.
Jun 9
E18 Loppet · Karlstad
Bret, Cora and Neva ran the 6.5 km E18 Loppet before continuing to Forshaga.
Jun 9–13
Forshaga
Family, fika, countryside, Swedish cousins, and a rental home near the woods.
Jun 10
Stormon
Visit to the birth-home of Margit Vanja (Bengtsson) Steele.
Jun 13
Tanum Rock Carvings
Stop at the UNESCO World Heritage rock-carving area near Tanumshede.
Jun 13–15
Oslo, Norway
Oslo waterfront, museums at Bygdøy, the National Gallery and family exploring.
Jun 15–18
Mora & Rättvik
Dalarna, Dala horse workshops, Rättvik, the lake, fika and outdoor adventures.
Jun 18
Sigtuna
The final sightseeing stop before returning to Arlanda for the trip home.