Goodby Good Friend

The Stalcop family recently lost a very good and valuable friend, Dr. Peter Stebbins Craig. Dr Craig was acknowledged as being the top expert on the New Sweden Colony settlers. That included Johan Andersson Stålkofta, the very first Stalcop. The Government of Sweden recognized his value when it made him a Knight of the Order of the Polar Star. The award is the highest given to a non citizen for contributions to the history of Sweden. Dr. Craig was a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogist. Membership in the Society is by election and is limited to the top genealogist in the United States. Peter authored or edited a number of books on the history of the New Sweden Colony and on it colonist. He was a long time Historian of the Swedish Colonial Society and contributed numerous articles to it's Newsletter. The Swedish Colonial Society recently honored him with a special Lifetime Achievement Award. He had lots of other honors and held positions to numerous to mention.

A memorial service for Dr. Craig was held December 19, 2009 at Gloria Dei Church in Philadelphia. Gloria Dei is one of the original Swedish churches in the colony, the second built. Some of his ashes were sprinkled on the grave of Olof Stille, one of his early New Sweden ancestors to come to America.

I knew and worked with Dr Craig for some 27 years. We exchanged uncounted letters and talked for hours on the telephone. We spent many days sitting side by side in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. During lunch we would talk over our discoveries. It was a wonderful experience. I shall miss him greatly.

Goodby, my good friend. Rest well.