Curator and Director of the Swift Current Film Society from September 1998 to December 1999

Christian Swanson was born August 6, 1859, in Härjedalen, Sweden. He moved to the United States ca. 1880 with his brothers Peter and Sven and settled in New Effington, South Dakota. Christian married Julia Johanneson the following year in Sisseton, South Dakota. In 1910, they moved to Hankinson, North Dakota. Two of their children died of illness in February 1913. On May 15, 1913, the Swansons and their remaining three children arrived at their new homestead 15 miles south of Cadillac, Saskatchewan. After Julia and their youngest daughter settled in Swift Current, Christian continued to live on the farm with his son Emil but moved in with his eldest son John and his family in Milestone, Saskatchewan, after Emil’s death in 1937. He would spend summers with his daughters in Swift Current. Christian died on January 31, 1955, and is buried in the Beaver Valley Cemetery.

Emil Alexander Swanson was born September 28, 1904. His twin brother, Edwin Garfield, died of illness in February 1913. Emil lived at the family farm south of Cadillac, Saskatchewan, until his death in 1937.

Florence Viola Swanson was born July 5, 1917, on the homestead south of Cadillac, Saskatchewan. Florence and her mother settled in Swift Current sometime after 1922, and Florence attended school there. She married Gordon O. Johnson on October 26, 1937, and lived on the Johnson homestead in Waldeck, Saskatchewan. In 1966, her mother moved in and remained there until her death in 1969.

Ida Matilda Swanson was born January 5, 1903, in New Effington, North Dakota. She moved to Swift Current, Saskatchewan, in 1922, and married Charles "Walter" Anderson in November 1932.

John William Swanson was born October 8, 1901, in what is now New Effington, North Dakota. He married Kathleen May MacLeod on November 5, 1931, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. John died May 8, 1964, and is buried at Rosedale Cemetery in Moose Jaw.

Gae Gunilla (Julia) Johanneson was born June 30, 1881, in Tännäs, Sweden. She immigrated to the United States in 1900. She married Christian Swanson in South Dakota in 1901. Their eldest daughter, Ida, moved to Swift Current, Saskatchewan, in 1922. Julia and her youngest daughter, Florence, eventually settled in Swift Current as well, and Florence attended school there. Julia lived in Swift Current until 1966, when she went to live with Florence in Waldeck, Saskatchewan. She died on September 20, 1969, and is buried at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Swift Current.

The band program for the youth of Swift Current began in 1944 when Charles Warren organized an Air Cadet band. In 1948 the group reorganised and became the Swift Current Boys Band. The community began to sponsor the band and they won several awards while playing in such places as Toronto and Calgary. In 1958, the Swift Current Boys Band opened up its membership to girls, and became the Swift Current Junior Band. They continued to tour and win awards. By 1969 the band became affiliated with the Board of Education and school credits were given for band work. The band continued to be affiliated with the local high school.