Throughout recorded history, Sweden, like other European countries, has suffered from epidemics caused by infectious diseases.  Most notable were the Black Death (i.e. Bubonic Plague or Digerdöden in Swedish) in the 1300s and smallpox in the 1700s.  BBy the first part of the 19th century, a new disease began to wreak havoc in the civilized world.  Cholera (Koera) epidemics first appeared about 1817 in India but quickly spread though Asia and Europe.  Learn about how it affected Sweden.

Mike Swanson has worked as an archivist in the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections since August 2008. Among many accomplishments, Swanson helped build the Arne G. Brekke Bygdebok Collection into one of the world’s premier sources of Norwegian genealogical information. He is a participant and leader at the annual Augustana’s Swenson Center (SAG) Workshop in Salt Lake City, Utah.
A native of Illinois, Swanson arrived at UND following graduation from the University of Michigan with a Masters of Science in Information degree. At UND, he has worked tirelessly to assist patrons, while also preserving important historical resources regarding UND, the state of North Dakota, and the Great Plains. Swanson is a sought-after speaker regarding family history and has presented at numerous genealogy conferences and workshops.