Between 1860 and 1940 approximately 1,1 million Swedish citizens emigrated to North America. But over 200 000 of them returned to Sweden. In this essay I have tried to estimate the impact of these people on the Swedish society. To make a deeper analyze possible, I have studied the parish of Glimåkra in southern Sweden and tried to trace the immigrants’ lives after their return to Sweden and thus estimate their impact on society. By statistical analysis of migrants between Sweden and USA and between the parish of Glimåkra and USA I have concluded that the result can be used as a model for Sweden on a national basis. The impact of returned emigrants on the parish of Glimåkra is significant. I have been able to identify important areas in the development of the local society that are clearly linked to these people, returning with new knowledge, ideas and money. This is especially obvious in the establishment of independent religious congregations and in the organizations for sobriety.

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