Finnbygder

Finnish Settlements

Finland was, from the 13th century, part of the Kingdom of Sweden. Farmers practicing “svedjebruk” (slash-and-burn agriculture) faced difficult times during the 1500s with recurring misgrowth, lack of forest, war with Russia etc. The areas of Sweden where the Finnish slash-and-burn farmers settled are referred to as “finnmarker” (Finn lands”), “finnbygder” (Finn settlements) or “finnskogar” (Finn forests).

The first Finnish immigrants settled in the Södermanland province, southern and eastern Värmland, Tiveden and north-west Västmanland, as well as Gästrikland and Dalarna. Thereafter the colonisation continued westward and north towards, among other places, Sunne, Torsby and eastern Norway. Cultivation of uninhabited forest areas was encouraged by the Swedish kings, as it was of benefit to the country’s safety and in the long-term it also implied an income for the state. Finnish settlers were therefore encouraged with six years freedom from taxes. Swedish farmers, who generally took up residence in valley areas with fertile soil, looked with scepticism, if not to say resentment, at the activities of the settlers.

In an attempt to decrease the hostility, Finnish settlers were banned from establishing their lands and building their houses closer than a “fjärdingsväg” (a quarter of an old Swedish mile or 2672 metres) from Swedish villages. But times changed. During the 1600s the iron industry grew increasingly strong. At the same rate the value of the forests increased. Mining and iron-smelting required vast amounts of wood and coal. In 1638 slash-and burn agriculture was forbidden within a mile of all mines and smelting-houses, but the Finnish settlers’ burning continued. The forest law from 1664 is sharp in its formulation: “If anyone permits a Finn or anyone else to “svedja” (slash – burn) on their land, in any way harming the mining industry, he will be sentenced to a fine of 40 “marker”, and if he comes back he will be sentenced to the gallows.”

The Finnish settlers discovered new natural resources; swaths of mainly iron, but also copper and silver. New ore discoveries were rewarded by the Crown, sometimes up to a hide’s worth. The Finn lands were transformed into Finnish mining districts. örjan Finne made the ore discovery that lead to the establishment of Hellefors Ironworks and the Finnish maid Lisa Ersdotter discovered the copper ore of Finngruvorna. ”Nya Kopparbergs bergverk” was founded by Mårten Nilson Finne. A great number of smelting-houses in Bergslagen were taken over and run by Finnish miners, many remaining in the ownership of their descendents until the end of the iron era in Bergslagen around the turn of the century 1899/1900

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