INTERMARRMGE BETWEEN TWO
DEVERGENT ETHNIC GROUPS AS AN ENDEX

OF ASS!MILATION

Theda for fire Dogm cf PS1. D.
MICHIGAN STA‘EE CQLLZGE
Michael E. Keiévasky
1953

[’1
(

 

i v-
‘ , _,,
, _ _

’. Willi“ \mmnmxxmxw it.

19587 2100

___,.’r** "’ ‘
”1*

,l—r

This in to certify that the
thesis entitled

"Intermarriage Between Two Divergent Ethnic
Groups as an Index of Assimilation"

presented by
Michael Edward Kolivoslw
has been accepted towards fulfillment

of the requirements for

Ph.D. degree in Sociology

Major proieuoé '5

D.tc Mar Ch 1 1

0-169

 

 

 

 

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GB BETWEEN TWO DIVFRGENT ETHNIC GROUPS
ASAN INDEX OF ASSEIIWI‘ION

. _ By
-. ‘ ”vb
Michael E’} Kolivosky

81 fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

DIETOR OF PHILOSJPHI

‘7‘ i’. of Sociology and Anthropology

   
  
  
   
 
 

 

(B BETWEEN TWO DIVERGENT ETHNIC GROUPS
AS AN INDEX OF ASSIMEATION

. By
. ( L

AW“
Michael E. Kolivosky

to the School of Graduate Studies of Michigan

teenage of Agriculture and Applied Science
Artie]. 111211131th of the requirements

for the degree of

 
     
   
 
   

DNTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

 
 
 
  
        
    
  
  
 
 
 
  
   
  
 
   
   
   
   
    
    

Michael E. Kolivosky

~
0

. THESIS ABSTRACT
)

9n

' “(This is a case study of interethnic assimilation, with primary focus
“intermarriage, between Slovaks and Swedes in Grassflat, a rural non-

, me in central Pennsylvania,- The particular value of this i

study,in terms of its purpose, lies in the discovery of w ways by

“iii two divergent ethnic groups participated in an assimilative process

finish they had been engaged for more than six decades.

T "‘1'. The major portion of data was gathered by individual interviews,

Nf’mtio‘nnbire, and tape-recorded interviews with selected groups of Slovak

.flk‘efiudiah residents of the first, second, and third generations . ./ ‘ i
‘7: Emu diaries, church records, lodgers of local organizations, corres- $3.,
g M with selected residents, and a survey (census) of the community :3“,
7 mmmflbourcee oi' information. Only a Limited number of docu- l,

141nm: were available, and they wereconsulted. In short, the l E

”ufmmre very largely field, rather than documentary. Almost
Wig! were gathered by the writer who worked as a participant ‘ .
Wty which was studied. 1

m1 ation of Grassflat was 78b. 01' this total: 1‘95 were

  

l; ‘ifl 'other nationalities. (neither Slovak nor Swedish) ,

  

. If; 7 c‘lflsified according to religion, Sid were Catholic,
' flit-minding and 7% claimed to be members or no

 

I-

  
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
  
 
    
     
     
 
     
    
     

Michael E . Kolivosky

l mm and beginning decades or the 20th Centuries. Swedes emigrated
12¢. the vicinity of Dalsland, Sweden, and Slovaks from in or near Presov,
We. Immigration of Swedes antedated that of Slovaks by approxi-

W two decades. Imigration to (h‘assflat was more direct by Slovaks

than Swedes .
'- flhat has happened in the assimilation between Slovaks and Swedes in

i' Q'uaflat can be presented in terms of four major develoPments: First,

1,111,113.11; relative isolation during the first decades, Slovaks and Swedes

‘ otter-enlisted an aocentuation of their respective native cultures by
developing parallel organizations. Second, interethnic assimilation was

1‘ [strongly facilitated by both the public school where they learned a

canon language and experiences which they shared in the coal industry.

of which both Slovak and Swedish miners

 
 

1' ‘. She United Mine Workers Union,

 
 

“m numbers, was also an important agency through which they solved
{m pmblqns. Third, with the nobility of residents, especially Swedes,

amount“: between 1925 and 1935 after the coal mines closed, the

--pcpula’aion became mmericafl-y larger, Swedes began to participate

 
 

V' L,
I .

Willem activities, and residential segregation decreased as Slovaks

mutton- nre developed. Probably most important were clubs
‘ and social organizations which admitted all residents.

 

y

’

"'“3' w‘—......,.-,

Twat-w. ..

aye-'7‘-“ —:,:
“it“c-mizw

f

 

 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  

Michael E . Kolivosky

‘ . 86 “dish halos, and 73 Swedish fanales--indicated that only seven
m . , narrims occurred between 1922 and 1951. All Slovak-
”dish airing“, except one in which a Swedish woman converted to
amnesia, me mind religious marriages. In all seven marriages the

7 n use reared Catholic.

Data supported the following hypotheses regarding Slovak and Swedish
We" in fimflat. One, the factor of religion is more important

precluding intermarriage than other aspects of ethnic background. Two,

   
   
  
  

‘ge’m determines the rate of emogamy of its members, that is, the
‘ '- “den-es of cultural solidarity the lesser the rate of exogany

" .‘ 4115'! m. Ehree, the rate of intermarriage with other religious
‘ " Wm by both Slovaks and Swedes tends to increase with

W to urban areas. Data were inSufficient to support or

A "*:W.“$w ._ .

"aw-11$? at up, A

Mali ‘ ‘
f" I I"

rm». , 1

' - Nee-9mm u g 1.441;:
< 5 "' -
Ta

,.. ..
V». v 1
1 .»
_. ~ ,.

 

 

 

ii

ACKNOWLEDQMTS

  
 
 

. l13km author wishes to express his sincere thanks to Dr. Charles R.

Jloffer and Dr. Lee A. Haak, under whose guidance and supervision and
unfailing interest this investigation was pursued and to whom the results
.;are herewith dddicated.

He is also greatly indebted to Dr. John B. Holland, Dr. Sigmund
n G. Snooker for their valuable assistance in prepara-

lie-ow, and Dr. Orde
$1031 at the questionnaire and other techniques used at the outset of this

montage-bios
Writer deeply appreciates the kind cooperation given him by

‘ reddish!“ or. ' usflact who so willingly shared themselves in many ways.
' yateful to Mrs. Sara London and Mr. Burdett E. Larson,

1's is ups " “
"’guneipals sf ashools in Cooper Township, who administered the question-
finders, tshmnd Michael Tutokie and Reverend Edward Lindgren, pastors
first the sitheite and Lutheran Churches in Grassflat, respectively, for
pm data regarding their parishioners, to Slovak and Swedish
- residents who Wipated in tape-recorded interviews, and officers of

more: lee-1 mmations for data regarding the purpose, activities,

, 9‘ A _ institutions. The writer is grateful to
for transcribing tape-recorded data and to Mrs.

.JQI‘ the typing of this study.

L

    
     
    
  
   
   
  

  

 

VITA

   
   
 
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
     

Michael Edward Kolivoslqr
candidate for the degree of

. a: ‘ Doctor of Philosopkry

v .1, July 23, 1953, 2:00 P. 11., Room 109 Morrill Hall.

:2 i an Index of Assimilation
, . _‘ 6"!

i e . -'. "'V‘.

’1;,..'~"§i§eeuarriage Between Two Divergent Ethnic Groups

5 Major -'-- Sociology
Minor -- Education (Guidance)

 

f? "1., 1917, Qrassflat, Pennsylvania.

Pk
‘ State Teachers College, Lock Haven,
1936510.
~ 7 State Teachers College, Lock Haven, Summer,
,_ .. University, Stunner , 1910; Michigan State

‘ ‘ Teacher, Winburne, Pennsylvania, 19140;

,4 “adios, Secondary School, Winburne, 19111-142;
Mosul Guidance counsellor, Stephens college,
-' h "lseiolog and erative Living (Basic
State College, 191.6446; Instructor in
‘5» Itate Collage, l9h7-Sl; Dean of Man

 

iv

   
  
   
   
  
  
 
 
  
 
  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

,LBFTHELITERATURE.......... ...... .. ....... . ...... .. 11

;.Boner9.1 Rate of Intermarriage Among Urban and Rural
‘4’ atmna..ICOIOIIIII|7...... IIIIIIIIII O IIIIIIIII 0.. ll

..... ........... 18

call Size........ ......... . ............... 20
Background............. .. . ............. 22
‘ undPropinquity of Residence. ...... 2h
one Background 25
«Background 28
Factors 31

I ;‘ incidence Among Certain Swedish and Slovak

but-OIIOIIIIOOOOolIOOIIIOIIolonnue...-Olcoe-I 33 la;

AND SOURCES OF DATA................... LL37

~of” the Participant Observer................. Ht 1 3
'-BtilizedbytheWriter.................... hS - i

with Residents of the Community............ h6 ,

 
      

 
 

, Slovake and Swedes.................. 51a; 1
anunity.............. Si“ ‘
th Selected Residents in the Cmunitf$6

    
   

PAGE

 
 
  
    
   
    
   
 
   

‘§?;fin§hthry'80urces Utilized by the writer................ 58
J“, A

y.

in DESJRIPTION OF COMMUNITY STUDIES................. 61

tion ofPopulation........ ............. 68
31083. Distribution of Population. ......... 76
. es........... ........ ..... 82
limily and Kinship System....................... ..... . 87
_ Institutions.............................. ........ .. 93
Structure 102

:: I'D-I... o a. cue-o0... 150
{-«  we, Social and Political Organizations..... ..... .. 161
fiaoo-aeooeooeon-a-o-nonooooooo-anu-ae-I-nnuuacuo 161'»
I.'”stem-..........OOOIOOCOCOOQIOIIota-alaiatclool 166

:. ...-ICIOIOIIIOICOIOIODIIIOIIIOOOIOCIOIICIIIOIO 168

  
 

, aaimdlation as Expressed by Both First
m "dsmdesIOOCOIOOIIOO.IIQI....I...'.

    

PAGE

  
   
   
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
   
     

g were Favoring Assimilation as Expressed by Both

Second Generation Slovaks and Swedes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
tors Favoring Assimilation as Expressed by Both

“thrd Generation Slovaks and Swedes .. ......... . . 2).;0
...MVidual Interview and Questionnaire Date Relating to
Sissimilation Between Slovaks and Swedes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
l2y................................................... 279

=" (E AS A TEST OF ASSD‘SILATION..................... 283

8titudes of Slovaks and Swedes Toward Inter-m arriage. . . . . 283
" fitsnt of Intermarriage Between 1922 and 1951, Inclusive. .315
(HIVWOI.....IOOOOCOCCOOI.COCO-000.00....COCO-0.0.0.0000: 329

’ ‘mncrs 0F INTEEMRRIACE ...... 333
Wtionsl Factors 33h
_.1*.1Factors.....................................o.c.. LL]-

yaphic Factors 3143
Mwital Patterns 3149

aaiaea-uae-Ouauueenooeoo-......c-o-oauoo-...-anuto. 352
[‘7‘ mcmCLUSIONs..................................... 35h
oooooaooooaoaeoooc...-causecoca-enooonaoe-oaacoao 366

QIIOOCIOOOOIaaaaooaaooo.a.loo-ooaaooooooooooaaooo

 

PAGE

  
    
  
  
  
  
 
   
  

3: asters Favoring Assimilation as Expressed by Both

138600111 Generation Slovaks and Swedes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
. tors Favoring Assimilation as Expressed by Both

’ . ' third Generation Slovaks and Swedes. ............... .. 2&0
individual Interview and Questionnaire Date Relating to

' ; Assimilation Between Slovaks and Swedes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250

DC

- .summanycutococoa-Iconocnooeuo-o-cno...ouoo-ooo-ucoo-Olen.- 279
.‘N‘a'3 CEASA TFSI‘ OF ASSMEATION............ ..... 283

’Wl‘ttitudes of Slovaks and Swedes Toward Intermarriage. . .. .. 283
I.” at of Intermarriage Between 1922 and 1951, Inclusive. .315
:ri‘IVMCOIOOICOCOOOCOIC....IOOOOI'IOOOIGCOOOO:C...-.....I: 329

31"" PROSPECTS OF INTWARRIACE 333

Alfiditional Factors............... ...... 33h
Oriel]. Factors 3hl

......IOOOOCIIOOOoeaooooo-OeIo-oon ......... ...-.... 352

-gid’. '..‘

m CONCLUSIONS..................................... 35h

bfikiclloooo00......IIInull...ooeouoooncoouoonnoeooono 366

‘i‘C;OGOOOOOOUOOIII...-0...IInotion-oocooooooonlonoa 37o

 

 

CHAPTER I

  
 
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  

THE PROBIM AND DHINITION OF TERMS USED

. ‘iege is one of the most crucial tests of the process of
~ ' f‘n, yet it is one of the most neglected areas of sociological
5 In general , there is a lack of information about the rate of
on anong the various ethnic groups in the United States. For
little is known concerning the rate of assimilation of Slovaks
3:9 and the extent to which they intermarry. In the case of the
imaiflly the information about assimilation is very limited.
' end detailed study of the two groups, the Slovaks and the

9. small coumnmuity, and their tendency to intermarry, the

I . THE PROBLEM

mm “L.

the u blan. It is the purpose of this study to show
' ttion between two divergent ethnic groups, Slovaks
at, a rural non-fem community in central Pennsyl-
‘hgsis will be given to the nature and extent of

In. order to show the degree and

  

   
  
   
   
  
   
   
  
  
   
    
     
   
  
 
  
 
  

' 'e'ulturel solidarities (discussed in Chapter V);

. chug. within each ethnic group and (h) the degree and
. *, assimilation (discussed in Chapter IV); (5) the
ijintenerriege in and outside the community of Grassfl-at
:le . mm VII); and (6) an attempt to predict future
Qumu'riege within the community on the basis of present

god in chapter VIII).

 

."‘ ‘ of the stuw . First of all, some question might be
." the use of intermarriage as an index of assimilation.
. , 301111;, however, there are several writers, ,among whom are
- scientists, who indicate that intermarriage is a
q: udnilation. For example, Drachsler pointed out that:

tip {sets of intermarriage offers a reasonably secure
11 to begin excursions into the elusive problem of

, Several reasons would tend to confirm this view.

2, as such, is perhaps the severest test of group

~ viduels who freely pass in marriage from one

'72 I'm‘uuether are not under the spell of an intense
' - OJ. consciousness. Consequently, the greater the
-terrieges, the weaker, broadly speaking, the

ty. Moreover, such a test as this is quantitative.
» Marilee furnish concrete, measurable materi- ‘
such data are as urgently needed as they 2 .

'2 t the stimulus of tree social life complete
,:_ tien is hposeible....e complete mini-
2- dupes-tn. without inter-assuage.“

; end Assimilation. New Iorkx The Hamill-Ia

r at in Social “aniline-J m
.01, July-Her, 1910-1911 2

 

 

   
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  

, ’ is. nude on extensive study of interethnic marriages in
_ K; -

) is not, of course, an absolute test of so-
.meenisetion. . . .Nevertheless, it may be taken for
' f ,M the process or racial and cultural assimilation
% . ‘ lgl'ent is hastened by marriage to a person whose
5”. netive-born....The extent to which people of the

- 1: tom pepulations choosa members of the native-
‘«- as partners in marriage should throw some light on
to which the solidarity of the foreign group is
._ down, and also on the degree to which its members
m eooielly acceptable to the natives.

. : intermarriage, Davie reported that:

     
    
     
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
 
  

It; 4
’ teeter favorable to assimilation that may be mentioned
. In fact, there is an interaction here, one
.... . liming the other. The greater the degree of assimi-
‘ ‘Ile greater the tendency to intermarriage. 0n the
’ ,1ntenuarriage, by increasing the number and intimacy
:_ ' , mane“ a rapid and profound change in sympathies
. {tee and for this reason is greatly conducive to

It” peculiarly intimate a relaionship, inter-
I ‘ a eflefiy realistic index of the social distance
~ gospa and peeples living within a given
2 “to the question of intermarriage as a reliable
.ve process, moves and Moore emphasised that:

. 7' '1?
~ _ aid culture is the key to assimilation. Indeed,

“tremors and Their Children. Garden city,
l 2... 2 ompeny, -.6

. ., 1 j . g" -_at on. New Iorkc The Macmillan Guppy.
or and Nativity restore in Marriage "

 

 

h!?91,becenber, 1939... -. s. 2' .. '

  
  
   
   
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  

“; to lads an extensive study of interethnic marriages in
3 ‘uphesiaed- that:

) is not, of course, an absolute test of so-
causation. . . .Nevertheless, it may be taken for
_ M the process of racial and cultural assimilation
grant is hastened by marriage to a person whose

fie native-born. ...The extent to which people of the
' ‘ - -sk farm populatiOns choose members of the native-
as partners in marriage should throw some light on
' to which the solidarity of the foreign group is
_ . ' den, and also on the degree to which its members
' “some socially acceptable to the natives.3

g. Muted intermarriage as one of the factors favoring assimila-
‘ intermarriage, Davie reported that:

‘j faster favorable to assimilation that may be mentioned

‘ age. In fact, there is an interaction here, one
g, favoring the other. The greater the degree of assimi-
. fie steer the tendency to intermarriage. 0n the
temarriage , by increasing the number and intimacy
produces a rapid and profound change in sympathies
and for this reason is greatly conducive to

 

aye. peculiarly intimate a relationship, inter-
a ”Fm realistic index of the social distance
’ v it re groups and peoples living within a given

'7 1, to the question of intermarriage as a reliable

in process, flows and Moore emphasised that;

7 culture is the key to assimilation. Indeed,
9;". process of acquiring divergent culture traits,

» as; rm and i'heir Children. sax-density,
' .uL-z on. New Iork: The Macmillan Guppy.

“ . t’y 81d Nativity restore in Marriage. " ' ‘ 3
, Mm, December, 1939. 3.. ‘

 

  
 
  
   
 
  
 
    
 
  
   
   
 
   
  
   
  
 
 
  
  

' ' ~- done only through participation. Hence any
ill notes for fuller participation encourages
on. Aw factor which limits or conditions the

.5 M ‘ 61's a-persen or group to the culture of the area
:3?! full and complete assimilation. 6

w Mien referred to intermarriage as 'the final test of

9! the world. In the United States are found representatives

:g'oups. Aw contribution toward a better understanding

7 process should be of value toward a better understanding of

. . 5-2:?“

ety of which they are an integral part.

I01. .W

m in 1920 made one of the most extensive studies of
“the. United States, emphasized that we need more data

‘5?" r
' be gathered 'peacemeel, now for one community, now for
{this nationality, now for the other". 8

“been various ethnic groups in America is a
importance to the student of population
ea» does it control the ethnic make-up of

». m it also provides the most direct and
,j'mch the present and the next generation

‘ "'e Estill Moore, An Introduction 'to Socioleg.
L. > 'm GW' 9 s e 3 e - I
_ " thong Nationality (soups in a Rural Area
_, menu“ of 80 010~~,.1VI, No. 2 (March,

 

     
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
   
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
  

'; me together into a unified social and cultural
1min short, be truly 'Americanized'. 9

2'
J3 1936, Davis emphasized that:

tn inpertance of the subject, practically no facts
prisms in the United States are available. Little
of the extent of the fusion, of the rate at which

’ -. Still loss is known of the biologic effects in the
V cases of intomsrriages, while the subtle interplay
'M nominee of different types of mind and culture has

finest completely eluded the observation of the
» student.

and. Kerrill pointed out that "the national extent of mixed

3' v IL'

illL not known, and such data as we have are derived largely from
3's. '3

ease studies and small samples from urban pOpulation groups. "11

r;emhssized that there are at least five reasons why a know—

_ age is an index of the assimilative process.

3 being so peculiarly intimate a relationship, inter-
' is s. severly realistic index of the social distance
' mun groups and peoples living within a given

is an index of cultural similarities and dis-

int-marriage aids us in building up an under-
ei the structure and functioning of family lifeas
:the selective factor on which it rests customarily.
of personality problems, particularly those of

be beans sfid in recent years of the cultural
" approeeh.

' -snts and Their Children. Washington, D. Ga

   
  
  
   
    
   
   
   
   
 
   
  
 
   
 
  
 
   
  
   
 
     

‘ that:

r

as a figure of speech to describe the assimi-
‘fi‘ the disparate elements in the American population
, ' it into complacency to the extent that very little
w- I“. been given by students to what is the final test
1 1‘ one-intemarriage. This is true sapecially with

' to the various nationality groups within the white
" 4 calmly those from Northern and Central Europe. 3

, Washed wrote 1

‘ 1y support the theory of homogamy, rather than
,but a generalized theory of the precise influence
w and individual factors on the selection of marriage
”an! to be fomulated. This 211‘ an objective for

, to work toward. 1 »

 

m the United States deserve special study with regard to
, their assimilation and rate of intermarriage because past

‘ -~_ to be concerned with Slovaks, may contain significant
or conmsion as to the identity of Slovaks. Drachsler,
~ “I. following nationalities in the former Austro-
I» Jun-1a (Bohemians, Germans, Poles, and Jews) and
innate, Hungarians, and Jews) .15 Yurchak called atten-
761th. ward "Slovak" when he pointed out that in this
“floral! frequently are regarded as synonymous .16
f «later, the terms are .323: synonymous.
;paiited out that statistics concerning the number

ts in Alerioa is uncertain. They mte that

585
4 turd haters in motion of Marriage
all . w,’15:6:l.9-627, October, 1950.

I F. 7 9i
"3 ; Whiting, Indiana: Germ Press,‘-:

LJQ-‘A:;

    

: 43"” 'i' m3 “

' . -5 ‘\
\.._- --,.. -...” , _,.( _
‘1 ~ ' *
. .

  
  
  
       
 
    
     
 
  
  
 
  
  
   
 
     
 
 
   

‘ that:

'ss a figure of speech to describe the assimi-
thn disparate elements in the American population
is into complacency to the extent that very little
has been given by students to what is the final test
_ i 'Or-intemarriage. This is true capacially with

, to the various nationality groups within the white

. eularly those from Northern and Central EurOpe. 3

A". .
: A {Wad wrote:

_ , 11' support the theory of homogamy, rather than
-. , but a generalized theory of the precise influence
j Ind individual factors on the selection of marriage
m to be formulated. This if an objective for
- ” . to work toward .1 ‘

' , LWW United States deserve special study with regard to
A wayr’i‘mtr usuflation and rate of intermarriage because past

‘ i ‘ -; to be concerned with Slovaks, may contain significant
01' confusion as to the identity of Slovaks. Drachsler,
7 ~ the following nationalities in the former Austro-

‘ y autlustria (Bohemians, Germans, Poles, and Jews) and
h, ‘- dunno, Hungarians, and Jews) .15 Yurchak called atten-

' ,

the word “Slovak” when he pointed out that in this

(WW Instantly are regarded as synonymous .16

7 < _ ate in Amrica is_uncertain. They wrote that
&5:_‘ , . (t

\ ‘ Factors in Selection of Kai-rises
’ ‘3 1,158623-627, Octaber, 1950. ‘-

  
  
   
 
 
   

. .s ' ea Slaw, Slavish, Slavic, Slavonianuthe 1910
” _aa‘,ll95 such—-should have been credited to Slovaks."l7
~' 7, of the study the writer has learned that may Slovaks

“3‘ ed thanselves as "Austria-Hungary" upon entering the

‘2‘ f‘ 5,. flthaugh studies of assimilation of different ethnic groups
:2.
, a vary limited number dealt with Slovaks and Swedes as
‘H-Z \ "3

  
  
 
 
 
   
  
 
 
  
       

 

x d in this study were gathered from both field and
MI, pu'ticularly the former. The major portion of data
lfiih writer who served in the capacity of a participant
’i‘vdemnnity which was studied. The main sources of data .

her" individual interviews, tape-recorded inter-

Bmdish newspapers. The writer also studied the

Edward 1., Our Lutheran Chimes
"rem Issue, Hamel Evangelical Lutheran
5' _., 1950. 19 pp.

“ward A. , Our Lutheran Chimes
I ate therein Ohms)-

    
  
  
  
   
  

. The following are posaxible limitations
0

= of the data of this study was obtained from field. sources

i iWOugh the use of attitude questionnaires. Some question might

', for example, as to the reliability of reSponses given to the
I

Pupils enrolled in Grades 7 through 12, particularly the earlier
‘k’
. '4‘

   

’» the Sloveks, and the Swedish people On the other _f

     
 
    
  
   
 
      
 
 

no

'10 -'
w"-

  

, .
‘
|

 

‘ study is that usually found in sociological research.

lr'uing terms are defined because they are used less frequently

03‘

‘ i or. they have been defined in various ways in sociological

, vsubsGQuerrtly become converted to the faith of the other.

Him-1;: . A marriage between a bride and groom one

to be tested in regard to the assimilative process

  
      

  

use Swedish populations which were studied in the

fit, Pennsylvania, my be stated as follows:

,"r' ‘ a! ’ 7 ,
a important in . ‘ ecluding intermarriage than other?

lO

   
 
   
   
   
   

of cultural solidarity within a particular ethnic

" gs extent determines the rate of expgamy of its members.
the degree of cultural solidarity the lesser the rate of
fits-members will be.

frets of intermarriage between Slovaks and Swedes is greater
{‘égpnr and lower economic classes than the middle class.

rate of intermarriage with other religious and nationality

ffth-Blovalcs and Swedes tends to increase with their mobility

10

   
      
     
   
  
    

of cultural solidarity within a particular ethnic
'gs extent determines the rate of exogamy of its members.
the degree of cultural solidarity the lesser the rate of
itsxmembers will be.

‘firata of intermarriage between Slovaks and Swedes is greater
and lower economic classes than the middle class.

'7 . rate of intermarriage with other religious and nationality
-;$6thr810vaks and Swedes tends to increase with their mobility

a.

Mil ru :1. nix-'1'

‘ i s"
“rmm ,

 

CHAPTER II

  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
 

m or THE LITERATURE

Vs‘nost closely related to research under consideration
" ' in terms of: (a) the general rate of intermarriage among
populations, (b) sociological factors related to the
;‘ gt” intermarriage, and (c) a comparison of intermarriage
‘msng tartan Slovak and Swedish pepulations. The results are
' :‘x it! the following paragraphs.
Tbs General Rate of Intermarriage Among
' Urban and Rural Populations
- the following tabulated emery (Table I) of studies
WA} rate of intermarriage among urban populations dur-

. ‘ to. Statistics for urban populations as presented

   
   

V $3.7“ 7‘ .

. w ', are inadequate for determining the rate of

‘ ethnic groups. Where statistics indicate a

CHAPTER II

  
  
   
  
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
    
  
 
   
 
  
  
  

asVstcm'THE LITERATURE

snort closely related to research under consideration
'1 in tents of: (a) the general rate of intermarriage among
.' -~ on populations, (b) sociological factors related to the
-‘r‘; Minimiags, and (c) a comparison of intermarriage

certain Slovak and Swedish populations. The results are

‘21)! General Rate of Intermarriage Among

‘ ‘4 Urban and Rural Populations

. tho following tabulated summery (Table I) of studies
" I1 rate of intermarriage among urban populations dur-

r " ‘0 . Statistics for urban populations as presented
Mowing page indicate that innsrriage, rather than
infill the predominant pattern or the populations studied.
ii", are inadequate for determining the rate of

2 ethnic groups. Where statistics indicate a
'Elntorn-rriogo, it cannot be assumed that each

”g on had contributed a proportionately equal

     

  

£563“ 6‘ r.‘-Lj:3..' elm

12

  
  
 
 
   
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
    

TABLE 1*

"W mums 0F TEE AMOUNT OF El‘HNIC
IITEEIARRIACE IN GENERAL

 

 

.‘v I. Intermarriage Rate

 

_ Period P93; 100 Marriage
“ Is! Haven Conn. 1870 8.80
. _"’ ’ ’ 1900 21; .07
" New York City 1908-1912 moo
“"‘Itoonsockot, R. I. 1926 21.20
q“"13oi-on, Conn. 1929-1930 30.85
~ y in Haven, Conn. 1930 311.20
Why,com.19h0 25.9h
Iew Haven, Conn. 19140 ' 36.36
191:3 31.75

 

m, and Poles, inter-am with British-

‘74 i ‘-~ '.

.....

 

13

   
 
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
   
  
 
  

Iithin each of these two major groups was studied,
‘ ”interim-gs was found to be considerably higher.
,, « "81, who studied the New Haven population in 19118, concluded
‘ ‘.~ 2 111311111 a religious group has been a very potent factor in
‘. the late selection process in both the parental and the pres-
} n, but it was stronger a generation ago than it is now."3
..1. 0 marriage rate among 271 Catholics was 151 to 120 inter-

Ths intraethnic marriage rate among 61 Protestants

 

. 5,9610 interethnic marriages. Among the 66 Jewish couples no inter-
“amines took place. These data seem to support Kennedy's 'Triple
. M, theory that interethnic marriages take place frequently,
‘ _ marriages take place within the same religious group. As
‘ . finalized, 'Kennedy's and our data show that we are going

‘ ggtl boiling merrily side by side with little fusion between

-- that:

' 7 non of amalgamation in the broadest way, nanely,
' _ non; persons of different generations (referring

~ and 'pmntego group"), the first atrildng fact that
r' finest three-fourths of the intermarriages, both
In: “on take place between persons of the same
it, the first generation tands to intemaz-ry
”955.com with the second."

 

 

 
   
 
   
  

 

Barron concluded in his study of the Derby population that "in-

misge practice of the people of various foreign and American Gemmuni-
ties, including Derby, demonstrates that generally in our time it is in
the nor-es to innerry racially, religiously, and ethnically."6 Less than
one-third of the Derby population intermarried during the period 1929-
1930, and little more than one-fourth of the population intermarried in
19110.7

Among the studies of rural populations, that of Brunner deserved
mar consideration. Brunner studied 1111,6143 marriage—license applica-
tion in the states of New York, Wisconsin, and Nebraska for the period
1921-1925. Five ethnic groups were studied in terms of intermarriage
rates. It was found that the Anglo-Saxons ranked first in Nebraska and
Wisconsin, With Scmdinavians ranking first in New York. Germans were
aeofi in Nebraska and Wisconsin and third in New York. The differences
between the rates of 'Teutons" and Scandinavians were very small. "Latins"
rm fourth, and 'Slavs'B ranked fifth in all three states. With the

men of the Anglo-Saxons in Nebraska and New York, and the Scandinav-

{3-2; h; m Iork, intermarriage rates were less than fifty per cent. 9
’ 4“
a“.

Inge“? with Weesel's study of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, 1° Drachsler's

e group was made up overwhelmingly of Poles in New York and
' ‘ ski in the west.

I. Brenner. Imi ant Farmers and Their Children 1920. - . .
"Nicely, Daren & Company, $92 27, p. 8;. .§_ .14.

'.7 “Comparative Rates of Intemarria among Different j *
0&th U. s. I Eugenical News, 15 (1930, pp. 105-107. .

 

‘* a '1)!qu York City,11 Brunner found a tendency for intermarriages
12

.Welith the second and third generations of foreign stock.
“E'WfiM's study of nationality groups in a rural area of Minnesota
. W M) in 19113 indicated a general rate of intermarriage of
$.25 perm marriages. A closer analysis of intermarriage rates
m {considerably higher intermarriage incidence within certain

m as sham in the following data:

Percent 13
0f Intennarri age

m Within Groups
2.31am.» (cox-mam, Swedes, Finns) 71.9
3 next largest (French, Irish, Polish) 57.9
hpfllset (English, Dutch, Norwegian, and

Bohemian 50 .5

n.vu ,7.

W's study of intermarriage in New York State (exclusive of

     

mm Bity) is one of the best sources of intermarriage statistics for

gen; minus ethnic groups. He divided the foreign-born pOpulation

,the Scandinavian countries, Germany, and Canada)

 

 

 

"Because of the decrease in the volume of

W1 ml: 1253 to 197.

Migration, the supply of foreign-born brides and grooms was corres-
Ming]; depleted. Therefore, the foreign-born, in increasing numbers,
fire obliged to turn their eyes and hearts to native-born."1h
During the period 1927-1929 DePorte reported that:
Among foreign-born men, the larger proportion of marriages was
1rith foreign-born women, followed in numerical order by marriages
lith native-born of foreign parentage, native parentage, mixed
parentage. Among foreign-born women, the nativity of their
poms was in the following order: foreign—born, native-born of
native parentage, foreign parentage, mixed parentage. The ma-
Jority of the native-born brides of foreign-born men were of
foreign parentage, while the numerically largest class of nja- 've-
bwn grooms of foreign-born women were of native parentage .
Bossu'd's study, another excellent source for comparing inter-
Im'isg'es of various ethnic groups, especially on the basis of nativity,
I'- sade of 70,000 marriages in New York State (exclusive of New York
“Win 1936. Bossard disclosed that "one half, h8.7%, of all marriages
“Wariqies in that they crossed either a nativity or a nation—
W me, or both.'16 It was interesting to compare the results of
WW with thatwof DePorte. Bossard also divided the foreign-born
Waste Groups A and B similar to those of DePorte. He found

1, consisting of natives of northwestern European countries

      
 

m1“! into the old native stock much more than did the more

- ty," Human Biolo

, 3: 381 , September, 1931.

. 3%., p. 79h.

 

 

, . 1
Witvity marriages. 7 "In l9hl, the tendency toward intermarriage

m e considerable increase, with two-thirds of all foreign-born
We! nerrying grooms of native birth and three-fourths of foreign-
hm male marrying native brides ."18
the extent to which the incidence of ethnic intermarriage varies
up man by Wessel's study of Woonsocket, Rhode Island where of all
Images consummated in the United States in 1926 , only 21 .201 were
' Married ethnically. In regard to the extent of intermarriage accord—
ing“ to generation, Vessel reported that of those marrying in the United
fitting:
12.11 of all first generation individuals have intermarried,
837.91 of all second generation individuals have intermarried,
10.01 of all individuals of native birth of native parentage as
1311 as those who had one'native born parent and one
foreign-born parent have inter-married.
Wield“ reported that “individuals from foreign language groups who
‘ .W in the first generation favor another foreign language group
W flan .53 English speaking youp. Study of foreign-born parents
25W that the British and Irish ranked first in outside marriages,
fimmfi per cent respectively, while French Canadians intermarried

  
  

«L7. 8; Slave, 7. 2; Italians, 7.1; and Jews,1.81."2

’f‘. historical. study of Swedes in Kansas indicated that "in

" ”...-5:

g. a,

 

1?

  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

”ridges .17 I'In 191:1, the tendency toward intermarriage
. "‘ ' . _ able increase, with two-thirds of all foreign-born
‘ We of native birth and three-fourths of foreign-
".71.- marrying native brides ,"18
W to which the incidence of ethnic intermarriage varies
‘ by vessel's study of Hoonsocket, Rhode Island where of all
, commuted in the United States in 1926, only 21.201 were

ethnically. In regard to the extent of intermarriage accord-

, o‘n, weasel reported that of those marrying in the United

”9‘ all first generation individuals have intermarried,
'01 all second generation individuals have intermarried,
, .3111 individuals of native birth of native parentage as
‘ es those who had one native born parent and one
* 1ireign-born parent have intermarried
' imparted that "individuals from foreign language groups who
fly first generation favor another foreign language group ‘
‘ Mien speaking group. Study of foreign-born parents ?

I. ,‘jritish and Irish ranked first in outside marriages,

eel study of Swedes in Kansas indicated that 'in
. _-veo;leny' intermarriage by Swedes was uncommon, but

‘. prettiest! by the newer generation of Swedes . .. .

 

N- 0‘!in heritage of Sweden among these people is rapidly disappear-

'hl. fie language has already almost disappeared. Intermarriage with
me!) people is rapidly making the third generation of mixed
that ..21

Minion provided by Truxal and Merrill give an idea of the ex-
” of intermarriage hetween native-born and foreign-born which might
take place in the future. They reported that:

'fi 1920, the foreign-born numbered 114.5 per cent of the popu-
lition; by 1930, this percentage has declined to 12 7; in 1910,
it had shrunk to 9. 7. Barring any large-scale immigration,
the National Resources Planning Board estimates the number
will be less than 5% in 1960 and only 1% by 1980. The virtual
mention of immigration for almost two decades had obviously
dried up this source of new population, eSpecially those in the
marriageable age group. The foreign-born population is an ag-
ing coup, rapidly becoming grandparents and watching their
Whildren become assimilated into American culture. 2

'm. In terms of the research data presented for urban and
.l."‘ ’ '
w'mflmona, the following general conclusions, were drawn:
' 'L'J '
III-23.1., rather than intermarriage, is still in the mores of popula—
., . x. .'

.fiwm reported. In general, however, the rate of intermarriage
"-73" 3‘ “5""

  
   
   
 

Inhomarriage incidence tends to increase with the second

I, and central European nationalities than anong eastern

'glfl‘Opem nationalities .

,Juii, 1932.
and Francis E. Merrill, 92. 3%., p. 612.

v

 

 

 

 

Studies Dealing with Sociological Factors
Related to Intemarriage Incidence

Ilse sociological concept of multiple causation is useful in explain-
{:3th plane of intermarriage incidence. No one cause consistently
leads to intermarriage. Causes affecting intermarriage always are a re—
Cult of a combination of factors which are closely interrelated and
interacting. Hence, studies of factors directly or indirectly related
2! intermarriage were analyzed in tents of the following: (a) sex ratio,
(1)) numerical size, (c) ethnic background, (d) length of residence and
Wty, (e) religious background, (f) economic background, and

. (0' other factors .

i . .m. It is commonly believed that a diSproportional sex
m'uthin an ethnic group inevitably leads to intermarriage. Evidence

.. Mb in support of and against this theory is available, however, Support

)Hvi-

it this theory was provided by Barron and Rosenquist. Barron found that

no -.
es the recent :hmnigrant groups in Derby with a 2preponderance of

    
 
  
   
  

2h

Barron
:the observations of a Baptist minister in Shelton (neighbor-

~' “3 Barby) who revealed that women outnumbered the men in

92. cit., p. 265. «*J
Carl M. Rosenquist, "Linguistic Chmges in .. }

,1 ”critic Swedes of Texas, " Sociolog and Social :3
m§.,:1932,Vo1. XVI, p. 223.19.1';
kin} I

W“)

20

   
  
  
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
 
 
   
 
 
  
   
  
 

‘ Meets that a disproportional sex ratio alone does
:2. ’ age were made by Drachsler, Silcox and Fisher,
r‘ reported that:

7. fit factor of sex ration alone determined intermarriage,
wm11d have no occasion to intermarry at all.
firet generation of Austrian Poles, Slovaks, Irish,
fliers, French, Norwegians, and Swedes has had a pre-
‘ a: Herriageable men over women, the pro ortion of
Sage by women in those groups was higher.

a . have shown that despite the fact that in Canada, exclud-

 

;_ wilt» period 1921-1930, there were more Catholic males than
" thin-enemas women intermarried than Catholic men.27 Barron

7 exit: ratio in a group predominantly male or female does

. to the excessively numerous sex intermarrying more fre-

- ‘ether lax. He found this to be the case in a British

-, Briefly stated, the theory of'numerical size is

a m groups must of necessity intermarry. This inter-

incidence was expressed by Anderson, Nelson,
1: interpreted the incidence of Italian intemarriage
‘ . .preetioel necessity, since they were few in number."29
'5‘»; ‘, _ ' '

interpretation for American Indian intermarriages

" *9, pp. 111M112
- . “ ,. 3-,. Fisher, Catholics Jews and Protestants,
.. 7- re, 193a,]; Hm . . ,
~~fle’ P. 251e

:7 51mm;

 

21

 
   
   
  
   
 
   
 
  
  
   
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

" ' " -. 39 lielson reported intermarriage rates were higher where
..‘ e, and Finns were minorities .31 Adams maintained that:

. in a oommmity of as yeat homogeneity as can be found,
fibre divided into three alphabetic groups, one with

. sent of the population, one with thirty, and one with
Q" "" sent, one wuld find that the rates of in-group marriage
. m directly with the size of the group. Assuming that
. -. tioal grouping involved no preference factor and that
. e groups were normal in their age-sex ratios and other—
‘ , one would expect that, in the 60 per cent group about sixty
fiat of the men would marry women of their own group simply 32
60 per cent of all the women would be of that group, etc.

_ 3",, on the other hand, reported that Jews, relatively small in
rI‘in Derby and elsewhere, would be expected to inter-marry at
' 7,. Hal-sported:

,they have one of the lowest intermarriage rates of all
' {he to the overwhelming influence upon themselves and ‘
egfif many other factors, mostly cultural, which inhibit

.;' a a". 3

A a reported:

, mm. correlation existed between intermarriage
' lag. size of group, both ethnic and religious, and a
. ortion with respect to breadth of selection and size.
‘_ ms ranked anong the groups lowest in intermarriage
" ‘1‘. in breadth of selection. Conversely, the
~" ranked among the groups highest in intermarriage
~ t in selection.3

:1 o. 'Intemarriage in Los Angelos, 19211-33"
or. sociolo . , March, 1912, Vol XLVII, p 695.
' age Among Nationality Groups in a Rural

mam Journal of Sociolog, March, 19h3,

tit" p. 2711, citing Rename Adana. Eter-
, Inform The Hamfll'an- Company 937,

 

huhslcr's interpretation goes beyond the mere consideration of

Noel size. He claimed that:

If fusion goes on in the bigger city, than a fortiori, it will
go on in the smaller place. All that is known of commmity life

. in minor centers and in rural districts tends to confirm this
flow. The more intimate contact with the much smaller native
population, the heightened economic ability to marry, due to a
less severe competition in earning a living, the lack of stimuli
for a you}; consciousness (such as a large massing of the foreign
born, the presence of intensely nationalistic leaders, the exis-
tence of communal institutions such as the press, the theatre,
and special social welfare agencies meeting the needs of the im-
miy'snts apart from the general community) all these strongly
suggest such an Opinion, until evidence is presented to the
contrary.

Ethnic backggund. One of the major conclusions drawn from studies

thus far presented was that there is a great tendency toward intra-
mtionllity marriages. It was found that intra-nationality marriages
use particularly characteristic of earlier generations.
‘ Renard” and DePorte37 reported the tendency of certain southern
‘1 central European nationalities to intramarry rather than intermarry
:% native old stock.

mug-head” and Kennedy39 reported a high rate of intra-

my‘ Wings: in New Haven, Connecticut.

 

 
    
  
 
   
 
  

1 m1“, 22. c_:l_._t., pp. 273-271;.

' 1M 8: Ward. "Nationality and Nativity Factors in Marriage, "
, . cal Review, h (Dec., 1939), p. 796 ,

" Irriage in the State of New York, with Special

_ 12‘. mm”; Hman Biology, Vol. III, 1931, p. 389

 

. "-2: head, 0 turel Factors in the Selection of

. - ,' American Sociological Review, Oct., 1950,Vol.15,
‘ I" :Iennedy. |'Single or Triple Melting-Pot? Inter-
In New Haven 1870-19110 ," American Journal of
,ifJenuary, 191$), p. 332.

 

 

Bosslrd's study of 70 ,000 New Yorkers indicated:

A narloed tendency for the native—born whites of native—born
parents to marry among themselves. The percentages were 72.7
and 70.1 for men and women, reapectively. . . .The native-born of
foreign parentage tend to marry among themselves with percent-
ages ’of 50.1; and 119 .O.. . .About one third of foreign-born men and
almost half of oreign-born women, married within their own
nativity class. 0

Barron pointedout that even in cases'of the ethnically inter-
nerried, nationalities of northern and western EurOpe on the one hand,
and southern and eastern European on the other, selected mates whose

: llropean countries of origin or descent were located in the same area
as their own.h1 ‘

81100: and Fisher emphasized that in intermarriage a common language
is very important. Frequently intermarriage does not occur among ethnic

Groups isolated from potential marital selections due to their inability

to speak a comon languageh2

Drsohsler emphasized that the rate of inmarriage depends upon the
intent of forces which promote ethnic solidarity and integration.

forces tending to strengthen immigrant community life (are):
l. Geographic massing of immigrant populatiOn.
2.8tinu1us by intensely nationalistic leaders, aided by crises
, _ in the fortunes of either the group in America or of the
:, parent-grow in the home-land.
.72.} Presence of numerous types of communal organizations minister-
‘ dig to the economic, educational and moral needs of the im-
:. L‘~figranta.
.:_' ,- ‘ ‘ ‘5. Mccnsl affiliation with communal enterprises.
« ‘5 Kg 3lil'flflfllssion, through systematic education, of the cultural
' ,_ . teas of the group to the growing youth.
Mons attempts by the thinkers of the grou 3to formulate

 

   
  

financed, 32. c_it., p. 79h.
f, 93. c__i_t., p. —278.
' end Golenu. Fisher, 22. Lit” pp. 219-250.
,Dauocrfl and Assimilation, pp. 118-119._ _

 

  
  

 

23

Bosssrd's study of 70 ,000 New Yorkers indicated:

A nsrlmd tendency for the native-born whites of native-born
parents to marry among themselves. The percentages were 72.7
and 70 .1 for men and women, respectively. . . .The native-born of
foreign parentage tend to marry among themselves with percent—
ages of 50.14 and 16.0.. ..About one third of foreign-born men and
almost half of oreign-born women, married within their own
nativity class . 0

Barron pointed out that even in cases‘of the ethnically inter—
Ierried, nationalities of northern and western Europe on the one hand,
and southern and eastern European on the other, selected mates whose

Imps-n countries of origin or descent were located in the sane area

hl

on their am.
81100: and Fisher emphasized that in intermarriage a common language
is very important. Frequently intermarriage does not occur among ethnic

groups isolated from potential marital selections due to their inability

to speak a common language.Ll2

Drenheler emphasized that the rate of inmarriage depends upon the

q

fittest of forces which promote ethnic solidarity and integration.

Forces tending to strengthen immigrant community life (are):
I. Geogrqmic massing of immigrant population.
.S‘tinnlus by intensely nationalistic leaders, aided by crises
in the fortunes of either the group in America or of the
“‘ parent- group in the home-land
,3. Ireeenee of numerous types of communal organizations minister-
in; to the economic, educational and moral needs of the im-
, , “migrants
h. lereonel .ofliliation with communal enterprises.
'5'. kmission, through systematic education, of the cultural
“.4th of the group to the growing youth.
5. conscious attempts by the thinkers of the grou to formulate
58; .- of map-adjustment to American life.

(w

 

ii. Round, 22- c__it., p. 79h.
fan, 33. Lit” p. _‘.278
, ‘ u and Golan M. Fisher, op. Lit” pp. 2119-250.
‘ 1 : ,Dunocrggy and Assimilation, pp. Jl8-119._ .

As Hollingshead pointed out, religion and ethnicity are not easily
isolatable, and as a result, the reason for the lack of intermarriage

often accredited to the religious factors may be due to ethnic factors.

(Religious background will be discussed on pages 25-28.)

Length and prOpinquitX of residence. Drachsler reported that the

 

frequency of mixed marriages increased in direct prOportion with the
length of the stay in the United States. The longer the period of one's

residence in this country, the longer the period for the process of

M

assimilation.
Barron claimed that:

All other factors being equal, the longer a group‘s residence
and the older its nativity in the United States, the greater
is its incidence of intermarriage. Conversely, he shorter
its period of residence and the youngef its nativity, the
lesser is its intermarriage incidence.‘6

Pihlblad noted that intermarriage was uncommon by Swedes in the

early davs of the colony, but that the new generation practices inter-

h?

marriage quite frequentlv.
Barron found that:

In 1929-1930 in 26.5 per cent of the ethnic inmarriages in Derby,
the premarital residences of both groom and bride were in Derby.

In l9hO in 25.9 per cent of the ethnic inmarrfiages both groom
and bride had premarital residences in Derby. 9

_A.__

hh. August B. Hollingshead, 22a 313., p. 62h.
us. Drachsler, 92. 333., pp. 130-131.
L6. Barron, 32.‘gifi., p. 279.
M. Pihlblad, <33. 3313., p. 3b.
8. Barron, 33. 333., p. 285.
1:9. _I_b_i_<_1‘.., p. 28

Davie and Reeves reported that almost two thirds of all hew.haven

residents getting married in that city in 1931 lived within twenty

50

blocks of each other.

52 '

Other studies by Bossardsl and Roller of pepulations in Philadelphia
and Columbus, Ohio, have shown quite conclusively that the prepinquity
factor was important in selection of marriage mates.

Johnson wrote that:

we are beginning to discover that nationalities grouped them-
selves geographically in the initial years of settlement to a
much greater degree than has been commonly recognized....Such
geOgraphic concentration tends to reinforce cultural isolation
and facilitates the preservation of cultural diversities. In
such rural areas it is quite likely that the assimilative
process would be less active in an urban area, even where com-
parable ethno-geographic concentration occurs;3

Religious background. As has been pointed out earlier, it is diffi-

 

cult to discuss how ethnicity is related to the selection of a marriage
mate apart from religion, because ethnicity and religion often are so
closely related. In studies of the New Haven pOpulation during the period
1870-19h0 by Kennedy and during l9h8 by hollingshead, both reported that
ethnicity within a religious group has been a very important factor in

\

influencing mate selection in both the parental and present generations,

 

50. Maurice R. Davie and Ruby Jo Reeves, "Prepinquity of Residence Before
Marriage," American Journal of SociolOgy, hhz51h, January, 1939.

51. James H. S. Bossard, "Residential Prcpinquity as a Factor in.harriage
Selection," American Journal of Sociology, 38:219, September, 1932.

52. harvin.R. Koller, "hesidential Propinquity of White Mates at Marriage
in Relation to Age and Occupation oflflates, Columbus, Ohio, 1938 and
19b6," American SociolOgical Review, 13: #5, October 1938, p. 61h.

S3. Hildegarde Binder Johnson, "Distribution of the German Pioneer Popu-
lation in Minnesota," Rural Sociology, VI, mo. 1 (March, 19111) ,
pp. 16-3h.

 

 

 

 

m
C ~

but stronger a generation ago than it is new. Kennedy concluded that
"while strict endOgamy is loosening, religious endogamy is persisting
and the future cleavages will be along religious lines rather than
along nationality lines as in the past."5b A similar conclusion was re-
ported by Hollings‘nead.5S

On the other hand, Thomas questioned the "triple melting-pot" theory.
From his study of the pOpulation of the State of Connecticut, he con-
cluded that intermarriage by Catholics occurred much more frequently than
reported by Kennedy and Hollingshead. He egorted that the hew haven
pOpulation was very atypical of the population of Connecticut.56

'With reference to the pOpulation of New York City in 1920, Drachsler
concluded that ethnic intermarriages largely were channeled by religious
barriers. This was particularly true of marriages by nationalities of
southern and central EurOpean countries on the one hand, and northern and
northwestern nationalities of EurOpe on the other.57

Barron's study of Derby, Connecticut, Nelson‘s of'wright County,
hinnesota, and Brunner's of rural pOpulations of New York, Nebraska, and
Wisconsin reported a high rate of ethnic endogamy was attributed in part
of the association of nationality and religion in single nationality

'r‘

churches.5L

 

Sh. Kennedy, 92. 9_i_t_., p. 232.

SS. Hollingshead, 92. 933., p. 62)...

56. John L. Thomas, "The Factor of Religion in the Selection of harriage
hates," American SociOIOgiggl Review, 16:ht8, August, 1951.

5?. Julius Drachsler, gp.‘git., pp. 157-158.

58. Milton L. Barron, pp. 233-: pp. 302-303, citing Lowry helson, "Inter-
marriage among Nationality Groups in a.Rural Area.of Minnesota,"
American Journal of Sociology} march, l9h3, Vol. XLVIIl, p. 590,
Edmund de S. Brunner, Immigrant Farmers and Their Children, new York:
Doubleday'Doran and Co., 1929, pp. CB-Sh.

 

 

 

27

A 99mmon faith was reported as a factor facilitating intermarriage

 

between Spanish and Portuguese in Hawaii by'Ldams, between Irish and
Italians in Boston and New York by Harino, between Irish and French

Canadians in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, by vessel, and between various
59

ethnic groups in Burlington by Anderson. Barron reported that:

In 31.75% of the total number of intermarriages in Derby in,

1929-30 and 19hO which were at the same time religious in-

marriages and in which both mates had premarital residences

in the community, the groom and bride attended the same

hurch .90
Silcox and Fisher found that in horthern cities where the majority of
Catholics differ from Protestants in ethnic stock, degree of education,
and economic status as well as religion, there is comparatively greater
0 d o a o o o I 61

diificulty involved in intermarriage between the two maJor groups.

Landis' study of parent marriages of students enrolled at Michigan
State College revealed that among 305 mixed marriages 113 had tried to
solve conflict by accepting the other's religion. There were 56
Protestants who changed to Catholic, and 57 Catholics who changed to

Protestant. Children followed the religion of the faith adOpted by the

couple in ninty-five per cent of the cases. Landis also reported that

 

 

59. Milton L. Barron, pp. 213-: p. 305, citing Romanzo Idams, Interracial
harriage in Hawaii, New York: The hacmillan C0,, 1937, p. lto, John
H. Mariano, The Italian Contribution to flmerican Democracy, Boston:
The ChristOpher Publishing house, 1921, p. 27, Bessie Bloom Wessel,
An Ethnic Survey of Woonsocket, R. 1., Chicago: The University of
Chicago Press, 1931, p. 1H9, and 51in Inderson, we Americans. A Study
of Cleavage in an American City, Cambridge: harvare bniversity Press,
1935, pp. 200—201.

60. Milton L. Barron, pp. git., p. 302.

6d. Claris E. Silcox and Galen.M. Fisher, Catholics, Jews and Protestants,
Lew York: Harper and Brothers, l93h, pp. 35-35.

 

 

 

 

 

mothcrs assumed the major reSponsibility'for providing religious training
of children in mixed_marriages.
..63 an - ,
Both Landis and Schnepp found that Children 01 mixed marriages
tended to marry those outside their religious group more often than did
children of in-group marriages.

Studies of attitudes toward mixed marriages of religion were made

r" /
69 and Baber.60 Both found that the attitudes of Catholic and

by Landis
Protestant young peOple toward mixed marriages seemed increasingly
tolerant. Parents were reported to be more conservative in their atti-
tudes. Landis found that Protestants were more tolerant of mixed re-

ligious marriages than were Catholics. Baber made no distinction between

the three major religious faiths on this issue.

Economic background. From his study of 10,635 intermarriages,

 

Drachsler concluded that:

...more than two-thirds of the intermarriages among men and over
60% among women take place in the higher economic classes. The
largest number of intermarriages are those between persons who
are neither on the lower nor the higher culture level, but on

the middle or mediocre culture plane. Thus, three-fourths of the
men who intermarry are found in the occupation groups correSpond-
ing to the middle level, namely, in commerce and trade, in manu-
facturing and mechanical pursuits and in personal and domestic
service, while only about 10% are professional men and aoout 12%

 

62. Judson T. Landis and.hary G. Landis, Building a Successful harriagc,
New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., l9h8, pp. lhh:h5.

63. Ibid., p. 138.

6b. Gerald J. Schnepp, "Three Mixed Marriage Questions knswered,"
Catholic World, 156, (Nov., 191:,2), p. 205.

65. Judson T. Landis and Mary G. Landis, pp, 213., p. 138.

éfifi Ray E. Baber, Marriage and the Familv, New York: heGraw-Hill Book
Company, Inc., 1939, pp. 1U9:53. ‘—

 

 

mothers assumed the major reSponsibility for providing religious training
/
of children in mixed marriages.
63 611

Both Landis and Schnepp found that children of mixed marriages

tended to marry those outside their religious group more often than did
children of in-group marriages.

Studies of attitudes toward mixed marria:cs of relL gion were made

66

65
and Baber.

by Landis Both found that the attitudes of Catholic and
Protestant young peOple toward mixed marriages seamed increasingly
tolerant. Parents were reported to be more conservative in their atti-
tudes. Landis found that Protestants were more tolerant of mixed ro—

ligious marriages than were Catholics. Baber made no distinction between

the three major religious faiths on this issue.

1"

no onomic bacl (ground. From his study of 10,t35 intermarriages,

 

Drachsler concluded that:

...more than two-thirds of the intermarriages among men and over
60% among women ta.ke place in the higher economic classes. The
largest number of intermarriages are those between persons who
are neither on the lower nor the higher culture level, but on

the middle or mediocre culture plane. Thus, three-fourths of the
men who intermarry are found in the occupation groups correSpond-
ing to the middle level, namely, in commerce and trade, in manu-
facturing and mechanical pursuits and in personal and domestic
service, while only about 10% are professional men and about 12%

62.Judson.T. Landis and.Mary G. Landis, Building a SUCCESSfu118”F381
haw York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 19h8, pp. lhh4h5.

63. _I____oid.,p. 138.

@1. Gerald J. Schnepp, "Three hixed.Marriage Questions Lnswered,‘
Catholic World, 156, (Nov., 1912), p 205.

55.Judson T. Landis and.hary G. Landis, pp, _;t., p. 138.

65.Ray E. Baber,1arrla~o and the Family, hew York: thraw—Hill Book
Company, Inc., 1939, pp. 1h9:53.

9

 

 

 

 

2 2;

mothers assumed the major reSponsibility for providing religious training

/

A

of children in mixed marriages.
. _ 1. 63 .. 6h . . . .
Both Landis and Schnepp found that children of mixed marriages
tended to marry those outside their religious group more often than did
children of in-group marriages.

Studies of attitudes toward mixed marriages of religion were made

r)

by Landisép and Baber.66 Both found that the attitudes of Catholic and
Protestant young people toward mixed marriages seemed increasingly
tolerant. Parents were reported to be more conservative in their atti-
tudes. Landis found that Protestants were more tolerant of mixed rc-
1igious marriages than were Catholics. Baber made no distinction between

the three major religious faiths on this issue.

Economic background. From his study of 10,635 intermarriages,

 

Drachsler concluded that:

...more than two-thirds of the intermarriages among men and over
60% among women take place in the higher economic classes. The
largest number of intermarriages are those between persons who
are neither on the lower nor the higher culture level, but on

the middle or mediocre culture plane. Thus, three-fourths of the
men who intermarry are found in the occupation groups correSpond-
ing to the middle level, namely, in commerce and trade, in manu-
facturing and mechanical pursuits and in personal and domestic
service, while only about 10% are professional men and about 12%

52.Judson.T. Landis and.Mary G. Landis, Building a Successful Marriage,
hew York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 19h8, pp. lhh-hS.

63.10id., p. 138.

. Gerald J. Schnepp, "Three hixed.Marriage Questions Answered,"

Catholic World, 156, (Nov., 19112) , p. 205,

65.Judson T. Landis and.hary G. Landis, pp, 213., p. 138.

66.Ray E. Baber, Marriage and the Family, New York: thraw-hill Book
Company, Inc., 1939, pp. 159:53. ‘—

 

 

 

 

The same is true of the women who inter-

unskilled workers.
of them being found in the middle occupa-

marry, almost 67%
tion and culture groups.‘

d,t

'19
_Q:

Barron classified each marriage participant according to the
wilds or her marriage license in one of six socio-economic groups.
Teble II which was constructed by the writer from data.gathered by Barron””

.dmwed quite conclusively that the economic factor was decisive in the

process of mate selection.

ThBLE II

RELLTICT deP BL "WHEN OCCUPLTIO Nfl CLHDJ 119 hITE SLLnCllOW
In LIHI‘JIC L‘Jl-illiILII-GES AND 11‘] 11111.1 millsGES 111 13211131 ,
1929-30 jhh 19LO

E
\.

Classes 1929-30 Couples per 100 m. 19h0 Couples per 100 m.

 

__jpart Inmarriages Intermarriages Inmarriages Intermarrjg "es
Same class 38.9‘ 36.1% 38.2% 21.6%
One 32.6 35.7 35.3 to .5
Two 15.6 19.0 16.7 13 S
IYIree 8.h 2.h 8.5 18.9
F0111: 3.2 14.5 .98 2.7
Five 1.1 0.0 0,0 2.7

 

At

Silcox and Fisher who made extensive studies of religious inter-

;wi‘éarria go both in Canada and United States claimed that the Catholic woman
V .— O ‘ O O
*J"=as more likely to choose the Protestant bus1ness man because of his

is superior both in Canada and United

69

:3 <Z=onomic status which generally

SE; I“ mates to that of the Catholic.

 

\

 

(:5 L,
63— IEED’.Ju1ius Drachsler, DemocracL and issimilatiop, pp. 1h8—1h9.
<3; ijZ‘ Barron, _p. cit. , pp. 292- 293

::=—: .Claris E. Silcox and Galen h. Fisher, 32. cit., p. 255.

3O

Hollingshead reported that:

...the analysis of 1,008 marriages where husband, wife, and
their families were residents of New Haven revealed that the
class of residential area in which a man's or a.woman's
family home is located has a very marked_influence on his or
her marital Opportunities. In 587 of these 1,00h marriages,
or 58.2 per cent, both partners came from the same class of
residential area. When those that involved a.partner from
an adjacent area were added to the first group the figure
was raised to 82.8 per cent of all marriagesjO

Thomas advanced a tentative hypothesis that intermarriage rates
memed to be closely related to social class of Catholics who intermarr“.
1 . . . . .
Table 1117 records percentages of mixed marriawes found in the parishes,

Int the mixed marriage rate.

TABLE III

Mimi mums 12.1w P11110410 aces OF MIXED men—11111118

 

Percent of

 

___ Rental Area Mixed Marriabes ‘#
Lower 8.5
Mixed Lower and.Middle 9.1
Middle 12.0
Mixed Middle and Upper 16.3
Upper 17.9
Suburban 19.3

Tflese statistics indicated a rather close relation between socioeconomic

Status and the intermarriage rate.

k

70.August B. Hollingshead, "Cultural Factors in Selection.oijarriage
Hates," American Sociological Review, 15 (October, 1950), p. 625.

71.John L. Thomas, "The Factor of Religion in the Selection of harriage
hates," American Sociological Review, 16. (August, 1951), p. D90.

 

31

~ 1 2 . . , 1
Other factors, Data gathered by Schnepp7 lS adanteo and presenteo

 

graphically by the writer in Table IV to show the relationship between
kinds of education of Catholics and kinds of marriages contracted in a

certain eastern parish.

TABLE Iv

MARAILGES CONTRLCTED BY CATHOLICS EDUCATfiD IN CATHOLlC SCHOOLS
fiND PUBLIC SCHOOLS PER 100 hhfiRILGES

 

 

Catholic Public School Marriages
_A Education Education Contracted
6h 50 Catholic
29 39 Mixed x
7 ll Invalid”

% Marriages not recognized by the Catholic Church.

Schnepp's conclusion was:

Catholic children educated in public schools are more likely to
enter into mixed marriages than children educated in Catholic
schools since their religious education will not be so thorough
and they will have fewer scruples against mixed marriages.
Further, since they are thrown more into contact with non-
Catholics, the chances are areater that they will select a non-
Catholic mate in marriage.73

7h

Ware partly attributed Irish-Italian intermarriages to parochial

School contact.

k

72.Cbrald J. Schnepp, "Three Mixed Questions Andwered," The Catholic
werld, CLVI (November, l9h2), pp. 205-206.

73. Loc. cit.

'Nh.fiiitdfi‘i. Barron, People‘th_lntermarry (Syracuse University Press,
l9h6), p. 297, citing Caroline F. Ware, Greenwich Village, 1920-1930,
p. 135.

 

 

 

32

With reference to the factor of education, harvin77 investigated
SOC Bryn.h wr alumnae in 1917 and found that ninety per cent had married
college graduates.

Barron reported that "25 per cent of ethnically inmarried and 16.16
per cent of the ethnically intermarried in Derby met their prOSpective

_ . 7

mates in school.

Regarding the recreation factor, Barron pointed out that:

50 per cent of the ethnically inmarried people in Derby and hS.hS

per cent of the ethnically intermarried had.met their future

mates at a recreative event, often with the help of mutual ac-

quaintances. This was seen to be the most frequent form of meet-

ing one's future husband or wife.

Summa 7. Research data concerning sociological factors related to
huermarriage incidence seemed to indicate the following conclusions:
No one factor consistently leads to intermarriage. Intermarriage is the
result of a number of factors which are interrelated and interacting.
Both sex ratio and numerical size factors are closely related to inter-
nmrriage incidence, but independently they do not inevitably lead to
huermarriage. Data of studies presented indicate a rather strong tendency
toward intraethnic marriages. Data seem to indicate rather conclusively
that the degree of ethnic solidarity within a group is an important factor
ixldetermining the extent of excgamy and endogamy which takes place.

Emancity'and religion, often closely related factors which characterize

\_

75.hilton L. Barron, loc. git., citing Donald M. Marvin, "Occupational
Prepinquity as a Factor iniflarriage Selection," Publications of the
finerican Statistical Association, 16 (Sept., l9lt), p. IEY.

76‘. Barron, 92. 9339., p. 29:).

77. $33., p. 300.

 

 

 

32

o o - o L" o o a

'With reference to the factor of education, haerHY) investigated
SOD Bryn.hawr alumnae in 1917 and found that ninety per cent had married
college graduates.

Barron reported that "25 per cent of ethnically inmarried and 18.18
per cent of the ethnically intermarried in Derby met their preepective

t

mates in school.

Regarding the recreation factor, Barron pointed out that:

50 per cent of the ethnically inmarried people in Derby and h5.h5

per cent of the ethnically intermarried had met their future

mates at a recreative event, often with the help of mutual ac-

quaintances. This was seen to be the most frequent form of meet-

ing one's future husband or wife.

Summary. Research data concerning sociological factors related to
huermarriage incidence seemed to indicate the following conclusions:
1m one factor consistently leads to intermarriage. Intermarriage is the
result of a number of factors which are interrelated and interacting.
Bdhlsex ratio and numerical size factors are closely related to inter-
nmrriage incidence, but independently they do not inevitably lead to
hfisrmarriage. Data of studies presented indicate a rather strong tendency
tDward intraethnic marriages. Data seem to indicate rather conclusively
that the degree of ethnic solidarity within a group is an important factor

:hidetermining the extent of exngamy and endogamy which takes place.

Efluucity and religion, often closely related factors which characterize

‘

75.Lfilton L. Barron, loc. cit., citing Donald M. Marvin, "Occupational
Propinquity as a.FaEtor—ih Marriage Selection," Publications of the
gmerican Statistical Association, 16 (Sept., 1913), p. 157.

76. Barron, 92. g_i_’_D_., p. 29:5.

77. 21331., p. 300.

 

 

33

a particular group, were found to be important determiner of inter-
marriage incidence. Interethnic marriages occurred more frequently

where a common religion was shared. The rate of intermarriage was also
effected by other factors. A number of studies have shOWn that both
length and prOpinquity of residence were closely related to the rate of
immermarriage. The limited data concerning economic status as related
'h3intermarriage incidence seem to indicate a rather close correlation
between economic status and rate of intermarriage. The limited data con-
cmwdng parochial school training and contact within parochial school
annems also seem to indicate that these factors are important in promot-

ing intrareligious marriages.

Studies Dealing With Intermarriage Incidence Among
Certain Swedish and Slovak Populations

To the knowledge of the writer no study was made of intermarriage
incidence in a community of which both Swedes and Slovaks were numerically
largest. In most studies either one or both were numerically small.
FTom studies already presented78 the writer extracted data for Swedish
mtiSlovak pepulations for purposes of comparison with regard to their rates
Of'intermarriage.

Table V indicates a summary of studies of the rate of Swedish and

0f Slovak intermarriage.

\‘

78.hilton L. Barron, 93. 913., pp. 1&5, 150.

3h

TABLE V

COMPARISON OF SLOVAK AND SWdDISH INTndmAthfiGE RLTES

 

 

 

 

hate of
Intermarriage
Luther Locale Period Per 100 Marriages
Drachsler (1) New York City 1905-1912 Slovak : 21.98
Swedish: 38.30
Barron (10) Derby, Conn. 1929-30JL Slovak : 0,00
2 Swedish: tt.b9
l9hO Slovak : 100.00
Swedish: 0.00
Imlson (6) ‘Wright County, 19163 Swedish: 51.61
Minnesota
thssel (1h)4 'Woonsocket, 1926 Slavs5 : 7.2 6
Rhode Island Swedish: 32.777
30.51
Pmnnedy (11) New Haven, 1570—19h0 Scan.8 : 57.35
Connecticut 1930 66.27
19ko 81.5h
l Slovaks had only two inmarriages and no intermarriages.
Swedes had two inmarriages and eight intermarriages.
2 Slovaks had no inmarriages and one intermarriage.
Swedes had neither an inmarriage nor an intermarriage.
3

ho Slovak population was reported.

‘Wessel's study which was not included in the original table is
found in wessel, 22, git., pp. 105-107.

Only foreign-born parents are included. "Slavs" here refers to
peeple other than just Slovak.

Data refers to marriages performed both abroad and in the
United States.

Data.refers to marriages performed only in the United States.

Scandinavian countries were studied as a single group. No Slovak
population was reported.

Of all students who had made studies of populations in which both
Swedes and Slovaks were relatively large numerically, Drachsler and
DePorte reported most extensively concerning their rates of intermarriage.

A study of all marriages both of Swedes and Slovahs in how Iork City i*

marriages was 38.30 for Swedes and 21.9t for Slovaks. When only marr'ages
by the first and second generations were consicered the rate of inter-
marriage for Swedes was 31.0h and lh.09 for Slovaks. The latter statistics
referred to 652 marriages contracted by Swedes and 507 marriages con-
tracted by Slovaks. Among Slovaks, the per cent of increase in inter-
nmrriage of the second generation over the first was 32h.0. Among Swedes,
the per cent of increase of the second generation over the first genera-
tion was 275.6.79
to

The following table shows the number of distinct nationalities

Widlwhich Swedes and Slovaks intermarried. In comparison with fifty-seven

owmm nationalities, Swedes were consistently above average in terms of

‘Ue nmnber of distinct nationalities with which both men and women of the

.fnet and second generations intermarried. While Slovak men of the first

akisecond generations were slightly below the avera a in this resrect

{go ' I 3
blovak women of both generations were well above the average. In brief

Swedes exceeded Slovaks in terms of the number of distinct nationalities

\

(E: .zhflius Drachsler, 2p. cit., p. 26h.
c - ___.

'1

. Julius Drachsler, 0p. cit., (rifty-seven nationalities were listed
in the original table. Only data.regarding Slovaks and Swedes were
extracted for comparison here.)

hUfiBER OF DISTIJCT NhTIONkLITIES‘WITd WHICH SLOVLKS LED SHnDdS
INT fidfihdldl) DbiiING 1906-1912 , hit-J IOrdi CITY

—~

 

Number of Different Number of Different
hationalities With hationalities With
Which Which
nationality lst.GenJi. 2nd.Cenii. lst.0en.F. 2nd.0en.F.
Intermargying Intermarried Intermarried
Slovak 11 b 32 11
Swedish l9 12 3O 13
fiyerage number of
rmtionalities with
Edam 57 nationali-
ties intermarried: 12 o . 12 6

 

Inth which they intermarried, except in the case of first generation
Skwak women.who intermarried slightly more than Swedish women.

The women of both ethnic groups intermarried with a greater number
Qfdistinct nationalities than did men. The difference between the Slovak
fines was greater than that between Swedish sexes. Briefly, in preportion
in the total number of marriages contracted, it was quite evident that
SWXES intermarried with more d'stinct nationalities than did Slovaks.
fhmmes exceeded Slovaks particularly in the male category.

Drachsler's tabulated data81 permitted a further comparison betwee-
Swedes and Slovaks in terms of the number of nationalities selected in

\_

P7“. . . .. . _

“~1~. Eleven nations were incluced in tne original table. Only data re-
garding Scandinavian countries and Hungary were extracted for purpose
Of comparison.

37

intermarriage by persons of the second generation (native born of
foreign parentage). In the table ranking forty-eight different nation-
alities in terms of their selection in intermarriage with different
nationalities, Swedish women ranked number nine while Slovak (Hungary)
vwmen ranked lower as number sixteen. Swedish women were selected by
men of twelve out of thirty-six different nationalities while Slovak
vmmen were selected by men of eight out of thirty-six nationalities.

On the other hand, a comparison of Swedish and Slovak men revealed that
ihmdes ranked eight while Slovaks ranked eighteen. Swedish men were
selected by women of thirteen out of twenty-nine nationalities while
Eflovax.men were selected by women of six out of twenty-nine nationalities.
file average selection by women of all nationalities was o.h8 and.o.0h by

malof all nationalitiesfi2

( .

DePorte's tabulated dataC3 of marriages to foreign-born per 100
nerriages to native-born permitted comparison of Swedes and Slovaks--
ahflnugh not as precisely as was desired by the writer. enmark, Norway,
mmiSweden (treated as a single group) showed a much greater preference
fln‘native-born than foreign-born when compared with Hungary or Austria“
lfiem number listed under "Hungard" or "Austria" was actually Slovak was
not given. As mentioned earlier (see page 6), what meaning should be
given to "Austrian", "Hungarian", "Slav", "Czech", and "Slovak" is not

-‘_i

52 . Drachsler, _op. 933., p. 75.

. J. V. DePorte, "Marriages in the State of hew'York with Special
Reference to Nativity," Human BiolOgy, 3 (Sept., 1931) ho. 3, p. 3.50.
(Eleven distinct nationalities were listed in the original table.
Only Scandinavian countries, Hungary, and hustria were extracted for
purpose of comparison here.) ‘ '

 

clear because immigrants from central Burepe upon entering this country
were not accurately reported as to place of emigration. hevertheless,
the writer compared Swede and Slovak in terms of "Scandinavian" and
"Hungary-Austria" classifications, assuming that some degree of relation-

ship was present.

TnBLd VII

BY COUNTRY OF BIRTH OF BHIUES LED uncons: STLTE OF
hEW YORK (EXCLUSIVd Oh wow YORK CITY , 1919-1929“

 

 

 

 

 

Country

cm Birth 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 192a 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929
Scannnavie. 11h 12h 1th 17o 122 177 190 175 1b7 203 211
mnwfiry 608 265 not hbl 262 h2t 218 2b; 139 12o 188
instria 590 319 has 222 263 250 200 222 12h 166 135

Grooms

Sundinavia 79 55 63 79 o9 88 95 ES 83 71 _3
Ihmrery 353 256 217 315 2t 3ou 1Lh 112 90 9t to
immtria 2u2 1th 250 177 168 118 10b 12; 66 do 77

See footnote 83.

During the period 1916-1918 Hungarian brides married a total of
1,12h foreign-born grooms, while Austrian brides married 925 foreign-born
grcwms. During the same period Hungarian grooms married a total of 730

fcxreign-born brides, and Austrian grooms married hbh foreign-born brides.
5C3 data were available for the Scandinavian group during this period.

“QQEfing the period 1919-1929 the total number of brides who married

clear because immigrants from central Burcpe upon entering this country
were not accurately‘ sported as to place of emigration. nevertheless,

the writer compared Swede and Slovak in terms of "Scandinavian" and

ship was present.

Tthn VII

MARRIAGES r0 Pension-30nd rod 100 thdILGhS TO hLTIVE—BORN
BY COUNTRY OF BIRTH or enlbos two onoows: Stirs or
new roan (EXCLUSIVE or new YORK CITY), 1919-1929“

 

 

 

Country

of Birth 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 192k 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929
Brides

Scamfinavia. 11h 12h 1th 176 122 177 190 175 1A7 203 211

lhngary 608 285 not hbl 262 b2t 218 2&5 139 126 188

instrie 590 319 L68 222 283 250 200 222 12h 166 135
Grooms

&mndinavia 79 85 63 79 o? 88 9S 98 83 71 98

Ewngeny 353 258 217 315 2&2 30h 1th 112 90 98 86

.hmtria 2A2 18 250 177 168 118 lot 125 66 86 77

‘—

*See footnote 83.

During the period 1916-1918 Hungarian brides married a total of
llJQh foreign-born grooms, while Austrian brides married 92S foreign-born
Entoms. During the same period Hungarian grooms married a total of 730
.fflneign-born brides, and Austrian grooms married hSh foreign-born brides.

i:‘Q‘iOdata were available for the Scandinavian group during this period.

33hfldng the period 1919—1929 the total number of brides who married

1

foreign4b0rn grooms was 1,783 for Scandinavian countries, 3,hh0 for
Hungary, and 2,979 for Austria. During the same period the total number
of grooms who married foreign-born brides was 69b for Scandinavian
countries, 2,219 for Hungary, and 1,597 for Austria. If it was assumed
that Swedes were reliably represented in the Scandinavian pOpulation and
that Slovaks were reliably represented in the Hungary or Lustria p0pu—

lation, it was safe to conclude that Slovaks intermarried with native

white much less frequently than did Swedes, that Slovak brides married

foreign-born more freQuently than did Slovak grooms, and that Swedish

brides married foreign-born more freguently than did Swedish grooms.
Barron reported that the total number of marriages in 1929-1930 by

Senes was ten (two inmarriages and eight intennanriages) while Slovaks

led only two marriages, both inmarriages. In 19h0, Swedes had no

nmrriages while Slovaks had only one intermarriage. In Derby, Connecticut,

‘ . 8h

tmth Swedes and Slovaks were numerically small.

0 ~'
U
ielson's study b

of Swedes in Wright County, Minnesota, revealed

iflmt Swedes, one of the three larg est groups in the area, intermarried at
"he rate of 51.61 per cent per 100 marriages. Males intermarried more
frequently than females. Table V111 indicates the distribution of Swedish
Hmrriages in wright County in 1930. Nelson found the per cent of inter-

Fumriage within the group composed of Germans, Swedes, and Finns to be 71.9,

asreported on page . N0 Slovaks were reported in.wright County.

‘5.

\J1. Barron,, gp. cit., p. lh8.
E3:5.Lowr,1/-I‘1elson,"Intermarriage among Nationality Groups in a Rural free
of 11innesota..t American Journal of Sociology, 11111111 (heron, 1913)
5890

 

Lo

Taste VIII"?

DISTRIBUTION 01" 1111611110135 111 31116 111 welds 0001111, 1930W

 

 

Ger. Swed. Finn Fr. Ir. P01. Eng. Dut. Nor. Boh,

1msbands 35 120 9 h 6 O h l 15 l

Wives 23 120 11 3 6 O 3 l 10 3

a m . . . . . . . - a,
ien nationalities were listed in the original taole (see footnote 65).
Only Swedish husbands and wives were extracted for purpose of com-

parison here.

at _ , J _. ‘ .
Total number of marriages was 195 and 173 for Swedish husoanos and
wives, reSpectively.

In a comparison of five ethnic groups in rural areas of New York,
Wisconsin, and Nebraska, Brunner found the rates of intermarriage were
highest for Lnglo-Saxons and Scandinavians (with small differences be-
tween them) and lowest for "Slavs". (The Slavic group was made up over-

IJhelmingly of Poles in New York and of Czecho-Slovaks in the West.)

86

C3armans and "Latins ranked between them, in that order.

Brunner reported that:

The Slavic and Latin show least out-choice (intermarriage); and
conversely, therefore, more in—choice. This is partly because
these groups belong to the new immigration and are not as well
adjusted to American rural life as are the northern hurOpeans
...Length of residence, then, is undoubtedly one of the factors
that explain the lower preportion of out-choice among Slavic

and Latin groups.‘

\

8' 1“" 1 -4
6‘) - I3r‘unner, on. cit., p. 65.

7 1. . _‘7‘7
£11;3£,, p. b0.

111

Weasel found the rate of intermarriage relatively low for Swedes
in Woonsocket, Rhode Island where they were numerically small. Their
rate of intemarriage was 30.51 per 100 marriages. Also small in number,
the per cent of intermarriage among "Slavs" (foreign-born parents includ-
ed) was 7.2. Wessel stated that Slavs prefer other Slavs when marrying
01111.88 What number of Slavs were Slovak in this population was not given.
In Kennedy's study Swedes Were observed as part of the larger
European cultural and geographical unit, the Scandinavians. Exceptionally
high rates of intermarriage were recorded: 57.35, 66.27, and 61.511 for
the periods 18370-19110, 1930, and 19110, reSpectively. Furthermore, the
intermarriage rate for Swedes, if treated separately, would have been
higher, for undoubtedly many of them intermarried as Swedes but inmarried

89

as Scandinavians .

Summary. Research data. concerning intermarriage incidence among
Certain Swedish and Slovak populations seemed to indicate the following
Conclusions:

The general rate of intermarriage is greater among Swedes than among
Slovaks. The rate of intermarriage of the second generation is greater

than that of the first generation among both Swedes and Slovaks. Swedes
intermarry with more nationalities than do Slovaks, the difference between
tile men being rather great while that between the women was of little or

n . . .
‘0 Significance.

\

6 /
(5:; - j-‘Jessel, c_)p_. cit., p. 106.

— Kennedy, 92, cit., p. 333.

E2

Swedes marry native-born whites more frequently than do Slovaks.
The rate of intermarriage by Swedes is exceptionally high is marriage
to other Scandinavian countries (Denmark and Norway) is counted. rfhe
fact that Slovaks belong to the new immigration and that their period
of assimilation in f-merica is comparatively shorter may be a factor in

explaining the difference in their rates of intermarriage.

CEU£TER III

CHIPTLH. III

l-‘Ihlr‘HOD OF PROCEDUILE Mil) SOUhC ES OF DAL".

Research data, which were already presented regarding the incidence
of intermarriage among various pepulations particularly urban, were ob—
tained almost exclusively by compilation of data from secondary sources,

namely, official statistics of state and municipal govern ants and church

For the most part, interpretations regarding the rates of inter-

records.
Inarriage were based on an analysis of documentary sources.

This study is a case study of Grassflat, a. rural non-farm community
in central Pennsylvania. Data were gathered by a participant observer
Who employed both controlled and non-controlled research techniques.

The central theme of the study involved an analysis of the nature and ex-

tent, of assimilation, especially as indicated by intermarriage incidence,
who, in that order, constituted the two largest

among Slovaks and Swedes,

ethnic groups in the community.
The

Data were gathered from both field and documentary sources.
For a. discussion

major portion of data was gathered from field sources.
of the method of procedure and sources of data. the content which follows
ls c3:Lassified into three parts: (a) description of the participant

 

\\

l. oee Table IX on page 69.
or a discussion of field and documentary sources the reader is
Erred to Pauline V. Young, Scientific Social Surveys and Research.
19149. Pp. 100—182.

ref

I: - -
e“? York: Prentice-hall, Inc.

hb

I

observer, (b) the field sources which he utilized, and (c) the documen—

tary sources which were analyzed.

Description of The Participant Observer

The writer's parents were Slovak emigrants from Presov, Czecho-

His father came to this country in 1891 and his mother in

Slovakia.
h‘ot unlike many other Slovak and Swedish immigrants who came to

1693.
Grassflat, his father worked in the coal mines for a. certain period before

it was possible to send sufficient savings for the family's tranSportation
The writer's father was among the first Slovaks to settle in

to America .

Grassflat.
The writer, last child in a family of five, was born in Grassflat,
Secondary

where he received his elementary education in the public school.
education was obtained in a consolidated school, three miles from Grass-
fl at, which also served eight other communities within the surrounding

These communities were composed. of a. number of distinct ethnic
From the age

are as .
gI‘Oups; Swedes resided in four of them and Slovaks in three.

of Six to sixteen the writer also attended Slovak Catholic Catechism

3011001 in Grassflat, where he was taught to read and write Slovak, and

was given a Catholic education.3
After graduation from State Teachers College, Lock Haven, Pennsyl-

Vania fifty miles away he returned to Grassflat for three years. During

 

\ _—
SlOVak Catholics attended Catechism School on Saturdays during the

3.
Sublic school period. During the summer months of both elementary
(ind secondary school years they attended Catechism School three days

“:3 er week.

 

 

LIS

the first two years he was teacher of social studies in junior high
school in a nearby community, the students of which were largely Slovak
mmiSwedish. The third year he was teacher of social studies in the

tdgh school of the same community. There he taught both Slovak and
&mdish students from Grassflat. During his long residence in Grassflat,
'me writer became acquainted with virtually all Slovaks and Swedes in

the community .

Throughout his high school and college years, the writer Spent his
summer vacations working with both Slovaks and Swedes in coal mines and
brickyards in and near Crassflat.

The writer married a woman of Pennsylvania Dutch-Swedish descent who

pass ibrmerly of Lutheran faith. She became Catholic before marriage.

The writer has thus had considerable first-hand experience with the

arwaa.in.which the study was made and with the problem involved.
Field Sources Utilized by the Writer

LDuring the past ten year period of employment outside the state of
Perlrmxylvania, the writer returned to live in the community during seven
Slnfihienrs. He had not lost contact with residents of the community for
ansr llx>ng period of time. The major portion of the data for the study,
howeVer, was gathered in the summer of 1951, at which time the writer
anci Ibnis family lived in the community. 'While in the community during

t
‘h63 £3Innmers the writer and his family participated as full-fledged members

i -
I} "r3L1“tually all community functions, both Slovak and Swedish.

L6

The content of the invermation derived from field sources was
divided into several parts: (a) interviews with residents of the com-
nmnity, (b) tape- ecordings of group interviews with selected samples

of both Slovaks and Swedes, (c) survey of the community, (d) correSpond-

ence with selected residents in the community, and (e) attitude question-

naire.
Early in the summer when

Interviews with residents of the community.

this study was begun, the writer had a number of informal interviews with
resident pastors, the justice-of-the peace, officers of local organizations,
. , a h . .

bartenders oi the local tavern and clubs, a brickyard superintennent from

a Iiearby community, a former coal company representative, the postmaster,

These interviews were eSpecially important for two reasons:

EIKi friends.
filmst, they were instrumental in making it known to other residents that

‘thea study was being made; second, they were important sources from which
It should be emphasized that

iJiistial data for the study were gathered.
as: 6! result of these key contacts a surprisingly large number of residents

tC’Okthe initiative in communicating with the writer and offering to assist

hJJU inn whatever manner they-could. As one bartender remarked, "The old
Everyone wants to tell you about how

peeple won't give you any rest now.
ttue txown got to be what it is today." During interviews with the persons

me - 1 1 ' ' .
Tltllxbneo aoove the writer had an Opportunity to explain the purpose of

th. . . . . .
EB Ssthidy. InterViewees were informed that the writer was interested in

Here-

 

\\
b a-
:éiilea community had one public tavern and two semi-public clubs.
‘1T138r the word."taverns" will be used to designate both the public

‘13'E3Jrern and the two clubs.

147

writing a history of the community, including ways in which the town

and the peeple in it have changed.
Key persons in the community were interviewed in their homes. Other

interviews with residents were held in many places under various condi-

A large number of subjects were interviewed at the local post-

tions.
cfifice, the two general stores, the local motion picture theatre, and the

Apart from the churches, these are the main social

three local taverns.
The local taverns were particularly

centers of both Slovaks and Swedes.

important to the writer as meeting-places with the elderly and retired
residents of the community, both Slovaks and Swedes, who frequently
drogmed in for beer on their way to and from the postoffice or the general

sixores. Most of the relatively-few residents who did not drink were inter-

vjxewed at the postoffice.
Interviews with resident pastors were eSpecially important. As a

IVSENilt, the Reverend Michael Tutokie, pastor of the local Slovak Catholic
C}ru1n3h, and the Reverend Edward Lindgren, pastor of the local Nebo and
fifiiEIfliel Lutheran Churches, announced to their parishioners on Sunday that
time tiriter was in the process of preparing a history of the community,

tfiiéft ‘a.census was to be made, and that the writer would be contacting
resid . . . . fl 1.. . l T ‘ C1
(ants to aSSist him in making the study pOSSib e. hey expresse
t} e . . , . . . . .
leEAJr‘ deSire that parishioners c00perate in this progect. Also as a
re . . . . . . .
ESLLlft of interViews With these clergymen, the writer obtained pertinent
dat ...
‘3 C<Sneerning the history of local churches, religious organizations,
Enii . . . ., .
IT‘EUDriages which had taken place in and outSiee the community among
PGQ ‘
(jfelrts and former reSidents. Both pastors also prov1ded the writer

DC

with historical documentary sources pertaining to the churches of the

community.
A number of interviews with the justice-of-the—peace were helpful

in obtaining; data concerning the governmental structure of the community

as well as common problems referred to him by local residents.
Officers of local organizations were contacted in order to learn

about the purpose, membership, and social functions of organizations
Particular emphasis was also given to their

which they represented.
observations of relations between Slovaks and Swedes within these organi-

Key officers of all organizations in the community were inter-

zations.
(For a description of these organizations see pages 132-3,195,263-h.)

viewed.
As was mentioned earlier, local taverns were important social centers;
therefore, bartenders were in a position to provide much aluable data.

Concerning the patrons of the establishments in which they were employed.

They also furnished the writer with many anecdotes concerning interethnic

Bartenders who worked during the day were generally free for

I‘elations .
lnJD'EBI‘Views during the midmorning and midafternoon hours when business was

"8101,14! .
The brickyard superintendent, who lived. in a nearby community but

fl"*S‘gliently came to Grassflat, was eSpeciallj, helpful to the writer, he
supplied the writer with information concerning Grassflat residents em-
plob’ed at the brickyard, obtained past census data. for Grassflat, and
Secul‘ed a, map of the community from the county seat. He continued ’00 keep

111- .
Le miter informed about the changing economic conditions in Grassflat.

 

Interviews with the local postmaster were helpful in obtaining data
concerning membership in and functions of the local Boy Scout organiza—
tion, of which he was scoutmaster. Because the po stoffice was another
social center in the community, he was able to give the writer important
data concerning interethnic relations as he observed them.

The writer received historical data. concerning the coal industries
in and near Grassflat from a representative of the Clearfield Bituminous
Coal Comp any.

From his many Slovak and Swedish friends the writer obtained. valu-
able data concerning those subjects best acquainted with particular

information and the changes which had taken place in Grassflat during
the writer's absence . They also made many suggestions which facilitated
the research in several areas of the study.

Probably two particular reasons accounted for the success which
this writer had in obtaining the c00peration of both key persons and
Others who were among the first residents interviewed: first, tOpics of
a comparatively intimate nature-—such as one's personal attitude toward
members of another ethnic group, another religious group, or intermarriage--

Were not emphasized at the main problem of the study; second, because the
writer- was a full-fledged member of the community rather than a stranger,
Subject ts did not feel inhibited in expressing themselves. During the
Con—7’36 of initial interviews no obvious attempt was made to focus atten-
tion On the main ' ' ‘ ' ‘
4 problem, but subJects frequently introsuced it them-

sel . o t
Ves . For example, during the course of one informal interView at the

DOS
toffice , one elderly Slovak Catholic said:

SO

Slovaks and Swedes get along much better than they used to

back years (sic). I remember when they used to fight like

cats and dogs everytime they met. how some Slovaks marry

Swedes. It's okay, just as long as they join our church,

like your wife, but not the other way around.
Another info- want asked whether the writer intended to write about both
Slovaks and Swedes. When asked as to whether both should be included,
the informant replied:

Oh, yes. because pretty soon they won't be Slovaks and

Swedes. They'll be Americans like everyone else. They're

both giving up their old ways and more marry one another
than before .

It is important to note that during virtually all interviews the
writer conversed with notebook in hand . The subjects expected their con-
tributions to be "jetted down". They seemed to be pleased when the
writer recorded their contributions in the notebook. This practice
seemed to encourage them to Speak even more freely because they felt
their Opinions, attitudes, and other information was valuable. Several
of the elderly subjects Spoke slowly and even paused now and then to make
sure the writer had sufficient time to take notes. In several cases,
elderly subjects said, "You better jot it down or you'll forget it".

After many of these exploratory interviews (referred to as "short
talks" by residents) with various residents of the community, the writer
then probed into the problem of intermarriage more directly. Initial
interviews laid the foundation for a more thorough analysis of the problem
of intermarriage in tape-recorded interviews which the writer conducted

with selected samples of both Slovaks and Swedes.

Tape-recordings of group intervirws with selected persons among

 

both Slovaks and Swedes. Obtaining subjects for tape-recorded interviews

 

was a relatively simple task. Everyone seemed. to be interested in "making
a record".5 Recording one's voice was a rare Opportunity and a novelty
to those whom the writer selected for interviews. No doubt this was one
of the strong motivating factors to several subjects interviewed.

A major portion of data. from field sources was gathered through the
use of structured tape-recorded interviews with several samples of both

the Slovak and Swedish groups. I: selected sample of three generations

 

of both Slovaks and Swedes was interviewed. The first fineration inter-

 

viewed (foreign-born immigrants) consisted of four Swedes of Lutheran
faith, two males and two females, whose ages were 7h, 52, 7S, and 78,
respectively. The second sample of the first generation consisted of

Slovaks of the Catholic faith, two males and one female ,6

whose ages were
77, 78, and 81, respectively. These Swedes and. Slovaks were selected
because they represented some of the earliest settlers in Grassflat.

The years of their immigration rangedfrom 1555 t0 1595. The Swedes lived
in West Clymer, the section generally referred- to by Slovaks as "the
Swedish side". The Slovaks lived in Mtovm (99.9? town), the section

" 1» a . a . .
Willem Was almost excluSively Slovak. The same series of questions was

raised with both groups. Major tOpics of discussion were:

k.

 

5- At first, it was believed the writer was going to make disc recordings
of interviews .

O~ Illness prevented one Slovak female from being present.

52

History of the origin and develOpment of Grassflat.

First impressions the ethnic groups had of each other.

Reasons for settlement in Grassflat.

Slovak-Swedish relations in the coal mines.

Early interethnic conflicts.

Factors in ethnic solidarity of Slovaks and of Swedes.

Factors in ethnic assimilation.

Personal attitudes toward intermarriage of Slovaks and Swedes.

CDN O\\J‘LI:“\AJ r\) |-—I

These groups of Swedes and Slovaks were interviewed on successive
(Mys,ir1that order. The Swedish sample was interviewed at the home of
'de writer's parents-in-law who are of Pennsylvania.Dutch and Swedish
(msmmnsand of the Lutheran faith. The Slovak sample was interviewed
atiim home of the writer's parents who are Slovak and of the Catholic
faUflL It is important to note that the writer was invited to the homes
offhedish participants several times after the recorded interviews. As
aresult the writer had his first eXperience at a Swedish home coffee
SWfifil. Such invitations are, to say the least, rarely extended to Slovaks.

The Slovak language was used in the interview with the Slovak sample.
TMDOf the three participants were unable to Speak English.

Tue second generation (native born of foreign-born parentage) con-

 

sishxiof samples of Swedish and Slovak married men.7 The first Of these
tonnbups consisted of six Catholic Slovaks whose ages were bl, bl, h2:
h3:1fi5 and 56. The second group interviewed consisted of five Swedes,

‘hm Odemm were members of the Emanuel Lutheran Church, one a member of
thelmmo Lutheran Church, one who belonged to the Nebo Lutheran but "rarely
attends ," and one non—attendant but. one-time member Of the Emanuel

—____.

7°h£n.Were selected because both Slovak and Swedish families are pre-
dmuimntly patriarchal in their family structure. This patriBTChal
Pattern is even more prevalent among Slovaks than Swedes.

h2

Swedes marry native-born whites more frequently than do Slovaks .
The rate of intermarriage by Swedes is exceptionally high is marriage
to other Scandinavian countries (Denmark and Norway) is counted. The
fact that Slovaks belong to the new immigration and that their period
of assimilation in .fimerica is comparatively shorter may be a factor in

explaining the difference in their rates of intermarriage.

CHIET EB. III

CHLPTnR III

T—‘IL‘T‘HOD OF PROS EDUMJ Mil) some LS OF DATA

Research data which were already presented regarding the incidence
of intermarriage among various pOpulations particularly urban, were ob-
tained almost exclusively by compilation of data from secondary sources,
namely, official statistics of state and municipal goverrments and church
records, For the most part, interpretations regarding the rates of inter—
marriage were based on an analysis of documentary sources.

This study is a case study of Grassflat, a rural non-farm community
in central Pennsylvania, Data were gathered by a participant observer
who employed both controlled and non-controlled research techniques.

The central theme of the study involved an analysis of the nature and ex-
tent of assimilation, especially as indicated by intermarriage incidence,

among, Slovaks and Swedes, who in that order, constituted the two largest

)
ethnic groups in the community.1

D t . 2 "w

a a were gathered from both field and documentari}f SOUI’CGS- 1‘18
maJOI‘ portion of data was gathered from field sources. FOI‘ a diSCUSSj-‘m
:0 1 3 ‘ ‘ u 0
0‘ the methoe of procedure and sources of data. the content which follows
i - . . . , . , , . . .
S ClcSSlfled into three parts: ta) description of the participant
\—

1. See Table IX on page 69.

o F ' q ' . ,I ,
If)? a discuSSion of field and documentary sources the reader is
vferred to Pauline V. Younc Scientific Social Surveys and Research.

4:) _i

i‘eew York: Prentice-Hall, Inc . 19149 . Pp . 100452 -

 

Lb

observer, (b) the field sources which he utilized, and (c) the documen-

tary sources which were analyzed.
Description of The Participant Observer

The writer's parents were Slovak emigrants from Presov, Czecho-
slovakia. His father came to this country in 1891 and his nother in
1693. Not unlike many other Slovak and Swedish immigrants who came to
Grassflat, his father worked in the coal mines for a. certain period before
it was possible to send sufficient savings for the family's transportation
to America. The writer's father was among; the first Slovaks to settle in
Grassflat.

The writer, last child in a family of five, was born in Grassflat,
where he received his elementary education in the public school. Secondary
education was obtained in a consolidated school, three miles from Grass—
flat, which also served eight other communities within the surrounding
areas. These communities were composed of a number of distinct ethnic
groups; Swedes resided in four of them and Slovaks in three. From the age
of six to sixteen the writer also attended Slovak Catholic Catechism
8011001 in Grassflat, where he was taught to read and write Slovak, and
was given a Catholic education.3

After graduation from State Teachers College, Lock Haven, Pennsyl-
vania, fifty miles away he returned to Grassflat for three years. During

\—

3. Slovak Catholics attended Catechism School on Saturdays during the
public school period. During the summer months of both elementary

and secondary school years they attended Catechism School three days
per week.

AS

the first two years he was teacher of social studies in Junior high

school in a nearby community, the students of which were largely Slovak
and Swedish. The third year he was teacher of social studies in the

high school of the same community. There he taught both Slovak and
Swedish students from Grassflat. During his long residence in Grassflat,
the writer became acquainted with virtually all Slovaks and Swedes in

the community.

Throughout his high school and college years, the writer Spent his
summer vacations working with both Slovaks and Swedes in coal mines and
briclgrards in and near Grassflat.

The writer married a woman of Pennsylvania. Dutch-Smdish descent who
was formerly of Lutheran faith. She became Catholic before marriage.

The writer has thus had considerable first-hand experience with the

area in which the study was made and with he problem involved.
Field Sources Utilized by the Writer

During the past ten year period of employment outside the state of
Pennsylvania, the writer returned to live in the community during seven
Summers. He had not lost contact with residents of the community for
3115’ long period of time. The major portion of the data. for the study,
however, was gathered in the summer of 1951, at which time the writer
and his family lived in the community. While in the community during
the

Summers the writer and his family participated as full-fledged members

1n Virtually all community functions, both Slovak and Swedish.

1

LC-

The content of the invormation derived from field sources was
divided into several parts: (a) interviews with residents of the com-
zmudty, (b) tape—recordings of group interviews with selected samples
of both Slovaks and Swedes, (c) survey of the community, (d) correSpond-

ence with selected residents in the community, and (e) attitude question—

rmire.

Interviews with residents of the community. Early in the summer when
dds study was begun, the writer had a number of informal interviews with
resident pastors, the justice-of-the peace, officers of local organizations,
. h
tmrtenders of the local tavern and clubs, a brichyard superintendent from
arwarby community, a former coal companv representative, the postmaster,
an friends. These interviews were eSpecially important for two reasons:
.first, they were instrumental in.making it known to other residents that
‘Me study was being made; second, they were important sources from which
Shutial data for the study were gathered. It should be emphasized that
as a result of these key contacts a surprisingly large number of residents
tOOk'the initiative in communicating with the writer and offering to assist
him in whatever manner they-could. As one bartender remarked, "The old
PSOple won't give you any rest now. Everyone wants to tell you about how
the town got to be what it is today." During interviews with the persons

’mentioned above the writer had an Opportunity to explain the purpose of
-“16 study. Interviewees were informed that the writer was interested in

\

b~ The community had one public tavern and two semi-public clubs. Here-
after the word "taverns" will be used to designate both the public
tavern and the two clubs.

 

writing a history of the community, including ways in which the town

and the peOple in it have changed.

Key persons in the community were interviewed in their homes. Other
interviews with residents were held in many places under various condi-
tions. A large number of subjects were interviewed at the local post-

office, the two general stores, the local motion picture theatre, and the

three local taverns. Apart from the churches, these are the main social

centers of both Slovaks and Swedes. The local taverns were particularly

important to the writer as meeting—places with the elderly and retired

residents of the community, both Slovaks and Swedes, who frequently
(hnpped in for beer on their way to and from the postoffice or the general

shnes. Most of the relatively few residents who did not drink were inter-

‘Wewed at the postoffice.

Interviews with resident pastors were eSpecially important. As a

result, the Reverend Michael Tutokie, pastor of the local Slovak Catholic
Chuch, and the Reverend Edward Lindgren, pastor of the local hebo and
thenuel Lutheran Churches, announced to their parishioners on Sunday that
ifle writer was in the process of preparing a history of the community,

tdmt a census was to be made, and that the writer would be contacting

residents to assist him in making the study possible. They expressed

thSir desire that parishioners c00perate in this project. Also as a
ITESult of interviews with these clergyman, the writer obtained pertinent
0813a concerning the history of local churches, religious organizations,

alti marriages which had taken place in and outside the community among

“Essjdents and former residents. Both pastors also provided the writer

he

with historical documentary sources pertaining to the churches of the
community.

A number of interviews with the justice-of-the-peace were helpful
in obtaining data concerning the governmental structure of the community

as well as common problems referred to him by local residents.

Officers of local organizations were contacted in order to learn
about the purpose, membership, and social functions of organizations
which they represented. Particular emphasis was also given to their
observations of relations between Slovaks and Swedes within these organi-
zations. Key officers of all organizations in the community were inter-
‘fiewed. (For a description of these organizations see pages 132-3,195,263-h.)

As was mentioned earlier, local taverns were important social centers;
‘Uerefore, bartenders were in a position to provide much valuable data
concerning the patrons of the establishments in which they were employed.
lhmy also furnished the writer with many anecdotes concerning interethnic
relations. Bartenders who worked during the day were generally free for
ixmerviews during the midmorning and midafternoon hours when business was
I'slow".

The brickyard superintendent, who lived in a nearby community but
fiequently'came to Grassflat, was eSpecially helpful to the writer, He

Supplied the writer with information concerning Grassflat residents em-
Filoyed at the brickyard, obtained past census data for Grassflat, and

Séicured a map of the community from the county seat. He continued to keep

t1leewriter informed about the changing economic conditions in Grassflat.

M9

Interviews with the local postmaster were helpful in obtaining data
concerning membership in and functions of the local Boy Scout organiza—
tion, of which he was scoutmaster. Because the postoffice was another
social center in the community, he was able to give the writer important
data concerning interethnic relations as he observed them.

The writer received historical data.concerning the coal industries
in and near Grassflat from a representative of the Clearfield Bituminous
C 0 al C omp any .

From his many Slovak and Swedish friends the writer obtained valu-
dfle data concerning those subjects best acquainted with particular
hubrmation and the changes which had taken place in Grassflat during
'Um writer's absence. They also made many suggestions which facilitated
‘Um research in several areas of the study.

Probably two particular reasons accounted for the success which
'Uus writer had in obtaining the c00peration of both key persons and
Oders who were among the first residents interviewed: first, topics of
éicomparatively intimate nature--such as one's personal attitude toward
Hmmbers of another ethnic group, another religious group, or intermarriage--
Fmre not emphasized at the main problem of the study; second, because the
VHuter was a.full-fledged member of the community rather than a stranger,
Subjects did not feel inhibited in expressing themselves. During the

Course of initial interviews no obvious attempt was made to focus atten—
ttion on the main problem, but subjects frequently introduced it them-
sfiilves. For example, during the course of one informal interview at the

pQstoffice, one elderly Slovak Catholic said:

SO

Slovaks and Swedes get along much better than they used to

back years (sic). I remember when they used to fight like

cats and dOgs everytime they met. how some Slovaks marry

Swedes. It's okay, just as long as they join our church,

like your wife, but not the other way around.

Another informant asked whether the writer intended to write about both
Slovaks and Swedes. When asked as to whether both should be included,
the informant replied:

Oh, yes. because pretty soon they won't be Slovaks and

Swedes. They'll be Americans like everyone else. They're

both giving up their old ways and more marry one another

than before.

It is important to note that during virtually all interviews the
writer conversed with notebook in hand. The subjects expected their con-
'Mibutions to be "jotted down". They seemed to be pleased when the
‘mdter recorded their contributions in the notebook. This practice
seemed to encourage them to Speak even more freely because they felt
'Ueir Opinions, attitudes, and other information was valuable. Several
Of the elderly subjects Spoke slowly and even paused now and then to make
Sure the writer had sufficient time to take notes. In several cases,
elderly subjects said, "You better jot it down or you'll forget it".

After many of these exploratory interviews (referred to as "short
talks"by residents) with various residents of the community, the writer
‘then probed into the problem of intermarriage more directly. Initial

1interviews laid the foundation for a.more thorough analysis of the problem

01‘ intermarriage in tape-recorded interviews which the writer conducted

pfifth selected samples of both Slovaks and Swedes.

Tape-recordings of group intervirws with selected persons 33923

both Slovaks and Swedes. Obtaining subjects for tape—recorded interviews

 

was a relatively simple task. Everyone seemed to be interested in "making
arecord".S Recording one's voice was a rare Opportunity and a novelty
to those whom the writer selected for interviews. ho doubt this was one
of the strong motivating factors to several subjects interviewed.

A major portion of data from field sources was gathered through the
use of structured tape-recorded interviews with several samples of both
'Ue Slovak and Swedish groups. A selected sample of three generations
cufboth Slovaks and Swedes was interviewed. The first ggneration inter-
viewed (foreign-born immigrants) consisted of four Swedes of Lutheran
faim, two males and.two females, whose ages were 7h, 62, 7S, and 78,
respectively. The second sample of the first generation consisted of
éflbvaks of the Catholic faith, two males and one female,6 whose ages were
77, 78, and 81, reapectively. These Swedes and Slovaks were selected
because they represented some of the earliest settlers in Grassflat.

The years of their immigration ranged from 1885 to 1695. The Swedes lived
iJ1West Clymer, the section generally referred to by Slovaks as "the
Swedish side". The Slovaks lived in Dobrytown (923d town), the Section
hfilich was almost exclusively Slovak. The same series of questions was

iraised with both groups. Major topics of discussion were:

\_

S - At first, it was believed the writer was going to make disc recordings

7, of interviews.
{3. Illness prevented one Slovak female from being present.

52

History of the origin and deveIOpment of Grassflat.

First impressions the ethnic groups had of each other.

Reasons for settlement in Grassflat.

Slovak-Swedish relations in the coal mines.

Early interethnic conflicts.

Factors in ethnic solidarity of Slovaks and of Swedes.

Factors in ethnic assimilation.

Personal attitudes toward intermarriage of Slovaks and Swedes.

ODNOUTC‘WMl—l

These groups of Swedes and Slovaks were interviewed on successive
days, in that order. The Swedish sample was interviewed at the home of
the writer's parents-in-law who are of Pennsylvania Dutch and Swedish
descent and of the Lutheran faith. The Slovak sample was interviewed
at the home of the writer's parents who are Slovak and of the Catholic
faith. It is important to note that the writer was invited to the homes
cf Swedish participants several times after the recorded interviews. As
aresult the writer had his first eXperience at a Swedish home coffee
mmial. Such invitations are, to say the least, rarely extended to Slovaks.

The Slovak language was used in the interview with the Slovak sample.

The of the three participants were unable to Speak English.

The second generation (native born of foreign-born parentage) con-

 

Efisted of samples of Swedish and Slovak married men.7 The first of these
two groups consisted of six Catholic Slovaks whose ages were hl, hl, DZ,
#3, he, and 56. The second group interviewed consisted of five Swedes,

'tWo of whom were members of the Emanuel Lutheran Church, one a.member of
'the hebo Lutheran Church, one who belonged to the Nebo Lutheran but "rarely

\

at‘tends," and one non-attendant but one-time member of the Emanuel

\ ....

7 - Men were selected because both Slovak and Swedish families are pre-
dominantly patriarchal in their family structure. This patriarchal
pattern is even more prevalent among Slovaks than Swedes.

\n
w

Lutheran who married a Slovak Catholic bride. Their ages were 36, 37,
37, S3, and 60. The members of each group were selected because they
were fathers of children of or near marriageable age and because they
lived in different sections of the community; Interviews with both
ggoups were held in a private room of the Slovak hall, a social center
for both Slovak and Swedish members of the Jednota Social Club.

Topics of discussion with each group included the following
Factors promoting ethnic solidarity among Slovaks.
. Factors promoting ethnic solidarity among Swedes.
Ethnic changes among both Slova ms and Swedes.
. Ethnic differences between Slovaks and Swedes.
. Personal attitudes toward members of the other ethnic group,

Slovak or Swedish, as co—workers, neighbors, and friends.
. Personal attitudes toward Slovak-Swedish intermarriage.

\J‘LIZ'WNH

O\

The third generation (native-born of native parents) consisted of

 

kmth boys and girls of or near marriageable age. The range in selection
dfparticipants from both Slovaks and Swedes was limited.9 A number of

‘Umse within the desired age group were not available at the time of the
study.

The first group consisted of four boys whose ages were 17, lb, lb,
and 19.10 Three were high school seniors; one was a college freshman.
All but one, who was a.product of Slovak-Swedish intermarriage and
Catholic, were Swedish and Lutheran. The second group consisted of four

. . - . , r . 11
girls and one boy whose ages were 19, l9, 19, 20, and lo, respectively.

63. One member who was expected to attend was not present.
59. The total number of boys and girls within this age group was indeed
limited as shown byl fable IX on pa.ge 69, which gives a picture of
various age groups among residents of the community.
:LCD. Two girls were asked to be present but reported "last minute en~axcmencs "
141‘. One ooy who was expected to attend was not present.

Sh

Three girls were high school graduates, one was a.high school senior,
and the boy was a senior. Ill members of this group were Slovak Catholics.
Where numbers permitted a choice of subject, those who lived in different
sections of the community were selected.
l

The first of these two groups interviewed, the Swedes, met at the
lmme of the writer's parents-in-law. The second was interviewed at the
imme of the writer's parents.

The major tOpics of discussion with both groups of the third genera-
tion were:
Attitudes toward the community as a place in which to live.
. Information concerning religious background.
Use of Slovak and Swedish language among the third generation
subjects.
Personal attitudes toward members of the other ethnic group.
Personal attitudes toward dating of members of the other ethnic

group.
Personal attitudes toward intermarriage of Slovaks and Swedes.

UTE“ WNH

Q\

In addition to the series of six interviews with groups representing
“Urea generations of both Slovaks and Swedes, two other interviews were
tape-recorded. The first interview was with three Swedes, two of whom
Lmre females aged 72 and 76, and a.male aged 63. This interview took
place at the home of the male participant three miles outside the community
Studied. These subjects were selected because of their keen interest in
and knowledge of the history of Swedes in Grassflat. The male participant,
a—fbrner resident of Grassflat, was one of its earliest settlers. The
fVEmale subjects were residents of the community.
The last tape—recorded interview was with a Swedish male subject,
ulfiinarried, and 51 years of age. The subject was selected because of

“:l_s unusually objective point of view concerning both Slovaks and Swedes

 

\Jl
\J’ L

and his ability to recall various incidents from his own background of
ffirst-hand experience concerning the nature and extent of assimilation
among Slovaks and Swedes. This interview was recorded at the home of

v ~

rue writer's parents-in-law, who were neighbors of the subject.

Survey of the community. As was mentioned earlier, the writer inter-
xdewed both local pastors who announced to their parishioners that a
smny-and census of the community was to be made. This, no doubt, was a
very hnportant factor which accounted to a great extent for the COOperae
tion residents of the community showed the writer. Upon request of the
feverend Michael Tutokie approximately fifty Slovak Catechism students
Itnained in church following Sunday hass and volunteered to help the
Wnfier by distributing census forms (see "Census Sheet" in Appendix,
page371) to their own homes, neighbors, relatives, and friends. Each
fmmzcontained the surname of the family under inVestigation. They dis-
‘Mdbuted and returned census forms of most Slovaks and a large number of

&eies The forms were filled out by adults, not by the students who

chetributed them. Many forms were withheld so that the writer might have

'Ue Opportunity to contact certain families with whom he wished to have

an interview. Distributing the census forms gave the writer an Opportunity
- — .~: ~ 4 . u n12 +:

to meet many residents whom he would not have met up town, parti-u-

larly the oldest residents. A number of census forms from Slovaks were

not returned promptly because, as students reported, "the old folks can't

12. The commercial center of the community where are located the post-
office, the two general stores, the theater, and taverns.

5:3

Innerstand English." The forms of these peOple were obtained after the

'mdter contacted them, explained the purpose of the study and the census,

and recorded the information requested concerning the family.

(.3

Distribution of census forms served the additional function of in-

.formdng non-church goers and absentee parishioners that the study was
bmeing‘made. It also helped the writer to contact residents who were
rueiiher Slovak nor Swedish, residents who were equally cooperative in the

estrudy. As a result of the contacts the writer made for the purpose of

(Dirtaining census data, a surprisingly large number of residents at a

ILaiter date took the initiative in visiting with him in order to give him
iiifbrmation which they recalled after the initial meeting and which they

'tliought was "good for the study of our town."

Correspondence with selected residents in the community. Pertinent
(4

‘4.

eta were obtained via correspondence with a few key persons of the com-
nunnty after the writer returned to Michigan. CorreSpondence was neces-

sary to obtain certain data which were not available in the summer when

the writer was in Grassflat. These data included up—to-date records of

HFmoerShips of all local organizations, a road map of the community,
&Afitional historical information concerning both Slovaks and Swedes in

Nhfimd to communities from which they emigrated, dates of certain marriages,

SDd data concerning public education, tranSportation, road construction,

aJldcoal production in and near Grassflat.

fittitude questionnaires. A major portion of data was obtained

‘Muough the use of two questionnaire forms (see Appendix pages 372 to
37L

), one of which was administered to Grassflat pupils enrolled in

grades seven through twelve and the other given to the parents of these
students. Questionnaires were administered to Grassflat pupils by hr.

Burdett Larson, Principal of Cooper Township High School, and Mrs. Sara.

London, Principal of Winburne Elementary School. Parent forms were

filled out by parents and returned to school by the pupils. The atti-
tude questionnaires were administered. in I-lay, approximately eight months

after the writer's return from the community studi

ed.
A closed form of Questionnaire was used. The pupil form consisted
of seventy-one items, and the parent form consisted of forty-five. The

first forty-two items of both forms were identical. They were used to

get the individual's image of his own as well as of another ethnic group.

Items regarding attitudes toward interfaith and interethnic marriage

appeared on both forms. Remaining items on the student form were used to

learn about intraethnic solidarities and interethnic assirilation,
eSpecially attitudes toward interethnic dating and. marriage. A control

sheet of seventeen items were used to identify students. Student and

correSponding parent forms were numbered identically, facilitating a. com-

parison of child and parent attitudes. Each form was preceded by a letter

 

fI‘Om the writer reguesting an honest reSponse to items, a prompt return
of Questionnaires, and an eXpression of gratitude for the assistance given.

A large majority of items used were constructed from data. gathered

through the use of tape-recorded interviews. A number of items were sug-

gested by the writer's colleagues. Another source, Young‘s Scientific

 

‘ '1 ~ 1
m Surveys and Research, 3

h

an excellent source on research techniques

13. Pauline V. Young, Scientific Social Surveys and R search. hew York:
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1917?, mime-MB.

\ Y“
C"

hithe study of community and culture groups, was also consulted.

The questionnaire forms were given to all Grassflat students en-
rolled in Grades 7-12, inclusive, and their parents. Ninety-one student
forms and ninety-one parent forms were given. Of this number, ninety—one

pnipil forms and eighty-nine parent forms were returned, filled out. This
rwenmrkable percentare of returns was probably due to two particular
jfauztors: first, the school administrators were exceptionally efficient
a:1d.interested in helping the writer; second, because the writer had
‘bzaught in these two schools before entering higher education, he was well-

1<Iiown to the parents of most of the students.
Documentary Sources Utilized by the Writer

Documentary sources related to assimilation between Slovaks and
Stflfiks in Grassflat were very limited. Four secondary documentary sources
‘Were consulted. SwOOpe's Twentieth Century Historv of Clearfield County
Wasiim best source on Swedish immigration and settlement in Pennsylvania
amithe coal industries in and near Grassflat.1h Two Special issues of
LuUmran Chimes, published quarterly by the Grassflat Nebo and Emanuel
Imtheran Churches, were important sources on the origin and growth of the
Swahsh pOpulation and their church and religious organizations.15 The
JrEdmota, a Slovak Catholic weekly which was published by the First
x

1h. Roland D. Sw00pe Jr., Twentieth Century Histgry of Clearfield County.
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911. 951 pp.

15.13m Reverend Edward A. Lindgren, Our Lutheran Chimes (The Golden
Anniversary Issue, Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church), Vol. 7,
Aug.-Dec., 1950, 19 pp.; Our Lutheran Chimes (The Sixtieth Anniversary
Number, Nebo Lutheran Church), V01. 1, Sept.-Oct., l9hh, 29 pp.

 

Ca‘holic Slovak Union of America, contained pertinent data concerning
such tOpics as Slovak attitudes toward marriage, news about Slovaks in

Pennsylvania, oversea reports of conditions in Slovakia, and brief

15 . ..
sketches of Slovak history. ) Our Sunday ViSitor, a National Catholic

weekly which was found in virtually every Slovak Catholic home in

Grassflat, was a valuable source of data on the Catholic point of view
I O C O C 0 17
regarding various problems, including intermarriage.

Five primary documentary sources were consulted. Ledgers of local

organizations were studied to analyze membership trends. Personal diaries

were useful in ascertaining dates of important events which took place in

Grassflat. One farmer's "plow record book" contained the names of all

"small lot farmers" who hired him during plowing seasons, dating from

the earliest period of settlement in Grassflat. Other diaries contained

interesting and valuable data concerning personal finance, birthdays of

family members, tonnage of coal loaded day by day, and dates of marriages

in the family. "Parish History" by the Reverend F. J. Simonik, the first

Catholic priest in Grassflat, was a valuable source of information regard-

ing the first Slovak Catholic parishiOners. Its entries dating from

1900 to 1905 included dates and brief descriptions of the first mass
which was held in Grassflat, the first baptism, the first burial, and the
first formal meeting of Slovak Catholics which was held to discuss the

building of a church. Names of earliest Slovak settlers were also listed.18

M“

16. Jednota. Middletown, Pennsylvania: First Catholic Slovak Union.

lZ. 9E Sunday Visitor. Huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.

10. The Reverend F. J. Simonik, "Parish History" (St. Peter and Paul
Catholic Church, Grassflat, Pennsylvania), 1902-1905.

 

 

CO

Church records of the Reverend Michael Tutokie, the Catholic priest,

were valuable sources of data regarding the number of parishioners,
religious organizations, social functions of the church, religious
education of children, and dates of marriages consummated by Slovak
Catholics both in and outside the community of Grassflat.

Personal com—

munication with the writer was also an important source of data.
Summary

The writer was a participant observer in the community which was

studied; therefore, he obtained much information and insight regarding

the community and the attitudes of its inhabitants. A large portion of

the data from field sources was gathered by means of informal and. struc-
tured tape-recorded interviews, a census taken of the community, corres-
pondence with selected residents, and attitude questionnaires given to

pupils enrolled in Grades 7 through 12 and their parents.

Interviews with selected subjects were important in making the
study known to residents of the community and in gaining their cooperation.
The social centers of the community were important meeting-places in

Which selected groups representing three generations of both Slovaks and

Swedes and two other tape—recorded interviews with Swedish adults were

most important sources of data. Questionnaire forms given to both young

Subjects in Grades 7 through 12 and their parents were important in secur-
ing data concerning attitudes of the two ethnic groups toward each other.
The limited'number of documentary sources which were available were

UL'S'eful in supplementing data received from residents in the community.

 

 

CHJETER IV

 

CHLPTER IV

ORIGIN IND DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITY STUDInD

To resent a discussion of the origin and descri tion of the com-
)

nninity studied, namely, Grassflat, Pennsylvania, the data were classified

iirider the following major topics: (1) origin of community, (2) composi-

tuion of population, (3) ecological distribution of population,
(14) industries, (5) family and kinship System, (6) other institutions,

('7) Class structure, and (b) neighboring communities.
Origin of Community

The community of Grassflat is one of several small coal-mining towns
iIICOOper Township, one of the youngest townships in Clearfield County.
The county is "situated in the western foothills of the Allegeny Mountains,

lying'between the main ridge and the great secondary formation known as

the 'Stony Mountains'."1 The comparatively rapid settlement of Cooper

Township had been due to the development of its coal and other mineral

I'GSOurces. Its population in 1b87 contained only 375 taxables. This

2 .
population was settled in Kylertown, 'West Clymer (a south-eastern section
0f(hessflat), Winburne, and Peale.3

M

1. Roland D. Sweepe, Jr., Twentieth Century Historyflof Clearfield County.
Chicago: Richmond—Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, p. 19.
A coal-mining community two and one—half miles from Grassflat.

3. Winburne and Peale prOper are three and two miles from Grassflat,
respectively;

One of the oldest diaries the writer consulted, that of an elderly

English farmer and resident of Grassflat, contained data concerning the

origin of the name Grassflat. As was commonly known by elderly residents

who were interviewed, Grassflat was named by coal-miners from Peale,
then a thriving coal-mining town before the settlement of Grassflat,
"who came across a flat grassy island in the fork of a creek near COOper
551 Mine."LL The coal miners living at Peale had to walk four to six miles
to their place of work because the mines in and near Peale were becoming
exhausted of coal, and the Clearfield Bituminous Coal Company had started
COOper #1 Mine at a location which is today known as "Upper Grassflat"
(a southern-most section of Grassflat) . These were the main factors
Which accounted for the movement of population from Peale to Grassflat.
An overwhelmingly large portion of the pOpulation which moved from

Peale into Grassflat was Swedes. Only a limited number of Scotch, Irish,
and Slovaks were among the earliest settlers of Grassflat.

A tape-recorded interview with the first generation Swedes (mentioned
on pages 63-65) was helpful in providing a background for the discussion
of the settlement of Grassflat. Each of the four elderly Swedes was able
to recall the early building of homes in Grassflat as residents of Peale
left their company-owned houses and moved into the new community. This
movement began to take place in lSEh when coal mines in and near Peale
were rapidly becoming exhausted of coal and new mines were "Opened" in

\__

11. Data from a personal diary. Data obtained from a former checkweighman

for the Clearfield Bituminous Coal Company indicated the Cooper #1
Mine was Opened in 1851;.

63

and near Grassflat. The following data were extracted from the original
tape-recording:S

writer: As I understand, before the settlement of Grassflat there
was a place called Peale.

Mr. W: Oh, yes. Peale came first. There was quite a.number of
peeple living down there at that time. I was told there
were about 300 houses at one time, but I don't know how
exact that is because I did not count them....I know
there were a lot of people there.

.. . . . . . 6
Writer: Was Peale larger than Grassflat is tooay?

Mr. W: No, it wasn't any bigger and there weren't any more peeple,
but their houses were closer together....Each one had just
a little bit of a lot, but here some of them have acres.
The whole town of Peale was probably bigger than Grassflat,
but the amount of peeple would be just as much people as
Grassflat.

writer: How do you remember Peale, Mr. T?

Mr. T: Well, I remember Peale when I came over there in 1899.
I stayed in Peale for a year. I remember when some of the
first Slovaks came to the Peale Station. There were only
about two or four Slovaks who lived in Peale. Some came
before this but they didn't live in Peale. They lived up
above Grassflat.

Writer: Who lived in Peale?
Mr. W: There were Swedes, Scotch, and Irish, and a few Germans....
Writer: How large was the Swedish group?

Mr. W: Mostly they were equal amounts among the Swedes, Irish,'
and Scotch....

Writer: Did peOple from each of these groups come to settle in
Grassflat?

hr. W: Yes, but mostly Swedes....The reason they came to Grassflat
was in order to get a closer distance to the mines and they
\__

53. Real names of subjects are not used. Substitute names are used.
6h The current pOpulation of Grassflat is 78h.

6h

had the desire to want their own homes. Almost all the
houses in Peale were owned by the company7....The Swedish
peeple wanted their own homes. The Irish and Scotch
didn't care so they left and went, a lot of them, up to
places the company had up the line--Clymer, Rossiter, and
Commodore.

writer: Do you remember those days when the people started coming
to Grassflat for the first time, Mr. T?

Mr. T: Yes. I was working in Grassflat at that time in the Grass-
flat mines. I don't remember that the Slavish peopleb
were working in the Grassflat mines at that time. It was
mostly Swedes, Irish, Scotch, but I don't remember any
Slavish. The Slavish first started to work at the Knox
Run Mine. Then they came over more and more and started
the mines-dfloravin and Pleasant hill.

hr. W: Grassflat roads were lined up pretty much the same as today,
and the Swedish peeple and the Slovak--the Swedish people '
lived on one side of the run12 and the Slovak on the other.

Hrs. T: I remember that, the Slovak peeple living over there
(pointing across the creek) and Swedes living on this side.

hrs. F: I remember when I came here. I stayed here. We built our
house right along the side of the read here. I remember
a when the T's 3 (Slovaks) were first building their cellar
across the run.

Tape-recorded data from an interview with the first generation Slovaks
Concerning the same period of time also was helpful regarding the early
impressions which Slovaks entertained regarding the settlement of

Grassflat:lh

\

7. Clearfield Bituminous Coal Company.

€5.8wedes often refer to Slovaks as "Slavish peOple."

Knox Run.Mine was started in 1891.

1‘3. Refers to a section of Grassflat or the mine in that section.
Moravin Mine was started in 1691.

141” Refers to a section of Grassflat or the mine in that section.
Pleasant hill.hine was started in 1891.

l22.h‘.efers to the small creek running through Grassflat.

3:3. One of the earliest Slovak settlers.

114. Substitute names are used.

Writer:

Mr. P:

Writer:

writer:

hr. P:

Writer:

hrs. 0:

is I understand, before the settlement of Grassflat there
was a place called Peale. Do you remember that?

When we15 came here there wasn't even one Slovak living
there. ‘We weren't there long. ‘We got/3 job right away
because there was work all over then. ' it Knox Run,
Grassflat, and.Moravin, and PleaSant Hill they worked
every day. After other Slovaks heard that we came and
about work then they came slowly, the Slovaks came over.

Were there many Slovaks in Knox Run when you first came
there?

Not even one, just the four of us.
Did you live at Peale?

Yes, I lived there about two months and we walked to the
mines in Knox Run.17 Then one of our friends got a house
from 8. Then he had a girl, built a house, and gave us
the old house. we moved in and little bynlittle more men
moved in. Once there were twelve of us. C There war

no more houses then. A lot lived in Peale.

How do you remember early Grassflat, Hrs. O?

I came here because my man worked in the mines. When I
came there were a few Slovaks, so I just mixed with my
own kind of peeple....The Swedes lived on the other side
of town and we on this side. The sulphur creek between
us.

These recorded data pointed to the fact that Swedes were the first

Settlers in Grassflat and that "opening" of new mines which meant employ-

IHent Opportunities was a.most important factor which brought about the

Inigration to Grassflat.

Writing about an earlier period, the Reverend

53. J. Sebelius reported that:

\_

iii Two friends, my brother, and I.
Eli Year 1888.
:L7. Knox Run is one and one-half miles from Grassflat.

lb. The twelve men were boarders, most of whom were unmarried.
lies of those married were still living abroad.

The fanni-

3 hip

Nearly all the members Of Nebo19 belonged to a colony of peOple
emigrating from the Province of Dalsland, Sweden, to this section
of Pennsylvania during the last decades of the 19th Century.
Their occupation in this country has been coal-mining.
settled first at McIntyre, Lycoming County (Pennsylvania), and
numbered over 200 adult persons, and when the bituminous vein :as
exhausted there, the colony was transformed almost in a body to
Peale, in Clearfield County, where the Nebo Church was organized
in lbbh. New mines were Opened up at Grassflat, two miles away,
and the colonists, greatly increased in numbers, followed their
occupation thither and to points beyond, such as West Clymer,20
Knox Run, Lanse-Z,l Winburne, and Allportfls):2

They

Writing about a later period, the heverend hr. Linderen reported

The membership (of Swedes in the Emanuel Lutheran Church at Grass-
flat) grew rapidly during the first years. Then the church was
built in 190h the congregation had 136 communicants2‘ and 213
children. In 1907 the communicant list reached its highest figure,
namely, 17?. From l90b to 1925 the membership did not vary much.
During those years the families had many children and the Sunday
School was crowded. In 1927 many families moved to Jamestown

(New York) and other large cities, due to lesser mine Operations.
In that year Emanuel lost hl communicants, leaving 11h to carry on
the great work of the Church. In 1926 the membership drOpsed to
71 communicants. Since then the number of members has remained
about the same. We have in this year of jubilee (September 3,
1950) 90 communicants and 38 children. 9

The Reverend Mr. Lindgren also reported concerning the Swedish member-
in the Nebo Lutheran Church at Grassflat:
At this time (1901) the mines were busy and the Church was growing

in membership. The congregation in these parts had the largest
membership in 1908. That year hebo had 395 communicants and 193

‘2 . One of the two Lutheran Churches in Grassflat.
O .

Name of one section of Grassflat.

. A Swedish community two and one—half miles from Grassflat.

'22. a small community on Route 53 which is five miles from Grassflat.

NO Swedes, but a.few Slovaks lived there.

. The Reverend S. J. Sebelius, "On the Heights of Nebo," Our Lutheran

Chimes, Volume 1 (Sept.-Oct.), Number 3, l9hh, p. 6.

. One became a communicant at the age of thirteen or fourteen.

‘29 The Reverend E. A. Lindgren, "History of Emanuel Lutheran Church,"

Our Lutheran Chimes, Grassflat, Pa., 7:12, Aug.-Dec., 1950.

 

 

 

children, a total memb.
est congregations in We ern Pennsylvania. The Emanuel Church
in West Clymer numberec 7b communicants and 156 children, a
total membership of 332. Nebo, Emanuel, Libanon, and Gustavus
Adolphus Churches, all in Cooper Township, had a membership to-
gether of 1,170. The Lutheran Church was strong here.20

ership of SQE. hobo was one of the strong-
at
i 1

From 1908 to l92h the congregation remained about the same in
numerical strength. For l92h the congregation reported 359
communicants and 112 children in the Nebo Church. Beginning
with l92h, families were leaving Grassflat for Jamestown, N. Y.,
Cleveland, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and other cities
to seek employment, due to the fact that coal mining was on the
decline. During the last 15 years the coal tonnage taken out has
diminished gradually. Families have moved away decreasing the
membership Of our Church. It now stands at 165 communicants and
77 children, total membership 2L2. Twenty years ago there were
359 communicants and 112 children.

In September, 1950, the combined membership of the Emanuel and Nebo
Intheran Churches was 255 communicants and 115 children. Included in
‘Umse figures are members from communities outside Grassflat: Lanse 16,
Ekwx,Run 10, and Kylertown 18. Also included are 12 Slovak Luthefans.28

The Reverend. F. J. Simonik29 reported 250 Slovak Catholics in Grass-
flat in November, 190h. This number consisted of 58 family heads, 126
Children, and 66 boarders.3O This population was considerably Smaller
than that of the Swedish. The Slovak Catholic population grew rapid y

after 190h, until in 1951 the total number of parishioners belonging to

\__i

26.’The Reverend E. A. Lindgren, "Sixty Years of hobo History," Our
Lutheran Chimes (Sixtieth Anniversary number), Grassflat, PaTT—lle,
Sept.-0ct., 1§HL.

27.1mm, p.13.

:52 Data obtained in an interview with the Reverend E. A. Lindgren.

25% The Reverend F. J. Simonik, "Parish History" (St. Peter and Paul
Catholic Church, Grassflat, Pennsylvania). Unpublished. 1902-190h.

30. "Boarders" will be discussed on pages 132-133.

 

 

the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church was h15. The major portion of
31

this number included children.

Speaking of the period about 1903, one elderly Slovak subject
reported that:
Once the Slovak and Swedish man came in (Grassflat) and got
settled, got work, he let other people know and they came. People
went anywhere for work, eSpecially where he knew there was other
Slovaks or Swedes. Once they came they came fast. They came when
mines Opened and left when they closed. You have to eat, you know.
Yes, the Swedes were here, many of them, then Slovaks started com-
ing in more.32
As was mentioned earlier by both elderly Slovak and Swedish sub-
jects, the little creek which runs through the center of the eastern half
section of the community was the dividing line between the Slovak and
Swedish sections of Grassflat. The Slovaks built their homes on the
rmrth side of the "run," the Swedes on the south. This ecological pattern
existed with virtually no changes for three decades. As one informant

said, "the Slovaks had their own Slovensko (Slovakia), and the Swedes had

their own Sweden."
Composition of POpulation

A census of the community indicated a total pepulation of 78h.
Table IX presents a distribution of the pepulation in terms of age, sex,
religion, nativity, and national origin. First of all, it is important
to note that only 17, or two per cent of the total pepulation, were

\‘M

31. Data obtained in an interview with the Reverend Michael Tutokie.
32. Data obtained in an interview with an elderly Slovak subject who was
one of the first Slovak farmers in Grassflat.

Q9

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Slovak-Swedish, that is, products of Slovak-Swedish intermarriage.

Table X presents a distribution of this population by age and type of

intermarriage of which they are products.

discussed in detail in Chapter VI.

SLOVAK-SWEDISH POPULLTION OF CRASSFLRT BY AGE

HBMSX

AND TYPES O“ I NT $~1~H1fltl.f‘.GE

These marriages will be

 

 

Familv:

ll

 

Age and Sex
Group:
15-19
hale
Fem.
1 lO-lh
M ale
Fem.
5-9
hale
Fem.
o—h
Male
Fem.

Religion of

Children:
Catholic
Lutheran

‘—

Intermarriage Type

 

Slo-Luth.
hale
Sw—Luth.
Female
A

O
2

Slo-Luth.

Female

Sw-Luth.

hale
B

O
l

Slo—Cath.
M 81 e
Sw-Luth.

Female

Ca

0
1

D

2
O

Slo-Cath.
Female
Sw—Luth.

E

3
O

Iiale

F

l—‘w

b
o

G

2
0

Mixed .
Convert
H

1
O

1 Refers to a mixed convert marriage in which a Swedish Lutheran
male who married a non-local woman and was converted to the

Catholic faith.

2 The Swedish Lutheran female was formerly a non-local resident.

71

Table IX indicates that Slovaks, 352 in number,33 comprised almost
one half (h92) of the total population; Swedes, 208, or 27%; and other
nationalities, 177, or 23%. The latter group also included Slovak and
Swedish admixtures. Table XI presents an age group distribution of
"other nationalities."BLl It is important to note that the current Slovak
and Sw>dish populations have changed considerably since the first decade
of settlement in Grassflat. The current Slovak population is much larger
than that of Swedes. This was not true in the earlier years of settle-
ment. (See pages 62-6h) ho data were available concerning the pOpula-
tion of nationality groups other than Slovaks and Swedes during the
first decade of the present century.

In tenns of nativity, the population included 111 foreign—born, or
lb per cent of the total population. Of this population, 53 per cent
tare Slovak; h2, Swedish; 5, Irish, English, and French. It is important
to note that of the 56 within the age range 70—b5, only two were native
born.

Table IX indicates that the Catholic population comprised 5h per
Cent of the total pepulation; Lutherans, 32; other religious groups,
and non-church group, those who claimed membership in no church 7. The
total Catholic population, h28, was composed of 362 Slovaks, or 65 per
Cent of the total number; 25 Slovak-other admixtures, or 6 per cent;

9 Pennsylvania Dutch, or 2 percent; and 2 Pennsylvania-Dutch-Irish,

\—

33. This number also included 20 Slovak Lutherans. These were the only
Slovaks in the community who were not Catholic.

3b. Throughout this study "other nationalities" refers to nationalities
other than Slovak and Swedish.

 

 

XJ.
NJTIONILITIES" IN GKASA‘HLIET 198,1
. , ’

TILL} Ll:

H

’IBUTION OF "OT

L91 ,1. L

GE ”IOUP DI

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Totals

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Age
Groups

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65-69

 

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177

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3

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3

 

 

I NLTIONLLITIES" IN GHASSD‘LAT 1951
' 3

1

TAULL. Xl‘
IfEI

V

 

 

 

AGE (21:00? DI STII'IBUTION or "or

 

 

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177

2

2 l 3 LL63019 13

510 10

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9

 

 

 

l Swede (converted), 1 Italian, and 1 German or 1 per cent. These sub-
jects attended the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church at Grassflat.

The anaining 27 or a per cent of the Catholic po1ulation attended +F~

v-.\'

.'\‘

o;.Severin's Catholic Chirch at D ifting. This group consisted of 22
Pennsylvania Dutch and 5 German subjects. The total Lutheran population,
2&9, was composed of the following ethnic groups:

lES 7ht Swedes

20 Q Slovaks

" Swedish—other admixtures
Pennsylvania Dutch

Germ an

Slovak—other admixtures
English

Russian
English~Pennsylvania Dutch
- Scotch

2 Slovak-Swedish

5:5 100%

’—

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l—JI—‘NNUJUJJZ‘C

 

Tinee other religious faiths are found in Grassflat: United Brethren
5:) 3
Baptist, and Pillar of Fire. Thirty—four Grassflat residents were members

of the Grassflat United Brethren Church. This number consisted of 13

.. . n . L‘ ‘
hnglish, 10 Dutch, 7 Slovak-Irish,3) 2 French, 1 German, and 1 German-

”.1

ranch. Fourteen Grassflat residents were memoers of the Forrest Baptist
. 36 . . . , ,
Church. ‘his number conSisted of 7 Swedish—German, h German, ano 3
Swafish. Finally, 5 Irish are members of the Pillar of Fire Church. The
cmmfirmd.membership of the United Brethren, Baptist, and Pillar of Fire

Churches was 53. There were Sh who claimed to be members of no church,

parents and children included. This group consisted of 2h Swedish, lO

 

 

r" I A _y A. . - -. w n .
33. TheSe Slovak-Irish were recent reSicents of Grasszlat.
30. Forrest is a German settlement five miles from Grassflat.

Iwglish, 8 Irish, 7 English-French, 3 Pennsylvania Dutch, 1 French, ans
lfmrman.

Table IX indicates a total male pOpulation of 3&5 and female pOpu-
lation of 396. A closer observation indicates a very noticeable sex

.,

ratio ‘ifference in the 20-2h age group. The number of males in the

C

armed forces accounted for this difference. Table XII presents an age
group distribution of members of the armed forces in terms of ethnicity

and religion. Representation by Slovak Lutherans, Swedish Lutherans,

TABLE XII

IEESEnS BY WLTIONLLITY IN AhMmD FUfiCmS FRGE GRASSFLAT (Jth, 1951)

 

 

 

Age 'Slovak Slovak Swedish Other hat‘l
_~iggup Cath. Luth. Luth. Other Rel. Totals

35-39 - — l — 1
30—3h l - l - 2
25-29 1 1 ~ - 2
20—21I 15 - - - 15
15-19 1 1 - _ _2

22

 

axiother nationality and religious groups is considerably smaller than
thattw Slovak Catholics because of their urban mobility. (See page 277
for acmmparison of ethnic groups in terms of members in the armed forces

during World War II.)

75

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Ecological Distribution of POpulation

The major portion of Grassflat lies in a valley which is surrounded
on the north by oak and maple forest, on the east by pine reforested
ldllside, on the south by mountain laurel and huckleberry. On the west
is another hilly range, the highest, from which one can get an overview
of most of the community. Much of the natural scenic beauty has been
destroyed by surface coal-mining Operations which, as one resident said,

"left the hillsides nothing but waste with towering stony and clay-mud

Inountains on which even huckleberries refuse to grow."

Figure I presents an ecological distribution of all household units
in.Grassflat according to ethnic origin. It also gives the location of
Social centers of the community, the churches, mines, roads, and the
‘Winding creek. Ls indicated, Grassflat is divided into five rather
distinct sections. One lives "down West Clymer," "down Dobrytown,"37
"up town," "up Grassflat," or "up Pleasant Hill." ‘West Clymer and Dobry-
town were settled first .38
The current eCOIOgical distribution of ethnic household units in
WestClymer and Dobrytown still indicates a pattern of residential segre-
gafion which existed with only minor changes since the first decade of
Semflement. The "run" is still the dividing line between Dobrytown which
ifguedominantly Slovak andeest Clymer which is predominantly Swedish.

Dobnyunn1remained the most unchanged section in terms of ethnic residence.

 

37. The Slovak word "dobry" means "good."
38. The community of Grassflat was first known as West Clymer.

77

Slovak and Swedish subjects who were residents of different sections
ofifle community were interviewed by the writer to gather data concerning
ackmcription of each section. For example, the writer obtained descrip-
thnm of Dobrytown from residents of Pleasant Hill, West Clymer, Uptown,
and Upper Grassflat. This was done to obtain a more objective ocservar
tion of particular sections. In each case, subjects were merely asked
to describe the particular section concerned.

Slovak and Swedish subjects described Dobrytown as "the old Slovak
section," houses "rather crowded together." "Yards are crowded with sheds

and barns, many unpainted," and "yards shut in with old picket fences."
'qiost of the houses need repairs and painting." Dobrytown has "several
dirt (unpaved) roads" or "alleys." "It's dusty when the cars go by."
“Roads are really poor, even the macadam."39 "Some have hedge fences
along the road, now that nobody owns a cow."ho A large majority of the
Slovaks, "those who have good soil for gardening," plant their own potatoes,
Can a lot of beets, relish, corn, beans, and pickles. It's "the levelest
part of Grassflat, with only small hills which make the roads bad in
Winfinfidmet Lots of parts it's hard to get out with the car." "It's
gnetty in summer because Slovaks like flowers, and they have lots of them
in the front yard ."

The total population of Dobrytown was 165. Of this number 68 per

cent were Slovak, S per cent Swedish, less than 1 per cent Swedish-Slovak,

 

39. The macadam road was constructed in 1928.
DO. Most Slovak and Swedish residents owned cows until 1938 when pine
trees were planted in Peale pasturelands.

 

7h

41

1
and 26 per cent of "other nationalities." All except the Slovaks were

cmmparatively new residents in Dobrytown, moving in after 1930.
West Clymer, south of Dobrytown, is "the Swedish part of Grassflat."

13's "the better and nicer part of town." "They have their houses along

13m macadam road, not crowded like Dobrytown." There are "fewer sheds

and barns which are farther from the house (than those of Dobrytown)."

The people have "nicely kept lawns, the prettiest in town." Their houses

are "always nicely painted and some have colorful awnings." They don't

have things "cluttered around the house." Most of the "old Swedes live

there." The "macadam makes it a clean section, and almost nebody has

t0 use dirt (unpaved) roads." The "road is good and peOple can get out

eaSily, even in wintertime." "The peOple in West Clymer like flowers,

too '3'

The total population of West Clymer was 97. or this number, 51; per

Cent were Swedish, 2 per cent Slovak, h percent Slovak-Swedish and 22 per

cent other nationalities.

Upper Grassflat is the largest section in the community. Most of it

Most of the houses are found "along the climb-

1:3

"The poorest soil is found there." "It‘s stony,

is located on a.hillside.

ing macadam ro ad . "

__

id” "Other nationalities" included 1 Slovak-Swedish, 2 Swedish—German,
l.Pennsylvania Dutch, 1 Slovak-Irish, l Irish-Pennsylvania Dutch,
1.English, and 1 Swedish household units.

b2. Other nationalities included 1 Pennsylvania Dutch, 1 English-Swedish,
1 Pennsylvania Dutch-Swedish, l Slovak-Pennsylvania Dutch, and 3
Slovak-Swedish (2 Slovaks were not natives of Grassflat). 5% of the
Slovak population in west Clymer is Slovak Lutheran.

b3- SUbJects emphasized gardens because a majority of residents in Grass-
flét raised their own potatoes and vegetables. Many work in gardens

When'WOrk is Slack during the summer months."

 

 

 

 

 

7‘8

and 26_per cent of "other nationalities."ill All except the Slovaks were
cmmparatively new residents in Dobrytown, moving in after 1930.

West Clymer, south of Dobrytown, is "the Swedish part of Grassflat."
It's "the better and nicer part of town." "They have their houses along
iflw macadam road, not crowded like Dobrytown," There are "fewer sheds
amiterns which are farther from the house (than those of Dobrytown)."
The people have "nicely kept lawns, the prettiest in town." Their houses
are ''always nicely painted and some have colorful awnings." They don't
have things "cluttered around the house." Most of the "old Swedes live
there." The "macadam makes it a clean section, and almost nebody has
t0 use dirt (unpaved) roads." The "road is good and peOple can get out
eaSily, even in wintertime." "The peOple ianest Clymer like flowers,
too."

The total pOpulation of West Clymer was 97. Of this number, Sh per

Cent were Swedish, 2 per cent Slovak, h percent Slovak~Swedish and 22 per

cent other nationalities.

Upper Grassflat is the largest section in the community. Most of it

Most of the houses are found "along the climb-

D3

ingnumadam road " "The poorest soil is found there." "It's stony,

is located on a.hillside.

_—

Ul."Other nationalities" included 1 Slovak-Swedish, 2 Swedish-German,
1.Pennsylvania Dutch, 1 Slovak-Irish, l Irish-Pennsylvania Dutch,
1.Eng1ish, and 1 Swedish household units.

b2. Other nationalities included 1 Pennsylvania Dutch, 1 English-Swedish,
1.Pennsylvania Dutch-Swedish, l Slovak—Pennsylvania Dutch, and 3
Eflcvak-Swedish (2 Slovaks were not natives of Grassflat). 5% of the
Eflpvak pOpulation in west Clymer is Slovak Lutheran.

b3- SUbJects emphasized gardens because a majority of residents in Grass-
iqfi raised their own potatoes and vegetables. Many work in gardens

lflmn work is slack during the summer months."

79

and so few peOple have good gardens." The part of Upper Grassflat
"where the Nebo Church is located is the nice part, like parts of west
Clymer where it's level." In this particular part one also finds
"beautiful lawns and hedged-in front yards." The southern-most part of
Upper Grassflat is the "least desirable place to live." "It's stony soil
and the sulphur fumes and smoke from COOper #1 Mine are terrible, bad
for people with asthma." The "houses are crowded and small." In general,
the homes in Upper Grassflat are "well kept, lawns are clean, preperty is
well-Spaced, like'West Clymer." The macadam makes it "nice to get out
and in with the car." Only a few peeple "who live 'off the road' have to
use dirt roads." Farmers live in the western-most part of this section.
These farmers "are not Slovak or Swedish" (English).

The population of Upper Grassflat was 198. Of this pOpulation,
hS per cent were Swedish, 29 per cent Slovak (only one per.cent Slovak-
Lutheran), 23 per cent other nationalities, and 3 per cent Slovak-Swedish.bh

"Pleasant Hill is the first part of town a person sees when he drives
into Grassflat." It is located in the narrow western end of the valley.
Most of the "houses are built at the foothills on both sides of the sul-
phur creek." Pleasant Hill has "lots of barren, empty waste Spots because
of the creek and the mines." The soil in many parts "is too poor for
gardening because of stone or sulphur creek." Many houses are "crowded

together like Dobrytown." Many relatives live "close together like in

 

hh. Other nationalities included 2 Swedish-German, 2 Swedish~Russian,
l Swedish-English, h English, 1 German, 1 Irish, 1 German-French,
and 1 Pennsylvania Dutch-English households.

80

Dobrytown," The hillsides of Pleasant Hill "are prettier than in Dobry-
town or West Clymer because no stripping (surface coal mining) is up there
and there are farms close by." "The alleys are bad roads across the
creek (north side of Pleasant Hill)." Most of the houses "are nice, and
are off the road so it's not dusty like Dobrytown," "Many parts of
Pleasant Hill are bad places to live, but not as terrible as Upper Grass-
flat mines part (southern-most section of Upper Grassflat)."
Pleasant Hill had a total population of 165, equal to that of Dobry-
town. This section contained the largest Slovak pOpulation. Of the
total population, 8h per cent were Slovak (less than two per cent Slovak-
Lutheran), 10 per cent Swedish, 7 per cent other nationalities, and no
Slovak-Swedish.b5
Uptown is "the busy part of Grassflat." In this section, settled
"along the main road" (Route 17066), are found the Slovak Catholic Church,
Slovak Jednota Club (social club and tavern), barber Shep, Loyal Order
of Moose Club, Petro's Tavern (public tavern), postoffice, humenik's
General Store, Blue Star Theatre, restaurant, Swedish Lutheran Church
(Emanuel Church), and Olseon's General Store, in that order from the west
to the east. "More life here than any place because here is where peOple
come to get their mail, groceries, and refreshments" (liguor and beer).

Some of the "nicest homes are found there." "It's hard to buy prOperty

because it is more expensive and some landlords who live in the city won't

 

hS. Other nationalities included 1 Slovak-Pennsylvania Dutch, 1 Slovak-
English, and l Pennsylvania.Dutch households. Fifteen years ago the
Swedish population was larger, consistinglnainly of elderly folks who
passed away or moved to the city to live with their children.

bl

sell because they might come back to live here when they are old."

"It would look nicer if someone out the bushes along the road, but no—
bod‘r seems to care." Only a few peOple have gardens because lots are
smaller. "The people are pretty mixed (different nationalities) there."
People "have to walk on the road because here are not any sidewalks."
The "state road" (macadam) "makes it pretty clean."

The total pOpulation of Uptown was 131. Of this pOpulation, 3h per
cent were Slovak, 21 per cent Swedish, 3 per cent Slovak-Swedish, and hl
per cent other nationalities. Between 1925 and 1930 Uptown was predomi-
nantly Swedish. As mine Operations decreased after 1930 and Swedes moved
to the city, Slovaks purchased prOperty and moved into Uptown.

In addition, 28 residents live in two areas which are not generally
included as part of any of the five sections of Grassflat already men—
tioned. These are the non-designated areas in Figure 1. One of these
areas was referred to as "those houses between Dobrytown and Uptown,"
the other as "the five houses by the woods." The former is located "near
the creek, off the macadam road, and in a swampy place." The latter is
located on the hillside, north Of Dobrytown, where the soil is stony and
people can't have gardens." The five houses which are of identical
architectural design and were formerly company-owned houses were purchased
from the Clearfield Bituminous Coal Company when major mine Operations
decreased in 1938.

Of the total population in these two areas, 53.35 per cent were
Swedish, 32.1h per cent Slovak, 7.15 per cent Swedish-English and Swedish-

German, and 7.1h per cent Slovak-Swedish.

b2

Industries

Coal mining has always been the major industry in Grassflat.
Generation after generation of Slovaks and Swedes worked in the mines,
almost exclusively the only kind of employment available in the community.
This was true also Of earlier residents who first lived in Peale and later
settled Grassflat.

The Tunelside Mines, located three miles south Of Peale, were Opened

us

in the year 1683. hine Operations continued until 1691. The Opening
Of these mines was the major event which caused the Swedes from McIntyre,
Pennsylvania, and later a limited number Of emigrants from Slovakia, to
settle in the vicintiy of Grassflat and Peale. About the same time,

another mine, COOper #1, was started in the southern-most section of

Upper Grassflat. This was the first mine within the immediate vicinity

h?

of Grassflat. Operations at COOper #1 Mine continued until l9h5.

("'1

In 1891, three other mines were started. ihe Knox Run hine, four

miles south of Grassflat, continued Operations until 191h. The Pleasant

Hill and Moravin Mines, located in the northern part of Grassflat, con-

( I

. . . . - - . . ho . . .
tinueu Operations until 1920 BIG 1905, reSpectively. The beginning Of

Operations at these mines meant unlimited Opportunities for employment.
Beginning of Operations at the Pleasant Hill and Moravin Nines caused

more Slovaks and Swedes to build their homes in Grassflat. It is in these

 

ho. Data from a former checkweighman for the Clearfield Bituminous Coal
Company.

b7. Ibid,

us. Ibid.

mines that most Swedes and Slovaks earned their first wages in hmerica.
It is here that Swedish and Slovak residents worked side by side for the
first time as new immigrants.

In 1922, Operations began at the COOper #2 Mine, the largest coal
mine in or near the vicinity of Grassflat. Mine Operations continued
from l923-—1938.u9 Residents of Grassflat and neighboring communities were
employed here. (This was one of the main reasons why the macadam road
was constructed in 1927.)

Coal mining also meant limited Opportunities for employment in

lumberinc

0, another industry owned and Operated by theeClearfield Bituminous
Coal Company. This industry served the function of supplying wood products
used in mine Operations. Only a limited number Of men was employed in

“O

lumberinc seldom more than ten or fifteen men.)

D)

In addition to coal mining and lumberincr

O, a very limited number Of
residents was employed in clay mining. The Tunnelside Clay Mine was Opened
in 1918. A maximum of eight men was employed during the production years
1’18-19h5. inother clay mine, Mine #2, was started in Peale in 19h0.
51 o
This mine still in O eration emplo s 17 men 5 of which are residents
J ) - .Y 3
of Grassflat.
Except for a.1imited number who were employed in local stores,

taverns, schools, and those employed outside the community, residents

worked in the coal mines, clay mines, and.lumbering in and near Grassflat

 

D9. Ibid.
SO. Ibid.
51. Data from the president of the local clay miner‘s union.

 

until the year 1938. In that year mine Operations at COOper #2 ceased.
This meant that those who did not find enplcyment in the Cooler #1 Kine
had to find work elsewhere.

A study of the employment situation of Grassflat household heads
was made by the writer in the summer Of 1951. These data were obtained
at the same time the census of the community was made. A more current
study Of the employment situation was mane through the use of question-
naire forms given to Grassflat students enrolled in Grades 7 - 12 inclu-
sive. Each student was asked to indicate the occupation of his or her
father. The results of these two studies are presented in Table XIII.
It is important to note that a.larger percentage of Slovaks than Swedes
listed under "Total" and "Sample" were employed in coal mining. Two
reasons in particular account for this difference. More Swedes than
Slovaks who were formerly employed in the coal mines had moved from Grass-
flat, and more Swedes, formerlyxuiners and company men, have been
pensioned. A comparison of occupations engaged in by Slovaks and Swedes
in other industries shows no significant occupational difference between
the two ethnic groups.

The coal mines were outside the community of Grassflat, located
within a five to twenty mile radius from the comnunity. Those employed
in the forest had to commute slightly farther distances. The surface
coal Operations ("stripping" Operations) were five to ten miles from
Grassflat. The Clarence brickyard is loca ed fourteen miles from Grass-
flat, while the Winburne brickyard is only five miles from Grassflat.

The Peale clay mine is the nearest place Of work, located only four miles

85

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from Grassflat. Fourteen males were employed at least twenty-five miles
from Grassflat, five of whom "come home only for weekends," This
description of the occupational distribution is quite different from
that of only fifteen years ago when virtually all employed residents
worked in.mines within the immediate vicinity of Grassflat.

It is important to note the extent to which residents of Grassflat
were distributed in various occupations, particularly the males. These
data and those represented in Table XIV Show the extent to which residents

TABLE XIV

OCCUPATIONAL DISTRIBUTION or RCSIDiMTs (EXCLUDING MALE PiaoNTs)
CLASSIFILD BY ETHNIC bLChGnOUhu

 

 

Occupation Slovak Swedish Other Totals
(isles)
Brickyard (Clarence) 3 O O 3
Tailor Shop (Clearfield) 2 o o 2
Clay Mine (Peale) o l o 1
Coal Mines (Near Grassflat) l l O 2
Lime Quarry (Bellefonte) O l O 1
Forest (Near Grassflat) O O l 1
Auto Garage (Grassflat) l O O 1
Farm (Near Grassflat) l o o 1
School Janitor (Grassflat) O 9 l _l
E 3 2 1}
(Females)
Clothing Manufactures(Phillipsburg) 8 O h 12
Cigar Manufactures (Phillipsburg 2 l h 7
Clothing Store (Clerical)(Phillipsburg)0 l l 2
Housework (Phillipsburg) l o o l
Butcher Shop (Forest) 0 O l 1
General Store (Grassflat l O O 1
Secretary (Near Grassflat) O l O 1
School Cafeteria (Winburne) o ' 2 o 2
Restaurant (Waitress) O O l l
Postoffice (Assistant) (Grassflat) _9. O _l_ _l
12 E 12 29

 

67

of Grassflat had to go outside the community for employment. Only four
females in the preceding table, three of German and one of Irish national-

ity, were married. Two were employed in "clothing manufactures" one in

’
a "butcher ShOp", and one, a "restaurant waitress" (wife of prOprietor).
These data were obtained in June, 1951.

CorreSpondence received from the writer's friend and resident of
Grassflat on June 2, 1952, informed the writer that a."clothing factory

is to begin Operations in the near future." Assuming this report is

accurate, a.larger number of women and men will be locally employed.

The Family and Kinship System

The family among Slovaks and Swedes was, of course, an institution
of basic importance. Relations which one experienced in his family of
orientation colored to a great extent his relations and experiences out—
side the family. It was here that the child experienced first impressions,
gained his first lessons in learning to become a socialized being, and
learned first meanings which peculiarly had a relatively lasting impression
on the individual concerned.

A comparison of the Slovak and Swedish family and kinship system
indicated.a.nnmber of similarities, and, on the other hand, a number of
differences. The most striking difference was that regarding the kinship
system. In terms of the family, however, Slovaks and Swedes had become
more and more similar "since they began to live closer together and wer-

not separated the way they used to be."

CC

Slovak and Swedish residents Spoke freely about their families.
Even in comparing the family among Slovaks with that among Swedes
residents volunteered to talk freely "because you can expect them to be
different in some things." Among the Slovak families, "particularly
among the real Slovak families" (older Slovak families), the husband
was "gazda" (master) and the wife was "gazdina" (mistress). These terms,
very common among Slovaks, are first of all terms of highest reSpect.
The husband was "the boss" and "what he says goes" . The wife, on the
other hand, also played an important role of authority. ’he term "gazdina"
generally connotes a.meaning of mistress in terms of domesticity and
economy. The major responsibilities of the husbani were well-defined.
He was "expected to support the family like a man should", "be nice to
his wife and children", "work and not be laZy or drunk to miss work",
"see that his wife takes care of the money right", and "doesn't make a
fool of himself getting drunk and shaming the family". "If he can't
make the children listen, well, no one can". The major reSponsibilities
of the wife were almost exclusively those of a domestic role. "She is
supposed to work in the house and keep it clean", "to keep the children
clean, dressed right, and fed", "to teach children prayers and see that
they go to church", and to prepare meals economically "without running
to store all the time and Opening cans".

"Good children" were "children who listen". They "obey their father
and mother", "come when you call them", and "don't sass back" (talk back).

They help "around the house" and "help take care of (younger) children so

mother can get her work cone, have water (for bath) ready for father,
and have dinner ready on the table".

Mothers-in-law. "don't meddle", because "it's the husband's place
to keep his own house right". Fathers-in-law "never, never poke their
nose into the family business". It's generally believed that "when
you're married you should be old enough to behave like a.married person."

In short, to ignore the authority of one's father or mother "means
a licking". When mother says something you obey or else "you'll get it
when father comes home". "The bOOgey man will get you" is quite uncommon
among Slovaks. More common are such expressions as "Jesus won't like
that", "you'll have to tell it to the priest" (in confession), and
"you'll listen if it's the last thing you do".

Although discipline in the home among Slovaks was I"firm and strict",
Slovak parents had a great love for their children. "To side with"
one's children was not uncommon, but overprotection to the point of
"spoiling them" was rare. As one informant said, "they're loved when
they listen, and Spanked when they don't".

The kinship system played a.peouliarly important role among Slovaks.
"Practically all the Slovaks (in Grassflat) are related to one other in
some way by baptism, confirmation, or marriage". fnother subject said,
"you can't throw a stone in Grassflat without hitting a relative". One
is taught "the names showing respect" very early in life. Slovaks expect
this "from all children". It was generally the mother's duty to teach
children such "names showing respect" as "svagor" (brother-in-law),

"svaarina" (sister-in-law) "kmotor" godfather) "kmotra" (Godmother)
o 3 Q 3 o )

90

and others. Although the majority of Slovaks Spoke English in and outside
tie home, hese titles of address were generally retained in the Slovak
tongue. If children don't respect their relatives, especially their
elders, "they get it when they get home". For example, one dances with
his relatives "or else he hears about it". helatives helped each other
frequently by "lending a hand with work and things like that", but "money
is a different matter". If one's relatives "see you with a girl or boy
they don't think your parents would like they'll soon tell them".

Slovak marriages were permanent marriages. "That‘s what you promise
when you.marry". ”You're sure to be punished (after death) if you don't
keep the promise". This attitude, common among Slovaks, to a great
extent accounted for the precautions Slovaks took in the selection of
marital partners for their children. In general, the attitude toward
the selection of a.marital mate was "first and second to marry a good
Catholic and a Slovak that's a good worker". Finally, "if not this, don't
marry anyone else unless they turn (surrender their religious faith and
become Catholic).

To the average Slovak resident, the roles of Swedish fathers and

mothers were not defined as specifically as were those in the Slovak

“a

anily. Although greater variations were found in the status and role

of Swedish fathers and mothers, their roles were not actually as poorly
defined as they appeared to most Slovaks. For example, the wife did

not "boss" in the Swedish family, and the father was not "under the wife's

finger". To the average Slovak, the roles of father and mother in the

91

Swedish family appeared poorly defined because they were more coxplementary
than those of the Slovak parents.

r more than

According to Swedes, Swedish parents "count fifty-fifty
Slovak parents", that is, authority in the family was more equally shared
by parents. "The Swedish housewife can do more things without wondering

~

what her husband will say than the Slovak Lousewife". he Swedish family
"maybe talks things together more" (than Slovaks). The Swedish father
and mother generally addressed each other as "father" and "mother", "ma"
and "pa", or addressed each other by their first names, depending upon
the aqe of parents concerned.

The following data were extracted fron a tape-recorded interview with
three elderly Swedish subjects, two of which represent the earliest

Swedish settlers in Grassflat:

'Nriter: How would you describe the best Swedish family in
Grassflat? First describe a sood husband.
3

Mrs. R: A good husband he provides for his family, and further-
more, if he had a good wife he gives her the money
because she knows the best places to Spend it.

Miss h: He loves his family, stays at home, and takes care of
them all.

Mrs. R: Well, a good wife is one that can cook good and keeps
her husband that way, and I don't know what.

Miss h: A good wife sees that children behave themselves in
all respects. See that they learn their lessons well
at night before they retire, and keeps them neat and
clean, keeps the house neat and clean, and cooks a
good meal for the whole family.

Writer: What do you think about that, hr. L?

Mr. L: I'd say "men". (All laugh)

92

writer: How would you ce scrioe tne best Swedisl children?
Miss R: They're polite and obedient.

Mrs. R: heSpect parents, yes, and love their par ants and other
people as well. Go to church, Sunday School, Bible

" ‘

On‘n' F“. r'n': T‘\-: 0"” 1 .+" a} j r a r; "‘ " ""1' “’r }~r 4'"
Up;.;(_)u.l_, dun liq," all all p-ti..-L.' Tl can 9-2; T11.) 1-: _- cI‘d DJ

1

Le? learn to recite, sing, and say nice things, nice

Not unlile Slovaks, Sm: ies considered the major role of the father
as one of providing for the family, that of the mother as one of good

ousekeeoinu, and that of ch'ldren as obedient of parents. Unlike Slovak

children the Swedish children, "are not expected to do things around
the house as much as Slovaks because the Swedish family is smaller and

this means less or no children to take care of". Sgacing of children was

r3
(3 . 1 'W L a ’ ‘ i - ' . p. .
more common among Swedes than Slovaks.S This no coust was an important

Q

factor why Slovak children had additional reasonSiLilitics not character-

ic of Swedish children

(F

is
kinship system among Swedes was not as congicated as that among
Slovaks. One important reason for this difference lies in the fact that
Swedes were more prone to move outside of Grassflat, severing kinship
ties which are characteristic of Slovaks who tend to remain resio ants of
Grassflat. Another reason rested with the act that u arr iag ehetween
local Swedes was less frequent than that among Slovaks. 15 one Swedish

resident said, "Swedes have relatives, too, but the;4re scat ered all

over".

 

S2. The Catholic Church forbids the use of unnatural means of family
' n

The two reasons mentioneu above also accounted for the smaller
number of Swedish than Slovak neighborhood cliques in Cr<ssflat. It is
important to note that Slovaks as well as SW31es themselves were aware of
two Swedish neigghborhood groups, "peOpl e who visit each other's homes
for bingo, coffee socials, or dinners". One such group was found in West
Clymer; the other was found in W oper Grassflat. During a tape-recorded
interview with second generation Swedish fathers, one emphasized the fact

that--

' 1

Coffee socials are important in 1< seeing the Swedes to 5e
I know the Swedish people in W st Clymer get together a
coffee socials they have at hon mes, Hy Mom and Dad, hrs. R,,
hr, W, and older people around in our neighborhood they de-
cide to get tovether around on Sa.turdays, evening, and decid
to have a SOCl al at this certain pe rson' s house and then
another person has it at his place another time and so on.

I,”

111is keeps them to1ether.

’

The following which is a.mox e detailed discussion of the neig~borhood_
coffee socials among Swedes in Grassflat was extracted from a.tape-recorced
interview with A who was described on page 5h:

A: The coffee social clicks (cliques) are rat1er small
clicks. There are three to five families or so forth
(in West Clymer) that click to:et1er and do this. But
years 8:30 they had more of what w’BS surprise parties
that's the Swedes, If someone had a birt1day they
knew about they would give him a.sort of house warming
and some pres sents were pres 3nted, and so forth. They
really had good times at those surprise parties that
we've had in Grassflat for years, but these here Small
coffee socials are just a.small click.

Writer: Would you mention the names of one click with which you
are acquainted? ‘

L: Well right he re close by the W family, the T family,
and R family right now.

 

Writer:

Writer:

Writer:

Well ,

9h

DO theg,r ever invite other Smaciisn pa Ople?

Well, I think t

r: at times,
at's what I} he

ey muj3; st it pe:rhaps
ar 1,

There is a.coffee social click in west Clymer,
there?

That‘s the W. family. ‘hey have relatives. They're
a big clock. They have relation supper at times.
They invite their relatives who live close by.

Do the5r have coi pfee socials in the homes in Upper
Grassflat?

*3
0.:

Why, the majoritv of the Upper G S
off, the Old folks. 801m of t‘; a pa
relations so they get together t t J v, no douot
the L. family3 although they live a little out of
town, they still have them with some of their friends
in Grassflat here.

il'?’
LC

DO the Sw dish peOple in Heat Clymer invite the
Swedish people from Upper Grassflat?

if they were friends or relatives and thought

they would come I suppose they would.

)
DO you know of any owedes from Upper Grassflat who
come to West Clymer for coffee socials?

Not now because the majority of the old peOple up
there like Mrs. S. and otk_rs are dead so there
aren't as many socials as there used to be.

The neighborhood coffee social clique in West Clymer is composed of

the families of elc erly Swen es, all of whom are long time residents of

Grassflat. This group like that in Upper Grassflat is composed mainly of

relatives,

.0

No such elaborate meeting 0L neighborhood groups was found among

a-

Slovaks; even dinner engagements between relatives were rare. As one

Slovakrsaid, "Slovak relatives onl/ eat to;' :ether at a baptismal christening

\O
o 1

dinner or a wedding". However, there were a number of informal neighbor-
hood groups among Slovaks, particularly in Dobrytown and Pleasant Hill
where Slovak nei hbors Were numerous and many re atives lived side by
side. These have been described as "just talking sessions", "across the
fence chats", and "gossip get-togethers".

The role of religious institutions among both Slovaks and Swedes
was a very important one. Religion Operated in a very unique and special
way in the community as an agency of social control. no other institu-
tions in the community exerted a.more widespread influence on the total
community than the churches. Both Slovaks and Swedes referred to their
churches as "the most active parts of Grassflat". One Swedish resident
said:

The churches here give the peOple in Grassflat things they would

not have otherwise. Most Slovaks and Swedes wouldn't have any-

place to go or anything to do except go to taverns and out-of—

town if it wasn't for the churches. The churches here are close

to the peOple. I don't know what the peOple would do here With-

out their churches .

All Slovaks, except four families of Lutheran faith, were members
of the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, the only Catholic church in
the community. Considering their small number, it is important to note
that Slovak Catholics had eight organizations, the membership of which
was limited only to Slovak Catholics. (These organizations will be dis—
cussed in detail in Chapter V and VI). In addition to these, Slovaks
had a Slovak Political Club which permitted membership only to Slovak

Catholics and those married to Slovak Catholics, regardless of their

ethnic origin and religious faith. Slovaks also had a social club, the

r

\C
(j "\

Jednota Club, in which other residents of Grassflat were permitted member-

ship. Catechism classes, attended by all youngsters between the ages
of five and eighteen, were taught by the pastor, In addition to Masses
which were offered regularly on Sundays, Slovak Catholics also had Masses
three or four times during the week.

The Swedish Lutherans, on the other hand, had two churches, the hobo
Lutheran in Upper Grassflat and the Emanuel Lutheran near West Clymer.
All Slovak Lutherans, except five or six, who held their own services in
the old Slovak Lutheran Church, were members of the hebo or Emanuel
Church. Each of these churches had two organizations, membership in
which was limited to Lutherans. Several of the or'ginal organizations
Which had been quite active just ten years ago had been discontinued.
Currently there is a trend to combine the organizations of the two churches
under the leadership of the present pastor who Officiates at both churches
as did previous pastors. sunday School classes, attended by youngsters
between the ages of five and fourteen, and Bible SchOol classes, attended
by those beyond fourteen years of age who have been confirmed, were taught
by the pastor.

Another group of organizations in Grassflat, eight in number, were
"for anybody", that is, membership was restricted to no one. These were
the Jednota Social Club, already mentioned, the LOyal Order of Moose
(social club), WOmen of the Moose (social and economic), Ladies Firemen
of Grassflat (social and protective), two "midget" (teenage) baseball

teams, an adult Sportsman's Club, and one Boy Scout Troop. (These will

be discussed in detail in Chapters v and VI.)

 

97

When residents were asked to name social and recreational activities
in Grassflat, "drinking" was mentioned first most frequently; host
residents of the community drink. A small number of elderly Swedes in
West Clymer and most of the Swedes in Upper Grassflat did not drink in
the Grassflat "drinking Spots" (the Jednota Club, the Moose, and
Johnny's). Johnny's Tavern was an independent place of business, and is
known for "restricting service to no one".

Other social and pastime activities mentioned were dancing, movies,
bingo, coffee socials, and baseball. Dances were held regularly on
Sunday evenings at the Moose, and at the Jednota Club on Saturdays.

A one-time major pastime in Grassflat, baseball, was not attended and sup-
ported as it was in the past. The community had no adult baseball team

at the time of this study. A number of Slovak and Swedish residents said,
"adults today don't seem to care for anything but drinking". The two
teenage teams, composed of Slovaks, Swedes, and others, indiscriminantly,
had "a tough time scraping up enough money to make a trip to play teams

of nearby communities". It is important to note that Grassflat just a
few years ago had two outstanding baseball teams which were strongly sup—
ported by the community. One was "the town team", composed of players of
all ethnic origins in Grassflat. The other was "the Jednotars", composed
entirely of Slovak Catholics. Considering the size of the community, both
were outstanding, especially "the town team" which was undefeated for
several years, even when in competition with considerably better equipped

Lbeagues from much larger communities.

98

Movies in the local theatre were held every Thursday and Sunday.
The "movies" was owned by a Slovak Cattolic. Bingo, a favorite pastime
especially for women of Grassflat, was sponsored by the Ladies Firemen

of Grassflat and the Catholic Church on Saturdays and fiednesiays, re-
Soectively. Both bingo and movies were attended regularly by Slovaks,
Swedes, and others.

Coffee and cake socials, known as "coffee socials", were Sponsored
jointly by the Nebo and Emanuel Lutheran Churches. Since the Catholic
Church frowned on their support by Slovak Catholics, attendance by Slovak
Catholics was rare. A larger number of Swedish Lutherans attended the
Catholic Church bingos.

The form of government in Grassflat was not unlike that of most
unincorporated communities with their county governmental systems.
Clearfield County had its officials composed of the president, judge,
deputies, recorders, county commissioners, superintendent of schools,
and others. In Grassflat, law and order was the duty of the office of
the justice-of-the—peace of "squire", as he was commonly called. The
town "squire" was elected every six years by voters of Cooper Township.
In an interview with the local justice-of—the—peace the writer learned
that his office transacted legal matter regarding automobile title trans-
fers, learner's driving permits, weasel and fox bounties, speeding viola-
tions, larceny, and school truan-y. He was custodian of ballot boxes.
Durirmgthe past seven years in office, he was consulted about "four family
tyiarrels and three bodily threats". He was often consulted on matters

Ixartaining to will and deeds which were legally "handled by attorneys

98

Movies in the local theatre were held every Thursday and Sunday.
The "movies" was owned by a Slovak Cattolic. Bingo, a.favorite pastime
especially for women of Grassflat, was sponsored by the Ladies Firemen
of Grassflat and the Catholic Church on Saturda
Spectively. Both bingo and movies were attended regularly by Slovaks,
Swedes, and others

Coffee and cake socials, known as "coffee socials", were Sponsored
jointly by the Nebo and Emanuel Lutheran Churches. Since the Catholic
Church frowned on their support by Slovak Catholics, attendance by Slovak
Catholics was rare. I larger number of Swedish Lutherans attended the
Catholic Church bingos.

The form of government in Grassflat was not unlike that of most
unincorporated communities with their county governmental systems.
Clearfield County had its officials composed of the president, judge,
deputies, recorders, county commissioners, superintendent of schools,
and others. In Grassflat, law and order was the duty of the office of
the justice-of-the-peace of "squire", as he was commonly called. The
town "squire" was elected every six years by voters of Cooper Township.

In an interview with the local justice-of-the-peace the writer learned
that his office transacted legal matter regarding automobile title trans-
fers, learner's driving permits, weasel and fox bounties, speeding viola-
tions, larceny, and school truancy. He was custodian of ballot boxes.
.During the past seven-years in office, he was consulted about "four family
quarrels and three bodily threats". He was often consulted on matters

p€u*taining to will and deeds which were legally "handled by attorneys

at Philipsburg and Clearfield". Many Slovaks of the first generation
who could not read or write English consulted him for advise. During
the interview he added that--

Grassflat residents also elect other officers who affect the
local community. These are three road supervisors who take
care of school or township roads, four school board members,
political chairmen and chair-women of both parties, election
officials, three township auditors, tax collector, and
assessor. That's the government in Grassflat. Feeple here
don't need anymore. They're peaceful and take care of things
pretty much themselves..

In case of drunken brawls which sometimes occurred, one might expect that
policemen from Philipsburg be called. This was never done. Peeple
settled things themselves.

\

In general, Grassflat residents were born Democrat or Republican. .

\x .,

As one resident said, "what your father is you are". Grassflat was pre-
dominantly Democrat. It was quite common to hear such expressions as ‘
"one who works hard for a living is craZy if he's a Republican", "one“
who is Republican is aiming for an easy job", "one who is Republican in
Grassflat is just trying to be big". "The Republican party is the
capitalist party". Preportionally more Slovaks than Swedes were Democrat.

The Democratic and Republican precinct chairmen and chairwoman were often

arded as "the busy politicans who try to get voters out so they might

*1

N

9
get better jobs, but never get the better jobs". Most political activity
took place in the local taverns, particularly the Jednota Club and the
Ikx>se "where the more important county officers set up beer to get votes".
.Elections meant "free beer" to many residents. Although Grassflat resi-

(units were "steady voters" they don't ge "too bothered about elections

100

except the ones around home", that is, election of officers which
residents felt affected the community directly. Election of school
board members "doesn't mean too much". "Guys from other towns do the
running for these offices". A large majority of the residents felt
their votes were not important because they were few in number.

a major change was made in the educational system in Grassflat in
l9hO. One and two room school buildings were sold or torn down and a
beautiful modern school was built. The building accomnoeated all Grass-
flat pupils enrolled in the first six grades. Those enrolled in upper

grades, including high school, attended the elementary and secondary

school in Winburne to which they commuted by township bus.

‘he four teachers in Grades 1 - 6 had taught continuously in
Grassflat at least the past three decades. They had taught the parents
of many of their pupils. Two are Swedish and Lutheran. The others who
were English and Dutch were members of the Church of United Brethren in
Grassflat. The high school staff Was composed of twelve teachers of
various ethnic backgrounds, one of which was Swedish (the principal) and
one was Slovak.S3

Residents described the teachers in both the elementary and secondary
schools as "good teachers", "understanding", and "interested in making
children learn". According to State requirements they were well certi-
ficated in their areas of teaching, and they were quite aware of the back-
ground and potentialities of their pupils.

m

.53. (IN? principal, a.former resident of Grassflat, resided in Lanse
wulCh 18 near the Cooper Township High School.

101

Only a ew children from Grassflat weit to College, prOportionally
more Swedes than Slovaks. hore recently, however, both had become more
interested in providing their children with opportunities for higher
education. They are interested "in their children having what they
didn't have a chance to get".

The elementary school "puts on Christmas prOgrams and May Day plabs"
which were well attended by both Slovak and Swedish parents, eSpecially
the mothers. The high school "puts on class plays" which attracted
"large crowds from all over". In addition, the high school football and
baseball teams were also well supported by local residents. More recently,
the high school had extended its recreational prOgran on campus to include
tennis, ping—pong, socker, and volley vall. More facilities had also
been provided to include recreational Opportunities for girls.

The attitude of students had changed to some extent. Lore were
becoming aware of the need for education "in order to get better jobs".
Probably the occupational transition which is currently taking place had
affected this change.

In general, residents were Quite proud of their public educational
system, its facilities and teaching staff. Parents were interested in
'having "nice schools for their children" not like those they had. They

were interested in having their children "get good marks" (grades).

Children were taught "to listen to the teacher". Teachers were highly

U

reSpected. Most children, it was said, "who get a licking from th
teacher don't run to their parents because they'd get another licking at

home for bad deportment in school". The teachers in the elementary and

secondary schools took a very small role in community affairs outside

the activities of the churches of which they were members. They did

\
:

COOperate "in giving talks and things like 'hat if tiey'ar asked".

(‘0

They did not attend bingos, dances, or movies in town, but they did attend

"the weddings of their former pupils when invited".
Class Structure

The class structure of Grassflat was a.complex structure. not unliwe
manv rural coal mining communities in central Pennsylvania with their
complexities of ethnic and religious groups, the class system of Grassflat
was further complicated by the occupational transition which was taking
place. Just fifteen years ago, status and role were almost exclusively
determined by the residents' relations as employees of the Clearfield
Bitwninous Coal Company. The coal company, including its many and diverse
extentions of authority, was the power System. Employees were obligated
to "buy at the company store". At least forty houses rented by miners
and other employees of the company were company-owne . Even in political
and social matters, the company dictated policy. It was unwise to make
public the fact that one was Democrat. The superintendent was a staunch
Republican. One way to get "the better job" (company job) was to become a

"iven to those "who could play baseball

_r
O

Republican. I company job was also
on the first team". "The company was glad to have a good town team so it
helped when it could in many ways. It brought the company credit".

One resident said, "the company moved out-—the boss, foreman,

machines, mine cables, and even rooted up the tracks". "Where at one time

everybody worked in the same hole (coal mine) today they‘re Spread all '
over heck". One elderly Slovak resident summarized the situation quite

succinctly when he said, "the tOp people aren't here anymore. When the

company left, they left too. hothing left here in town for them". The

company physician, the company store manager, motormen, engineers,

electricians, carpenters, and machine Operators, in addition to "company

men" already mentioned, moved from the community with the cessation of

coal Operations. These were "tOp peeple with the company jobs".

Due to the great transition which has taken place in Grassflat, most
residents denied the existence of classes except for the "few who have
more money than others". The most common expressions regarding the class
system in Grassflat were the following, in order of frequency: "There
are none (classes) since B. (superintendent of mines) left town and the
mines are not working". "everybody is pretty much in the same boat".
"Everybody is in the middle class here". "Two kinds of peeple live in
town mostly--the Slovak Catholics and the Swedish Lutherans”. "Nobody
has too much money, except the two or three coal Operators". "ho one runs
the town now, just all the peeple".

Residents in Grassflat were "pretty much alike" because they did
"pretty much the same kind of work". Formerly, "just plain coal miners
were one class and the company group (company employed men with fixed
wages) were the other". It should be emphasized that company jobs were
generally held by Swedes, Many SlO'aks who felt they were as competent
as Swedes did not get "the better jobs". This condition was a strong factor

precluding better relations between Slovaks and Swedes for a long time.

10h

When residents were questioned further as to who the important
people in Grassflat were, expressions like the followirg were most common:
"3 was, but now no one bosses like him". "hobody—-everyone is pretty
much alike". "hobody for the whole town, because Swedes have their big
peOple and Slovaks have their kingfishers". "Swedes always had the better
jobs in the mines, but now it's different". For a long time, the Swedes
"ran the town because of the mines" . "The Smdes and Slovaks run the
town pretty much equal, but the Swedes have their own clocks (cliques)
and the Slovaks have theirs".

With regard to the study of class systems it has been said that:

It is difficult to conceive of the possibility of studying real
social status of peeple without accounting for the means used

by the peOple themselves as they rate one anothe . Certainly,

the man in the street rates his fellows by the Sponge method,

i. e., using many characteristics. Intuitive rating by scientists
should be condemned, but any effort to ascertain how people rate
their fellows in everyday life is certainly a legitimate field of
research.5-

In the study of class System in Grassflat a conscious effort was

made to "ascertain how people rate their fellows in everyday life."

1

Defore a more thorough study of the class system was made, a background
of information regarding the criteria by which Swedes and Slovaks rated
themselves and each other was obtained. This data was obtained from

residents through the use of individual and group lnterviews, some of

WhiCh were tape-recorded. It should be pointed out that the writer visited

 

5h. Loomis, C. P., Beagle, J. A., and Longmore, T. W. Critique of Class
as Related to Social Stratification. Beacon House, New York, Socio-
metry Monographs no. 19. lyhb, p. 9.

 

with virtually every family in the community during the summer of this
study. In addition to this method of gathering data, a questionnaire
form was also used following the writer's visit in the community, This
Questionnaire form was used to facilitate a further study of the class
system which would lend itself to statistical ans ysis, Therefore, in
addition to the criteria.used by the residents themselves, data was'ob-
tained through the use of a questionnaire form regarding the education,
occupation, and the intra- and interethnic image which one ethnic group
held of the other and itself.

It is important to note that residents, re{arcless of ethnic origin,
felt quite free in ranking their fellows, because most residents believed
that there was one system of ranking anong the Slovaks and one among the
Swedes, host residents were happy to help the writer with "something in
their line", something which they felt they knew about their own ethnic
group.

It should be emphasized that when residents were asked to name some
of "the most important peeple in Grassflat", many residents first raised
the following question with the writer: "Important among who, the Swedes
or Slovaks?" Many felt this dichotomy had to be made before they could
reSpond. A large number of both Slovaks and Swedes felt that each ethnic
group more or less had its own leaders, and that few "were really important
to both Slovaks and Swedes".

When the names of those who were considered "important peOple to the
whole town" were mentioned, both Swedes and Slovaks were listed. There

was general agreement that the "Swedes at the tOp" had more money than

le

Slovaks who were ranked in this group. among the ten Swedes who were
mentioned by residents of both ethnic groups were: 3 who "run coal
stripping operations", one of whom was a former "squire" in town and one
was an officer in the Citizen Water Company; 1 "runs a small coal mine

he leases"; l was the President of the Moose Lodge, formerly proprietor

of local restaurant; 1 was prOprietor of a general store, and also a stock-
holder in Citizen Water Company; 1 was "township recorder" wh "works at
the high school"; 1 "owns a lot of real estate and lives in the nicest
house in town"; 1 was a "retired railroad stockholder" who "doesn't get

out much"; 1 was "strip mine foreman", formerly the company checkweighman.

The Slovaks mentioned in this group were: two theatre co—proprietors
and officers in the Jednota Club; one, the local justice-of-the—peace
also the key officer in Catholic lodges; one, president of Jednota Club
and officer in Sportsman Club; one, prOprietor of general store; one,
"stripping foreman", formerly a company checkweighman; one, preprietor of
Johnny's Tavern; and one head bartender at the Moose Lodge.

It is important to note that of those Swedes considered "important"
only two "associate much with Slovaks". Others did not frequent the local
taverns, the Moose Lodge, the Jednota Club, or Johnny's Tavern. They
did not attend the bingos Sponsored by the Catholic Church. If they were
not at their place of business they "stay home". host of them "go out of
town" for entertainment. The two who associated freely with Slovaks were
brothers, one was President of the Moose Lodge and married to a Slovak

Catholic, and the other was the "township recorder". doth were formerly

company men, well known baseball players, and both "ran the restaurant"
atomafima

The-Slovaks who were considered "important" were "active mixers"
with all people in town. All, except one who did not drink,went to the
local taverns, especially the Jednota.Club. Most residents who were
members of the Moose were also "social members" of the Jednota Club,

Swedes did most of their drinking at the Moose and Johnny's. Slovaks did
most of their drinking at the Jednota Club.

Although Swedes occupied positions which would ordinarily mean higher
prestege, this was less true in Grassflat. L very limited numoer of
Slovaks felt they have "to depend on them" for their security. A very
limited number worked under their supervision. A decade ago this was not~
true. There was general agreement that "certain Swedes" were more secure
than anyone else in the community, but they lived apart from other resi—
dents too much to be considered as important as their jobs might ordinarily
indicate. .In general, residents seemed to feel that to be "really import-
ant" it was quite necessary to "get out with other people", to take part
"in town doings", and not "just sit back and take care of your own business".

In order to further explore the class system in Grassflat two other
questions suggested by the residents themselves were raised: "Who are
the important people among the Swedes in Grassflat?" "Who are the important
peOple among the Slovaks in Grassflat?" Responses to these questions were
given more easily. Slovaks and Swedes seemed to be quite aware of who

were the "important peOple" within their own ethnic groups.

Swedish residents named fifteen "important peOple" from their en-
tire pOpulation while Slovaks named thirteen. Of the fifteen which were
named by Swedes, ten were list as "important peOple to the whole town".
Five additional "important peOple among the Swedes" were: the pastor
of both Lutheran Churches; two who were particularly active in the
Lutheran Church and its organizations; one was the Republican precinct
chairman; and one, also active in church activities, was the mother of
two sons and one daughter who were college graduates ("the most educated
family in Grassflat") .

Eight Slovaks regarded as "important people to the whole town" were
also considered "most important peOple among the Slovaks". To this number
Slovaks added five who were regarded as important Slovaks. These were
important because they held "important offices in the church or church
lodges".SS

The data above seem to indicate quite clearly that high prestige
among both Slovaks and Swedes was ascribed to those who held office in
religious organizations, those considered "active in church doings". It
is important to note that while prestige was formerly determined to a
great extent by one's relations as an employee of the coal company, more
recently prestige was ascribed to those who were active in various
organizations of religious institutions in the community. Other factors
which were important in determining rank of prestige were ownership of

property and "doing clean work".

 

55. Although a resident of Winburne, the Catholic pastor was also mentioned
as being "important among Slovaks in Grassflat".

109

A further comparison between Slovaks and Swedes was made in terms
of people who were "not important" or were considered "lower than most
people in town". The number of persons so characterized was very small.
It is important to note that.those ranked at the bottom of the prestige
scale were often mentioned in a facetious manner when the writer asked
residents to name those who were mgst important in the community. _In
such cases the writer had an Opportunity to request the names of others
whom residents ranked in the "lower group". The number of Slovaks was
one larger than that of Swedes. Two who were neither Slovak nor Swedish
were mentioned in this category. "Drunks", "poor providers" or "wife
beaters", "the sexually immoral", "lazy and work—missing kind", and "dirty
people" were classified as being "not important" or "lower than most
peOple in town".

A comparative study of Slovaks and Swedes was also made in terms of
residence. During interviews with residents the following question was
raised: "What are the nicest and the poorest sections in which to live
in Grassflat?" The differences among various sections of Grassflat were
so great and so distinct that residents found this question easy to answer.
There was almost unanimous agreement that west Clymer was "nicest", and
"those places near the old mines" (Moravin, Pleasant Hill, and COOper #1)
were the "poorest" and "dirtiest". The "next best" was Pleasant Hill.
"Certain places" in Upper Grassflat were also rated among the "nicest".
Dobrytown was about "the middle". Residents also mentioned the exceptions,
those homes in certain sections which "should not be counted" even if

they were located within a section which was generally designated as more

110

or less desirable. (See Figure l on page 75 for an ecological distribu-

tion of ethnic households in Grassflat. Also see ages 7d-el for a

"0

description of various sections of Grassflat.)

£11.Q260 household units in Grassflat were classified in terms of
residential areas considered on a five point scale ranging from five,
the most desirable, to one, the least desirable. A statistical analysis
using this scale was made in which the following ethnic groupings were
compared: Swedish, Swedish-Other, Swedish—Slovak, Slovak, Slovak-Other,
and Other nationalities. The results of this study seemed to indicate
that there were no statistically significant differences in terms of the
residential distribution of various ethnic groups. Results are computed
in Table XVIII.

A further comparison of Slovaks and Swedes was made in tenns of
questionnaire data.received concerning their education and occupational
rank. The two groups were compared in terms of the occupational classifi-
cation found in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and two additional
categories, "Pensioned" and "Unemployed". The educational index refers
to the last grade attended. Data which were obtained from students an—
rolled in Grades 7-12 refers to the educational and occupational classifi-
cation of male parents only.

Data presented in Table XV indicate that, as a group, Swedish males
had more education than Slovak males, particularly in terms of a compari-
son of their numbers in lower grades.» There seemed to be little difference
between them in terms of the kind of occupations in which they were

engaged.

lll

ThdL'xfl )CJ

AN OCCUPATIONAL AND fiDUCLTIONJLL COInglrLISOE‘I OF SLOVAK ML) SaLAJISH
FLThi-ELS OF Cl-iILDitfil‘l EJ‘IROLMSD IN (hi1 D158 7-12

 

 

 

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Slovak - - - - b 3 2 - - 10
Swedish - - - - l - — l — 2
Grades 5-8
Slovak l l - - l2 2 - - - 16
Swedish - - - ~ 3 ‘ 2 2 - l 8
Grade 5 9 -ll
Slovak l - 2 l 2 - - - - 6
Swedish - - - - l — l - l 3
Grade 12
Slovak - - - — l - — — - 1
Swedish 1 - - - - - - - - 1
Totals
Slovak 2 l 2 l 20 S 2 O 0
Swedish 1 O O O S 2 3 l 2

Table reads: l2 Slovak male parents who were engaged in
skilled occupations attended school to
Grades S-b.

 

Data.regarding the education of Swedish and Slovak mothers also
showed little difference between them. Swedish mothers, as a group, had

rnore Eiflucation than Slovak mothers, particularly in.the upper grades.

112

In brief, there seemed to be little difference between Slovak and
Swedish parents, who were residents of Grassflat at the time of this
study, in terms of occupations pursued and the grade level at which edu-
cation was terminated. This could not be reported about former Slovak
and Swedish residents. Both in terms of occupations pursued and educa-
tion completed, Swedish males and females held a higher status than
Slovaks.

Another comparison of Slovaks and Swedes was made regarding the
image which Slovaks and Swedes held of each other and of themselves.
Questionnaires given to Grassflat children enrolled in Grades 7-l2 and
their parents contained four items which were directly or indirectly
suggested by Slovak and Swedish residents who were interviewed. 'hese
four items were: '

Slovak peOple are better educated than other people in town.

Slovak people have nicer homes than any other peeple in town.

Slovak peeple have better jobs than other peeple in town.

Slovaks strive for a higher standard of living than other peeple.
These items were found on page one of the questionnaire. Similar items
regarding the Swedish peOple appeared on page two of the questionnaire.
(See pages 372,37L in Appendix.) These items were presented in this way
to prevent a more obvious comparison of the two ethnic groups by resident
subjects who might have resented such items. The responses of Slovaks
and Swedes to these items are presented in Tables XVI and XVII. These

data Show only a few differences of importance in the image of the two

ethnic groups of each other and of themselves.

113

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In a comparison of Slovaks and Swedes regarding education, Slovak
par nts consio dared Swedes sli :htly 1i her than the [salve a while Slovak
children consider-3:1 Slovalzs slightly, hi lxer than SwwA 5. Both Swedish
parents and children, however, considereikth ems-elves si nilicantl/ higher
than Slovaks. In terms of "nicer homes", Slovak parents considered
Swedes slightly higher than Slovaks, but Slovak children considered
Slovaks and Swedes equal. Swedish parents and children, on the other hand,
considered themselves significantly higher than Slovaks. Both Slovak
parents and children considered Swedes slightly hiyher on the its re-
garding "better jobs". Swedish parents considered Slovaks and Swedes
equal on this item, but Swedish children considered Swedes significantly
higher than Slovaks. In terms of striving " lor a hi her standard of
living", both Slovak parents and children considered Swedes Sllhdul/
migher than themselves, but Swedish parents and children considered
themselves significantly higher than Slovaks.

ReSponses of two Slovak-Swedish parents, two Slovak-Swedish children,

eight parents and twelve children of "other nationalities" (not presented
in table form) were analyzed. Both Slovak-Swedish parents considered
Slovaks and Swedes as equal on_all i ems except one regarding " higher
standard of living" on which they considered Slovaks higher than Swedes.
Both Slovak-Swedish children considered Swedes higher on all items except
education on which they considered Slovaks and Swedes as equal The
responses from a possibly more objective point of View, those of "other
nationality" parents and children, indicated that parents considered

SI-reoes slightly higher on all items than Slovaks. "Other natim ali tr"

11a-

children considered Swedes slightly higher than Slovaks on the item
concerning education, but considered them as equal on other items.
Another indicator of status difference employed was residential
location. The general preposition is that the more desirable residential
areas are occupied by those of higher class status. In order to test
this proposition in Grassflat, approxirately seVenty-five percent of the
adult pepulation was queried as to the most and the least desi3able
residential areas in Grassflat. mhis oata.was obtained from residents
who were Slovak, Swedish, and other nationalities. The problem then
became one of determining whether one or the other of the major ethnic
groups tended to consistently occupy the most or least desirable resi—
dential areas. The actual geographical distribution of various pOpula-
tion types in Grassflat are shown in Figure l on page 63. This map shows
the ecological distribution of Slovaks, Swedes, and other nationalities.

ring from five, the most desirable; to one

L
5..
\J

A five point scale, ran
the least desirable, was used. This offers some basis for a statistical
test in addition to the evidence presented in Figure 1. By means of an
analgsis of variance it was possible to see if there were statistically
significant differences in the Spatial eistribution of the various ethnic
groups of Grassflat. Inspection of Figure 1 indicates that the differ—
ences would not appear to be great. A more exact comparison was made in
terms of an analysis of variance. ”he mean position on the scale of each
of the ethnic groups is shown below. The variance between groups was

only slightly greater than the variance within groups (f=l.h6). The

tendency appears to be that the Slovak-Swedish group occupied the most

ll?

TAJLE XVIIl

DIFFnhrflCL IN DLSInLoILITY CF hQSTUQNCd

 

 

Ethnic Group Mean
Swedish 3.37
Swedish-Other 3 .OC)
Swedish-Slovak 3,50
Slovak 3.02
Slovak-Other 3.33
Other 3.35 (fsl.b5)

 

desirable areas, and that Swedes tended to occupy the more desirable
areas more than Slovaks, but the differences were not significant.
Hence, although status differences might exist in Grassflat as indicated
by residential location and other status indicauors, it was apparent
that as far as desirable residential location is concerned there were not
significant differences in terms of ethnicity.

It has been pointed out that:

. . . separate ethnic groups which frequently form cultural

islands or social systems having their own status systems often

based uoon >rinoi les which are o_dosed to those upon which the

L F P P1 .

general culture is based, make it difficult to describe one

overall or universal status system?0

It appears from the data presented that this description is quite
characteristic of Slovaks and Swedes in Grassflat. Those differences
Which were pointed out were not significant differences, In terms of
tne status indicators employed, it appears that two rather distinct

: , .
36. C. P. Loomis, J, A. Beagle, and T, w. Longmore, 22' Cit., p. 10.

118

systems are Operating Sim taneously in the community. It seems that
both Slovaks and Swedes have their separate systems of determining status.
This condition, to a large extent, exists because of the special and
unique way in which both the religion of Slovaks and of Swedes Operates

as an agency of social control,

The extent to which this might be true is indicated in Table XIX.
Grassflat students of all ethnic groups in the community who were en-
rol ed in Grades 7-12 inclusive were asked to reSpond to the following
item in the questionnaire which was described earlier:

What do you think is the main difference between Slovak and Swedish
peOple? ( ) Dress ( ) Language ( ) Religion ( ) Food Habits
( ) Occupation
TAbLn XIX

THS MAIN DIFthLth BLTWLEN SLOVAK AND SWADISM PLOPLE AS DmSIshanD BY
CHILDREN OF GRASSFLfiT ENdOLLED IN GRADLS 7-12, INCLUSIVE

 

 

 

Ethnic Group N Dress Lang, Rel, Food H. Occupation
Slovak Males 31 - 3%1 9h% - 3%
Slovak Females 22 - 9 91 - -
Swede Males 8 - SO SO - —
Swede Females 9 - ll 89 p - -
Slovak-0th. Fems. h - 25 75 - -
Sw-Oth. Males 8 - 12 88 - -
Sw-Oth. Females 1 - - lOO — -
Other Males S - LO to - -
Other Females 7 - 29 71 - -

 

1 Percentages were used to facilitate comparisons between
various groups.

The data above seem to indicate quite consistently that language and

religion were considered the main differences between the Slovak and

119

Swedish people and that religion was considered most frequently as the

main difference between the two ethnic groups.
Neighboring Communities

Table XX contains the names and brief descriptions of communities
located within fourteen miles from Grassflat, Almost all were chiefly
dependent upon coal or brick industries, All except Philipsburg had
limited social and recreational functions. On the whole, these surround—
ing communities were composed of a.larger Slovak than Swedish population.
All were accessible by short route bus service except Drifting, hoshannon,
Clarence, and Snowshoe. Six-thirty A. M. and 6:00 P, M, bus service in
Grassflat began about three years ago. In Grassflat, this service was
used almost exclusively by women who were employed in Philipsourg, Is
one informant said, "Bus travel isn't very important because practically
everyone or his neighbor in Grassflat has a car".

Marriage between Slovak residents of Grassflat and those of Clarence,
Hawkrun, and Winburne, in that order, occurred frequently. Clarence and
Hawkrun contained Slovak populations larger than that of Grassflat.

That of Winburne was smaller. Many residents of these communities "get
together because they or their relatives belonq to the Moose or the Slovak
Jednota.Club". Moose organizations were found in Grassflat, Clarence,

and Philipsburg. Grassflat, Clarence, and Hawkrun had Jednota clubs,
membership in which was "a pass to get into a Slovak Jednota Club in any

of these towns". Jednota Clubs often Sponsored dances which drew

"pretty big crowds from Slovak towns around".

maoxmp mamcmo anm emcemppo

 

 

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m.
l
pmfieozpma
333 a $8 pmfiamm 8x2 0mm ESE?
335503 e woo 0293.8 meme e863 8? geese
38.5 e woo Easiest: e832 ooa page?
oeaosemo pew
Gmepepknmepm fimm xm>oam
Apmmaspsomv p Hmoo pmepospmz emxflz OOHH mdmemflnaoz
Ahepcmo HwflomeEoov Shflwodw
Apmmzzpsomv ma mmazpomMDng .spmonpcwpmmpOMm boxes Goo: mpochflHHflzm
cwflnepmnmmam Rom xm>oam
Amadomv m Hwoo pom xoenm oeaozpmo pexflz 00w condone?
Amadomv : moans new Hmoo smpmspog Rmm zmepmsm mmg enema
pmepozpmm
Apmmmv NH Hmou was xofinm oeaozpmo omxflm 00m cognaccm
Apmmmnpaozv NH Hmoo pew onam oHHozpmo mmw xw>oam coca commando
ApmmmprOZV w Hmoo use xoflam pmflpgmm emu :mHchm OOH nonsmzmoz
fima xm>oam
Azpnouv 4 Hwoo pom moesemm oeaonpmo ROQ .Q .wm OOH mafiPMHeQ
pmammmmnw mPCeCHmex mo cowmmamx mmdoeo a.mmw. prCSEEoo
Eonm mafia: mmflapmdeqH acmmz pamcflsopmpm oecgpm .Nopmad
pawcflsopenm

 

 

acghmmflmw mo mDHQAm JAHZ m>qa39 4 ZHEHHS mflHBHZDZZOo.OZH:OQw$HiZ LO mZOHBmHfiumflQ

Nun madam A.

121

On the other hand, Swedes from Grassflat married Swedes in these
surrounding communities quite infrequently. Residents of surrounding
communities chosen by Grassflat Swedes were, in the majority, of non-

Swedish origin but Protestant in religion.
Summary

Virtually unlimited Opportunities for employment in coal mines in
and near Grassflat, Pennsylvania, attracted Swedes and later Slovaks to
settle in the community. The Swedish immigration to the United States
antedated that of Slovaks approximately two decades. This difference
in their length of residence in the United States was an important factor
which promoted cultural differences between them, especially during the
latter decade of the 19th and the first decade of the 20th Centuries when
Grassflat was being settled.

The fact that Swedes and Slovaks had their separate language and
religious faith accounted, to a great extent, for a relatively long period
of isolation which continued after their initial appearance on the scene
of settlement. Slovaks resided on the north and Swedes resided on the
south side of a creek which divided the community. For several decades
Swedish residents outnumbered the Slovaks, but shortly before and during
the initial period of the occupational transition, which took place in
the community during the latter 1920's, Slovaks grew rapidly in number
and exceeded that Of Swedes.

At the time of this study the total pOpulation of 78k was 1193;: Slovak,

Swedish, 2% Slovak-Swedish, and 23% other nationalities. Of the total

3Q

27

122

population, Sht was Catholic, 325 Lutheran, 7% other Protestant, and 7t
non-church. The members of the latter group claimed to be members of
no church, parents and their children included.

The residents of various ethnic groups were distributed in five
relatively distinct sections of Grassflat. Residents referred to them
as Dobrytown (Good town), West Clymer, Uptown, Upper Grassflat, and
Pleasant Hill. Although residential segregation was not as distinct as
it was two decades ago, Slovaks and Swedes, particularly the former,
still occupied relatively segregated sections of the community.

When the major industry, coal mining, ceased operations within the
vicinity of Grassflat, a disrupting period of occupational change took
place. In a community where at one time virtually everyone was employed
in the coal mines, there was at the time of this study a.major portion
of residents who were employed in non-local occupations which were often
quite unlike those in which generation after generatinn was previously
engaged. At the time of this study 335 of Slovaks and 195 of Swedes were
employed in mines outside of Grassflat. Twenty—six per cent of Slovaks
and 39% of Swedes were pensioned coal miners. Other Slovaks and Swedes
were employed in non-local surface coal operations, brickyards, claymines,
and forests. Only a limited number was locally employed.

A study of the various institutions in the community indicated both
similarities and difference between the Slovaks and Swedes. The Slovak
family appeared to be more patriarchal in structure while that of Swedes

appeared to be more equalitarian or democratic. To Swedes, discipline

in the Slovak family appeared to be "strict". To Slovaks, discipline

in the Swedish family appeared to be poorly defined and "lenient". The
Slovak kinship system was more complex than that of Swedes. Many Slovaks
were closely related through baptism, confirmation, or marriage. This
factor exerted a strong intraethnic solidarity among Slovaks which was
not found among Swedes. The kinship system among Slovak also tended to
promote both greater residential stability within the community and ‘
more Slovak neighborhoods than the Swedish kinship System.

Organizations in the community were generally classified by residents
as "Slavish", "Swedish", and those "for anybody". The former two were
almost exclusively religious in nature. It is important to note that
religion and related organizations in Grassflat Operated in a rather
unigue way as agencies of social control both among Slovaks and Swedes.

As residents indicated, their separate religious institutions were major
factors in precluding greater interethnic assimilation. Organizations
referred to as those "for anybody" werexnainly social in nature. Traverns
in the community played a uniQue and important role in the assimilative
process between Slovaks and Swedes as centers for drinking, dancing,and
other social activities. hot unlike‘most unincorporated communities,

the governmental system was the typical county system. The "squire"

was the executive authority in the community. Politically, the interest
of residents was focused almost exclusively on elections of local officers.
The public educational system-~its modern school building, facilities,

and teaching staff-—was an institution about which both ethnic groups
Spoke highly and supported generously. It was probably the most vital

factor in the assimilative process between Slovaks and Swedes.

A study of the class structure seemed to indicate no definite
over-all System for the whole community. There appeared to be no sig-
nificant differences in status rank between Slovaks and Swedes in terns
of five criteria used by the writer which were directly or indirectly
suggested by the residents of the community. Slovaks and Swedes seemed
to have their separate and unique systems of inaicating the status of
their own members. Status among both Slovaks and Sweics was closely
related to their reSpective churches and church-related organizations.

Slovaks were represented in the pepulations of neighboring communi-
ties to a larger extent than were Swedes. This was an important factor
in explaining the differences in marital selections of Slovaks and Swedes

in Grassflat.

CH. .r‘T nit V

CHLPTEn V

CULTUnAL SOLththf OF SLOVLKS AND 05 SHLDSS

In order to present a discussion of the cultural solidarity within
each of the major ethnic groups in Grassflat, namely, the Slovaks and
Swedes, data were classified under the following major tOpics: (1) early
relations between the Slovaks and Swedes in Grassflat, (2) cultural

solidarity among Slovaks, and (3) cultural solidarity among Swedes.
Earl” helations Between Slovaks and Swedes
J

The mador portion of data concerninq the ear v relations between
J i ., .1
Slovaks and Swedes in Grassflat was obtained by means of tape—recorded
interviews With first generation (foreign-born) Slovaks and Swedes
(See page El). As mentioned earlier, these panel members were selected
because they represented the oldest and earliest Slovak and Swedish settlers
in Grassflat.
The following data were extracted from the tape-recorcef interview
with the first generation Slovaks:
~riter: What did you think of the Swedes when you first came here?
Hrs. : 'We wondered what kind of people they were because they
didn't talk with us, and when we came here they only
called us hunkies. We just didn't know how to talk with
them, and this mane us associate with them even less.
We, the Slovaks, got to know each other well. We went

to church, attended the lodge meetings, and then we be-
came more friendl; with each other, and still are today.

WI" 1

hrs.

ter:

0:

Writer:
Mr. P:

Iri+§ro
an. 0:

We got big lumps. Smw des would ci e a little

12’;

o ‘1 ‘ .— ‘ I‘ g ‘ ."x A M— _‘ v- ,\ .. .‘ 0 '(fi_ 1‘ '_ q' ' I» ‘
Diu Jou aSSOCi ate with Swe as when you liISt Care here?

Sometiaes when I went to the store with my husband, out

I coulcn't talk with them because I CL n't know Lrw. Just

as I don't today. ies, my Iaxt door Swecish neiyfiSor

(tocag) can work at ny side out I don't know how to sgeac

with him. He could tell me anything and I wouldn't know
I

what We was talkinj aoout. yew the Slovaks anu SM; 5
are gettir
)eo

(h

g 5 to RI cw one another he3ttir, eswecially the
young p ml . low wlat th: Sw i s are the Slovaks are too.
But us old Slovaks are Sleim«is and alwaps will be. He
alwavs were and alwa;s will we, dhen we go to church and
meet with any of them tSleSls) w: just sag "hello" ane
that is about the extent of our conversation.

When I first came he re Slovaks and Swedes worked in the
mines. There were only a few Slovaks then. 3e Spoke
especially wi h the young Swetes oecause the' had a
profound desire to learn our language. iley wanted to
Speak with us very much. Some knew how pretty well.
Tkey were well pleased that they were able to Speak with
us. If they could exchange a few words with us, why,
they wouldn't give that away for anything.

What else did you think whez you came here and met the
Swedes for the first time?

It seemed to me we wot along pretty well. TLUJ didn't
disresoect us. We went to the store. ‘Ve took son
who could Speak a little an 11 sh, who was not afraid to
Speak. Theg'd (Swedes) ask us what we want We rot it.
In the mines, the same thing. They (foreman) wanted
Slovaks to Work in the mines Ver much. The Slovaks
dug deep under the coal oeiore shooting the coal down.

. , Shoot,
and poof, they only 5ot fine coal. “The bosses used to
pat us on the shoulder. They told us to call more
Slovaks over to work in the mines.

Can pyou tell me somStn‘nv mor-3 about your first e"peri-
enc with Swedes in G assflat?

(L au 5hin::) Tie only thing; that we had on our minus is

that it wasn't a good language for us. We'd go to church,
and. we didn't know how to talk with them. ill :3 could
say is "hello." That's all. If t1e paoole were good,

1

they'd say "hello" too, and if not the;* just didn't.

Writer:

Writer:

hrs. 0:

Mr‘iter:

hr. P:

H
DJ
\J

If you were able to Speak with SJ'ues what would you have
talked about?

Why, we would associate with each other and res ec .
other the we; we should. when we me' we wouldn‘t jusu
look at each other sideways and so we c01 6 talk.
didn‘t know such alan do? so how could we be lk? I'd say
somethin5 a-d the;: couId not understand. Just like it is
with myn Moors toda-r Since my'husnand died two
Swedish :milies lived across the roai from me. no matte r
how badly I feel, I'd like to talk with them, I can just
say "hello", just "hello."

cf
"P
‘ r O)
F)
Irv

You would like to talk with the Swedish neighbors.

Yes, I would li1e to if only I could. how it is a little
better because I have m; daughter living with me and I
can tell her,‘ '1-1nna, tell them this or that," 1‘r-I_1ztever

I would like to say to them. So at least I can get my
points over to her.

The young Slov aka and Swedish associatw quite frequently.
They (Suedes) oft invited us to the hall to the dance,
but we were not dressed yet as they were. They were nice
to us. They invited us to the hall at Peale, and we
sometimes went with them. T1 ey like us . They were nice
that way.

.

s

. P, I an told that you were the first Slovak to come
re . What did Jou think of the Swedes...

he fir‘
(I)

1

When I first came here I went to work in the mines. The
drivers (mule drivers) and bosses Spoke some Snglish and
Swe ish. They'd ask us if we need more cars. Lnd the
Swedes came over to see how we worked and how we we re
digging coal. They saw we were digNing deep. (Lau.hiug
When t1LS 3" saw, “hr-Jr shouted, "Be Careiul, don't dig that
de-zp (under the coal). It will [all on youl" The;
thought my end was near. (All lau ned) They seemed to
be concerned about us. Oh, yes, they Were good to us.
They liked us.

\
How did the Slovaks and Swedes get along at the old hotel,
the old saloon?

hot so well.

liayoe there wasn't one Saturdav that the3 (Slovaks and
Swedes) didn't have a light.

Writer:

hr. P:

hrs, 0:

Writer:

Hr, P:

T,
u 0

123

What was the reason?

They didn't know how to talk t
know how to g3t along toxether.
They didn't have the same languafie was the rea on tiey
didn't get along wall toisther, They were 513:3, the
Slovaks age inst the St‘recies, and the othar way around.
Sometimes Slovaks fought among themselves, just like the
831333193.

Can you tell us about a ficht bet1n33n the Slov alcs and
Swedes?

One Saturday Slova Iz<s and brat s got drunk They began

to see you were tlus or that. "You Swede," "You
Slovak." They'd call each other names th way. ”hey
went outside the hotel in bunches and th 33 u ht fiercely
I ran awa.y. I heard later that one was talkin3 against
the otre

The Slovak bunch fought the Swedish?
Yes, they fought in a pile doth Slov His and Sweoes had
bmi‘lps .

Did they settle these fights in court?

ho, oh, no. Lever.

Did Slovaks invite Swedes to their weddings or christen-

ing (baptismal) dinners?

, not even once.

ter with Swedes

606‘

Oh, yes. Of course the re used to be more Swefl s: before.
There are fewer now. They didn't get alone poorly the
even. But the‘ have been moving out.

How do Slovaks and Swedes get along today, Mr. D?

Just as he said, hush better. But since there aren't
ary'more mines a lot of the Slovaks are moving too.

Slovaks and Swedes are becon ninq more Similar, eSpecially
the voung peeple lhey get along fine.

129

Informal and individual intervi ens with other elderly Slovak resi-
dents are important in outaininz data concerning early relations between
Slovaks and Swedes. The most common rejollec ions of the earliest
SlovaKS'who settled in Grassflat were expressed succinctly by three
Slovaks who were retired coal miners, One said:

The Slovaks and Swedes at firs t didn't bother one another aoout
anyt:linr unless they had to. The Slo ovaks coulon't talk trjth
Swedes, and Swedes couldn‘t talk with Slovaks. fie thought they
were different from us, and they thought we were different from
them. Most of us thought it Was best to stay on our side and
for the Swedes to stay on theirs. It was better to be with
those you knew were like you.

iamther elderly Slovak informant said:

Their (the Swedish p€Oplle) langua,e, religion, and ways was
different. hay be they felt tm1e were best, and we felt we

was best. But in the mines we learned to Speak a little
English. we had to to rat along, to ask for cars. 80 w
>0t along fine in the mines, and outside we didn't do hardly
a“Thing with them and them with us.

(I

“Q

Still another early Slovak settler recalled that:

::u (Slovaks) didn't have to be with them exce}1;:in the mines.
' thou:1t the 3r were too different at first. They calleo us
hunkies and we called them Sweies when we not mad., but you
COUldn' t expect nothing else. We t11ou: :ht they were pecans be-
CQUSS they didn't believe in God and the Blessed Virgin Iary
the way we did....But I'll tell you if it wasn't for the young
pGOple, Slovaks and Swedes, things wouldn't turn out good like
they did They learned English and little Swedish fast. They
‘earnei Swedish mainly to joke, like the Swedes. This was
2 2:33 peOple b ought the two peeple closer together at the mines
in town. Swedes always treated me nice, but we didn't do
Much t0"ether at first. We just couldn't. There are lots of
nice Swedes, nicer than many Slovaks.

f
Eh ° 0 0 1 F‘ ‘
3 first generation (foreign-born) Swedes were also valuable sources

of dat
a . 1
re %§ Pding initial Slovak-Sweoish relations in Grass flat. The

fell 1
_ 0m {3‘ ‘ V I o a w
n3 Data were extracted from a tape-recorded 1nt3rv1ew with a.panel

130

of four Swedes, two males and two females, who were selected because
'Uey represented the oldest and earliest Swedish settlers in Grassflat:

Writer: Mr. T, you said that you used to watch the Slovak immigrants
come in at the Peale Station. Would you ta 1 me about that?

Mr. T: Yes, I could tell that to you. We had lots of fun doing
that, you know. They (Slovaks) couldn‘t talk, and neither
could I. I couldn't talk at that time. I was green. I
had just been here one year and couldn't talk English.
The Slavish people were looking for a ride, and there was
a fellow who run the mail hack, what we called it. It was
a big wagon, you know. It could take lots of passengers
so he packed that full sometimes. There was mixed some
Swedes among them, too.

T-. 5.1 70 1 1 1 1 _ ,“' ‘
flrlter: What did y u tn11< oi the Slovaks wnen they 11rst came to

Grassflat?

Mr. T: Well, I didn't know what they was even. If I stand Eere
and listen to them talk, I thought they talked bnglish.
I didn't understand it, see, and I didn't understand
English. I thought they talked English.

fired”: I remember when I came here from Clean (new York), and I
had been away for nearly seven years. The Slavish and
Swedes weren't getting along so good at that time. neither
one could understand one another, and the Swedes were a
little worried what was going to happen, cause every one
in awhile maybe you'd hear about a.fight. But I remember
what I said then that in a few years, why it's going to be
altocether different. Where I came from, there in Olean,
they weren't many Slavish, there were some, but there were
more Polish, and they had already started at that time to
be more Americanized and learn the language, and, of course,
we have the schools to thank for that.

Wr‘e. . , '
lber' flow were the Slovaks oiiferent from the Swedes?

1

“P‘ T‘ I couldn't see no difference. They were all green. That
is all there is to it. They couldn't talk, none of them,
and all was working in the coal mines, just the same kind
0f job: So I couldn't see no difference from that part of
it.

Kr.1¢:

I am of the same opinion, and that's why I said that in a
few years you won‘t be able to tell any difference. nut

 

I'll" _ W:

HTS. F:

hr,wg

Iirs . F:

Mr. T:

'a

hI‘S . LI:

1‘1? . r1' :

There was

131

there were some people that thought tLat there was a
difference, and they said that because they couldn't
understand them.

The Slovaks and Swedes didn't have a common lanruage,
and that made a difference.

I told them (other Swedes) that in a few years you won't
be able to tell much difference between tlem and Swedes,
because I have seen in hew'lork State how the foreigners
learned to talk. Lots got to be good friends with me,
and I got along fine with them. I told them (other
Swedes) that it would be the same thing here, which it
happened.

The Slavish women used to be different in their dresses
but not so much today.

Yes, a little bit, but not a whole lot. Mostly what we
looked for was that they didn't wear hats. They wore
shawls like the Swedish women when they first came, out
before the Slavish came the Swedish women had started to
adopt the custom of wearing a hat.

When the Slavish came
women .

here you could tell the Slavish

Yes, you could. They wore the black hoods,
Yes, well the Swedish women wore hoods too, but further

back. They had gotten away from it to a.certain extent.

And the Slavish women's dresses were different, too.
“hey were more full in the skirt.

Yes, they were much wider at the bottom.

Yes, much wider at the bottom. I would judge that it
would take at least two or three more yards of cloth to
make a.Slavish woman‘s dress than it would for anybody
else.

the differences as he said. I cidn't pay much
attention to them, but they were scrapping the ground
When they walked, and pretty wide, out some of the Swedish
women had the same kind of dress once. I know old women
had them in the old countrv.

'4

hriter: As I understand, many immiqrants who cane to Grassflat
came without tl';eir families. Is that right?

Mr. H} Yes, there was quite a number of boarders without their
families and some who were not married.‘

hr. T: You know, they come in here, the h3soahd come in here and
started to work and I guess he didn't have the money to
take the whole‘fauily from the old country, so he came
over here fi~st, started to Work, and worked until he
raised enough mone7 to get his family over here. That's
what I figure. I know the Swedes did it, too.

he IVES 1n3re a
he :1 done that,
he {as able to

MP. W} Yes, Swedes and Slova:s did it. by father,
year and a half oefore we came over, anc he
too. he we here a veer and a reli bef: re

C3F

scraoe to et.er enou to send a ticket, f

ticket wasn't so exnonsiva at that time as it is now. But

we come over about a year and a half after he come over,

ani that was the same way with lots of the ole vish peOple.
griter: how did the boarders live in those early oays?

“r- W: Well, it seem e.i they had to have their own oed 010thes.
Each one had to have a mattress and a cover, and they
would find a pla ace. er I was at a miners' meeting
up there in Pleasantl fill when it was one day. There were
these big long houses which were built there with boarders
in mind...(Houses were privately owned.) Each house was
higher on one end; it was on a side hill, see. One end of
the house would be close down to the ground, and the other
and would be quite a ways off of the ground. When it was
nice weather all these boarders would sleep anyplace They
would put their mattress on the ground,a anr place, but if
it happened to rain, why they went under the houses to get
shelter. There wasn‘t room enough in the house.

:H
fig
C
o‘

1

TJ ' ,_ ° 1
*rlter: Did fan ilies in town take in boarders?

hr.'wg Oh, yes, both the Swedish and the Slovak peOple. There
was a.while here that some of the Swedes thought they
couldn‘t get along without that way. Later on Swedes had
Swedish boarders and Slovaks Slovak boarders. They didn't
mix, though. Some of them charged so much a month for board,

\\_____

l

07 C:1

eta . '. .
10v Colmhi‘ Thine boa:rders was soostant la te o; he firs t generation Of
a’8 interviewed.

and others had a.methoj that tie; would buy the food and
the lady in the house would r {are it for t..m and take
so much for the work. Thev done th tfor three dollars
a month, mostly.

Writer: I see. hr. W, 3ou mentionem earlier hat Slovaks anw
Swedes didn't get along so w ll. Vhy was that?

I really don't h1mor cwt;ctly; done got alon: fine,
but some couldn't. i‘here was the same thing among the
Swedish people. Some act alvng 1W1 it; gocd. and some

didn't between themse] vss sea?
h1‘. T: It was the same thing with the Swedes and Slo'aks, SDSO-

lutely. after I startoo to unflerstand and talk to each
other, we never had anv tooutl . I won't hiow why we
had any trouble.

Inn; . - -. r -r ~ - , , w : * -n Ava 4'1, '— »
driver. hs I understahe, Slovaxs and owed es haw some fights at the
old hotel.

hr. I: Yes thgy had fights ur t1ere.I know I was in one. After
work we (Slovz1;s ard oJUrCS) US3J to 20 UP t”‘lva a1d I gOt

cornered up in the office1Ln the hotel (13 Slovats). There
were all kinds of peonlea ronnc5 sun I ciCn't trust anyhoiy.
I didn‘t know where to go.1here was one "uy (Slovak) I

was afraid of....I don't know w1tthar I said SUm1‘ulfla or
what. I don‘t know what happened, but I thought I was gene
that niaht. I thoueht I was going to have a good lichinq.
But there was two gu7s ste riing out on the porch, Swedes,
and the wincow was oren.1 cu latchln‘, They jumped
in, and that settled the matter. That's t1? only time I
ever had ary'tro ulile with the Slova‘s
member what it started over even.

r 1 .
'riter P: rou don't linow wha t it st<rteo over.

AI‘. 1‘: 1’5911, there was 8M 78 two parties 3 one per 3‘ stay on one
side of the bar WI the thvGS on the OBHBF Side: and they
drank and goti oilf‘ I11 500‘ 9 ”La“ 1‘73 call it and then it
would happen: one Iwulo COT"?!e 0V? T (BNd SEY ) "What did
you say about me?" ‘Ne didn't understand each ther. He
thouiht you were talk'ng about this fellOW, you know. On
‘both sides, and an/thing like that could start trouble,
and that was a bad thiufl. But after we ”0b a qUC‘rtC“ a
little bit an d could talk and uncerstano more, then that
never hahnen-u ang'more, out this was when we was green,
3ou know. ‘We didn't know an3 better. we didn‘t unflBrStahd
ach other.

 

a
131;

Mr. W: ‘Well, i was a language difficulty, The trouble was with
laIlf-Tuafjfrfig’ and fry-9,3; 1g1istr11sijed’ one another They thought

that the other one was talkinq about him because he
couldn't unicrstann him,

TY" .J'" r" Y 7" 1 r‘r r, .' 1'-«"l"‘ ,r., r“ ,n. - :r-fi‘
friter: nOd Qu SlOVdnS one SneJ o 3”“ dionm tOan7

hrs, b: I think thew get alone fine, (Others noaued in agreement)

l'lI‘S. T Yes, the Slavish are nice peonle, They‘re friendly.

hr, h: Yes, the Slavish and Swedes understand each other tolav.
Yes, there are lots of nice Slavish people, I have lots
of friends among them.

hr. T° 188, things are changed, hot the way it used to
They're friendly today. They got to know each other, see?

As was mentioned earlier by elderly Slovak and Swedish informants,
“i3y0Ufigar Slovaks and Swedes played an important role in creating better
relations between the two ethnic groups. Slovaks and Swedes agreed that
hmafirst public school in Grassflat, which was built in 1693, Lad a_far-
reaching influence in bridging the gap of iSolation between the two groups.
Liorder to present a picture of the relations between.youngcr Slovaks
aMiSwedes in Grassflat during the period lyOO-l9lO, data was obtained
from one Swedish resident who was able to recall his early 80hOOl day
eXpePiences and his relations with Slovak school mates, The following
data were extracted frcm a tape-recorded interview mentioned earlier on

page 5h:2‘

VI: ‘ - ‘ . a
A, what do you conSider some of the early‘lmportant factors
whlch you believe were important in keeping the Swedish peOple
tOgether in Grassflat?

\-

2- with up . . , , , ‘ w
for SW8; permission of the interyiewee, these recoreeo eata were played
nape rwain anu blovak fathers who hao enileren 01 marriage age, (bee
‘ m S jd~>3.) Data were substantiates: biv' OlQeI‘ Swedish and Slova}:
parents. ”

135

In my opinion, of course, the Sredes that settled here were

born in S Jeden ”Lhev came over to Peale and moved into
Grassflat where they settle; are turned it into a little Sweden.
And, of course, they were of the Lutleran fa aiti and the pastor
he Spoke in Swed'sh and preached in Swedish, ans that was one
factors that brought them tonether.

Yes.

'hen again, all the Sweues didn't attend church, of course, so
a lot of Swedes who wanted to have a lot of fun and drink, why,

thev ouilt pavillions....Trat brougit the crowds (Swedes)
tOgcther, and no doubt some of the church peOple went there, too.

These pavillions belonged to-

They were built by the Swedish peonle, and belonged to them.

I see.

J.‘

Course they liked their polkas and dances, waltzes, and b e ir
beer. They used to roll in the beer k 35 in there, too. Wlh ey
likes to sing their national songgs like most dur opean groups
d0,m dyou could hear a.lot of singing going on up there.
Who Sponsored these 5et-togethers at the pavillion, L?
A small clique of Swedes. Several got together and built a
pavillion, and knew they could draw the crowds, and all they
needee was a fiddler up there, and it drew the young peOple up
there

I88 it an indepentlent group that took in the mone y?

1‘50, they didn't collect any'money at all, except for the kegs

of beer they ordered. They had to pay for that, see? Each
person chipped in to pay for the kGSS.

A, d'd they eve r invite the Slovak peeple?

ho, I don't think so. It was strictly for the Swede As far
as I can recall it was for the Swedes onlv in the early \eals
It wasn't till perhays in 1912 tlat some of the Slova.ks and the

PeGle gang camatu)there.

IWOnder whv the Slovaks were not invited. Do you know?

136)

L: In my Opinion, the Slova HS tha, built a little Slovakia just
as the Swedes built a little Sweden of their own, and at that
time they didn't do much ni1zin5. even if they met each other
someplace at work. hos t 01‘ the time they pent at home after
work, except when they went to the hotel, out then they
usually stayed to5ether . 1.nd I noticed that the Slovaks they
key at more to thenzscwlv 8 even at the hotel. They would sing
Slovak songs, and the Sweoish would sin5 Swedish son5s, and I
noticed at times when someone butt in on the Slovaks, they
said, "We don't butt in on you Swedes so don‘t butt in on us
Slovaks."

W: They wanted to isolate thenselves?
A: Yes.

W3 Do you think lanpm :.e was an important factor then?

£8 Yes, indeed. They couldn't understand each other. No, they
could not, except a few that I recall that could speak En5lish,
and they didn't live in Dobrytown, Iher were interpreters for
the Slovaks in the union (United Mine Workers' Union). They
were interpreters for tke Slovaks in the union. (Swedes also
had interpreters.) It first, they let someone do their Speak-
in5 for th- em, but later on they learnec to sgegk for themselves

81d they didn't want any king 5fish to do their Speaking for them

At times if they didn 't_5et what they wanted, they would blame

the interpreter for it.

w: I see. I Spoke with some of the older Swedish peOple a few days
880, and they thought the school was a rather important factor
in bringing the Swedish and Slovak peOple to gather. I wonder
if you could recall some of your early memories of school in
GraSSflSt?

A: well, very‘much so. I started school in 1901, and at that thus
there were quite a few Slovaks going to school. 3 Ind we got
along very nicely. If weaver got in an argument or a fijht
it was just as if it was with another Swedes. But after they
got home from school or work, they usually stagred on their own
Si Ce

'. LT 1o . x
' “by did they stay on their own side ?

\x—

3.c 1
Ompuls°01“* School Law was passed in 1597. Roland D. SwOOPe; Jr»:
92' Cit , p. 220

137

In my Opinion, I think the Swedes had a sort of superiority
complex, and mainly because some could Speak English. On the
other hand, I think they had a suSpicion about the noman
Catholics. Like Sweden, if I get back there, they fought a
war for thirty years, and they had a great history and
national heroes, and many still lived in the past instead of
the future . I

You think the school was important?

Of course. That was the language problem. They learned how to
Speak English. Lt first, the Slovaks were a little timid or

had an inferiority complex. Pnyway, I recall the Swedes used

to butt in on the Slovaks where the Slovaks wouldn‘t butt in on
the Swedes. I remember their early weddings. The Swedes would
enter their, the Slovaks' homes, when they were not invited.

Yet most of the time later they were welcome, They got their
eats and drinks and dancing, and when the child was born they
had a.baptismal party, well, the Swedes would butt in. I recall
one incioent up there at Pleasant Hill when I was a kid. I used
to follow some of those peOple (young Swedish boys). One Slovak
said, "You're not invited, and you're not wanted " And one was
almost a neighbor of the other, one Swedes and the other a
Slovak. There was a custom to it so I suppose they were aston-
ished (astonished that Slovak Catholics did not invite Swedish
Lutherans to their christening dinners). So later, the older
fellas left, and I left with them. Things were a lot different.
Later on, there was a wedding up in Dobrytown, -I remember some
of us went there. The father of the bride came out and asked

us to get away from there. He didn't want us around. I got
along fine with the Slovaks. The father recognized me and said,
"A, you can come in." As far as I can recall, I think that was
the last time the Swedes tried to impose on the Slovaks and
their wedding.’ although, up there in the Slovak Hall we did go
there a few times, and we got our drinks, eats, and danced with
the rest of them. At one time, one evening some of the Slovaks
brought up a protest. But one of them up there replied that if
they pay they can stay. So the gang asked how much they wanted,
and they said one dollar, and SO the gang pulled out. their dollars,
got in, ate, drank, and danced. And they mixed more than ever
before. They used to have some of the best times at Grassflat
at the Slovak Hall, and later on when the Slovaks started to come
Out more I had a.pool hall. I noticed that the Slovaks never
Came into the poolroom. One evening one Slovak, sort of looked
tdlnid and scared, looked in and said, "Hello, a." I called to
hinl and asked him to come in. Wflay I come in?" he asked.
'“Nhy'certainly you may come in." So that evening on our way
110me he asked if Slovaks could come into the poolroom. "Yes,
ceurtainly. You're as good as the others. Your money is just as
EOOGH. Sure you can come in." So after that my poolroom was full

of Slovaks. And when I wanted to get out I told Joe (Slovak)
"You take charge." Nell, later on they started another
restaurant and poolroom on the corner in Grassflat, and one
of the Slovaks who lived in‘iest Clymer section said one even-
ing, "Well, we're out and we're going to stay out," And, of
course, when the first World War came around the Slovaks
showed the same patriotism as the others did. hnc as far as
Americanism is concerned no one questions them. So when they
came back there was more social progress made. They not out
in the baseball teams. ind to mention the second World War.
Well, there were several Slovaks that were killed in battle,
and today they're as open and free as any others, and they
don't have any of that thnidness, and they don't have any
inferiority complex any more.

W: When did you Open your poolroom, h?
A: The fall of 1920.

W: 1920. And at that time they began to mix fairly well?

.7.“
o-
0.

Yes, especially in the business places. Before, they went to
the hotel, but they wouldn't mix with others. .But after a while
they came to both poolrooms, and later on the baseball teams
started and they have been mixing ever since.

As elderly residents and early settlers of both ethnic groups re-

portei, the early relations between Slovaks and Swedes were "not so good".

oo*‘ 4 . . — . . a ..
on referred to language as the main barrier which precluceo better
irt -.. . . H ' _ . a.
Aer gIOup relations. mach thought the other Spoke "hmerican". rights,
part' , . . ..
° lcularly‘those at the old hotel, also caused certain degrees of cis-
trust
between them. Residential seeregation orevented o oortunities for
o , L pt
fr‘ie ~‘. , ' .
nbly haiahbor relations Each knew "What side the* belonged on.
O o J »

leVal- ' . , "v V ’ ‘
“S bullt their homes near other Slovaks on the "north Sice of the run";

SWel
‘ (“es . . . 1 1 I i
Occupleo the area on the south. The fact that each group "went to

a diff»
erent church" was also a stron

U
0

factor which promoted further strain
1n lnter_gro n . f n a . . <. . . . .
up relations. As repreSantatives of each ethnic group said,

It
We di 1, .
d not.1inderstand them". lnese factors, in particular, accounted

 

for the re lativel long periol of isolation between Slovaks and Swedes

in Grassflat.
Cultural Solidarity Imongg Slovaks

It was not until after 1L}; that Slova;s he: an comina to tzis country

in considerable numbers, but before their imm ix‘ation was spent, nea ml
one—third of Slovakia' 8 population h d come to America. There was hardly
a family in Slovakia which did not have at least one relative in America.h
Slovaks who settled in Grassflat began to migrate during lCLE-lt95.
Their exact numb er in inerica is not k1 nown. IS was pointeo out
earlier (See page a), many who came from Slovakia and horavia.were reg—
istered as emigrants from other countries. The name Slav applied to
"a large group of peoples and is parallel to Teuton and Celt. ill who
come under the name are popularly supposed to have blood relationship.
PrOperlyg howe Ver, Slav is used to Specify a linguistic group which also
has some semblance of cultural and racial unity, although there are wide
variations in both factors".

Most frequently Slovaks are referred to as synonymous with Czechs.

Iurchak reported on this point thus: .
Czechs and Slovaks, contrary to general belief, were never
united except for brief periods, before their fonzw tion of a
joint republic after the First NOIIn- ar. l‘he Slovaks were
divided from the Czechs both geOgraphically and politically.
Slovakia.lies between the Carpathian.hountains on the north and

h. Peter P. Yurchak, op. cit., p. lo9.
5. Henry Pratt Fairchild, Immigrant.E°okgroundS. hew York: JOUU Wiley
& Sons, Inc., 1927, p. 13o.

 

a

l"

(D

r
C.

(‘1‘ ‘

eDanuoe River on the sout1.1ne wide curVe of the formidable
e

carpathian hountains runninr west to est for a distance of some
four hundred miles (wit11the pea a*s oi the Tatras on the L st: rn
end of this rim) separ.ates 3 iova kia iron the lands of the Poles
a the Czechs. The C2 echs W1 Slovaks stem from diff»rert
branches of tie Slav fauily,l;1- the ‘oles and hussians.O

1

Although the Czec ns aid Slovaks have occupied uiiicr11t g;o;ra :hical

s, the history of one could not be written witiout reference to the

other. In 1939 Benes wrote:

3 v

T;

8

t

e

The Czechs and Slovaks have alwa ’8 li vaC in a very different
geographical position. Wlota; the; are surroinde d by a nation
of eighty million 'nhahita nts and have been sucjugated by the
present government of that nation. but for ten centuries, from
t11e tin1e of the "Good hinw' St. Venoeslaus, t :is an all nation

has been oolived to fir; 1t ior its existence, for its libertv a11d_
during the last century for L,«ocr"‘y a11; f0“ free cavelorment of
the individual. In the 11th u entury th my fou:;ht for religious
tolerance under Jan Hus. for a hundred 3t 18 they'fou3ht. And
although finally'there as a r‘omili'u, ion, tm1‘r had paid a great
price for their ideals. l‘hey were subjugated by the Hapsourgs
in the 16th Century. SJ the midole of the 17th Century heir
national state was annihilated because of their love for toler-
ance and line rty and respect for individual rights. For three
centuries they were under the yoke of the Germans and t11e
hagyars. The last war liberated them, to which lioaration th e
peo:1le of tl1e hnited States contriiuted so much, anc then WtiOl 1
state of Czechoslovakia was esta plishe d.

Yurchak, one of the leading authorities on Slovaks in the United
3, wrote of their immi3ration to and settlement in nmC rica th us:

Slovak peasants, small land-owners, and villare artisans came as
refugees from a. la.nd where political injustice ar d inLQJalitv had
oecome intoleraole. They immec liatel3r sourht out colonies 0: their
own countr,men, or paided tOget‘1er to iorzn one, avoiding social
emerica at first in ever; matter out that of earnir: a livin3
Every oi3 American city had its lovak "center"--its "litt la
Slovakia", its Slovak Catholic parish, or Slovak Lvanrelicai

Peter P. Iurchak, 0p. cit. p. 2h
7. deard Benes, Democracy“lo1d1ay 8110 lonor1ow. haw York: The hac-
millan Company. l239, p. 230.

 

llsl

Lutheran confirevation. From the very outset, painful as it was
to then, theSe Slovak immigrants mafia everw elfort to adapt
‘hemselves to nmerican life, to understanc its rules and to play
an essential part in its industrial growth an; develoonent_

There was not a mine or mill in imuri
grant could not be fvuno doinq the mo
hazardous work.“

C"

030

1

The stove is quite descriptive of Slovaks who settled in Grassflat.

This will be shown by the data wtioh will follow, Slovaks who settled

4)
Cr

in rassfl were farmers. Virtually all of them came from in or near

Presov located near the eastern tin of Slovakia, hanv Slovak resiugnts
3 ,. u

“o tr naivhoors in or near Presov, lhe we] in which

' V

were kin-relat

CT‘

Slovaks built their "little Slovakia” in Grassflat is in some wa;s Quite

,- 1A: 11‘
.iSheo them—

L_J

different from the way in which other ethnic groups have estab
selves in hmerica,

In order to study those factors which functioned to promote separate
ethnic group solidarities and islped both Slovaks and Sweees to retain
their separate ethnic identifications, the writer raisei two “articular

Questions in tape-recoroed interviews with three generations of ootn

What are the important things that keep the Slovax pOOple

together in Grassflat?

‘What are the important things that keep the Swe ish peoole

together in Grassflat?

Extractions from tape-recorded interviews concernin< these Questions
which were raiSed with both Slovak and Swedish resioents will follow.

These data will be presented in the chronological order in which they

were recorded,

E. Peter P. Yurchak, on. cit., pp. ltl-lEZ.

1L2

ffhe following data.were extracted from a tape-recorded interview

witJ1 tluee first generation (foreign-born) Slrvak residents:

1, '
:Jrlter 3

PS“
p.
d-
(D
.1

p—a
W
U)
'T,‘

:4
b
5
m
w:

together in Grassflat? (ho reapon

Mike, this is what I think. He have our religion and they
have theirs, They (Swedes) Lad two churches in Peale
(Baptist and Lutheran), then built theirs here (in Crass-
flat). We,Slovak , came here to the church we worship in,
the Catholic Church.

You say that the church makes a difference ‘etween them.

We believe in God and they do not. They oelieve that any-
one can take the place of God but not us. So we believe
in God and they just believe lightlv.

Among the Slovaks we have the same language and the same
religion. These are the main factors.

Yes, our religion keeps us together. Our church and our
religion. Our church keeps us together and their church
keeps them tOgether. That is the difference between us.

How does the church keep the Slovak people together?
We believe in God and we serve him in the same way and
in this way we are able to keep together. As I said,
they (Swedes) do not believe God is in heaven.

Swedes are peOple just as we are people. They believe very
much as we believe. find among the young generations the
differences are not as great as they used to be between
Slovaks and Swedes.

I think Swedes are taking after Catholics. More (of them)
believe that God exists and Jesus Christ.

What else keeps the Slovak people together in Grassflat?

We came from the same country in EurOpe, and we learned
very much the same things. We learned the same religion
we were always taught. we went to the same church, and
we liked each other. The older peOple kept these things,
but now the younger generation is not keeping the sane
customs as we did. The difference between Slovaks and

Swedes is not so great any more. They (the youth) are
thinking that God created you and he also created me. So
that today the ,eOple, Swedes and Slo*aks, are associating
more together.

Iflriter: ‘What else keeps the Slovaks tOgether?

ldr. D: Well, later we started our organizations. We, the women
have a women's lodge and the men have a men's lodge. And
when some big time came like the patron's day of any lodge,
we got together and hat a big time and feast. The hall
was packed then. We celebrated the saint's day of the
lodies as was proper. Our church was named St. Peter and
Paul because it was built around the time of Sts. Peter
and Paul Day.

‘Ihe following data was extracted from a.tape--ecorded interview
tnLtJi second generation (native born of foreign parentage) Slovaks, each of

Vfl114211 was a father with children of marriageable age:
Ifiriter: What are the strongest forces which help to keep the Slovak‘
together in Grassflat? What factors help Slovaks to remain
Slovaks in our community?

I think our annual celebrations which we have here in our
hall. Celebrations, Weddings, and so forth. We always get
together, and in this way we keep together and get along.
That makes them stick together. Ls far as I'm concerned
that is my Opinion.

‘.. r *1
nr . L

Iir. P: Our religion has a lot to do with that, too, because we
are practically all Catholics, and we go to church every
Sunday. I think that has a lot to do with the Catholics
being bound tOgether.

1dr. 8: In Grassflat, practically all Slovaks and their families
are related.

lir. d: Well, our organizations, the First Catholic Slovak Union.
They keep Slovaks together, Slovaks in and out of town
together. They have times together.

" o o u x 10 '9
Times" refers to lodge meetings, sports, dinne‘s, ano dances whicn
‘dl‘e sometimes sponsored by Jednota organizations in neighboring com-

rnllnities, particularly hawkrun and Clarence.

Lflriter:

Iflr. S:
Ivriter:

Ifir. S:

Tdriter:
Ifir. E:

iflriter:

Ifir. C:

'Writer:

lhh

The First Catholic Slovak Union. 'Nhat are the various
organizations or branches of the First Catholic Slovak
Union?

Catholic Slovak Union, well, men, women, boys, and girls,
children have their own lodges. The club (Jednota) keeps
the Slovaks in town and get a lot of them out of town and
get to congregate with.
they live in, too. host Slovaks
most SWBUGS live in another section.

The section of the town
live in one section and
That‘s important too.

The Slovak School.

how does that help keep Slovaks together?
That has quite a hit to do with it. Children grow up to-
gether and know each other better. Thej keeps them to-
gether. They get to know each other,

Are they taught Slovak in the Slovak School today?

ho, not today. hot today.

Are there other things that keep the Slovaks together?

I've oeen away from here a while, but when I was here what
more or less kept us together was that we were taught a
certain numoer of customs, religious customs, social customs
by our parents. We followed the traditions and customs of
the old folks. 'We believed what they said was law. We

kept this up through our generation, but what our kids will
do the Lord only knows. I'm not very satisfied, and I see
it in.my own family. Our kids won't follow our steps,
that's for sure, because our children are becoming more and
more modern and more Americanized, and even religion doesn't
mean too much to some of them either today.

How are the Swedish peOple in Grassflat different from the
Slovaks?

Well, the only thing I'd say is the difference in religion.
Another thing, I never see a Slovak invited, or seldom,
invited to any functions that they (Swedes) have, out when
it comes down to the Slovaks, like the Slovak weddings or
something like that, we always invite the Swedes, So in
my judgment, I'd say the Slovaks are better friends of the
Swedish peOple than the Swedish peOple are of the Slovaks,
because I seldom see Slovaks go to Swedish functions.

‘Writer
Mr. P:

‘Writer

:8;
r4

hr. d:

C
0

Well, there's not much difference. 1
1e

You feel the Slovaks are setter mixers nan the Swedes.

Yes.

I think our religion has a lot to do with it, because when
they have any doings, accorii in to our reli wion we are not
supposed to coooerate, where if we have anything going on

because our religion is supposed to
faith is not,

we are free to ask tlem
be the true religion and their according to my
and I will not conferate with them.

I see.
Ls far as reli ion is conc- rned I mean, but when it's some-

thing for the town, then, of course it's different. The
fire company or something liie that, then religion is out.

In your Opinion, the difference in religion is a big one.
That's right. It is.

fire there any other differ'e nces between the Swedes and
Slovaks? Are themr anyc customs or habits of liv ving which

show differences oe treen the Swedes and Slova “S

we3'll talk with you.
d with them a long

If 8017iet11i1’1: 118,1 wen S
sing.

They're good to work with. I've w01
time. They don't fly off the handle.
wronq they will sit there and laugh or sit down and

Well, in olden times all Slovaks and Swedes used to work
in the mines. Man at the he ad of the mines was a Swede.
He use d to pick Swadas for the h st 3005. Lsed to look
down on us (Slovaks) as lower class of peeple. Some used
to even call us hunkies. "That dumb hunky doesn't know
anything". Which hurts even yet today, you know So the

Swedes had the better jobs at that time, yes.
I see. Did the Slovaks get some of the good Jobs at any
time?
Well if rou had a c‘ieka a. ‘ “d -“'e 't t t‘ *

, y c. n ckcn or cow an. EOVV lb 0 he d058,
or loaded lots of coal fo nothing, then you could get a
better job.
In my estimation, the only times the~ got any good jobs was

when they were short of hlep, ring a strike or something.
They went SCGIJlU“ (some Slovaks worked in the mines while
other workmen out on stri ca) and it he ened in our town

n.’
INC). ‘3

iir. E:

that one of our tornsu2n (a Slova ) who coulnn‘t even read
or write not to be a boss (foreman) just because he Cit
his own Slovak brother' 3 throat(tiat is, he became a fore—
Itan by working (urJLI inn; strike to please the SUpGFlIk-

terment) .

I reme user that very tell. I had a.job as an assistant
mine foreman at one tine, and that was a pretty tough
job for me, too. We used to have a baseball team of our
own (" he Jednotars", a Slovak team) and called ourselves
the Jednota baseball eam, and they (Swedes)l has a base-
ball team they called "the town t3 WI" lhev used to give
heir boys the be st places (in the Line ) and all the best
chances. That is the truth. Ls far as oaseoall is con-
cerned we could outplay them if we had our Slovaks all
together, but we were disorganized at that time that is,
some of the better Slovak baseball players were members of
the "town te am" and were given better jobs in the mines).

‘

The following data was extracted from a t; e—recorde d intervi»w with

4-1.... '
omiI’Q gene]?

Writer:

Miss M:

Writer:

hissifl:

D1138 f\:,

Writer:

hiss F:

Writer:

hiss T:

I18(IZ' oive DOI‘II OI" native T)8I‘GI1L:8§€) Slova KS:

Did you ever attend the coffee socials Sponsored by
the Swedish Lutheran Churches?

Ies. They're very nice to go to. They try to treat every-
body real nice. Iou can g at anything you want, and they
are very nice to Ca.tholic peeple. lhat' 8 one thing; I can
say about the Swedish people.

Do you know other Slovaks who attend?

to, notiflwt Ildmmrof.
I haven't been there, but I have heard of other Slovak
peeple being there, and they said that the people really
treat them nicely, as if they were one of them.

how many Slovaks attend the coffee socials?

'\

not very many.

I wonder why Slovak Catholics don't attend the cofiee
socials?

Some proL a sly fiL ure that they are not suite that I-relcome.

ti
5-‘3

liiss F: I think that the trouble is that the Slovak ne0ple tnink

that they're old fashion and think the Swedish people

might make fun of the way they go to different hlaces.
They feel out of place. They just fevl as if they are
being looked at. The older Slovaks feel that wag; the
feel cifferent, The older peOple talk Slovak at home,
and when they go out to places like that their unglish
is ‘roken, and thav are afraid peonlc will ridicule them
and it hurts, you know.

writer: Do you think Slovaks feel inferior to Swecish people?

hr, B: I don't think it is that w y, but it Seems that ever since
this little town started, 1e Swedish peOple have more or
less stuck to their own custoas and hardly ever inter-mate:
you might Sag, and the same with the Slovak people..

'.
C
.Li

L:

l
J.

Writer: You have lived in this comhunity for at least eighteen
years, each of you. ’rell me how are the Swedish people
different from the Slovak peon 9?

Kiss F: For one thing, their church is different The; have dif—

ferent customs and nifferent foods the they eat that

Slovak people don't actually know how to go about eating

their food. I know that if I was asked to eat their Swedish

food, or whatever it is, I woulon't know how to go about it
or how it would taste because I have never tries it. I don't
know what I'd do.

dritzr: You say there is a difference in religion. What do you mean
by that?

Loss F: Well, we believe that our church is the true church and they
think the same idea about theirs, I guess. I don't know
very much about their church, but still we were taught that
ours is the true Church, founded by Jesus, and we have the
commandments and so do they, but there is still a little dif-
ference. We have the commandments of the church, and we have
the different virtues. We believe in sacraments, and they
don't. We have the rosary, and we have different services
which they don't. I have never been to a service at a
Swedish church or any Protestant church so I have no idea
what they have.

Writer: Have any of you attended the Lutheran Churches in Grassflat?
liiss 1%: I have.

miss T; I was there once.

Writer: Two of you (two of five) were tilere one c8. On Idet occasion
was that?

hiss h: For a funeral.

hiss T: I was titers two times, not once, For a funeral and for a
Christmas program.

.‘

firiter: Lre there an3 other differencas between the_Swedish and Slovak
people in Grassflat?

{H

hiss 5:1he Swedish don't eelieve in the Blessed 'irjin and the
Catholic peeple do.

hiss F: is 8 pointed out, the3 have their Clrist as pronrans in

church which is one thing we don't haxe mI don't know wh3,

but I remember wi1en I m at to high school t‘ne girls would

get together and go ox 1tc caroling, but latel3r that has fallen

awav,

Writer: What other differences are there between Slovaks and Swedes?

hr. 8: It seems to me that in the rearing of their children, when

they reach the age of courtship, I think the 3 are more free
with their children than the Slovak parents,

writer: how do the rest of you feel about that?

All: (Almost simultaneously) I agree.

In summarizing he tage—recorded data re garding those fac ors which
promoted group solidarity among Slovaks, it is important to note that two
factors were mentioned by each of the three g: oups representing thre
generations of Slovaks in Grassflat. These were religion and language.
Land of origin and stricter parental discipline were mentioned by repre-
sentatives of the first and third gene .ra tions, reSpectively, as additional
factors which promoted ethnic unity among Slovaks. Representatives of
the second generation referred to still other factors, fhese were weddings
and other social functions, the extended kinship System, residential

Segregation, and employment discrimination. By the latter they meant that

Sauces were chosen for the "better jobs" in the coal mines of which '

Swede was superintendent, A discussion of each of these factors and

others mentioned by other Slovak residents who were inter'iewed will

Place of Origin

When a.group of emigrants from a.small community of a foreign country
inmigrate to and found a colony in a new homeland, the prospects of their
preserving intra-ethnic group solidarity are quite favorable. This was
true of Slovaks who imigrated from in or near Presov, Slovakia, and who
settled in Grassflat, A relatively large number occupied neighboring farms
in Presov. .Mary were either kin—related or well acquainted even before
their immigration. A large number were able to relate experiences which
they shared intimately in or near Presov. When they came to Grassflat they
settled in what they considered the Slovak side of town and isolated them-
selves from the Swedes.

In Slovakia, they cherished their church and its related religious
organizations, their social and political ideologies, close to the soil
type of living, and common beliefs, attitudes, and superstitions. By
means of residential segregation, they continued to preserve the cultural
patterns of Slovakia.with but few if any changes. Knowing only their own
language prevented them from more intimate relations with their new
neighbors in America, Their church, patriarchal family system, and other
institutions continued to remain the strongest forces uniting them. Being

f.

a.comparatively poor peasant group, earning a means of livelihood was for

150
a long time the only interest in which they shared experiences with other

people.
Religion

Probably no one factor played a.more important role in promoting
intra-ethnic solidarity among Slovaks than religion. It is the center of
Slovak activities. The church along with its various organizations or
"lodges" exerted a.rather direct influence on virtually every Slovak
Catholic in the community. In terms of membership it was the largest
Slovak institution. The building of a church was the first major project
completed by the earliest Slovak ettlers. Before the completion of the
church on August 29, 1903, Slovak Catholic residents attended mass at the
St. Severin's Church at Drifting, in which sermons were delivered in
English, or the Clarence Catholic Church in which Slovak was used. The
former was four miles from Grassflat, the latter fourtee . host of the
early Slovaks went to the latter in order to have their confessions heard
in Slovak and to receive communion. The first mass in Grassflat was held
in 1902 at the home of a Slovak. The first mass at the Sts. Peter and
Paul Catholic Church in Grassflat was held in.hay, l90h, The church was

not dedicated until September 5, 190b.10

Q,

In reviewing the tape-recorded data presente above, it is important

to note that each of the three aenerations of Slovaks referred to religion

0

as one of the main forces which "keeps the Slovak peOple together in

__

10. Data from the diary of the Reverend F. J. Simonik, the first Catholic
priest in Grassflat.

Grassflat". It should also be noted that this was the first factor
mentioned when Slovaks, regardless of generation, were asked to discuss
the differences between Slovaks and Swedes.

The most common attitudes of Slovaks regarding the difference between
"the Swedish church" (Lutheran) and "our church" (Catholic) were the follow-
inr: "They don't pray to and believe in the Blessed Virgin Mary like we
'do"; "they don't have Rosary and Stations of the Cross like us"; "they don't
believe in confession"; "their church doesn't have an altar like ours";
"they don't have the holy days that we have"; "they only have church on
Sundays or When they bury some one"; "they don't observe Fridays the way
ye do"; and "they don't believe in heaven and hell the way we do". It is
important to note that Slovak Catholics in general had only a very limited
knowledge of the Lutheran faith except in regard to the various ways in
which it differed from their church. Some of the elderly Slovak Catholics
referred to Swedes as "pohany" (pafians), but this number was very small.

The first and second generation of Slovam subjects also mentioned
organizations or lodges and their activities as important factors which
promoted intra—ethnic solidarity among Slovaks. A brief description of
these organizations is found in Table XXI. A more detailed account of
their membership in terms of different periods of time is found in
Table XXII.

It is very important to note that eight of the ten organizations found
in.Tables XXI and XXII, referred to by Swedes as "Slavish lodges", served
areligious purpose. One of the major requirements of these "lodges" was

that of receiving confession and communion (sacraments of Penance and Holy

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Amaoav Haaaahwmw ta mama Amen; seafloom mama Meow
Aacoav Hmspahaam mm mama Amamamsv spmaoom ampae
Aesozv Hmdpflpfldm as mOmH Aeamsemv mpefloom hammom
mmflpflhwso moflaosemo
Amsoav OHHoszo paceddm mo mmma xw>oam Mo soapwpeemm
pcmse>osmEH kaQSEEoo
mefladmp amoepflaom pew Emfiemoflhesw mp0EOhm mmo ommH beau Hmoflpflaom xw>oam
meflpfl>flpom Anzac Hwfloow padetv
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Hmfloom new Aemeoa .mhoov
mppoam aoasocoom «mdoweflamx wa mama #OMH% souwhn wpoqeew
Hmfloom paw Aemeoa .mapflov
mppomm «oflsoeoom amSOHuHHez mqa ooma swam sothm epoceew
Hmfioom use Ammeoa padem mHmEemv
meQQmQ «oasoeoom nmSOHwflHmm 00H Qoma $4ma§ :oqum wposeew
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eepomqmmw mmomnsm «Menu cflmfimo soapmmflcmmho mo msmz
mQOHeosdm defloom mmflzo apebsez mo even
panhado

 

 

Hm? ..anmmfie 5. neoHENHzéso 5:618

153

TILIJLLJ I’LL rI

Thflhfi OF LOCAL AID hCL-LCCAL hambmnonIP IN SLCVLL
OndiNIZhTIOiS IN CHLSSJLLT, 1751

 

 

 

ate of Current

hams of Organization Orisin 1930 IQLO 1950 l952 Total
Jednota Branch #333 1900

Local 32 150 lcO 211 251

hon-local 2 20 29 35 no 291
Jednota Branch #13h l90b

Local 30 CO 110 le lhO

Hon-local 0 0 20 20 20 200
Jednota Branch #92% 190o

Local 2h h9 100 110 lh3 lh3
Jednota Branch #130 1906

Local 16 9b lbb 202 257

hon-local 0 0 2h 28 DO 297
Jednota Club 1900

Local Slovak 30 197 213 29h 269

Local Swede 0 0 60 h3 h6

Local Other hat'lity O O 72 h9 l

hon-local mixedl o 201 189 19h 12S b91
Slovak Political Club% 1920

Local Slovak ho L6 bl 62 Ch

Local Swede l l l l l 65
Federation of Slovak 1922 ,

Catholicse lb 31 L3 57 65 as
Rosary Society% 1903 (Data not available)2 7U
hltar Societye l9u9 ,

32 SS 55
Holy Name Society% 1959
lb lb lb

* Organizations with local memoersnip only.

1 Includes residents of neighooring communities listed in Table XIX.

2 Although exact data were not available, virtually all Slovak
Catholic female parents were members.

15h

ducharist) frequently, often in a group. The general purpose of these
organizations was the perpetuation of the Roman Catholic faith.

The Rosary Society is both the oldest and the larrest women's
Spiritual organization. Members met at the church every Sunday afternoon
and every evening except Sunday during the month of hay

, the month of

Special devotion to the Blessed Virgin hary. Men and chil‘sen also attended

the rosary devotions during this month. The purpose of ths Rosary Seeiety

was to "gain indulgences for oneself or one's deceased. Indulzences were
obtained by "praying the beads". It was quite a.common practice for Slovak
Catholics to enter church and say the rosary on occasions when they were
hptown. This was eSpecially true of elderly Slovak men and women. During
the regular Sunday services of the society, "holy pictures" were distributed
among members, the purpose of which was to stimulate more serious spiritual
meditation and prayer. The Altar Society and the holy name Society which
were organized by the current pastor also serve] a.Spiritual purpose.
Prayer and frequent reception of the sacraments were encouraged. Members
of the Altar Society were also reSponsible for keeping the newly decorated
church in order. Being comparatively new societies accounted for their
relatively small memberships.

The remaining religious organization was the Federation of Slovak
Catholics. Its membership was limited to Slovak Catholics who had
demonstrated sound Roman Catholic practices. Requests for financial sup-
port both from in and outside the community were referred to this organi-

zation whose main purpose was the support of Catholic charities.

In addition to the eight organizations mentioned above, a.vitally
important religious role was played by the Catechism Class, former y known
as "Slovak School", which was taught by the pastor. All children between
the aces of six and seventeen were required to attend. Regular attendance
atliass and Catechism by these children was rigidly enforced. Every child
within this age group was expected to remain in church immediately follow—
ingliass every Sunday and three or four times per Wa°k during the summer
months. masses usually began at 7 A. M. during the school year. This
permitted students sufficient time to catch the bus ior puolic high school.
Both parents and children "heard about it" (from the pastor) if children
did not attend hass and Catechism regularly. A roll call followingiiass
was taken to check on absentees. Penance and communion were "musts".

The Catholic pastor, a former resident of a nearby community, was,
according to Slovak Catholic residents, "a firm priest", "very strict about
going to church and receiving confession and communion", "probably a little
too strict with young children" (according to the children themselves but
certainly not their parents), "the best priest we ever had", "an excellent
teacher", one who "gives the best sermons we've ever heard", and "very
highly reSpected by Slovak Catholics". In Spite of his discouragement of
the use of the Slovak language both in church and school, his most ardent
admirers are the elderly Slovak men and women. hany said "he's the kind
we had in Slovakia". his predecessor gave a Slovak sermon every Sunday.
ives a sermon in Slovak only three times a year!

On the other hand, the pastor's evaluation of his parishioners was

'3

also a favorable one. he regarded "Grassllat Catholics as excellent

Catholics". "lhey attend church and rec ive the sacrrvzents regularly";

"they cooperate in sending their children to mass and catechism"; "t1cir

marriages are faithful", and. "they," support the church generously". L—ie

had also commented that this relatively swell parish had given "thousanus

of dollars to redecorate their church in the last year

Lside from their influence as factors strengthening ethnic group

ccxnsciousne as among Slovak , the church and its affiliated oreanizations

PLEI€EalSO in some respects cire ct factors nracluoinv inter —et1m‘;c assimi-

liation between Slovaks and Swedes. Tith t1e ex ceI tion of the deunota

C31Jlb with be Sweéish mes ers and. the Slovak Political Cluo with onl, l

~Stfiedish men1ber, al organizaticns estaclished and1 air tained by Slovaks

H

It is very inocrtant to note that

(D

DiCIJhEKLSV we as from heir me Woc-sn1n.

tilijs restriction was made almost exclusively in terms of religion.

.fi
P111“tlmrmore, as it has been pointed out, tie church frownec upon any sup-

.—

I”3I“t of the Lutheran churches by Catholics; it openlv and strongly dis-

C(3vl‘a zed dating oetwe—n Slovaks and Sued: s; and it foroad the marriafie of

C . . . . . H . m1 .
atholics to non-Catholics under certain concitions. 1ne latter two DOints

we . .. ,. , w
451]. oe oiscussec in Chapter Vll.

The questionnaire sample of both Slovaks and Swedes were studied in

~eir L:1 a e of each other. A numoer of items

tcz‘ . . 1
“57ns of their self image ang t.

9...;

rena .., .1. .w m» -. m I: .1
b ardin_g t1e role of religion Wltuln each ebhfilc group Wdo useo JulCn

both groups.

’U

C. . , .~
‘VITIitted a.comparative stuoy of parents ano cnilcrcn of

:It EEms re {cruln re lie ion were

Slovaks are a very religious peOple.
Their church holds them toxether as a group more than anything
-L ‘l _
‘ LALUTH .

M1eir pastor is a n1ost ir1fluential person among

('1
F"
U)
(D

..., . A

items were re r:eai:d regarding Sn :o s.

I—.—«

Er)
U)
(D

Data presented in Table XXIll indicate a TOT; signiiiccnt oiLi -ren c:

l“ ‘4- ‘ .n 'v ‘ . r -r~ “ r- ' i~ a I x‘ -' 1 .7 ~‘— - r r—ws“1
oetween the self image nelu o3 ouc turee alovah $IOL s and their i: e oi

\‘

owedas on the item regarding "verJ'relieious people". more than three—
fourth of the Slovak pupils and parents agreed tna‘ "very religious people

-

was more C} aracteristic of Slovaks than Swedes, On the other hand, an

eveen larger nuroer oi SvJECSS afreed that Slovaks were "very religious
pecople", but a larger number of Swedes than Slovene resnonded that Sue les

wenre "a very religious peOple".

r o , . \ J, 1

tncir church holds them

,-

bach o: the three Slovak 3roups replied that
together more than the Lutheran church hol: 8 Sue les togeth er Lbe dii
enee apuea cred significant. The three Swedish groups tended to agree with
the self image held by Slovaks, particularly the Specish parents, but the
DJGLisn male pupils and parents srated tnemselves slightly lower than the
biOvaks rated them on this item. Svedish female pupils rat~d Swedes
Slfinificantly higLer than they were watad 3r any of the other five groups.

"n 'uc“ “ard' K la '1” e ca, 1' he so i" C“: eol';

On t e i‘Jm re,D inD txe lIllu n > o t 0 3a ‘or 0 ea 1 tinic

EPOUp, more than nine-tenth of Slovalzs of ea 11 groups replied that their

7‘ 1. v 7_
the oweciSn pastor

Cl»-
*2:
m
(’T“
(U
L

P&3tor was "most influential among them", ou'
Diéfllificantly lower. gore than nine-tenth ol owedish parents and fans
PUlXils agreed with the self image held by Slovaks, but only one half of
the Swedish male pupils agreed with tne self image held by Slovaks,

A 14Sr3a :r numoar of each owedisn group, eSpecially the male pupils, than

olO‘JakS considered their pastor as "most iniluential". A greater number

 

T Vr
T‘ 41.1 J JLKLli

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lovaks

 

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rasteruinfluences res 93 95 91 go 100 93
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C) 1., (j .9 S
ESEEZIF 'dfluences les 32 27 39 £7 hL E7
‘ " H . /
Ho 32 SO 30 O 22 1L
l—L 35 23 3O 12 33 29
Tatle reads: Of txe three Slovak grouns (31 nalw and 22
females in Grades 7— l2 and 33 pare ms), 93$
of males, 95p of ferales, and. 91p of ca rents
agreed with the item "Tteir pastor is a most
influential person among t,n e‘m"
\ _
* TWLrou3H011t this stumy "n", "F", and "P" as found in tabulated data will
1 ins used aooreViated symbols for tales, Females, and Parer 1ts reSpeCtiVGl‘
Tlrrou HOUt this StUdY "Y— is used in ta1ulated data as an anoreviation
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" 1M1 -, 0 pa -..»...'.‘- .,i .L‘ -, .r_ J-
Of DlOVokS tncn oh}? .111 Considers“ tLLClI‘ om 111.8511

’7‘ 7 - h~ .' .1, ,r 1 'I‘Hv I 1 J - - I‘ -
rurtuer comparisons were nae: oetaeen Slovaks

the rel'gious education of their children. Church

1

groups was studied. Data concerning the bejinninc

J- , 1 TI

h

I" v Blrfi a x.“ O h—v C‘fl‘y”: I'.‘ ‘v H r\ -1- 11“ x .1 1, - -
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1»

AGE OF BEGINHIHG hSLIGIOUS 4

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SDQ owwres in terms of

1-4. ., firm,“ 1.. +1.
81L! 11811.}.C-likl'3 Of U0 L)“

l

u‘ ‘1‘ '11"? ‘V‘V-X‘Ai-OT‘I rI'TT 1 1; 1:"
1.113 5 1111111111 CILLLJILSM

 

 

 

 

Age Slovak Swedish
number Percent Lumoer Percent _
3-h 3 e ll 55
5—6 ‘uo 7 5 1‘1 2 3
7 e l; O O
C l 2 l s
9 l 2 O O
_____ 10 or later 0 O l L
Total 5:3 100 17 100
__~__

 

01 Ineligious education (Cathechism or Sunday School), 975 of Slovak and

H95 of Swedish youth marked the item "I never miss unless I'm unable to

C? ' ‘1‘ V
Co! . Inree percent of Slovak

" 1
3 Swear/“s a. month" .

In short, both Slovaks and Swedes began the

theElir children early in life,

' I

WITinitely in the mores of both ethnic groufs.

and 29A of Swedish youth said they attended

eligious education of

and attendance of religious education was

1C0

TgoLfi XXV

CHUnCh 1T” '0“' C; 05 SLOVLK Rho 3333131 CglLUnzfi AL} THEIR PLfiJTLSl

 

 

 

 

 

Slovak Sve ash

5h 35 3 17 11 id
Qggroh Attendance C‘ilnr’o Path or nether Children Fat er L ther
Hardly ever attends O M O 3 3 1 O p 6 N 11 a
1—5 times a year 0 3 3 12 0 1h
Once or twice a.month O C O 29 35 3o
A1:nost every week 3 15 12 3S 7 21
vaery week 9a E2 62 2h 21 1h

 

l Pupils enrolled in Grades 7— 12 an1 tleir parents,

A

The da a in Table XXV indicate significant iifierences'between the

Slovak and Swedish samoles in terms of church attendance. It is important

to note that the above samples do not include first generation Slovaks
and Swedes who constitute the most regular church-goers in both ethnic

groups. rhe data above seem to indi Co wt that Slovaks are more reaular

1 o

Cuurch-goers than Swedes. The difference betWeen the children of both

e“mic :ro ups in terms of church attendance is not as sL :ni ic ant as it
mighta a3n3ear in statistica.l form. It is important to note that Sunday

Solubol, which precedes the regular church services, is the most important

0

arj most empha51zed religious activity among the Swedes. Sunday School

0-31- 1 “ L1 . o 1 I ‘ °
obterdance, as was shown, oy ow 11 children was unusually nigh.

In terms of the data 1re se nted thus far it seems that the Catholic

}—-x‘

L- . . . . . .
C‘Wchh and related organ1zat1ons play a major role both 1n promoting intra-
etiunic solidarity among Slovaks and precluding inter—ethnic solidarity

betfldee en Slova.ks and Swedes in Grassflat, As thus far indicated religion

0)

~,

13 a.major factor of difference betheen the two ethnic group

1.1

As indicated in Table XXI, the dornota Branches 3333, 13h, 92. and
130 also 5 rve secondar3 pur7ose S, namely, economic and social. Accordin:
to the officers of these or~aniza tions, virtually every Slovak Catr in
Grassflat "carries an insurance policy (purchase: tire wgh the or gar 12 ations)
Ifixich pays from @500 to @1000 ceath o; ne fits".3 The compa a.ti Vlwl low
*Inemium rates of this group t3ne of insurance are paid at the rexular
Im>rmhly‘lodge meetings. idult males and lemalos may carry additional in-
SHIRflKV’I-nfiflh.prOVi ides accident and sickness benefits. It is important to
Iu>te that this is the only type of insurance protection held by an over-
Ifiielming majority of Slovaks in Grassflat. Only a very limited number
have private insurance in addition to their "lodge insurance".

The social events Sponsored by the adult branches mentioned above are
"times that brings all the Slovaks and their children together", frequently
inCluding "Jednot arS" from near:1y communities. Then the old Slovak adage
is aprOpos: "Kde Slovak tam spev". ("flhere there is a Slovak there is
sofufl'.) Dinners and dances Sponsored by these organizations are surpassed
h? none save the Slovak wedding. On the other hand, an apparent lack of
1Where st and leadership on the part of older residents had caused baseball,

a Ore time popular Sport among Slovaks, to vanish from the recreational

-\

mli social scene.

The Slovak Political Club, the smallest non-religious organization,
was composed of members both Catholic and non—Catholic. hembers of other
flat Zionalities who were married to mates of Slovak extraction were also

admitted for membership. Members must be citizens of the United States.

1 c2

both Democrats and Republicans belong, but the former is much larger in
Inmmer. 'As one of the officers of the organization said, "the main purpose
of the club is to get after township or county officers to get things done
in town and to get good peOple in" (office).

The Jednota Club, known by Swedes as the "Slavish Club", is the larg-
est organization in Grassflat. This is true because membership includes
all.adult members of the First Catholic Slovak Union branches and "social
markers" who are composed of Catholic and non-Catholic members as well
as members of any national origin. "Social members" enjoy the same
pr'ivileges as others except that they are not permitted to assist the bar-
terfler behind the bar, are not included in the group insurance plan, and
must pay one dollar a year "social membership dues". It is hnportant to
note the relatively large Swedish and other rationality membership.
Memhership also includes non—residents. Although all "social members" are
Permitted to attend the dances Sponsored by the club, only a very limited
nwflber attend. As one resident said, "it's mostly Slovaks who dance there,
but others come in and drink at the bar". A large majority of the Slovaks
dotheir drinking there. It is also a.popular meeting place of elderly
SW3dish residents who have worked in the mines and were miners' union mem—
berws with Slovaks. Elderly folks usually drop in during mid—morning and
mic1~afternoon periods on their way to and from the grocery stores or the
POEVtoffice. All Slovak meetings are held at the Jednota Club which is
betrter known as the Slovak Hall,

Ls mentioned early, Slovaks did not always enjoy the freedom to estab—

1-_ ’
thkl'tneir own organizations in Slovakia, as lurchak reported:

Slovaks at home, under the Monarchy, restricted by law from main-
taining tlx air own cultural and welfare societies, took to founding
them in their new home on a or ad scale, fhe principal feature
of all these soc eties was that of providin;3 for t1ose who met
with misfortune be'inninl in a s {JiTit of C1ristian charity with
a "pas -the-hat" nethod 01 collec tinc funds to oury some "orother"
killed suddenly at work, t11is o1ase 01 their or~anized activities
grew to giant pronortions. Prohi‘oited as were Slovaks in their
honeland from uclisuin newsyancru and periodicals in their own
language, they founded one newSpaner after another until today in
America they Spend nearly a half million dollars annually in pub-
lishing Slovak newsoapers and pe‘i odicals 11

All Slovak members of the adult oranches of the First Catholic Slovak
Uriion receive the Jednota, a Catholic weekly, which is the official organ
of? the Union.12 This is the only HBWSDBLBT read my virtually all elderly

S]_ovak residents because it is written in the Slov {lan uage . Unlike
most newSpaoers, in addition to news, editorials, and advertising, Jednota
devotes a.major portion of its columns to news about other Slovak organiza-
tions throughout America, up-to-date records regarding the Union, current
news concerning Slovakia, and several columns are devoted to religion,
inCluding the cripture and sermon ior the particular week

In addition to the J—dnota, everv Slovak Catholic familJ subsc rioed

t0 gy1r Sunday Visitor, a Na.tional Catholic Neekly.13 subscription is

 

Strongly urged by the pastor, A major portion of its columns are devoted
'L ‘ O I ’l a o o -r- o a .
W) a discu581on oi oetter Catholic practices. in it are found magor

caifliolic announcements, news of the Catholic world, and the point of View

\

JJ-. Peter Yurcha1g on. cit., p.113

12. Jednota (Catholic Ne ekly). hiddletown, Penneylvania: First Catholic
Slovak Union.

13.. Our Sunday Visitor (The Popular national Catholic fiction Weekly).
huntington, Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.

 

 

l (31' ,1

of the Catholic Church in regard to such tonics as marriace an: family,
politics, and education.

Both Slovak and Swedish children who attended Grates 7 through 12
were asked to indicate how frequently their parents read a.mewspaper

written in the native language of their respective ethnic group. The

following results were given:

 

 

 

33 Slovak lh Swedish
heaponses Given Parental Cougles Parental Cougles
All the time h7£ 6%
Often 30 ()
Sometimes 19 S3
Seldom 3 O
hever O S

'ihese results seem to indicate that Slovak parents of the second genesa-

1

f‘ 3. ‘ 1 1 .1.’
Swedish parents of the second generation.

11a11511a;je

J

In reviewing the tape—recorded data.extractod from interviews with
Slovak subjects, it is important to note that the first generation was
Pertdcularly emphatic in regarding language as one of the main factors
WEL‘ich "keeps the Slovak peOple tOgether". Inability to Speak English,
reixidential segregation, and an attitude of reluctance to learn another
laflquaze were important forces in strengthening solidarity-feelings among
Sl-C>‘vak foreign-born residents, Even today, a large number of foreign-
bOITn are unable to read, write, or speak English. hanJ of those who could
CorTverse With Swedes did not because they did not feel confident of their

“JiLlity. The outlook for more intimate relations with Swedes seemed

11:

\1 1.

P

limited because of residential se1u.1w1:ation. is s11o1Jn in ligure l on

113

75, a number of Slova‘1< neL hoorhoorls w>re found in Jo*rjt01n and 119 asa1 t
Hill which were ”81 vel; isolate I f om Swedcs, Furtucrm01,many of

the Mir t generation Slova1<s felt it was too late to start learning

another language, and still oth rs felt no ne or, ssity to learn Ln lish
because their relations were limited almost exclusively to those with other
SlO‘aks.

Foreign-born Slovaks were qui ite unhappy when Slovak was discontinued
in the Catechism classes and became much les 3 uscd in the church. Even
though none had any desire to rat ‘ rn to Slovalmi thef eelings were quite
strong that the Slovak language should continue to be taught to children.
Communication of foreifin-born parents with the children and cranocnillr1n
is rarelv carried on in English.

In order to study the role ofo lCer peeple both among Slov aks and
Samdes, the following it em was used: "Their older peeple are most influ-
Eintial in their group". In veneral the reSpo re es of the questionnaire
Sammle of children and their parents indicate that they play a rather in-
fluential p art in t11e relations of their groups. iporoxL1ate13r two-fifths
Of'Slovak pupils and almost two-thirds of their parents (second generation)
replied that the older peeple among Slovaks "are mos t influential in their
EPOUp”. On the other hand, approximately two— —th M118 of OJtuiou pU)llS
and almost two-thirds of Swetish parents considered their older peOple as
most influential. More Swedish than Slovak pupils and parents considered

.L\
the Older people among Slova s as influential. 'fhe number of Slovak and

Swedish subjects who rated the older tangle amofii ova as as being inilu—
ential was about equal.

thhough the tape recorded data frrm ootn the second and third
generation Slovaks indicated that the lanquafie barrier was diminishinr
rapidly, the kind of Slovak-Swedish relations continue to he ail
tne attitudes held 0; their foreign-born parents, whose image of Swedes
rerains relatively unchanged oecause of their limited relations with them.
In terms of marital selection of their children and grandchildren, for
swammle, they still play a.major role. Their emplasis remains one of
selection of marital partners who are, first of all, Catholic, and second,
those who are Slovak.

It is important to note that virtually every Slovak child had a
grandparent who lived in Grassflat. Questionnaire data indicated that seven
Out of fifty—three Slovan pupils and none of seventeen Swedish pupils lived
Ifith in-laws. It appears that language does play an important role in pro-
Inoting solidarity among first generation Slovaks, but much less directly

anmng the younger generations.
Kinship System

The kinship system among Slovaks was a tightly knit system. It played
a.major role in promoting intra—ethnic solidarity-among Slovaks. Virtually
every Slovak family had at least one relative through marriage, baptism,

0? Confirmation living in Grassflat. Practically all first generation

*Jc

1’1

“3” Several second generation parents hai at least one child who lived

tW3 Community with his or her familg. In-group marriages, which will he

discussed in detail in Chapter VII, oc-urrew frequently. They constituted
one of the most decisive "actrrs in strengtlwga1in soliaarity-feelinws among
Slovaks. Adult male and fewale Sponsors at nautism and confirmation which
further extend the kinship system occupy pos ioivrs of Ligu restect among
Slovaks.

The following questionnaire item was used to study intra- and inter—

etnnic imaoes he ld by both Slovaks and Sweees regarding their kinstin

. ;-~ F‘H. .' D '3 2 n- a“. ‘ .,. - -. 0 4' »
sttens: " weir -rienos are Watt un More OL relatiV3s the n otu3r “‘oxle"

 

 

A lar er numb:3r of Slovaks tlian Swen: replied that this we 3 more character—
istic of Slovans than Swedes. Forty-one percent of Slovak pupils and L33
Of Slovak [ma r.r.‘ts answered the item reE ‘ 3 Slovaks "yes" Fewer answereo
this item "yes" e:ardin3 Sweci; 5 On the other hand, only 13% of Swedish

n 1‘,‘ n .1—
“JdS ClioI‘cC ser-

.4

pupils and 7p of SnEdishp arents replied that this statement
istic of Swedes. 'iwentJ-tx ee percent of Swedish pupils and 35% of Swedish
jparents s aiIl this was true of Slovaks. In short, a comparative study of
130th groups regarding this item indicateu that friends were made up more
Of relatives among Slovaks than Sweess,

haey other Slovak residents intervieW u mentioned that relatives were
an important factor holdin: Slovak neonle to:3 tier in Grassflat, For
one Slovak resi_ient said "i eon't dare to buy one relative a
drink because I'd lose many friends because I just could not afford to buy
them all a drink". Lnother said, "If I took a drink from every or e of
my relations I'd miss work for a week". Still another summarized his views

1
tnus: "S‘lovaks arev pretty-close in Grassflat. 'Xou can be sure of one

MQJ15~-if two Slovaks aren't naiahaors, they're related in some wag"

T—‘fi. ~ 1‘ -v\ r 0 ‘~ r" h . .‘- ‘. ‘~ -:' » , ,-" r-‘ " . .1«.14'!' . »‘ ,«
rigijure l on page I) yI‘e‘ScncS an CCOlO;:_lu8 UlStZ‘l.;uulU.1 O

l—J.

ethnic groups in Grassflat. It is anortant to note the Slovak ecolo;

v 7’ , A 1 "f‘ n i“ r- -vr ‘- - .~ nL . 'vr' fx \,~ L‘ 1v.r u rx L . "n“.‘l "\ fl ~v- .
mt rn. 13L hoorhoous 0L bldfivn FUlrulvtS axe lound McrolbuiCIlj in

:3

I”

rJ-'

1‘ ‘ » - f‘ *1 h ‘f ‘0‘ 4- :4. - - f-“YD Jrzv .'__, n1 “1 - '-1 "- ° ‘4
noorytcun and Pleasant “111. in Jo31uuown Lfl“ 18138 reia ive Liougs sole

3 1 z - u .1- ,2 c 3.. , "qr , g' .4“ .9 4-3,,” , 1 .4, 7, -1
louno, one consiscee oi lUUl cuv c.-lw0(1 r consisted 0L bhibn nous3nolms.
\ .C‘

In Pleasant hill were tnree nei hVOF‘UOUQ of rela -tives consi ing of 1ive,

three, and two household units.

A comparative study of Slovaks and Swedes was made in terms of family

community indi ated the follow-

Q
0
{‘3
U
a
0
Hz:
(‘1

size. Data obtai12ed from

ing comparisons:

 

 

 

 

Generation 111.1113r of F rilj Units Avera e fa‘ily SLYE
lst Slovak 26 5.35
lst Swedish 20 h.t5
2nd Slovak 52 3.90
2nd Sveoish 31 3.05

)

LI.)
..3
Q.
U‘
!_1
O
<;
m
KN
b) ”
bub-4
00;]
ON

3rd Swedish
TIE averages of Slovak and Swedisi1 faM1 lies in D118 questionnaire 53391‘5

were 5.36 and h.29, reapectively.

P4

The Slova 1: family Lat certain characteristics which distinguished
it from the typical fcunily found among the Swedes, Many Slovaks who were
interviewed felt that the roles of family members were better defined in
the Slovak than the Swedish family. Swedes, it seeped to them, had "no
m1

QWSEem" (system meaning a particular L:ind of order or rules), Jhereas the

l1?

‘0 r». w r- r .1 7 'x s-‘-§. 1. -,»1- (-4-. u 1 ' (4.1.13! .g-r- -“ (v. ‘v u ’
SEES-1.511 fClullJ-'}r 8.1»3-‘1Jedrdfx t0 11".": 11101.8 L'HV'JIJUCFCLJLL O: UQlel—Ludr‘lc'; the D?LU‘JC31\

t

\1

f 811“: l l“,

(D

noed to he more patriarchal in structure.

n

The role 01

1 hu—I

ether, mother, and children in the ol ovah family U;re

"*2

well-defined. The role of father was mainly on: of economic pro idor,
and that of the mother we , in the strictest sense Oi the concept, a do-
mestic role. Children were taught to "listen” to their parents. It was
because tl1eir own roles were so clearly deiin;o and scans-1 the Swedish
family appeared to differ from theirs that man; Slovak rera ror-c the
SWEQ;S as having families with "no systen".

Slovak males Spoke freely of the duties of the Slovak fa '1-er as "boss
in the family"; one who "keeps oroer in the houSo"; and one who "fecds t11e
family". They referred to the major duties of the Slovat'mot1er as "keen-
ine children clean", pr paring meals economically, that is, "without
running to the store all the time", "tea china children the prayers for
confession and comnunion",lh and "keepin, their man frm ndrinhing too much
and missing work". On the ot11r hano, Slovak females frequently referred
to the father role as one who "is supposed to be the boss", "orincs home
a good pay", and "ma :es chjlc.ren listen if they don't behave". They
referred to their own roles as one of "doin: all the cooking", "keeping
1 1

the house clean", and "taking care of the children".

amila as reported

1")

A description of the position of wone n in the Slov

b;,r lurch a1 is quite typical of Slovak w: an in GraSSIlat:

 

ln. Refers to prayers which every child must know before he is permittec
to receive confession and communion.

170

The position of the women in the Slo vak faxmil nas alwavs been
h. The woman pla3s a reSponsible rol in t113 life of the
aeraxe Slovak family. The Slavs never “uLdu aLed t131r women,
who alwa3s 311ared even the most unenduraL le harrshies wi M1 the
men. Terms of eruearnert 111«:e mamicka (s JQBt nmot her) survive L135

emigrant families even where the la r'r"e is no longer Sn01::n
1‘13 menroers of the Slova 1c 1amilv do 1wan3 thin s to; “,et1ier It 13 quite
common for the whole family to attend dances and other socials at the Slo vak

....

fhilipsuu.g to shoe for

V

hall, work in their {warden mace frequent tries to

’1

clothing and groceries, and take Suntay afternoon rides in the lamily car.

From a.comnarat1vely early'ane boys are taught to help their fathers with
work around the house, while girls are taught to help their mothers with
various chores in the house,

Reli .jion cla _;ec1 a major role in keepin: the Slovak fa ilg togetler
Serious family conflicts are referred to the priest 03 one or both parents
in the confessional or the privacy of the parsona;;e. Confession is con-
sidered invalid and sinful if all misdeeds are not mentioned in the con-
fessional. Furthermore, reception of communion is considL re ed sinful if
wrong—doers do not make amends,

Divorce had no place in their mores. The following were most common
expre ssions of a.ttitures and beliefs ma1e oy Slovak residents regarding
marriage and divorce: I"'PeOple go to hell if they divorce". "When you
divorce you lose everything——your church and everythinr", "P’eople who
divorce commit one of the most serious sins". "There‘s no reward in heaven
for them" (the divorced). "Once you're married, you're supposed to star

la

married, regardless".

 

15. Peter Yurchad, on, cit., e,
o—h- _—.._ ‘

Marriages among Slovaks ar3 T““‘fl rt -.ot one case 01 divorce has
occurred in Grassflat among Slovaxs. imonc former Slovak residsnts who
had moved to urban areas onl; two divorces in the last three dscaees are
known. Both were inter-3thnic marria~3s, one of which was also a mixed
religious marriage.

Statistical data regarding both Slovak and Swedish families W3re oc-
tained. throur qh the use of the attitude Questionnaire mentioned previously,
Some of the items which were used regardin: the.fau1ilv of uoth ethnic
groups were the folloxm; no:

Their parents are very strict par3nts,

Their children have an important part in making decisions which

concern the whole family. ,

Their families are run by; the fat 113.10
Data presented in Table XXVI indicate the reSponses given by Slovak and
Swedish ch Ml Cram and their parents to these items

It is important to note that each of the Slovak and Swedish groups
indicated that "very strict parents" was more characteristic of Slovak
than Swedish parents. More than one half of both Slovak and Swedish parents
and Swedish female pupils reSponded that "very strict parents" described
Slovak parents, and only 15, lb, and 0 per cent, respectively, inci'ica ted
that this was also true of Swedish parents. On the other hand, not more
than 13 per cent of both Slovak and Swedish male pupils agreed with their
parents on this item rega crding Slovak parents, Approximately the same number
of Slovak and Swedish male pupils indicated that "verv strict parents" was

characteristic of Swedish parents. here than half of the Slova1< femal e

16. See Ippendix for Attitude Questionnaire from which these it ans 1% re
extracted.

TLnLi XXVI

1‘ 1! "V‘ ‘P (*1 . _ :I’_,'_.' "H 'T‘~‘ 1. 4‘1"," .1 fi'v‘1v',-"" I. ‘Y'T'“~."~|“'I"‘
Bill—L11- jxl‘ll.) .LL'Jli—JLL-LJLLLLILLJ JJ'LJ-U1_J 01.. DLKJVJJ‘XO IlagiJ b UJJJJQD

 

 

 

 

 

heaponse :3] oval: 1-r-3- Iish
Given BLA 22F 33} Q- if ll? ‘fi_
Slovaks
Very strict parents Ies 133 27» 5;} 12% ELL 575
no 35 6h 27 37 ll 7
r—m >2 9 lo 30 33 3c
81-39(36) 8
Ver; strict parents h 2 0 1h

Slovak
Ch. make decisions

Swedes

 

Ch. make dec1sions

lovelis
ather runs family

'7.) O)

Swe d e 8
Father runs family

 

Tanle reads:

Yes 10

1‘2 0 i: S
Y-L‘l )1 5
Yes 29

to 29
I-u 2.12

Yes 26
he 29

I-L‘i ‘LLS

Yes L2
ho 13
I ~21" L1 9

PO \JI }*J
\1 \O ..

\JL) \fl
{‘0 \C \O

59

3?
l2
50

r

UT
0 C‘m

h-
1..
rs. _.
‘ -

353

El

J'-

/

21

SO
21
29

70% of the Slovak parent sample indicated

that "Slovak

families are run by the father".

Pupils reSponded that "very strict parents" was characteristic of neither

Slovak nor Swedish parents.

" Y’fl
..

parents. The reSponses to this item by 8 parent couples and 12 children

very strict parents" was more characteristic of Slov

Only a slightly larger number indicated that

F4
“\J
W

l?
of "other nationality“" were also studied. Only a slightly la*ger

nwueer of each group considered that "very strict parents" was more
characteristic of Slovaks than 81m 33s Approximately one fourth of each
group indicated that this description was true 0

Slovak parents.

heaponses to the item regarding the role of children in the familv

d

I

indicated that all sroups, exceit Slovak male and female pupils indi_ca ed

9

‘

that Swedish children "nave an important part in making decisions which
concern the whole family" more than Slovtk children. Slightly more the
one fourth of Slovakm ale pupils re spond3d that both Judi h and Slovak
children share in decision making in their families. Almost three fifths
of Slovak female pupils replied that Slovakc ildren has an important part
in decision making, but only slightly more than one fourth responded that
this was true ofS recish chilnren. Only a slightly larger number of
"other nationality" parents and children indicated that Swedish children
had "an important part in makinc decisions than Slovak children.

All groups, except Slovak male pupils, indicated that the "family
run by the father" is more characteristic of the Slovak than Swedisl 1fauily.
leost tim efourths of ooth Sweeish and Slovak parents replied that the
Slovak family is run by the father, while only 55% of Slovak parents and
33% of Swedish parents replied tha this we 5 also true of tie Swedis1iamily.
Slovak male pupils rated the families of both ethnic groups as about
similar on this item. A significantlv larger numeer of doth Slovak and
Swedish fan ale pupils ind ica tee that the Slovak rather than tiie -Swedish

k

17. Throu ;hout this stUdjr "other nationality" refers to nationalities

Other than Slovak, be edish, and Slovak-S eddish.

‘

FJ.

family was "run bv the father. L sl

nationality" parents indicated that Slova< rather than the Swedish family

ghtl 'lar er nuroer of "0:.

1731

I, u x 2‘ --~r ‘ J“ "" r\ r ' v" V *1 ~ 7? -'_ 1“ fil- , ’ (‘- , f’} h ‘ ,-‘
was "run a, the iath r". to d1113rcnee has SAOWn UfluJUQn QlOVQKS and

.m~1 ‘ *1,”- +7.1 r r 1 - 3. .. o -4.
bcmnlbs can tiris J-cem 11 "CLA59T ThatlLfliellth" 11up1jls, bxjix 4 (31”

‘i " ‘0

pupi ls re Sponded that the Slovak ann Swegish fazil ies were 'r1n

father",

. J‘ -\ ’" «W ‘F‘ I: "fl‘ ‘1”"11‘n ‘ 3* 1,7-v "‘
Four additiona l luChS hale useo 1u1cntr to Sehwy the fam1l;v

[I‘l‘ ' ‘

of both Slovaks and Swedes, nase items,

questionnaire which was afi1inis M1F2d to pupils, read thus:

T571 1r3‘ C‘ L‘ 1 _ 84" r. 4'— . -‘ ..f ' q_‘,.‘ ' .. “ ‘1fivw .1”?
”.10 Ind“.eo «JUL U:.T)O;. Dent.) ‘i‘x';C_LS-'_UIlD in 011‘ .LchCL ‘ .
4 Or 1'
.i A. . .1;‘,. , r11‘ ,1 ,\ Uh.-.‘ 1,- ‘ ‘ ' j ..- O '- _ 1
( )1acner k n3c1er ( ).13 nxole 1ah1l; peeiues a1ter pal
- *' v ' . 'x 7‘
it one ( )‘v3ryone QOes as .3 or she pleas-s.

in any kind of trou;-e, b ’9
'o? ( )Eather ( )Lothor Q )Sister (
‘ outsiCe the family.

9

SrOther

how interest in what you Lo in school?

035 your mother Show int: rest in what you do in scho l?

r\C)‘

" ‘ r‘ t --n n~ "1 - -‘,- ' n1,_ “~,"‘;‘
ne3p0nseo to these fou1 ite us ale Loune 1n 1asle XLVl1.

F“ 1".J-‘ “‘7.‘ G F‘ rlr 'IV‘II 1- A. At“: a, 1 . \I r- ~ 7
1- ; f'scocl" 111,51le? 0.]. blOVdi‘. unc'fl DL'TtiL-ibll c1111C.r1n-11:7.ac-1te:1

"'I

(J

I 'V

rmnher of both Slovak and Swedish children responded that their
.1.

01 eoth Slovak and Swedish males and Slovax females indicated

vu
a-1

‘- ,' ~.— - y,‘ ‘4-
ula Jou most

‘. '..... -4.rn 1 ° 11.: -' : '- ,1 '.....-1-
1e lprfugLu d13C1sior1s" in their lah1l1es . hberthouelQ

' .9 .M. -' .- . ...1 1 1.‘ .. "pp. - ‘1 ' ‘ 10.1.1 : -.. 3:. ._ .,
U391? lamlllbs “the Whole 11.1..1l~r 1: M1 a1t3r t_ll :1nh 1t ov31”,

12

1'_’ _l‘x
L11.) LJI‘“)

Unit: (111 appeared on ', 1n 3139

I
.1113;
L.)

S 1
( ) Often ( ) Sometimes ( )Seleom ( )13"3

o
)hll the time ( )Ofte n ( )Some times ( ) Seldcm Q )hever

that their

fathers mace "the humortant decisions” in their lamilies. Onla a limited

. . -' 1 ,- w.
{11051113- 3

ORE; tilil‘i:

that in

This

‘1‘" ‘ 1 r- "r -. -- *“ :‘fl C.“ :1 \vvf ". ‘1 I“ 3'. 1‘ 1" '\
I K’01:“01'136 Was ;1ven 8r?) - “OXj '1. BLGlJ bWO ulil df OJ. bL-"kallSIL l‘ 1‘ {LLB C1;J-l~zl‘31'1.

1'? 3

1L:JLL )"Cfll

chmfl‘ LL. Mom) 131' smug}: mu S'.-.7:;DI;5;-i CHILL-LN

 

O—‘“ ‘——‘_--——-.-—-u- —- -——'—- ~&—————— -—~—--—- .- -—. m- ——-—.._-~————9—_—.—¢-. -.-- c _ d. -—o.-- ~—-—_—— .-v-

.— —-—--—————-—~—. — “< --..

 

 

——0 ”...—‘4 t“-

V“ ‘ \ ‘_ ., ~ . r ‘ ~ .. ._o f‘ 0 ~ . .1 r' ‘_. ‘fi.
Hno makes tLe important qulSlOnS in JouL icmilJ?

 

 

--- ----- -PorceLt of h: DODSSS Viven----—------

E Group thger Motker Viola Fevil;.i_;3;rhz asggl)as s
3]. DLQVGK .1 245/9 17,0 3 ,o J
22 Slovak F 57L 3” Q, Op
b SWECIiSh M 2),; la J 3 ( X: 25/;
(7“ S’V’GL‘. i811 F 22,3 04,0 x- I (u ll,v

If you were in any kind of trouble, to whom would Jou most likely go?

—-~ ----- -l—.-JI1C:}I-1Ct Of LiC—zb SEIOTLSSS Giv’b‘"l-""'""""""-""""“"
. 4

n4. _ . n

 

 

 

 

:- G‘A/‘Q‘ -\ TP' 4 "‘Y‘ i‘m‘l“ ‘“ C V .VI - {If “r" - 1‘ {1.3 it . ‘ \ + r-~-': l'r
n L \JkLEJ‘ J. c. ul 1;... 1'-v m L6,; 0 o o .:L LL )T .:“L 1..)31‘ C‘loc? l.‘ : L cuitl- -
“1 7n , ..- . a?“ {7‘7" " r“ "' C- -- -—- A - ‘3 L ....sL
3.. OLO‘Irt-Jh «L LL/'/') )C’J LII/J ’IA‘V‘) 2:0
. 1- “ (“1. " '~
22 510 \IE 1; b D/Q 7'; ,0 (J/J (J 3 (“J/J
r?" fi _. 1 «3 :1« Fr"! ‘ '\\’: F .
L ows<is1‘ Cap 4 ») 0L b; léfl
I“
9 U

(no

in
SW? (l l S l J. F (1,0 l ,L O ,3 C’ ,1) (J [o

,

Does your fatner Show interest in what you do in school?

-V‘ " - n n A ' .‘ ~
___ ...... -fefvent OI Heb UOHSG S UlVCfl—~-~ _____
". "3 . A 1 .-' l, , ".L : " « I“ \ .~ ‘ ‘ I ' " ‘ I“ f" ' ’J‘ V’l‘ ‘ . C
N uroun Lll two ine Ultun SUmEtlmJb oolsofl 1.5 a“
M *u-a—o—~-.~— _ . -

 

 

Slo vak I-Z 5 figs

v
17 o 1 {L10 3 o O,

Slovak F on; 23; “
n3

1

Q

133 G» o;
O 0 Op

.‘ I ( . ‘.
p llp Up L»

m pol“
H

O‘N'

Swedish M pp
Swedish F 773 l

\0

Does your mother Show interest in Wu; :t you do in solool?

-—-~------'ercent of Responses i
L G“Ou0 All the timo OLtcn Swwooii>s SoLfiom Lov20
31 SlOVEK 1'1 016 19,0 1.3/0 L 3.) (J )0
’W’N . . ,’ , -,’ ' . ,,.‘
cc Slovak F 77m lug hp on Op
b Swedish M 75% 255 (it Op CL;
9 Swedish F 77% 113 11; CL Op

U

 

 

1 Children enrolled in Grades 7-12, incl usive.

171

To whom would you most likely go if you were in any kind of trouole?

doth Slovak and Swedish male children answered "father" more i equently than
one es, and females answ:red "mother" more ireo Ilntlw thanra21es, The

differences between the reSponses of Swai‘“h anL Slcxak children were not
significant. Only one Slovak and one Sw3eisn.malo indicated "someone out-
side the family". "Brother" and "‘ister" answers nrobahly were not given
because only a very limited numoer had olc# er brothers and sisters.

There was some d1 ffe rance oetween the reSponses given b3 Slovak and
Swedish children to the itemr1e“arding parental int3rest in sic hoo 1 It

.11-

(D
0L

cooeared that both Slovak ano Swedish'n rents were interes ted in the L
cation of their children, but the latter seemed to be slightly more inter-
ested than the former.

A comparison 01 Slovaks and Swefies was also made in terms of their
reSponses to the following Questionnaire item: (Slovaks - Swede 3) "11m:
to have their children begin working at an earlier age than other peonle".

large majority of both Slovak and Swedish parents indicated that this
statement was more characteristic of Slova1:s than Swedes.

In order to summarize the discussion of cultural solidarity among
Slovaks, it is important to note that the extent to which they were able
to maintain their interethnic stability was determined tv 8 number of
closely interrelated factors, First, the fact that they emigrated from a
Common land of origin and settled in a relatively isola t3dc community in
Pennsylvar'a played a major role in facilitatin n; the preservation of

cultural patterns of their native land, Slovakia. Second, their church

and its relate d organizations and activities functioned in a most uniQue

way as an agency of social control. heligion, it should be emphasizeu

was mentioned by virtually all P”“lC”hbS who were interviewed as the main

1

difference oetween the two major ethnic groups in Grassflat

ous organizations, in addition to those of a.rcligious nature

better intraethnic group adjustment in the new homeland. These org?

tions served social, political

integral part of the Slo va}:

P
mentioned by ooth Slova ndo

as a most direct factor in both promotin" thc1r own soliiar rit

cl 1din , oprOSpe cts of more inti

Locke reported:

miss, particularly foreign-corn Slovaks

3

Third, var1~

also served

, and economic purposes which became

attern of a disthot Fourth, language

arul

was

3

pre—

mate relations with Swedes. As Burgess and

Immigrant families, marooned within a langma21a folony and extremely

isolated from the activities of the HL aw count

of stability.10

:5

Fif h the highly integrating
role in promoting intraethnic
more perso ml level. Lastlv

0’

in a complex and intimate way

lave a hizh decree

kinship system of Slovaks played a unique

solidarity not only on a social but

the family, as a basic institution,

to help Slovaks retain their sale

\

I

L
arace

also a

functioned

ethnic

identif ica.tion Three particular characteristics of the Slovak family made

it effective in strengthening

patriarchal pattern, its adherence

greater residential stability.

 

18. brnest'W. Burge ‘ss and harvey J Locke, Toe Faw‘.ilv

Lmerican Book Company, 1945, p. SBt.

lntra-group consciousness: its predominantly

to the church, and its tendency toward

H
‘J
(K)

It is important to include the following ooservation of a visiting

Slovak Catholic missionary as reported to the local Catholic priest
"I‘ve been in many Slovak communities, but Grassflat is the most Slovak
in its ways". he referred particularly to their hi:h regard for the

Catholic Church, their social and diesary patterns, and the elderly Slovak

women's manner of dress.
Cultural Solidarity among Swedes

SI-Iedes who Settled. in Grassflat immigrated to I-merica comparatively

a large

earlier than Slovaks. ls was mentioned earlier (see pages 66—66),

number of the original Swedish settlers who cane to Grassflat first

settled inliclntyre, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, ‘When mine Operations
began to decline in hclntyre a colony of over 200 adult persons migrated

to Peale which is approximately two miles east of Grassflat. Three particu-
lar reasons motivated them to settle in Grassflat: declining coal Opera-
tions in Peale, "Opening" of new mines in Grassflat, and a desire to own
their own homes, A large majority of residents of Peale lived in compangh
owned houses. hot more than four or five adult Slovaks were included

among Peale residents who finally settled Grassflat,

It is interesting to compare the Swedes and Slovaks in terms of several
factors, Not unlike the Slovaks, Swedes were also farmers in their native
land, and their reason for immigration to America was mainly economic.
Swedes, too, as one elderly Swedish resident said "were pretty old acquaint-
ances in Dalsland, Sweden". A large number were old friends or relatives

in Dalsland, Sweden, and in McIntyre and Peale, Pennsylvania, hot unlike

179

the Slovaks, Swedes were also united to a great extent by a common
language and a common religion, Lutheranism, the estaulished church of
Sweden. Conditions favoring the preservation of cultural patterns of
Sweden were strikingly similar to those which later facilitated the
preservation of cultural patterns of Slo akia.

The heverend ddward h. Lindgren gave a vivid account of Swedish
settlers before their colonization in Grassflat:

In the decade lt7S-ltt5 many immigrants frOm Sweden, most of them
from the Province of Dalsland, arrived inlflclntyre, Tioga County,
Pennsylvania. They brought with them an interest and a devotion
for higher Spiritual things. The Lutheran Church of Sweden had
been to them a good spiritual mother. In McIntyre they felt the
need of a Church of their own faith. Therefore in lht2 an informal
organization of a congregation took place. Even at that time it
became evident that the coal mines in McIntyre could not provide
permanent labor for the miners. . . . On June lhth, that very year,
21 Swedish:miners fmmnlkflkfiyre arrived in COOper Township to begin
work. M. John Linder, one of the organisers of Emanuel, was one of
them. In his diary he wrote: "Never will I forget the first even-
ing we spent in the so called heW'Place. fill of us crowded into

a shanty 16 feet wide and 20 feet long, located on the Spot known
as The Tunnel Side. ‘, There was little elbow room. here we lived
from June lhth to late in the fall, when we moved to the Peale
location near by". The following year the entire Swedish settle-
ment in.hclntyre moved to Peale.

The Reverend.hr. Sebelius, one of the earliest Swedish pastors, Spoke
on the subject "Reminiscences From the early Days of hebo" on the 60th
Lnniversary of that church on October 1, l9hh. On this occasion the
Reverend Mr. Lindgren reported:

In the course of his address he asked the question, How'many of

you were born in Dalsland, Sweden? About 50 held up their hands.
Again he asked another question, How many of you are descendants

 

19. Located approximately two miles from Peale.

20. The Rev. Edward A. Lindgren, "History of Emanuel Lutheran Church,"
Our Lutheran Chimes, Grassflat, Pennsylvania, 7:10, August-September,
1955 .

 

of those who came from Dalsland? This time more than 200 raise'
their hands. It is indeed strange that so many of the Swedes

who came to Peale and Grassflat in earlier days with few exceptions
came from the Province of Dalsland in Sweden.31 _

Other data concerning the early Swedish settlers were reported by the
Reverend Mr. Sebelius:

An interesting charac eristic of these Dalsland colonists is their
love of the soil, albeit they are constrained to Spend so much

of their occupational time underground. It is a pleasure to watch
them cultivate their gardens and small farms in their Spare time.
Best of all, these hard-working, nature-loving peOple have a deep—

seated interest in the cultivation of the Lord's Vineyard. 4

In contrast to the history of Slovakia that of Sweden had been com—

)
paratively more peaceful. Undoubtedly this had accounted to some degree

for certain differences which existed among Swedes and Slovaks both in

EurOpe and America. On this tOpic Brown and Roucek reported thus:

(1)

Unlike the immigrants from central and eastern EurOpe, the we‘es
did not bring With them what Pro essor hiller has called the
"oppression psychosis"--the product of past struggles for national
existence which strengthened ethnocentric tendencies in the
religion, language, and customs of such immigrants as shared it.
Consequently the Swedes have found it much easier to adapt them—
selves to American culture. In this process they have can helped
by the fact thag their religion is Lutheranism, a fonn of
Protestantism.é

A much larger number of Swedes was admitted to the United States than
Slovaks. Records of the United States Bureau of Immigration indicated
that 5h6,936 Slovaks and 169,3EO Czechs were admitted to the United Sta as

between 1899 ahd 1930. The census of 1930 reported h9l,633 foreign-born

 

21. The Reverend Edward A. Lindgren, "Sixtieth Anniversary," Our Lutheran
Chimes, Grassflat, Pennsylvania, 1:3, September—October, 1933.

22. The Reverend S. J. Sebelius, "On the Heights of heho," Our Lutheran
Chimes, Grassflat, Pennsylvania, 1:6, September-October, l9hh.

23. Francis J. Brown and Joseph Slabey houcek, One America (New York:
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 19h5), p. 70.

 

 

181
who claimed Czechoslovakia as their country of birth. This group, classi-

fied by mother tongue, included 219,3h7 Slovaks, 1C6,9c0 Czechs,

30,900
, r , 2h . . . . .
Germans, and 92,h3l others. On the other MBDU, "if Ireland 18 left out

of consideration, there is no country in Europe wiere emicration has been

25

1

so large relative to pepulation as in the Scandinavian countries".

From 1820 to 1930 the total number of Scandinavians adhitted to the United

States according to records of the LnitAd States Bureau of Immigration was
1.‘ r)

2 3L6 069 distributed as follows: from Sweden 1 213 ha:' from l.orwa:
’ 3 3 3 3 3

f‘ /

$00,115; from De nmark 332, hCé.

Whereas Swedes belong to the "old immigration" Slovaks belong to the
"new immigration". lhis means that the Swedish adjus tment to the Lmerican
cul cure has been favored by the profitable experiences of several previous
generations. This is less true of Slova1:s who did not bezin com:Lng to the
United States in considerable numbers until 1375. (See pa:es 139-1L1 )

In order to study those factors which perated to promote intra-
ethnic solidarity amonq Swedes in Grassflat, the writer employed the sane
research techniques which he used in his study of Slovaks. Tape-recordings
were made of interviews with three generations of Swedish residents. In
addition, to ascertain that sufficient and accurate data were obtained con-
cerning the ethnic group with which the writer felt less acqueinted, two

su plementarr ta e—recorded interviews were held. See pa 7ge Sh. )
- 3 P -

 

2h. Maurice R. Davie, werld Immirration (hew York: The hacmillan Company,
1930), p. 127.

2). IOid., p. 72.

26.101u.., p. 7h.

 

 

}_J
R.

hot unlike the tape-recor1e' d i1terviews held with three Slovak
generations, the writer raised two particular questions:
What are the important things that keep the Sweoish pQOple

toyether in Grassflat?
What are the imoortant thin“s that keep the Slovak peo

4.

together in Ora ssilat?
The following data were extracted from a tape-recorded interview with
the first generation Swe3ish sabje cts:

t forces that lold the Swedish pGOple

hr. W: 'Well, the church keeps them tOgether.
hrs. T: The churches, I think, is the most important.

hr. 1: They had so eties out t._ o t have them anymore. They
k-ept Sw ies to<ether here hnd the langu age. host of them
couldn't ta lk in a dif e l . Ilfr only used the
a

:5 «1
Swedish lan1:ruace. Th was enough to Imot them together
yOIJ. ILLLOIT.

L

hr. N: Then, too, they used to live more apart, the Slovaks on
their side and the Swedes over here. That k “'
So the Swedes had their h01es to;;Ct her more

Mr. T: And some Swedes know each other in Peale, too.

hrs : Sometimes the fights didn't helo to bring them tOQether.
They couldn't get along so they stayed a.part that wa3.

Writer: What are the main differences oe tween t1e Slova }<s and
Swedes in Grassflat?

hrs. F: Their faiths. Religion. (Others nodded agreement.)
hr. W: The lancuaM is diiferent also. ‘Incre is not much differ-
ence anymore li1<e there used to be. Today hey are pretty

much the same

Writer: ‘What would you say is the main force keeping the Swedes
togethc-r ?

hrs. F: The Churches, I'd say. What aoout you, N?

193

hr n: no oouot the Churches are most invertent. (Others 8 reel
nodiinj.)

Ariter: fihat other forces keen the evades together?

~. - f 7 _3 r\ _ r. __‘ o r f} ‘ , ’\ ~r~_ o ’ ’1 o ’

hr, r: none that I Can think 01. (others remaineu Silent.)

1 - ,,,-,, D._,~._ , '.,_ V- “.j.\.‘ : 4. “ __- '3“
lie following uata were extra CL liuw c Laue-Locoic»; lflbfllhlaw wit.
‘2 ~ -. . ~‘~ —'~ -- s 4" . A — ~ ‘ , m (- -L ' ..

uT-I'i(.ilSl'. SUDJGCLD O.L the Secono fun :‘I‘colo‘h:

'9’: ' J— . LT: r J- A J. l '
V'Jljl LAB": 'd'IIILCiU EI‘U bill.)

st 1 'IfimlistigweOplla
. L‘ , _- w - ,,._
tometner in UPESSlldL.

E)
0
5—6
F
07
x) (1'
re
0
*1
C ‘3
(I
U}
(+—
5
cf
C
x \-
C)—
'u
C )

w 1 _ 7‘
C i JlI‘C .155 .

(‘1
‘1
(“F
H.)
C)

hr. C: I would s~1

‘1 "~ r11, f“. “in, 4.1, .,‘, , .
141". l’: Inere aid L’IO C11LlL"c1l..S, one b.1300 and the ulQflUx-ul.

Writer: 'Nhg do they have two inste; u of 01 re‘?

hr, P: As far as I can underster-d, years ago when the churches Were
moved up from feale they did not afree as to where the
church should be built. 80 one pa“t of the people, of the
Swedish peOple, went to one church and thu others ouilt
another. That's all I know.

0

‘—
PJ .
0.

They could not decide on the site for the church.

hr. h: Yes, one :CTOU) alre ad Chad the roof on the church, and the
other group wante th church ouilt in another section.

19 unoer ans lowcr parts of

hr. H: So the Swedish pEOple in t
t elo ong tor;-ether on the site very well.

Gra so flat could not g3

nriter: How do the Sazdes of hyper and Lower Grassflat get along
today?

Kr. P: Very well.

Are there any disa:reer1e ents, arguments --

2..
"S
3.1.
(—f'
(D
"5

hr. P: no, they do get along now in the later goerS. They mingle
today, Their choirs get together end sing tOgether on
big occasions.

1

They have the same religion, the same minister.

(
I

*i
y.
"S
0
it
I 0

Mr. P: The3 had Confirmation tOgether just last reek.

Iriter: hre tiere other lactors that help to bring the SW
3?0119 to ethcr°

hr. 3: Their honcs. They are too old to get out or

Writer: Lre there any uifi rencos in the section of

>--'-4
‘_|.
>4

to work.

the town in

which Svefies and SlOV"Vs live? F, your home is locatefl

on t1 :3 hill in the up wr and of tow-m. From
b

porch you can see a rather lar e part of the

hOJ eoes it look to you?

Ra
'13

Tfell, they aren't separated the way they US+

vour front
c orf‘;;11m'1it,;f .

ed to. J
they mingle n'ore ard live closer to one another than b-—

fore. The? minglem wgetner well. One does not feel any
better than the ot:1er one. The same Swedish no lOflfier

have their homes in one section of the town
in the other. They're mixed more. (Others
DOGdeIg. )

Writer: It's prooaoly 11 x: -
zibiag back and fo “*t

and Slovaks
agreed,

and Slovaks

Mr. P: The different customs help keep the Sued i511 peep 3le to—
getter. The Stedish peeple get together at coffee socials.

I knowlwon and Dad, Mrs. R,

and Clear peOple around

’6 110,37

)

decide to get together around on Saturday evenings and
decide to have a social at this certain person's house BLd
then another person has it at his place another tile and

so on. This keeps them together.

D—v"

Writer: How many groups are there like that? Is t
one group that exchan es socials

Mr. P: Oh, yes. There is Mrs. R and'W's, and T's

1ere more than

5‘;
and. the Y's .2“

Writer: ire there any groups 1i! {e that in Upper Grassflat?

hr. P: I can't answer you there. I could not answer you about

UJUQT Grassflat.
12

Mr. H: Down in West Clymer they also have a lot of home bingos.
They play for pennies or a.small prize. That keeps the

together.

hr. P: incl the coffee socials at the church.

 

 

27- hr. T was an elderly Sweuish resident from Jest Cl3rmer.
28. Elderly Sweciish residents of west Clymer.

Nriter: Would you tell me about them?

hr. P: The two Swedish churches get together once a month at each
church. Just last Saturday we had one of them. Cn the
alternate Saturday the other church will have one next
Saturday. There is one at each church once each.month.
They meet and have cake and coffee. They (members of each
church) help each other out.

Writer: Any other factors which help to bring the Swedish people
together? (Long silence) ‘Hhat are some of the differences

between Slovak and Swedish people?

hr. C: ‘Mell, their religion, their way of living, Fridays and fast
days which the Swedish don't have.

hr. S: The Swedish are predominantly Lutheran and the Slovaks are
Catholic.

ther differences you can notice between the Swedish

writer: An"
‘ lovak peOple?

o
and S
hr. H: Another thing, the Slovaks go to church mostly in the morn-

ing, and we go rostly later, but it is just a little differ-
ence. Time of funerals are different.

hr. S: The language is different.

hr. P: In their eating habits they differ some. The Slovak style
food. ”he Swedish have their "kaha" and the Slovaks some-
thing else.27 Slovaks have their combination of cabbage
and meat. Today they have exchanged a great deal.

Mr. H: The Slovaks have "holupky" and kolacky" and other foods.30
Their eating habits are a little different. A lot of the
old Slovak peOple wear big shawls, and that is an old
custom. Swedes don't wear them.

Hr. S: The manner of dress is different, particularly among the
older women.

1

Mr. F: Swedes used to dress up much the same, the shawls, out

not now.

 

29. "kaka" is Swedish bread, round and flat in shape.

30. "dolupky" refers to a Slovak dish of ground beef, rice, and Spices
wrapped in cabbage leaves. "Kolacky" refers to pOppy seed, prune,
cottage cheese, or apricot rolls.

Writer:

hr. 8

’7"
r—w
H
0
CG
.0

Lny other differences between the Slovaks and Swedes?

I don't know of er:r but I get along better with them
‘ J3 .- .,
better than the Swedes, always did,

Regarding the church, the Slovaks really have church more
often. We generally have ours every Sunday, but they
have church during the week.

I really believe the Slovaks enforce it more on their
children than the Swedish peOple do. When I was a kid we
had to go to church, and the sermons were two to two and

a half hours long, and if you did miss you weren't punished
too severely for it. When I go to church my children cry
because I don't want to take them with me.

My father made me go till I was seventeen years old, I
didn't dare miss church, and I had to go to school, church
school, two or three summers, but after that I haven't been
to church for I don't know how long.

The following data were extracted from a tape-recorded interview with

HI" iter:

hr. H:
Mr. N:

Writer:

Writer:

Swedish subjects of the third generation:

What are the strongest forces that keep the Swedish peOple
together in Grassflat?

I'd say it's their religion, their churches,

Yes, and their language.

Any other things that keep them together?

Some of them are related to one another in'West Clymer and
Upper Grassflat. That's important, I think.

I see. How do the Slovaks differ from Swedes? How do
you picture the Slovaks?

Well, their manner of dress seems just about the same, but
their way of eating is different. The foods are on a
different basis, but in most ways I would say that they
are quite a bit alike.

Do you notice any difference between them when you think
of the younger people of your own age?

lt?

P—J
‘

f |

0

PH

D-H

..

No, they're the same as everyone else is.

Writer: When you Speak of Slovaks as being different to what group
are you referring?

he older peOple that usually came from Czechoslovakia or
some place like tlat.

"3
o
:1:
.0
*3

Mr. N: Their manner of dress is different.
Hr. H: Slightly, yes.

hr. B: Well, I don't see much difference between them. I have many
Slovak friends and the only thing I see different, well,
every place I go, I mean I expect them there, and when I
go to Sunday School on Sunday, maybe they have their own
church and that's the only place different that I see. I
mean I associate with them right in with my gathering.

Writer: Lre there other differences?
Mr. H: ho, I don't see much difference between them.

Writer: So far you've mentioned that there is a difference in their
diet, their food habits, and also a difference in their
manner of dress, particularly among the older peOple, and
you mentioned a religious difference. Any other differ-
ences? (Long silence followed.) In your Opinion, what is
the main difference, the outstanding difference between them?

hr. H: I would say that the only main difference is the language
they Speak. '

Writer: The language they Speak. J, can you notice any differences?
What are the differences between the Slovak and Swedish

people?

Mr. J: The only thing I know is mostly their religion, dress, and
food habits. That's all.

The following data were extracted from a tape-recorded, individual
interview with a Swedish male resident of the second generation (see page Sh):

~Writer: How did the Swedes of Upper Grassflat and'West Clymer get
along when they first came here?

 

31. J was a product of a Slovak-Swedish intermarriage.

187

hr. A: I think that they agreed on most everything except where
to place the church. There were sort of two different
cliques at first, around 1900 There were two different
baseball teams. ‘rassflat had a te an, and west Clymer
had a tea.. They used to play agai nst ea h other.

Writer: They used to play against each other.

Mr, A: Except, perhaps, one or two others that were not Swedish.

Writer: A, Jou said the church was rather important in keeping the

Swedes together. Did they have any other organizations?

1:1", I. They had at le
Brotherhood, t
States, and th
keep all the S

.0

as t three or four. Of course, the Scandinavian
he nationalized organization in the United

e organizers that lived in Grassflat helped

me edos togje ther.

Writer: What was the purpose of that organization, L?

hr. A: I really don't} {now except that even toda ay certain cities
like Clicago have them. So if it ‘5 just wholly language or
just a clik (clique) of some kind, I don't know.

‘flriter: I see. any other organizations?

Mr, A: Yes, the Swedish Sick So ocie ty . They took nobody but Swedes
into it, and even a Cattle en 3 Society was for Swedes only.
Later there was a Temperance Lod~e for Swedes. They had
socials, and dances, and get- -torethers. 32

writer: What was the purpose of the Sicm Society?

Mr. L: Just sick benefits, for sick and death benefits. They got
fifty dollars from it and one hundred from the Scandinavian

Brotherhood. They both held meetings and had socials.

Eriter: Swedish peOple have coffee socials at the church today,
don't they?

L-II‘ . 1;: Yes , they do .

Writer: hho attends?

 

32.

The Scandinavian Brotherhood, the Swedish Sick Society, Cattleman's
Society and Temperance Lodge orgar niaations are not in existence
today, The Cattlemen' 5 Organization did admit Slovaks as n embers

a relatively short time after it was organized.

Writer:

writer:

‘Nriter:

Mr. A:

writer:

187

I think that they agreed on most everything except where
to place the church. There were sort of two different
cliques at first, around 1900. There were two different
baseball teams. Grassflat had a team, and West Clymer
had a team. They used to play against each other.

They used to play against each other.

Except, perhaps, one or two others that were not Swedish.

A, you said the church was rather important in keeping the
Swedes togethe .

Did they have any other organizations?

They had at least three or four. Of course, the Scandinavian
Brotherhood, the nationalized organization in the United
States, and the organizers that lived in Grassflat helped
keep all the Swedes together.

'Nhat was the purpose of that organization, A?

I really don't know except that even today certain cities
like Chicago have them. So if it's just wholly language or
just a clik (clique) of some kind, I don't know.

I see. any other organizations?

Yes, the Swedish Sick Society. They took nobody but Swedes
into it, and even a Cattlemen‘s Society was for Swedes only.
Later there was a.Temperance Lodge for Swedes. They had
socials, and dances, and get-to:;ethers.32

What was the purpose of the Sick Society?
Just sick benefits, for sick and death benefits. They got
fifty dollars from it and one hundred from the Scandinavian

Brotherhood. They both held meetings and had socials.

Swedish peOple have coffee socials at the church today,
don't they?

 

hr. L: Yes, they do.
Writer: hno attends?
32. The Scandinavian Brotherhood, the Swedish Sick Society, Cattleman's

Society and Temperance Lodge
The Cattlemen's Organization did admit

today.

not in existence
Slovaks as members

organizations are

a relatively short time after it was organized.

 

Why, as far as the coff e
the benefit of the Luth
started that
sewing circle

8
r
A

_I
G 1

c ocials is concerned it is for
a Church, and years 21:0 their
in their homes. I think they had a sort of

a, and the: had coffee at the same time.
Later on a hal was built here where the West Clymer church
is, and they‘called it a.cof§ee social. Today, it’s the
Ladies Lid. Course, the Swedes were in the majority at
first, and they would have three families or so that had a
coffee social, so they got arcund. Each one that drank and
ate would pay fifteen or twenty-five cents, and it was okay.
This went to the benefit of the church. Today, of course,
we have some Lutheran Slovaks who joined up so that today
they both take the Swedes and the Slovak Lutherans. As
far as attending is concerned, why, there are all sorts of
town peeple that come in after the bingo games down there
and from other towns. It isn't all Swedish any more.

VI
1.

Do the Slovak Catholics attend the coffee socials?

hr. r: how and then. Now and then. They even advertise it at
their bingo (at the Slovak Hall and the Fireman's Hall),
and now and then some of t} em come down.

Writer: Yes. Do both of the Swedish churches have coffee socials?

1‘11“. £3 1hey do.

Do they help each other financially?‘

I would say so, but the Grassflat coffee socials (held in
Upper Grassflat), why the benefits go to the Grassflat
church (hebo Lutheran), and the Vest Clymer what they take

in is for the benefit of the Nest Clymer church (imanual
Lutheran).

Three subjects who represented the oldest Swedish residents of
Grassflat were inter-viewed (See page 110) , The following data WE‘I‘S‘ extracted
from a tape-recorded interview with them:

Writer: 'fiere there many Swedish peOple when you first came to

Grassflat?
hr. E: There were just a few when we first came here,
"Were there more Swedish than Slovak people here them?

Yes. I dare say there were no Slovaks in the beginning.

hrs. S:

Writer:

Mrs. S:

hiss S:
hr. E:

‘.

Miss S:

1

I came a little later than he lid.

You came a little later. I see. What do you think are
factors that helped to keep the Swedish peOple together
in Grassflat? What helped the Swedes to keep their
customs, their language, and their habits of living?

In the first place their love for their old home in
Sweden. We like to keep in contact with our home in
Sweden, and keep in contact with them as long as we

can. 'We try to have a Swedish paper so we don‘t forget.

Do the Swedish peOple in Grassflat write to Sweden often?
‘Jell, everybody got someone there to write to.

Yes, they do, but many that don't write. hany have

(someone in Sweden) but they don't write. They have
their parents, I an sorry to say, but they-won't write.

I see. What other things help the Swedish peOple to
keep their customs.

Many congregate at family reunions and large places where
there are many Swedes, and they had their societies of
some sort. .Their church is important.

HOW'many organizations do they have? How”many did you

have in the beginning, do you know?
‘We had just a few. I don't remember the names.
I don't know.
I don't know, but there are the churches.
he upper part of town and the lower.
dut we have the same minister.

Can you think of anything else that helps the Swedish to
keep their customs?

we mentioned the newspaper. Another thing, generally the
Swedes invite each other to their homes. how this week
my son is home, and he is invited out with us every night.
This morning he asked, "Is this going on forever"? (hll
laughed.)

Writer:
hiss 3:
hrs. S:
hiss S:
Writer:

hiss S:

Writer:

hrs. S:

Hr. E:

Writer:

190

The Swedes often exchange coffee socials --
ind dinners.

Swedes are very fond of coffee clubs.

They are called coffee socials too.

Do you have them often?

Yes, quite often. leost every other night. we had one
last night. (Long silence)

Do most Swedish peeple get a Swedish paper?

I think so. All the Swedish eoule I know get the Swedish
Q
paper, but they get a paier of a different type too.

The old timers like a paper in the mother tongue. That's
what they like to have. They find things there they don't
find in other papers.

Do most of the older Swedish peeple get a Swedish paper?
Yes, they do.

What do you think is the strongest factor which keeps the
Swedish peeple together in Grassflat?
That's the big thing.

I would ay the church.

Yes.

'vr

les, I think so too. That's the main thing.

differences between the Slovak
they different?

are the
How are

What in your Opinion
and Swedish people?

they dressed different, dressed funnier
came to this country. They didn't dress
could know them just by the dress. That's
one thing. But now they are all just American peeple now.
They dress like everybody else. Just the old Slovak women
are different, wearing dark hoods on their heads.

It seemed to me
when they first
like we did. I

I've been around here and there a.long time. It looks like
they (Slovaks) liked their dancing polkas. There they took
the lead. The dances were different at first. Later you
couldn't tell them by dress. You couldn't tell them by
dancing as much either. Yes, give him a.good polka and see
him go!

l9l

writer: Lre there other ways in which they were different from the
Swedes?

hrs. S: he, I don't think so because, as I said, they are just like
the Swedes when it comes to keeping their homes clean.
They keep their prOperties as nice as they can on both sides.
They're good citizens, and they do their duties as far as
everything is concerned as well as the next one, on both
sides.

hiss S: Of course, they come from a different country and that way

they're different.

Writer: Would you say the ideas and beliefs they hold are different?

hiss S: ho, nothing else except their religion.

Uriter: You say their religion is different.

hrs. S: Yes, most of the Slovaks are Catholics. There are Catholics
all over the world. we know that. we all believe in the
sane God, and all try to accomplish the same things.

Write : Yes.

hrs. S: There are a few Slovak people who come to our church.
Lutherans.

In summary, a number Of Closely interrelated factors Operated in pro-
moting ethnic solidarity among Swedes. These factors were quite comparable
to those which tended to bind Slovaks together. Emigrating from a particu-
lar section of Sweden and settling in a.relatively isolated community in
the new world were factors which facilitated the preservation of Swedish
cultural patterns. Lutheranism Operated in a unique way as an agency which
served both religious and social functions. One elderly Swedish resident
said: "The church is quite important amongst us. It's for worship, for
socials, and everythinv. There‘s no other Swedish gathering place for
Crowds". The Swedish lanfuage played a major role, though with decreasing

effectiveness, in isolating them from their Slovak neighbors for a number

writer: Are there other ways in w1ich they were different from the
Sl-‘Ie de a ?

hrs. S: ho, I don't think so oeca use, as I said, Mley are just like

the Swedes when it comes to keeping their ome 8 clean.
They keep their prOperties as nice as they can on both sic
They're good citizens and they do their duties as far as
everfl'tling is concerne. as well as the next one, on both
sides.

hiss S: Of course, they come from a differ- nt country and that wa;
they're different.

Writer: 'Would vou 5a“ the ideas and beliefs the hold are ‘ iitere nt?
.1 J

hiss S: ho nothing else except their religion.

J

Writer: You say their religion is different.

hrs. S: Yes, most Of the Slovaks are Catholics. There are Catholics
all over the world. we know that. Je all believe in the
same God, and all try to acc0mplish the same things.

Writer: Yes.

hrs. 8: There are a.few Slovak peOple who come to our church.
Lutherans .

In summary, a number of closely interrelated factors Operated in pro-
moting ethnic solidarity among Swedes. These factors were quite comparable
to those which tended to bind Slovaks together. Emigrating from a.particu-
lar section of Sweden and settling in a relatively isolated communi y in
the new world were factors which fa cilit t Mei the preservation of Swedish
cultural patterns. Luthe ranism operate d in a unique way as an agency which
served both religious and social functions. One elderly Swedish resident
said: "The church is quite important amongst us. It's for worship, for
socials, and everything. There's no other Swedish gathering place for
crowds" .

The Swedish language played a major role, though with decreasi ing

effectiveness, in isolating them from their Slovak neighbors for a number

192

of decades. A Sweclish newSpaper remained a strong link 1::et1-zeen them and
their relatives and friends in Sweden. nesidential segregation whiCh pre—
cluded more intimate relations between Slovaks and Swedes often resulted
in a lack of interethnic understanding and promoted "fights" between
members of both groups. Lastly, Swedish patterns of kinship, dress, diet,
and social functions also Operated in promoting cultural solicarity among
Swedes. L more detailed discussion of each of the above factors follows.
Data obtained from sources in addition to the tape—recorded interviews

will be presented.

Place of Orifiin

"I

Swedes who settled in Grassflat emigrated from the District or Dalsland
which is located in the southern part of Sweden. hotunliwe Slovak settlers,
most of the Swedes were also acquaintances in their homeland; many were
related by kinship; and all were farmers who shared a common agrarian cul-
ture. Their reason for coming to emerica was primarily economic. Upon
immigrating to their permanent residence in Grassflat, they chose to settle
in a particular section, isolating themselves from Slovak residents. To-
gether, these factors faciliated intraethnic solidarity among Swedes. It
is important to note the striking similarity between those factors which
operated in promoting the separate ethnic solidarities of Slovaks and Swedes

in Grassflat.

Religion

With the exception of the family, the Lutheran Church was probably

the most important institution among Swedes. For more than six decades

193

Lutheranism continued. to exert a wideSpread influence. LS indicated

ft

earlie*, see pages 65-57, a large majority 01 Swedes were members of the
hebo or Emanuel Lutheran Church. mhev embraced a larger membership than
any other Swedish institution. Before their settlement in Grassflat,
Swede es w: re members of what we 3 called "The Swedish ivangelic al Luther
hebo Church in Peale, Pennsylvania“.33 It was regardei as the mother

church by parishioners of beM Lutheran 'nurche s in Grassflat.

The crliast settl rs who brought Lutheranism from their homeland
cherished it as a most precious possess ion. Wherever Swefies lived there
was a church. is the Swedish colony moved from thntyre, Peale, and
finally to their permanent location in Grassflat, Lutheranism remainee
constant factor in bihcin them togeth-a The Swedes were quite aware
of this influence. When asked to nafle that factor which was most important
in lzee ding the Swedish pe ple tonether in Crasailat, the church was in—

4. -1. . °.aJ—,
u 2‘21") IT'S live??-

0 ~ qr .1- o 7" no .... I r, -.- V ,. 'I‘v- 1”. “ ‘fl“ ‘3 ~ ...
variably mentioned first by Virtually an r Swedish Jblkflh

v;efied, reePr les: u °-n;:“1ion.
: ‘ . ~ '_ . a I‘.. ‘ q .I H ‘ r x r‘ (.I H... r——-vr ' ‘ p.v (fl I " ..l ‘x ‘ J13" ‘
is presented earlier, See ladle Kl“ on page ll-, resiucnus oi the
1

" V‘ ”V' I (“r ' j r . . d- 0*" I}. ‘hfi r\- J)" z '1 - f" r
communit, FBQdeDQ religion as the main eiiierence beuween olovehs an!

Swedes. The dbulthvs of Slova:s toward the Lutheran

{1)

anlinr on pages 150 and 153. The following were quite typical Of thfi fiOSt

)

common attitudes expressed by Swedes toward the Catholic blurch° " he"
ion't eat L% at on Friday"; "they worship statues"; "they bury their dead
in the mornin but we do in the afternoon”' "thgir services are L in"°

‘r_)’

 

o r11. ~ , T‘ , .. -. ... _: C
)3. he neverend “‘HGLJ A. Lindére1, or. cit., p. L.

 

"they believe in the same God we do"; "the" are stricter with their

V
U

1\

children about going to church"; "they don't elp to support our church

the way we do theirs" . many inquired anout the purpose or "tne ceads"
"I

(dosary). In general, the attitudes of Swedes were more tolerant of the

w the Lutheran Church.

K.)

Catholic Church than those of Slovaks regardin

Reasons for the widespread influence of the Lutheran Church among
Swedes were quite similar to those of the Catholic Church anong Slovaks.

In the first place, the hebo and Emanuel Churches helped to perpetuate

the established religious faith of Sweden. Second, the churches employed
the language which for several dec*les was the only one in which Swedes
were able to communicate. Third, the churches and their related organi-
zations served a social as well as a religious function. In terms of

these factors, the influence of the Lutheran.Church in strengthening ethnic
solidarity among Swedes was quite comparable to that of the Catholic Church
among Slovaks.

l comparative study of the roles played by both the Catholic and
Lutheran Churches and their related organizations seemed to indicate that
the former served the various reeds of Slovaks in more areas than the
latter did among Swedes. The Catholic Church and its related organizer
tions seemed to perpetuate the culture of Slovakia-~its spiritual, social,
and fraternal patterns-~to a greater extent than the Lutheran Church did

in perpetuating the cultural patterns of Sweden.

 

3h. Only a very limited number of Slovaks attended the Lutheran Church
coffee socials, but a number of Swedish families attended bingoes
sponsored by the Catholic Church.

...

\WU

 

Slovaks had nine church-related organizations which served a numner

v-

of different functions, see Tables XXI and XXII on pages lj2 and 153.

1

in terms of membership in Tahle XXVIII

I I

Lutheran Church, the Ladies le of the aaanuel Lutheran Church, aid the
Luther League or Young Peeple's Society as it was first called.

The Ladies Aid of the hebo Lutheran Church, which was organized in
Peale in lith, continued to maintain a.lar;3r membership than that of the
Emanuel Church which was established fifteen years later. According to
the pastor of both churches, the purposes of these organizations were "to
assist the church financially, to rende various services to parishioners

1

in time of need, an( to promote Spiritual ideals of the Lutheran faith".
They Sponsored dinners, coffee socials, and other functions to raise funds.
During the past sixty years the Ladies Lid of Nebo contributed nearly
$10,000 to the church; The contributions from the Lar'es hid of the

Emanuel Church were equally impressive considering their smaller number

[I
’ I I o 2 o I v v o a o
and later origin. t is important to note that no other SOCial functions

3

attracted larger groups of Lutherans, both Swedes and Slovaks, than these
which were Sponsored by the Ladies hid organizations of Nebo and Emanuel
Lutheran Churches. In this way the churches served the most important
Swedish social function.

‘he Luther League was an important organization among the younger
parishioners, those who had been confirmed. Up to l9h3 the two churches
had their separate Luther Leagues. After that time, under the supervision

of their present pastor, their memberships were combined, ‘he membership

 

35, The Reverend Edward A, Lindgren, op. cit., p. 15.

 

 

 

 

195
lAaLL XXVIII
TREND OE LOCLL AND LON-LOCAL nLHBLdSEIP IN Lbldnflhfl
OiLkU:.uIZf.li‘IOIIS If»? LLILI.S.3£L1_T
"‘"Ifame of Date of Current
rg.nization Origin 1930 l9L0 19i0‘#,1952 Total
Ladies Aid leth
(ease) I
Local Swedes h01 h0 30 30 30
Local Slovaks O S 5 5 5
L. 0th. Nat'13 o '5 S 5 S
Non-L. Swedes3 O 0 IO 15 15 SS
Luther League4 lhte
(Nebo & Emanuel)
Local Swedes LC 30 20 1C lb
Local Slovaks 0 S ’ e 6
L. th. Nat'l 0 3 0 3 l
Lon-L. Swedes O O O 3 3 d
Ladies Aid 1&9?
(Emanuel)
Local Swedes 30 18 IS 15 15
Local Slovaks O 3 b. 3 3
L. 0th. Nat‘l O 2 2 2 2
hon-L. Swedes 0 0 O 0 O 20

This number represents membership of the organization in Peale,

previous to the reorganization of the Nebo Ladies Aid in Grassflat.

"L. 0th.

"hon-Local Swedes" refers to Swedes from Lanse and Kylertown.

hat'l" means local members of other nationality.

The Luther League membership of the Nebo Church was slightly
larger than that of the Emanuel Church.

of the hebo Luther League had always been larger than that of the Emanuel

Church, The decrease in membership of these organizations was due to two

particular reasons:

mobility of Swedes to the city, particularly Jamestown,

new York, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which began about 1927, and enlist-

ment into the armed forces during the Second werld'War.

The Luther League

197

worked closely with the Ladies Aid organizations of both churches.
Members frequently assisted the pastor in planning and supervising major

church junctions, particularly Confirmation Reunions which were held

jointly by the "Upper" and "lower" churcncs (hobo and Emanuel) around

[31‘

Labor Day of each year. ine main funct

'4

on of the Luther League according
to the pastor was "to promote interest among young peeple in the various
activities of the church" .

Swedish residents also informed the Iiiter that further attempts were
made to unite the parishioners of the Nebo and Emanuel Churches. During
an interview which the writer had with the present pastor, the latter said:
"It is my great hOpe to unite the two groups and establish one church".
he had proposed a plan to do this. Although the problem was raised and
discussed by parishioners of both churches a number of times during the
past three years, Opposition still continued. In Spite of the fact that
the membership in each of the churches had decreased considerably during
the past several years, the two groups of Swedes did not agree to unite
under one church. The Swedes from West Clymer would not abandon their
church and join the hebo. The Swedes from Upper Grassflat, parishioners
of the hebo Church, were even more reluctant to abandon their church and
join the Emanuel. It was generally believed that the pastor preferred that
the former plan be adepted. (Additional data concerning this problem will
be presented in Chapter VII.)

Although plans to unite the two churches were not fruitful, the cur—
rent pastor had done other things to bring the parishioners of both churches

together. hot only had he succeeded in combining the activities of the

198

three church-related organizations already mentioned, but also the activi'
ties of the choirs of the two churches. On special occasions, such as
Christmas, Easter, and Confirmation Reunions, the members of the two
choirs, Ladies Aids, and the Luther League work-d as a unit. On these
occasions the two groups of Swedes met at one of the churches, usually
the hebo which is larger. These church functions were particularly im—
portant because they attracted the two groups of Swedes who generally
limited their activities to Swedes within their own residential areas.

Sunday School classes which were held regularly at each of the
churches also played an important role in promoting intraethnic solidarity
among Swedes. As indicated in Tables XXIV and XXV on pages 159 and 160,
attendance was exceptionally good. Seventy-five children attended the
Nebo Sunday School, while forty-five attended that of the Emanuel Church.
These classes were attended by children up to the age of fourteen, that
is, until they were confirmed. Summer school sessions for religious
instruction were held from lCE7-l92h. During this time only Swedish was
Spoken, here currently, Sunday school classes met every Sunday except
during one month in the summer.36 Confirmed and adult parishioners
attended Bible Study Classes which were held before or after regular Sunday
services. These were also very well attended.

It is also important to note that the Nebo had contributed nine men

for the ministry in the Augustana Synod. Almost all of them served as

instructors of Sunday School Classes.37 According to the literature

 

 

199

consulted by the writer, it seems that no men from the Emanuel Church
studied to become ministers.

According to the data presented in Table XXIII on page 13b, Swedish
questionnaire subjects indicated that "their pastor is a most influential
person among them". he resided in Upper Grassflat. According to Swedish
subjects their pastor had done more than any previous pastor in attempt-A
ing to unite the two Swedish groups. Since his coming to Grassflat in
l9h3, he had taken an active interest in revitalizing both youth and
adult church organizations. Unlike his predecessors, he made English the
official language of the church. Both young and old considered him a
friend. According to parishioners of both churches, the various activi-
ties which he supervised were an indication of his interest in making the
church "more American".

During an interview with the writer the pastor Spoke very highly
of his parishioners. He said that church records show excellent attend-
ance at church services, Sunday School, and Bible Study Classes.
Parishioners of both churches gave generously toward the support of their
faith. He described them as friendly and COOperative peOple.

Elderly Swedish subjects informed the writer that the decreased
membership in the Nebo and Emanuel Churches during the past several decades
had greatly affected both the membership and activity of church-related
organizations. In the past, they pointed out, there were three other
religious organizations which were also important in promoting ethnic
solidarity among Swedes. These were called Lutheran Brotherhood, Con-

firmation Reunion Society, and Nemen's Missionary Society.

The Lutheran Brotherhood was a social and fraternal orvanization

‘ t.)

which was established in 1919. Each church had its own "men's society",
as they were frequently called. They continued for only a few years.36
According to the pastor, the purpose of the Lutheran Brotherhood was "to
promote fellowship among men of the church, to discuss matters pertaining
to church finances, to repair and maintain the church, and to raise funds
toward the support of the church". At the time of this study these
functions were in part executed by the Ladies Aids of the hebo and
Emanuel Churches.

The Confirmation Reunion Society was a.young people's organization
which Operated under the auSpices of both churches. The date of origin
was not known, but it was terminated about 1925.39 hembers of this
society worled closely with the pastor in preparing for Confirmation
Reunions.

The Womenfls Missionary Society was organized by Nebo parishioners in
1929. ‘A relatively short time after it was established members from the
Emanuel Church were also included. The purpose of this society was to
work for home and foreign missions. Funds were raised through "the sale
of baked goods", "serving of refreshments in church parlors", and Sponsor-
ing various socials held at the homes of membersfiO The society had not
functioned during the past several years.

According to data.presented in Table XXIII on page 15b, question-

naire subjects indicated that religion played an important role in promoting

 

36. Ibid., p. 16.
39. Ibid., p. lb.
ho. Itiu., p. i9.

 

20l
intraethnic solidarity among Slovaks and Swedes, particularly the Slevahs.
They also reSponded that the church and pastor were important influences
among both ethnic groups, but that these influences were greater among
the Slovaks. Finally, questionnaire data.seemed to indicate that both
Slovaks and Swedes were "a very religious peeple", but that this descrip-

tion was more characteristic of Slovaks than'Swedes.

Economic, Social, and Political Organizations

7‘7

As indicated earlier in Tables XXI and .II on pages 152 and 153,
Slovaks had five organizations which served an economic or social function
or both. They also'had a Slovak Political Club. At the time of this
study there were no exclusively Swedish economic or political organiza-
tions. There were three church-related organizations, however, which
served a social as well as a religious function.

In terms of Swedish social activities the church was the center.
Whereas Slovaks had two halls where large groups could meet, for large
social functions the Swedes had only the basements of their churches. As
indicated by tape-recorded data obtained from three generations of Swedes,
their social activities were of two main types, namely, church coffee
socials and heme coffee socials.

Church coffee socials which were Sponsored by both the hebo and
Emanuel Churches were the most important social activities among Swedes.
he other activities outside the regular Lutheran Church services were
attended by larger groups of Swedes. These were held twice a.month, the

first Saturday evening at the hobo and the third at the Emanuel Church.

202

Coffee and a variety of cakes and cookies which were donated b members

y
of the Ladies Aid were served. These social events were attended mainly
by the youngest and oldest Swedish residents. Teenage children usually
Spent their Saturday evenings at the local restaurant or motion picture
theatre. host of the men and few of the women of middle age Spent their
Saturday evenings at the theatre or taverns. According to several Swedish
informants, those who "attended_church most also attended the coffee
socials most". Before refreshmen“s were served the minister led the group
in prayer. Donations which went to the particular church Sponsoring the
coffee social were made following refreshments. Swedes from west Clymer
and Upper Grassflat COOperated well in attending each other's church
activities. Slovak Lutherans also attended. It should be noted that
inter-church COOperation had improved considerably during the past several
years. For this change the current pastor was largely reSponsible.

During the past few years Slovak Catholics had attended these Lutheran
activities in greater numbers, particularly women. The fact that both
Swedish and Slovak women were members of the women of the Moose #51 and
the Ladies Auxiliary'Fire Company, which were established in l9hl and l9h9,
respectively, accounted for their increased attendance. It is important
to note that this was the only Swedish Lutheran social activity in which
Slovaks, though small in number, had participated.

In addition to church coffee socials, Swedes also had heme coffee
socials, exchange dinners, and birthday surprise and bingo parties which
were held at various homes both in West Clymer and Upper Grassflat. In

most cases these were limited to neighborhood friends and relatives. They

203

were held more freguently in West Clymer. (See taro-recorded data on
pages lcT-ltb.) Swedes from coth Sections of the community were seldom
included. The parishioners of hebo and Emanuel usually had their separate

L

home social circles. According to Swedish residents these were important
in perpetuating Swedish culture, particularly their social and dietary
patterns. When one elderly Swedish iniormant was asked the purpose of
these activities, he said, "they're just "riendly visits between friends
and relatives". To such activities Slovak Catholics, including those who
were neighbors, were rarely, if ever, invited.

home socials of various kinds were particularly important to elderly
wedes. “To them it was an Opportunity "to visit and talk about anything
under the sun". Letters received from friends and relatives from Sweden,
letters from children and grandchildren from Jamestown, Pittsburgh, and
other cities, cws from Sweden as reported in the Swedish nchLaper, and
various local news--these constituted the main tOpics of conversation.

Although the writer was born and educated in Grassflat, it was not
until the time of this study that he attended a Swedish home coffee social.
The invitation was extended by a Swedish friend of the writer's parents—
in-law, one of whom was Swedish. In addition to the writer's parents—in-
law, writer and his wife, and the hostess, there were present five elderly
Swedes who participated in a tape-recorded interview WitA the writer a
week earlier. 'Winc, homemade Swedish coffee cake, coffee, cheese and

q

' made of home—grown vegetables, and homemade cookies

1

meat sandwiches, sala.
were served. The major part of the evening was Spent in a discussion of
major transitions which had taken place in Grassflat since the earliest

days of settlement. On several occasions it seemed that the elderly Swedes

20b

1
t

led to use their native lanfiuare in order to debate certain issues more
accurately. Although this was the only Swedish home coffee social the
writer had attended, at no time did he feel inhitite” in anv way. The
evening was a most pleasant one.

During the summer when data for this study were being gathered, the
writer, accompanied by his wife, also attended his first church coffee
social. It was held in the basement of the Emanuel Lutheran Church. The
pastor and elderly Swedish residents welcomed them at the door. They were
asked to sit at a long table near friends with whom they visited at the
home coffee social descrited above. Coffee and many varieties of homemafe

cakes and cookies were served. These were donated by the Ladies Lid of

'H

the Emanuel Church. Relatives and neighbors tended to sit together. The

pastor who sat at the head of the table led the group in prayer before

1

refreshments were served. "Cooks", members of the Ladies Lid, were cusy
ooth in the kitchen and waiting on tables. Everyone was given the best
service. Only a limited number of teenage children were present. Ln over-

\1,' _ - . . 1 _1 n o
ideiming majorit" of those present were elderly men and women. The writer

‘ I.
U

‘

an" his wife were made to feel a part of the group. Virtually EVGFXOEG
Spoke to them, including former residents who came from the city-for a

brief vacation. Following refreshments the writer gave a donation to the

1

CUUTCh. The pastor thanked him and said he was happy he and his Wife came.

The Writer was the only Slovak Catholic present.

3

During the first decades of settlement in Grassflat Swedes had four

5‘

other organizations which were non-existent at the time 01 this study,

P1 ‘ . H . '\) a .L o .J_ ‘
ihey were the Scandinavian brotherhood, Si k beneflb SOClety, Cattlemen's

205

. . . . , Ll . ,.
LSSOCiation, and Temperance Ledge. hCCOTang to earliest Swedish set-

L

tlers these organizations played an important p rt in binding Swedes

‘

tether, particularly during the first days of settlement in the new

.\

to

(

world.

The Scandinavian Brotherhood and Sick benefit Society, both vestiges
of the culture of Swedes, were charitable institutions to which both men
and women belong. The date of origin and termination were not known.
Elderly Swedish informants said they were discontinued around 1925. In

purpose they-were quite similar to the Jednota.Branches #333 and #l3h,
‘ n 0 D2 {'11 o o n + p «
Slovak men and women organizations. The prinCipal leature 01 these
organizations was that of providing for those who met with misfortune.
One of the earliest Swedish settlers described their purpose thus: "They
were to help those in need to meet burial expenses. Burials were too big
an expense sometime for one man to handle so peeple contributed so much
to take care of that".53
P

According to several Swedish subjects of the first generation, the
Temperance Society served both a religious and social purpose. The
function of the society was to promote the practice of highest christian
principles, eSpecially ”to cut down drinking and keep recreation clean".
Membership consisted of both men and women who were "the best church-goers".

1

This society existed during the earliest decades of settlement in Peale

and Grassflat.

 

hl. See page 1C7.
L2. See page 152.
h3. Data obtained from a former member of the Sick Benefit Society.

206

The Cattlemen's Association originally limited its membership to
Swedish cattle owners, but a relatively short time after it was established
Slovak cattle owners were also admitted as members. The cow was an im-
portant part of the earlier economic system. For more than four decades
an overwhelming majority of both Slovaks and Swedes had cows. One Slovak
resident reported thus:

Practically everyone owned a cow at one time. This explains why

there are so many b rns all over Grassflat. t was important

when you had to get your own milk, cream, cottage cheese, and

meat. When peeple had a calf the owner would go from house to

house telling people he's killing a calf and that meat wasLFoing

to be sold at his house on a certain day. It meant money.’*

Concerning the purpose of this organization one Swedish informant
reported thus:

Those who owned cows made a small payment every month. honey

went into a fund for cow'pastureland, upkeep and fencing. members

also paid one dollar when one of the members lost his cow due to

accident, sickness, and so on. This way he got enough money to

buy another cow.?5
In brief, as one elderly Slovak resident said, the Cattlemen's Association
was "cow insurance".

In terms of membership, the Cattlemen's Association was for a long
time the largest Slovak-Swedish organization. According to first genera-

tion Slovaks and Swedes, this organizatinn was one of the first steps in

promoting better interethnic relations between Slovaks and Swedes.

 

hh. Data obtained from a former member of the Cattlemen's Association.
hS. Data obtained from a.one-time officer in the Cattlemen's Association.

207

Language

As was mentioned earlier, language was considered one of the most
important factors in strengthening solidarity-feelings among Swedes.

For decades, their church and residential segregation of the two ethnic
groups tended to perpetuate the use of the Swedish language.

The Reverend Linogren gave an adequate report on the use of both
Swedish and English languages in the Lutheran Church. Up to 1912 the
Swedish language was used exclusively at church services. Between 1913
and 1925 it still continued to remain the main language. English was used
only on certain occasions with young groups. During the period 1926-1929
English was given more prominence. It was used more frequently in Sunday
School and exclusively among the young peOple. Beginning in 1933 English
services were held on the third Sunday evening of each month. All morning
services continued to be held in Swedish. When the current pastor was

called to Grassflat in l9h3 English was given increased prominence. Dur-

_)

1

ing 1950, for example, all the services were in English except the third
, . . . . ,. . . he
Sunday morning serVice of the month Which was in Swedish.
On the other hand, English was not given a prominent place in the

)

Catholic Church until approximately l9h3 when sermons were occasionally
given in English for the benefit of teenage children. It was not until
l9h9, when the present Catholic priest came to Grassflat, that English was

given a most prominent part in the church services. Since his arrival

only three sermons per year were given in Slovak.

 

he. The Reverend Edward A. Lindgren, 22. cit., p. 12.

20C

Although both Slovak and Swedish residents of the first generation.
were reluctant to abandon the use of their native tongue, Opposition was
greater among Slovaks.b7 As was mentioned earlier, during the time when
data were being gathered for this study, all adult Slovak male and female
Catholics were subscribers to Jednota, a weekly newspaper printed in
Slovak which contained one page of Sports news in English for the younger
generation. Swedes, on the other hand, also subscribed to the Swedish
American Tribune, a weekly newspaper printed in the Swedish language, but
the number of subscribers had greatly decreased. The local postmaster
informed the writer that only fourteen family units received it.u©

Unlike many elderly Slovaks, only a very limited number of first

generation Swedes could not Speak English. For example, th writer had

(0

no difficulty in interviewing elderly Swedish subjects in English, but it
was necessary for him to speak Slavak when interviewing a large number of
elderly Slovak subjects. The fact that the language barrier between
Slovaks and Swedes was diminishing could not be doubted, but the native
languages of Slovakia and Sweden still prevailed strongly among first
generation Slovaks and wedes at the time of this study. (Language as a
factor in the assimilative process will be discussed further in Chapter

VI.)

 

h7. The fact that Swedes had been in America for a longer period of time
was probably one reason for this difference in attitude.

ht. In a letter to the writer one elderly Swedish resident described the
Swedish American Tribune thus: "The content of this paper is the same
as any American newSpaper, but it has one page of news from the dif-
ferent parts of Sweden like Dalsland, Smaland, Skone, etc".

209

Kinship System

The kinship system played an important role in promoting intraethnic
solidarity among Swedes even though this influence was not comparable to
that of the kinship system among Slovaks. This was particularly true
since 1927 at which time urban nobility of Slovaks and Swedes, eSpecially
the latter, began to occur at a rapid rate. When mine Operations began
to decline many S*:des who fonnerly held key positions in the coal in—
dustry began to leave Grassflat. This mobility affected kinship ties
among Swedes to a great extent.

A number of Slovak neighborhoods composed of relatives were found in
Dobrytown and Pleasant Hill. In the past, there were several similar
Swedish neighborhoods in Pleasant Hill, West Clymer, and Upper Grassflat.
At the time of this study there were only three Swedish kinship neighbor—
hoods, each consisting of three or more household units. Two were found
in Upper Grassflat and one in West Clymer.

Another factor which affected the kinship System among Swedes was the
decrease in number of in-group marriages among them. (This problem will

be discussed in detail in Chapter VII.)
The Family

Interviews with both Slovak individuals and groups seemed to indicate
that they regarded the Swedish family as lacking a system of discipline.
Swedish subjects, on the other hand, seemed to indicate that the Slovak
family was quite patriarchal in structure. Questionnaire data also seemed

to support these interethnic images.

210

Slovak and Swedish children attending Grades 7 through 12 and their
parents reSponded that "very strict parents" was more characteristic of
Slovaks than Swedes. Slovak and Swedish parents and Swedish children
agreed that children who have "an important part in making decisions which
concern the whole family" were more common among Swedes than Slovaks.
Slovak male and female children reSponded that this description was more
tgpical of Slovak children. All, except Slovak male children, agreed
that "the family run by the father" was more characteristic of the Slovak
than the Swedish family, Slovak and Swedish children agreed that the
father who "makes important decisions in the family" was more descrip-
tive of the Slovak than the wedish father. Slovak and Swedish children
were asked to whom they would go if they were in trouble. Both Slovak
and Swedish male children reSponded that they "would go to their father".
Female children of both ethnic groups responded that they "would go to
their mother".

Interviews with Slovak and Swedish children who attended Grades 7
through 12 seemed to indicate that punishment was more frequent and.more
severe among Slovaks than Swedes, and more Slovak than Swedish mothers
punished their children. These interviews seemed to indicate further
that Slovak children had to do "more work around the house" than Swedish
children. Taking care of younger brothers and sisters and working in the
garden were chores for which.more Slovak than Swedish children were re-
Sponsible.

In brief, interview and questionnaire data seemed to point to the

conclusion that the Swedish family tended to be more equalitarian or

Slovak and Swedish children attending Grades 7 through 12 and their
parents reSponded that "very strict parents" was more characteristic of
Slovaks than Swedes. Slovak and Swedish parents and Swedish children
agreed that children who have "an important part in making decisions which
concern the whole family" were more common among Swedes than Slovaks.
Slovak male and female children responded that this description was more
typical of Slovak children. All, except Slovak male children, agreed
that "the family run by the father" was more characteristic of the Slovak
than the Swedish family. Slovak and Swedish children agreed that the
father who "makes important decisions in the family" was more descrip-
tive of the Slovak than the Swedish father. Slovak and Swedish children
were asked to whom they would go if they were in trouble. Both Slovak
and Swedish nale children reSponded that they "would go to their father".
Female children of both ethnic groups responded that they "would go to
their mother" .

Interviews with Slovak and Swedish children who attended “rades 7
through 12 seemed to indicate that punishment was more frequent and more
severe among Slovaks than Swedes, and more Slovak than Swedish mothers
punished their children. These interviews seemed to indicate further
that Slovak children had to do "more work around the house" than Swedish
children. Taking care of younger brothers and sisters and working in the
garden were chores for which more Slovak than Swedish children were re-
Sponsible.

In brief, interview and questionnaire data seemed to point to the

conclusion that the Swedish family tended to be more equalitarian or

211

emocratic than the Slovak familv. The Slovak family tended to be more
patriarchal in structure than the Swedish family.

When a colon"r of settlers emigrates from a particular section of a
foreign country and establishes a community in a new homeland, the
chances of its perpetuating the cultural patterns of the native land are
favorable. This was true of Swedes who settled in Grassflat. The estab-
lished religion of Sweden which was tranSplanted in the new world seemed
to play a.major role in binding the Swedish peeple tOgether. Through the
hebo and Emanuel Churches, their related organizations, and religious
educational program, Swedes perpetuated the religion of their homeland.
For decades, the churches gave the Swedish language a prominent place in
their services. From the beginning of settlement, their churches served
the added function of being the center of their social activities.

It is important to note that many Slovak residents who were inter-
viewed, eSpecially elderly ones, were quite uninfo mec- about the name or
purpose of the most prominent Swedish organizations. The same was equally
true of Swedes. This was less true, however, among Slovaks and Swedes of
the third generation who had attended the public school tOgether.

Inter-family social functions were also important in binding the
Swedish peeple tOgether, particularly those of certain neighborhood and
kinship groups.

In terms of intraethnic solidarity, the Swedish family probably played
one of its most important roles through its strong support of the Lutheran
-Church. Both parents and children had demonstrated this support in a

number of ways.

f\)
H
[\3

Summary-
t

Slovaks and Swedes of the first generation described their earliest
relations as llnot so good". For decades, a.number of factors Operated
in both promoting separate cultural solidarities among Slovaks and Swedes
and precluding interethnic assimilation. Those factors which tended to
promote intraethnic solidarity of Slovaks and Swedes were comparatively
quite similar in nature. Probably most 'aportant was the fact that each
ethnic group had its separate national origin, religious faith, language,
kinship system, and its relatively exclusive social, recreational, and
economic organizations. These ethnic differences were further perpetuated
by residential segregation. During the earliest decades of settlement,
most Slovaks occupied the northern section of Grassflat which Swedes re-
ferred to as "little Slovakia" and which Slovaks called Doerytown (Good
town). Most Swedes lived in the southern section of Grassflat which
Slovaks referred to as "little Sweden" and which Swedes called West Clymer.

It is important to add, however, that relations between Slovaks and
Swedes continued to change from one decade to another. As a.result of
certain transitions, the two ethnic groups began to share a number of
common experiences which tended to promote both better interethnic under-
standing and more harmonious interethnic relations. Transitions which took
place among both Slovaks and Swedes will he discussed in detail in Chapter

VI.

CLLAI‘TLn VI

entrust came 0.9 iii moors
1; Tl; ., [S n1: "

(L)
L ’4
FJ.
H
,4
ci‘
*‘3
(h
C)
(”r
{L

J
1...}
O
CO
L)
F4
E

Although a number of factors had promot3!

1* ‘79 V‘ LI“. 8" “1 h — I‘ 4) (-‘~ -‘ °‘ hr- V'r" ~ ~' v- -"". -~ . . n ‘ rvx~—

among; U0 on aim Jchs and QJOJCS , as hr 0 SAD-cm in one 1‘:1‘€V10Llo Chap L131” ,
2'1-—— . v ‘ r‘ F‘ 4-‘. J-lkt“~ 1, r-fi .' h -..- ..a » ‘ Q '~ J— 11 '7 .. . ~ I -‘ —
LLLUI‘S were also , on the O chef Jenn , d TLLUI;UQL‘ Oi feC bOI‘o which 11ml pro-

moted inter ethnic assimilation in a nmuoer of areas.

A number of comparatively favorable traxsiti ons had taken place in
the community which had1.elp)ed to promote interethnic relations which
were not present two or three decades ago. On the one hand, both Slovaks
and Swedes ad aaandoned ce' rtain practiCes which formerly stren:thened

Mrities. On the other hand, as a result of

separa+e int raethnic soli
certain interrelations both Slovaks and owe ies had learned to adopt a

'34.

number of common interests which per deed to encoura7e closer lhb‘r- “cur
relations and promote a. greate degree of assimilation between them.
It is these two changes Which had taken place in Grassflat that will con—
stitite the central theme of the data which will follow.

Discussion of these two factors will be cla sified under four major

tepics, name , (a) factors favoring assimilation as expressed by both

first generation Slovaks and Swedes, (b) factors favoring assimilation as

p

:xbressed by both second 3ener ation Slovaks and Swan‘s (c) factors favor-

U

assi ilation as expressed by both third generation Slovaks and Swedes,

(d) individual interview and questionnaire data relating to

' ,,\,’ fi‘ r n‘— A‘.‘ m
wean Slovahs aha 3w2ues ,

:‘DlOI’l DSo
‘- - ‘ J.“
U; LJO uh

j“ ' '1 11 " ~ ~ ‘.~ ;‘\“ "
footers savorin si llroLOu :5 hr ress u
'1‘ .T""t )Y‘ I P- r C‘ 0‘ ..T {7‘- ‘35 AC

1.1.10 Us con—N; 0.1.0 J« 3 Cu.\L def-'4‘, go

"the process irooJ individuals or

e identified in their

zssinilation had seen ue lm(w
" hecom

similai

nouns once dissiuilar JBCO‘” that is,
inc ed a gradual and Cpr ex

1 .
. Such a process is

C D ‘
81".]. TI‘ 8 L ‘30

inte ests and outlook"

'. n it concerns two groups

in a new homeland which is
of

see01ally
and settled
either

one, e
ultura quite different fro“

iron a different foreign country
a ginieral.

characterized as having Q
then. This was true of the siimu ti on in urzssflat,
Is stuoants of cultur‘ Know, an CCCEH vo;a 0 alone does not obliterate
the pattern of adjustment learned "rem OIIC'S past ex_ nor dOLS
more contact oetween two groups inCVitanj result in assimilation Detrfc eh
them. ihe degree to which BJO groups tend to eec0‘:ne similar is always
ions Whi h they learn to share. In
will share Jointl; and

depenc=nt upon a varietv of interrela
they

greater the number of experithc
group members to make

general, the

extent to which tnes will help reSpectiva

tci.1ne the extent to which assimilation

(r
H‘

nece ssary life adJustuents will dc

in place.
foreign—corn,

'nilate the

between them woll ta:c
Commenting on the ineffective attcnnts to a551
Drachsler reported.
acts to assimilate the foreign-
ckground an‘ of the part this

The most serious error in the at a
born was ignorath on k~j_s cultwlr l ;9
F. Limkoff, Sociolocv, new Yorn: houghton

 

n-
L

1. William F, Os
hifflin Co mpany, 19%)

burn and hejer
383 .

must play in the process of incorporation. . . . we have scarcely
begun to understand the subtle process of spiritual surgery that
must be performed in grafting millions of foreign minds upon the
mind of America. The inmixrant who lan ‘ here is not an atonized
individual. he is sound by numcerless ties to his past, To
break these bonds is as cruel as it is unwise, he is not merelv
a profitable laoor unit. nor is he just a biologic asset or
liability. he is, above all else, a human personality with all
the strength and the weakness, all the promise and the richness
his term implies,2

i

Q
U‘

ct

As was mentioned earlier, a relatively long period of isolation con—

1 H 1

tinued between he Slovaks and Swedes durinv the earlv settlement oi
Q I

Grassflat, A very limited extent of communication was carr'ed on between

the two groups. The lacx of a common language was a decisive factor in

4 1

precluding assimilation between them. Each was quite ignorant of the

other's background. Distrust hetween them was often great, desentment

.
sometimes led to physical attack. In genera , the period of greatest
peace between them existed during the period of isolation "when Slovaks
lived on their side of the creec and Swedes lived on theirs".

Isolation could not continue desnite the ardent wishes of nemhers
of both ethni groups, particularly the parents, When two ethnic groups
occupy a relatively small area.and when they are all, except for a few,
engaged in work as confining as that of coal production, certain degrees
of COOperation are indiSpensahle. ”‘adually, as a result of daily con-
, each group began to understand the other better.

In order to study those factors which promoted interethnic assimila-

tion between the two groups, three generations of both Slovaks and Swedes

2. Julius Drachsler, Democracy and hssimilation, New York: The hacmillan
Company, 1920, p. 233,

 

were

data.

with

interviewed.

216

Tape-recorded interviews were again used to obtain

The following data were extracted from a tape—recorded interview

foreign-born Slovak residents:

Writer:

Writer:

hr. P:

Writer:

Mr. P:

Writer:

hrs. 0:

Writer:

hrs. 0:

Do you think that Slovaks jet along with Swedes better
today than they did before?

Oh, yes. Of course there used to be more Swedes before.
There are fewer now. They didn't get along poorly before,
but they have been moving out.

Are more Slovaks than Swedes leaving Grassflat?

Oh res. han' more Swedes are leaving but since there
, 3 3 ”3
aren't any more mines a.lot of the Slovaks are missing
too but more Swedes left than Slovaks.

3

Would you have a drink with a Swede?

When we come to the hall (Slovak hall) or other places
they usually set up drinks. Why, indeed I would. When
they buy I buy too. Yes, if they buy a bottle I buy a
bottle, and when they buy a.small glass (liquor) I buy
them one.

You like to be friendly with them.

Oh, yes. Some of them tap you on the shoulder and buy a
glass or bottle and ask you to come to the bar and have a

drink with them.
Would you have a drink with Swedes, hrs. 0?

My son, I don't go anywhere so I don't drink with the
Swedes or the Slovaks.

hr. D?
There should be no difference in that whether it is a Swede,

an Lnglishman, Scotchman, or anyone. Sure I drink with
many Swedish friends.

1

Would you go if a Swede invited you to his home for dinner?

If I knew how to Speak with them I certainly would go
and eat.

hrs. 0:

Writer:
Mr. D:
Mr. P:

Writer:

Mr. D:
Writer:

Mr. R:

hrs. 0:

Writer:

hrs. 0:

217

Oh, yes. I would go. They are a.reSpectful peOple.

I'd
I'd

go to anyone's house to
go anywhere as I should

eat, anyone who is a Christian.
where one wants to be my friend.

Do you think Slovaks are getting away from some of their
old customs, European customs? (homents of silence passed.)
‘Will you ever lose some of your old Slovakian customs?

Well, a person will have to. I can't always keep mention-
ing the past. I will have to be a little different.

Can the young Slovak generation read and write Slovak well?
Very few.

Yes, very few.
Do you think that there will come a time when the young
Slovak generation will forget the Slovak language?

Oh, yes. You can even see it everywhere today.

hr. P?

I don't think the Slovak language will die. ‘We have our
priests and teachers here. I know that they teach young
peOple in Slovak language. They teach them. The language
will live.3

when us old folks die that there will be
Tiere will be Slovaks, but they will not
It seems that today no one is teaching
the English language.

I think this way:
no more Slovaks.
have their language.
his young children to Speak Slovak, just
The language of the Slovak Catholics and the language of the
Swedish Lutherans is the same now. They Speak the svxe
language. The one forgot his, and, of course, the other
forgot his. They are now only talking one language. This is
the worst thing that is happening among them. . . .

What do you think of the Swedes today?

My son, I don't go an'where. I can't Speak with them, and
they can‘t Speak with me. I know they did me nothing, and
I did not do him anything. I tried to live in peace. If
I knew English I would talk to them. I do not wish any

bad luch for anyone.

 

3. Actually, the local priest who was also teacher of catechism classes

used anglish almost exclusively.

Writer:

I‘ll". D:

Mr. P:
hr. D:

Writer:

Mr. D:

Writer:

Mr. P:

Writer:

Mr. P:

hrs. 0:

Writer:

Yes

218

hr. D?

host of the Swedes are very good and honest peOple. I have
worked (in the coal mines) with several Swedish peOple for
many years, and I have not found more friendly and honest
peOple to Work with than I have found among the Swedes I
have worked with in Grassflat.

, that's true.

Today I feel different toward these people (the Swedes) ,

Do you feel different toward Swedes than you did about fifty
years ago?

It is altOgether different today because I have gotten to
know them, worked with them, and some of them are very good
peOple.

What do you think, Mr. P?
I feel the same

When we came it
peOple are much

way as Mr. D feels about this question.
was very much different, and now the Swedish
better to us.

Do you think the Swedish peOple have changed, or do you
think times have changed?

I think the peOple have changed, but also I think the times
have changed.

Did your Opinion of them change?

Oh, yes. ho, I think they are good peOple. ‘When they see
a person, the Slovaks like me or Mr. D, they talk to us
nicely.

And the young peOple have everything together now. They
can talk with each other. They associate with each other,
and us old peOple are much to ourselves. .

Do you think that young Slovaks are giving up some of the
old Slovak customs?

Yes, here and there they are.

hot only will they give them hp, brt they have already given
much of them up today. Many have already forgotten their
Slovak ways. Only a few keep up their own gardens. All of
them seem to run to store for everything they need. In the
future they will completely forget about their heritage.

hr. D:

Writer:

Writer:

hrs. 0:

Writer:

hrs. 0:

hr. P:

Writer:

Mr. D:

Writer:

hrs. 0:

219

We do know that our younger generation is not like their

fathers were before then.

They have too much monev, and they think this will always
be. In the future they will find out differently.
Do you think younger peOple are losing some of the old
Slovak c‘stoms, hr. D?

Today I think most of them have done away with the customs
of the olden days, and they don't reSpect older peOple.

I think most of them do not live up to the cust ms any
longer.

2,,

ny?

I think it is because the mother and father do not teach
the children. nother can't boss them, nor can father.

If children don't listen, there isn't much use in talking
about it. If the father tells them some thing, they just
turn around the other way. Children don't listen the

way they used to.

What customs don't you want them to give up?

So that they would not forget their

Slovak customs.
language.

Yes, I just want them to talk the Slovak language, and want
them to teach their children the Slovak language. I‘d like
to see more and more in Grassflat teach their children to
Speak Slovak.

What do you think, Mr. D?

I want them to teach and hold the Slovak language and
customs as long as they can, but they must also learn the
English language because this language is even.more im-
portant then the Slovak language. It is only that one
should keep his mother tongue as long as he can.

And they have to know English.
Oh, that's right.
Who should be the boss

in the family?

They say the father is master. he should be.

{\3
m
0

Mr. D: They say the father should be master but there are

many families in which the wife rather than husband
is master?

Mr. P: Yes, indeed.

In reviewing the data presented above, it is important to note that
the three Slovaks of the first generation, whose ages ranged from 77 to
El, and who were among the first Slovak settlers in Grassflat, felt quite
strongly that relations between Slovaks and Swedes since tne early days
of settlement had improved to a great extent. They indicated a definite
interest in further promoting friendly relations with them. They would
not hesitate to have a drink or to have dinner with Swedes. The former
was undoubtedly the most common interethnic activity, but the latter
rarely occurs even today. Decades of residential and occupational
prOpinquity seemed to have helped Slovaks better to understand the Swedes.
The fact that both Slovaks and Swedes worked in the coal mines was
eSpecially important as one of the main factors favoring assimilation
between than.

The foreign-born Slovaks felt that most of the younger generations
were abandoning old Slovak customs. The use of Slovak, they emphasized,
was rapidly decreasing. They felt that most Slovak customs would be
forgotten when the first generation Slovaks pass away. Although they
realized that a knowledge of English was necessary, nevertheless, they
desired that efforts be made to continue the use of Slovak. Parents,
they pointed out, were reSponsible for the lack of ability among grand-
children to Speak Slovak. They indicated, it is important to note, that

the younge generations of both Slovaks and Swedes associated much more

freely, and that a common language was an hnportant factor in facilitat-

ing better inter—group relations between them.

Tape-recorded interviews were also used to obtain data regarding

interethnic assimilation from Swedish residents. The following data.were

extracted from a.tape-recorded interview with foreign-born Swedish

residents whose ages ranged from 7h to :2:

'Writer:

Mr. T:

Writer:

hr. T:

Writer:

That are some of the things that started to bring the
Slovak and Swedish peOple together?

The United.hine Workers Union.
The United.Mine Workers Union, Mr. T?

They met at union meetings, and some was pretty good union
man, some Slovak guys you know and some Swedes. They
talked things over, and they come tOgether more and more.
Sometime, I remembe , we had to go out tOgether. We had

a strike on, and then we got out up here in Grassflat
hine, Slovaks and Swedes. That way we settled things
together.

Yes, I remember the same thing. Ida come over there one
morning, but they (Slovak strikers) had beat us to it.
‘here were a few men working (violating the strike),

and they went in (the mine) real early that morning.

They probably expected that we were going to come. but
we caught the blacksmith and the track layer, and we told
them what we thought. A fellow by the name of J. b. was
leader of the men, and he told them that he thought the
best thing they could do would be to go back home and stay
home until this trouble was over, but the blacksmith and
track layer didn't say a word.

You mentioned, hr. T, that the union helped to bring the
Slovak and Swedish peOple together. Wasn't there a
language difficulty at the beginning, that they didn't

understand each other?

The only thing we could do, we always had some men who
talked the American language so he had to be interpreter,
see. The Swedish peOple had one and Slovaks. That went
pretty good. I remember this here L (a Slovak) up here.
He used to be one of them. There was one big fellow here

Writer:

Mr. T:

Writer:

hrs. F:
Writer:

hr. W:

Writer:
hr.TJ:

Writer:

222

name A, big tall fellow.
American language. he talked pretty good,
to be interpreter.

he was pretty good in the
and he used

Was that n (a. Slovak)?

Yes, I believe it was h. That's right.
And also F. L. was the interpreter for the Slovak peOple.
When I first came here he was only a boy about eighteen
or nineteen years old, and he is an old.man now; He was
an interpreter. We had meeting right out here when I
bought these lots before I built. They (miners) came,

and the union asked if they were allowed to use my land
for a.meeting. I said, "Sure". I remember F. L. was the
interpreter for the Slovak peOple that time.

Both the Szedish and Slovak peOple had interpreters.

Yes, there wasn't one third of the Swedes could understand
English, you know. They used to talk to the boss, and

ask for a place to work, and that was all they could under-
stand. I used to understand a little, like most peOple.

we had Speakers there (at union meetings) from outside,
you see. Mr. G. used to be the e, but there was too much
said at one time. You didn't understand so you had to get
it explained.

union brought Slovaks and Swedes to-
any other things that brought them

Well, you said the
gather. are there
together?

Well, I don't know anything else particularly that did.

What about work?

'Work, well, naturally you got acquainted, see. You got
acquainted so that the Slovaks didn't mistrust the Swedes,
and the Swedes didnit mistrust the Slovaks. ‘That was the
whole thing in a nutshell. After they started to get
confidence in one another, why, then they were more like
one peOple.

Did they sometimes work as buddies (partners)?

Oh, yes. Sometimes they did.

Did you ever joke with the Slovaks at work?

Yes, yes. I can remember up here at Cooper humber 2. . . .

223

Mr. T: Another thing, we had a.music band here in Grassflat,
and it was a.pretty good band. ‘We had about thirty or
thirty-two members in that band, and we played at every
wedding. When we started in the first place we didn't
get invited or anything like that, but whenever we heard
there was a Slavish wedding we went over there in the
evening and played for them, and we generally got five
dollars where we played. we keep on and finally just
when a fellow got married, I know quite a few of them,
they always come up to the leader, that was L. P., and
say "bring them over and play, I am going to be married
tomorrow". Sometimes we got five or ten dollars and
then all we wanted to drink.

Writer: You drank with the Slovaks?

hr. T: Yes, and we had a good time, and we got more and more
together through that than anything. Many times Slovaks
they meet us certain places and "come, come, you were in
the band" (have a drink). And that helped to bring
them tOgether, I know.

writer: After you finished playing in the band, Mr. T, did you
talk with the Slovaks?

Mr. T: Yes, we were amongst them. Oh, yes. we had beer,
lunch lots of times sandwiches. Oh the* treat us wood.
9 3 O

writer: I see. 'Well, so far you said the union, work, and the
band brought Slovaks and Swedes together.

hr. W: The school naturally played a big role in that because
as the children grew up on both sides, well, they went to
school, why, then they could understand one another better
than they could in the first place. So I believe that
the school had a lot to do with it. Before the compulsory
school was in, why, the Swedish peOple used to have Swedish
school for their children just like the Slovaks had. Since
the compulsory school come in, why, it was more and more
put to use. They got all the school they wanted in eight
months. The older peOple thought that they had to learn
Swedish. They were more concerned about the Swedish
language than they were about the American language. Lots
of them. I think it was the wrong thing. most of them
never intended to go back to Sweden, but still they stood
up for the Swedish language, and the Slovak for the Slavish
language.

Writer: And the Slovaks for the Slovak languag .

[\D
[\3
t,

Mr. W: Old J. h., we talked about this thing up at work. he
didn't like it a bit that they wanted to change the school
from Slovak to English in the Slovak church. I tried to
tell him that we had gone through the same thing. I
couldn't even agree with my own parents about that. They
thought it so important to learn the SwediSh language,
but they didn't think it important at all to earn the
American language. I couldn't agree with them on that,
and I told old J. N. that we all had gone through the
same thing, and we all had to go through the same thing,
but they loved their language and their old customs, and
I guess there is nothing wrong in it. But they loved '~
their old ways, but at the same time we should remember'
that we are not Swedes any more: We live in Lmerica.

He didn't say much about it, but I could see that he would
rather that they keep on the old style, that they Speak
the Slavish language.

‘Writer: The old folks wanted their grandchildren to Speal Slovak.

Mrs. F: They wanted their grandchildren to Speak Slovak, and the
Swedes wanted their grandchildren to Speak Swedish.

hrs. T: Yes, that's right.
Writer: Did parents think school was important then?

Mr. W: No, they didn't. Some of them did I guess, but most of
them didn't think they were important at all. It was more
important if you were old enough to go to the mines where
you could make fifty cents a day.

Writer: How old did you have to be before you could start working
at the mines?

1dr. T: Twelve years.
writer: Did the old hotel help to bring Slovaks and Svades
together?

Mr. W: Yes, I believe that lots of them got acquainted there, but
one way or other they kind of mistrusted one another, but
as time went on they got acquainted. There was less mis-
trusting one another after that, and they grew as one peOple.

Mr. T: Yes, they used to have some fights up there, but after a
while they got acquainted up there. . . .

Writer:

Mrs. F:
hrs. T:

Writer:

hrs . F:

hr. W:

Mr. T:

Writer:

Writer:

Lil" . If":

Do young Slovaks and Swedes garden as much as you folks
used to?

Well, I couldn't saV. I hardly think they do.
Younger peOple don't like to work like the old peOple did.
I wonder why?

They want to have a better time, a good time, and take it
easy.

There are some that are very ambitious, but the cars might
have something to do with this thing. They come home,
jump in the car, and go someplace. 'Hell, then they can't
be working in the gardens. . . .

I think it is going to be even more different between
Slavish and Swedes after a while. It won't take long now
before the younger gaieration won't understand either
Slavish or Swedish. They will use American, you see.
They will be all Americans. They won't know anything
else, you know. You won't notice any difference.

Yes, and the school has changed things a lot.
Oh

"GS .

’ 0/

how the Swedish and the Slovak children can Speak English,
and, of course, that helps to bring them together more.

That's the main thing.

hnd they zigzag back and forth. They begin to live on
both sides of the creek, not like it was. But the Swedes
are moving out {of town). Very few of Swedes left in
Pleasant hill. Yes, things are changed. . . .

Would you have a drink with a Slovak?

I have many times.

I don't get out much now, but I used to have a few with
Slovak friends.

Would you have dinner with a Slovak?

On, yes.

writer

Mrs. F
Mrs. T
Writer

hrs. F

hr.'W:

hr. T:

Writer
Mr. T:

Ir-Ir . W :

Writer

._.,_ '.
L‘Af‘. Ar:

.0

225

1

Do young Slovaks
used to?

and Swedes garden as much as you folks

Well, I couldn't say. I hardly think they do.

Younger people don't like to work like the old peeple did.
I wonder why?
and take it

They want to have a.better time, a good time,
easy.

There are some that are very ambitious, but the cars might
have something to do with this thing. They come home,
jump in the car, and go someplace. ‘fiell, then they can't
be working in the gardens. . . .

I think it is going to be even more different between
Slavish and Swedes after a while. It won't take long
before the younger geieration won't understand either
Slavish or Swedish. They will use American, you see.
They will be all Americans. They won't know anything
else, you know. Iou won't notice any difference.

Yes, and the school has changed things a lot.
011 , yes .

how the Swedish and the Slovak children can Speak English,
and, of course, that helps to bring them together more.

That's the main thing.

hnd they zigzag back and forth. They begin to live on
both sides of the creek, not like it was. But the Swedes
are moving out (of town). Very few of Swedes left in
Pleasant hill. Yes, things are changed. . . .

Would you have a drink with a Slovak?

I have many times.

I don't get out much now, but I used to have a few with
Slovak friends.

Would you have dinner with a Slovak?

C211, yes .

m
I\>
0\

Mr. T: Sure.

Mrs. F: Yes, if I was invited.

In summarizing the data presented above, it is important to note
that Swedes of the first generation also indicated that relations be—
tween the two ethnic groups had improved a great deal since the early

days of settlement. Like Slovaks they also considered the role of a

3

common language, a common occupation, and greater residential pro-
pinquitv as important in favoring assimilation between Slovaks and
Swedes. Both emphasized the increasingly important role played by the
younger generations of both groups in further promoting better inter-
ethnic relations.

Greater inter—group assimilation was encouraged through various
activities of the bnited hine'dorkers bnion of which all miners, encept
company men, were members. Although mine operations in Grassflat had
ceased, this organization remained active. Retired coal miners met
regularly to discuss various problems related to their former industry,
particularly retirement benefits on which many Slovak and Swedish
residents are dependent.

Swedish band activities, long discontinued, seemed to have played
an important social role in the process of assimilation. Both groups
had a profound interest in music and dancing. The old hotel which was
the only meeting place where men could buy drinks was an important
social center, particularly after pay day at the mines. These activities
were important in promoting interethnic relations through which the

members of both groups learned better to understand each other.

227
From the point of View of first a distinct role
in t1e as similati ve process was played t1 rou<h the public school. There
young Slovaks and Swedes learned a common lanriare, and as a result
began to associate more freely.

It is important to em; Las ize that Swedish residents of the first
generation often referred tooth Slovaks and S Jedes as becoming "one
people", "same peOple", and "Americans".

Factors Favoring Assimila tion a.s hpqi ressed bl doth
Second Generation Slovaks and Swedes

Lmong otl we differences, three in particular distir nguisxed the
second from the first reneration of both Slovaks and Swedes. First, the
foreign—born residents Were more intimately acquainted with the cultural
patterns of Slovakia or Sweden. Second, the native—born of foreign
p“rentage had a.comparati ely better linowledgze of the nnglis h language
mainly because of the public school which they attended. Third, a large
number of Slovaks and Swedes of the second generation was born prior to

World her I by which time a considerab edegree of interethnic con muni-
cation and assimilation already had taken place between the two ethnic
groups.

Due to three differences it would see t1at one mi; 1t expect a
greater degree of assimilation among the second generations of Slovaks
and Swedes than among the first generations. is Linton reported, "at
whatever point we take our cross-section of the culture continuum we

will find certain chanacs 00m318ted others well under wa* and still
a I 3 ’

t\)
m
("17?

. . . . L 1 .
others Just beginning”. In snort, "every culture 18 not only a con—

r.)

tinuuu'l but a continuum in a constant state of change"? The extent to

. n. Vr- ' .
i'cillxdf‘elllcn

which this is true was indicated by data obtained from second 0

Slovaks and Swedes who were interviewed.
The following data were evtracted from a.tape-recorded interview
with Slovaks of the second generation, each of whom was a father of

one or more children of marriageatle age:
Writer: ‘What customs have Slovaks in Grassflat given up? What
customs have they nractised ears 830 which thev no
i y J J
longer practice today?

Mr. F: Years ago in the old days-we used to have regular Slovak
dances which we don't have now. We never used to start
at mid-night as they seem to now. By twelve o'clock we
were finished. ‘We used to start our dances at six
o'clock, and by mid-night we were all finished dancing,
and we had all Slovak ausic.

Writer: Why don't they have Slovak dances today?

C

hr. F: Why, this generatinn today goes for this crazy dancing.

hr. C: When I was a kid the dance wouldn't start at six o'clock
as he said, but it would start on Saturday right afternoon.
Times at that time were not as they are now. There was no
justle and bustle then. Then the men did not work as they
do now. how the men work some six and seven days a.week.
You couldn't have the den e on a Saturday afternoon now
because a lot of the men work on a Saturday afternoon,
but Saturdays used to he holidays. ‘Working conditions
have changed. Yes, everybody is out to get that almight
dollar. TLe more they have the more they want.

Writer: Any other customs which Slovaks had given up in Grassflat?

L. Ralph Linton, The Study of Man. Lew York: D. Appleton—Century
Company, 1936, p. 295.
5. Ibid., p. 296.

 

Writer:
hr. E:

Mr. H:

writer:

hr. h:

writer:

hr. E:

m
f\)
\C

Take years ago, people Spoke more to each other than they
do nowadays among the Slovaws alone.

Yes. There used to be a sort of park above Dobrytown,
the Dobrytown Park. I think you fellas know about that.
The old folks used to pitch horseshoes and play card
together, and the Slovak women would have their own meet—
ings on the side and so with the kids. It's not that way
today. You don't see any of that today. Automobile
stuff changed that. They‘re leading too fast a life.

I mean that no one would ever pass a yone on the street
without saying a greeting of some kind. Today it is
different. host of the young peOple do most of their
travel on cars and just pass by without a greeting of any
kind.

I remember we used to have big celebrations and anniver—
saries of various organizations, We had big processions
to Winburne. We used to go there just to be with our
organizations. We don't have that any more.

On what occasions did you have these celebrations?
Patron Saints day of various organizations.

We used to have Saint Anne picnics and on All Saints Day.
At one time we had a band here. They would have parades

on St. John's Day and other days. I remember one time the
band went to John E's, that is about three miles from here.
We took a bus load, had sandwiches and drinks.

Why don't Slovaks have a.band today?

It seems that nobody is interested. ‘hey usually have a
good time on Saturday or Sunday outside of town. They
have cars and go out. We used to have a Jednota Slovak
baseball team. We don't have it today.

Would you as members of the Slovak lodge be happy to
Sponsor a band or a baseball team which you do not have
today?

We tried baseball, but the younger element isn't interested
in baseball or anything. Today, they want a tank full of
gas and a good car. That's as far as they go. Our branch
(Jednota #333) did have the finest band, but today it's
very much different.

hr. P:

Writer:

Mr. F:

Mr. C:

Writer:

Writer:

230

I think we are reSponsible for a lot of that because we
don't show the boys just how to do these things. We
don't back them up. I know from my own experience. I
know my little boys ask me to play ball with them, but

I tell them I don't have time. It's really my own fault.
Fault is ours. We don't help them create interest in
things any more.

Did the fathers in the past spend more time with their
children?

I believe so. Today we work much longer, harder, and
have less time to devote to playing with our children.

I disagree with him to a certain extent. I know the band
we Slovaks had. Daddies stuck to helping boys come into
the band. The kids had a chance, but they'd rather play
cards and run around. It wasn't the parents' fault there.

I'd say the younger generation doesn't care as much as
they used to about music and so forth. They don't itch
to get into things like they used to. They'd rather run
around. They like the high life.

As far as music and entertainment goes it all adds up

to the Speed up that goes on in the world today. I re-
member when I was a kid and started work. When we made
our dollar Dad would say, "Let's go home, son". But not

today. Today they say, "Let's stay and make more".
They‘re out to make that ahnigl'xty buck (dollar).

Are there other customs which Slovaks no longer practice?
(Long silence) Gentlemen, let us raise a few more ques-
tions about your children. Do your children Speak Slovak
at home?

Yes, mine Speak Slovak at home most of the time when we,
the parents, are there.

I can go down to one that can and does speak it once in
a while. My oldest can Speak pretty good; she can read
and write. She can talk pretty good. The second, she
could speak it fairly well, but the youngest can't Speak
it at all.

Your oldest girl Speaks Slovak best?

That's right. She went to Slovak school, and that's the

reason .

hr. F:

hr. E:

Mr. P:

Writer:

Mr. P:

Writer

Mr. H:

Writer

Mr. H:

C
C

231

hy two oldest can Speak, and two of them can understand
it, but since my mother-in-law and mother died they don't
seem to Speak it much any more. Since the old folks are
gone so is the Slovak language.

I can tell you about this language deal. We had this
experience in our home. hy oldest boy couldn't Speak a
word of English when he started school (public school).
That's a fact. We had to teach him one summer the English
language to a certain extent. Things have changed so

. much that today he can't hardly Speak Slovak at all.

He'll Speak half English and half Slovak. It goes right
down the line: the older they are the more they can Speak
it; the younger they are the less they Speak it. I think
it's the parents' fault. Practice it right at home. My
mother couldn't Speak a.word of English, so they talked to
her in Slovak. how that mother is dead it's different.

That's the thing that I was trying to get at. I remember
just before my mother died, my oldest boy started to pick
up a few words in Slovak while my mother was around, but
since grandma died, why, he doesn‘t get to talk Slovak.
He tries to, but he doesn't because my wife and I Speak
English at home. So the reason why the young element
doesn't Speak Slovak is because the old folks are dying
out, and we don't speak Slovak very much today.

So most of the time at your home you Speak English?

That's right. English. I still think the younger genera—
tion Speaks English because most everyone Speaks American,
and we don't bother to Speak the other language.

My two boys while they were with grandma and grandpa Spoke
Slovak and understood it, but after we left and went into

housekeeping ourselves, why, they just dropped it.

What language do you Speak at home?

Most of the time we Speak English, but some time, once in

a while we talk Slovak, but they don't understand it, and

they don't talk back in Slovak.

host of the time at the dinner table you Speak --

It's different (it varies). Once in a while we Speak
Slovak. My wife and I talk Slovak, but the kiddies won't.

hr. 0:

Hr. P:

Mr. T:

Writer:

Writer:

Writer:

Mr. S:

Just as we said before, when my parents were living in
Grassflat they lived among Slovak neighbors, and Grandma

and the neighbors would Speak nothing but Slovak. My
daughter could not understand any hnglish then. ‘fhen She

went to school (public School), and about five years later
She forgot all she knew in Slovak. They Spend a lot of
time with other children, and no matter how much you try,
how much it breaks your heart, they go out and don't use
it. Grandmother would say something to my daughter in
Slovak, but She couldn't answer. The children have so man“
school and after school contacts.

The reason I say this is because I rem mber we had one
Swedish boy up there in our neighborhood. Iou know him,
H. his name was C. L. he was the only Swede up there,
and that boy could Speak Slovak as good as the rest of us.
He had to talk Slovak because we wouldn't talk anything
else but Slovak.

I know about that, too.

What language do your children use in their morning and
evening prayers, their prayers at hngelus?

say them in Slovak. In my home they say prayers
Their mother taught them to pray in Slovak and
Slovak, and we all talk Slovak at home. When we
letters my girls read them to us because their
mother reads Slowly. When boys come home they don't talk
nothing but Slovak. The girls will with us, too. I have

a girl that's married, a.mixed marriage, and she's not
ashamed to talk Slovak to her mother in front of anyone.
And our neighbors, old ones will Speak half Slovak and half
English. One will take turns with the other. One will
talk in Slovak, and the other will answer in English.

Well, mine
in Slovak.
to talk in
get Slovak

Prayers following Low Mass on Sunday are said in what
language?

Well, lately it differs. They have been said both in
English and in Slovak. One Sunday they're in English
and the next they're in Slovak.

I understand that children must learn certain prayers
before they are permitted to receive their First Communion.
What language is used in saying those prayers in the
catechism school today?

In English. In English.

[\J
b.)
b.)

" n A * o I] r/

Writer: And the missals they use at mass?J

hr. H: They're all written in English. I haven't seen a.missal
in Slovak yet. I think there are some printed, but at the
present time to give the children a Slovak missal, why,
they wouldn't understand it.

hr. 3: There are missals in Slovak, but the majority of young
peOple can't read Slovak. I happen to have a Slovak
missal.

Writer: Gentlemen, would you have a drink with a Swede?
Mr. P: I'd have a drink with "iybody. (All laughed.)

Writer: IS there anyone who would not? (done indicated the
negative.) hone. ‘Would you have dinner with a Swede if
he invited you to his home?

hr. 8: Yes, I would. To my estimation I found some Swedes to be
just as good or better than some of the Slovaks.

hr. T: I would if they asked me. They eat with us at our weddings,
and that's where one man, I won't mention any names, a
Swede, you all know him, said he didn't know the Slovaks
were such good cooks. he said that at my daughter's
wedding.

Writer: IS there anyone who would not have dinner with a Swede?
(hone indicated the negative.) hone.

hr. E: I have something to say about that because I live among a
few of them, among the Swedish element. 'The finest
neighbors We had in town are Swedes. They are willing to
lend a hand when in need.

Writer: Would you permit the Swedes to be your neighbors?

hr. H: To my estimation the best neighbor I ever had or my
parents ever had were Swedish. 'Whether we had a baby in
the family or if there happened to be a death in the
family, they seemed to COOperate more and help you out
even more than your own Slovaks.

 

A missal is a prayer book used during mass. It is written both
in Latin and another language, most commonly in English. This book
enables the attendant at mass to follow and understand the priest

who reads and sings in Latin.

writer: Why is that, h?

v estimation we had babies

C

hr. h: I don't know, but to m , there
are six of them already, and every time a baby is born
they always bring a present. They sort of look to it as
a.pleasure to bring a present. That's to my estimation.

Writer: how do the rest of you feel about having a Swede for a
neighbor?

Mr. P: I have one that is a Swede and one that isn't, but I've
I‘ve lived there seventeen years and we'v never had a
cross word yet. but I know, I have a neighbor that is
Slovak, and they only lived there one-fourth tie time,
and we just can't seem to hit it off right.

Writer: 'Nhy is that, P?

Mr. P: Well, I think the Swedish peeple seem to mind their own
business more where the Slovaks stick their nose in the
other peOple's business too much. That's the trouble.

Writer: 8, what do you think about this?

Mr. S: I have two neighbors that are Swedes, and I think they
are the best neighbors I've had in a long time. They're
very COOperative. If we had sickness in the family, if
we needed any help, they came in and offered to help in
any way they could. ho matter what time of the night we
needed help they were right there. In fact, they even
took us to the doctor one night, and helped us when we
needed help.

Writer: Would you permit your children to be friendly with Swedish
children?

hr. E: I would, yes. Positively. The; make good company.
(Others nodded agreement.)

According to the tape-recorded data presented above, a number of
earlier Slovakian cultural patterns had been changed or abandoned,
particularly those of a social and recreational nature. The modern

American, rather than Slovakian, dance and music have come to be more

pOpular. The Sunday afternoon pattern of all-family amusement at the

Dobrytown Park had been abandoned. The Jednota.baseoall team and band
were discontinued.. The number of elaborate celebrations Sponsored by
various C tholic organizations was greatly decreased. The automobile
had shifted the scene of social functions from Grassflat to outside
communities. 'With the passing of elderly Slovak residents the Slovak
language was given a less prominent role in the home, church, school,
and social centers in the community. In various phases of the social
life in the community Slovaks and Swedes had earned to share many more
common interests and experiences.

The following data were extracted from a.tape—recorded interview
with Swedes of the second generation, each of whom was a father of one
or more children of marriageahle age:

Writer: ”What past Swedish customs have been given up in Grassflat?
What old customs are no longer practiced today?

Mr. h: The Swedish people used to have a lot of platform gather-
ings. They don't have them anymore. ‘

writer: Were the platform gatherings for -—
hr. H: They were for Swedes only; They don't have them anymore.
Writer: What did peeple do at these gatherings?

Mr. H: They'd get a keg of beer, and sit, and talk. They danced
and had fun.

hr. r: They had more than a keg. They'd have quite a number.
They‘d drink and have fun mostly. They had a lot of
kegs and the peeple would chip in fifty cents and then
they would dance and drink the beer.

writer: Did you ever attend?
it was a little too far back for me.

hr. r: no,

Mr. H:

Writer

hr. H:

E
.
ha

Writer:
Mr. F:
Writer:

hr. H:

Writer:

Mr. P:

Mr. S:

writer:

Mr. S:

Writer:

l\)
u)
0

Besides these drinking parties they had Swedish dances.
They used to have them on the baseball diamond and some-
times at Lanse. They used to exchange off that way.

What went on at one of those get-togethers?
They would sing and get out and then swing their partners.
{.3

They would have a dai They would not have music all
the time. Sometime jus singing. huch like a barn dance.

0

L
U
Sometimes they had music, a fiddler or a.banjo.

Yes, sometimes they had fiddlers and callers, and peOple
would dance. It was an old Swedish custom.

Old J. F. and A. J. would play. They'd have an accordion.
Someone would sing and it was similar to a barn dance or a
square dance. Some of them had fiddles, guitar pl yers,
callers. It was the custom.

They don't have them anymore?

ho, they cut them out.

Are there other customs which are no longer practised?
Well, those penny and bingo parties and housewarmings
don't happen very often anymore. Swedes used to get to-
gether for birthday parties, but they don't anymore. Just
like the Slovaks don't have the birthday parties they used
to have. Swedes and Slovaks have most of their thing

together except that's connected with the church.

Any other old customs no longer practised today? (Silence
followed.) Do your children Speak Swedish?

ho, my children don't Speak Swedish because my wife and
I don't Speak it. She's of the English nationality.

One of my children speaks Swedish and the other doesn't.

hy son can't make himself understood. The girl talks awful
broken. It's never Spoke at home.

When the family gets tOgether --

ho Swedish is Spoken.

hr. F?

Writer:

hr. 5:

hr. H:

Writer

Mr. F:

hr. ':

237

no Sweaisn spoken there either.

he and my wife talk very little Swedish. der family didn't
use much Swedish. My family used it constantly. I could
read enough to get the meaning, but I can't write it because
their alphabet is different from the hmerican alphauet.
When it comes to Spelling, I'm stumped.

Gentlemen, why don't you sneak Swedish at heme?

Why, the schools. They are taught only in hnglish. ihat's
the only reason I can think of.

Well, another reason is they marry someone outside the
Swedish. That's a reason. ‘

The confirmation Classes used to use Swedish, but they don't
any more. heverend Lindgren has about one Swedish sermon--

Once a month.

Father Tutokie told me that Slovaks have only one Slovak
sermon every three or four months. Why is there so little
Slovak and Swedish Spoken in the family?

Well, mixed marriage for one thing.

I think this is due largely to the schools. When the old
folks came over from old country they all had to Speak
American.

I went to Swedish school here.

Yes, but find ish is the standard here. It seems any one
comes over they try to learn to Speak English, read and
write the English language. Another reason why so little
Swedish is Spoken in my family is that my parents used to
Speak Swedish to me at home, but there is not enough
Swedish Spoken at our home now; hy wife is english so I
don't Speak it at home.

When I speak English to my wife she understands it, but
she answers in English. The children, of course, Speak
in English. how5 my parents always Spoke Swedish and so
did the children.. Every one Spoke Swedish, so we picked
it up. It‘s not that way in my family.

It may be that less Swedish is Spoken because the old folks
aren't around.

hr. P:

hr. S:

Writer:

hr. C:
Writer:
All:

hr. S:
writer:
Mr. S:
hr. P:

Writer:

All:

hr. F:

238

If the old folks were
The old folks sort

around they'd be
of put it into

That's very true.
more Swedish Spoken.
you cefore.

Yes, but the old folks are even drOpping Swedish today.

'Would you have dinner with a Slovak if he invited you to

eat at his home?

'rmatively.)

D
O
{)4
91
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0.1
Pi
Fh
}J

I Sure would.
All of you would.
eSpecially if they served nut roll, "holupky", and

"
Sure,

At the Slovak weddings there are as many Swedes as Slovaks.
They try to drink each other under the table.

Their food is delicious.
Would you have a drink with a Slovak?
Sure.

I had many times just like the rest here.

how would you feel about having a Slovak as your neighbor?

Okay. Just as good as any.
Fine. (Others nodded agreement.)

Would you permit your children to be friendly with Slovak
children?

Sure.

Ies, I don't see any difference in them if they get along
without scrapping. It's okay.

Do you feel that the difference is too great to oe friendly
at any time?

no.
No difference.
The only difference between a Slovak and a Swede is they are

of the same human blood, but the only thing is their religion
is different. Otherwise they are just as human as Swedes.

Mr. P: Slovaks go to church oftener.

hr. H: Slovak families enforce it more.

Mr. P: Swedish fathers aren't as strict as they used to be. They
don't make children go to church now. ‘fhey used to. For
some reason they just drop away from church some of them.

Mr. S: It's the younger generation's fault too. They don't
attend the way they used to. It wouldn't hurt any of us
for that matter if we went to church every Sunday.

It is important to note the similarity between those cultural
patterns which Slovaks and Swedes had changed or abandoned completely.
Major cultural changes among Swedes, much like those among Slovaks, were
largely in terms of social patterns of adjustment.

Strictly Swedish dancing and drinking parties which were formerly
attended by large groups were abandoned completely. More and more social
functions were shared by both Slovaks and Swedes. The number of home
penny bingo, birthday, and house-warming parties had decreased consider-
ably.

The Swedish language was given a much less prominent place in the
home, church, and school. Passing of the first generation, intermarriage
incidence, and the influence of the public school were mentioned as
factors which contributed to the declining use of the Swedish language.

Parents had become more lenient in disciplining children. It was
pointed out that the were not as strict as Slovak parents. Swedish sub-
jects of the second generation indicated that they would not hesitate to
have dinner or drink with Slovaks. They would like to have Slovak neigh-

bors, and would permit their own children to be friendly with Slovak

Children .

2LLO

Factors Favoring Assimilation as EXpressed by doth
Third Generation Slovaks and Swedes

Tape-recorded data obtained from subjects of the first and second
generations of both Slovaks and Swedes indicated a definite trend toward
increased assimilation between Slovaks and Swedes. Assuming that no new
and disrupting factors had affected the assimilative process which had
already begun, one would expect that data obtained from Slovak and
Swedish sub ects of the third ”eneration would indicate even treater

J a r,

assimilation between the two ethnic groups.

Merrill and Eldredge reported that:

Assimilation occurs most readily when the social contacts are

those of the primary group--that is, when they are intimate,

personal, and face to face. Conversely, assimilation functions

slowly or not at all when the contacts are seCOpdary-—that is,

when they are impersonal, casual, and rational.
The social contacts between Slovaks and Swedes of the third generation
appeared to be more characteristic of primary relations than contacts
described by previous subjects who represented the first and second
generations.

Data which follow were extracted from a tape—recorded interview
with Slovak subjects of the third generation:

Writer: Do you speak Slovak at home?

hiss F: Yes, we Speak it. The smaller kids understand it, but
they can't speak it. ESpecially hon and me we Speak it.

 

7. Francis E. herrill and H. Wentworth Eldredge, Culture and Society,
hew York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1952, p. 509.

 

hiss S:

hiss T:

Writer:

Miss F:

Miss M:

Writer:

Miss M:

2hl

I Speak Slovak
the old folks.
I can.

at hOme, and to our grandparents, and to
a. ’

Wherever I go I spe k Slovak any place

7

I always sneak a lot of Slovak at home with Grandma.and

Grandpa.around.
3, do you Speak Slovak at home?

Since our pastor, Father 8., died, it seems in our home

that Slovak talk has oeen cut out SOme. Before, when
Father was living, we used it around the home ery much.

how we have Changed almost everything to English.

how about school? Do you ever Speak Slovak in school?
We don't an" more, but I remember when we first started
going to Slovak School we used to have lessons, when I

had lessons, in both Slovak and dnglish. If I couldn't
understand it in Slovak, I knew what it was in English.

When you young people get together do you speak in Slovak
with one another?

I guess you could call it mixed. we use a little of each
(Slovak and Anglish).

You use a little of each? Do you think it is mostly Slovak
or mostly English?

I have something to say about that. hore or less now,
when us young peOple get together, we use Slovak as more
or less for joking and not as we once would.

That's what we do whenever we're in a crowd or dancina.
When we make fun of something we make a.remark in Slovak.
That gives us more fun out of it. not anything out of the
way about other, always the good.

We do the sane thing up at the factory (Shirt factory at
Phillipsburg). 'We have a lot of fun talking in Slovak when
we talk about others. It's not bad things, you know.

Why do you think it is funny?

Well, I guess it's just the way we talk. I mean our broken
language. We mix it up with the English and part Slovak
makes it funny. When you're not born with it, well, you're
just out of the fun.

Writer:

niss F:

hiss S

hr. B:

Writer:

TilSS ti:
Miss F:

hiss S:

hiss T:

Writer:

hr. 8:
Writer:
hiss h:

writer:

hiss F:

Writer:

hiss h:

2h2

I see. Do you young peeple read Slovak?

(Laughingly) Very seldom. (Others laughed, nodding
affirmatively.) I'm learning to read by lessons in the
Jednota. I learned quite a bit to read, and I can write
a few words. I wouldn't say I'm ood at it, but I'm
trying.

r’ 1‘
r.
L.)

and then because I belong
in Slovak, uut I can't

I read a little bit of Slovak,
to the hosary Society I can pray
write very well in Slovak.

-—(

dell,
I can read the
in Slovak.

I read the letters written to Grandma.and Grandpa.

newspaper, and I can say some of my prayers

I can just pick out certain words. That's about all.

What about Are your prayers mostly in

English or

your prayers?
Slovak?

hy prayers are all in English.
There are a few that I can say in Slovak.

My morning prayers are usually in Slovak, and my evening
prayers are in English. Otherwise I always pray in En lish.

L)

Mostly my prayers are in dnglish, but I can say a few in

Slovak.

Probably those p~ayers which you learned in Slovak when

you were very young? (All nodded agreement.)

All my prayers are said in English.

are missals you use in church in hnglish or Slovak?
In English.

Why don't you have a Slovak missal?

couldn't very
(ill laughed.)

We don't know how to read in Slovak. we
well understand because we can't read it.

Do you miss Slovak dances in Grassflat?
event.

Very much. ‘hat used to be the big

Hriter:
hiss h:
Writer:
Miss M:

kiss 5:

Mr. B:

Miss F:
Writer:

hr. a:

Writer:

'He used to plan for them for weexs.

- - V r - J‘ 1 “ - I T r- ~' . 7‘ . r r‘ a ")
i k canoes they'd nave niCer (larger)

H
F4.)
(f
e
O.
}._.J
(,
<:
c:
2‘
(n
8
{4
U)
}_._
O
(t
C.)

They would Lave nicer crowds?

licer crowds. any day. all these youn ger generations

think of is :oinp out but the:w never think of the Slovak
L) , 3 3

people or earn-thing ike that.

of you have Swedish neighbors?

They're nice peOple.

We live right around Swedish neighoors, and I believe they
are just as nice as any family you could find. I know when
we had a funeral in our family took our cl tense and
Tley brouclt food and every‘ 'hinr, and I think

..L1 J
they

washed them .

they are nice, v rv n ice to associate with.
They are very good nei :kbors. I could go so far as to say

some of ther even ma‘ce better neivhbors than some of
own foll;s oecause they seem to be more considerate.
how to express it, but--

that
our
I don't know exactly
I would say more resp;ct for each
other.

that t: ey are or have

Yes, that's it.

HLJ is that, ?

the same town they try to co-
as they can COOperate with us.

Hell, since we all live
Operate with us as much

Do Jou have Swedish fri ends? (All nodded affirmatively.)
fill of you. Would you have dinner at a Swedish home if
they invited Jrou some evening?

I already have.

I would, but I would probably be a

Ibis S i;

: I'here Nl bit he seme foods ther that I have never eaten
before, and I WOQlJU'L know juZt how to go a ut eatin"
them.

hiss S: I believe my Opinion would be about the same '8 5'8 I
think if they would invite me I would go, out I world
feel a little bit out of place.

hr. S: I might add that in the eating pa rt, as far as the food
is concerred, t:eir food has he“' almost the sane as

eirs. I ate at a friend's place Several times and the
food was no different than any that I ha ve eaten at home.
Their customs have changed too.

Writer: Swedish custOms have also changed.

hiss h: Well, there is greater, you can say, COOperation between
the Swedish and the Catholics now than there ever was in
this town.

Writer: Is there?

hiss h: Yes, I know that to be true. The last shows there was
here I noticed_there were quite a few Swedish ladies at
the shower which is something that very seldom happened.
Usually, I don't know why it was, but the Slovak people
and the Swedish peeple just never intermingled. The
Swedish people sta,eo at their end of town and Slovaks
at their end.

Data.presented above seemed to indicate that interethnic relations
between Slovaks and Swedes of the third generation We a more character—
istic of primary contacts than those described by both Slovaks and
Swedes of the two previous generations.

Subjects of the third teneration used the Slovak lanvua ;e to a lesser
extent than the first and second generations. Those who lived with or
near their gran dpa wants and other elderly Slovak folks Spoke Slovak more
freguently and Spoke it better than those who lived with or near younger
Slovak groups. Slovak ceased to remain the official langua'e in both

Catechism School and the church. Prayers were said more frequently in

snglish than Slovak. Slovak dances which formerly were held quite
frequently and regularly, at the time of this study were limited almost
entirely to Slovak weddings.

1 o

Slovak subjects of the third veneration rewarded Swedish neighbors

as "nice", "COOperative", and "considerate". Each of them had both
Swedish neighbors and friends. The young ladies said they would accept
an invitation to have dinner with Swedes, but would feel "a little beek-
ward" or "out of place". “hey felt the Swedish dietary patterns differed
considerably from those of Slovaks. The young man who had eaten with
Swedes on a number of occasions indicated that the dietary patterns of

both ethnic groups had changed and that

, as a result, Swedish foous were'

Quite like those one would find among Slovaks.
”wedish subjects of the third generation, like those of Slovak ex-
traction, indicated that the extent of assimilation between the two
ethnic groups continued to increase. The following tape-recorded data
were extracted from an interview with Swedish subjects of the third
generation:
Writer: 'What do you think of the community of Grassflat?
Mr. H: Well, for one hing I like the way peOple COOperate with
one another in the various organizations like the Ladies
Auxiliary and the Firemen. I think they COOperate marvel-
ously. They seem to COOperate in other ways too. There

is a lot of friendliness among the peOple, and I don't
think there are too many prejudices.

D—t‘
if
0
.u—J
(
.0

Well, it's a friendly place. Everybody seems to COOperate,
yet there aren't enough clubs around here for the young
peOple. That's one of the troubles. There isn't enough
things to keep the young guys busy.

[\3
C-
Ox

voung

:1

Mr. B: That's it. There's not enough recreation for the
peOple.b

writer: J, is there anything you might add?

Mr. B: Oh, I differ somewhat from these fellas. I think Grassflat
is more of a summer resort. I think there should be some
sort of builder to hire people in this town. We need some
sort of building, factory, community job, or something.

It would bring peOple more together, and they could get
these recreations which the younger peOple lack, and it
would help the morale of the people, I think.

hr. J: There's nothing else to add.

Writer: Are there any other comments about our community? How do
the Slovaks and Swedes get along in our community?

hr. H: Well, I would say they get along much better than most
communities.

hr. N: I think they do, too.

'writer: Do you fellas have friends who are Slovaks?
Mr. H: Oh, yes. Some of my best friends are Slovak.
Mr. N: Kine, too.

Mr. J: I am part Slovak.

You are both, aren't you--a little Swedish and Slovak, J.
Well, let's raise another question. Do any of you Speak
Swedish? ‘

Writer

Mr. B: I'm afraid I can't.

Mr. H: I can understand it, but I wouldn't even attempt to sneak
t.

H.

Are both of your parents Swedish?

Writer

hr. N: ho, my mother is German and father's Swedish.

 

8. Similar sentiments were expressed by Slovak subjects of the third
generation.

Writer

Mr. B:

Writer

Writer
hr. h:
Mr. B:

Writer

Mr. B:

Writer

hr. B:

2h7

hy father is German and mother's Swedish.

my father is Swedish and mother's Slovak.

The family tree as far as’I know is Swedish as far as
they go .

Do you speak Swedish?

I understand it a little, but it's pretty
I wouldn't even attempt speaking it.
Do you fellas ever speak Swedish at home?

ho, it‘s not even Spoken at our house.
no, I wouldn't even attempt it.
No, I don't.

Can any of you read Swedish?
no, I can't even Speak it.

It's more difficult than to Speak it. (ell laughed.)

Do any of you have Slovak neighbors? (Raise of hand
indicated all but one had Slovak neighbors.) What kind of
neighbors are they?

Oh, I think they're swell.
cerned, he's tOps with me.

As far as my neighbor is con-
I think he‘s a pretty nice guy.

Mine are swell, too. (Others nodded agreement.)
Do you have Slovaks who are your friends?

I do.

I do, too.

So have I.
Yes, I do.

All of you do. Do your Swedish friends have friends among

Slovaks?

I think so. All of us do.

'-

Wri

(+-
(I;

r: Would you go to a Slovak home for dinner if you were
invited? (all nodded affirmatively.)

Mr. B: Gladly. I think I would. I have .

hr. h: I have o' nd r=ally enjoyed it. I sure would.

(L
(T)
:3
m

hr. h: I have.

Writer: Do vou feel your parents are as strict as your grand-
parents were in rearing children?

Mr. H: Personally, I believe my parents are quite lenient.

Mr. B: I think mine are more lenient than my grandparents were
as far as the stories my mother and dad tell me of some
of the days when they were young.

Writer: J, do you think your parents--

fir. J: That‘s what mom says. She says I'm treated too eaSy.

Writer: Your mother says you're treated too easy. M?

Mr. N: I think mine are too lenient sometimes.

writer: Too lenient. Would you say from your own point of view
that your parents tend to be more lenient, more free with
you than their parents were?

-» - -. - 9 . 1“ 0

ur. d: I think so. (Others nooued in agreement.)

Swedish subjects of the third generation reported that Slovaks and

rm

Swedes "get along fine" and "COOperate more than ever before". iney re-
garded their Slovak neighbors as l"'nice", "swell", and "tops". Each of
the youngest generation who participated in the tape-recorded interview
said he not only would have but already had dinner with Slovaks.

One particular difference between the Slovak and Swedish subjects

of the third generation should be noted. Swedes seemed to indicate that

 

9. Slovak subjects of the third generation also reported these sentiments
regarding Swedish parents.

2L9

i;lisey had more intimate friends among Slovaks than Slovaks had among

C>tveedes. It should be remembered, howe er, that the Swedish group was

C:<>rnprised entirely of males, and only one male was included in the

533.civak group. The Slovak male also had close friends among Swedes.

533.0vak females seemed to pick their friends almost exclusively from
illieir own ethnic group.

Although the use of foreign languages had decreased considerably
3111 both ethnic groups, the Swedish language played an even less prominent
Inele among Swedes than the Slovak language among Slovak .

Both the

Esecond and third generations of Swedes reported that intermarriage was

Cine of the important easons why the Swedish language was given a less

Iorominent role among Swedes.

Swedish subjects of the third generation also reported that their
Ebarents were inclined to be "too lenient" and "too easy" with them.

Data obtained from Slovak and Swedish subjects of the third generae
‘tion clearly indicated that primary contacts were more common among
‘third generation groups than among either the first or second generations.
iIn terms of assimilation the youngest generations indicated the greatest
<departure from the cultural patterns of Slovakia and Sweden.

Factors which influenced the assimilative process between the two
divergent ethnic groups Were studied further through the use of inter-
‘views with individual subjects from each group and a questionnaire which

was described earlier on pages 56-57.

Individual Interview and Questionnaire Data Relating to
Assimilation Between Slovaks and Swedes

In addition to data obtained through the use of tape—recorded inter-
Vri.ews with Slovak and Swedish groups, data were also gathered via
jgridividual interviews and questionnaire. In the discussion which follows
E3I1 attempt will be made to show the degree of correSpondence between the
j_r1teractive and non-interactive image held by Slovaks and Swedes.

In‘Table XXIX are found reSponses given by Slovak and Swedish
(lliildren to an item of the questionnaire regarding the quality of rela-
tflionships between Slovaks and Swedes. The results seem to indicate that
E1 greater portion of Swedish than Slovak children regarded interethnic
Imelations as satisfactory. The difference between their reSponses,
liowever, was not significant. It is important to note that an overwhelm-
:ing majority of both groups regarded Slovak—Swedish relations as positive
I‘ather than negative.

Two Slovak-Swedish subjects answered this item "very well". Four
C2hildren of Slovak—other descent reSponded "fairly well". Among nine
ESwedish-other children, eight responded "fairly well", and one replied
"not so well". Three subjects of "other nationality" reSponded "very
tqell", eight "fairly well", and one "not so well".

Individual interviews were held with Slovak and Swedish subjects
<3f the first and second generations. The most typical comments made by
Inembers of both ethnic groups were: "They get along pretty nice";
"They get along very well"; "Okay"; "Fine". Older generations seemed to

lindicate that Slovak-Swedish relations were even more satisfactory than

251

Tl .BLE XXIX
assrowsss 03 SLOVAK ALB swsslss celLusz (GnLDlS 7-12)
fiuGRnDING INThthLLlG hsLLTIOLS

 

 

How do you think Slovaks and Swedes get along together in Grassflat?

 

(Very well) flFairly well) (not so well) (not at all)
---------------- heSponses---—-----—-----
Very Fairly‘ hot so hot at
Subjects Well 'Well Well Al-
53 Slovak Children h5% h7% be 25
10 males (Gr. Y-c) to no 20 0
10 females (er. 7-t) 50 50 0 0
13 males (Gr. 9-10) 38 5h 0 7
6 females (er. 9-10) e7 33 0 o
t males (Gr. ll-l2) SO ‘37 12 O
6 females (er. 11-12) 33 67 0 0
17 Swedish Children 35% 65% 0% oz
2 males (Gr. 7-t) 50 50 0 0
6 females (Gr. 7-6) 50 50 o 0
b males (er, 9-10) 0 100 0 0
3 females (Gr. 10-11) 67 33 0 0
2 males (Gr. 11-12) 0 100 0 0

 

reported by subjects of the thirc generation. There was a concensus of
Opinion that Slovaks and Swedes "get along fine in every way except
religion. They have theirs and we have ours".

In brief, both questionnaire and interview data seem to indicate
that relations between the two ethnic groups were positive rather than
negative, satisfactory rather than unsatisfactory.

Responses of both Slovak and Swedish children to this question were
analyzed in terms of the ethnicity of their next door neighbors. These

data seem to indicate that there was very slight difference in the

252

reSponses of Slovak Children with and those without Swedish neighbors.
A similar comparison between Swedish children could not be made. Only
one Swedish subject did not have Slovak neighbors. These data tend to
indicate the extent to which residential segr gation had decreased in
the community. hore will be said about this point later.

In order to study further the intra- and interethnic image of
Slovaks and Swedes, other questionnaire items were used. To ascertain
that certain items on page one of the questionnaire measure what they
were proposed to measure, twelve judges were asked to check them for
validity regarding assimilation between the two ethnic groups. Each of
the judges selected by the writer held a doctoral degree in one of the
social science fields. Each judge checked those items which measure
assimilation without consulting with other judges. Seven of the twenty-
one items which appeared on page one of the questionnaire were checked
by all judges.10 One of these items which pertains to dating will be
discussed in Chapter VIl. ReSponses of Slovak and Swedish parents and
children to three items (numbers 1, 7 and 17) are presented in Table
XXX an‘ data.regarding three other items (numbers 2, 13 and 13) are
found in Table XXXYI. A discussion of each of the items mentioned in
Table XXX follows.

Questionnaire subjects were asked whether Slovaks and Swedes filake

good neighbors". It is important to note that in terms of neighbor

 

10. See items 1, 2, h, 7, 13, 15, 17 on page 1 of questionnaire in
Appendix,jpage

TLJLL XXX

Ianh- th Ihfbn-Efnth lhhub 0s SLQVLKS Ahb SNhUhS L3 IhDICthD SI
SLOVLK and SflnDloH ChlLUhhh bhnOLLED IN Snipes 7-12
hhh thld PAnLhTS

 

 

 

 

hastense Slovak Swedish
Given 31H 22F 33? in £3 th
Slovaks
hake good les 7h% 90% t2p 100k 76% 71%
neighbors he 3 S a O 11 7
Y-H 23 S 12 O 11 21
Swedes
were good res 5) 5h 82 10b L9 79
neighbors ho 3 lh s O O 7
X-h L2 32 12 O 11 1h
Slovaks
Are very friendly les L7 100 L2 75 56 71
to most peOple ho o O 3 O 0 1h
I-h 6 O 15 25 bu 1h
8W8 de 8
Are very friendly Yes as at 7’ t7 t9 as
to most people ho 10 h 0 O O U
Y-N 22 32 2h 12 11 1t
Slovaks
Give children free- Yes 61 73 SI 62 hh 21
dom to pick their Lo 13 O 16 25 22 6h
own friends Y-w 26 27 30 12 33 1h
Swedes
dive Children free- Yes 77 68 7o lOO E9 79
dom to piCk their Lo 10 O O O O O
own friends Y-h 13 32 2' O 11 21

 

desirability all three groups of Swedish subjects regarded Slovaks al-
most equal to members of their own ethnic group. Slovak parents

indicated a similar reSponse regarding Swedish neighbors, but a mucn

 

 

 

 

25h

greater number of Slovak children rated Slovaks above Swedes as peOple
who "make good nei~luor‘" Levertheless, more than ne half of Slovak
ta obtained

children indicated that Swedes make good hei ht; D

Co

through the use of tape-recorded interviews with subjects representing
three generations of Slovaks and Swedes, which were presented earlier,
also tended to support the fact that both Slovaks and Swedes re ga arded

each other as good neighbors.

The extent to which Slovaks and Swedes had changed their residential
patterns within the community during the past decades was indicated by
data obtained from S3 Slovak and 17 Swedish children. among Slovak
children, hla had only Slovak nei Qbors, 11$ Swedish neighbors, hSt both
Slovak and Swedish neighbors, and 2,6 had eig hbors of "other nationali-
ties". On the other hand, all Swedish children, except one, had both
Slovak and Swedish neighbors.

Slovak and Swedish children were also questioned regarding home
ownership. From the Slovak sample, 90% came from families who owned
their homes, be from rented homes, and 2% from homes on which parents
made payments toward ownership. All Swedish children came from owned
homes.

Figure I indicates the degree to which the residential pattern of
Slovaks and Swedes had changed during the past decades, particularly in
terms of the descriptions of former residential patterns given.by subject
of the first generation. At the time of this study only a very limited
number of Swedish residents, particularly those who lived in West Clymer,

did not have Slovak neighbors. A few of these were among the earliest

Swedish settlers who continued to maintain their original homesteads.

the same was true of Slovak suojects of the first generation who resided

01
Q

in Dobrytown and Pleasant hill. homes of Slovak and we ish subjects of
the second and third generations were found in all sections of the com-
munity. hven those Swedish areas which were formerly most impenetrable,
sections of Upper Grassflat and West Clymer in which Swedish mine foreman
resided, were infiltrated by Slovak families. In brief, the actual
pattern of Slovak and Swedish residence at the time of this study deviated
greatly from the old pattern in which the creek seoarated the two ethnic
groups.

Questionnaire subjects were asked whether Slovaks and Swedes were
"Very friendly to most peOple", and whether they "Give their children a
lot of freedom to pick their own friends". An overwhelming majority of
Slovak parents and children regarded "very friendly to most peOple" as
more characteristic of Slovaks than Swedes. Swedish parents and children
regarded this description as more characteristic of Swedes than Slovaks.
It is important to note, however, that a.majority of each group con-
sidered the other as “very friendly to most peOple".

In answer to the second question, more than three-fourths of Slovak
parents and male children and more than two-thirds of Slovak female
children reSponded that "Swedes give their children freedom to pick
their own friends". A large majority of each Swedish groups agreed with
this statement. The majority of only one Swedish group, Swedish male
children, reSponded that "Slovaks give their children freedom to pick
their own friends". A much larger number of Swedes than Slovaks replied

that this characteristic was true of their own reapective group.

TLfiLE XXXI

PLHeHTAl.AlTITUuLS OF SLOV he Aha SNADLS hLGLLDING
j ' .'.(IWI;I

IE1 Laramie FhlzhdSHlP or ChILUhnh

 

Do your parents approve of your being friendly with Swedish (or Slovak)
peOple of your are?

u)

 

 

Slovak Children SWGdish Children
3l hales 22 Females E males 9 Females
All the time 52% out 62.5% 57;
Often 13 h.5 25 22
Sometimes 32 23 0 ll
Seldom 0 h.§ O 0
never 3 h.5 12.5 o

 

Slovak children were asked, "Do your parents approve of your being
friendly with Swedish peOple of your own age?" Swedish children were
questioned similarly regarding Slovaks. Responses to these questions,
which are presented in Table XXXI seem to indicate some difference in
parental approval among Slovaks and Swedes. As reported by their children,
a largeznajority of both Slovak and Swedish parents, particularly the
latter, approved of interethnic friendships for their children. Only 3%
of the parents of Slovak male children and 9% of the parents of Slovak
female children "seldom" or "never" approved of interethnic friends.

Only parents of Swedish male children, 12.5% of them, "never" approved
of such friendships for their children.
Data.regarding intra— and interethnic friendship patterns of children

of various ethnic groups enrolled in Grades 7 through 12 are presented

care-:1:

‘.

. 3'.)
-i-¢

.

.4
r n.
fl

 

ll
in Table XXXlI and Table XXXIII.

Data presented in Table XXXII indicate both the intra- and inter—
sexual friendship patterns among children of various ethnic groups who
were enrolled in Grades 7 and E. First of all, it is important to note
that the Slovak pOpulation was greater than the combined total of all
other ethnic groups. This factor no doubt had a direct effect on the
frequency of friendship selection, particularly those from smaller groups.

In view of this fact, an analysis of data regarding interethnic-
intrasexnal choices in Grades 7 and 8 seems to indicate the following
major conclusions:

1. There was a favorable degree of interethnic friendship selection
between Slovaks and Swedes. The average number of Slovak-
Swedish choices by males and females of both Slovak and Swedish
descent was about three, interpreting "5%" in Table XXXII as
five friends. Swedish females were probably least discrimina-
tory in their choices of friends.

2. Children of Slovak—Swedish, Slovak-Other, and Swedish-Other
descents indicated strong acceptance of each of the three major

ethnic groups, having five or more friends in each of them.

3. Remaining subjects, except one male of "Other nationality", had
the fewest number of Slovak and Swedish friends.

h. A considerably higher frequency of friendship selection from
"Other nationality" groups were made by females than males among
both Slovaks and Swedes.

 

11. The writer desired that Slovak and Swedish children be asked to write
their sex and nationality on the top line of a sheet of paper and
below to write in the names of their first, second, and third choices
of "best friends" in each sex. Time did not permit the writer to
gather these data- The lack of these data did not make it possible
to study the intra- and interethnic friendship patterns as effectively
as could have been done through the use of sociometric designs.

 

 

.ehoe Lo m>Hm *
.XQm epHmOQQO map Ho mUQmem xm>0Hm mace no m>Hm be: ego bum «Nmm 230
hHmzp mo memoHpm zmemsm whoa ho m>Hm be; va mmHmEmM :memsm HH<

H I I H H I I H .dmo mmHmsmm
H I I H H I I I use ease N
I I I I I I I H .%6 93:
H I I I I I I I use Lasso H
H I I I H I I I .ddo mHmEom
H I I I H I I I CH3o .epoIzm H
I H I I I I I I .eeo mHmz
H I I I I I H I :20 epoIzm H
I H I H H I I H .Qdo mmHmEmm
N I I I N I I I N ego .eaoIOHm N
I I I H H I I I H .mdo mHmEmm
H I I I H I I I H ego zmIOHm H
N I N H H H N H H H m N H .aeo mmHmEme
m I I H I I e I I I I I e I I I I I ago emHemsm a
I H H I I I I I H H I I I I N I I I .sao mmHme
H l I H I I H I H I I I m I I I I I Q30 CrmHUmEm N
a I N H H N a I N I I I a I m H H H .eeo mmHeEam
a I H I H H OH I I I I I s H N I I I :20 ee>OHm OH
m I H I N N a I H N H I a H I N N H .eao mmHma
o I I J I I w H I I H I p H m I I I HEo xm>0Hm OH
an a m N H 0 am a m N H 0 mm a m N H o xmm

meemHha =.H.pme tease meemHte am>0Hm meemHhm eMHemzm

 

 

HmaH we 32H a muaeee 2H aaHHoezm
:usaHHmo Heqammeee Hm mazaHee mo nZOHequam oneamquzH aze loeeaeeBZH to amaze;

HHxxfi QHQHB

 

5";

t4-

  
 
 

. mcHOE cHO

asHe *

 

.xmm opHmOQQO age mo monHhm xm>0Hm egos no o>Hm be: odo bum hxmm :20

 

hHmzP mo moCoHpm :mHomsm oboe mo m>Hm om; va mmHmEmw :mHoesm HHH .mm mHQma
H I I I I H H I I I I H I I H I I H .ddo mmHmsmm
H I I I I H H I H I I I H I I H I I eso emeao N
I I I I H I I I I I I H I I I I I H .eeo aHmw
H I I I I I I I H I I I I H I I I I Ceo hmeao H
H I I I I I H I I I I I H I I I I I .ddo mHmEom
H I I I I I H I I I I I H I I I I I e3o .epoIzm H
I H I I I I I I I H I I I I H I I I .oeo mHme
H I I I I I I I I I H I H I I I I I go epoIsm H
I H I I I H H I I I I H I H I I I H .ddo monEmm
N I I I I I N I I I I I N I I I I I go .eaoIOHm N
I I I I I H H I I I I I H I I I I I .mdo mHmEmm
H I I I I I H I I I I I H I I I I I go zmIOHm H
N I I N H H H N I H H H m I N H I I .eoo mmHmeme
m I I H I I o I I I I I o I I I I I ago emHemzm o
I H H I I I I I H H I I I I N I I I .aeo mmHmm
H I I H I I H I H I I I N I I I I I go emHemzm N
a I N H H N a I N I I I a I m H H H .eeo mmeEme
a I H I H H oH I I I I I a H N I I I eso em>OHm oH
m I H I N N a I H N H I a H I N N H .aeo mmHmz
o I I H I I o H I I H I o H m I I I ego xm>0Hm oH
em a m N H o am a m N H o «m a m N H o xmm
meeaHha =.H_ama taepo meemHee em>OHm meemHte emaewzm

 

 

HmaH as oze H muoaee zH oeHHoeza
:ueoHHeo eeqenmdeo Hm mozaHee mo noneoaHum oneamaQBZH oze oneeaeeHZH to amaze;

HHNNK flHnHa

39

.opoE no m>Hm

«.1

'l

 

2

.xom mpHmOQQO esp Ho mocmHhm xm>0Hm egos ho e>Hm om:
moHNe xm>0Hm meoIhpcmSp map mo coopMHm .xmm :30 hngp mo moslom
emHomsm who: no o>Hm pm; mone xm>0Hm onoIapcesp egg mo :moprm «momma mHomB

 

m I I I I I m I I I I I m I I I I I .mdo monEmm
m I I I I I m I I I I I m I I. I I I as also m
m I I I I H m I I I I H m I I I I H .emo mmHme
m H I I I I m I I H I I a I I I I I ego wagoo a
m I H H I I m H H I I I o H I I I I .eeo mmHm:
me I H I I I A H H I I I N. I I I I I ErHO .JPOIEm m
N I I I I I N I I I I I H I H I I I .oeo mmHmEme
N I I I I I N I I I I I H H I I I I So .epoIOHm N
H I I I I I H I I I I I H I I I I I .aoo mHma
H I I I I I H I I I I I H I I I I I CEo .zmIOHm H
H N I I I I N H I I I I m I I I I I .omo mmHmemt
H I I I I I N H I I I I H I I I I I so teem m
m I H I I N a H I I I H m I I H I I .aco mmee
a H I I H I c I I I I I o I I I I I ego emHemzm o
H H H N H I m m I _ I I I s N H N I I .oeo mmngme
a m o H o o NH I I I I I oH N I I I I go xa>0Hm NH
oH N H m H H mH o N N H H oH N N m N N .oao mmHmz
4H H H m N o oN H I I I I OH o a I H I Cso xm>0Hm HN

an a m N H o It a m N H o am H m N H o xmm

mecaHte =.H_pme tango: meeaHte em>OHm mammHta emaemzm

 

 

HmaH hHoomom moH: 3H QMHHoezu
aqesHHeo HthmmIeo Hn moHHHem ao mHoHeomHmm 0HzeeuenezH nee oHemHmHeHaH mo enmeoe

HHHNHN mqmqa

260
An analysis of data.regarding interethnic—intersexual friendship
choices seems to indicate the following major conclusions:

intra- than intersexual friendship

l. h much higher frequ of
Slovaks and Swedes.

e CYO
choices occurred between

2. Slovak females had more friends of the Opposite sex among Swedes
than did Slovak males. The same was true about Swedish sub-
jects in terms of their choices of Slovaks.

3. each of the Slovak and Swedish.male ard female groups had an
average of aIJp roxirnately three interethnic- intersexual frien:?s,
interpreting "5%" as five friends.

h. hildren of Slovak-Swedish, Slovak-Other, and Swedish—Other
descents indicated both a frequent intra— and intersexual friend-
ship selection among Slovaks and Swedes.

S. hemaining subjects indicated the lowest frequency of friendship
choices among Slova lc and Sqedish childre

In brief, the degree of both intra- and intersexual selectinn of
friends between Slovaks and SI des may be considered a favorable aspect
of the assimilative process between the two mayor ethnic groups. This
seems to be eSpecially true in terms of their interethnic—intrasexnal
choices of friends.

a somewhat different pattern of friendship selection was reported
by children enrolled in high school. Data r3~€rdinI their choiCc s of

interethnic-intrasexnal friends seem to indies a tLI

I’D

following major
conclusions:

1. The aver age number of interetllnic friends inoicated bIr Slovak
male and female and Swedish male groups was about equal,
interpreting "‘ as five friends. Each of the Swedish females
had five or more Slovak friends. -

2. Five females of "Other nationality" and the male of Slovak-
Swedish descent indicated the highest frequency of friendship
selection from all threeIrajor ethnic groups.

ligands}

o’
oq'r f‘
u

«4‘—

 

 

2.51

3. “ShalnlI subjects indicated they ha d at least three or more
friends from each of the three etinic groups.

hn analvsis of data re arding interethnic-intersexual friendship

choices among hirgh school stuc3 nts seen.s to inclic ate the following najor
conclusions:
1. n rreater portion of Slovak females than males had friends of

the Opposite sex anon: Swe We The same was true of Swedes
regarding their selection of Slovaks, but to a. less er

p

'§€3I‘GB.

{\3
o

rppr oxinately 67% of Slova}: males (1h) and L35 of Slovak
i3males (l0) reported they lad three or nore Swedish friends
of the Opposite sex. improxinate ly C3; of Swedish males (5)
and each of the three Swedish females reported they 1

ad; four
or more Slovak frien3s of the Opposite sex. Slovak mr
Swedish children chos3 each other more frequently than sub—

jec ts of "Cther na tionalitj".
3. n very'high friend hip pattern I-zith each of the three ethnic.
groups was reported by children of remaining ethnic cate-
gories. except one male of "Other nationality" who reported
no friends.
In brief, data seem to indicate a high frequency of int3rethnic
r encshio ch oices between Slovaks and Swedes both in Grades 7 and a and
in high school. A comparative study of interethnic fr ien ndsl hip choices
of Slovak and Swed U31 children in Grades 7 and 8 and those in high school
seem to indicate that wit:1 increw' 0e in grade level there was a tendency
toward a areater numcer of interethnic friendship Selections. Slovak
and Swedish children at both educational levels seemed to ac ca I)t children
of "Other nationality" as their friends with about equal frequ encv.
A study was also ma 1a of relations hi1:s oetween Slovak and Swecwa
adults in terms of organizations of which residents of both ethnic groups

were members. Organizations which admitted memeers recardless of their
., b

religion or nationality seemed to have pla ed a major role in binding

‘ r~1 ‘ ..'-‘, x- ‘ _“7 ‘,.~ 1,'.;-- . fl Rf I",,. '5. ..‘i '.-
SlOVak and Swedish .iults to ether. ht deuce oi tnis iaot lS found in
‘FJ‘P " ‘ “4"", " ~‘ '. X -' ""'- I. rv ~ f| 3r. /~ "7-3"?
data presentec in laple XAAiV and ladle AAAJ.

. 1. ,'~ 0 L~ ~ ”‘i- v w-‘ "I u " v. , o "

is sho~n 1n Taale KAXiv, SlOVek and SwedLSh Ieneersni s in t e

Lo al Order of hoose ”9L1 ,rew treyendouslg since the date of origin.

T t

1his organization prooaelg‘exwrtee one of the greatest influences in

‘. _ ' 5 ' _‘ ,-'..1 l.“ ‘ ' 1 '«I‘ ~ 4- .f\~L In W" 4‘\ _L
orin5in5 SlOV a< arm Swedisn adults together. One Sneuish resid;nt re-

|r
O
a
CT
(L
>—
O.

The Moose is a place where Slovaks and Swedes go to have fun
nd irink an danc ,‘Specially on )in5o r15 8 (fieureshay and
l“ hem: ers jet sick I;enI-f' s d ath oenefits
's) famil,- wien
a

(D

;t
)8 it a1
8 care of tie broth er' s (m u
r

1d
ir m it. It take hi r
they need lb. It s the sin plIce Slova :ks a: Id Sw ies 90 to-
gether. When visitors cone to tomn from tiIe cit', h wt' where
they 81‘8 taken. The officers are pretty even aoout wt; same
hunter oi Slovai:s ant M edes, with some outsi ‘ers.‘ The meetings
of the Grassflat Sportsman's C no and the homen's moose and
Ladies hnxiliary'Fire CI'Jmpa-nIr are held at the hoose ouilding.

It is importer t to note that many elderly Slovak and Swedish resi-
dents of the first generation belonged to the hoose organization. Cne
Slovak resident reported:

v

hen often go to thelxoose on their wa' e
office. Th Iey stop there after work to have a law (drinks).

{1‘

It 1:38 the oi5restc ance crowds in town. ihe bar is filled

with Slovalts ard Swedes every Saturday and eSpecially Sunday

ni5ht WhE n dances are.

The 80 y Scouts TrOOp #53, of which the writer was one of the oriqinal
members, was quite important in bringing teenage Slovaks and Swedes to-

gether. "The scouts' cluo," said one SflGLiSh resident, "brought Slovak
and Swedish kids together more than anything in this here town". It was
organized durin5 a period when boys had no organized group so
For leadership during its origin the trOOp cepe nded upon the high school

principal, a Swede. Later, leadership was given by adult members from

both ethnic 5roups.

‘rrh ‘17 '. 5'1““ = ' 3'1""
Or 1311' l-na'idpnoiilf

TibLfi XXXIV

I ~" r- ,' 'lg Tr': "l*.'\“‘f 'I "T I!” j r L‘ f'k‘l ,‘ r1
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nemoership
Organization and “ate
Ori 1530 19LO 1950 1952

Date 01 Origin

 

Loyal Order of noose EQLl
1923

Swedish:

Slovak:

Other LatiOI’iE-li'by:

Boy Scouts TFOOp #53
1932
Swedish:
Slovak:
‘ther nationality:

Grassflat Sportsman's Club
l93b

Swedish:

Slovak:

Other hat‘onality:

Women of the Moose 551
l9hl Swedi*

Ladies Auxiliary Fire Co.
19h?

"wediSh :
Slova‘

16

Other Nationality:

Teenage Baseball Team
1951

Other Nationality:

13
10

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2 9
2 8

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12
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1 Open membership organizations were
regardless of their nationality or
2.nemoership of Loyal Order of Moose

non-local residents.
ships only.

those which admitted members
religion.
#9hl included both local and

Other organizations contained local member-

TinLi XXXlV

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i-ieg-lfoershjp:2
Organization and Date 0;
Date of Origin Origin 1930 19LO 1950 1952
Loyal Order oflxoose fi9hl
1923
Swedish: 32 15 33 1L1 lnl
Slovak: 37 17 29 15; 1:2
Other nationality: 5h e 2 155 107
ulO
Soy Scouts TrOOp #53
1932
Swedish: l3 10 1h lb
Slovak: 10 10 16 lb
Other nationality: 2 it ‘11 __J._1.
32
Grassflat Sportsman's Club
193M
Swedis h : he) 20 3 3
Slovak: 9 21 3O 30
Other hationality: 6 31 28 2E
O1
Women.of the Moose #51
1913.1 SVIOdiS‘ILR 1L" 17 21
Slovak: 12 DO 38
Other Nationality: 1o 33.; 32
31'
Ladies Auxiliary Fire Co.
19h?
ox-ze'ish: 29 2b 25
Slovak: 28 2O 21
Other Nationality: 25 19 19
Teenage Baseball Team _
1951
Swedish: 11 15
Slovak: 18 21
Other Nationality: 2 _3
39

1 Open membership organizations were those which admitted members
regardless of their nationality or religion.

2 hembership of Loyal Order of Moose #9hl included both local and
Other organizations contained local member—

non-local residents,

ships only.

 

 

2 (L11

019191le5 01" 0:11.“: lull-nil-JhSiilP UhGLl'th'l‘IbilS ll.T Lil-1184319111111

 

Officers

 

 

Name of Organization Slovak Sweoish Other2 Executive
Loyal Order of Noose

fi9hl 2 2 h Swedish
Boy Scouts TrOOp #53 2 2 1 Other3
Grassflat Sportsman's

Club 2 1 1 Slovak
Women of the hoose

#51 1 2 2 Slovak
L adi e s Luxi 1i ary

Fire Company 2 1 3 Slovak
Teenage Baseball Team 0 O 1 Other4

 

1 Data obtained from executive officers of organizations.
2 "Other" refers to nationality neither Slovak nor Swedish.

7
‘

3 Local postmaster who was of English-Swedish descent was

scoutmaster.

4 Baseball manager was of French-German descent.

In a letter to the writer, the scoutmaster who was also postmaster,

wrote that a Slovak boy

. has reached the rank of Star Scout which is the highest

rank of any boy scout in Grassflat so far. By the end of summer,
I expect there will be a few more Star Scouts, and I hepe a
Then they can go on to work for their

couple of Life Scouts.
Eagle Scout ranks.

According to members, TrOOp #53 was "an active one". It met regularly

once a week. Scouts often took overnight trips. Hills, streams, and

forests surrounding Grassflat furnished an ideal environment for a variety

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of outdoor activities. In an interview with the scoutmaster it was
Is arned that :
Slovak and Swedish members get along fine. In fact, quite a few

of them are the best of friends. The trOOp is a.cooperative one,
one of the best we've had in Grassflat.

At the time of this study the Grassflat Sjortsman's Club was one
of the least active men's organizations. The president reported:

The members worked more actively as a unit in the past. They

really worked hard for the best interests of conservation of

forest and waters, game and fish. Members don't seem to show

the interest they did before. Our only attempt to hold a meet-

ing this year (1952) was a failure because we didn't have enough

attendance to hold one.

In the past, members of the organization, consisting mainly of Slovak
and Swedish hunters and fishermen, shared a number of common experiences.
They built a stone hunting and fishing camp, organized hunting and fish-
ing parties, stocked streams, and engaged actively in fund-raising for
preservation of game. One member said, "Lots of hunters and fisherman
used to attend1neetings When big Speakers on hunting and fishing were
called in. They don't seen to do this nowadays".

Women of the hoose #51 was an active organization of local women
whose husbands, in most cases, were members of the Loyal Order of hoose.
In a letter to the writer the recorder of the organization wrote:

The purpose of our organization is to help support Mooseheart

Orphans. ‘We pay sick benefits of h3.00 a week for five weeks

to members and $50.00 to the family as death benefit. Yearly

dues are e7.00.

According to members, thextain function of the organization was social.

Thev were permitted to participate in activities Sponsored by the Loyal

Order of Moose. hembers met at the Moose building every second.honday

266

evening of the month, at which time social entertainment, generally
bingo, followed their business meeting.

Originally, membership was largely Swedish, but Slovak memberships
grew rapidly after a few pOpular Slovak women joined the organization.
Probably the Women of the Moose #51 did more than any other single
organization in the community to bi d Slovak and Swedish women together.

another active local women's organization was the Ladies Auxiliary
Fire Company. "The purpose of this organization," according to the
recording secretary, "is to help the Grassflat Volunteer Fire Company".
hemoers met once a.month for business meetings. They helped Sponsor
bingo parties on Saturday nights and occasionally served dinners to help
maintain a local fire department.

The following is an excerpt from a letter to the writer from the
recording secretary:

'We're about half Slovak and half Swedish. 'We like both kinds

to get into office. We've done a lot, but we could do more if

members showed up for meetings. Sometimes only a few work, but

there are many who complain. We have ahOO in the treasury.

We bought a stove, dishes, paid for the bingo hall floor in the
Fire hall building, and we serve soup to children at school

Ffl ‘\ 1
I

cheap. We gave to Cancer, 1. o., hed Cross, and Polio Drive.

We're trying to get a gas stove so we can serve dinners better.

Our membership dues is five cents a week. Members get a little

sick benefit and th funeral flowers".

In a.more recent letter to the writer, the president wrote that the
organization was "Getting a new fire truck from Philipsourg".

It is important to note that binaos Sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary
Fire Company on Saturday evenings were also.major social activities in

the community. They attracted many enthusiastic Slovak and Swedish bingo

players from virtually all age levels.

 

2a?

The Teenage Baseball Team was the most recently established organi-
zation in the community. Ages of players ranged from nine to fifteen.
Games were played with teenage teams from five nearby communities. This
young group had done much to revive community interest in baseball.
"Donation jars" on bars of local taverns and occasional "bingo cards" at
the Fire Hall and Slovak hall bingo parties were its main financial
sources. Lccording to the manager of the team;

The town peeple support the team pretty well. Some people use

their cars to tranSport the team for away games. 'We wish more

would donate and use their cars to take our boys to out-of-

town games.

Some Slovak and Swedish esidents, eSpecially the well—known base-
ball players of the past, regarded the Teenage Baseball Team as the
beginning of another town team such as it had fifteen years ago which
also consisted of players from both ethnic groups. Although this organi-
zation played an important role in uniting Slovak and Swedish teenagers,
its potentialities in promoting even greater Slovak-Swedish unity by
creating more wideSpread community interest in baseball seemed very
favorable. This is important to note because there was no community
recreational team on which members of both ethnic groups were represented
for almost a.decade.

In addition to the Moose, there were also two other local taverns,
namely, Johnny's Tavern and Jednota Club. The former was independently
owned and Operated by a.Slovak. One Swedish resident described it thus:

It's the only tavern in town which serves everyone. You don't

have to be a member here like in the Moose or Jednota Club. It's

pretty much a men‘s bar. hot many women go in there. Quite a
few Slovaks and Swedes drink there and throw darts.

The Jednota Club, which was discussed earlier, was also a pepular meet—
ing place for both Slovak and Swedish members and their families,
particularly before and after bingo parties and movies.

The role of local taverns in the assimilative process between
Slovaks and Swedes was a very important one. Drinhing was a pOpular
pastime in which most Slovaks and Swedes engaged. Only a limited number
of Slovaks and Swedes who were members of one tavern-type club were not
also members of the other. One Swedish informant explained it thus:

host of the peOple in town who drink go from one place to the

other. S metimes they go to the hoose then the Slovak Club.

Some are pretty much like roving drinkers. You meet some of

your friends here, some there. When one is closed they go to

the other. Even the bartenders of the three local taverns

patronize each other's place of business. It's the only places

you can go for fun, except movies and bingo. At the clubs you

can play cards, drink, and shoot darts and talk about fishing

and hunting. It's about the only place where you meet men.

In brief, the role of Open membership organizations in the assimi-
lative process between Slovaks and Swedes was a most important one for a
number of reasons. First, both Slovaks and Swedes were relatively equal
in terms of both representation in membership and offices held in them.
Second, the organizations served certain objectives-~civic, protective,
recreational, social, and economic-—in which both Slovaks and Swedes played
an integral part. Third, they served certain interests of not only Slovak
and Swedish adults but their families as well.

In addition, there were other institutions which played important

roles in the assimilative process between Slovaks and Swedes, namely, the

United Mine Workers Union and baby and bridal showers.

Although mine Operations in the immediate vicinity of Grassflat had
ceased, the bnitedifline Workers Union continued to unite Slovaks and
Swedes, eSpecially retired men who met regularly to discuss retirement
pensions and other old age benefits. Such meetings were also important
because they were attended by many elderly Slovak and Swedish residents
and old acquaintances who rarely if ever attended other community func-
tions.

On the adult level, baby and bridal showers were also effective
agencies in binding Slovak and Swedish women together, many of whom were
members of the Women Of the Moose and Women's Auxiliary Fire Company.
Decades ago, showers were exclusively Slovak or Swedish. More currently,
they had become a shared activity. One Swedish female informant described
a. typical bridal shower thus:

Lots of Slovak and Swedish women bring presents or money for the

bride and groom. They come after dark to make it a surprise.

The parents Of the bride buy food and.drinks. Sometimes the

women bring food, too. The women get a big kick out of having

the bride and groom Open their presents. hany times the presents

embarrass them and that adds to the fun. Showers get them lots

of things they need, so all the families benefit from them when

it comes around to the time of their shower. If you go to one

shower you go to most Of them.

The typical Slovak bridal shower which included 50 to 70 Slovak and
Swedish women were generally held at the Slovak Hall which could accommo-
date larger groups. Swedish bridal Showers which were considerably
Smaller in number were held at the home of the bride.

Slovak and Swedish baby Showers, much like the bridal showers, were

attended by smaller groups of women, generally 35 to 50. Slovak baby

Showers were attended by larger groups than Swedish baby showers because

2 70

they included neighborh ood and kinship groups which were more numerous
among Slovaks than Swedes.
In brief, Slovaks and Swedes had made Sreat progress in promoting
better inte rethnic unberStanoinc thrcu:h various activities thew
learned to share tOgether. hore harmonious relations between the two
groups had been achieved on almost all age levels. Commonly share
experiences were probably most lacking between Slovak and Swedish teen-
age females. Among tne reasons pronably three were most important.
relatively small numeer of Swedish females continued to live
in the community after graduation from high school. Second, most Swedi
females were emplOy ed in clerical jobs while Slova}: females were employed
in clothing and cigar industries. Third, most Slovak and Swedish females
did not date men who resided in the same communities. .This meant that
they frequently attended social functions in different comu"unities.
heSponses of Slovak and Swedish children and parents to three other
items of the questionnaire Were analyzed in order to study further the
intrar and interethnic image of the two groups. The items and responses
to them are presented in Table XXXVI. L discussion of each group's image
0
of the other in terms of assimilability follows.

"ire very interested in the education of their children". Each of
the Slovak groups, male and female children and parents, reSponded that
this statement was more Characteristic of Slovals than S edes, but only
the difference between the imaLc s of the two ethnic groups held by

Slovak females was significant. Each of the three Swedish groups, on

the other hand, reSponded that this description was more typical of Swedes

271

than Slovaks. The difference between their imanes of Slovaks and

Swedes was very significant. Data obtained via individual interviews
with Slovaks and Swedes of three generations seemed to indicate a
different image. The conCensus of opinion seemed to be that they were
equally interested in the education of their children. The most typical
comment was that "both of them are pretty strict about sending their
children to school".

According to interviews with both elementary and secondary school

teachers, both Slovak and Swedish parents were interested in the educa—

0

tion of their children, but they added that Swedes seemed to show a

L

greater interest in education on the secondary and college levels than

I
x
v

f!

Slovaks. fhev indicated that prOportionally more Swedes than Slovaks

graduated from high school. This was due particularly to the attitude
row

of Slovak pare ts toward the education 0; females. harriage or employ-

being more

U;

ment rather than education, in many cases, was regarded a
in accordance with Slovak mores. .Comparatively few Slovak males, however,
failed to graduate from hish school. A significantly greater number of
Swedes than Slovaks pursued education bevond the secondary school.

As was emphasized by both Slovak and Swedish residents in tape-
recorded interviews, the public school played a major role in the assimi-
lative process between the two ethnic groups. both Slovak and Swedish
children attended the sane elementary and secondary schools since the
advent of the present century, and few had even gone to the same college
tOgether. In addition to providing common social and recreational

activities and promoting friendship relations among their children,

probably one of the most important outcomes of the public schools, in

  
  
      
      
 
        

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Slovaks

are interested in
the education of
their children

Swe=es

are interested in
the education of
their children

Slovaks
Follow customs of
the old country

SWQCGS
follow customs of
the old country

Slovaks
nre very hmerican
in their ways

‘ ..‘.
Swedes

hre very American
in their ways

 

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les 23 3s 58 50 33 57
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1 Percentages

are used to facilitate comparison between groups.

273

terms of assimilation was the fact tLEQ S1ovahs and Swedes learned a
common language. Tape-recorded data presented earlier indicated the
extent to which the Shelish language ha1 oeen 3iven a prominent role

amend all three generations of Slovaks and Swuees.

rVr 7'

Data presented in fable Ardxvll incicate the extent to which the use

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of lovalca "1 S. $831811 la11_ ’1‘183‘38 hart declined in the 11'.O"1C3. Especially

noticeable is the decline among Slovaks and Swedes of t1e third genera-

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The extent to which puolic schools can dromote disorganization of

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hnic group had been described oy survess

(1‘
('1

foreign culture lr aLterns of an ‘
and Loche. Althouvh the following quotation had r>ference to disorganizae

tion of a Jewish immi3rant family, it is quite descriptive of conditions

n

amon;; Slovaks and Swedes in Grass :la t:

The children attend the public schools and, through formal training
and informal associations at school, are frequently introduced to

a radically different set of patterns f‘rom those of their pa arents.
Later, the~childre n partici date in the economic liie of the com-
munity and the boy 8 excel t11eir fathers in securing positions of
economic valie or prestige. 1hrough participation in the academic,
economic, and other phases of American life, there occurs a slow
and subtle penetration of American cultural patterns into the
Jewish community. Is a result, old controls break down and the
individual fa1ilv tends to become tauporar1l/ or permanentl, dis—
rupted.12

Questionnaire Subjects Were as to whether Slovaks and Swedes "Follow
customs of the old country (EurOpe)" and "Are very American in their ways".
SloVak male children reSponded that Swedes "follow customs of the old

country" more than Slovaks, out Slovak female Children and parents

 

l2. Ernest‘w. Burgess and harve y J. Lee d<e, The Family. Law York:
American Book Company, l9h5, p 539.

 

T15Ln XXXV1I

bod OE FOREIGN LhNdb;Gn AL1NG SLOVJK ALJ SIJDISH nhSIDSKfSI

 

 

ethnic Group

neSponses Given

 

 

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13 c m o c C 010 Q o Q 0 ,q C
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Parent-parent
Slovak op 17b 30p Zip 19p
Swedish 0 O (3 30 0h
Parent-child
Slovak 2 2 2 30 6h
Swedish 0 O O 0 9h
Inter-sibling
Slovak O O O 17 63
Swedish 0 O O O 100
Inter-teenager
Slovak O O 6 17 77
Swedish 0 O o 0 9h

Tahle reads: nineteen percent of Slovak parents communi-

cated between each other almost or all in
bn3lish while an; of Swedish parents com-
municated between each other almost or all
in English.

1 Data was obtained from Slovak and Swedish students enrolled in

Grades 7-12.

"Foreign language" refers to Slovak or Swedish.

particularly the latter, held the Opposite point of view. There was a
significant difference 7"ei‘1ween the image of Slovaks and Swedes held by
Slovak parents. There was also a significant difference between the
intra- and interethnic images held by Swedish subjects. A significantly
greater number of each of the three Swedish groups indicated that Slovaks
"follow customs of the old country" more than Swedes. Data obtained

from individual interviews with Slovak and Swedish ~sidents of three

’1
\

generations strongly supported the point of View that Slovaks followed
Slovakian cultural patterns to a greater extent than Swedes followed
the cultural patterns of Sweden. Kinship system and adherence to the
native language by residents of the first generation were mentioned most‘
frequently as distinguishing characteristics between Slovaks and Swedes.
It is important to analyze the reSponses of Slovaks and Swedes to
another item measuring the assimilability of the two ethnic groups.
Questionnaire subjects were asked to indicate whether Slovaks and Swedes
were "very American in their ways". Slovak parents and children, particu-
larly the former, indicated that this description was more characteristic
of Slovaks than Swedes. The difference between the images of the two
groups held by Slovak subjects was not as significant as that held by
Swedes. Each of the Swedish groups regarded Swedes as more_typical of
the description "very American in their ways". Less than one fourth
replied that Slovaks were "very American in their ways", but more than
three fourths indicated this description was true of Swedes. Interview
data seemed to indicate that no difference existed between Slovaks and

Swedes of the younger :enerations regarding this question, however,

0

276

Slovaks of the first generation were referred to as "more foreign in
their ways" than Swedes of the same generation.

A number of Slovaks and Swedes of the first generation were Queried
regarding interest in returning to their land of nativity. It is in-
portant to note that not one Slovak or Swede expressed an interest to
return to and live permanently in his native homeland. Few expressed a
desire to visit with relatives and friends. "He've seen here a long thte"
and "we belong here" were quite typical of reSponses given by both Slovak
and Swedes.

Residents of 00th ethnic groups learned to share a number of common
cultural patterns. The coal industry in which they found first employment
in America.played a.major role in the assimilative process between them.
For several decade , the employment in a common industry and membership
in the United Mine Workers Union were important factors in binding them
toaether. One elderly Slovak resident reported:

‘When you see them (Swedes) every day at work, order coal cars

from them, or ride to your place in the mine tosether, you

get to know them, and you have to get along tocether in the

coal mine.

For a long time, the United hine Workers Union was an effective agency
through which both Slovak and Swedish employees learned to settle common
problems toaether. As a result of contacts at work other relations were
develOped. Through these experiences were promoted greater interethnic
understanding and cooperation.

Locording to residents of both ethnic groups, another factor was

mentioned as having played an important role in the assimilative process,

namely, World War II. The honor roll erected in the center of the com-
munity contained the names of both residents and former residents who
were veterans. On the honor roll bl were Slovak, 6} Swedish, 22 Gennan,
5 English, 2 Welsh, 2 Dutch-Swedish, and Swedish-Jnelish, Swedish—German,
German-Welsh, and German-French each had one representative in the armed
forces,

The following comments were typical of both Slov.k and Swedish
attitudes toward this shared experience: "It‘s the biggest thing that
brought them (Slovaks and Swedes) tonether lately". "That made more
friends than anything". "deny came back the best of friends". "Some are
the closest friends now because they were in the same camp or theatre of
action together".

Among those who gave their lives in the service of their country
were six Slovak, one Swedish, one Swedish-German, and one German. Funerals
of three Slovak veterans which were held in the communitg'ware very well
attended by residents of all local ethnic groups.

It is important to note that virtually all Slovak and Swedish veterans
who returned to Grassflat became members of the Veteran's Club and the
American Legion Post at Philipsburg where they frequently Spent Saturday
and Sunday evenings tOgether.

As members of two divergent ethnic groups learn to become co-workers,
neighbors, and friends, they also learn to share their knowledge, technics,
and customs. one elderly Swedish resident reported:

The Slavish and Swedish peeple learnt to get along pretty fine

entertaining themselves tOgether. They used to have their own
fun, Swedes theirs and Slavish theirs, Lfter several years

276

together they started to do more things toeether, like drink

at clues, attend women's get-togethers, esnecially showers

and Slovak weddings, joined the same organizations, and young

peeple go out toqether to movies, out-of-town doings, and

clubs.

One of the first Slovaks to come to Grassflat said:

They (Swedes) didn't know much about dizging coal. We showed

them. They invited us to their dances down at Peale, and

showed us how to dress more American. So they taught us, and

we taught them.

Slovaks and Swedes also learned to appreciate and share each other's
interests and skills related to food patterns, home decoration, gardening,
and carpet-making. Through contacts at showers, club-meetings, and
weddings Slovak and Swedish recipes were exchanged, From their Swedish
neighbors Slovaks learned to take a.more active interest in home beautifi-
cation. From them, Slovaks learned to appreciate and adept modern labor-
saving devices for their homes. For example, one Slovak female said,
"Swedes showed us how a lawn mower can improve the looks around the house
more than an old grass—cutting scythe", mien employment was limited dur-
ing the summer months most Slovaks and Swedes raised gardens, It was
quite a common practice for them to exchange caobage and tomato plants
and to share fruitful harvest freely; They complemented each other's
skill in carpet-making. Technics in this field were exchanged, particu-
larly among the first generation subjects, One Swedish woman informed the
writer that "Swedes often buy their friends and relatives carpets which
were made by Slovaks".

1
Although a number of factors promoted the assimilative process be—

tween Slovaks and Swedes, its main support probably came through their

279

children. They knew comparativelj little of the cultural patterns of
Slovakia and Sweden. They came into closer contact with the general
American culture in school and on the plavjround in their peer groups.

It was from their children who knew less of past prejudices that Slovaks
and Swedes learned both to understand each other better and to rebuild a
community in which peOple were to be judged in terms of their potentiali—

ties for democratic living.

Summary

.
l

The extent to which interethnic assimilation had been promoted ee-
1

tween Slovaks and Swedes in Grassflat probably can be analyzed more

objectively by considering

some criteria of assimilation suggested by
another writer. Davie considered the influence of the following factors
most important in promoting assimilation: public school, factory and
store, common language, "standardization of externals" (ready— and factory—
made products), home ownership and permanency of residence, decreasing
number of incoming immigrants, and intermarriage.13 In terms of these
factors, except perhaps intermarriage, data thus far presented seemed to.
indicate that, from decade to decade, Slovaks and Swedes demonstrated a
tendency toward greater and greater assimilation. In terms of other
factors also-~social and recreational activities, joint services rendered

through the armed forces, and decreasing residential segregation-~Slovaks

and Swedes played active roles in the process by which they became

l3. haurice R. David, World Immigration. heW'Iork: The hacmillan
Company, 1936, pp. bjl-SBS.

 

increasingly similar, COOperative, and lflb’PJCF ndent.
Pertinent data regarding the procwa s of interethnic assimilation
and its deveIOpmental phases were obtainee. from Slovak and Swedish resi-

ents of the first and second generations. From their point of View,

£1;

those factors m; ch were hnportant in pro 1notinv interethnic as Similaticn
in the beginning were work experiences in coal mines, membership in the
United hine Wor1;ers Union, and public schools which they sh: red together.
Through experiences in coal mines they eoth got better acquainted and

learned to work together. is menaers of the United Mine Workers Union

oo th Slovaks and Swede s lea r1 met to solve a number of common problems with
which the;r we re confronted in the coal industry. The public schools were
important in eliminating one of the greatest barriers to interethnic
assimilation, namely, the lack of a common language. As Slovaks and Swedes
learned to adopt a common lanquage, they gradually oexan to abandon the
use of their respective forei . lane ia~cs.

Other factors were also important in the assimilative process.
Residents of both ethnic groups pointed out that certain cultural patterns

’1

of Slovakia and weden were abandoned wit; the passing of Slovaks and

H4

he first generation. It seemed that residents were not aware.

of the fact that they were also changing as the became more receptive

3
to p8.tt£T ms of the general American culture.

"1‘!

ine mobility of any Swan's s to citie shelpedcto promote better

{3

interethnic relations as the numerical size Oi the two groups b608h=8 more

(‘3 I

equal and as Sl wals and Swedes, particularl) the former, were able to

move into sectiOns of the community which were formerly occupied by

 

N
C .
1‘4

reSlLBHiS 01 exclu31vely one or the otuer ethnic groun. Slovak and
emacis 11 {arents oeveloaec hora favorable attitudes toward interethnic

'1‘. .: . 1 3“ o g f r - -L! o - ' o ‘ f' v “ ' p o 0 :1 -0 ~ " 1 —? h
irienishics a on; tneir chiluren. 1L3 ”U.J‘P oi interethnic lrlJnuSleD

Particularlv the 021 est

U 3 : u 3‘ 4 ' .

O

doth schOtl and neie11’ oor conta ts were iwportant in creatinr the new

“A

p u _- ‘F 4 .- ~ 1"_ ‘ ‘~./ " .L. __ (“ n ‘r a .-
reldLiOhS WulCu as el Eia cecfleCn alchLS ch SW M: :es,

the first several decaees each ethnic group had its relati cl;
exclusive kizlo of social and recreational patterns. A nimher of events,

however, occurred which changed the social and recreational life pattern

in Grassflat. The number of Swedish or”aniza tions ano their functions
oecrea sec in proportion to the e'cent of mobility oy Swedish residents
to urban areas, This factor made it necessary for Swedes to consider

01 ‘he r avenues in which to satisfy their social and recrea cicnal interests.

‘, -' '-'- r: " (J 3" .-\4~-:--.-~'"-' - f‘ '3 ‘ “2‘1"" .- ‘L‘ - n ' 41' .
"Pen 510173413 J‘nVlUCrJ tgium DO ul.‘v.l-r 8L; U_L\-"'_U_L‘3~)’ _LILCJJlJlrl-w" bllUSC OI. Ludv

/‘ ‘ ‘1 ‘ I N _ c Q . '3 . -" 1'. . ‘ <7 h;~‘. ‘. fl ,2” 1 v. f— b: -

olovak Clhu, thoil canoes, Wetcin s, UGJJ anu Ull-.cl SUON‘FC, hcflf QU' s,
v o _1 _;_1. -\ '1‘ X ~ ‘ ' _y “1‘ t v ,3 ..~ . '54-: ‘r' P . n" ‘7 "." [1‘1 -0

particularly those 0: LL: Second anu tLlrU generations, atteptwa. th3’

however, was only one phase of the assimila tive process whici occurred,
Lot only die Smeces begin to parti01iate in Slovak acti vitie ‘, cut, as
a result of increased relations between them, both Slovaxs and Swedes

r learneo to acoot some new social and rear %tional patterns in
wliich the}; 'artici ipa ed and shared. equally. .

The nunoer of "Open—memhership organiza‘ions", .hose which acuitted
memoers reca‘cless of the ir ethnicity and reli1i on, and the nttoer of

" - , ,. L I... .. J. ‘ V .,' -1 ' , 1" ,-._ .3,‘ - _. -
Slovaks and oweoes refreselfi ea in than was cviuance Cl Ffpcb MFG 33s

I- ' '2 "1‘ j -r )1 f‘ * ' — 4- .-~ ' 1 - —. r I“. ~ . -‘ f‘J' . --
‘oOWOf'J..-1Cl ‘cb‘El I _LI'.ULJI"3T;ILI-1-C c:So-LIM-LJ.c.UlOIi.

/\

m
[‘0

a y o, > ‘ :- _ ‘\ n ’ ‘ ,. ”
:LILLJJ [Ext/'3 CJJUL‘HJT‘] Elli?”
J.

\.l ,

must crucial test of assigni-

C111 .31? 1111-; VI I

“T L r I 2 nJ-v‘I
LLJ I A. IJLB .L.

‘“ c'. ' W‘_ *1 .,- n - ; ‘.1~1.. . . I" ., .
1;! i. elk. “~LBLL.L4.. ~1de {.0 1". J. “UL \ILI Isak—I l-.L.l—u‘.‘a". _LLI'L';

Data resereinv certain ashects of the assimilative process oetween
Slovaks and Swedes which were gathered Via tame—r cornea interviews,
Questionnaic , and individual interviews were p ca,htao in Chanter VI
ihe purt ose of this chao car will oe to analyze the assimilat ive process
actors which probably cone closest to determininz the ulti-
wa*e test of assimilaoilitf cethen Slovaks and Swedes, nanelg' catinv
and intermarriag: :e. hawor annhasis will c3 given to the latter factor.

For a discussion of these factors content wh: ch follows will as
classified under two magor topics, namelv, (a) attitudes oi Slovaks and

r

Svreiles torard intermarriaje and to) extent of inter arriare between l)"2

and lBSl, inclusive.

Attitudes of Slovaks and Swedes‘roward Intermarria1e

ihe extent oi aSSimilation petween two civerqent ethnic xrours can

(VJ
~1 : ,1'\1~,';\. fit, r, .1 J.-. _ ~71 _3‘ _'_ -_ _ ‘ . A" ‘- A' _ 1P“ 3
precociJ oe c 3rmineo Des t in terns Ol lubLuate BerTlGRCJS they share

I

toaeuhe . On a social distance scale the nest intimate exueriences woulu
l 'o

probale be dating and intermarriage. Two remaining items (numcers u

1

and 12), which judges selecteo as "items measuring assimilaoility" and

(l)

which appeared on pages one and two of the questionnaire, were us i to

outain an intra- and int rethnic iia‘e of Slovaks an-; acute reaerdififi

‘ l‘ o -.. —, ’2 _o . r I" _ .0 7. ' 1‘ ,_I " -. r r, 7 C‘ . . '_\ _U I -L _ 1 x I“ r, ' ‘ __
eating anu intermarria.e. inhSe ltdhs an; rushOQSes 3lVCD UO then oi

1r*r

-‘- ‘ .' I! fl‘ ' .I. ..4. ‘ 2-1.1‘ —- fl r ‘-.'K )/~-V~J-" P‘qrx Y" K‘ '- f .1 ~--'—..--—
oh blOVSh calm 0146:1181: Ciliiii‘sn 6121.: go: onto (112; :.)FJD nthl in icglf} AJ‘.V.L.L.L.

‘

.L

A discussion of each of thwm follows.

Questionnaire suhjects were askcu if Slovrks anc S: 038 "date peohle
who helon: to churc}_s 0 her than their own". L large majority of each
of the Swedish groups inhicateo that this QJSC iption was characteristic
of Slovaks. Lphroximatcly one half of Slovak oarents and male chilgren
and slightly more than one fourth of Slovah female children agreeu with
the SweuiSh hga.e oi oiov: s. up the ea or hen , a maQorth of each
Slovak SSUup, Particularly parents, lDwiCCpeu that this oescription was
also characteristic of St~:‘:~.,:.::s, 13. tau-ch larger haljoritg,r of Swedish hale all-
female chiloren and all Sm.3;;*ish parents a r1ed with the image halo by
Slovahs. oriefly, re Sponses to this item s-e em to in1icuto that ootii e ‘nhic
groups crossed religious lines in their dating tat erns, hut coth grou
agreed that Swedes, LOTS than Slovahs, "hate neoole who belonr to churches
other than their own".

Questionnaire subjects w<re asked are Slovaks and Swedes "very anxious

S

2"

to get others to helong to their church throubh harriare". 30th Slov
and DWB(€S, particularly the latter, resoonued that this characteristic
was more typical of Slovaks than Swedes, Approxtna telf thre e- fourths of

each Swadisn group indicated that this was not typical of Swedes, out

only slightly more than one fourth of Slovak children and onl; lit of

C+

Slovak parents indi ateu that this was no des r'iptive of Slovaks. It is

!

anortant to note that the results seem to support the fact that peeple

who "are anxious to "et others to belong to the r churcll throu_h marriare"

() <

is much more characteris uiC of Slovaks than SweueS.

 

lhoLs XXXVIII

T ‘ \

-.- Il ' ‘ “.I‘ -‘ .2 " "3‘ 2 f" t ' . -‘ I‘ . 5" ..f‘- V l '1- I. ‘1' [- (‘ *- ,'\ “ll“
lLiLAJLLLJiALlIlL) ..LJ'AALUJII ALL‘JxIJ_l--/_Ll'.'b .LJ.‘ Lil‘id IALUJ l....‘.lLAL..LJ-\.LL‘J ad.) _LLGHEIUI.J.LJ.LJ‘

i IT!"

IthA- LHJ
:1 SLCV}J11LIJ SJLQISi ULJInLnlJ.bhnULLnJ 1N txudJué 7-12
any Inoln funonlo

 

 

 

 

 

 

nesnonsg Slovak Swedish

Given 31h 22E 22F in 7E la?
Slovaks
Date people of churches les Eng 27% 525 32p YLfl Shh
other than their own no 23 32 1o 12 11 1h

1‘5 29 hl 3O 25 11 2

Swedes
bate peeple of churches Les o1 ab 70 57 vs 100

other than their own no 10 13 12 12 11 O
l-n 29 23 1h 0 ll 0

Slovaks
are very anxious to les h* 60 70 75 78 (6

get others to belong
to their church I—n
through marriage

9 12 22

O
N J.)
K.» I\) “v:
[\3
U1 «J

Stare}? as

"$7713 anxious to les 33 so 27 12 11 11;;
get others to belong Lo LB 23 ht 75 75 71
to their church I-u 19 27 24 12 11 1h

through marriage

 

guestionnaire itens regaruing the attitudes of their p rents toward

were also given to Slovak and Swedish chiluren, The

5
items and reSponses to them are presented in Table XAAIX. It is important
to compare the attitudes of Slovak ans Sweeish parents toward interethnic.
eating and their attitudes toward interethnic friendship as presented in

Table XKXI. both Slovak and Swedish parents approved of interethnic

friendships to a much greater extent than interethnic dating. Uata seem

H

”\

' ,‘-.' J— ‘v 4.... ‘. -r~4 \ fi -'- ¢ vr- .: -- '."‘" I"_‘;'Lli~ . 5"1“:'V"" r
to lnfiilcate tilEIU SJJ'CMLLSAL 116.13.;tq 81,‘:,1"\J~.'\3 O,1_ 11143332; manic Clot-4.119.; to a

.«l I

(u

ater extent than Slovak parents, particularly regarding their daughters.
Si ty-three per cent of Slovak parents and only 225 oi Swedish parents

seldom" or "never" approved of interethnic dating of their daughters,
Only a.slightly greater number of Slovak than Swedish pa rents "seldom"

J

or "never" approved of interethnic dating of their sons,

—.

tea ponses remrdinb tie attitudes

o
1w

twelve parents of "other
nationalities" indicated stron3er approval of interethnic dating than an;
group except Swedish parents of female children. Least approval was
indicated the group of nine pare nts of Swedish-Other children. Two of
four parents of Slova} {-Ot; er children stron ly ap11roved while two tended
to disapprove of interethnic dating.

TlJLL XXXlA

nLSIChSLS OF SLOVAK ALJ SVSDISH CHILDndN LNnCLLLD IN GRADLS 7-12
hndfithNG PAHSQILL lfIlTUoLS lo41nu ImlnnLinAlo DHYIJG

 

Do vour parents a1 prove of your dating a Swedish boy or girl of your age?
heaponses Given
All the Time Often Sometimes Seldom never

 

 

Slovak

31 males 163 I 16% 26% 16; 20m

22 Females O 9 27 27 35

Do our parents a1rove of our datin,3 a Slovak bet or virl of 'our age?
J J J j s

hes pons es Given

rll the Ti nne O“ ten Sometimes Seldom Lever

.W‘E‘

 

Swedigh
t males 05 12% 503 125 255
9 Females 11 33 33 11 ll

 

It is important to compare parental attitudes toward interethnic

ing with actual dating patterns innicated by children. In Table XL

.—

and Taole Xhl are found the datin: patterns of chiler en enrolled in

GTEQGS 7 and h and in high school, res erectivelv.

-

Data rewarding intra- and interethhic dating patterns in Grades [_and t

 

seem to indicate the following major conclusions:

1. heat Slovak males are females who dated had more intra— than
interethzic da.tes. This was also true of tzle onle Swedish
male who was eru rolled in grade u. SlUVBh “13193 and fetales
tended to pre.:er dates with chi lziren of "other nationalities"
to those with SI-- de 5.

2. host Swecish females who dated preferred "other nationality”,
Swedish, and Slovak males, in that order.

3. Two Slovak-Other females tended to prefer boys of "other
nationality" to Slovaks and Swedes. Swedes were preferred to
Slovaks oy Swedish-Other children. Slova ks were pre erred to
Swedes ov remaining subjects.

Data regarding intra- and interethnic dating patterns in high school

A

 

seem to indicate the following major conclusions:
1. heat dates of Slovak and Swedish children were intraethnic.

2. Slovak males preferred girls of "Other nationalities" slightly
more than Swedish girls. Slova K females dateai boys of "Other
nationalities" and Swedes about equally in frequency.

3. Swedish males dated SlovaK girls sli9ht1y more frequently than
girls of "0t 1er nationalitv". Swedish females had as many dates
with Slovaks as "Other nationalities".

h.‘fhe dates of children of non-Slovak and non-Swedish descent were
mostly with children listed under "Other nationalities", except
Slovak-Swedish and Swedish-Other children who tended to prefer
Swedes and Slovaks, reSpective1;v

Among those who reSponoed that their parents disapproved of inter-

ethnic dating there were eight Slovak males, eight Slovak females, two

hunnfln Lid EHHLIUITX OF
131. I1 NLLSQ

T1SLS XL

111.113 111110111211) 1,1 511. 111111111111.
11110 71-111 1 , 1991

 

 

“ - - fl *. ‘I F‘
it“ 0131311133

L ‘-
‘76

/

Da
0

te
l

(J)

2

ith

3

 

Slovak h
(10)

Slovak F
(10)

Svedish.h

(1)

lo-Oth F

(2)
Sw-Oth h
11)
Sw~0th F
(1)

Other 11

(1)

Other F

(2)

IV

2 3
- l
1 _
- l
- 1
reads:

hine

\J‘l,

\j1

[...]

l

l

1

out of ten

1

c\

l

l

Slovak males had no
dates with Swedish females.

 

OT more.

[‘0

TASLS XL

LULSEn 111 aawhlclir es S1TSS “c1onrgh hr duhSdfiLAT caIthan

 

 

1 Dates
Dates With Swedes Dates flith Slovahs ‘iith Other Lat'l
O l 2 3 h 5% O l 2 3 h 5% O l 2 3 h 5%

 

Slovak'h 9 - - l - —
(10)

l — l — 3 5 2 2 - -

U“...

Slovak F t - - - - 2 h l l 2 l l d 3 - - l
(10)

1.1
I
I
I
I
}_1
I
l
I

Swedish 11 - - - - 1 _ .. _
(1)

SwadishFh-l-ll Sl---l 321--
(7)

Slo-Sw F l - - - - - - - 1 - _ - 1 _ _ - -
(1)

Slo-0th F l - - 1 - - 1 - 1 - - - - 1 - - 1
(2)

Sw-Oth h - - - l - -

(1)

SweOth a - 1 - - - — 1 - - - - - - - - 1 -
(1)

Other m l — - - - - l - - - — - l - - - -

(l)

}._1
I
I
I
l
I
1.4
l
I
I
I

Other F 2 - - - - - l - l - - - l l - — _
(2)

Taole reads: Kine out of ten Slovak males had no
dates with Swedish females.

* Five or more.

’1': ..JLFJ XLI

Luisoaigei1111101;1<1-D;Tssreiouiioix(gmlssasu:011111;;
21101110 IN glen sonooL, 1931

[\3

 

 

Oates
Dates Hith Swedes Oates flith Slovaks 'With Other L
O l 2 3 h 5% O l 2 3 b 5% O l 2 3

1:" 9.)

c1“

 

Slovakli 13 1 1 1 - 3 1o 5 2 — - A I 12 1 5 1

C21)

Slovakb‘ 9ll--l 32-22310-1-

(12)

Swsd.ishlvl3-l--2 3l—l-l ‘41--

(a)

SWECiShF - - 2 - - l

(3)

[\3

I

I

l

l
}__.I
I\)

I

I

I

Slo-Swli - — — — - 1 1 - _ - - _ 1 - _ _

(1)

(2)

51-1-01: 11 i-I ‘

(7)

Slo-0th 1“

I
l\)
I
l
I
I
[\J
I
I
l
I
I
I
I
I
l

[\J
14
F.)
F1
I
I\)
b»)
I
I
N
F1
I...)
I\D
[\3
PJ
I

Other x b - — — — — 2 1 _ 1 - 1 2 - _ _

(h)

Other F 2 1 - 1 — 1 — 1 - 1 1 2 - - .1 -

(5)

Table reads: Fifteen out of 21 Slovak males had no
dates with Swedish females.

W Five or more.

[\7

m
\-:
O

, .V. " .,. «I ~. '_“I 1' .fi,
QWUClel; Wales, one Saudis-.1 1e .

c‘ 'I
I_
<
\o
O.)
:3

”Other rationaliti’s" Lone of these eats; a ainst tte wishes of their
Darents. L majority'cf Slovak 38133 and isnales of this group were in

"" " r. - ‘~— p " "I' L‘? Hec 1'.) 'f-1 ""
, SOIL c; 1.;c;,_..‘3I‘lJ'uu. OJ. Oti.f)lb, iIlCl GNU--1212: Orrsdsu, w3re Gl’lf‘Ul 2x1

Grades 7 and c
in high school,

I

There was little di if renc: between the a,t1ouo,o of Slovak parents

(D

with ard without Sw3-is L neighbors towaru inter thnic dating. On this
question, those without Swedisn heigLoors were slightly more favoraolc.

1

Sucn a conIar on coulti not be MWeC re (IinI; Swedish parents, becaus

(D

‘1

ll except one parental couple has Slovak neiaho rs. fine one parental
coople "s eldoh" apnroved of interethnic datin .
One item of the questionnaire was used in an attempt to study traits
of marital partners which were considered important by children enrolled
in Grades 7 through l2. The item and reSponses to it are found in
sale XLII. It is important to note the large percenta e of those who
checked religion, particularly Slovaks, in overwhelming majoritv of
children of other nationalities, not included in the table, also gave this
re spons .
Tao other items re~eruin" religion and reSponses to them are prCSOTCQQ
in Table XLlla. It is important to note there was a very significant

difference betwe;n reSponses given ev Slovak and Swedish children to

¢J
A

question (a) "Do you think that 1‘..arria§fe Lctw a catholic and a

frotestant can ce happy if lIey attend so parste churcl; Ms 9" A much greater

pronortion of SW dish than Slovak children indicated that "marriage be—

tween a.Catholic and a Protestant can be happy if they attend separate

271

r: 3 T -‘1 3r? ~r--
.uL‘l‘zJ-LJJ .L-L

"Y

Undinnnhi TnhiTo OE YnLSrLCEIVb firuliny FLhTflgnS Cogsioiuifl
hf SLDJLh Ana SJleSd ChlLUhAL anDLLLU IN unions 7—12

 

 

 

 

Which of thgse thin s WOill you consider host important concerning your
future marriage partner?
Slovak Children Swecish Children
31 hales 22 Eexalcs t tales 9 females
Education up h,afl 2 9 Ca

money 0
Occupation O 7
heligion 9h «2 7
Rationality O h

.\ I."

Q \n O C \x.
\J’L It"

0

 

InuLh khlln

t. I

:TO

D

p‘
h;
L__

:9
hr]
:—
I};
L .
C;
s;
O
'l‘ .
S?
:1:
t‘j‘
F‘-

 

 

(a) Do you think marr'age “etween a Catholic an: a Protestant can no
happf if they attend separate c ‘ ?

Slovak Childre “wedish Children
31 n 22 ‘ t h 9 F
les 1;; it; 50p as;
do LL! (2 50 LL11}.
(a) Do you think children should he given freedom to choose their own
church?

Slovak Swedish
3lii 223‘ .32? in 9H :LhP

 

C F‘

,‘o

32% lhfi 63 62-55 2‘” 3
68 to 9h 37.3 Y: O

a:
O
(I)

\__ <
-

I

E) .

 

{\3
\C
A)

i * )i ” ' ':. “‘ ‘ WHA " f ‘lv - r~1 ’1 ‘. 1 “'x ".1' ‘v‘ 7 r\ v -- " w r- r—\ ~ . . <
cnurwnuas", 1403t,<ii Liv: bibWRL\Ino;c _ :;o szn. ee 'K a" :Fu's eznvullea in:

M- , _ ~ ‘ n w", ohwfl n-
Uf‘ax?” 9. l'JOSt OJ. u.L--."./c,z,_ Illic.‘

. . ~ . . _ t q
'; . 7v“ _, r~ . -‘ :6" ,‘ a“ ,2 r ,-. a
g‘ C1. _ - L) '41, \—r‘,,iz»_v1,.Iu.l 1'.L‘J ‘ ...3 (‘I:\. L{-“ c_L\JIS .{lrhirEl

f..-)

| L" < .“ ‘- . ,"3 " 1‘. .'. ~- - l r. ,‘ x‘; ',-~ ‘1‘ ~ ‘ I ‘ r~ -: ' - 1 * ‘ t m i,
'onou a cnil run se glVUh ire; o; to CnOOSe thlr own cnurc:." L
r? 4d“. 1"71- if. or) ‘r ," ,1"— ['C‘ \4-‘ 1“]; .y‘ t ,0) Y1") («fx'zf -: (‘1 .-,(~‘._/‘,\~‘+ 'v‘w “filq—a (‘V\ "rt-\fi r\r‘
1.1;;sz z_ 1 Cl. V 1011 Tu tip rvuL'U1.C ; at 141 11;, 11:1 31C». \I_J_VL) , C..\\JK;1J u Dnaeuuoli ancituo .

O

. o . ’4‘ \ D' - — ,3" ’- L ‘ \ ‘ ' ‘0‘ . ' ‘ I -.~ - -~ '0 .z' ‘. v I" A .A ~~~~~~ ,-. ‘1 - -. ' —~
Cnly SllauLiy no a tnan one tnlru oi tnem 98ft a neqct Vu response.

In somparison with other parishioners

-_ . "l , v f‘ ,~.o~~: a: v‘—. ~"‘. A '1‘ , .L'- ..3 3'- ‘. ., - 05 ‘r. a ‘ . “
salon in tne neietive were anon: tnc mast Cnurch goers gnu oweCisn

)

9U?

\L

parents were among the poores . iLese narental couples did not differ
significantly from the members of their reapective ethnic groups in terms
of any other back rouno ‘actors, such as education, number of children in

familv, or ethnicity of neighoors (factors found on page 5 of question-
naire). The Children of the Slovak parental couples attended church every
week. Those of Swedish parental couples attended as follows: Three
attended once or twice a.month, one attended one to five times a year,

and one attended every week. both Slovak and Swedish chiloren of this
group were enrolled in Grade 7 or C.

Slovak and Swedish children enrolled in grades 7 through 12 were asked
another question indirectly pertaining to intermarriage. Slovak children
were asked: "Would you permit your chilsren to Le orought up Protestant?"
Swedish children Were asked a.siWilar question regarding the Catholic

religion. The reSponses of both Slovak and Swedish children to these

questions Were Very stranly indicative of disapproval of this practice.

Only one Slovak female an; on) awruish [anale anew re this on at:ion in
the afiirmati ve. Lll Sr;Jis. 61d Slivck ,al:s r“fone J tna wouli not
rni+ tni“ practice.
Reopenses to six of saven inportant itBnS of ye Q‘UJClODDClFS rer—
tainin: to interrar‘ia ‘ are pr s:nten in Table XLlII. here than ‘1; of

’ , 1 ”1, C tn; _1
both Sievan anu oweuisn

would approve of their 1arriaje

r.

v _ _H
l [1‘11"73 T‘TL o

the same relizion.

Slovak and Swe oisn c«iluron

both ethnic 'TOUIS were

n 'T‘f‘. tr" (.2 "r. r4 ' n —- Tr ' vine}
lJ 0-. vr‘. O r“,- Dru._LLL" e-llA'x/ks

H.
C-

WEJQritJ of Slovak and Swen

TLere was no significan

Sweoish oziilerc n reiar dirg the q

gerson of a different nationality cut the same

incicate t1 at a

(.L

would marry a
”Do

of different reli;§en but the

 

difference betws
his question. Ten per
cent of

females, 50 per

indicated their parents

a gerson of a difi‘erent religion out tne

S {31'

en the reSponses

to sonco

"3C3

lullrtn incie ated the

virtually no

quite accurate in

9383.101“;

'e majority of enildren in both
ant na
Jou think your parents would a;
nationality?"
given
cent of Slovak males,
Swedish males,
would approve

children to the quest

‘ween the r

of such a

ct

tne; thouvht tneir parents

D

oi a. rent nationality out

1.‘ 3,
(LL... f (4'1"

'3
(D

 

cifi r~1cc ii1 nses LaoW~er

q 1
ques 'thIl. llle
‘._Q“-o r_ 1‘ .L. ,1/ h \ p') ,4:
leln: tne attituoes oi tneir
Ln eve

DC "101130

+“ .
.21 Ct--3r UlieJ

oi
aliaion". Data seemed to

ethnic groups"

0

Mi a.lit the reli: ion.

881T.

of vour marria 93 to someone

3T0 V63

There was a significant

Slovak and Swedish children to

~D 2f
27 per cent of Slovak

and so per cent of Swedish females

on oi Iiunn er thgytunflc.mar

sane nationality indicated a

TLSLS XLlll

. 717,. “z ‘7‘ Q 'L' {-7. ,T'a' _r ' ,.i.‘z‘."'r* .x,_ 1“ a
l‘LLLJIOL.‘DuQ lLAUnanlluU 1-1. lll‘uuibb L“

Ci‘ilLJiLi‘M

7 .r“. i
Qka‘ag‘i;

Lng

CV.7.- ~ vxtr
s.) 'IIJUIVU.

I 'l (”‘4 j ', ‘ |l ,‘ 7" ~ >_‘ g > '7’ 1‘ .= .
lb‘aa;.itLJ _L'.‘ l -.Jin‘ilgcltlz‘xlb

Pnnnij 4‘_KD

 

Do you think your parents

 

different nationality tut the San; re
81.11:: j e c t s S is": s ‘,'.;._ .
53 Slovak chiloren if 11

31 Slovak males

would ao;prove of your marria
, >li3ion?

\D'Sllj, CTS

if

U

D‘s-P3: (-1 j. S 11
'7'. a J ' 1
DvfixllSLL

22 Slovak

Would you
religion?

SUD (r3 C t5

b3 Slovak
31 Slovak
22 Slovak

females

”N ,3:
)3 DT‘FJLLJ 311

, , o n
go to someone oi o

_-

F4
(D
0]
\C\
L)

x
o
n

children c 12
males t7 12
females e9 11

marry a person

2&3 .1. (E? :53

Chi ldren Ly
males t7
females 91

of a

 

different nationality but the same

 

Subjects alas the
17 Swedish children c2 _lC
c Swedisn males 75 25
y Swedish females E9 11

Do you think your parents would agprove of your marriage to someone 01 a

different religion Out the Same hat

SuL1ects

>3 Slovak
31 Slovak
22 Slovak

Would you
Subjects
:3 Slovak

31 Slovak
22 Slovak

Heuld you

',O.L £5

children 17
males 10
females 27

marry a person of a different religion'out

pies

childrerx 7

males l3
females 5

approve of your child's marriage to someone of a (L

pno

:3‘

-~.l
paC

/’ol e O
70
c?

.\ C:
J/

 

-ionality?

 

Sufi) eets pies fine
17 oucciSn children 33 .27
a Swedish males 50 S
9 Swedish females be h;

 

nationality but the same religion?

S LL S

\D
0
d-
U)

32 51. Far

Would jou aeprove of vour clnild's marri
religion out the same

Susiects

32 81. Far. Couples

13
7r

Couples

 

,ua,
\ .

l13A \ (:)
_-

 

Subjects pfes fine

17 Sean sh children 53 t7

E Swedish males 50 50

3 Swedish females as Lb
iff erent

Sun7ects flies the

.Par. Couples oo

axe to someone of a.different

nationality?
%fes She Subjects ;ifes file
12 u? 1h Sw; Par. Couples h3 p7

 

the same nationality9

significantly greater difference Setween them. Onl/ 131 we cent Slova
males and 5 pa r cent Slovak Iema as answered this question in the affirm—
ative, but 50 per cent of Swedisn males and 5e per cent of Swedish
females answered in the affirmative. It is important to note that the
reSponses of Slovak and Swedish children and parents were very similar.
Only 12 per cent of Slovak parents responded they would approve of t};cir
child's marriage to someone of a diff ear nt re liygion out the same

"5

nationality. On the other hand, L3 per cent of Swedish parents answered

"I

this question in the affirmative.
In short, except for a very limited numher, both Slovak and Swedish

parents and children indicated they would approve of intermarriage of

im ilcxr religion flbrarlllg

U!

iationality in which marital partners were of
marriage of a different religion hut the same nationality, the responses
of parents and children of the two ethnic groups were quite dissimilar.
A significantly greater percentage of Swedish than SlOVGK parents and
children approved of such a marriage.

Another iznportant question was raised. Slovak and Swedish children
were asked whether ti ey would ch anqe their reliqi on in order to marry
person they love. It is important to note that approximately one third
of Swedish males and fc' males anSWered this question in the affirmative.
None of Slovak children gave this reSponse,

A comparative study was made of Slovak and Swedish children who
approved and disapproved of internationality; Although the numoer of

Slovak children who indicated disapproval of such marriages was relatively

small, data seemed to indicate that in prooortion to enrollment in

m
\C‘
(j -

p.)

O
’4
fi

(‘3

various Prades the name r of S-

U , .‘K males who disapproved tended to
decrease With i,rade level, but the numeer 01 Slovak females who dis-

‘ 1

approved tended to increase with firade level. Only one Swedish child,

(0

a.female in :rade ” di approved of such a narriare. Four Slovak males
and two females disagreed hut parents approved. Two Swedish males, and
one female disagreed with their parents. In each case

, except one,

children disapproved but their parents approved of internationality

marriage.

Data seemed to indicate that the areup of children who approved of
internationality marriages came from families which on the .veraqe were
slightly larger than those of the disapproval group.

Seven Slovak children who indicated they lived with in-laws reSponded
they would marry a.person of a different nationality but the same religion.
Ihose Slovak children who disapproved of internationality marriage cane
from families in which the average educational level of fathers was
slightly higher, and that of mothers was significantly higher than those
parents of the approval group, The church attendance of fathers
mothers, and children was on the average slightly higher in the group
which disapproved than the group which approved of internationality
marriages. Ethnicity of neighbors did not seem to have a siznificant
effect on their attitudes toward such marriages,

A similar study of Swedish children seem to indicate that, on the
average

, those who approved of internationality marriages came from

1

families in which the educational level of mothers was significantly higher

and the church attendance of fathers and children was slightly higher

‘3

[‘5‘
\L\

than that of the disayproval group. Swedish children who ahprovad of

internationality‘harriaee came from families which, on the avers“: were
significantl; larger than those of Swedish children who disapproved of
such a.marriage. The only Swedisi Child and parental couple who were
without Slovak neighoors dis royroved of lnl‘Fchthcllty,

A comparative study was also made of intr anLnic oiiier nccs between

Slova w and SIMe ish eiiliren who lHulCPt d agproval and di sang roval of

interfaith marriages

()

Ihe numher of Slovak chil ren who indica ed they would marry a pe rson
of a different religion but the sane nationality came from no Lrae e level
I"

in particular, Three owedi sh males who gave this response were in Grade

10 and one was in Grade C. diving the same reSponse were one Swedish

3
female in Grade 7, two in Grade o, and two in Grade 10. Only three Slova:

males and three Slovak females disagreed with their parents on this

..

.,_

question. in each case the parent ts gave an affLr mnative reswions

Further study indicated some intraethnic differences between children
regarding the Question of interfaith marriage. On the average, Slovak
children who gave negative reSponses came from significantly larger
families. Five of 7 who indicated they lived with in-laws were Opposed
to interfaith marriaqe. Five Slovak children who Opposed interfaith
marriage did not have Swedish neighbors. On the other hand, Swedish
children who indicated disapproval of interfaith marriage on the average
came from families in which the church attendance and the educational level

of both parents was slightly higher than that of parents of children who

approved of interfaith marriage.

‘Lne attitudes of children of other nationalities anfi the'r parents
toward internati01ality ano interraith marriage were also stucied.

Ihe reSponses of three Slovak Lutheran male children, who were en-
rolled in grades C, 9, and l2, anu t"o Slovak Lutheran parental couples

' .

were studied. been of the males, except one and the parental cou1Hle

indicated approval of mixee marriages of nationalitg, Of this group,

—

only one male child a; orrov;o of e1 marriages of religion. Lone of

the children inuicated he would change his religion in order to marry a

oerson he loved,

5“

115'1‘
UGO

03

regardin; the attitudes of four Slovak—~Other females and
their par::ntal coup He were analyzed. l‘1e Chiloren incluoec 2 catholics
who were enrolled in Grades 7 and ll, 1 Lutheran in Grade 7, and l
tnited brethren in Grade 12. goth children and parents of this group
indicated approval of internationalit; marriaces . Of this group, all

xcep t the child oL bnited ere thren faith reSponde; in the nceative re-
garding interfaith marriages, All females excegt one of U-; faith,
reSponued nega tively to the question " hOlld 30 u chan:o your religion in
order to marry the person you love?"

nine Sweoish-Other children, eight mrles and one female, and seven

parental couples constituted an exclusively Protestant group. Lmon; the
iour Lut hera.n males, one was in Grade b, one in 9, and two in 10. One
female and four males were oaptists, The female was enrolled in Graue L.
_Two males were in o‘aue 9, one in lO, and one in ll. lhe reSponses given
by this group of Swenish-Other chilcren and their nine parental couples

indicated that all except two of five baptist parental couples approved

of mixed marriaxe of nationality, the parents of the female were in the

299

approval group. Lll five children and three of five parental couples of
baptist faith Opposed interfaith marriaqes, Lll four males of Lutheran
faith indicated they would "marry a person of a different religion cut
the same nationalitv". Their two parental couples disapproved of such a
marriage. The resnonses of dentist and Lutheran children varied regard-
ing the Question of changing cne's eligion in order to marry a person

‘\

one loves, Those of Dentist faith answered the question in the negative.

1

Three of iour males of Lutheran faith responded in the affirmative.

Data regarding the resnonses of one male and one female of Slovak—

I
.

Swedish descent were cornered, rhe male's father was Swedish Lutheran
and his mother was Slovak Catholic. The female‘s father was Swedish
Lutheran and her mother was Slovak Litheran. Ihe male was enrolled in
Grade 12, the female in Grade a. moth children and their narental couples
indicated approval of mixed marriage of nationality, out only the male
child indicated annroval of interfaith marriage. doth children responded
they would not give up their religion in order to marry a person they
lQVG.

The attitudes of seven parental couples and twelve children of

"Other" nationality, five males and seven females, were also studied

(l

regarding mixed marriages. all children were enrolled in high school

except one 1818 in Credo L and two famales in Crade 7, Lmonq the males,
two were Catholic, one Lutheran, one Unitad drethren, and one Pillar of
Fire, Among the fenales, five were Catholic, one Lutheran, and one
tnited brethren. all children, except one Catholic female, and all

parental couples, except one United dretnren, indicated apnroval of mixed

marriage of nationality.

I '\ 1‘ " — " ‘ . ‘\ W" -7 ‘, - —- :- V ~ '- -\ -.1*-. . --. a .y ‘ ‘. rp,\

ifs-I"; was 1.1161). in’bs ('J~':"-: growth 81.0}. L). Jr: I'qgal‘11f11 ILLKG‘L; .hCY‘I‘-Lc';-;.3
.r- -‘ .- , . .,. - ,, .L ; ' . .-1.‘ ,n ' _' ; .-\ -- a --
'DL 1“; 4.11.1331”). . 1.1%. I' ULLC {4.8-1.55 ’ Dc CIl‘JllCl CSILOl’l _L 2C1 in {4.1; new". Lil/'5 . (LI-Lil}

I

one of four Cathc ic tarertal ccu;.les a; revel. i

we children and their
one parental couple of Unit3u oretirc n faith and two children of

Lutheran faith and Lair one parental couple of no religious faith apnrov
The male of Pillar of bir e faith arrr revel his narxnts did not. LmOd”
the females, four awurovei aha one di5'~rrov-u,

"I
1'- --_ + .~
,7 « ' l

_‘-'._'-.
- (1.1....JL1

"11
1
:3
C‘—
C“
[..J
C.
C
i_J
( J
4‘

r‘ “’3 7"
“l“ 1 3

and parents oi "Other" nationality seemed to he quite tolurant of mi 31

‘u - ‘ :3 r I .0 . (‘1 ,0 .L F J- 1' _ 4— ,‘ ~ ‘- ,7 r') v ‘1 'I I o ' A . W _t.¥. ,3.
marriages oi fictionalibg. On the other hand, MIN of children and bag
r ' H - ‘fl‘ . — , n .n w ‘ — . ,~..-: -
0L parjllbo etjrjlfio‘f\1\l O; 1 _LA/KL “1(1 .-"j_ 7 'JD OJ. rLJ—lt)_Lon.

x” ,"' "F‘ r‘ c-1 -* V_V' a')‘L‘ \ \r P . '- ‘ H", '~ p I. l“ ' '\
Lklv HAG ’3 a-llkl J..3r'.o.l.e Of Up lit/3L}. ..‘I‘k.’ 'ulL: CIl LclLfl owl LOW 01 1.1. Yb

Catholic fem"es indicated they "would not Che n e their religion in order

‘1‘ O

— r ‘. \»~ .‘r‘~ 41") '9 n :>'r\o “"V)' ‘ I 1." N D: '1‘
to marl] tie parsvn MI e; love" Oth3 3 inc loatad the, would CLcDQE their

4-0

thhouxh it inclided a smaller sample of both children and parents,

a more thorough study of inte rethnic attituces toward in ennarriate was

\

r f r ' r" 0" v ~-..g-~5' : ‘ 7'- fl“
Ape-recorde1i interViews with UlQVEA EMU

e
(n
E;
k l)
I“
f“
R
O
{1
Ct
5
:3
U)
(D
O
H:
c.

' R I“ 1 -—- '. ,- m" 4-1. .n-- e - .- -' .
Dwedisn Sue cits wno rauFOSdHth three different tenerations.

- A" . r- r“ ex-i .»AJ-~-« .
'2; la‘recur'an1 lilU‘Jf‘Vlt—fi‘T‘T

“Laud UV'IQZ-lbli SQLJJ\}\J .> OJ. DAL, llru bongldbldlio

' .': " P’L' "f‘ \ fl". " \Wrfl/ \ - " ‘-‘ 1". ‘1 ‘ 1 L ‘ ’v- Irfl‘1‘.
Writer: Nhat was the naln leasin Why they ulu net “arr, each

u
Qty-3'1" if] my: on. A‘,1_...rL_L;’1; ,?

 

1. For a ”VupllyblOH of the asuujects see

agprovcd. in short, Children

vs *
1.--. 5.

“PS. .L:
‘1
lir‘S, 1‘:

LAP. ‘1':

J- (10(1' — "Y.\:)~ . r. v ( ":1 Y7. I“ (Aj-Tl V‘fi tn'lrt J “
L U £11.. I. ll- ULA ll V'JCJ‘J (11",, L \-’ OO‘L, igll—L ‘10 UA- \ y,

o. - . - . a , - - w . l '. .° ..1 l.

-J.-‘_Lus't .LU '1 tl'ab U ' / T2731"; 00911-11. b'val exl'JLl ll, J».1€L 'I‘.L_-1lla

.-- J-” -; ,.»'-; 7'4» r31»- ,7 ' 3
_ng co co MLUL lb. inere is no

Tell I think the reli ion 133 a lot to 30 h'th it. On
1 ’ . l

- ° L ..' - 4.1 , ”.3 ‘J' .
31mm? LJJ cue; " 1 a d..3.lt"3i1t ..clu. 811d '
4.) _ t .4 x: 1" 3. .~ _, . , ‘,. Hr." .1-‘ , ‘ ,‘ L I -, ‘
UIXC: QY'T~;!~ 1J— S.‘ L Tl3'Dt.) .\3 EJ.‘ \113'8’ [ix—I‘ll. 11“; _Lfifik/ 8 L14 8 U Ull'j‘)’. s [10 lek
\1 . vs‘ , .: ~ (7": ‘ r ~ r ...- r - ‘l
Chili 13;..‘90/ SI\71‘1.L:D.1. llzet; Was hall; u: GdI‘S ~38sz . Lilli; 11011 i L;
n . #v - 4—: --_. -— -- -' P . . "
0 381's 53 “1011 ll v-1 :1; ll“? 3 811;, Tall”; 04. F603 OI. D ‘BOble ,
n ‘ 1
l o

c
",3, .-- .. 1 ,‘ 4-3- fl, ,n ‘9.-- '
lovtullieooie LJLl the sanm::i ca that.inl -ir
- 3

i3
I thing it was nrctt much LHEL We”, Ihe olu3r ncohle
than were stricter tnzt ht; twcr the young taonle are
IAXLL) , lire ;mm1rr; iecnilra tlji3h lnle.r aIte ali. Elk} salu9, .hlt
the ol- :r .woolc thou ‘.t t.l:t they W31“- 6 little sit
33 ter 1 thin; the.7 done that on ootn si33s, 30th the

3 .
Slovaks anc the owedes, inc sare thlnf.

Do you think nareht were more a boss of c}.ildren tn 3cm

3
than they 'ra tocaj?

I certainly oo.
113180th6, '12],

les

CH1, 3338 .

Did narents do more of the matching, that is, did the
narents sel3ct partn3ns ior their sons anc cauwhters more
oefore thant ev do tooar?

'Nell I thi:; they tried pretty hard to do it. how,

I

est days, it is hardly worth-While to trJ ENG stop it,
but that time they did try to stop int3rr rarriaqe. l know
that was on coth sioes, both Slovaks 81 1d Sweues,

l'Joullj you approve of Slova1«:—-3'-.-r3dish Harrie- 3s?

I
7 ,w H " L V .‘ ‘ a ‘_ .‘ 3.- V; -_ ,3 A .-.+
11140 . 1: 01.5.1"; . Kiliflo . L1 1105. 03:, a: rt: 13. ACILU)

n. : ' .. '7‘ ,. A y. ',4. 4,....-+,.,..1 .- vi] _. ,fi : ,7," 1—4. A r1 - ..1,
u'JL‘itclr: 1 Mom :1“ Uncle Sta; LfloLl Fulfil) l.ht:3l"l'lczl"1"la;'i: DELL-163911 olO‘fcmS

‘ .... —v— ' n 0 V A 3‘”; "_1 r" “_L .. t ; ~>"‘L ‘ 0“(" >0 I! S 1 "
lar. l: l oeliev3 tnaL that's nature. lhaL's tL3 sane ll we nau.
n' .I .3.“ -.,. .1- ' .q.‘ , - r.-. - 4., J.-.
f3r inst: “CC, 11 Jou Cab a LOLbo. iou went to MlA the

horses to not oetter stock, ano the same thing with
.. u h - - ..- . 4- , 'n 3v- - — , r‘. >0 5 .- r ‘ v‘
peOple. l oolieve Ul' aL's nature. Li coarse, Jou ho.ve to

Inix uifferont nations to get eoetter stock, otherwise
i . Don't Jou "Ll-rim: so?

Lh
I tnink the pe 0:13 U311 die of

Uritar: I think you have a point there. Why don't butces in
town Larry each otner as much as the; used to?

‘nr. T: Well, the fisst thin: is they do out, you know, go out
to the hi3 citv and there 5:L acquainted. All mine has
been married outside thct w .

Writer: Iou had three dauvhters and a son married that way—-

hr. I: Ch, every one of them have been married outside. I guess
your chiluren too, hrs. F.

hrs. r: Three of them.

Writer: If vou notice, Slovaks marry each other fr:3gue ntlg. Don't
L113*'9

hr. T: Ies, gou can tell. t Lome more here in Grass-
flat or Winourne or Snov‘ho d this leads th: :4m to marry
at home. ior n: Swedish peeple o to the cjtr more and
there are other 3%

mm
:5 6*

IL is important to compare the attitudes of Swedish resioents with
those of 51 ovah residents oi the firs generation. The following data

were extracted from a.tape-recorded ixrterview with the latter Droup of

U)
*—
g,
C)
:3
(.1.
0')

TO

N2it3r: If you ha d Unncrrioe sons or da u~'t3rs would Jou permit
them to go with Swedes on cm Les ?

hr. P: ho, I wouldn't. by sons married Slovak Catholics.

Vriter: If they ere unmarried would you permit them to marry
Swedes?

driter:

hrs. 0:
Wdrit r:
1.1". U:

Writer:

hr. D:

Writer:

hr. D:

303

' I ‘ " J F r‘ r "L T ' . ‘ i * f‘ r- ‘1‘ fi -. V'- .
reareu a outLolic, o3 a.bobm0ilC to
raruit it.

011,
"‘¢ 4 ‘p _F ’ .fi “ "‘
\ngaUAl. .L pIQLJ—A IAL/

_ ‘5
I10 . lg. 3,121.1 a1"

D
./
L.

\J

hrs, 0, would ou r -;mit your son to Larry a Swedish girl?
I heliove as hr. P. I would not ive mv permission, out
if t1e;r IJould not listen it would be no to them

-7 _ . 0 V 1 _' ..‘., fir“: -— rv‘»1"‘
J. CU. EEK) (36538 llKr’B t[.8t in 1' ‘,' ic‘i-1L].,-’ . #1.er Kit 0111.116
neo Dle, not Slovaks. o~t I said that ii they harrieo BUSY

would have to s3;0he Catholics and co to one church, the
Catholic Church. In the-t case I would give xJ permission.
"1

If theyo eco111 Catholics it was okay to get married.

he JOU thin ‘ a Larriage between a Slovak and a Swede can
he 11:11}???

I don't know. but I 81W; ’3 heard the othe},r can oe tor-“ether
on this earth, out on the next thev could not he torether.

I heard this yet when I was ov.r in the old countr,.
TLere will oe a differehce in the next worll owtfieeh the

two Ore will he here and the other the cre. Jut ii ire or
she is a conver , beco a Catholic then alright, out

. 5
otherwise, no. I heard th s in the old countrp,

EJ.

0“)

«That do you think aoou t this, hr. I

I think that ii a Catholic takes a Suede and if they are
converted to our religion, there can be happiness and

blessing in the home.

LJ‘oelief is this: When one goes to church here, and one
goes there to church, there is no good l‘hey will} ave
troucle over this matter. It is a bad hing because the/
do not aaree. They don't pull togetha r.

Why?

If there is much arguing in the home, there is not much
blessing and happiness there.

Do Jou think it would be like that in every hozne?
how they will meet life that is the kind or blessinr they

will find in the heme. Tlcre is a sayi1 1g that the way a
person makes 1is oe d is the way he will sleep in it.

. ' - ‘ -- ‘ :1r '1“ r "L . “ ' ‘ / I. - -.-‘-1- :‘v- " r--~"‘r‘ -.- A-v “r1*1
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1.,1 A, ., n -1 ' . a 1:4 -. 1.. ..
LASC 13181;: OJ. r‘JlelOLLD \.LJ__L_L{JI‘ULLLeS in Ullfiope .

The attitudes towardb Lova--3w,3133 mairiafie extressed of tnes 3 tIo
arotps of the same generation were gtite dissimilar. The Sw3 dish subjects
53 ened to hold much more favorable attitudes toward int3rmarria than

Slovak sucje cts. The elecrly female Slovak suoject expressed strongest

Opposition to Slov HSIQCiSh narria . The elderly male subjects felt

13
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0)

th-

Ft;

oless ing and 1agpi incs scould he found in suczh a nar1iage i
Lutheran mate became Catholic.

It is particularly important to couq are the attitudes of Slovak and

J

Swefish residents of the secon‘ ceneration who, at the time of this study,

L)

were fatml ers of chilzcen of narria ;3aole 3:3. The following data we re

-.. L...

extracted from a tape-recorce 33 interview with SWB3iSh pare ts:
Writer: What would 33 v ur re action to your son's or daughter's

intention to marry a Slovak?

hr. 8: Lu bov is marriecl to a girl witha " partly Slovak background
(non-loo a1). her motLer is olovak, and her father is
Johnny sull, I guess. She goes to church sometimes, but
her father ocean't go at all. Her mother is still a
Catholic, out I don‘t think she goes to church at all
lately. The father doesn't go either anymore. If the be;
likes the girl, whv he just marries her. Lakes no differ-
ence what tLe reli ion she's from. What can you sag?

PJell, you want my honest opinion, and I‘ll tive it to you.
If my daughter would come home anc said she wants to marry
a Slovak Catholic, I would like to see the children snlit
up on religion. That would give each other 30th a chance.
hat would give the ooy his choice, and that would give
13 :irl her choice .

i
4.
U

Writer: Iou would want the children to snlit up on religion?

3er;

girl

Lir. h: lhe Loy woulu have the sons {0 Lo one chuIc 1, 3nd Lhe
woulfl hLvo the den nLers o to anoLn3r church Wh3tever
Lina? IflDdILL ljlce. IL IJOLLLQ :33 IN) LL) LinLL, lnIeJ 1n3-1W. r,
TheJ neLe Lnuir 33d so LneJ woulu have to sleep in iL.

hr, 3: I've got four marriei (to non-10331 C3Lholic m3L3s ). IL
was no to them. It's their Lroelem, I diun't 53y no to
11011.3 Of ngil'in.

131”. l"?

Liiter: Low wculd you feel,

hr. I: Well, it hasn't occurreo JIL L, but I h:v3 ciiloren dOWLl
there \pointing in Ln3 direction of his home) 'rozino up.
‘ If iL does come to tnLL, I'd IJent MJ dau"}t3r to give her
children as much religion as I tried to teach her, and if

the case co .33 up lilse that, I hOpe she will LL old enou: h
to uhe-rstand I 'd le3ve her and this Slovak she wants

to marry do mat LheJ went. I wouldn't refuse her. LL
doubt if you would, they would ’ust wait until Lh-ey are 01d
enou h an; do it 3an3y. I coulon't tell JOIJ just hL .-J I
would feel Leceuse I haven' L experienced it Jct.

'.I‘iL:-3r'= 111“. C?

hr, C: .oll,ooL11 of; J chilcl1 en do go to the Catholic Church.
I'd say like ”.' It is their problem and I would permit
them to go to the church th;;v w3nt.

9

\
JriL31: Do Jou think mixed marriaves should Lek epla.ce ?

hr. C: I h ve oeén Iarrie d i‘ive years Lo 3 Slovak Catholic, and so
3r everything's oeen alriqi t. Ls iar as they, tne children,
well, they 50 wiLn their noLher. It's the Leg it was with
me. I followed my Lothei I usually-followed mother's
orders more Lth mJ dao's.

don't see where it does anv harm if they are in love
' y are in love, wk " " UWE Le L.r asouL reli ion

Writer: Would an; of you eisown your children if the; tar Fi<9
Catholics?

greed, shaking thei heads.)

0.)

hr. 3: no. (Others

 

2. Such an attitude toward religion was rare among Swedish residents.

I- £1.11 {vi-m .M.

 

Writer: Lone of JOU. ”Would you o8 strongly Opposed?
All: Lo.

Writer: Hould ;ou ce somewhat hesitant?

hr. P: I'd just explain to her that all the teaching I'd given to

her and everything. If she wanted to intermarry with a
Slovak Catholic, why, you w‘ulo just have to agree with it
because in this day ane age, as iar as religion and as I
always was taught, they re all reaching for the same
destination. ihere are so many I just can't recollect how

'many, out what I just can't figure out is that they are
either all right or all wrong. (Long pause) The; all have
the same goal. That's the we; I see it.

3

Writer: F?
hr. F: Well, it don‘t make any difference whether they are
Catholic, Lutheran, or what they are.

Ir. S: I went with an Italian 3'rl once, only something turned
up and we didn't get married. but she was a Catholic and
if things were alrixht, I would have married her, and she
was of a different religion from one I had.

writer: Do you think your friends feel the same way on this issue
as Jou do?

Hr. S: I know a lot of them does. hone refuse angone (to inter-
marry); they used to.

Hr. n: Nell, it would be hard to say if I think like others. They
have a mind.of their own. I don't know how they reallj
feel.

hr. C: Older pecple thought a.little difierent about marriage
into another religion. Younger peOple today are different.

Iounger Swedish peOple are more liberal.

hr. : I know when I ran around with that Italian girl my parents
said that they would rather have me marry a.Negro girl
than a.Catholic. But it turned out different, and I didn't
go through with it.

 

3. Such expressions were common among bwedish residents of the second
generation.

Writer:

Writer:

. .

hr. F:

307

‘he olden days, the horse and hu:;y days, they couldn't
el far.1hey had to marry th ir own, marry people

from their home town. Low they have cars and get acquaint—
emi vn oh cu l‘lemnent 1meogfilo.

a . . t riuixture. Schools
also helped in 01 en days to keep peonle separated Low

_re together. no ior '
the ol;er Swedes had the, ir own schools. The
udent ministers, what they called them. They had
a and writinw. The Catholics had the same. They
were in two separate groups. The; are now in one group,

e puolic schools cane in. Low they are in contact

more. One has a liking for the other and so they st"nted
to intermarry.

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Do any of you dis scuss this with your childre
I never did. It's up to them. .

Le'er.

none of you.

It is their problem. Iohody told me who to marry, so it's
their problem.

the following data were extracted from a ta ape —recorden interview with

Slovak parents:

Writer:
hr. P:
hr. h:
1.3". 5:

What would be your reaction to your son's or daughter's
intention to marry a Swede?

I think the first Question I'd asl< would oe whethe he

or she is willing to join our relL ion. his answer wOuld
tell me what I would hive him as my answer.

First I'd want to know the girl, I mean, if she had a
good background and came from a good family. lhen I'd
say to my son, okay. I'd let my son marry her providing
she would become a Catholic.

That's already been told to her. If she meets a Swede
or non-Catholic, I thing she realizes the point, if it
ever come 8 to that tzne when she will have a Swr- de or
non-Catholic, she will know what will t stress d as far
as I'm concerned.

J

(b

“S
9.

write

hr. 5:
hr. F:
--I'. 11:

‘Nriter:

1:1" . r :

gr. I:

I think 5 has a go od point there. I even told mJ llbtl°
boy already. is far as iis i.ich s are concerneo, cue

can oe‘or his own choosin , hut when it c mes time, when

he 5ct older le's rot to realiz tha’ he' to associate

C3 L {I'J t
and pick his irienris accorting to his rel 5ion.

en the kids go out with a non~3atholic
“tAin e: u2nt, but let's not get
r. I told n; son if you 5st

r

t.a 1. l.uife;1 1r. ugxot.. .2 t3C)fAT:;.t , "t e e Ttilfil
' ‘ -. 4-; »— I 7‘ \ IN V'\ 'V I‘ : "
e ro cons ant in the l_rst }1c3€, when Jou come in tie
-, L‘- - ".... 1. _ h'," 1...!»- “
roht door I‘ll 50 out the LGCA coor. I s.io that! l

hing too much aaout n o
IILlXt’Z‘i}, n'xarrlaf.fej 11’} 15;," fCJliilJ’.

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'u, MOI/*7 L20 bun f:

Y.[ ' F ‘ “ \r:'w“‘nr F“ I ‘ 5 . \
.311, I've had some Sad e yulleCd alon. that llJC so I'd
.1. 1 .- ..r-‘1, ..fi. -_:,
ddS‘u I‘o b11537 IlC boll“; C~L20L4b lb.

on to your son's or
a S'redisn party, who
‘7

In". A - ‘r ‘~‘-. 5 ~- ~ ‘ .- «r‘
.‘v‘ucl IIOU. CL L13 ,L' ”‘ Morita-t 1"
da ”5. ter' 3 ma1ria
h no intentio on a; oecomih

8C
followed.)

/

\Lon5 silence

Sometimes it's hard to Split up roma n e, and as far as
religion is concerned, one t1in,5 that could possioly he
done as far as the relie' a oes and that is cringing up
the Chilcren in ‘50 C

n
L a i“ rali5ion. It couldn't oc
anything else. Either that

I feel this way about it. If my daughter nar“ied out of
ti e l

' . - ' 1. x .. L ‘” ....“IJ 1.55 .
churc;.‘ without Ly CULUIRU, i would oisowh '0“

. v
, \J .A— .

I think can expect too much oec: is: ametf 0

don't have much of a chance at fifst, but after t ,

narrie a rear or tw; there is alwags a possiCil'ty of

one con MI gir to the church. So think that ques l
e

.ould h

L

1’ “ ’\ \ ’1‘7— 7' ‘1 ‘1 '1' —: ~ v- o ~—~, -. V, Vr‘ ‘ -: (~ 1 wu‘ , " ..‘4
Lmflitlum61],7ucilvadld 3mm; tiniflx OI jcric ‘orzcor Oclul'bpr

Q
bFConl“” rcoocstantiae turou;h n1arria5e? \ham ms of
can:l looks at each other and rejoined for a sccor2c.)
We 1, as far as I'm concerned that's aosolutely out.

Over my cead body.

 

 

 

 

 

30‘}

gr. M: I nev:r went to live to 533 the say m, Guild will change
his religIon for love or for 3 Human.

“r. S: hg'cpin‘on is tIe same as L's. '

I r, '1“ 1.0113- OI‘ I‘Iine Chantal in e. I‘Li‘nLi-d I'rteri"i_s;jc, and I how tieg
I’Iever Will, €l-tl;O‘L1,f:II I LEA—3 83 lei/L311: Incrriegae In “if IS'IIlilck .
m. . , . - _' .- 1- 1“ .' _'. _' ,: .|_1 .,- " g ,-
Ihgy were marrieu my a ostuollc [rigst, anQ anlr Gulls IS
tfiptiyed Is fer es tne churcn, Le ncv~r meulles into
that, and I HOIe he'll Join in the fut r3. In one way
it is CC‘LSF to have s Iixed narri: 3 than to marry some-
one you woulo only liwe witI s snort time,

IJ‘.1I: If ngs SONCthLS th:[:e hasty eooct narrydlnf, and tnst some
can come into the cn‘”CI site r bP”"'r married. a t I have
ytt to see a.convsrt come into tne cnurcn eiter he was
msrrieg. Lsucllx tney're con nvertee oefore. tsuell; ejtor
tnL, are web‘rici a nnile they omo ‘t care whether they gain
tI3 'etI lic ChurCH or not,

firiter: Iou me an that tIere sno 1d be an chelsi IIGing before
IT: srri 3’ "a?

-J- 1..-

..
'“ [433.4,

l‘U‘U

olL

no. neny tines many come In

Jeers oi marriage.
cIilm suse one to com
Protestants, come into th

,6)

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i
C

"en

(‘5

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E?

to the church
I disagree with you.

+3

fter several
or etimes the
people,

a
S
nto the church.
lunch that way.

fir. E: There is a chance left for Lue Iildren's sake if the
women is Catholic. There is a.cIence there yet, but if
man is a.Catholic an; tI3 women is Protestant, you may
kiss your re igion goodbye. I would agree with F

T1 es 3 Get? also indicatee rele ivelr favorable a ttiLudes oI Swedish

0
1‘381’-‘

ents and unfavorable attituues of Slo

)
|

r\

a CC

V

nerriei blovsks str $333 conve r

SI. CCIlSIl

v3” residents toward Slo sk-
sion to Ca tnolicism es oeir;

absolutely necessary LeIore tI03r wo oule pe'ri IrtermeI isge. Such demands
T r) t vhr‘l 3 l- LEVI/3s l db" >31’tc ' " no ‘rt *1 r) -' .,. .3 4" Li
”Jerk, DO IIICCIC Dy un3CLISII rCol‘LICll u INCL/C Cid 8. d 50 blVL 8Vl\:cffICC CI {“18

patriarchal and democratic or eQualitsrien

and SIedes, resyectively.

4‘
.LC‘

wily structure of Slovaks

310

I. ‘1‘ P j - K —. ~-,— , ’ r . “3" '~ 4 '_ ,- '1: r ‘ ‘ __‘| fr -, x C‘ ‘K , '~ 9
krcoauif most lrportart a1: Lie attitudes oi Slow 1: ehu oweLLs Ol

. 1 . ' \.'~ ‘ ‘_ ‘- ' - . " VP. ‘ “I ~ .. -. r." ' ~I " “t 1 ’ ‘3 j ‘ V ‘ 3 I v" ' "‘~ A
the thire Lenoratioh Loweru ihtcrchPICHB, Lie ioilcvnigg\lmLa were ex-
--‘ . . , 5.1.1 " g 7“! A, ,. -.-
Ial"8C LCPI fI‘OIfJ 8 tme I‘IL‘L‘ 33111:. 1.1 in+ mi 1‘ VIP U Till 1:11 oh .1, iii 11 1”"3L111311LS 3

7' _' . . ,‘ .-.- ... ,. "’ ‘.,, ,,.:- + . , ,_.. , ' .. . 311 .
firiter: Joulu Jou narrJ o olLVcA 11? 11 Jou were in IOVe wiLn her?
'." -‘ o "\ n I"; ._.) ' o _. “ _- .‘ 01", _\ ’\

hr. 3: we‘l 11 I wcs uuL,lJ in love WiLn LL: irl I wouli,
I "1. \ v ' 11“ ". .. 0“ ’
c.A e:r“t11211 t1L“o;J.lo1n2 oL1L thle I¢i1hjovlranu Ina‘1‘ i1

. .z .- ,— - -. ‘ ' ‘1‘.— , L“ .' x n -. Lava.
he lust .33 use she is dqu I;ll ion cannot dep the

c
Lorrlete h‘jpinCSS you would Lave if Jou marry the one you

’\

firiter: uow would you hancle the proolem of diflercnce in relizicn?

f us .Jould attc nd each other's
p01nt that the crilcr en woulu
as to avoic difficulL‘, Iou know

hr. b: Hell, I think that both 0
church, out to nehe 1
ccnne Luv i11 ore: ci1“rc

311 e, and there niynt he some LCllGVG of oze

1d the one Lelievc the other, and a quarrel would upset

f

writer: So you sug; 3s t that the wife go to one church and the
hushenu to wnotksr church and that children would 50 to —-

hr. 3: One definite cLurcn.
Writer: 'which one?

hr. 5: It would oe deciccd he-we en Ls.

agree wit? 5 on that point , but I believe a mixed marriage
should he entered into with nzore care than a marria 3

among someone of your own race or group, and oeiore Jour
marriage, have an a reemcnt as to whet church your children
Should go to, and you snould ce sure tlet you're rcel]-v in
love before you even attempt an; marria_;e for tlet netter.

H

T'.
ALI. o 1.1.:

Writer:_ J, how do you feel auout this?

hr, J: Ki1 s is the same. Une poirt t1;ough, I think e parents
should both go to the same church TAat way 1ore would
be no quarrels in the fenil) as to diif crence i relinion,

ti
t1

 

h, Product of a Slovak—Swedish marriage.

hr. J:
Writer:
Lr. J:
Writer:
“I“, (J:

I‘LI‘ . 1.:
hr. 5:
firiter:
1.1" . d:
Writer:
iuI‘. J:

311

40W do you thirk JOQH7 people might come to an a reement
aeout religion, d?

It's alright if you know truly that you are in love, and
you Lave no faults. I tLink it's all up to tnem, and it

can 03' (may.

now'mnflu you
1 .

feel atout this if you were in love with a
Slovak gir , J?

1

Mould you narry ner?

les, I would.

T 1“; an t'vn '3 v 7»: ‘v‘y‘; d4-"eiwu q f :2-‘4u‘. ,
in Jour case here would up no liltience 0 religion.
7“ ' ‘ P-\ .‘J ‘ ?“P‘Y"II h (‘7 I "'("L I“:

now would ou feel tone-“ of Q.\TC3‘J.LQ.1 5&1?

,‘ w.‘
‘c
U

fiell, I would say that they should talk it over Defore
you get married.

neout what J said, tney both should go to tLe same church.
I more or less arree with tnat because a person's condition
can't be changed very easily. What he belie es in he'll
more than likely always believe in, and if they would then
go to the same church, one of tLem is going to feel that
he is doirg the wrong thing. That would more or less tend
to make an unhetpg.marriaqe, So I think another a re=ment
should be made as to the church and so forth.

a feels that it's a good idea for the wife to go to one
church and the husbani to go to another. Iou agree witn
that, a?

Yes, I would.

J?

I'm not sure, I guess.

Well, I think it would be nice if they could work out a
plan where they could each go to each otncr's church.

And later decide on --

 

 

 

 

 

1.114. fl:

7; 15'
1'11". 1.:

L'LI‘ . 1.):

write:

LLI‘ . h:

Hriter

a
.0

O.

312

Lo,n not necessarily 'ecide but hold no prejudice against
the other' 3 Church. attend it as freely as you would
ymn'om1chmch.

I feel the sazne way, that they should understand each
other's religion getter.

That's th e point I meant in each one going to their own
church, but still understanding each other'sr religion,

because, you know, as the children grow up they '11 85A
their daddy this and t11:—: ir 11.0'1t1er this, and iio‘ they knew
onlyr their 011.11, they couldn't 1:11 517 r 8113' wit ut havin;

difficulty with their children.

Why, in your Opinion, are there so few
marriages in our community?

Some might he afraid to ack

le time (eecause of) t11e pastor.
1hey mizht have trouble. Others
i

don' t know, just might

hnotker reason is that most of the young peeple around
here don't 1narry pe01le that a.re from t1eir own com1unity.
U sually they iound their wives and husoands some other
place.

There are very few Swedish-Swedish marriages in town.
I wonder why?

Iou really brought something to my mind that I've never
thou ght a.bout before

<1

(1‘
,4
1“
(‘1
:5
H
(J
(k:

I think it's the differ mr be'
(Others agreed, noddin J)

{flOIlS ,

Does your pastor.ever mention anything about mixed marriages,
marriages between the Slovak and Swedish peOple?

In my confirmation class our pastor discussed it, and he
said that it is be ter to narry in your own (religion),
but if you really love a person, do what your he art desires

I thir‘ he brings it up in most confi-nation classes such
as in h' 3 class. Iou ee, I' m in the save class as 1 so
that's the only time I remember of it.

v-J—a \o

In general, would you say your pastor tends to encourage
or discourace mixed marria3es?

 

 

 

- m, o ' - ‘r-L. - "~n -L a " ,1 J—n1 a n r"-
d. 1he lollowing data were ext1act3d iron a tape-lecorueu

Writer:

11 J68 1"; :

hiss f:
Writer:

hr. B (the only male):

Writer:
I1 is S l'l:

Writer:

313

T, ‘ ‘_-_’ “a J— 11 _‘ '
dell, I think he's hfll wag on bJab. I mean, I don't
tiinn h~ discourayes or encourajes, 4e makes it a noint
as to discussion to he unhermost in our minds as to our

own thoughts, I think.

- “.1 . '-1-‘ 1.: 1 ha :- 1- ":
Vou a 1ee with him on that po1nt, h?

I

Would

I believe that he just expresses his
our own choosinj.

That's ri ht.
Opinion, and we do

Slovak females and one male of the twird generation were inter-

interview

Would you marry a Swedish boy if you loved him?

On, I imagine that if I loveo hhn that much I would marry
him.
Would

there be any conditions --

Before I married him he would have to promise me to become
Catholic, or he would have to become a.Catholic before he

narried me.

That would be my conditions,

That would be the conditions for me,

hine too, If I married a Swedish boy, which I doubt, even

if he wouldn't Join the church, he would have to understand
that the children would be reared as Catholics.

You would marry a Swedish boy if he did not join the church.
I think so.
5?

children

The

It would be the same for me.
would have to be Catholics.

I see. Does your pastor ever mention mixed marriages?
U11

3

What does he say?

he often mentioned mixed marriages in catechism (clasaes),

 

 

 

\L)

hiss h: he says that oefore y
make sure that the; a
you don't, you me; ha

ou 1 t the fir] or hey by the altar
re Catiolies iirst. he said that if
vs tro uole la.ter on.

hr. L: I heard the pastor say once that they can hardlv work.
he said they are difficult to he reallyi 11515; in.

hiss T: I know Father 1 var; ofte n menti one that he would never
EJVLSS 111lX'3-1 I..8.I"I‘l87_:85.

hiss 5: Sometimes nixea narri m: 5 take place, and even though he
does hecome a.CatLolie, sonetimes he might leave you and
he a Protestant again who a Jou are not free to renarry.
iou raiSe dour children as Catholics, and if you wouldn't
want to raise them, you could do nothing aeout it. I
thi1h it wouldn't work.
Writer: Woulda any of you hesitate to marry a Swese if he intended
to join the enurc h?
hiss S: I t1ink I would. I have read a lot of books and the
Ca t11olic Cirls's Guide 11ers marria1cs like that and even
f h- is a C11 U1olic anl t11e wedding takes place in the
Catholic Church, he might go awav and leave 30d, and he can
marry again. jhy mother alwavs tells me that 3'ou must
almost he born into the religion to be truly understanding
ahout it. It is hardly possiole for a girl or Swedish bow
to really understand and get the full meaning of the relision,
even if they are Jarried,

H.
0

These tape-recorded cata.also indicate the greater emphasis given to
reli ion o1 Slovah U1an Swedish residents. 1he latter emphasized a need
for oetter understanding of each other's religious beliefs before harriage.
Swedish suojeets also sugge sted that the marital partners attend each
other‘s church, and permit children to select their own church. it is im-
portant to note that Catholic are denied these practices. Slovak subjects
insisted that children he reared Catholic. Only one Slovak female said

she would not marry a Swede unier any conditions. lccord inL to both
groups, the Catholic pastor seemed to oe more Opposed to such marriajes

than the Lutheran pastor.

315

In brief, data. at erch Vl81tCtBlCLOTLQC interviews with three
‘SUE rations o1 Slovak anh Swehisu shhjects seemed to indicate that ch5es
held more 1avoréule attitucas coward Slovah-owedish harriagcs than
Slovaks. 1Le latter group of residents seemed to give greater emphasis

to similar religious cacer rOund as a prereQuisite for harriare than

Q? .~\,~\‘. ~‘ 1Dje 3fi+fl
ark/v.15“ 511 u Coo.

...

\.‘ v n -'«,~ r 1 ‘Tnv— 1» -r,. \r‘ r1»,\' 1 L ' 1
extent o1 Inuezmairia e hetwcen lya2 dhu l} l, I11cluSive

Presentec in Table XIIV are data.rerarding marriaqes of 159 Slovak
and Swedish re) sidents which occurred during the past three decades. Fifty
were marriages of Slovak males, 53 Slovak females, 3h Swedish males, and
13 Swedish females. A study of these marriages indicated a.numuer of

fferences hetween Slova1< and Swedish res Cients in terms of marital

selections. acio.n.at ly LIO-—t1lPdS of Slovak 1ales and females and
Swedis 11 females m wried local residents. Only hot of Swedish males married
local residents. L11 non-local mates, except three, came from ne 1 COFlu
communities descriced on page 120 lhese communities were within a twelve
mile radius from Grassflat. The brides of two Slovak males and groom of
one Slov ah fem ale came from areas beyond neighboring communities, that is,
from comJHunities Ir1ich were auircih~accl twenty mile 8 second th elimits
of Grassflat.

Fift i—ei ht per cent of Slovak and SIJeL1iSh 1erales, 123 olovak males,

and 3ht Swedish males entare d into intra—ethnic and -relig ious m arr iae;s
with local residents. A greater di1fe re nce Cetween t11e herital selection
of Slovak and Swedish residents was shown Cy a.stuey of their int re -ethnic

 

 

 

, i_.u 4 l.fil % _ n_N¢ r
‘nlell:ln (xyliltflklé (a: olljv.J;

fl ”‘3 "71* *,fi I * II-(Y"'i‘.fi'.\"‘ . {xv-3L 1~ _. '
b.iHUle hmJ Qéufiiofl Ldlhuunh
l‘LiliJ'IQigl'i'iizs (1945-1.

9;1 ihCLLSlUb)

 

 

 

 

 

Slovak Catholic Swedish Lutheran
l;alas females llales Eamales
Catlolic
Slovak (local) 31 31 3x 1x
Slovak (non—local) lb l3 20f -
German (non-local) - l - -
Italian (non-local) - l - -
Pa. D.'(non—local) 2 2 - -
Luthergg
choish (local) lx 3x ll ll
Swedish (non-local) lx - 5 l
Slovak (local) - - l -
Slovafl (non-local) lcm - l -
English (non-local) - - 2 —
German (non-local) - — 2 l
hussian (non-local) - - ~ 2
Daytist
Ecfilan (non-local - - lx lcm 30f -
netnoéist
:Egll§:~Tnon-local) - - 20m —
Unload firstnran
Fr.-£a. D. local) - lcf - -
no Church
bwaoisn {non-local) — — - lx
En;lish (local) - - — lx
English (non-local) - lx - 1x

 

X nixed religious marriage.
Cm Conversion to religion of male.
cf Conversion to religion of lamale.

b)
[LLJ
\1

h..,—1 4‘ --w . ‘1. >7”. fi‘f“ unj- ‘~'\ (‘v a 7 ' —:_. , -.v-\ , ‘-

o'uq -I Cll _le 113 1. EI‘Fl c; 71::2 111 C11 non-lyeui r‘ju4.\1.'Jilt/Q , ..L‘ .-F:;I1oi;,r-G-L: 11.71} Isl" COLLL
of biova“ males anu 2LL or Slovan remains eut ch 1 inLo such nairiages,
out onl7 13L of ovcoiLn Lales a1c 3L 01 5.1Loisn iemales L1arrieo non-local

'51-» a .L- .t‘ .n -' L.’ ‘ , .“tr-- .‘,~ *" ' - —-. “.9 r - 3. -. r“ ~.(-' ~r. .-
‘11cut353 1.11 SUC11 111GI‘Tl8LtL’b , lie I‘chtoun IUI‘ Ul1lf.) diliei‘r3Ing ioiiouutl lfi

m

a ta containeu in Iaole XX wnic1 contains a POY' LlaLional description of

‘ ‘ " . ~ \ 1 . 1. 'VV‘ ’1 ’ '. " ': ‘ ". .‘c; ' ~‘ ‘ 4“ ‘\‘ ‘ '2 I‘ -‘ n‘ 7 I“ . : ‘1'!“ ~ “" . J‘ : ‘
1M3; §nLOIlD5 communities, lne nuLoLr oi oiovah botuwllCS in comLuniLies

SCFFOUIKLUl’liFéSSilBt JiS» Latter ldifll that o

r
'7 .
(2 i3

Dweeisn thnerans.

V

1 two diiierent na tionali-

C'-
3..

As a group, biovah males intermarrieo Hi
F‘ -" - ,. r r1 ‘ - r I‘v-w‘u' -' r“. ~ r1- fl _- I. . n- ‘ "‘~ ' r.‘~.u |.. “‘-»*.' r. / ‘
ties; blovaL females Slk; suauisn lees. Lnree, ano oveoiSn ienales,
- ,a. r .. .- . .-.,.‘: fla. -. 4. :_~ ,- 1. ' n -.g . r A
four. 1 closer analysis inLith~d tLaL anre were 4 (LL) blCVdn males:
h -r~"~ "Amt-1 ‘_ fr!“ ‘ {‘,-,—." ~‘ ~»r I‘- I r" / ()1: -~~ H.
l O SlOVcn lbmdles lb ’uo) ngulou M0105 and 0 L0) QWEVlOH
/ 9 9 / 9 I
n.., P 1 " w‘L -, " . "‘4’ .1. -\ x ‘1 'w r‘ . r ,_ h 1‘ \r. -.-!---.y
uncles wno entereo into Linen marriages oi nationalicd.
r4 '0 8"] v I -‘ film -. my t:‘ f‘ '. ’3 ‘2‘ Q] r.“ ‘VVB <- I q-l ... O . 0
AS a 11‘CDL1 , _LOV 81C Inc: vs lil \LI'L'udI‘I‘lLL 'v'l til CL‘C I'ul. l _LCLlS L UCLLLLQCJL I1,
r- . w r— h 4- h- r: o (‘1 --' ‘ 1v ‘ 7' ‘v ‘ 41' w h J J‘T’ -“ ‘
Slova} fenLles, Lwo; oaeLion males, LJO; ann are llS 11 lemalcs, LJo. L more

de ailed analysis of tLese oaLa,indic ates tnat 2 (up) Slovan males L (CL)

Slovak females, 3 (12L) Swedish males ani h (Zip) Swedish females

centage of Sueaisn than Slova 0k males and ienalcs marrioo inte -ratnnically
ano interreligiously, particularly Swegisn males.

In terms of mixed convert marriage , it is important to note that in
the past tnree decaoes local Slovars and onenes who intLinarr ed with
each other and remained residerts of Grassflat continued to hold their
long estaolisned religious oeliefs or aoando e1 tnm out not one converted
to the faith of his or her mate. Five SI-reuis'n males who abandonec'i their

religious faith marriee non-local residents, ‘hev adontao the rL lipion

311
of L1l_i“.1r1ncs. 1 Lu 5 L1w- ’IL“'LUO zoL—lsoéfl_élb vak Cachiiics and
three non-local UCTLEW Lantists. ILuy wrr? all r;sidants of 1 hnorin:
CJMJJLJLLL. :3.

SloJLLs gainen twe conv:ct3 Lyon‘g LETTlETQ, One Slovag male con-
‘mdr‘1l1 his rt3n-ix3c Ll LJLDV' .1ri.gs ”Ho 1';: lo“. 1*1r IL1LgcrcL1, £1L1 ona
Slova» 53.313 “onv,:L,1 -4" ‘o“' v-0 31L 8 local reci'Lnt oi initei
urethren faiLh an" Eran: ~13nns;lVEnia JiLLh ugsoent. b”Uu'b ~Line7 thre;
cc nverts thro1 h r" :1 On: oeran LayitsL and Q”0 Ln lis1 h>thoaist

-
1

x "' 'w \' 1: "1'. - <~ '1 ' ' -‘ x 'L‘ f
'LT"C Gil-1'13 lf‘C11 rial.";-11’UL_Lil-,': OI"LL".LU_L":LJ , WUI‘d CCL'VLgNL 30. t0 bjii
r-vfi ' " r ' ‘ o “I A: 7" vrx «j. r" ~1‘\ L. 3"
till -9'lCLlS .481le OJ. Luci'l" Ocasulog; .‘Ll VOL-Au) ,
"Ln t 1-L n n? in 1,..1. v-rr‘ i m»- 4-1 -- 73 13““ ti ~ 9“ '~ -i 11 " ”v.
.L1 11.01" min, pauuli 1' J. olJiOfl Hog ~,1-V.L;l Lax) L111. qLLVL) _Ofl Cl W’IliCn OI L110

V
1 r"
/

religious fa'tns Catholic or Lutheran, oecame d0? ir ant in the sociaiiLa-
tic process of cLildreh torn to local .lava“—o"~li81'nriajcs, In each
of four case“, chilercn were reared CELfiOliC. This is in accordance with
teachings o? the Catholic Church. Eailure to comply with this princiole
would mean the risk of oxeamnunication. Only one ”lO'ah Catholic ma le,
who marr irw a.1on-local 5w oish LuLheran oride, pernitLeu his child to
the co 11 iitions oi
this marriage was not a'ailable,

Com11th typical of those volunteereL Dy blovag Catholics rorarding

this Slovak male rare as follows: "It‘ s t 1e wors' thing a man can do--

sraligion". "he'll he punished for his". ”do is without a

E.

aive up 11
Catholic friend. Even11is Mother refuses him to enter the house".
"Somethinp's the matte r with him if Le coulo do tiis". "it's the last

thing when you permit JOuF child to go to another ch“ch", Ti's Slovak

 

 

 

 

 

 

-,-r~1‘;) . an 'A' J J” I) A?" f‘ t rt }\.(‘.‘ ' '\"" )Y‘ “ ‘:n r} r l%1"tn —¢ Y-nqq-ifit- ‘ ;r\
LUGLV l. 'L-‘I’mv Lulu .~“ _LLJC- lid ..].u A- (.1 u..* ... , 1:-0 Oil...) ... V1615,“ .Jcl pllu ’ 113.»)
t’ ‘ *‘v‘~ ' I w . H” ~ Ln '4‘ *nqu «Ia .L.-L- ma ar-x unis

‘u‘IO uI‘O VALE/I o Clix). ui-D U i UPSJO L; ILLIT. . I1 lJ'.JI\A Iii-.3 LH‘J Ulu; f' 1:: o(—:_L\A , OLE;

, v ‘ .T ‘Hmrp , -..~.;. A '. A I ,-4- I“ ‘LL4.". ,.,-- ' ' .- r. .,.' V-
turns Lap noel JLen we meet on LU: strelu, SOLeoime tLa 'll all a: 00331

d
~‘r' ~v / r .‘y A ~o. -- ~ -. Jo—
and abh Le to come Leon. oLst wait”.
n“ — .1. ' h. "' 4"" n . V‘ i x "i" :‘ 0' ,'\ ‘u 3 'z‘ ,"j . "'h f. ,1” a)“ ~ — - 'C‘ -r-. IA. v‘ r :‘ I“ y 1“ fl". ‘. " ‘3 \‘ " " “)V‘I
brf’soloti Fungus“ do o\,(_,'\,{xu_.i film 1 _CWL, , “lo sail: Wm; all dbulV'b “minus“

1‘ .‘ 4"“.nr‘ ‘ ‘ '» Pt" 4’\ 11 ' P v: ‘I‘w 4 v" . “ c“ '.~ V. .-r;' '.
and oiiioer of ooth pu‘ LL ani SOClol oiaanizotions in tLe communitJ.

She was foraerlv a soLool toecLor

~ ,‘fi -3.’ ‘ .1. 4 _‘J. ' ...A . , 3 .. .‘V 4-‘ 3' , 1.1‘ _° f i _H _,v , .
SWeuos Lid not re eou tnose L-LLLrs oi oHLlT UohULC group wLo marr?_eu

U

" .,.V, "L‘ 1;, '. '3-” _- -L‘fsnyw‘ .L'.,.; *-" J -V .3. ,. ,1,“ n _L

10 v'cm Co oLOliC ol‘ludo 813' ..QZ‘.» ii. out-1.9. 01341" Chllul‘sfl no on; 1’":38=.‘-.:.u uE o1 liolic
:‘fi '7' "- ’fl‘ . fl -‘ (.‘VV’ I - ‘ I“ P r r. '1 . 'I
QLOVd KS Lela Lilbll a .11.;‘LLI‘coiOI1 OJ. OLJLV‘S I110 L) Cc; ‘3 Cc'LLOilp .

h stlfly was mane of tue “alationshio Letween SXDJEMJ Of nationality
a; 1d rosis Ltial proni riqLitf of mates selected bv Slovak and QWSLlJSLL resi-

-\ + .r l‘ r\ ‘ '0 \r‘ ‘ ,‘ I‘» : fl ‘1 o 1" r‘ 'A‘ ~ .. ' ‘ r ’ J_ 2 ‘q 3 _ f: o _ ’0 < f,
oenus. 1L3 lollowiL5 dauo wLicL uQOL$HLtC oLo rAsiLenoe oi marital

C

TN

mates of Slovak aLd owedisn residents setm to inoica tr that incredse in

"‘ ..L

e‘oramy and decrease in IFOanfiULG 01 Late se lected were positively

 

“osidjn of Soleotsg Latos
1;ixed Larriaves Leiehooring SeyOLJ L ei Loorin:
Ethnic uronp of LstioLaliiy L “cl Community Community

 

Slo, Lale h
'10. Females y
Sw..Lales

SN. Females o

tJ
n>terr+e

H
CDCDR>FJ

 

A similar infesti ation was mace of gixod marriages of religion in

wnioh Slo al and Swedish rosic;nts nartioinated. Le relationshio bottveon
ex05amy-ano prOpinquity of resioenoe was much less Significant than in

the stu y mentions o above.

 

 

EC‘ . F D \‘A J- .\ 7' (‘4‘ \
iL'JQ 4L ..{AC ’3) 0.1:. Q{;.~3~—C II.) a :3 l'J. Cf: U-‘JS
‘ ‘ _-4 ‘. ‘ ,l. - .' . 1‘ ”fid'ufi—mfif “f“ . -... .._._._. “MT" ":57: ‘7 ‘1- 17:“:
1'- LJLQU 1'-ol‘£'.1.<;,1f(;‘b LS1. :11, Oi .1.11~ 1313:} 01A: 1111l-:.31'11JOI'.1.I;.‘-2,
3‘4—1, ' ‘ ,,..1 . " 1.,A' ',-:A_ ..‘1 (1... :,-. . - .,-1,.-
uol;.1lC Urdu?) Of. he’ll 3.011 LOCG-‘- V .J. 1.1." l + -355 C‘3.1.;I11Ll:il k2-'_k

 

 

1_1
O

» 2
Slo, Females b
8w; Lales b
Sw. Eemales L

mww
OHQ
[\JOl—‘l—J

 

' 1.. 1.” p :I . _ , ' _, ,- 1.. , .t . , ,1 ..‘1 1, r1 .1.‘ .' . - N _ 1.- -
A S Siluov 0-1. 1 O l? .1“ 8 -.‘ 1‘1 «'7: 1.38 lit; u [173C 1- 108m. ulOVGu \J E. o1LOllCS 8.111.], ~5’1'TCL1._LS11
L." . ‘ "11‘ f‘ T. A fir \‘1 a 4—1.1”, 7"" 7‘ 11"“1 "vv-w ’1': , - ' 1*-'~ 1’1"} t“"‘ . fin” “pv- ,.
uEllEl‘o..lo Jc'S 118 U3 . Lac Lil Ol one; 1 1.20;) .1‘91. lui -119.» 01). u -L L's 111: 0111.11 on S; d

J- 7 -. - -. r‘\ "V | , ,\ _ J- - , » ~ “‘ a- . 'A‘ 4- ‘ ,‘ ..‘ .3 ,_, ~. /-‘._ .- -
CBLALOllC prlcbt. U‘JSCFllwthS 0.1. cCCm OJ. S112“; 1|18l‘l‘laggb‘s "S I'eyOI‘LGLl

C‘

most lTBQHODtlJ SJ Loth Slovak a1'u Swesisn resieants were BHGlJZCd,
P11") ~-.\ -t «Lyn r-L‘ t . ---~ T,3 y-n -- (71 ~_ 1r r“ h4‘ 7' 7 -. nr‘ - Yfr‘ q 1 »-t-- ’3'7’3 » ~ n - . h >y~‘)fl
1.1x, 11105 CO;1.111On (:1 U lLtLtap Binoni’) 1.)- 0 J81; U CA U1:O_L_L\,O LO 3.1 (,l (1 Albert, [horrid Lo

- rm . - / -‘- J ., "1": T ‘--.'- 4—1 ~. -— rn—w rru ~ . r ,~ 1: -‘
Was expresse_ Ly one resinous tuna: "it's ole, 00 long as the chilchn

are brought up in u11e Catholic C1arch” 1113 following ex; asion was re—

gorted by a Swefiish resident as seing tynic al of SJeois; 1 attitu des toward

1 1 I

these marriages: "It's tLei ife and tLev have a right to make the nest
of it". hie writ13r is inclired to agree tLat these succinct expressions
were typical ofo tituoc 3 held o most Slovaks ann Swenes, respectively.

Presented in 1'ac EKLV are dzta reearoing the marital selections of

form:r Slov ak CatLolic and Swedish Lutheran residents which took place
during): tLe paSt tires decades. ’i‘hese data were presented as r .} ortc\1 by

1

parent 3 and relative" of ferrer residents. CH1“Cn recores were also con-

 

sul ted for tkes eoata. i11e former resid (3n Us include. 59 Slovak males,

F!

b Slo vaL females, 52 Swedish males, ani 5L SWCL5iSh iemales It is im-
portant to note tne hi 3h rate of local Lo tes selecteo bv Slovaks.

Forty—four per cent of Slovak males and bl» of Slovak females chose local

mates. Onlv Sp oi SlOJal; “ es and 65 of 81 vak ien les marnied non-Slovak

 

 

 

 

I‘d-LILI 131‘- L

SSLE’JTIM: U11

EESLL XLV

usefhsflrs 11222-1951 thLbslVS)

K1)
r\;)
H

bon_ii SLpVih c1Tncch 111 SVLDISH Lu111111

 

 

1."‘ ' (71",-L“.“-_
04.31/01; buUuULlCS

SNeSiSL Letheran

 

gales remales males Females
Catholic
SlOVSi llocal) lx lx lcm

Slovak (non—local)
English (non-local)
German (non-local)
Irish (non-local)
al'an (non—local)
klocal)
(non-Local)

"UH

4- -
U _L
a. D
a D

1-4

Lutheran
'3§§:i§§_(local)
Swedish (non-local
.Uutch (non-local)
mnglish (non-local)
German (non-local)

dentist

onglish (non-local)
German (non-local)
Swedish knon-local)

nethodist

Dutch (non-local)
bnglish (non—local)
German (non-local

Presqyterian

Dutch {non-local)
English (non-local)
German (non-local)

 

United Brethren
Fr.-Pa, D. local)

 

Christian Scientist

 

Snglisn (non-loca17

09773-81!

Unknown (non-local)

io Charch

Sweoish {non-local)
english (non-local)
French (non-local)
Irish (non-local)
Pa. D. (non-local)
Polish (non-local)

y-a

X mixed religious marriEHe.
of Conversion

lX lcm

lcm

lx
lx

lcm

lcm

{‘3‘ [\J

FJFJFJ~EVJ

\A)

lx 23f
lcm

lx

2X

'._J
1—-’ \U (V:

C“

lcm lcf

1X

lx
lx

cm Conversion to religion
to religion of female.

lx hem
lx
2X
2X
lx

lx

lcm
1C1”

lcm

n)
>4

lx

lX

of male.

 

P

 

MARIJIL SLLLCTI

! ' T
1 $4.21..

1 :Juiu 1..-L Sine/VJ) 1; C: rl‘l.L'LI'3
.LS (1)22'1/2‘1 I' uLiJul‘JL)

1 11v

111 1.)

o- r x =1
LiJIQIl

321

Lb '1‘ Li .1; 1.41-";

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

l c Sved1on Lutneran
-ales Females hale“ Femalrs
Catholic
Slovax klocal) 23 23 IX Ix lcm
Slovak (non-local) 21 27 lcm lx Lon
anlisl Knon-local) - l - lx
German (non-local) — l - 2X
Irish (non-local) 3 l - 2x
Italian (non-local) - - - lx 2cm
Pa. D. 1ioca1) 1 3 lx -
Ia. D. (non-local) - - - lx
Lutheran _
SEEEIEE‘Qloca1) 1x lcm 1x 1 1
Swedish (non—local) - - 19 15
Dutch (non-local) - - l -
Lnglish (non-local) - - o l
1erman (non-local) - - b b
dentist
Ln ;liS1 (non-local) 1x Ian IX 23” - -
L1rman (non-local) - lcm lx -
Sweoish (non-local) - - IX -
1Letfl10<§i§ji
Dutch (non-local) - lx - -
Lnglish (non—local) lcm — - 2cm
German (non-local - - - Ix
rr>sxv1,r11n
U51 {1011 knon-lOCEl) - - - lcm
Lnglish (non-local) - 1X 2X lcm lcf lcm
German (non-local) - lcf - -
United Brethren
Fr -ra D. (local) - - 1X -
CIristi: n Scientist
111:1is 1(non—locall - - - lcm
oewish
Unnnown (non-local) - lcm lcf — -
Lo Church
owed.isn (non-local) - - - 2x
1nu1is h (non-local) - - - lx
brenCn (non-local) lx - lx -
Irish (non-local) lx - lx -
Pa. D, (non-local) - - - lx
Polish (non-local) lcm - - -
x nixed religious marriave. cm Conversion to reli ion of male.
C01ve rsion to religion ’ fewale

322

A h ' 3‘ ‘C‘ ’ . 1“. ‘41 ‘ ..r-~ 'Nfl ‘ 1:. ‘~- (*1 - r ‘ ‘r '\ h'w r- . 1
lUCcLl 11.81180 , 011 C11; 01111;? 1.11111, 1,3 01 D J , 111311 11: LBS 011‘1 1;. a 01 1.) IL "511
'5“ - r r“ , h 84- ‘\' 3 - . -.. '. ._‘ ' .L'. -, , "7 I r1 '. ‘ ,
1umalas narrio u 13a al: was . o1x oer Cent O1 tue IOCLCr ane Le 01 tng

r 4'- »'.- -, - -. r: -"\'.“ (:- ~‘ ‘ ‘o 1 . .— f~ r ‘- \ r‘\ [.11 . x" I‘ r J- . - “ . h' r‘ 'L‘
lay UGI‘ 1.18fL‘l'3u. Hun-ulfratiLou .LOCcl 11.611170 , 11113113 (.11, t8 lflUlCu t: tnau 8.

I 1“\'(\' “1.11 ,- 1" l r‘ > -‘1w.v~ v! 1‘ yrr.1r— 4-1. r“. I -~.‘. ‘. ~1“.'/\ I—‘N rv ~-.v-\f
Sl$I1lIlColio 3, area 101‘ 1111-11111" 01 1.1101111 11111111 Sift-11.11811 :-:s,1_<31;nts 1:11:1‘1‘1xkl

I 5 .

in‘tra tunically neioro tneir ioailit: to tLa city,

«J

C"

C‘.’- r ' -' g--.~ .2 q 1..., 4‘ ' ,-~. . -- A . J— . —'— 9 _‘ -4- , ‘ - -. 1 ..-- 1‘1 —nlr
QucLio _:_CS ltj.-._c:l‘1_1_Ll.- L15 GKUV‘nu 01 1.1m; 70351-1110 811’3lajeb UJ’ ULO‘JCJA

S .1. rf-‘Q . i 1“]! A r'V‘fl ' )VIH‘ ‘. ' ‘~ 17“;— ' ‘l‘ ‘H l ‘3 J " 7* ‘3 "‘ V ‘L "n (.1 . ’ 1”"

8.11;}. «11-1101. bulb1'211LJQ Ca. V V ‘11. 1;" _Li:;£)L/.L ULAI]L) . J._J_._:l. Uzi]. 1.,- Jr. C{:llb OJ. QL‘DV-dl{

\

P“ I W ’A ’ ‘ (‘5 A 1" ' ... I ‘- .
males 3111 wig o; SlOTEmL.Lj.in) ;aeui 3; n111111
I; . - o I- ~ _ -,“ I "\ AV ‘ I’ ‘. J "‘ r 1‘ - ‘ -: J
JJ comparison, ,1p 01 51L1lou males a1; Log 01 oaeuisn 1emcles Lasrieu

within their own rationality.

flat to wnicL

(1)

Ctief cities oeyonl nci noor11p to1m11itiés of eras

Q)

weoiSn residents moveu were

(D
}_.J
0
<1
m
>7
0)
"5
C.
U)

s folloxrs: Slovak males -

1
C)

Cleveland and Detroit; Slovak fanales - leveland, 10w fork, and Jetroit;

Swedish males - Jamestown (gar lork), Iittsourgh, ouffalo, Johnstown
(Pennsylvania), and Chicago; "acuish fanales - Sui falo, Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh, uamestown (new Iork), anu firooklvn, in that orwar 01 freq wency.
is a group, Slovak males narriefi mates of four different nationali-
ties, Slovak 'ema es - six, Swedish males - six, and See isn females -
seven. Lin (131) Slova1< males, twelve (1L5) Slovak females, twenty-two
(£25) Swedish males, and twenty-seven (jOp) Sweoish females aart1ci1a'ej
in mixed marriages of nationalitJ. This difference oetween Slovaks and

Swedes was due mainly to the fact that Slovaks tau 3 Significantlv higher

rate of marriages in G‘assflat,
Sweaisn sun Hot also entered into mixed religious marriages more

1"

frequentlf the n Slovak suojects seventeen per cent of Swedish males 1

g

20» Of Swenish females were an j3cts oi sac marriaves, Onlv 7a of
n‘< y'r- n n- r; .K 'V 3' ‘8 ~—- 1. "’avyr- A r3 *1 >5 ‘
Slonx males ohu cs 01 biotah I Mules were si3.3cts of similar ya. ia.m3 .

Two (Lt) Swedish males and 1ine (17h) SWQJlSJ fem les married Catholic

‘ .L .1 _ .'I V ‘lu ‘-‘ . . 7' ~ - VI \ ‘ F'L l, 0 ~ ~ ‘ '- _ r V' r‘- V "17 ‘ .

mates. Oni; ore DWleSh male marrieu a Tetholic NAG was non-Slovah, out
. ,,-,. F. .3' 1 w” MW V.— nn “1° 0-,‘0

SSE-311 OWBK‘LSEI .L 3).;(198 mafr'lec L'Jll-Sj- O VII“ VG Lilo-L10 Ilof‘bco o

It is important to note that only three local Slovak-Swedish marriages
occurree among former residents. One Slovak hale and iemale enteree into
mixed TCliSlOUS narria*e s with Swedes, and one Slovak male narticinated

in a mixed convert marriafie in which the oride oecarm 3Catholic. ihe

chiluren of these narri an 3s W3re r3; red Catholic. In terms used bx local

(7.5
l—
:3
O
P—J
Z
(a

( L}
C.
CD
:5
:-
:5
C
(D
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I..._J
fl
(0
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Slovak and 'Ieoish residents, one as rria
Swedish female a.nd a.mxi1ilc class" Slovak male, another inoluden mates
of the "middle class", and the thira marriane took place se
"inner class" Slovak male and a "middle class" Swedish female.

A study of mixed convert marriages indicated at four Slovak males
and four Slovak females converted their mates, who were forms ly Protestant,
to Catholicism. ho Slovak was converted to a Protestant faith. wo Slovo 3}:
females abandoned their Catholic faith. One converted to the baptist ar ni
one to the Jewish faith. 50th were marriages to ion-local hm tes On the
other hand,t wo Swedish males convert their mates to Lutheranism. Of
these hrioes, one was a non—local Slovak, formerl, Catholic, and the
other, a non-local English female, was formerly Preshyterian. Only one
“wedish male converted to another faith, namely, Presbyterian. his hate
was a non—local resident Of English descent. Twelve Sw 3dish females

abandoneh their original faith and adepted those of their mates. Five of

b)
P?

»~~..- «1.4 ' "(v-14' '0 4-, ”r.” ., z a n
SeveiL wLo convertJL to LatJU-lClom marriea olo aha, one of Nnom W08 a

local and four were non—local residents. It is important to note thzt

marriage to ILon-local Slovak Catholics were entered into Dy four females

from one family. ‘1wo Steal h females who married non-local Italian

catholics adop ted the religious faith of their hus LanLis, Five other

Swedish females intermarricl with mates of other religious faiths. Two
a

m arrie anon-local Dn lish he wloois ts; one, a non-local Butch Preseyteriang'

a.non-local English Prese Jterian, and one, a non-local Englisn

C

one,
Christian Scientist.
Data.regrrding interfaith marriages of Slovak males are females in—

nicateo' that all children born of such rarriages were rea ed Ca tholic,

I

In mai ria es of Swedish males tq,one hnglish Prestherian and one mate of

r‘l

no faith, children were reared Lutheran. In marriages of Dwedish males
to one United Dr ethren a.nd three Daptistr ates, children were reared in
the faith of the mothers. to chiluren were porn in two Swedish male
marriages to French-non—faith and English Presbyterian mates. In only
two marriages of Swedish females, those whose mates were English and
Swedish non—faith, were children reared Lutheran, There were no children
in the marriage of one Swedish female to a Swedish non- -1aith m ate, ho
data were availaole rera1o1r0 the FuF118 e of one Swedish female to a
Penr S‘lVdnla-JuLCu non-faith mate

In orie-, products of interfaith marriages entered into by Slovak
Catholics were reared Catholic, re :,ar'less of the sex of the parent.

This was muc h less true regarding Cvueisn males ani females, particularly

the latter.

323

r. 9-; ‘I'- v n f‘ :1; .«q —‘ '~“~ - :- ~ — r , '. ~‘q- ‘ -. ' r“ ,' ,7 - ,‘ - r
11. COIIL Orduivre STJULJ (.11. JDQI'M‘D‘F LJJDUVCI.‘1 6111-1. befUlSIl I‘DSlUOI‘ltS 'V‘IUFC

mace rage erin.: Ironinquit, o: marital selections. Doth ethnic groups

seemed to ac yonstr<te that the lesser the extent ofr ilintial Prohin-
quity the greater the teDgency toward exo amy, both in teams of nation-

ality and reliwion. LS shown DJ data Delow, this pattern was more con—

sistent than that of Slovak and Sweiish res icents on pages 3l9—320.

 

 

 

 

 

Desitcice of Selectel hates
iiixedixarriaqes 1eighDorin; Degonc LelfihDOFld{
ethnic hroug5 of Lationclity' Local czzurit 38 Co munities
Slovak hales l 3 2 1
Slovak Females lo h 5 7
Sredisn hales 25 3 o lo
Sveeish bemales 29 2 ll , lo
DDSLuencc 01 Selected' hates
nixed Larriaqes Dcifincoriné DeJonc Mciauuoij n;
Dthnig_Crou27 f heligion local CeLLmurit 1es DoDILD-D1D
Slovak nales L l l 2
Slovab Sen ale es h l l 2
Sm ;~dish bales 9 3 2 L
Swedish bemales lh l 5 L

S J-

period during which the rate of intermarriages of nationality,

In J.
11181.;

1

heir combination was highest among res}

[‘1
DD
(0
:25
Ct
01
E
U)
1.1
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0
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1.
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religion, or t
Among former residents this p: ariod was l9hO-Dl and 1750-1991 10r Slovak

males, lihS—l9u7 for Slovak and Swedish females, and 19t5-19D7 and 1950

In

for Swedish males. A large majority of Slovak-Swedish marriages occurred

during the immediate pre- and post-war Jears.
according to data aathered via individual interviews with elderly
Slovak nd Swedish residents, the first Slovak- Swedish marria ;e in

Grassflat occurred in 1917. The groom, who was Swedish Lutheran, was

t

’\

\JDL
ro
C

‘_ r . _ 1. . '5 V n r“ I 5 ,- J— —,J n'. '. - D. . 7 r m ‘3 h‘P
y-I‘OEPlOTJDr‘ Of a ..--3331. ,:(_311': l‘ (:11. LTQC'JI'J, 3 LG ('3 , 11.3 D.Jr.i.:A'J 7:30..) 8. ULOVULL

LDL‘L 1'3 1"de WHOSE} lE-LLL'BI” 2. C081. 1.11111}? {(73 DELLOllC 81111 190 LLLCI' 'VIE'S LLL'LILGI‘B'U.
51“ 4." “ ‘ ’-- j . v .‘ ‘ r .‘ I n - [‘3‘ - ‘r 7. ‘ ‘ ..- a ‘JK‘ " ‘ 1‘ 1v " ‘__
LL19 STOOIH S EJOLQH SlOVELL :LLDL‘JLLLJJ-Jr EJL‘J LILAL . 1011': L)-LO VODL CLJS u‘in.‘_3r'D . 11‘ L.L.L U1L(::‘

data er'ruiio his narri aje wire not availaple,

"4

1 r- f‘ ,-..r ' -f . ' i '\ .: . F I ..)j ,— l' -S- " - 3’ (q " v—»\ ' 4— .:‘ . .r IN- -' F“ L‘
98 Lci I‘UJJOI‘DD'- . , Lin. 1.. 1.3.1. L31. SDJDQJD1L11-J 01 tT‘J‘JiLU’) -10\_Li 1:3 i' .L’.3:l Lo 01.

u s I 4- . r~ -. '. ~. .-\ t r . . ':. 'II I n 2 7 fi‘ 1 -. F (1 r , L r v] . - :3 r ‘r' r—_-
”other naD1onDl1Dies' Din D1ov1h LatierDDD Dre presented in 1aDle AbVi,

These and other data seam to indicate the iollow 1 , major conclusions:

IN ‘ r. ’A‘r -- A1 . «5 ~ I -_ - 1. !. -. D J- ‘F: ., I, -F—-. .— , '-‘--.-
1, In edCll Ca83, UOULLULJ.CS 1.101.141.1311 rfionlf; 1131613? OJTH 11(‘ULUT1L..LJLUII~L

and re1i 1on. ‘

83.101 UTLlLQd 121’"; LLJ‘UHS SLLOLT‘ NHL 8 :"I‘3'E: LI3I‘ '01'1'161107’ ”LOI'IQl‘k'l

.- , , -- ,- ~ r ° 4:. . 3.x -. ..J_ , , .
wiie- D 8.30 01 rationD11D D1.n Catholics. 1D is noDD tr rtl
-* '44 _, r" *3“ 0 than" '. ‘nr‘ 7 m‘ r‘. «’3 p T' ‘ ‘9‘ "” V‘ —T [1’.) -‘
ULLL’TLJ 1.6 m U30 OL .11 3 ‘ LLLD.13DI’IS din.) L‘T3IQ3 L01m’er, 1‘011" 1.111 111311

t a
ted the {iLigious iertn oi Liuj-M‘LliSQEICS. 1113 551:3 was
of two foxa es W10 aiootcc the r 115 ious ‘aith of their
ad urethren Luso ands
3, The 5rcom of formerly PresD , rian 1aith convDrLDd to thz Iillar
of Fire faith of his Dridw Ls lnHiC.: Dec earlier, r351ldcnts of
Pillar of E'ro 1ait ‘ l ric
e

le~s1;nwln leoh;
in t1; """"

fi‘

g:.

C D

u:-

r .

...

k f-
'7.)

(13‘

(‘n

D

h, t is notewortth that the rate 01 inmarriaxes among most of the
L

numericalTy 51 $1 or {routs was hiih.

LHJ' r 23—.r‘n, t‘ . a 1" . 1" bl C‘rxlr'grul”: , ‘. I" I - fJ‘-r ‘1“. 1“,Q f1”- '.1s,"y\ “)5
ch: I‘L:(~;1 LLZ'LI'“ 11L .‘iJCI‘lUC‘ u3‘ =33 L1‘JILS 01 1.1. u'y-Liiit '3 1t F1131 1 3011;,HDQ

 

01 "other na tionDlities" ard S; 'ova k Lutherans are presented in lac le XLVlI.

'4 r“ .... r--o— SI \ I‘ J- .-—-.. r.-L-/ ... ‘- A- .Lfir’. V“ , 1"
1Lese and other drta weneD LO 1hD1caDe tie lUllufllh~ .a or conclusi ans:

1. Thirty—eight per cont of former residents of Catholic faith
married within their own nationalities. 1hrou h nixed convert
marriazes they gaine d a uezwran Lutheran and Irish no faith

male to Catholic c151n. Une Slovak derman female entered into a
mixed religious marr age with a deruan Luthe an male.

0

2. Thirty-nine per cent of former residents of Lutheran 1 ith
o On

married witiin their 0.1n nzti 11 'litics, Thr L mixe :} convert
harriase h lv non-Lutheran mates to their

y "Dired iour former

‘ t four 01 their mcwvhe‘s to othe. religious

iained through mixed convert hlelc consisted
e

l
L' 1‘ W 'lj. ("1 (1"‘1 , 1 11,) :‘f‘ I -n 3“ w—I (- Ifila
01 H 1.211., ...oLL lI‘3031u.I‘LDfl ich (5.1. , Out, QLOD Ll F13~u 371/131 _L(...L ': :3

 

——.

327

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.mpcmdflmmh 3m: op mmemp =pc= .mHmEmm
oflaozpmo iopsm mflqm>akm22mm Adv awooa w Umflphma mHmE Cmpmzpsq xm>oam mac
.mHmEow OHHogamo GmEpwv my Hmooanco: w Umapgws mam: oHHozpmu Cmapmw mmo «mvmmp magma

 

 

 

 

 

2H nu nu nu un nu un nn nu un nn nn nu nu nu m :meH
nu baa pqa uu uu un un uu nn nu nn nn nu nu uu :mHHmSfl
Jogdgo ox
nu nu nu nn un nu nn nn uu nn nu ca nn nu nu a :mHhH
nu nn nu nu ma nn nu nn nu nu nu nn nu nn nu m soumpm
nn nu nu nn nn cw nu nn nu nu un nu un nu ca 3 :maamqn
.n wmpHCD
nn nn nn un nu nu CH un nn nu nu nn nu nn nn m gmfluu
mpam mo .m
un nu nu nn nn nn nn ca nu un un nu nn nu nn 1 .Q.mmn3m
nn un nn nn un un nu nu QH nu nn nu nu nu nu m xm>oam
un nu nu nn nn nn nu ma 4H saga nu nn QH nu nn 5 xm>OHm
nu un nn nn nu nn nn nn nu nu ca nu nn nn nn m Gwshmu
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nn uu nn nu nu nu nu nn nu un nu un nn CH un A :prmn
aflaozpmo
.LH .mpm .mgd .o.mg .Lms .wcm .mcu .uga .sm .oam .pmg .OHm .Q.mm .pmo .wcn
asopdno oa cmthmpn Umpflmp .mmpm .gpmvfi Cmgmzpsg Oflaocpmo .pgmm

 

 

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1.1:) U11 DLC‘VC: as 81d bu‘I‘Jk‘.Cs 11.} U. .1. L \l OPEL/.11.: (at L'J. ULLU CS [JC'J‘IUI,U. .nn.1.:“:.3\
. . , . n - .L' .z'-- m1... --. - ! -Mn"- _ ‘..‘,-v_-.~
“arr. ‘3 0L qulOHalLUJ. LJu q wirfl Lo“--.-Lath ulLLUF‘MCCS’ Lou.¢ar,
.' - J-‘. . -. -L - ., 4 ...A " ° . . . .. 1 .- - -z _- .
_Lll U; \:.Li1 C1 U VJ. L114... b LIO . CAJ. \A. l‘.‘_.'_A'. -\4l. F\1_1_l,‘)_LULJb 1' .231 L iCA Q2) . 1A. 1.1.0.01- “"Lfix’it'; V1,JI‘ 11114:. LJL.‘_‘
"‘ q- Y") D r a F‘l rhl- _ 4‘ . \ ‘ 'j‘rt-fij. "r“’3!“
Ci. Li“.L\l~/o LI‘L‘IL U DVD .8 11r'F‘J J»’\ 0L Ql‘VAl 1“... -n. CI. 40 .
..- - .. , - , . . . , , ' -L '- <2 .1» :.L -‘ n a" ‘
1c.-LT'JSthIhPL<JJ-r3‘ "ct/a C-J‘Iu.‘(:;CL t0 -L'fl'x .;- Cr IC‘ 1; 181; 07;" itajs (in. 1213'“ TIUO .LA'J 1‘1110
‘,- r~ . ..t J ‘4 I :n“ ‘1 ‘ v 2 f" ". “ fl 1' ’ J "‘ v‘ ".
1J3]. 011.1: 120 CLndI‘C-.US O1JF‘JI‘ tut I". 1;“-.LI‘ 0 .LL in. 01‘s 1.41011 SLOVEAS . ..L] ,S UL.‘n unclr‘e

‘:_ l' u o -1 _ -n .n I“ r‘ ‘ r ‘ fi_ _ 1“ _ ‘ ' ’W
=r 51 ab tLJJAMiOS towaro «ALA. as ravorfinguJ, CMLLLfi n

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C)

*nroll 6W. in Graces 7 through l2 seamen to in1HlCLt? that both Slovak and

(n

." ‘. -1 -9-.. -‘r -, r,...; 9 “.1- .. 2" .-° o :. 5.1.: . '-. .-‘ - ,. +‘ '
weoisn parents attrutu‘ oL interethnic Lr enLSnLn matte“ns Eronb the1r

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o
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L StLdJ 01 oatin Mg Jetterns among chiloran enrOLleo in erases { and

(‘ 4 1 v 1 ‘ A .0 1' 0 .‘~ Va . 1‘ h ‘ *r .3" (V1 ’ ’_ ‘ ’ i —. j .
t ano those enrollac in high senool was race. he results seawao to

y u

inoicate that more intra- than inter—ethnic mtin; 01(racterizei tie

pattern of Slovak and Swedish chi ltren on both educational levels. In

A V n ‘2 A r- /‘ ' C1 0‘11.“ r“, l‘ I "3 0': ‘i1 Tf‘ "r,“ ‘7 I“ Y “ . r.*" f-I" 'L ’- ‘. 1‘" ‘. '4" '\ “ Pf‘.
C11 c1_,15:IS 7 an- 1.. 1.2.0ch. ..c.__~.;S 011.. L‘;..18_1_::S 211-0 C'CU‘JJ. b51111 SL1 uO [JI‘CL s1"

0
(‘1
6
w
'1
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tionali ias" to "weoos. Swedish females tanned to prefer

"other nationalities" to Slovak . he o

P'"

.(d ,. ‘A ‘ 1‘ _.
11y Sneoish male enrolleu Ln
, “.1. --r , .'- '7 ‘I.’ .,v v,. .1. .n- 1. o L}. . 4-3..
Sraie t IF“J(TF:% Slo cv.1. girls sLinntlJ here than those 01 other nation—
'4..- . ° . . ' ..1- . a .-.' r‘ atw,‘ r .— r'i .
aliULes, lnbldulh5 Sneuish girlo. In anh SCLOOl Slova 1 males preLerr:o

girls of "other nationalities" slijitly nore than 52 aiish wirls, Slovak

females dated SWELLSh and "Otter DoulO liaf" males about equally.

Swedish females da teo Slovak and "other nationality” males about equally.
Swedish ma es preferred Slovak girls slithtly more than girls of "other
nationalities“.

A majority of the children of all nationalities renorteo t1 at ther
would consider religion as more important in choosing a future mate
than nationality, monr

3, euucation, or occupation, approximately one half

I . 1

of Swedish chiloren and less than one fifth of Slovak CiLiloren ino catcd

|.Jo

that marriage between a. Catholic ano a Protestant could oe happy if

they attended separate churches Approximately

chiloran reSponded that hair parents would approve of their marriage to

kn)
\p
3......)

80u1ecne of a dii‘i; -rent natior; li ' tut the same rol1'*0n. Less than one

.‘-_

fourth of Slovak children and more than one half oi Sweiish children

reSpo o'eu the t their par nts would approve of their marri age to someone.

of a different religion out the same nationality, Eighty—nine per cent

of Slovak children and t2; of Sw1m 1 51 Cuinurcn res:onte (1 they would marry
a person of a.different nationality but the same religion. FiftJ—three
per cent of Swedish children and only 93 of Slovak Children indicated

they would marry a person of a different religion but the same nationality.

Approximately one third of Swedish children and none of the Slovak

children indica tec thev would change their religion in order to marry the

U

I“

person the» loved lne res oonse s of both Slovak and Swedish parents and
children seemed to indicate that the description of peonle who "are very
anxious to get others to oelong to their church throu h marriage" was
more characteristic of Slovaks than Swedes,

Data gathered via tape- r,corded interviews seeme to indicate that
attitudes toward interethnic (SlOVéA-S%QdiSh) marriace were much more
tolerant arnong St-eces than Slovaks. This was true among Slovak and
Swe dish suojects oi the first, second, and third ge erations.

It is important to note that Swedish male and female residents inter—
married, QOth in terms of religion and nationality, more frequently than
inclusive, SL5-

Slovak males and females, During the period l922—l95l,

1

of Slovak and Swedish ic' males, 62% Slovax males, and BLS Swedish males
entered into intra—ethnic and intra—religious marriages with local resi-
dents. A study of their marital selections among non-local mates

ind icateda greater difference in their rates of inmarriaqe. A study of

pt)
V)
[‘0

for or Slovak and Sweiish residents indicated that the of Slovak males,
7;; of Slovak females, ELM of Steuish males, and tt1 of Swedish1,males
married with 11 their own na
Lmong residents and former residents of "other nationalities“ and
Slovak Lutherans, the tendency toward intra-r;ligious marriages was most

and Catholics.

(1')

characteristic of Lut1er
a total of seven local Slovak atholic and Swedish-lutheran marriages
took place during the past three decades. Of this number, four couples
who participated in mixed religious narria es continued to reside in
Grassflat. The brides Were three Slovak and one Swedish females. Lll
children born to these marriaves were reared Catholic. Three other Slovak
Catholic-erec31s11 Lutheran marriages included one Slovak and two Swedish

1

brides. These couples moved from Grassflat shcrtly after marriage. Two

were mixed religious marriages and one a mixed convert marriage. in the

rim

latter the Swedish bride became Catholic. 1Le children of these marriages
were reared Catholic. Four of the seven marriages took place between

mates of upper and middle classes, one between mates of the middle class,

and two were narriaces in w1ich mates were of 1e lowest class.

7'

C ngl’l' 1111-1; VIII

 

 

 

 

 

Cdlrfnh Vlll

Forum 1111131411013 01: 1:111‘11‘1-Ln1111-os

Up to this point various data were presented regarding the assimi-
lative p‘ocess between Slovaks and Swedes. It has been indicated that

through a gradual process members of both ethnic groups had demonstrated

-

evidence of progress toward greater interethnic dependence and harmony.
In Chapter VII data were presented regarding attitudes toward the extent
of intermarriaqe. The purpose of this chapter will be to analyze various
factors related to future prosbects of intermarriage.
For a discussion of future intermarriage incidence, content was
classified under four major tOpics, namely, (a) attitudinal factors,
(b) clerical factors, (c) demographic factors, and (e) past marital
patterns.1
In the beginning, it is important to emphasize that no single factor
Eer_§e_promotes or precludes intermarriage. Intermarriage is always the
result of multiple causation, that is, it is the result of several inter-
related factors. Therefore, generalizations regarding the prOSpects of

intermarriage incidence can be made only after various factors related to

intermarriage have been studied.

 

l. The first three of these and an additional factor, "residential pro-
pinquity" were suggested by‘fiilton L. darron, People Who Intermarrl,

Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, l9h6, p. 317.

 

33h

Lttitumina Factors

1.

It is important to review some of the pertinent conclusions regard-
ing attitudes of Slovaks and Swedes toward intermarriage. Questionnaire
data seemed to indicate that both ethnic groups crossed ethnic lines in
their dating patterns, but that this practice was more characteristic of
Swedes than Slovaks. doth Slovak and Swedish parents approved of inter—
ethnic friendship patterns among their children, but this trait was more
characteristic of Swedish than Slovak parents. A majority of ooth ethnic
rather than Swedes, "were very anxious to

groups indicated that Slovaks,

:et others to belong to their church through marriage".

heligion was reearded as the main difference between Slovaks ard
Swedes. It was also checked by Slovak and Swedish children as the most
important factor they would consider in the selection of a.marital mate.
Eighty per cent of Slovak and 50% of Swedish children indicated that
marriage between a Catholic and a Protestant could not be happy. Swedish
parents were more permissive in granting their children freedom to choose
their own church than Slovak parents. Both Slovak and Swedish children
were Opposed to rearing their children in another faith. Approximately
one third of Swedish children indicated they would give up their religion
in order to marry a.person they love. ho Slovak children gave this
reSponse.

Both Slovak and Swedish children and parents seemed to approve of
mixed marriages of nationality. On the other hand, according to reSponses

given by their children, 83% of Slovak and h7t of Swedish parents were

 

gun-"...... r-— .

 

 

 

335

were Opposed to mixed marriages of religion. Eighty-eiyht per cent of
Slovak and 57; of Swedish parents incicated opposition by their own
responses to this item. It is important to ehphasize that 905 of Slovak
and h7$ of Swedish children were Opposed to nixed marriages of religion.

A majority of children and parents of "other nationalities" were
Opposed to mixed marriaces of religion, but they approved of marrianes
in which only a difference in nationality was involved.

Briefly, in terms of questionnaire data Swedes seemed to indicate

greater tolerance toward interfaith marriages than Slovaks. both ethnic

)1

:roups seemed to hold favorable attitudes toward nixed marriages of

)

h

nationality. Data indicated that residents of both ethnic groups regarded
religion as the decisive factor in precluding intermarriage between
Slovaks and Swedes.

Tape-recorded statements which follow give some information regard-
ing future prOSpectS of intermarriage between Slovaks and Swedes. The
following remarks were obtained from Swedish residents of the first
generation:

Writer: Do you think there will be more or less mixed marriages
in the years to come between Slovaks and Swedes in
Grassflat?

hr. I: I think there will be no difference among them. I believe
they will all go out toaether after awhile. Peeple won't
know any differences.

Writer: 'Nhat do you think, hr. W?

hr. W: Well, I think the same thine. I think that there won't
be no less. There'll be an increase because the young
peeple now are getting to be like the same peOple. Iou
can't tell them apart if you meet them on the street.
Iou can'ttell them apart. They dress alike, and they
seem to like the same things. So I think there will not
be any less, but there may be more.

335

were Opposed to mixed narriaves Of religion. Eighty-eight per cent Of
Slovak and 57; Of Swedish parents indicated Opposition by their own
reSponses to this item. It is important to emphasize that 90% of Slovak
and L73 Of Swedish children were Opposed to nixed marriages of religion.
A majority of children and parents of "other nationalities" were
Opposed to mixed marriages of religion, but they approved of marriages
in which only a difference in nationality was involved.
Sriefly, in terms of questionnaire data Swedes seemed to indicate
greater tolerance toward interfaith marriages than Slovaks. both ethnic
groups seemed to hold favorable attitudes toward mixed marriages Of
nationality. Data indicated that residents of both ethnic groups regarded
religion as the decisive factor in precluding intermarriage between
Slovaks and Swedes.
Tape—recorded statements which follow give some information regard-
ing future prospects of intermarriage between Slovaks and Swedes. The
following remarks were Obtained from Swedish residents Of the first
generation:
Writer: DO you think there will be more or less mixed marriages
in the years to come between Slovaks and Swedes in
Grassflat?

hr. T: I think there will be no difference among them. I believe
they will all go out toxether after awhile. PeOple won't
know any differences.

‘Writer: What do you think, hr. W?

hr. h: Well, I think the same thing. I think that there won't

be no less. There'll be an increase because the young
peOple now are getting to be like the same peOple. Iou

9
can't tell them apart if you meet them on the street.
Iou can'ttnll them apart. They dress alike, and they
seem to like the same things. SO I think there will not
be any less, out there may be more.

Writer:

Writer:

hrs. T:

33:3

k the mothers? Do you think there will
nixed marriages?

Ahy don' t we as
be more or lo ss
Oh, I think there will U8 more. The peonle nowadays
seem to be so "uch ali i1{e, more American, all in one.
It don‘t make much diiierence who they pick.

hrs. i?

I think so, too.

The following data were Obtained from Slovaks of the first genera-

Writer:

hrs. 0:
Mr. D:
Writer:

hr. D:

Writer:
hr. D:
Writer:

Mr. P;

Writer:

Mr. D:

Writer:

Do you think there will Le more or less marriages between
Slovaks and Swedes?
Ies, there are more today.

Many more today.
Why are there more today?

Today they know how to Speak to one another. They go to
school together and the;; become friencls with each other,
and they become attached to each other, and later on they
marry. heligion is still a.barrier but they 50 to school
together, net acguainted, change religion, and become
converts.

To which church are they converting?

I think more of them are becoming converts to our religion.

Mr. P?
I also think many of the Swedes are joining our religion.

Lutherans are changing. Like here in America now, there
are a lot of peOple joining our church who did not believe

mn thing. A lot of these people have joined our religion.
DO you think there will be more or less marri gas between
Slova m< and Swedes?

There will he more.

Writer:

hrs, 0:

Writer:

hrs. 0:

Ire; so to sciool together. Ihey have the same language,
Ihey :et along Letter now than the; have in tne past.
that do Jou thin}: hrs. 0?

5

I think that they will marry more often now than they
ever had.

EVIL L:v' ?

a _ ohlv what I am thinking might be. I believe
just as.hr. D was saving. I know from our children. The]

Lcn't Lnov how to SpSEK in Slova; but just everythinb in
English. When someone asks them something it seem they

to

answer in one lannuae eve yone knows.

Ies. I reall: don't know, but I heard that peonle are
qettinv married, out not too MEDJ marriages ce ween Slovaks
and Swedes. That‘s all I know. I don't know how things
will oe in the future.

hrs. 0?

It looks by the language and our young peOple that there
will be no difference between them.

both Slovaks and Swedes of the first ceneration seemed to agree on

two important points: that their children are becoming more "alike"

and that more

intermarriage will take place between them in the future.

ihe following data were obtained from Swedish subjects of the

second generation:

\

Writer:

hr. F:

i'iI‘ . A:

Do you think there will De more or less Slovak— wedish
marriages in the future.

There will be more.

Sure. They‘ve already started to so -— (Others agreed,
nodding their heads.)

The following data were obtained from Slovak subjects of the second

”eneration:

I{riter
I'- F . F :
nI‘ , 11:
hr. E:
111" , 5:
hr. T:
hr. h:

'Writer

hr. h:
Vu'hrioer
hr. E:
lLr. P.

acre or less intermarri
in the years to come in

Do wou think tiere w'll ”e1
between Slova;s and Swecb
Grassflat?

335

age

I thing th,r: will be here because we associate more

‘de belonj to the same oreanizatiens, as we talked about.
they go to school tocecher Ike; have irienLS. naturally,
JOJ can‘t heed them apart, 1a UféllJ, there will be a lot
more courtship and marriage in the future.

h; parents used to tell us, "Iou bring
fooay, don 't stress that so much anon? the
We don't tell our children what our parents did,
"w en you marry you bring a Slovak girl home so th
can talk with her". See, then if Jou didn't bring
rirl into the family they had nobody to talk to.
words the voungnr reneration nowadays can talk to

daun‘: ter-in-law*re;arol 35 of what
Ies, the old folks are gone.

WC

T

i don't care just as long as she's of mJ faith.
there will be more intermarriage in the future,
the peeple don't talk much Slovak any more,

I think so, too.

I think they will marry LE’

ey have their dif -y're going
from their Stet h

I notice they
Srealc "wedish the way they used t0,b the younger on

There will be a.big change that's all.

fi
la?

{2113" 'f.)

3

Will there oe more or less --

tore Insolut between the Slova {s and Swedish
but thev won't be 32 d-es and Slovaks. ihey will b
Lmerican. In ten or fifteen iears they will all e
Americanized,

LIL-.....Vr ,

Gentleme , do you think there will be more or
to the Catholic Church throzgh marria; es between D
and Swedes?

Definitely

here. yes.

I agree with him. (Others agreed, nodding.)

a Slovak girl
kiddies.
kthat

at we

the

her na tionalitv is.

away

are from Slovak.
don't go to Swedish Sui nday school don‘t

p5.

5633

L,

e

lovaks

LOWE".

s),

a 510V
In othe

ax

less converts

“'rs 1 — f v a" I“ ‘ f ‘r «5.4“ ,. ’\ r..~—‘» -‘—--* "Lnlv 4- . \-‘
.‘L'L . 1*: .1. C“: BC fvr Lil? 3L - .-9 I" .'r Q41?!) 1.) JC’Jled J"J\J. 1161\8 1'10 blL‘f
‘\’ I‘ l: f“ ~\l 7 I. "\ —--" "" ~ ‘ ' - -~
tn» ewe lsn beetle noxaiays cohe to our chdreh, to Our
71". ‘.d‘ n . -\-‘fih - ‘ (3’. I “'>
WBMMIHRQ an» big c3lezrebions more elten than ever

‘- n .
DCIOI"; .

moth Slovak and Swedish subjects of the second generation indicated

by

that more intermarriane will take blaCe in the future than has in the

~ .

past. moth emphasized the degree to which Slovak and owedis» children
became similar. It is important to note that Slovak fathers would not

permit their children to marrn Swedish mates unless they converted to

Catholicism. The iatricarchal role of the Slovak father seemed to be
guite in contrast to the equalitarian role of the Swedish father in terms
of freedom JlVCH to “heir chiliren in the selection of their marital

partners.
The following data ware obtained fror Swedish subjects of tie third

"re neration:

7 0' "' “ ' ‘ -w--<.‘/‘ r ‘-:h-r

ariter: Do you think there will to here or less mi.ed mcrflogCS
between Slavaxs and Swedes in the future?

hr. a: Hell, that's a hard question to answer. Personally, I
think there will be somewhat more, lecause it seems that
the young peOple are mingling more together now than be-
fore. haybe I've never LOLlCOd it t‘ 3 use of
being a lot younyer, out may~e now that I a: at hy own

e
... r1. ..‘0 “. ~_ 1 _‘_-‘ ~._ ..“__ '-
” Lllc‘cv I-ilf;_l.t be C-.€ C1]. leI‘c’nCC.

:- .
cu\~)v ’

hr. a: I think there will oe more because narents are becoming
more modern in their ideas than they were “t one time,
and t;ey don't disagree about mixed marriages as much.

think there will be more.

H
I
*—

.:_4

:3
Q
'0

hr. L: Well it seems they're mixinq together more.

The following data were obtained from Slovak subjects of the third

generation:

Miss S:

Writer:

hiss 8:

33.1.0

Do 3ou think there will be more or less mixed marriages
between Slova :s at: Swedes in the future?

I think there will be more. It seems that the younger
eeneration nQW'eoes n't seem to care SC):nnnx. ’fheir ideas
are that fun cones firs‘ and religion comes second.

754331.]-

, I think there will ee nore nixed marriages.

I do, too.

hiss S?

fee I do, too. I think there are a lot of boys and girls
a1 me 't raised lihe the older peOple. Thev don't have
rthing in them as the older oeeple did, and the3 believe
leard expressions, "Mall, we belie eve in the 885 :e
”hat isn't true. We believe in the same God, and

‘et, there are so many different thinns, and yet so many

of the Catlolic boys and girls are falling away from the
Catholic religion and intermixinq and even falling away from
their faith.

(11
U)
H
.Z
r-<
RU

K .

I ee. l as};ed il 3ou would marry a Saet3e Iou said,
that 'ou would under certain conditions. how I ask 3ou,
TJill the e be more mi d marriaqes in Grassflat?" Iou
So a3 that there will be. how do you exnlain it? If you
won't narr3 a Swedish person, exce at under certain condi-
tions, why do 3~ou say there will be more mixed marriages?

Like I said before, the children are not broug ht up like
the; were before, lite we were taught, tlat is to stay in
our own religion and our own field, you 1c now howadays,
well, thev 3 st seem to believe like was done, like was
said before: "Nell, we believe in the same God. That's

all that matters". 80 they go out for a.good time. l‘hey
don't think about what's ahead of them. They just feel:
"Well, I love him, and that's all that matters, and after
a.couple of times dating we're going to get married, and
nobody is going to step us."

I see. Iou mentioned a little earlier that there seems to
be an important influence from the old peeple about dating.
Do you feel that?

les, I believe there is. I know my parents alwa3s said

they didn‘t wantxne to marry into a Swedish family. I don't
think it would exist. here is the point I would like to
bring out. If mothers and fathers that are about the age

3211

I".

01 twcutJ— —11ve and twenty-six have children, they (tLG
nil3re1) T3 going to scnool totether They are goin:
around since they were small. Suppose, when the; are
rein? to ac 50in? through what the ey call puppy love,
tth get rarried, which I Know some of them will, well,
lat '3 what I n;3an when intermarria e will take place
between the younger generations because their parents
will tell then that much, and it seens that children
now don't li‘e to be told, and don't do wiat t1u3i
parents say. \Othersagreed, no«d in; hair

VF:

doth Slovak and (St-redial; cldldren seen 313 to indicate that the re te
of Slovak-Swedish narriaaes will increase in tile future There was
common aareement that Slovak and Swedish children minclcd freely together.
Slovam Subjects of the third generation seemed to indicate that younqer
Slovaks did not value their relieious faith to the extent that older
Slovaks did. It is ixnportant to note that data thus far presented seemed
to indicate that Slovaks would not approve of intermarriage with Swedes
unles t1 heV'converted to Catholicisxn, A smaller nLue3r oi Slovaks would
approve of intermarriage if children born of such marriages were reared

Catholic. Such attitudes regarding religion and intermarriage were not

common.among Swedes.
Clerical Factors

The writer held a.numeer of interviews with local pastors regarding
int3r.rtarri age oetween the two ethnic groups. 5e ca use of them“ status in
the community, particularly in their reapective parishes, data ootained
irom them was of Special significal".ce in this studJ oi intermarr1““e

between Slovaks an d SUBLBS in Gr: 55 flat,

3h?

Lccording to the Lutheran ninister, "where are more mixed marriaves
‘L I "‘ v- ‘ ' n" 1’ ' "‘ ' P 16* e . , 'N h C ofi‘n- ‘ r1 .3 1 w »- - - '~ ~ ~ -
tooay than seV3rul yeazs ago because ulOVchb and Sweoes have become more

Americanized." he did not attempt to predict thure prospects of inter-

,‘ "I

marriage in urassilat. ne reported:

Swedes have more freedom to intermarry than Slovaks. The Lutheran
Church has no rules and reeulations laid down (regarding inter-
marriage). we do not forbid intermarriaee, but we Oppose it. In
a series of lectures to confirmation classes young peOple are
taught to Oppose mixed marriaqes cecause Christian principles are
lost where the coOperation of husband anc wife is lacking.

Students of confirmation classes were taught to remain "loya to the
(Zhurch of their confirmation”. The Imnfinnwnilninister said he was never
consulted regarding the advisability of intermarriage between Slovaks
and Swedes who held different religious beliefs,

According to the Catholic priest:

There is little need to instruct young folks regarding mixed

marriages. Slovaks parents know why mixed marriages are not de-

sirable. They are strongly Opposed to them. fhree sermons on

mixed marriages are given each year. Young folks are told not

to date non-Catholics. Both the former priest and instructor

of Slovak school were important in molding attitudes Opposed to

ibtermarriage. PrOSpeCtive couples are told to go to the priest,

not the justice-of—the-peace, for counselling regarding intel—

marriage. Because the belief in Catholicism is so strong among

Slovaks, there is little chance of more intermarriage between

Slovaks and Swedes,

briefly, both pastors seemed to indicate that religion was thexnain
factor precluding intermarriage between the two ethnic groups. Both
indicated Opposition of their reSpective churches to intermarriage.
According to the Catholic priest, future prOSpects of intermarriage were

not favorable. The Lutheran minister preferred to make no statement re-

garding future prOSpects of intermarriage between Slovaks and Swedes.

3&3

Accoroing to reports there seemed to have been little or no change

in the attitudes toward intermarriace of Catholic and Lutheran pastors

J.

\

in the community over the pest six decades, The strong resistance to
conversion, for example, by their parishioners had demonstrated quite
clearly the influence of their reapective churches, Support of the
Lutheran Church by Slovaks in any way was strongly disapproved by the
Catholic pastors. The extent to which Slovahs attended activities of the
Lutheran "hurch was indeed very small, hut the extent to which Swedes
attended activities Sponsored by the Catholic Church had progressively
increased.

In short, Swedes had demonstrated increasingly more tolerant atti-

tudes toward the Catholic Churcn and its activities than Slovaks toward

the Lutheran Church and its activities,
Demographic Factors

In Tahle XLVIII are presented data regarding the unmarried popula—

tion of Grassflat in terms of afic, ethnicity, and religion. The number
of unmarried residents beyond the age of twenty-nine consisted of three
Slovak males, twelve Swedish males, and twelve Swedish females, Accord-
ing to Slovak and Swedish residents, marriages beyong the age of forty-
five rarely if ever occurred in Grassflat,
It is important to note the numerical size of the various denomi-

national grOUps within the 0-29 year cateiories, There were 221 Catholic,
112 other denominational (including 91 Lutheran), and lo non-denmninational

residents. Catholics constituted 633 and Lutherans 26% of the total

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population of the community,

The Smaller the groun numerically the fewer are the contacts
with eliwitle inIarriare mat the nreat er are contacts with
manners Oi other freins. Conversely, the larger the 5ro n is
n‘werIColIJ, the more IrOQqent are the contacts with eligible
iMII JIia e mates and the fewer are one con acts with memzers oI
o

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In short, unmarried penulaoi onal data seem to indicate that mate
contacts of Slovaks would he more frequent within ti Ieir own ethnic grouo
and less frequent with manners of other groups. Other factors related
to intermarria5e, however, must ce considered, eSpecially nrosnects of
availability for marriage.

)

Children enrolled in Cratie s 7 through l2 were asked: (a) "iould
you like to live in Crassf at after you finish your education?" and
(o) "Do you plan to no to college?" LIe ir resoInses to these questions
which are presented in Table XLIX dive some index to future prosnects
of intermarriage oetween Slovaks and Swedes,

It is imnortant to note that among the children of all ethnic groups
only the ma jority of Slovak ma les (5 %l, Swedish males (ISN), Swedish
females (55;), and SlovaN-other ieaales ((5o) indicated thev would like
to live in Grassflat after the' fini mi I their education. Only LS; of

"I

Slovax feII ales ave this reseonse. The majority of males and females
of other ethnic groups reSponded in the necative. Data 5-athered by

individual interviews with a representative numoer of questionnaire sub—

jects of both educational levels seemed to indicate that lack of

 

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vocational Opportunities was the main reason why many planned "to leave
for the city". hanv fa t there would not be favorable employment
Opportunities in their areas of interest in Grassflat, (See Table Xlll
and Taole XIV re ardinq occupational distrioution of residents at he
time of this study.)

figardini question (a) would indicate a

H.
U)

On first analgs
diSprOportionate sex ratio anon, Slovaks in the future, namely, eighteen
males to ten females; Swedes would he more equally represented oy six
males and five females; Slovak-other females and Swedish-other males
would have no mates available in their reSpective groups; and other ethnic
groups would not us availaole for marriage. Such a conclusion, however,
would be unrealistic. An analysis of the past marital patterns among
former residents of Grassflat indicated a high intraethnic and intra-
community marital pattern rate, particularly'among Slovaks. Furthermore,
the past marital pattern also indicated a.high rate of intra-ethnic
marriage with residents of neighboring communities. This was particu-
larly true of Slovaks. Past marital patterns of Slovaks and Swedes will
be discussed later in this chapter.

A further study was made of data.regarding availability for marriage
in terms of college plans indicated by children of both ethnic groups.

It is assumed that those who would go to college would in.many cases he
at least tehporarily unavailable for marriage. It is important to note
the number who indicated they "plan to go to college". Sixty-one per
cent of Slovak males, 23% Slovak females, 12.5% Swedish males (one of

eight), and 33% of Swedish females (three of nine) indicated plans to go

to collefe, let the 'otal number of Slovaks, both present and former

c+

residents, who went to college and those now attending college does not
exceed five. Of this group three were Slovak Lutherans. Only one male

and one female of til

(I)

entire Slovak Catholic group attended college.

_.
I

PM, ‘ V. H L‘,,-.:- " r‘ rsr-w h‘ : p”,‘r- . - '. ' q’ r.- ‘ L. “‘.
ihe numo r of owedisn males and iemales who Went to college and UUODe

n
i

now attending colle e was sirhificantly greater than that of Slovaks.
If those who indicated plans to go to colleae pursued their plans,

inmarriage mate contacts would be more seriously affected among Slovaks

than Swedes. Some Question of the reliability of indicated plans to

attend collefie eSpecially by those enrolled in lower grades, might be

3
made. In addition, in terms of JOth the number who attended and are nor
attending college and the attitudes of Slovaks toward higher education,
it would seem that the number of Slovaks, both males and females, who
will actually attend college will be smaller than that indicated by

them .

Children enrolled in drades 7 through 12 were also asked to indicate
the kind of job they would like to have after they finished school. It
is important to note that an overwhelming majority of both males and
females of all ethnic groups indicated preferencasfor joos which would
demand both employment outside the community and education beyond high
school. Lssuming that the vocational choices indicated might be pursued,
they would probably play an important role both in precluding a certain
number of intra-community marriages and, on the other hand, in promoting

marriages to mates residing in "neighboring communities" and areas

"beyond neighboring communities". at the time of this study, as was

3h;

to coll:“:3. let the tot:l numher of Slovaks, ooth present are former

residents, who went to collete and those now attending college does not

3

exceed five. or this group three were blovak Lutherans. Onl one male

k:

and one female of the entire Slovak C: t olic group attended college.
The nuns r of Sweiish males and females who went to collars and those
now attendin5 colle e was sirnificantly greater than that of Slovaks.
thos 3 who indicated plans to 50 to colleae pursued their plans,
innarriage mate co11cts wouli be more ser ously affected a"on5 Slovaks
than Swedes. Some Que sti)n of the reliaoility of indicated plans to
attend college, csoecially by those enrolled in lower grades, mi5ht be
made. In addition, in terms of go oh the numo r who attended and are now

*tending college and the attitudes of Slovaks toward hi5 her education,
it would seem that the number of Slovaks, ooth males and females, who
will actually attend college will he smaller than that indicated by
them.

Children enrolled in Grades 7 through 12 were also asked to indicate
the kind of 300 they would like to have after they finished school. It
is important to note that an overwhelming majority of ooth males and
females of all ethnic groups indicated preferencesfor joos which would

demand ‘00 th ample-,nent outside the co: munityr and eoucation beyond hid
school. 1ssunin5 that the vocational choices indicated n1ie it oe pursued,
they would probaoly play an important role both in precluding a certain
numoer of intra-community marriages and, on the other hand, in promotirg
narriages to n; We residing in ”nei5hooring communities" and areas

"oegond neighborin5 communities". at the time of this study, as was

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L 'rLLL

Last narita laLoLrLs

Eroeanlg one of tLe most predictive actors of Luture prospects of

-\

intermar riao is the Last herital pattern of Slovene and Swedes. Data

:1

selections OL notn etnnic groups, their resLL,an

(L
H
H
C

Q5

reéarding the

and former resicents, are presentefi in Table L and Taole Ll, reapectively.
In Tanle L it is significant to note the comparatively high rate

of innarriage betwee local Slovak residents and Slovax Catholics from

neighboring communities, ”Iwentv-iour per cent of Slovak males ani ZJL

of Slovak fe ‘ aleS' participated in sucn marriages. On tne other hand,

only lb% of Swedish males and St of Swedish females merrier Swenish

Lutherans from neignooring communities. Lo a ;rea t extent this is ex-

0
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4plainanle in terms of the comparatively larger Slovak Catholi
Swedish Lutheran population in neighboring communities,

Data regarding marital selec tior s of i‘ormer Slovak and Swedish resi-
oean are presented in Taole LI. It is important to note again the
comparatively niLner rate of inmarriages anong Slovaks than Swedes with

residents from Grassflat anc hclUMUOP ng communities. Swedes, on the

other Lane, Lei d‘LLs.ons mt a greater tenoency than Slovaks toward
in1uarria es witnr sic nts fromc reas "necond neighboring communitiesq

Tlis is BAT)18in€Lle in terms of the significantly greater rate of local

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mmglish-mcth dist O O 2 O
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French-Pe.D,-U. b.
GermanLBaptist
German-Catholic
Cerman-Lutheran
Germen-hethodist
Irish-Catholic
Irish-ho Church
Italian—Catholic
Pa,D.-Catholic
Pa,D.-No Church
Swedish-Baptist
Swedish-Ho Church

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German-Catholic
bennen-Luther an
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Pa,D.—Catholic
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352

Slovak-Slovak marriages, that is, marriages between Slovaks which had
taken place in Grassflat cefore their mooilitj to urban areas, Swedes
also demonstrated a greater tendency than Slovaks toward mixed marriages
of both nationality anu religion in each of the residential areas,
particularly "beyond neighboring communities".

Briefly, in terms of the past mgrital patterns of both Slovaks and
Swedes, it seemed that the comparatively larger Slovak than Swedisn
pOpulation in Grassflat ano neighboring communities would be an important
factor in promoting intra-Slovak marriages and in precluding inter-

marriages betWeen Slovak and Swedish residents in Grassflat.
Summary

Factors which seemed to indicate favorable prOSpects of intermarriage
between Slovaks and Swedes in Grassflat would prooably include the follow-
ing: one, the large number of interethnic friendships, both intra- and
intersexual, which were found among Slovak and Swedish children and
adults, particularly the former; two, the approval of interethnic friend-
snips among children as indicated by both Slovak and Swedish parents;
three, the favorable attitudes of Slovak and Swedish parents toward inter—
ethnic dating, although to a lesser extent a similar attitude among
parents of Slovak females; and four, the approval of mixed marriages of
nationality as indicatefi by both Slovak and Swedish parents and their
children. Data seemed to indicate that Slovak—Swedish marriages will

continue to occur as long as Swedish mates permit children to be reared

Catholic, as was true in every case of local Slovak-Swedish marriages
which occurred in the past,
Factors WhiCh seemed to indicate ur”avoraole proSpects of inter-

marriage would probably incluue the following: one, the disapproval of

mixed religious marriages by beth Slovak and Swedish children and their

parents, particularly the Slovaks; two, the unfavorable attitudes toward

1

interuarriaqc as reporter by both the Catholic and Lutheran pastors;
third, the numerically larger size of Slova; than Swedish population in
Grassflat and neivhborin: communities; fourth, the high rate of in-

arriage among Slovaks as inCicated by their marital selections over the

‘53

past six.decades,

Of basic importance to marital selection, however, is th’ factor
of availability for marriage, amplOJment Opportunities which will be
present in and near Grassflat in the future and the number of residents
who will move to the city and pursue higher education will play a.major

role in determining ho will be available for marriage.

r * " "\ 'r
Uruguay 1).

CHLPTEfi IX
SLRMLRY AhD CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study constitute another contribution to the
body of sociological and anthropological research which aims toward a
better understanding of the process of assimilation. The results were
derived from a case study of interethnic assimilation, with primary focus
on intermarriage, between Slovaks and Swedes in Grassflat, a rural non-
farm community in central Pennsylvania. The particular significance of
this study, in terms of its purpose, lies in the discovery of unique ways
by which two divergent ethnic groups participated in an assimilative
process in which they had been engaged for more than six decades.

Social psychologists often caution those engaged in research that
data are Open to error of perception, memory, evaluation, and various
forms of bias, and that subjective data do not often lend themselves to
quantitative check. In an attempt to avoid these limitations, the writer
consulted a.number of different sources and used varied methods and
techniques in gathering data to substantiate generalizations which were
made. The major portion of data was gathered by individual interviews,
attitude questionnaire, and tape-recorded interviews with selected groups
of subjects. Personal diaries, church records, correSpondence with
selected residents, and a survey (census) of the community were additional
sources of information. Only a limited number of documentary sources

were available, and they were consulted, It is important to note that

the sources of data were very largely field, rather than documentary,

sources. Almost all of the data contained in this study were gathered
by the writer who worked in the capacity of a participant observer in

the community which was studied.

A summary of what has happened in the assimilation between Slovaks
and Swedes in Grassflat can be presented in terms of major developments
which had taken place during the past six decades. Swedes emigrated from
the vicinity of Dalsland, Sweden, during the period lCYS-lbbS, and Slovaks
from in or near Presov, Slovakia, during the last decade of the 19th
Century. In most cases, the immigration of Swedes to the United States
antedated that of Slovaks approximately two decades, The colony of Swedes
who eventually settled in Grassflat resided in other sections of
Pennsylvania previous to their migration to Grassflat. In most cases,
Slovak immigrants came directly to Grassflat.

In order to understand the assimilative process between the two ethnic

groups it is important to note (1) that the native culture of Swedes was

 

more like the Lmerican culture thin the native culture of Slovaks,

 

eSpeciallyitheir family, kinshio, and social patterns, (2) that Swedes

 

 

migrated to America before the Slovaks, consequently the acculturation_pro-

 

cess started earlier in the case of Swedes, and (3) that the Swedes were

 

 

probably a less cohesive group than Slovaks because their migration to

 

Grassflat was less direct.

 

Employment Opportunities in the coal industries of Pennsylvania
attracted immigration during the latter decades of the 19th and the begin-

ning decades of the 20th Centuries. In most cases, the first Slovak and

Swedish settlers in Grassflat were fathers who left their families in
Slovakia and Sweden, respectively. After sufficient savings were made,
money was sent home for the family's passage to America.

For decades after their settlement in Grassflat, Slovaks and Swedes
lived in relative isolation. Slovaks settled on the north and Swedes on

the south side of a creek which divided the community. Having had

separate national origin, they tended to develop parallel organizations.

 

They had their separate churches and Systems of religious education in
which their reSpective native languages were used exclusively. They had
their distinct church related organizations. Each group had its unique
system of social and recreational activities. While the Swedish family
system tended to be equalitarian and democratic, the Slovak.fanily system
was patriarchal. At a time when neither could speak English, each thought

that the other Spoke "American" (English). Changes in their cultural

 

‘patterns in Grassflat were very gradual, in fact, at first even an accentu-

ation of their reSpective native patterns was demonstrated. This was

 

shown particularly by strong adherence to their reSpective religious and
social patterns of living. In the beginning, Swedes apparently held a more
favorable position in the economic structure of the community. Many more
Swedes than Slovaks held better jobs, "company jobs", in the coal industry.
According to Slovaks, Swedes discriminated against them in.employment
practices. According to Swedes, Slovaks were nonassimilable because they
were "too clannish" (resulting from their extended kinship system). They
often fought each other as a result of distrust and misunderstandinc.

These factors played_a.major role in promoting separate intraethnic cul-

tural solidarities among Slovaks and Swedes.

\

\i)
U].
-\1

however, throufh decades of common experiences which they learned

c+

to share and through which they gratified mutual needs and interes s,

greater and greater interethnic assimilation resulted. Illustrating the

basic .rinciple of assimilation, Slovaks BEG Swedes became increasingly

A

SiIl‘lilar 8.8 tiley- 13:33:?

5 ‘,

a to identify themselves with each other as sharers

in common experiences by which they learned to satisfy mutual interests
and needs. After they got aCQJainted and learned to understand one
another, as Slovak and Swedish residents reported, in many reapects they
became "one peOple", "same peOple", "Americans". In this process a number

of closely interrelated factors were particularly important.

 

Probably the most vital factor in the assimilative process betyeen

m ...—~—

 

 

Slovaks and Swedes was the public school system through which they

 

learned to communicate in a common language. Formerly Slovaks and Swedes

 

used their respective foreign languages exclusively in their homes,
churches, church schools, and social and recreational organizations, As
a result of the influence of the public schools these institutions
gradually gave a prominent role to the English language. Kore wideSpread
use of English helped to promote a greater number of interethnic contacts
among youth in school and on the playground, men in trade unions and
taverns, and later women through various social organizations which were
established. Since virtually all residents were employed in the coal
industry, they shared a number of common problems. The organization

through which these problems were often solved was the United Mine Workers

Union of which both Slovak and Swedish miners were members.

356

Another factor which helped to promote greater interethnic assimi-

lation was the mooility of FGSiTPhtS to the citr. For at least three

 

decades the Swedish population exceeded that of Slovaks. Declining mine
4.

Operations during the period between 1925 and 1935, however, caused many

Swedes and Slovaks, particularly the former, to move to the city in
search of employment. is a result, the number of Slovak and Swedish
residents became more equal numerically, and made it possible for resi-
dents of both groups, esoecially Slovaks, to move into sections of the
community which were formerly occupied by exclusively one or the other
ethnic group.

Increased mobility of Swedes also meant a decrease in the number of
Swedish organizations which they could continue to maintain. The extent
of mobility was so great, for example, that Swedish residents met formally
a numbe of times upon the request of their pastor to consider the estab-
lishment of one church instead of continuing to maintain the two Lutheran
Churches in the community. Decreased number of Swedish organizations

meant that social and recreational interests of Swedes had to be satis-

fied elsewhere. When Slovaks, whose number was growing rapidly, invited

 

them to manw of their activities esneciallv those held at the Slovak
_L A _E_.

 

hall such as weddings, dances,¥baby and bridal showers, Swedes accepted.

 

Gradually, through increased contacts a.diffusion of cultural elements
took place in which Slovaks and Swedes shared dietary, recreational,
and social patterns. This was a.most important step toward greater inter-

ethnic assimilation. But the process did not end at this stage.

359

is a.result of closer and closer relationships both Slovaks and

9

Swedes learned to adopt acne new social and recreational patterns in

which theprarticipa ed and shared more eqially. The number of "Open-
membership organizations", those which aztnitted members regardless of
ethnic or religious identity, gave evidence of advances they had made
toward greater interethnic assimilation. These rganizations were
mainly social in nature. Probably most important among them were clues
(taverns), where residents of all ethnic groups were amnitted.

The increasing number of neighbor contacts between Slovaks and
Swedes also did much to create better interethnic understanding. They
learned to accept each other as "nice", "friendly", "COOperative", and
"considerate" neighbors, as reported by both Slovaks are Swedes. The
number of interethnic intrasex friendship os increased, and, to a lesser
extent, dating patterns develOped between them.

It the time of this study the total population of Gra ssflat was 7th.
Of this total, b9% were Slovak, 27p Swedish, 23% "other nationalities"
(neither Slovak nor Swedish), and 2% Slovak-Swedish. Classified in terms‘
of religion, Sufi were Catholic, 32% Lutheran, 7% other Protestant, and
7% non-church (parents and their children who clahned to be members of
no church). There appeared to be little or no difference in status rank
between Slovaks and Swedes in terms of five criteria used by the writer
(education, section of residence, occupation, ownership of prOperty, and
interethnic image regarding persons considered "most important" and "not

gge sted

important" in the community), criteria directly or indirectly su

by residents of both ethnic groups. Slovaks and Swedes seemed to have

 

 

 

 

 

360

separate systems of indicating the status of their own members. Among
both Slovaks and Swedes, status appeared to be closely related to their
reSpective churches and church-related organizations.

In short, Slovaks and Swedes had demonstrated greater and greater
interethnic assimilation, interiebendence, and harmony in terms of many
aspects of meeting nutual problems of everyday adjustment. It was in
terms of their strong religious values, however, that they showed least

assimilability. According to attitudes which were reported, both Slovaks

and Swedes approved of interethnic patterns of drinking

0, dining, friend-
ship among their children, neighbor relations, and, to a lesser extent,
interethnic dating. In their attitudes toward intermarriage, however,
they were much less favorable, eSpecially Slovaks. Both groups reported
that religion was the main factor which precluded intermarriage. This
was demonstrated quite noticeably by their rate of intermarriage.

A study of all marriages contracted by Slovaks and Swedes, both
residents and former residents-~including 109 Slovak males, 119 Slovak
females, 86 Swedish males, and 73 Swedish females-—indicated that 221K

seven Slovak-Swedish marriages occurred during the past three decades

(1922-1951). In other words, only 3% of Slovak males and 3% of Slovak

 

females married Swedish mates, and only 5% of Swedish males and h% of
Swedish females married Slovak mates. All Slovak-Swedish marriages,
except one in which a Swedish female converted to Catholicism, were mixed

religious marriages. In all seven marriages the children were reared

 

Catholic. '

 

 

 

361

Some of the important attitudes toward intermarriage reported by
both Slovak and Swedish children who were enrolled in grades 7 through
12, and their parents were as follows: Approximately one half of Swedish
children and more than four-fifths of Slovak children indicated that
marriage between a Catholic and a Protestant could not be happy if they
attended separate churches. In overwhelming majority of both Slovak
and Swedish parents and their children approved of marriage to someone
of a different nationality but of the same religion. Less than one
fourth of Slovak children and more than one half of Swedish children
responded that their parents would approve of their marriage to someone
of a different religion but the same nationality. More than one ha1f~
of Swedish children and less than one tenth of Slovak children indicated
they would marry someone of a different religion but of the same
nationalityy Approximately one third of Swedish children and none of
Slovak children indicated that they would change their religion in order
to marry the person they loved. Six tape-recorded interviews with
selected groups of Slovaks and Swedes, each of which represented three
different generations, supported the fact that tolerant attitudes toward
intermarriage were much more common among Swedes than Slovaks.

Future prospects of intermarriage were studied. Among a number of
factors, most favorable were the patterns of interethnic friendship and
dating which had deveIOped and the relatively favorable attitudes toward
them, eSpecially those reported by Swedes. host unfavorable were attitudes
toward mixed religious marriages, eSpecially those reported by Slovaks.

Conversion to Catholicism was repprted the most common condition under

 

 

 

 

I

302

which Slovaks would consent to intermarriage. A much smaller numoer of

 

 

'VS
reeled

them demanded less, narely, that children of such marriages b

(D

 

Catholic. Another factor which suggest unfavorable prOSpects of inter-
marriage was the fact that a.much larger Slovak than Swedish population
lived in neighboring communities which were within a twelve mile radius
of Grassflat.

In the last analysis, still other factors will be important in
determining future prOSpects of intermarriage. At the time of this
study, Opportunities for employment in the community had become extremely
limited. host of the residents were employed non-locally. Future em—
ployment Opportunities in the areas of interest to residents will largely
determine the extent to which Slovaks and Swedes will be available for
intermarriage. The number of those who will pursue higher education
will also be an important determinant of availability for intermarriage.

At the outset of this study four hypotheses were stated regarding
the Slovak and Swedish populations in Grassflat, Pennsylvania. These
were:

hypothesis 1: That the factor of religion is more important in pre-
eluding intermarriage than other aSpects of ethnic background. Data
gathered by individual interviews, questionnaire, tape-recorded inter-
views with selected groups of Slovaks and Swedes, and church records of
marriages supported this hypothesis. Both Slovaks and Swedes of the
first, second, and third generations reported that the greatest barrier
to intermarriage was the factor of religion. The a as in which they

showed least assimilability was the religious area. Their separate

 

SIN-... "

 

 

which Slovaks would consent to intermarriage. A much smaller number of

 

 

them demanded less, nahely, that children of such marriages b

V

(D

reared

Catholic. Another factor which suggest unfavorable prOSpects of inter-

 

marriage was the fact that a.much larger Slovak than Swedish population
lived in neighboring communities which were within a twelve mile radius
of Grassflat.

In the last analysis, still other factors will be important in
determining future prOSpects of intermarriage. At the time f this
study, Opportunities for employment in the community had become extremely
limited. host of the residents were employed non—locally. Future em-
ployment Opportunities in the areas of interest to residents will largely
determine the extent to which Slovaks and Swedes will be available for
intermarriage. The number of those who will pursue higher education
will also be an important determinant of availability for intermarriage.

At the outset of this study four hypotheses were stated regarding
the Slovak and Swedish pOpulations in Grassflat, Pennsylvania. These
were:

Hypothesis I: That the factor of religion is more important in pre-
cluding intermarriage than other aSpects of ethnic background. Data
gathered by individual interviews, questionnaire, tape-recorded inter-
views with selected groups Of Slovaks and Swedes, and church records of
marriages supported this hypothesis. Both Slovaks and Swedes Of the
first, second, and third generations reported that the greatest barrier
to intermarriage was the factor of religion. The area in which they

showed least assimilability was the religious area. Their separate

3:33

religious interests continued to remain persistent forces in promoting
their separate intraethnic cultural solidarities and precluding greater
interethnic assimilation.

Hypothesis II: That the degree of cultural solidarity within a
particular ethnic group to a large extent determines the rate of eXOgamy
of its members. The greater the degree of cultural solidarity the
lesser the rate of exogamy of its members. Data herein contained sup-
ported this hypothesis. rhe research indicated that Slovaks demonstrated
greater cultural solidarity than Swedes. It also indicated that Slovaks
had a greater number of inmarriages, and Swedes had a greater number of
intermarriages (both in terms of religion and nationality). Slovak
demonstrated a much greater tendency to retain the cultural patterns of
their land of origin than Swedes. This was especially true in terms of
the number of church-related organizations which they continued to
support. In terms of other organizations, those of an economic, social,
and political nature, Slovaks also gave evidence of greater adherence to
patterns originated in their land of origin than Swedes. The longer
period of residence in the United States by Swedes than Slovaks was prob-
ably a most important factor which accounted for the differences in their
degrees of assimilability to the general American cultural patterns.

Hypothesis III: That the rate of intermarriage with other religious
and nationality groups by both Slovaks and Swedes tends to increase with
their mobility to urban areas. A study of the marital selections of

'both Slovak and Swedish males and females indicated that the rate of

intermarriage in terms of both nationality and religion, particularly

 

 

the former, tended to increase with their mobility to urban areas.

The study of former Slovak and Swedish residents indicated that 695 of
Slovak males and 76; of Slovak females married within their own nation-
ality, while Sh; of Swedish males and he; of Swedish females married
within their own nationality. Seven per cent of Slovak males and 6% of
Slovak females entered into mix d religious marriages, while 173 of
Swedish males and 2c; of Swedish females contracted similar marriages.

Hypothesis IV: That the rate of intermarriage between Slovaks and
Swedes is greater among the upper and lower economic classes than the
middle class, as defined by residents in the community. A study of
seven Slovak-Swedish (Catholic-Lutheran) marriages, which occurred between
1922 and 1951, indicated that four marriages were between upper anC
middle class mates, one between middle class mates, and two between lower
class mates. In terms of vertical mobility through marriage there seemed
to be no difference between Slovaks and Swedes. Data however were in-
sufficient to support or diSprove this hypothesis. Although the extent
of intermarriage was small it is important to note that it had taken
place in what residents considered all economic classes.

It seems that further research closely related to this study, that
is, studies of Slovaks and Swedes in other communities, would be a.valu-
able contribution toward a better understanding of the process of assimi-
lation. Additional research would be pertinent in the following areas:

1. The cultural patterns of Slovak Catholics in other communities.

2. The cultural patterns of Swedish Lutherans in other communities.

 

 

3. The rate of intermarriage between Slovak Catholics and Swedish
Luthe'ans in other communities in which they are numerically larger than

other ethnic groups.

 

SISLlOdmfnl’

 

 

SlSLlOCfthl’

 

 

 

bldLIGdthhY

I, . JOOI:S

 

 

Anderson, Elin. We hmericans. h Stuoy of Cleavage in an Lmerican City.
Canbridfie: harvard University rrcfs, 1939. Ev) PU

Saber, hay E. marriage ahd the Family. yew York: thraw-nill Book
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Sarron, hilton L. Peonle Who Intermarrv. Syracuse: Syracuse University
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denes, Eduard. Democracy Today and Tomorrow. hew York: The Macmillan
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Bowman, Henry L. harriaje for Moderns. haw York: McCraw-Hill Book
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drown, Francis J. and doucek, Joseph Slabey. One hmerica. hew Yo k:
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.—

brunner, hdmund DeS. Immigrant Farmers and Their Children. hew York:
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surgess, nrnest w. and Locke, harvey J. The Family. flew York: American
Book Company, 1955. tOO pp.

 

Davie, haurice R. 'World Immigration. hew‘Iork: The Macmillan Company,

Drachsler, Julius. emocracy and assimilation. Lew York: The Macmillan
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Fairchild, henry Pratt. Immigrant Backgrounds. hew'York: John Wiley a
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Groves Ernest R. and hoore, harry astill. An Introduction to Sociology.
Lew York: Long-,mans Creen and Company, 191.0. 7'37 pp.

 

9

Landis, Judson T. and Landis, Mary C. Building a Successful marriage.
new York: Prentice-hall, Inc., 19th. 559 pp.

 

Linton, halph. The Study of hen. Lew York: D. Appleton-Century Companj,
19365. 503 pp.

 

 

 

$3.;

herrill, Francis n. a:
Lew York: Prenti ce-

,._)

tworth. Culture and Society.
, Inc .1932. 611 pp,

 

hl r
al

F—' (U

Ogourn, nilliamn . and himhdff, Lever F. 300i01OTV. how York: noughton
_, _ J , "z u
hiillin Co_ pan,, lane. 753 Pp.

Silco x, Claris E. and Fisher, Galen h. atholics. Jews anl Protestants.
.ew York: Harper and brothers, 193h. 39} pp.

 

Sweeps Jr., noland D. Twentiet: Century history of Clearfield County.
Cl icazo: nichmond-hrnold PubliShing Company, lflll. ycl pp.

iruxal, Andrew C. nd herrill, Francis 5. The Peril; in Inerican Culture.
Lew York: Pre Iiti ce-hall, Inc., 19h7.

 

Young, Pauline V. Scientific Social Survey and nesearch. new York:

Prentice-hall, Inc., lyh9. 321 pp.

 

Yurchak, Peter P. :he Slovaks. Whiting Indiana: Obrana Press, Inc.,
19h7. 2th pp.

 

S. Periodical Articles

dossard, James H. S., "hationality and Lativity as Factors in Marriage,"
jmerican Sociological Review, L:792-Y9t, December, 1939.

 

“desidential PrOpinquity as a Factor in harriage
Selection," Imerican Journal of SociolOgy5 3tz219—22h, September,

1932.

 

 

Carpenter, Niles, Immigg nts nd Their C ildren, Nashington, D. C.,

a a
Census honOgraph VII, 192T, h3l pp.

Davie, haurice h. and Reeves, nuby Jo, "Propinquity of hesidence before
marriage," Imerican Journal of Socioloqy, uh:SlO-Sl7, January, 1939.

 

DePorte J. V. "marriages in the State of Lew York with Special
3 3 -
heference to hativity," Human SiOIOgy, 3:376-396, September, 1931.

 

Dowd, JJ wrone "The Racial Slen'ent in Social Issimila.tion, 'Imerican
ournal of Sociolo;3, lo:o33- -o33, Jul,-iay, 1910-1911.

dollin: shead, Iugus atd., "Cultural Factors in Selection of harriage
hates," Ameri nSo ociological neview, 15:s19-327, October, 1930.

 

Johnson, hildegard binder, "Distribution of the German Pioneer Population
inluinnesota," mural Sociology, 0:1o-3t, Larch, ljhl.

 

3 U C"

Kennedy, nus} Jo hreva . "Sin le or “lriole melting-Pot? Intermarria e
1rends in 1.e.4 hav n, chU-l3eO," Lu?PiCER Journal of ‘ ciclo-"
33:33l-33, , udLlLléi‘J’: :DJL'qu

 

holler, narvin fi., "n1 siugntial PrOpincuity of w ite hate 8 at iarriare
in helation to Are and Occupation of hates, Colinous , Ohio, 133C
ans lyhc," Imericen Seciole:ical neview, 13: Lo. 3, October, l9hC.

 

Loomis, C. P., beagle, u. L., and Lon more, T. W., CritiQue of Class
as helated to Social +r't‘iic t'; on, sea con house, l9hL, Sociometr;

monographs, no. 19, 211 pp.

 

 

helson, Lowry, ”Intermarriage among hationality Groups in a
oi hinnesota," Inerican Journal of Sociolovv, ha: .3 3- -59
19113 .

 

Panunzio, Constantine, "Intermarria :e in Los Inje es, l32h-33,
Inerican uournal o: Sociolon, h7:o90— —70l, march, l9h2.

 

Pihlhlad, C. T., "lne hens as Sweues,'1he Southwestern Social Science

 

Qcar erlv, l3:3h-h{, Jun ,1932.
Schnepp, Ceralu J. M"nree hixed Marriage guestions answered," Catholi

Eprld, 130:203- -20{, novemscr, 19L2.

Biomas, John L., "11Ie "actor of Religion in the Selection of harria e
hates," Inerican SociolOZical fieview, lcziiL(-L3l, nuxust, l93l.

 

iessel, iessie filoom, "Comparative dates of Intermarriare among
Different Nationalities in the United States," nu*enical 1%18
5:105-107, 1930.

 

C . Soecial bulletins

Lianren,‘lhe Reverend Edward I., Cur Lutheran Chimes (The Golden
Inniversary Issue, hmanael Evangelical Lutheran Church), Vol.
Aug.-Dec., 1930. 19 pp.

 

"'1

(2

Lindgren, The hever mnc jdward n., Our Lutheran Chimes (The Sixtieth
Anniversary humocr, neno Lutheran Church) Vol. 1, Sept.-Oct.,
l9hb. 29 pp.

 

3

369

D, unpuolisbed Lai;riels

Zhrec diaries of locel FCSLCthS.
Leoxers of local or anizations.

Personal communication with writer.

Tho l"var-3m; F. J. Sinonik, }arish Jistorv (St, Peter and Paul Catholic
Church, urassflat, Peanylvauia), 17o2-1yos,

 

£1 , 1‘ 81465173091" S

Jednoba {A Slovak-Catholic Weekly),

The Sunoay Visitor (A Cataolio Weekly),

369

c . q' 4 _L_ _r , i
U. L J AdllSICflll- i rials

Zhree oiaries of local resiccnts.

O
O
m
F.)
O
..1
Q;
'7'
{G
'13
c?-
[a
O
"1
U)

Ledgers of l

Personal commuuication with writer.

w‘

Tie h verend F. J. Sinonik, “ariSu gistory (St, Peter and Paul Ca

6 10110
Church, urassflat, Penrsglvania), 1102-1905,

C5-
...—

 

L, Newsrapers

Jednoba (L Slovak-Catnolic Weekly),

The Sunday Visitor (L Catiolic Weeklg),

A

Ir”!

L

lrfguoli

\lbii; Linen) _iu Whitman-u ail}. umgnulmb ink/uni: LILU}.L1_1_._JUL Intro)

I 12 ION

ko

Name of Organization:

Date Organization Began:

Elease indicate the number of members in terms of nationality for each

 

of the five dates belog.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Date the organization began:

The number of Grassflat Swedish members at this date was

The number of Grassflat Slovak members at this date was __

The number of Grassflat members of other nationality at this date was

There were Swedish officers, Slovak officers, other
nationality officers at this date. ,

The total number of member-s from outside Grassflat was ,

 

Date 1930:

The number of Grassflat Swedish members at this date was
The number of Grassflat Slovak members at this date was
The number of Grassflat members of other nationality at this date was

There were Swedish officers, Slovak officers, other

nationality officers at this date.
The total number of members from outside Grassflat was .

Date 1910:

The number of Grassflat Swedish members at this date was

The number of Grassflat Slovak members at this date was

The number of Grassflat members of other nationality at this date was

There were Swedish officers, Slovak officers, other
nationality officers at this ate.

The total number of members from outside Grassflat was .

Date 1950: '
The number of Grassflat Swedish members at this date was

The number of Grassflat Slovak members at this date was
The number of Grassflatmembegs ofoether nationality at‘this date was

 

 

Thoro‘wci'o ‘- Swedish officers, ' - Slovek‘zofficcrs, . other
nationality officers at this date.
The t6t51.numbor of members from outside Grassflat was

 

rate 1952:

The number of Grassflat Swedish members at this date was

The Mbor of Grassflat Slovak members at this date was

The number of Grassflat members of other nationality at this date was

There were Swedish officers, Slovak officers, other
nationality officers at this date. '

The total number of members from outside Grassflat was .

what are membership dues?
What is the purpose of the organization?

 

 

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."

\A

rassflat.

Your cooper

I 0

El

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C'.

0 1’1

sort-ls pitch to 40th Slova]: and Strrodisll Parents

Dear Parents:

Clipped to this note a.re two sets of questions which I would like You to
fill in. The purpose of these questions is to find out how different people feel
about certain things.

I would appreciate your answering these questions and returning them with
your child who is enrolled in Grades Seven or Eight, or in High School. Please
answer these questions as you really feel. Do not sign your name to this paper.
No one will know how you answered these questions. There are no right or wrong
answers because this is not a test.

 

I am indeed very happy that Grassflat people have been so wonderfully
cooperative and kind in giving their important help to me in this study.

Your help in this task is very important.

Sincerely yours,

’ 5 'm/
P. S. Please answer every question. You will receive two or more copies if you %
have two or more children in grades mentioned above. Only fill in gm
copy, and write in the number of the gthgr forms here

PLEASE mm ALL reams remorse»: | l [j [:1

 

 

P.1

The set of questions of this page is used to get your picture of Slovak people
. living in Grassflat. '

DIRECTIONS: After reading each statement on this page -
Mark X in BLOCK YES if the statement fits your picture of the Slovak people.
Mark X in BLOCK NO if the statement does 921‘. fit your picture of Slovak people.
Mark I in BLOCK YES-NO if you feel the answer is between YES and No.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Blfl‘l'fm
, YES NO YES-c—NO
1. Slovak peeple make good neighbors. i
2. Slovak peeple follow customs of the old country (Europe). a“ i
3. Slovak parents are very strict parents. 1
1+. Slovaks date peeple who belong to churches other than their own.
5. Slovak people are better educated than other people.
6. Slovak people have nicer homes than any other people in town.
7. Slovaks are very friendly to most people.
8. Theinriende are made up more of relatives than other people.
9. Slovak people have better Jobs than other peeple in town.
10. Slovaks are a very religious peeple.
ll. Slovaks strive for a higher standard of living than other
_ people. ‘
12. Slovak people are very anxious to get others to belong to
k their church through marriage.
13. Slovak people are very "Anerican" in their ways.
1“. gig? church hold them together as a group more than anything ,
15. Slovaks are very interested in the education of their
k children.
16. Their pastor is a most influential person among them.
1?. Slovaks give their children a lot of freedom to pick their
__ own friends.
18. Slovak children have an important part in making decisions
__ which concern the whole family.
19. Slovaks like to have their children begin working at an
__ earlier age than other peeple.
.10. Slovak families are run by the father.
2:. Their older people are most influential in their group.

 

 

 

 

 

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1

P.2

l .
The set of questions on this page is used to get your pigtpge of Swedish people
living in Grassf] at.

DIRECTIONS: After reading each statement on this page -
Mark it in BLOCK YES if the statement fits your picture of the Swedish people.
Mark X in BLOCK NO if the statement does not fit your picture of the Swedish people.
Mark X in BLOCK YES—NO if you feel the answer is between YES and NO.

 

22.

YES

NO

BETWEEN
YES-«NO

 

Swedish people make good neighbors.

 

23..

Swedish people follow customs of the old country (Europe).

 

21+.

Swedish parents are very strict parents.

 

23.

 

Swedes date people who belong to churches other than their own.

 

26.

Swedish people are better educated. than other people.

 

2?.

Swedish people have nicer homes than any other people in tewni

 

28.

Swedes are very friendly to most people.

 

29.

 

Their friends are made up more of relatives than other people.

 

30; Swedishfipeeple have better Jobs than other people in town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21. Swedes are a very religious people.
32. Swedes strive for a higher standard of living than other
people.
33. Swedish people are very anxious to get others to belong to
their church through marriage. .
34. Swedish people are very "American" in their ways.
35. Their church holds them together as a group more than
anything else.
36. Swedes are very interested in the education of their
children. . -
37. Their pastor is a most influential person among them.
38. Swedes give their children a lot of freedom to pick their
own friends. r a:
39. Swedish children have an important part in making decisions
which concern the whole family.
1+0 . Swedes like to have their children begin working at an
earlier age than other peeple. 4
1H. . Swedish families are run by the father.
1&2 . Their older peeple are most influential in their group.
1. Would you approve of your child's marriage to someone of a different
nationality but the same religion? ( ) Yes ( )No
2. Would you approve of your child's marriage to someone of a different
religion but the same nationality? ( )Yes ( )No
3. Do you think children should be given freedom to choose their own church?

( )Yes ( )Ne

O
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Dear Student:

I] . "“r‘ "' "¢:' 1 f‘, ‘3 .--\
I‘ QL'MS ULV‘Jl/i UK) DLOV <11. (Ii-_l_.i.‘c'_i. Cu

73

\L)

Clipped to this note are two sets of questions which I would like you to

fill in. The purpose of these questions is to find out how different people feel
about certain things.

I would appreciate your answering these questions, having your parents fill

in the yellow form, and your returning them to your teacher tomorrow. Do not
sign your name to this paper. No one will know how you answered these questions.
There are no right or wrong answers because this is not a test. Please answer
these questions as y_9_u really fegl.

I am indeed very happy that Grassflat people have been so wonderfully

cooperative and kind in giving their important help to me in this study.

P.

Wyeryrongiouspwple. " ‘ up

Your help in this task is very important.

ineerel yours,

g .

S. Please answer every question. Have your mother and fa her fill in thei
form together. Help them with directions if they are not clear to them.
Please return your parents' form tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

11.

Slovaks strive for a higher standard of living than other
People.

 

12.

Slovak people are very anxious to get others to belong to
their church through marriage.

 

13.

Slovak people are very "American" in their ways.

 

11+.

Elie“ church hold them together as a group more than anything
89.

 

15.

Slovaks are very interested in the education of their
children.

 

16.

Their pastor is a most influential person among them.

 

17.

Slovaks give their children a lot of freedom to pick their i
own friends.

 

18.

Slovak children have an important part in making decisions 1
which concern the whole family.

 

19.

Slovaks like to have their children begin working at an
earlier age than other people.

 

20.

Slovak families are run by the father.

 

21.

 

 

 

Their older people are most influential in their group.

 

Merrill, Francis 811d alrrcjre, M. Wentworth. Culture .nci Societ1r

L.
new York: Prermti e-hall, Inc., 1932. oil pp,

 

-‘

Ogourn, William n and Iim ofj ,heyer F, Sociology. how York: noughton
i‘.ifilill CO 15113,", 1914?), ‘7‘53 pp.

Silcox, Cloris E. and Fisher, Galen m, Catholic J Jews and Protestants.
new York: ;"‘per and brothers, 193L. Boy pp.

 

SwOOpe Jr., holend D. lwcuoieoh Century histor" 0f Clearfield County.
Chicexo: “JCLwOHU -.rnold Iu llSilnv Com1eny, 1911. yol pp.

 

Iruxal, Andrew G. and herrill, Francis 5. The Family in American Culture
Lew York: Prentice—dell, Inc., 19L7.

 

loune, Pauline V. Scientific Social Survey and hesearch. New York:
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 19L9. o21 pp.

 

f'\

Yurchek, Peter P. The Slovaks. Whiting Indiana: Obrena Press, Inc.,
19b? 0 2 :16 121;) o

 

1

S, Periodical Articles

oossard, James H. S., "hationelitv and hativity-as Factors in Marriage,
Imerican Sociological hevi cw, L:792-79b, December, 1939.

 

mnesidential Prepinquity as a Factor in Marriage
Selection," hmerican Journal of Sociology, 3b:219—22L, September,

1932.

 

 

Carpenter, kilos, Inmigrents and Their Children, Washington, D. 0.,
Census honOgraph V11, 192?, L31 pp.

 

Davie, Maurice h and Reeves, nuoy Jo, "PrOpinouity of Residence before
marriage, " imerican Journal of Sociolo y, LL: 510-517, January, 1939.

DePorte, J, V., "marriages in the State of new York with Special
deference to Nativity," Human Biology, 3:376-396, September, 1931,

 

Dowd, Jerome, "The Racial Elem -. nt in Social issimilation " Imerican
Journal of Sociolog3,1o£‘33-O33, July -nad, 1910-1911.

dollingshead, August 5., "Cultural Factors in Selection of Marriage
hates," Amer’can Sociological neview, 15:e19-o27, October, 1950.

Johnson, hildegard Binder, "Distribut ion of the German Pioneer POpulation
inluinnesote," aural Sociolo y, o 16- BL, Larch, 19ml.

 

Boo

Kenned', nuoy Jo hteves "3i ntle or 1‘rio1e;-eltin*—}ot? Internarriaie
lrends in Lew naven, ltIU-lyLO," hQQPiCFD Jouzzial of Sociolo w-
37: )1-337, January, 171;“,

_9

 

holler, narvin a., "nesiuential PrOpinquity of WLite Mates at marriage
in helation to Lee and Occupation of mates, Colunous, “bio, 193U

In

anJ lyLo," rmerican Sociologica neview, 13: Lo. 3, October, 19Jo.

 

 

Loonis, C. P., Seegle, J. L., and Londmore, T. 4 ,Cr iQu e of Class
as nelateo to Social Stratification, Seacon Sousa, lj ' , qulbmStr”

 

monoxrapns, no. 17, 2 pp,
nelson, Lowry, "Intermarriage amona hationalitv Group 3 in a hural Area
or ninresota," Inerican Journal of S ciOIO'v, Lc:3t3-592, Larch,

19143 .

 

Panunzio, Constantir.e ”Intermarria:e in Los 1n elcs, 172S-33,
Luerican JO mIrn-l OI Siciolo _3, L]: 690- 701, march, 17L2,

 

"Ine 'an51 Swedes " She Southwestern Social Science

 

Schnepp, Gerald J "Inree nixed Marriage guestions Answered," Catholic

.’ *

World, 13S: 203-207, novemocr, 19L2.

 

f

Clones, John L., "The L actor of 1*Le1igion in the Selection of Marriage
hates," 1r:rican So c LoIOjic a1 zeview, 1S:bc7-L91, august, 1931

 

essie bloom, "Cowparative dates of Intermarria he a;
fercnt Nationalities in the United States," fingenic- he» ,
13:103-107, 1930,

C. Speci lbulletins

0)

Lincgren, lne Reverend deard L., Cur thneran Chimes (T};e Golden
Anniversary Issue, bmanuel pVohepllLai Lutheran Cnurcn), Vol, 7,
Lug.-Dec 1930. 19 rp.

 

’,

Lindgren, The hevereno ddward 5., Our Lutheran Chimes {The Sixtieth
Anniversary Number, neoo Lutheran Church), Vol. 1, Sept.-Oct.,
lSLL. 29 pp.

 

369

Ch“:: diaries of local residents.
Leai;:ers of looe' or anizations,

Personal comnuuication with writer.

a

78n list rv (St. loter and Paul Catholic

rhe never 3no E. J 83 Jronik, 0
1702-1703,

18
Church, ore ssfla t, rears

 

dednota (k clove -C8thliC Weekly).

The Sunday Visitor (A Cat olic Weeklg).

J'fPELQQIX

. ~ '7‘ , r':" 'v '\ -‘ .. . . ' '_ V ., '7 - '
wee-in beau lu LILLiiLJLIHU ml}. 1LL1J;11LJ_LL‘JU LueiL Ui‘LiJf.u.L._l.iIUL\O)

ERIPF IZ ION

31L“

Name of Organization:

Date Organization Began:

Zlease indicate the number of members in terms of nationality for each

of the five dates below.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(it)

(5)

Date the organization began:

The number of Grassflat Swedish members at this date was

The number of Grassflat Slovak members at this date was __

The number of Grassflat members of other nationality at this date was

There were Swedish officers, Slovak officers, other
nationality officers at this date. _

The total number of members from outside Grassflat was ,

 

Date 1930:

The number of Grassflat Swedish members at this date was

The number of Grassflat Slovak members at this date was

The number of Grassflat members of' other nationality at this date was

There were Swedish officers, Slovak officers, other
nationality officers at this date.

The total number of members from outside Grassflat was .

Date 1910:

The number of Grassflat Swedish members at this date was

The number of Grassflat Slovak members at this date was

The number of Grassflat members of other nationality at this date was

There were Swedish officers, Slovak officers, other
nationality officers at this date.

The total number of members from outside Grassflat was .

 

Date 1950: '

mo number of Grassflat Swedish members at this date was
The number of Grassflat Slovak members at this date was
The number of Grassflatmembegs of'other nationality at‘this date was

 

 

-

ibore'wcro '- .Swodi'sh offiodrs, ' - Slowktoff1ccrg.
nationality officers at this date.
The tetalnumber of members from outside Grassflat was

____.___ other

rate 1952:

The number of Grassflat Swedish members at this date was

The nunber of Grassflat Slovak members at this date was

The number of Grassflat members of other nationality at this date was

There were Swedish officers, Slovak officers, other
nationality officers at this date. -

The total number of members from outside Grassflat was

What are membership dues?
Vhat is the purpose of the organization?

 

 

‘- ..

0A

 

 

 

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in a doctoral study of the

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otter will be highly aypreciated.

‘y of Grassflat. Your

Dear

fill
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you
3:19.

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£113

WC

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”\f

Dear Parents:

Clipped to this note are two sets of. carnation: which I would like you to ..
fill in. The purpose of these questions is to find out how different people feel
about certain things.

I would appreciate your answering these questions and returning them with
your child who is enrolled in Grades Seven or Eight, or in High School. Please
answer these questions as you really feel. Do not sign your name to this paper.
No one will know how you answered these questions. There are no right or wrong
answers because this is not a test.

I am indeed very happy that Grassflat peeple have been so wonderfully
I cooperative and kind in giving their important help to me in this study.

Your help in this task is very important.

Sincerely yours,

Mg 6’. 32;;th

 

P. 5. Please answer every question. You will receive two or more copies if you
have two or more children in grades mentioned above. Only fill in 9312
copy. and write in the number of the gthgr forms here\J

PLEASE mum ALL Imus moucnnow I H """F [j

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.19

n. 1&1‘}. .1n_3.|..«‘).11.<a./G.Fr.£€.

  

 

 

 

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P.1

The set of questions of this page is used to get your picture of Slovak people
living in Grassf lat.

DIRECTIONS: After reading each statement on this page -
Mark X in BLOCK YES if the statement fits your picture of the Slovak people.
Mark X in BLOCK NO if the statement does 3.1232. fit your picture of Slovak people.
Mark X in BLOCK YES-NO if you feel the answer is between YES and No.

1

YES

110'

BEI‘WM
YESu—NO

 

1.

Slovak peeple make good neighbors.

 

Slovak people follow customs of the old country (marope).

 

 

 

 

'5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Slovak parents are very strict parents.

’4. Slovaks date people who belong to churches other than their own.

5. Slovak peeple are better educated than other people.
Slovak peeple have nicer homes than any other people in town.

7. Slovaks are very friendly to most people.

8. Their friends are made up more of relatives than other people.

9. Slovak people have better Jobs than other people in town.

10. Slovaks are a very religious peeple. ‘

ll. Slovaks strive for a higher standard of living than other
people. '

12. Slovak people are very anxious to get others to belong to
their church through marriage.

13. Slovak people are very "Anerican" in their ways.

11+. 251:5: church hold them together as a group more than anything ,

15. Slovaks are very interested in the education of their
children.

16. Their pastor is a most influential person among them.

17. Slovaks give their children a lot of freedom to pick their
own friends.

18. Slovak children have an important part in making decisions
which concern the whole family.

19. Slovaks like to have their children begin working at an
earlier age than other peeple.

20. Slovak families are run by the father.

21. Their older people are most influential in their group.

 

 

 

-
...

co.-

“ 90'

 

 

o. O. is.

P.2

3
The set of questions on this page is used to get your pigtpge of Swedish peeple
living in Grassfl at.

DIRECTIONS: After reading each statement on this page -
Mark I in BLOCK YES if the statement fits your picture of the Swedish people.
Mark X in BLOCK NO if the statement does not fit your picture of the Swedish people.
Mark X in BLOCK YES-NO if you feel the answer is between YES and NO.

 

22.

YES

NO

13mm
YES—NO

 

Swedish people make good neighbors.

 

23..

Swedish people follow customs of the old country (Bumps).

 

2“.

Swedish parents are very strict parents.

 

25.

 

Swedes date people who belong to churches other than their own.

 

26.

Swedish people are better educated than other people.

 

2?.

Swedish people have nicer homes than any other people in town.

 

28.

Swedes are very friendly to most people.

 

29.

 

Their friends are made up more of relatives than other people.

 

30. Swedish people have better Jobs than otherfipeople in town.

 

3_1.

Swedes are a very religious people.

 

32.

Swedes strive for a higher standard of living than other
peeple.

 

33-

Swedish people are very anxious to get others to belong to
their church through marriage.

 

31+.

Swedish people are very "American" in their ways.

 

35-

Their church holds them together as a group more than
anything else.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36. Swedes are very interested in the education of their
children.
37. Their pastor is a most influential person among them.
38. Swedes give their children a lot of freedom to pick their
on friends. .
39. Swedish children have an important part in making decisions
which concern the whole family.
M. Swedes like to have their children begin working at an
earlier age than other people. #
1+1 . Swedish families are run by the father. #
#2 . Their older people are most influential in their group.
1. Would you approve of your child's marriage to someone of a different
nationality but the same religion? ( ) Yes ( )No
2. Would you approve of your child's marriage to someone of a different
religion but the same nationality? ( )Yes ( )Ns
3- DO you think children should be given freedom to choose their own church?

)Yes ( )No

.
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‘| ' , 4.- '|,,,,‘l. 't r“ ii.,,,' .1
i‘OI‘LfLS uivun so Diane-it. (1;-..3_..LL:_L\./ii

Dear Student: 373

Clipped to this note are two sets of questions which I would like you to

fill in. The purpose of these questions is to find out how different people feel
about certain things.

I would appreciate your answering these questions, having your parents fill
in the yello! form, and your returning them to your teacher tomorrow. Do not
sign your name to this paper. No one will know how you answered these questions.
There are no right or wrong answers because this is not a test. Please answer
these questions as m Legally fegl.

I am indeed very happy that Grassflat people have been so wonderfully
cooperative and kind in giving their important help to me in this study.

Your help in this task is very important.

ineerel yours,

g .

P. S. Please answer every question. Have your mother and fa her fill in thei
form together. Help them with directions if they are not clear to them.
Plegse return your parents' form tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

al.55-

saunas-r

 

P. 1

The set of questions of this page is used to get ygur pictge of Slovak people
living in Grassflat.

DIRECTIONS: After reading each statement on this page «-

Mark x in
Mark K in
Mark K in

YES

BLOCK YES if the statement fits your picture of the Slovak people.
BLOCK NO if the statement does 225. fit your picture of Slovak peeple.
BLOCK YES-ITO if you feel the answer is between YES and No.

BEI'l'fm
YBS-NO

 

Slovak peeple make" good neighbors.

z
0
1..-

 

Slovak peeple follow customs of the old country (Europe).

 

3.

Slovak parents are very strict parents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1+. Slovaks date people who belong to churches other than-their ova

5. Slovak peeple are. better educated than other people.

6. Slovak peeple han'e nicer homes than any other people in town.

7. Slovaks are very fl: iendly to most peeple.

8. Their friends are made up more of relatives than other people.

9. Slovak people have better Jobs than other people in town.

10. Slovaks are a very religious people.

11. Slovaks strive for a higher standard of living than other
people.

12. Slovak people are very anxious to get others to belong to
their church through marriage.

13. Slovak people are very "American" in their ways.

. 11+. flair church hold them together as a group more than anything
as.

15. Slovaks are very interested in the education of their
children.

16. Their pastor is a most influential person among them.

17. Slovaks give their children a lot of freedom to pick their
own friends.

18. Slovak children have an important part in making decisions
which concern the whole family.

19. Slovaks like to have their children begin working at an
earlier age than other peeple. _

20. Slovak families are run by the father.

21. Their older people are most influential in their group.

 

 

 

 

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an

The set of questions on this p
living in Grassfl M'-.

DIRECTIONS: After reading each stat ement on this page ~
Mark K in BLOCK YES if the statement fits your picture of the Swedish people.
Mark I in BLOCK NO if the statement does not fit your picture of the Swedish peeple.
Mark I in BLOCK YES-N0 if you feel the answer is between YES and N0.

_-_¥

YES

NO

P.2

age is used to get wage of Swedish peaple'

13mm
YES-«NO

 

2g; Swedish people make good; neighbors.

 

23.; Swedish people follow customs of the old country (EuroPe).

 

2£+_._Swedish parents are very strict parents.

 

25. Swedes date people who belong to churches other than their own.

 

 

22 Swedish people are better educated than other people.

 

2? Qwedish people have nicer homes than any other people in town.

 

2_8_._ Swedes are very friendly to most people.

 

22; Their friEnds are made up more of relatives than other people.

 

BOLSwedish peeple have better Jobs than otherjeople in town.

2;.

 

Swedes are a very religious people.

 

32.

 

Swedfs strive for a higher standard of living than other
peep e.

 

33.

 

Swedish people are very anxioTzs to get others to belong to
their church through marriage.

 

3:.

Swedish peeple are very "AmeriCan" in their ways.

 

Their church holds them together as a group more than
anything else.

 

Swedes are very interested in the education of their
children.

 

Their pastor is a most influential person among them.

 

Swedes give their children a lot of freedom to pick their
own friends.

 

Swedish children have an important part in making decisions
whicr; concern the whole family.

 

Swedes like to have their children begin working at;
earlier age than other people.

 

Swedish families are run by the father.

 

Theiréolderh peeple are most influential in Ttheir group.

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

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P.2

The set of questions on this page is used to get Mme of Swedish peOple'
living in Grassfl at.

DIRECTIONS: After reading each stat ement on this page -
Mark X in BLOCK YES if the statement fits your picture of the Swedish people.
Mark I in BLOCK NO if the statement does not fit your picture of the Swedish peOple.
Mark I in BLOCK YES-NO if you feel the answer is between YES and N0.

 

22.

YES

NO

3mm
YES-«NO

 

Swedish people make good neighbors.

 

23..

Swedish people follow customs of the old country (MOpe).

 

21}.

Swedish parents are very strict parents.

 

25.

 

Swedes date people who belong to churches other than their own.

 

26.

Swedish people arekbetter educated than other people.

 

2?,

Swedish people have nicer homes than any other people in town.

 

28.

Swedes are very friendly to most people.

 

29.

 

Their friends are made up more of relatives than other people.

 

30.
11-

Swedish pee eople have better ,jobs than other:people in town.

 

Swedes are a very religious people.

 

32.

Swedes strive for a higher standard of living than other
peOple.

 

33-

Swedish peo 1e are very anxious to get others to belong to
their chur through marriage.

 

3”-

Swedish peeple are very "American" in their ways.

 

35-

Their church holds them together as a. group more than
anything else.

 

36.

Swedes are very interested in the education of their
children.

 

Their pastor is a. most influential person among them.

 

Swedes give their childrai a lot of freedom to pick {an
own friends.

 

Swedish children have an important part in making decisions
which concern the whole family.

 

. Swedes like to have their children begin working at an

earlier age than other people.

 

. Swedish families are run by the father.

 

4”” 5H6 W

. Their older people are most influential in—their group.

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

       

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

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- , . - P. 3
DIRECTIONS: After each question which follows you will find several answers.

Please mark I in front of that answer which you think fits begt.

43. At what age did you begin going to Catechihm? - ( )Never attended ( >34
( )5—6 ( )7 ( )8 ( )9 ( >10 or later
Me. How often do you attend Catechism new? ( )Never attend

( )1—3 times a year ( )Almost once every month ( )1 Sunday a month
( )2 Sundays a month ()3 Sundays a month ( )I never miss unless I'm unable to go:

DIRECTIONS: Mark X on line A to show the number of Svedish friends you have.
Mark X on line _1; to show the number of Slovak friends you have.
Mark X on line _g to show the number of friends you have who are neither
Swedish nor Slovak.

1+5. Friends of your own sex:

None One Two Three 1 Four Five or more

 

A. Swedish
_l}. Slovak
Q's Other ‘

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1+6. Friends of the opposite §_e_x_:

None One Two Three . Four Five or more

 

A. SWBdJYBh
g. Slovak

 

 

Q. Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS: Mark I on line _4 to show the number of dates you have had with Swmles
Mark X on line 13, to show the number of dates you have had with Slovaks
Mark I on line _(_3_ to show the number of dates you have had with persons

neither Swedish nor Slovak

b7. . None One Two Three Four Five or more
2;. Swedish 1
_B_. Slovak

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Other

 

_J A

1&8. How do your parents speak with each other at home most g_f_ 3.1.1.6. time?
.( )Almost or all in Slovak ( )Mostly Slovak. and little English
( )About equal amount of Slovak and English ( )Mostly English en little Slovak
( )Almost or all in English

49 How do you speak with your my; most of the time? ( )Almost or all in “Slovak
( )Mostly Slovak. and little English ( )About equal amount of Slovak and English
( )Mostly English and little Slovak ( )Almost or“ all in English

50. Do your parents approve of your being friendly with Swedish people of your age?
( )All the time ( )Often ( )Sometimes ( )Seldom \ )Never

51. Does your father show interest in what you do in school?
( )All the time ( )Often ( )Sometimee ( )Seldom ( )Never

52- WOuld you change your religion in order to marry a person you love? ( )Yes ( )No

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P.l+
Does your mother show interest in what you do in school?

( )All the time ( )Often ( )Sometimes ( )Seldom ( )Never

Do you think your parents would approve of your marriage to someone of a different
religion but the same nationality? ( )Yes ( )No

Do you think your parents would approve of your marriage to someone of a different
nationality but the same religion? ( )Yes ( )No

Do you think marriage between a Catholic and a Protestant can be happy if they
attend separate churches? ( )Yes ( )No

How do you speak with your mothers and _§_i_§sters most of the time?
( )Almost or all in Slovak ( )Mostly Slovak and little English

( )About equal amount of Slovak and English ( )Mostly English and little Slovak
( )Almost or all in English

How do you speak with friends 9; your own nationality most of the time?
( )Almost or all in Slovak... ( )Mostly Slovak and little English

( )About equal amount of Blank. and English ( )Mostly English and little Slovak -
( )Almost or all in English.

would you permit your children to be brought up Protestant?( )Yes ( )No

Do you think children should be given freedom to choose their own church?
( )Yes ( )No

How do you think Slovaks and Swedes get along together in Grassflat?
( )Very well ( )Fairly well ( )Not so well ( )Not at all

What do you think is the main difference between Slovak and Swedish people?
( )Dress ( )Language ( )Religion ( )Food habits

Do your parents approve of your dating a Swedish boy or girl or your age?

( )All the time ( )Often ( )Sometimes_ ( )Seldom ( )Never

Do your parents read the Slovak nev’spaper in your home?

( )All the time ( )Often ( )Sometimes ( )Seldom ( )Never

Who makes the important decisions in your family? ( )Father ( )Mother

( )The whole family decides after talking it over ( )Everyone does as he or she
pleases. ‘

Would you marry a

person of a different nationality but the same religion?
( )Yes ( )No

\(Iould you marry a person of a different religion but the same nationality?
Yes No

Which one of these things would you consider most important concerning your
future marriage partner: ( )Education ( )Money ( )Occupation
( )Religion ( )Nationality

Would you like to live in Grassflat after you finish your education? ( )Yes

If you were in any kind of trouble, to whom would you mostly likely go?
( )Father ( )Mother ( )Sister ( )Brother ( )Someone outside the family

()N

no you belong to the Boy Scouts? ( )Yes ( )No Question for boys only.

”rite in the kind of Job you would like to have after you finish eohool.’

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DIRECTIONS: After each question you will find several answers.

7.

8.

10.
11.
12.
13.
11».

15.
16.

17.

Mark X in front of the answer that you think is best.
Mark the X in the parentheses, for example (X).

Your sex: ( )Boy ( )Cirl

Your nationality: ( )Slovak ( )Swedish ( )Slovak—Swedish
( )Slovak-other ( )Swedish—other ( )Other nationality
Your church 3 ( )Baptist ( )Catholic ( )Lutheran
( )United Brethren ( )Other religion ( )No religious preference
Your neighbors are: ( )Slovak ( )Swedish ( )Slovak and Swedish
( )Neither of these
Your grade in school: ( )Grade 7 ‘( )Grade 8 ( )1st year High School

( )an yr. H. S. ( )3rd yr. H. S. ( )lvth yr. H. 8.

Check these grandparents who live with you: ( )None ( )Your father's father
( )Your father's mother ( )Your mother's father ( )Your mother's mother

Your parents' church: ( )Both Catholic ( )Both Protestants of same church
( )Both Protestants but different churches ( )One Catholic, other Protestant
( )One goes to church, other doesn't ( )Neither parent goes to church

Including you, the number of children in your family who are living:
( )1 ( )2 ( )3 ( )1? ( )5 ( )6 ( )7 or more

The last grade your father attended: ( )L—h ( )5—8 ( )9-all ( )12
( )1-2 College ( )}-l+ College ( )College graduate

The last grade your mother attended: ( )l-lb ( )5—8 ( )9—ll ( )12
( )1—2 College ( >341» College ( )College graduate

Your mother works for money outside the home: ( )Every day ( )Twice a week
( )About once a week ( )Never

Your father attends church: ( )Hardly ever attends ( )1~5 times a year
( )Once or twice a month ( )Almost every week ( )Every week

Your mother attends church: ( ) Hardly ever attends ( )l~5 times a year
( )Once or twice a month ( )Almost every week ( )Every week
You attend church: ( )Hardly ever attend ( )1—5 times a year

( )Once or twice a month ( )Amost every week ( )Bvery week
Do you plan to go to college? ( )Yes ( )No

Do your parents own, rent, or make payments on your home?
( )Own ( )Rent ( )Make payments

(Write in) Where does your father work?

 

 

(Be specific) What kind of work does your father do?

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DIRECTIONS: After each question you will find several answers. I” 5

Mark X in front of the answer that you think is best.
Mark the x in the parentheses, for example (X).

1. Your sex: ( )Boy ( )Cirl

2. Your nationality: ( )Slovak ( )Swedish ( )Slovak-Swedish
( )Slovak-other ( )Swedish—other ( )Other nationality
3. Your church | ( )Baptist ( )Catholic ( )Lutheran
( )United Brethren ( )Other religion ( )No religious preference

it. Your neighbors are: ( )Slovak ( )Swedish ( )Slovak and Swedish
. ( )Neither of these

5. Your grade in school: ( )Grade 7 ( )Grade 8 ( )lst year High School
( )2nd yr. H. s. ( )3rd yr. H. s. ( Wan yr. H. s.

6. Check those grandparents who live with you: ( )None ( )Your father's father
( )Your father's mother ( )Your mother's father ( )Your mother's mother

7. Your parents' church: ( )Both Catholic ( )Both Protestants of same church
( )Both Protestants but different churches ( )One Catholic, other Protestant
( )One goes to church, other doesn't ( )Neither parent goes to church

8. Including you? the number of children in your family who are living:
()1 ()2 ()3 ()1; ()5 ()6: ()7ormore

9. The last grade your father attended: ( )l—h ( )5—8 ( )9-11 ( )12
( )1—2 College ( )}-b College ( )College graduate

10. The last grade your mother attended: ( )l—lr ( )5—8 ( )9—11 ( )12
( )l-Z College ( )3-‘4 College ( )College graduate

11. Your mother works for money outside the home: ( )Every day ( )Twice a week
( )About once a week ( )Never

12. Your father attends church: ( )Hardly ever attends ( )1-5 times a year
( )Once or twice a month ( )Almost every week ( )Every week

13. Your mother attends church: ( ) Hardly ever attends ( )l~5 times a year
( )Once or twice a month ( )Almost every week ( )Every week

14. You attend church: ( )Hardly ever attend ( )1-5 times a year
( )Once or twice a month ( )Ahnost every week ( )Every week

15. Do you plan to go to college? ( )Yes ( )No

16. Do your parents own, rent, or make payments on your home?
( )Own ( )Rent ( )Make payments

17. (Write in) Where does your father work?

 

(Be specific) What kind of work does your father do?

 

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Dual- Student: Forms given to Swedish Children

37b.
Clipped to this note are two sets of questions which I would like you to

fill in. The purpose of these questions is to find out how different people feel
about certain things.

I would appreciate your answering these questions, having your parents fill
in the yellow form, and your returning them to your teacher tomorrow. Do not
sign your name to this paper. No one will know how you answered these miestions.
There are no right or wrong answers because this is not a test. Please answer
these questions as m really feel.

 

I am indeed very happy that Grassflat people have been so wonderfully
cooperative and kind in giving their important help to me in this study.

Your help in this task is very important.

Sincerely yours

P. S. Please answer every question. Have your mother and father fill in thei
form together. Help them with directions if thw are not cleer‘to them.
Please return your parents' form tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

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The set of questions of this page is used to get your picture of Slovak people
living in Grassflat.

DIRECTIONS: After reading each statement on this page -
Mark X in BLOCK YES if the statement fits your picture of the Slovak people.
Mark J: in BLOCK NO if the statement does n91 fit your picture of Slovak people.
Mark K in BLOCK YES-NO if you feel the answer is between YES and No.

YES

NO

BETWEEN
YES—..NO

 

1.

Slovak people make good neighbors.

 

2.

Slovak peOple follow customs of the old country (Europe). '

 

3.

Slovak parents are very strict parents.

 

Slovaks date people who belong to churches other than their own

 

5.

Slovak peeple are better educated than other people.

 

6.

Slovak people have nicer homes than any other‘people in town.

 

7.

Slovaks are very friendly to most peOple.

 

8.

Their friends are made up more of relatives than other people.

 

9.

Slovak people have better Jobs than other people in town.

 

10.

Slovaks are a very religious people.

 

11.

Slovaks strive for a higher standard of living than other
peOple.

 

12.

Slovak people are very anxious to get others to belong to
their church through marriage.

—-_A

 

13.

Slovak people are very "American" in their ways.

 

11+.

Their church hold them together as a group more than anything

else.

 

15.

Slovaks are very interested in the education of their
children.

 

16.

Their pastor is a most influential person among them.

 

17.

Slovaks give their children a lot of freedom to pick their
own friends.

 

18.

Slovak children have an important part in making decisions
which concern the whole family.

 

19.

Slovaks like to have their children begin working at an
earlier age than other people.

 

20.

Slovak families are run by the father.

 

21._

gheir older people are most influential in their group.

 

 

 

 

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The set of questions bn this page is used to get wtge of Swedish peeple
living in Grassf‘l at.

DIRECTIONS: After reading each statement on this page -
Mark X in BLOCK YES if the statement fits your picture of the Swedish people.
Mark I in BLOCK NO if the statement does not fit your picture of the Swedish people.
Mark X in BLOCK YES-NO if you feel the answer is between YES and NO.

IBEI‘WEFN

lms NO YES-«NO
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22. Swedish people make good neighbors.

23.. Swedish peeple follow customs of the old country (EurOpe).
24. Swedish parents are very strict parents.

25. Swedes date people who belong to churches other than their own.
26. Swedish people are better educated than other people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2?. Swedish people have nicer homes than any other people in town.
28. Swedes are very friendly to most people.

 

 

 

29. Their friends are made up more of relatives than other people.

 

30. Swedish people have better Jobs than other people in town.

 

3}. Swedes are a very religious people.

32. Swedes strive for a higher standard of living than other
peep e.

 

 

33. Swedish peo le are very anxious to get others to belong to
their churc through marriage.

31+. Swedish people are very "American" in their ways.

35. Their church holds them together as a group more than
anything else.

36. Swedes are very interested in the education of their
children.

37. Their pastor is a most influential person among them.

38_. Swedes give their childrm a lot of freedom to pick their
own friends.

39. Swedish children have an important part in making decisions
which concern the whole family.

1er . Swedes like to have their children begin working at an
earlier age than other people.

1+]. . Swedish families are run by the father.
42 . Their older people are most influential in their group.

 

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DIRECTIONS: After each question which follows you will find several answers. 3

Please mark 1 in front of that answer which you think fits best.

1&3. At what age did you begin going to Sunday 'School? ( )Never attended ( )34
( )5-5 ( )7 ( )8 ( )9 ( )10 or later

144. How often do you attend Sunday School or Bible School now? ( )Never attend
( )1-3 times a year ( )Almost once every month ( )1 Sunday a month
( )2 Sundays a month ()3 Sundays a month ( )I never miss unless I'm unable to go.

DIRECTIONS: Mark I, on line A to show the number of Swedish friends you have.
Mark I on line _B to show the number of Slovak friends you have.
Mark X. on line _Q to show the number of friends you have who are neither
Swedish nor Slovak.

1+5. Friends ofiyour own 95;:

None One Twa I Three Four Five or more

 

A. Swadish
_B. Slovak
9.0 Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'46. Friends of the opposite 593;:

l None One Two Three Four Five or more

 

A. SVGdiflh
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_Q. Other

 

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS: Mark I on line ,4 to show the number of dates you have had with Swedes
Mark I on line Q to show the number of dates you have had with Slovaks
Mark X on line _C_ to show the number of dates you‘have had with persons

neither Swedish nor Slovak .

 

1+7. None One Two Three Four Five or more
A. Swedish
_Be Slovak ‘ L

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1&8 How do your parents speak with each other at home most 91 thg time?
( )Almost or all in Swedish ( )Mostly Swedish and little English

( )About equal amount of Swedish and English ( )Mostly English an little Swadish
( )Almost or all in English

14.9 How do 19; speak with your m most of the time? ( )Almost or all in Svedis
( )Mostly Swedish and little English ( )About equal amount of Swedish and English
( )Mostly English and little Swedish ( )Almost or all in English

50. Do your parents approve of your being friendly with Slovak Catholics of your age?
( )All the time ( )Often ( )Sometimes ( )Seldom ( )Never

51. Does your father show interest in what you do in school?
( )All the time ( )Often ( )Sometimes ( )Seldom ( )Never

52. Would you change your religion in order to marry a person you love? ( )Yes ( )No

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Does your mother show interest in what you do in school?
( )All the time ( )Often ( )Sometimes ( )Seldom ( )Never

Do you think your parents would approve of your marriage to someone of a different
religion but the same nationality?‘ ()Yes ( )No

‘Do you think your parents would.approve of your marriage to someone of a different
nationality but the same religion? ( )Yes ( )No

Do you think marriage between a Catholic and.a Protestant can be happy if they
attend separate churches? ( )Yes ( )No

How do I... speak with your brothers an___d_ sisters most of the time?

( )Almost or all in Swedish ( )Mostly Swedish and little English

( )About equal amount of Swedish and.English ( )Mostly English and little Swedish
( )Almost or all in English

How do 1gp speak with friends of you own nationality most of the time?

( )Almost or all in Swedish ( )Mostly Swedish and little English

( )About equal amount of Swedish and English ( )Mostly English and little Swedish

( )Almost or all in.Englisho

Would.you.permit your children to be brought up Catholic? ( )Yes ( )No

Do»you think children should be given freedom to choose their own church?
( )Yes ( )No

How do you think Slovaks and Swedes get along together in Grassflat?
( )Very well ( )Fairly well ( )Not so well ( )Not at all

What do you think is the main difference between Slovak and Swedish people?
( )Dress ( )Language ( )Religion ( )Food habits

Do your parents approve of your dating a Slovak boy or girl or your age?
( )All the time ( )Often ( )Sometimes ( )Seldom ( )Never

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Do your parents read the Swedish neispaper in your home?
( )All the time ( )Often ( )Sometimes ( )Seldom ( )Never

Who makes the important decisions in.your family? ( )Father ( )Mother
( )The whole family decides after talking it over ( )Everyone does as he or she
pleases.

Yould,you marry a person of a different nationality but the same religion?
Yes No

gould.you ma§ry a person of a different religion but the same nationality?
Yes No

Which one of these things would.you consider most important concerning your
future marriage partner: ( )Education ( )Money ( )Occupation
( )Religion ( )Nationality

Would.you like to live in Grassflat after you finish your education? ( )Yes ( )N(

If you.were in.aay kind of trouble, to whom would.you mostly likely go?
( )Father ( )Mother ( )Sister ( )Brdther ( )Someone outside the family

Do you belong to the Boy Scouts? ’( )Yes ( )No Question for boys only.
Write in the kind of Job you.wou1d like to have after you finish school.

 

 

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DIRECTIONS: After each question you will find several answers.

Mark I in front of the answer that you think is be____s__t.
Mark the X in the parentheses. for example (X).

1. Your sex: ( )Boy ( )Girl

2. Your nationality: ( )Slovak ( )Swedish ( )Slovak-Swedish
( )Slovak—other ( )Swedisha-other ( )Other nationality
3. Your church 3 ( )Baptist ( )Catholic ( )Lutheran
( )United Brethren ( )Other religion ( )No religious preference .

it. Your neighbors are: ( )Slovak ( )Swedish ( )Slovak and Swedish

( )Neither of these

5. Your grade in school: ( )Grade 7 '( )Grade 8 ( )lst year High School

( )an yr. H. S. ( )3rd yr. ~H. S. ( )LPth yr. H. S.

Check those grandparents who live with you: ( )None ( )Your father's father

( )Your father's mother ( )Your mother's father ( )Your mother's mother

7. Your parents' church: ( )Both Catholic ( )Both Protestants of same church

( )Both Protestants but different churches ( )One Catholic, other Protestant
( )One goes to church, other doesn't ( )Neither parent goes to church

Including you, the number of children in your family who are living: '

( )1 ( ')2 ( )3 ( )1? ( )5 ( )6 ( )7 or more

9. The last grade your father attended: ( )l—rlb ( )5—8 ( )9—ll ( )12

10.7

11.
12.
13.
11+.

15.
16.

17.

( )1-2 College ( )}-I+ College ( )College graduate

The last grade your mother attended: ( )l-J: ( )5—8 ( )9—11 ( )12
( )1-2 College ( )3»le College ( )College graduate -

Your mother works for money outside the home: ( )Every day ( )TMGO a week
( )About once a week ( )Never

Your father attends church: ( )Hardly ever attends ( )1—5 times a year
( )Once or twice a month ( )Almost every week ( )Every week

Your mother attends church: ( ) Hardly ever attends ( )l~5 times a year
( )Once or twice a month ( )Almost every week ( )Every week

You attend church: ( )Hardly ever attend ( )1—-5 times a year
( )Once or twice a month ( )most every week ( )Every week

Do you plan to go to college? ( )Yes ( )No

Do your parents own, rent, or make payments on your home?
( )Own ( )Rent ( )Make payments

(Write in) Where does your father work?

 

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(Be' specific) What kind of work does your father d’o?

 

   

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