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Slovene Americans

{{Short description|Americans of Slovene birth or descent}}

{{Infobox ethnic group

|group = Slovene Americans
Ameriški Slovenci

|image = File:USA Map Showing Slovenian Population by State.png

|caption = Map showing the population of Slovenes in the United States by state according to the American Community Survey 2010

|pop = 175,099

|popplace = Ohio (Greater Cleveland), Pennsylvania, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, California

|langs = American English, Slovene

|rels = Roman Catholic, Lutheran

|related = White Americans, Slovene Canadians

}}

{{Slovenes}}

File:Slovene USC2000 PHS.svg

Slovene Americans or Slovenian Americans are Americans of full or partial Slovene or Slovenian ancestry. Slovenes mostly immigrated to America during the Slovene mass emigration period from the 1880s to World War I.

History

The first Slovenes in the United States were Catholic missionary priests in the early 19th century.Roger Daniels, American Immigration: A Student Companion (Oxford University Press, 2001), pp. 247–248. Two of the earliest such missionaries were Anton Kappus and Frederic Baraga.Gobetz, E. 2009. Selected Slovenian Trailblazers in America. Slovenian American Times. Vol. 1. Issue 5, Page 12. 23 March 2009. Many of these early immigrants were bilingual Slovene-German speakers.Shipman, A. 1912. The Slavs in America. In: The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Baraga's sister Antonija Höffern became the first Slovene woman to immigrate to the United States in 1837.{{Cite web |last=Glonar |first=Joža |date=2013 |title=Höffern, Antonija, pl. (1803–1871) |url=https://www.slovenska-biografija.si/oseba/sbi233529/ |access-date=May 5, 2023 |website=Slovenian Biographical Lexicon |publisher=Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts |language=sl}}

The peak of emigration from what is now Slovenia was between 1860 and 1914; during this period, between 170,000 and 300,000 left areas that are now part of Slovenia.[https://books.google.com/books?id=G9tDboBJ70EC&pg=PA352 The Land Between: A History of Slovenia] (Peter Lang, 2008: ed. Oto Luthar), p. 352. By 1880 there were around 1,000 Slovene Americans, many of whom worked in the Upper Midwest as miners; within 30 years, about 30,000 to 40,000 Slovenian immigrants lived in the area of Cleveland, Ohio, the center of Slovene American culture. The early waves of migrants were predominantly single men, many of whom (over 36% in the period 1899–1924) returned home after earning money in the United States,Thaddeus C. Radzilowski & John Radzilowski, "East Europeans" in A Nation of Peoples: A Sourcebook on America's Multicultural Heritage (ed. Elliott Robert Barkan: Greenwood, 1999), p. 194. mostly in unskilled labor. Many stayed, however, and Slovene women followed in settling in the United States.

In 1914, Cleveland was the third most-populous Slovene city in the world, after Trieste and Ljubljana.Leopoldina Plut-Pregelj & Carole Rogel, The A to Z of Slovenia (Scarecrow Press, 2010), pp. 64–66. Within Cleveland, Slovene Americans developed their own cultural and social institutions, including Slovene-owned groceries, bars, furniture stores, clothing shops, and other businesses; Catholic parishes and elementary schools; mutual aid and fraternal societies; and even a Slovene bank (established in St. Clair, Cleveland in 2010). By the 1930s, five out of 32 members of the Cleveland City Council were Slovene. Most Slovene Americans living in Cleveland eventually moved to the city's suburbs, although cultural institutions within the city limits remain significant. The Cleveland metropolitan area remains home to the largest population of Slovenians in the world outside of Slovenia.{{cite web|url=https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/289|title=Slovenian National Home|website=Cleveland Historical|date=April 18, 2017}}

Later Slovene arrivals migrated to the industrial cities or to mining towns in the Upper Midwest, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Two later periods of increased immigration to the United States were the years immediately after World War I (1919–1923) and World War II (1949–1956).{{cite encyclopedia|last=Susel|first=Rudolph M.|editor-last=Thernstrom|editor-first=Stephan|editor-link=Stephan Thernstrom|editor-last2=Orlov|editor-first2=Ann|editor-last3=Handlin|editor-first3=Oscar|editor-link3=Oscar Handlin|title=Slovenes|pages=939–942|encyclopedia=Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups|url=https://archive.org/details/harvardencyclope00ther|year=1980|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=0674375122|oclc=1038430174}} Slovene post–World War II migrants consisted primarily of political refugees fleeing Josip Broz Tito's communist regime in Yugoslavia; this group of migrants was generally older and better educated than earlier waves of Slovene migrants.

Among Slovene immigrants, some were devoutly Catholic, while others were secular and anticlerical, with some holding liberal or socialist views. The division between the two groups was a prominent feature of Slovene-American communal life for much of the 20th century. A minority of Slovene immigrants practiced the Lutheran faith.

In the state of Michigan there are Baraga County, Baraga, Michigan, Baraga Township, Baraga Correctional Facility and Baraga State Park which are named after the Slovene missionary Frederic Baraga. The town of St. Stephen, Minnesota, was initially called Sveti Štefan v gozdu{{cite news |title=Msgr. o materi, očetu, domu, Sloveniji, slovenstvu, slovenski besedi, jeziku in pesmi |url=https://www.dlib.si/stream/URN:NBN:SI:DOC-UWYNA5JQ/30de8286-490b-4b17-a7e6-f9612f87154b/PDF |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=Ameriška domovina |issue=100 |date=May 21, 1959 |page=4}} or Sveti Štefan v gozdovih{{cite news |title=Opozorilo rojakom na njihove pravice |url=https://www.dlib.si/stream/URN:NBN:SI:DOC-FJB9PIVO/901ad243-f768-4ce8-a3ee-4ddeb21cd18e/PDF |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=Ameriška domovina |issue=143 |date=July 27, 1973 |page=2}} (literally, 'Saint Stephen in the Woods'); its roots date back to the 19th century, when it was founded by Slovene immigrants to the United States. It later became the city of Saint Stephen northwest of Minneapolis.

Demographics

= Large concentrations =

{{See also|History of Slovenes in Cleveland}}

File:DitD 96 (49642096127).jpg kurenti in Cleveland, Ohio, United States{{Cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/life-and-culture/j66j-2020/02/77380591285830/kurentovanje-2020-slovenian-mardi-gras-festival-to-scare-away-winter-with-parties-parade.html |title=Kurentovanje 2020: Slovenian Mardi Gras festival to scare away winter with parties, parade|website=cleveland.com|date=18 February 2020 |language=en-US|access-date=2021-05-20}}]]

{{More citations needed section|date=September 2023}}

The Slovene population in the United States has been historically concentrated in the Great Lakes and Northeastern United States including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Colorado. Three quarters of Slovene Americans live in six states:

  • Ohio{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_09_1YR_B04003&prodType=table|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150215231840/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_09_1YR_B04003&prodType=table|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 February 2015|title=American FactFinder - Results|author=Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS)|access-date=17 March 2015}} – 80,000
  • California - 20,000
  • Pennsylvania – 15,000
  • Illinois – 12,000
  • Minnesota – 7,000
  • Wisconsin - 6,500

=Numbers=

In 1910 census reported 183,431 people of Slovene mother tongue living in the United States. By the time of the 1920 census, that figure had increased to 208,552. Following the enactment of restrictive immigration laws in the 1920s, the number of Slovenes immigrating to the United States declined."Slovene American" in Encyclopedia of Race, Ethnicity, and Society, Vol. 1 (ed. Richard T. Schaefer: SAGE, 2008), p. 1242. The 1990 census reported 124,437 Slovene-identifying people. According to the data for the year 2000, 175,099 persons identified themselves as Slovenian, which indicates a (positive) shift in self-image or the perception of Slovenian identity. It is estimated that in the USA live around 300,000 Americans of Slovene descent.

Fraternal, benevolent, social and cultural organizations

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, Slovene Americans established a variety of social groups, including fraternal organizations, mutual insurance, and self-help societies,Irene Portis-Winner, Semiotics of Peasants in Transition: Slovene Villagers and Their Ethnic Relatives in America (Duke University Press, 2002), pp. 109–111. and cultural and educational institutions, such as choral and drama societies, gymnastics groups, and Slovene-language newspapers. The establishment of Slovene American insurance companies allowed immigrants to protect themselves against discrimination and fraud.{{cite web|url=http://www.wsalife.com/history.php|title=A Brief History of WSA Fraternal Life|publisher=WSA Fraternal Life}} A number of mergers and name changes took place during the 20th century,{{cite web |url=http://www.nfcanet.org/pdf/mergers_changes.pdf |title=US Payday Loans – Loans and financial news |access-date=2010-08-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215125057/http://www.nfcanet.org/pdf/mergers_changes.pdf |archive-date=2010-02-15 }} Some Slovene American fraternal, benevolent, social, and cultural organizations include:

  • Jugoslovenska katoliška jednota (South Slavic Catholic Union), founded in Ely, MN in 1898, became American Fraternal Union (AFU) in 1941.
  • Kranjsko-slovenska katoliška jednota, (Carnolan Slovene Catholic Union) founded in Joliet in 1894, became the Ameriško-slovenska katoliška jednota or American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ).
  • Slovenska narodna podporna jednota, founded in Chicago in 1904, became Slovene National Benefit Society (SNPJ).
  • Zahodna slovanska veza, founded in 1908, became Western Slavonic Association (WSA).
  • Indianapolis Slovenian National Home, founded in 1918.{{cite web|url=http://sloveniannationalhomeindy.org/|title=Slovenian National Home of Indianapolis - Home of the Slovenian Festival|website=sloveniannationalhomeindy.org|access-date=4 July 2017}}
  • Slovenska dobrodelna zveza (Slovenian Mutual Benefit Association), founded in Cleveland in 1910; became American Mutual Life Association (AMLA) in 1966.

Image:Slovenian National Home.jpg neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio]]

  • Slovenski Narodni Dom (Slovenian National Home), Cleveland; founded in 1914.{{cite web|url=http://slovenianhome.com/|title=Slovenian National Home|website=slovenianhome.com|access-date=4 July 2017}}
  • Progresivne Slovenke Amerike (Progressive Slovene Women of America) (PSWA), founded in 1934.{{cite news |title=Progresivne Slovenke Amerike |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57181058/progresivne-slovenke-amerike/ |work=Enakopravnost |date=December 31, 1942 |location=Cleveland, OH |page=3 |access-date=August 12, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com |quote=Ustanovljene dne 4. februarja, 1934}} {{Open access}}
  • Slovenska ženska zveza Amerike, founded in Chicago in 1926, became Slovenian Women's Union of America (SWUA), and now Slovenian Union of America (SUA).{{cite web|url=http://slovenianunion.org/about-sua|title=About SUA|website=slovenianunion.org|access-date=4 July 2017}}
  • Slovenian Catholic Center, also known as Slovenian Cultural Center, Lemont, IL{{cite web|url=https://www.slovenian-center.org/about-us.html|title=ABOUT US|website=Slovenian Catholic Center|access-date=4 July 2017}}
  • Slovenian Cultural Society Triglav, Norway, WI; founded in 1952.{{cite web|url=http://www.triglavpark.com/|title=Slovenian Cultural Society Triglav|website=Slovenian Cultural Society Triglav|access-date=4 July 2017}}
  • National Cleveland-style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland{{cite web|url=http://www.clevelandstyle.com/about.html|title=About|website=www.clevelandstyle.com|access-date=4 July 2017}}
  • American Slovenian Club of Fairport Harbor, Fairport Harbor, OH{{cite web|url=http://www.ascfairportharborohio.com/|title=AmericanSlovenianClubFairportHarbor|website=AmericanSlovenianClubFairportHarbor|access-date=4 July 2017}}
  • Slovene Home for the Aged, Cleveland{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenehome.org/|title=Slovene Home for the Aged|website=www.slovenehome.org|access-date=4 July 2017}}
  • Slovenian Museum and Archives, Cleveland{{cite web|url=http://www.smacleveland.org/|title=Slovenian Museum and Archives|website=www.smacleveland.org|access-date=4 July 2017}}
  • Slovenska Pristava, Harpersfield, OH; Slovenian Catholic recreation and retreat center{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenskapristava.org/|title=Home - Slovenska Pristava|website=www.slovenskapristava.org|access-date=4 July 2017}}{{Cite web |title=Ameriški Slovenci v Bethlehemu kupili cerkev |url=https://reporter.si/clanek/svet/ameriski-slovenci-v-bethlehemu-kupili-cerkev-1266422 |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Revija Reporter |language=sl}}
  • Slovensko društvo New York (Slovenian Society New York){{Cite web |title=STA: Ameriški Slovenci v Bethlehemu odkupili poslopje katoliške cerkve sv. Jožefa |url=https://www.sta.si/3274820/ameriski-slovenci-v-bethlehemu-odkupili-poslopje-katoliske-cerkve-sv-jozefa |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=www.sta.si}}
  • Slovenian National Home, Chisholm, MN (closed)

The Slovenian Genealogy Society, International{{cite web |url=http://feefhs.org/slovenia/frg-sgsi.html |title=Slovenian Genealogy Society International - Homepage - Start Here |access-date=2007-05-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070406153317/http://feefhs.org/SLOVENIA/frg-sgsi.html |archive-date=2007-04-06 }} helps members trace their Slovene roots.

Slovene churches and choirs in the United States

A total of 39 Slovene parishes were established in the United States. The first Slovene national parish with a Slovene priest was formed in 1891 in Chicago. Four Slovene parishes were subsequently established on the east side of Cleveland: St. Vitus's (Sveti Vit) (established 1893); St. Lawrence (established 1901); St. Mary of the Assumption (1905), and St. Christine's (1925). St. Vitus's eventually grew to encompass a school and convent; a large new church in the Lombard Romanesque style, was built in 1932.Foster Armstrong, Richard Klein, Cara Armstrong, A Guide to Cleveland's Sacred Landmarks (Kent State University Press, 1992), pp. 82–83.

St. Cyril Roman Catholic Church in the East Village, Manhattan, was established in 1916 as a Slovene parish.{{cite web|url=http://localeastvillage.com/2012/01/09/28944/|title=After 95 Years, Slovenians Still Find Refuge at St. Cyril's Church|access-date=4 July 2017}} Holy Family Roman Catholic Church was established in 1908 in Kansas City, Kansas by immigrants from Lower Carniola.{{cite web|url=https://www.holyfamilychurchkck.com|title=Holy Family Church}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Shrine of Bishop Baraga

| image = Shrine of Bishop Baraga.jpg

}}

The Slovenian Chapel of Our Lady of Brezje, in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., is the dedicated Slovenian National Marian Shrine, founded in 1971.{{cite web|url=http://www.marija.si/en/|title=The National Shrine Mary Help of Christians at Brezje - Marija Pomagaj Brezje|website=www.marija.si|access-date=4 July 2017}}

Multiple Slovene choruses have been formed, including The Singing Slovenes in Duluth, Minnesota (founded in 1980),{{cite web|url=http://www.singingslovenes.com/|title=The Singing Slovenes -|access-date=4 July 2017}} the Ely Slovenian Chorus in Ely, Minnesota (founded in 1969 by Mary Hutar, final performance in 2009);{{cite web|url=http://www.timberjay.com/stories/slovenias-old-time-music,9998|title=Slovenia's old time music|date=19 January 2012 |access-date=4 July 2017}} the Fantje na vasi (Boys from the Village) men's a cappella choir in Cleveland (founded in 1977);{{cite web|url=http://www.fantjenavasiusa.com/director.html|title=Fantje na vasi - Slovenian men's a cappella chorus|website=www.fantjenavasiusa.com|access-date=4 July 2017}} and the Zarja Singing Society, Cleveland (founded in 1916).{{cite web|url=http://www.clevelandstyle.com/zarja~singing~society.html|title=Zarja Singing Society|website=www.clevelandstyle.com|access-date=4 July 2017}}

Slovene schools in the United States

  • St. Vitus Child Slovenian Language School, Cleveland{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/sun/all/index.ssf/2013/02/slovenian_kurentovanje_winter.html|title=Slovenian Kurentovanje winter carnival, language school dinner at St. Vitus, set for weekend on Cleveland's East Side|work=cleveland.com|access-date=17 March 2015|date=2013-02-16}}
  • St. Mary Slovenian Language School, Cleveland{{cite web|url=http://www.cleslo.com/information/schools.shtml|title=Slovenian Schools|access-date=17 March 2015}}
  • Slomškova slovenska šola / Slomšek Slovenian School, Lemont, IL{{cite web|url=http://www.slovenianschool.info/|title=SLOMŠEK SLOVENIAN SCHOOL|access-date=17 March 2015}}

Media

The first newspaper established by Slovene Americans was Ameriški Slovenec (American Slovene), which was published in Chicago beginning in 1891 and subsequently in Cleveland. It originally had three versions: a Slovene-language edition, a standard English edition, and an English edition with Slovene phonetic spelling. The newspaper continues today as a weekly.

Between 1891 and the 1990s, more than a hundred other Slovene-language newspapers and publications were established in the United States; only a handful were in print for more than a few years. The University of Minnesota Libraries has catalogued some 45 Slovene-language newspapers published in the United States in a variety of locations, including Pueblo, Denver, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and New York.{{cite web|url=https://www.lib.umn.edu/ihrca/periodicals/slovene|title=Slovene American Periodicals|publisher=University of Minnesota Libraries}}

Notable people

{{Main listing|List of Slovene Americans}}

= Actors =

= Astronauts =

= Bishops =

= Army =

= Politicians =

= Writers =

= Engineers =

= Painters =

= Comedy =

= Musicians =

= Sports =

See also

{{Portal|Slovenia|United States}}

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • Arnez, John A. Slovenian community in Bridgeport, Conn (New York: Studia Slovenica, 1971).
  • Gobetz, Edward. "Slovenian Americans." Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America, edited by Thomas Riggs, (3rd ed., vol. 4, Gale, 2014), pp. 223–239. [https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3273300166/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=81c39bdc Online]
  • Gobetz, Edward, and Adele Donchenko, eds. Anthology of Slovenian American Literature (Willoughby Hills, Ohio: Slovenian Research Center of America, 1977).
  • Prisland, Marie. From Slovenia to America: Recollections and Collections (Milwaukee: Bruce, 1968).

External links

{{commons category}}

  • [http://www.snpjheritage.org/ SNPJ Slovenian Heritage Center], Museum in Pennsylvania

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Category:European diaspora in the United States

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