Helga Stromberg (1886-1971) Papers
Scope and Contents
The papers of Helga Stromberg include personal items, correspondence, manuscripts of both poetry and prose, clippings, and a folder of music and sketches.
Dates
- 1901 - 1971
Creator
Language of Materials
Swedish and English.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright that may be involved in the use of this collection.
Biographical / Historical
Helga Stromberg (nee Henning) was born March 14, 1886 in Gothenberg, Sweden. After graduating from secondary school in 1904, Helga attended a teachers college in Stockholm for a year. She then attended a nurses training school in Hamburg, Germany and in 1913 joined a Swedish Red Cross ambulance team serving in Serbia, where she was decorated. In 1914 she married a student of astronomy, Gustav B. Stromberg (MSS 22) in Paris, France. In 1916 Gustav received a stipend from the Mt. Wilson observatory, and the two moved to Pasadena, California where they lived the rest of their lives.
Helga started writing poetry in Pasadena under the nom de plum of Sister (or Syster) Benediction. She was published quite frequently in the Swedish‑American press and the Pasadena Star. She also had six poem collections published, three in English and three in Swedish. She became an honorary member of the Eugene Field Society in 1940.
Helga's husband Gustav died in 1962, and Helga continued to live in the same house, 1383 North Marengo, until her death on July 7, 1971 at the age of 85.
Extent
4.25 Linear Feet (7 containers)
Arrangement
Arranged by topic and then chronologically.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Helga Stromberg Papers were donated to the Archives of the Swedish American Historical Society in 1976 by Frances Paelian, 2304 Paloma Street, Pasadena, California. Relevant material may also be found among the papers of her husband, Gustav Stromberg, in these same archives (MSS 22).
Separated Materials
A folder of correspondence regarding the donation of the papers, between Frances Paelian and Selma Jacobson was placed in the Archives files. A large number of photographs were placed in the Photograph Collection. Several books were transferred to the book collection and are listed below:
Bibeln (Bible). Stockholm : Isaac Marcus, 1900.
Benediction, Syster. Dromda Varldar. Minneapolis: Augsburg, n.d.
Benediction, Syster. Fran Solljusa Strander. Minneapolis:Augsburg, n.d.
Benediction, Syster. Selected Poems. New York: Exposition Press, 1939.
Benediction, Syster. Through Windows of Love. New York: Henry Harrison, 1940.
Benediction, Syster. Viskande Vindar. Stockholm: Kvalitetstryck, 1948.
Benediction, Syster. Worlds Within. New York: Henry Harrison, 1941.
Processing Information
Eric Lundberg, November 1985.
Creator
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Sponsor
- Funding to migrate and update this finding aid was provided by the Swedish Council of America through the 2019 grant "Improving and Expanding Access to the Swedish–American Archives of Greater Chicago."
Repository Details
Part of the Swedish-American Archives of Greater Chicago Repository
3225 W Foster Ave
Box 38
Chicago IL 60625 USA
773-583-5722