Fieldwork carried out during the summer of 1972 in the towns of Dickson, Dalum, Standard, and Markerville, Alberta; Redvers, Saskatchewan; and Ostenfeld, Manitoba revealed that viable Danish-Canadian oral tradition exists primarily in terms of local history and personal narrative.

"With this book on the origins of a Danish colony the focus is set on how Danish settlers established themselves in the American society. The colony 'Dannebrog' in Nebraska was founded in 1871 by a group of immigrants who some years earlier had settled down in Wisconsin." "By organizing The Danish Land and Homestead Company they set the goal farther west to build a large Danish colony comprising farmland as well as a real town. The book describes and analyzes specific details including the many difficulties and with strong competition for the acquisition of a continuous area of land and the foundation of a vigorous town. Laws, statutes, political structures, economics and labor- and trade organizations were completely different from Denmark. The realization of the dream required the ability to quickly gain insight into the new society and to become a part of it. In return the immigrants with their Danish roots and values could then be successful at forming a new society on the American prairie."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

In 1924, Sibley and McTavish Townships were set aside for settlement by Danish homesteaders. They were eager to take advantage and the opportunity to own land in this new country. The Danish immigrants underwent great trials to clear the land for farming and build houses in the region. Despite many hardships and setbacks due to fires and the economy, the clearings and buildings emerged. Logging in the area became a main source of income along with farms and the well known strawberry farms. As the settlers began to realize their dreams, the colony started to thrive, thus establishing the community of Pass Lake. This being our 100 year celebration, it is the goal of the Pass Lake Historical Society that we commemorate this occasion by compiling stories from our early pioneers to the present. We acknowledge where we started and continue to embrace as we move forward in the future. This community has roots, even though many have moved away they hold this “Rugged Danish Settlement” deep in their heart.

A presentation of the folklore and folkways of Calabrese immigrants residing in Toronto, Ontario as recorded in 1980 and 1981.