The Grönstedt Family · 1676 – today
Our Story from Ådalen
Ten generations – from officers of the Dalarna Regiment and a wine merchant in Stockholm to the accordion kings of Lugnviksstrand in northern Sweden.
350
years of history
10
generations
11
officers in the Dalarna Regiment
50+
documented family members
Three branches
Soldiers, a wine merchant and two musicians
1709 – 1873
The Military Tradition
Eleven officers in the Dalarna Regiment across six generations, from Major Johan at Gadebusch to Corporal Axel Wilhelm.
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1806 – 1876
The Cognac Prince
Johan Daniel Grönstedt rose from cellar apprentice in Falun to one of Stockholm’s leading wine merchants. The first bottle of Grönstedts cognac appeared in 1846.
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1912 – 2012
The Accordion Kings
The brothers Karl and Erling from Lugnviksstrand in the Ådalen valley played their way into the hearts of all of Sweden.
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Timeline
350 years in seven moments
1676
Johan Samuel Grönstedt is born in Småland. He becomes the founding father of the family.
1712
He is wounded at the Battle of Gadebusch as an officer in the Dalarna Regiment.
1846
Johan Daniel Grönstedt sells the first bottle of cognac under his own name.
1865
Johan Daniel Grönstedt is made a Knight of the Order of Vasa.
1933
Karl Grönstedt, aged 21, wins his first major accordion competition in Stockholm. He becomes Swedish champion in 1941 and 1944.
1938
Younger brother Erling becomes Swedish junior accordion champion at the age of 14.
1968
Karl helps found the Swedish Accordionists’ National Association (SDR).
From the archive
Pictures from the family album
Karl and Erling Grönstedt
Birgit and Erling outside the house in Lugnviksstrand
Bandleader Erling Grönstedt
The family home in Lugnviksstrand
The family tree
Find your place in the family
Follow the family from Johan Samuel in 1676 through ten generations to the present day. Click on a person to see their dates of birth and death. The family tree itself is in Swedish.
Open the family tree