Membership

Your support helps preserve Swedish cultural heritage. Become a Member to receive our monthly newsletter, or become a Steward of the Archive to directly fund our work and ensure this history remains free for everyone.
Unlimited Archive Access
Join the Researcher Registry
Monthly Curator's Newsletter
Acknowledgement in our Annual Review
Priority Research Requests
Member of the Archive
$0
forever
Connect with your heritage and join a growing international community of researchers and descendants.
Join the Archive
  • Monthly 'Curator's Desk' Newsletter: Receive our monthly newsletter with stories from the past, research tips, and first notice of new discoveries.
  • Explore the Full Library: Access our full library of family histories, historical features, research methodology guides, and travel resources
  • Join the Discussion: Add your voice, ask questions, and connect with other descendants in the comments of every article.
  • Community Polls: Cast your vote on broad themes and historical eras to help guide our general publishing schedule.
  • Researcher Registry: Opt-in to be connected with other members who are researching your specific family lines.
Steward of the Archive
  Discount
$4
/ month
$50
/ year
Safeguard our shared history and ensure the preservation of the Polman legacy for future generations.
Become a Steward Become a Steward
  • Everything in the Member tier, plus:
  • Sustain the Mission: Your contribution directly funds archive fees, travel for research, and the hosting of this digital collection.
  • The Annual Review (Print Edition): Receive a physical copy of our Annual Review, mailed to your door, detailing the year's achievements.
  • 'State of the Archive' Letter: Receive an exclusive digital letter from the founder each year, sharing personal reflections on our progress.
  • Permanent Recognition: Have your name inscribed on our digital "Hall of Stewards" page for the year of your contribution.
  • Priority Research Requests: Submit specific ancestors, family lines, or historical topics for priority consideration in our research schedule.

† We use Stripe to securely process payments and ensure your credit card information is encrypted and protected. Your data is sent securely to Stripe before the sign-up form is submitted. We never see, store, or have access to your payment information.

FAQ

What's the difference between a Member and a Steward?

There are two ways to join our community:

  • Members (Free): Designed for active researchers and family history enthusiasts. Members get full access to our Research Tools (How-To guides and glossaries), entry to the Researcher Registry, and the ability to comment on posts. You also get our newsletter and new stories delivered to your inbox.
  • Stewards (Paid): Designed for those who want to help us preserve this legacy. Polmanarkivet is 100% member-funded. Stewards make it possible for us to keep our history free for the world to read. As a thank you, Stewards receive our exclusive printed Annual Review and voting rights on future research topics.

How often will I receive newsletters or content as a Member?

We respect your inbox and aim for a consistent "1st and 15th" schedule:

  • The 1st of the Month: You receive The Curator’s Desk — our newsletter featuring archive updates, community news, and behind-the-scenes finds.
  • The 15th of the Month: You receive our latest Feature Story — a deep-dive history article or biography delivered in full to your inbox.

Is my payment information secure?

Yes, subscriptions are managed by Stripe to securely process payments. Stripe uses best-in-class security practices to maintain a high level of security and encrypts sensitive data both in transit and at rest. Stripe and Polmanarkivet use Hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS).

Credit card data is sent securely to Stripe before the sign-up form is submitted. We never see your credit card data. Stripe is PCI-and GDPR-compliant and secure.

How do I cancel my Stewardship?

You can cancel your financial support whenever you wish. To cancel, please follow these steps:

  1. Sign in to your account at polmanarkivet.com.
  2. Click the Account button in the top right corner.
  3. Click Change next to your subscription.
  4. Scroll to the bottom and select Cancel subscription.

No matter when you cancel, you will retain access for the period you paid for. Subscription management is fully in your control, so we do not offer refunds unless there are extenuating circumstances—please email us at [email protected]

NOTE: If you click 'Manage' next to your email preferences and switch email delivery off, this does not cancel your paid subscription. It simply stops email delivery. Likewise, canceling your paid subscription will not unsubscribe you from the free email.

Can I unsubscribe from the free newsletter?

Yes, you can click the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any newsletter you receive, or you can manage your email preferences through your account portal.

Will I lose my status if I cancel early?

If you cancel your Stewardship, you will retain your status (and our gratitude) until the end of the period you paid for. After that date, your account will simply revert to a free Member plan. You will never lose access to your own family history.

Can I gift a Stewardship?

Yes! Giving the gift of family history is a wonderful gesture.

  1. Sign up as you normally would, but enter the giftee's email at checkout.
  2. Email us at [email protected] with the subject "Gift Stewardship."
  3. We will manually configure the account so it does not auto-renew, ensuring it is a true one-time gift for the year.

Can I update my email address or other personal information?

Yes, sign in to your account to make these changes.

I have a question that wasn't answered, or I need to get in touch with you.

Please send us an email at [email protected], and we’ll respond as quickly as possible.