The author is Art Jura. He is a 3rd generation “Mainer”, a retired photographer, and the grandson of Finnish immigrants. The purpose of “Finns & Friends” is to: (1) Provide information on the upcoming events at all three local Finnish-American organizations. (2) Help with genealogical questions, and the history of Finnish immigration to Maine.

Few realize that our mid-coastal area received the largest proportion of the Finnish immigrants who eventually settled in Maine. Also, all this began as early as 1840, peaked through the first half of the 20th century, and still draws visitors with ties to this culture. “Tervetuloa” (Welcome!)