Swedish National Society of Chicago Records

The Swedish National Society of Chicago (Svensk Nationalforbundet i Chicago) was founded 10 October 1913. The Society was organized to be a central organization of all Swedish societies in Cook County, "to work for moral, intellectual and economic welfare, temperance, as well as to further national interests." The Society was "to extend charity and benevolence to worthy persons of Swedish birth or descent, and to work for the establishment of a Swedish society's hospital."­This Society was founded when members of the Swedish National Association, which held the same purposes, withdrew from the Association when it introduced the sales of "intoxicating liquors" at certain festivals, and began selling books, and operating its labor bureau for profit. This was in conflict with the Association's constitution.

In 1915, the Swedish National Association used the Swedish name of this Society, "Svensk Nationalforbundet i Chicago", in reference to its profit making transactions, and in 1916 suit was filed in Cook County, with the judge ruling in favor of the complainant, the Swedish National Society of Chicago.

The Society served as an umbrella organization by holding close contacts with other Swedish organizations, forming a close knit circuit. The Society also hosted the Swedish National Day every summer. At this time the status of this organization is unknown.