Iron, Norn and Norgren

The iron production is a central theme in Swedish history and has significantly contributed to the nation’s economic development, from the time of pioneers in the Middle Ages to the thriving steel industry during the 20th century. The relative security in the ironworks and the interdependency and respect between ironmasters and workers were a source of inspiration for the idea of Folkhemmet and the Swedish model. Thus, the history of the iron production, Norn, and our family reflects the emergence of modern Sweden. Here I have tried to tell the story from the perspective of our family, driven by four interacting forces: the mining and metalworking, the industrialization, the popular movements, and the migration to cities and America. The family tree includes more than 4 000 individuals over 16 generations, 400 years, and six continents.