Swedish American Genealogist
Volume 26 | Number 1 Article 1
3-1-2006 Full Issue Vol. 26 No. 1
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This Full Issue is brought to you for free and open access by the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center at Augustana Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Swedish American Genealogist by an authorized editor of Augustana Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. (ISSN 0275-9314)
A journal devoted to Swedish American biography, genealogy, and personal history
Volume XXVI March 2006 No. 1 CONTENTS
Long Ago and Far Away. Part II ...... 1 by Harold L. Bern
Copyright © 2006 (ISSN 0275-9314) The Swedish “Wil(l)sons” ...... 5 by John E. Norton Swedish American Genealogist “Now We Are Arrived”...... 7 Publisher: by Erica Olsen Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center Augustana College, Rock Island, IL 61201-2296 A Swede Who Had an Unusual Career ...... 11 Telephone: 309-794-7204. Fax: 309-794-7443 by Leif and Kenth Rosmark E-mail: [email protected] Web address: http://www.augustana.edu/swenson/ Children of Two Countries ...... 13 by Agnieszka Stasiewicz Editor: Elisabeth Thorsell Hästskovägen 45, 177 39 Järfälla, Sweden A Handwriting Example, IX ...... 14 E-mail: [email protected] The Old Picture ...... 15 Editor Emeritus: Nils William Olsson, Ph.D., F.A.S.G., Winter Park, FL Bits & Pieces ...... 16 Contributing Editor: Peter S. Craig. J.D., F.A.S.G., Washington, D.C. Going Home ...... 17 by Lennart Pearson Editorial Committee: H. Arnold Barton, Carbondale, IL The Bridge Conference ...... 22 Dag Blanck, Uppsala, Sweden Dennis L. Johnson, Limerick, PA I Found the Needle! Part II ...... 23 Ronald J. Johnson, Madison, WI by Jan Sokody Asp Christopher Olsson, Stockton Springs, ME Priscilla Jönsson Sorknes, Minneapolis, MN Solution to the Handwriting Example, IX...... 26
Swedish American Genealogist, its publisher, editors, Book Reviews ...... 27 and editorial committee assume neither responsibility nor liability for statements of opinion or fact made by Genealogical Queries ...... 30 contributors. Correspondence. Please direct editorial correspon- Interesting Web Sites ...... 31 dence such as manuscripts, queries, book reviews, announcements, and ahnentafeln to the editor in The Last Page ...... 32 Sweden. Correspondence regarding change of address, back issues (price and availability), and advertising should be directed to the publisher in Rock lsland. Subscriptions. Subscriptions to the journal are $25.00 per annum and run for the calendar year. Single copies are $8.00 each. Swenson Center Associates are entitled to a special discounted subscription price of $15.00. Direct all subscription inquiries to the publisher in Rock Island. In Sweden the subscription price is 200.00 Swedish kronor per year for surface delivery and 250.00 kronor Cover picture: per year for air mail. This subscription fee may be Emil/Edward Helge Bohlin, cowboy in Wyoming in deposited in a plusgiro account: 260 10-9, Swedish 1915. Picture from the Rosmark Family Collection. American Genealogist, c/o Thorsell, Hästskovägen 45, See story on p. 11. S-177 39 Järfälla, Sweden. Long Ago and Far Away: Part II
Another part of the Swedish roots also came from Västergötland
BY HAROLD L. BERN
The earliest known ancestors of what Jöns Nilsson married Malin Jöns- nås. The problem was that there are later became the Winberg family dotter who was born 29 September six different locations in Sweden lived at Hvitatorpet. Hvitatorpet 1745 at a neighboring farm called called Ramnås. Some are farms; means “the white farm house” and Bredhult. Of this union five children some are villages; and some are is the name of a ruin in Öxabäck were born. The first Nils was born in parishes. I had looked patiently but parish today. The parish is about 40 1781 and died a year and a half later unsuccessfully through thirteen rolls miles south and slightly west of the in 1783. The couple then had Johan- of microfilm in efforts to locate the city of Borås, Sweden, in what used nes in 1784 and Christina in 1786. birth of Nils Winberg. At one point I to be Älvsborgs län in Västergötland. Their fourth child was again named had convinced myself that Ramnås Anna Jönsdotter was born there 1 Nils who was born in 1790 and a sis- was a farm in Holsljunga which no September 1728. Her mother is not ter, Edla, was born in 1792. This longer existed. Since the birth rec- identified and we can only discover second child called Nils was raised ords for Holsljunga are missing for that her father was a farmer named at the farm called Ramnås and the year 1790, I was resigned to the Jöns. She married Nils Jönsson 29 became the progenitor of the Winberg conclusion that Nils’s parents would December 1755 in Öxabäck. Nils was family. Nils’s birth name was of never be found. from the neighboring parish of Örby course patronymic, and when he first On a trip to Sweden in 1994 we and was born in 1699. They had only appears in the Öxabäck parish arrived in the village of Kinna in mid- two children, Jöns and his sister records, his name is Jönsson. afternoon on a Saturday. It was my Britta. Nils died in 1770 and his Nils first appears in the Öxabäck intention to attend the Sunday ser- widow married the Häradsprofoss, records using the Winberg surname vice in Holsljunga at the church Gunnar Kindström. Jöns was raised between 1814 and 1818. There are where my ancestors were baptized. by his stepfather and grew up in time missing years in the records so no We found a place to stay and decided to follow in Gunnar’s occupation. definitive date can be identified when that we should drive over and check Jöns Nilsson was born 13 May he first started using this fixed sur- out the church schedule for Sunday. 1757 at Hvitatorpet in Öxabäck name. parish. Jöns became the Härads- Nils was born 21 April 1790 at a A case of serendipity profoss for the area upon the death torp called Ramnås in Öxabäck On our return trip toward Kinna, we of his stepfather, Gunnar Kindström. parish. It took nearly two years of passed through another small village Literally, the word means he was the searching microfilms and finally a called Öxabäck where we had noticed District Flogmaster and is difficult trip to Sweden to locate his place of an antique store which was open 1 to translate . birth and parents. earlier. Since we had plenty of time The main road between Stockholm The difficulty began when I at- and no further plans, we stopped to and Göteborg ran right in front of tempted to trace backward to the browse. My wife looked at furniture Hvitatorpet during the 1750–1800 next generation. I was able to go back and dishes and other old household timeframe. Whereas today Hvita- to 1823 to a parish called Torestorp. artifacts. I went hunting for books. torpet appears to be out in the middle The Utflyttning records for that year We had only been there a few min- of nowhere, in that earlier era it was indicated his correct date of birth and utes when I picked up a relatively located along a main artery in the stated that he went to Holsljunga new book called Öxabäck Socken – important business of administering where I had originally found him. historia gårdar folk. I knew that this the district for the King of Sweden. The record said he was from Ram- translated roughly to Öxabäck parish
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 1 – the history of the farm people. In Swedish church records contain thumbing through the index I found the name of the father when it was a farm called Ramnås and on page known or suspected, and the child 181 found the notation, “Nils 1790 then usually carried the father’s (kallade sig Vinberg).” My heart patronymic surname. In other cases nearly jumped out of my chest as I when no father was named, the sur- asked the storeowner to confirm my name might be the same as the translation of the Swedish paren- mother’s or in rare instances, the thetical phase - (called himself Vin- child might have a female patro- berg). We bought two copies of the nymic [metronymic] such as Annas- Holsjunga church. book. dotter. ments or letters for those who were unable to do so for themselves. At any Hökaberg rate it is an indication that he had I am not certain if we actually located been educated above the level of most Hökabergs led on our 1994 trip. We of his contemporaries. His education did positively identify the main farm and later occupation was in all called Hökaberg. The word led in likelihood linked to the reason he Swedish is a synomym for väg which assumed the surname Winberg. means road or way. On the road The custom of taking a fixed sur- toward the main farm there was a name was usually associated with small torp, with a man out near the acquiring a respectable position in road. I asked him if this was Höka- the community or accumulation of bergs led. He pointed toward the wealth. The nobility in Sweden were bigger farm house down the road and the first to start using fixed sur- said that was Hökaberg. It may well names, followed by merchants, Nils Jönsson Winberg married have been the small torp where we craftsmen, and large land holders. Sara Andersdotter 22 September stopped. It should also be noted that there 1827 in Holsljunga parish. Sara The Holsljunga Parish book says is really no ‘W’ in the Swedish alpha- brought to the family an illegitimate that the farm Hökaberg has been bet. A ‘W’ is only found as the first daughter, Anna Greta, who was born listed as a taxable property since letter of surnames or place names. in 1818. Two more children were born 1567 and took its name from a far- The pronunciation equates to what to this marriage before Sara died in mer who lived there in that era. He the Swedes call a double ‘V.’ 1834. Johan Justus was born 26 No- was simply called Höke. At various Nils’s wife, Sara, age 44, died on 1 vember 1824 in Hökaberg in Hols- times the farm has been called Höke- April 1834 in childbed and the child junga and his brother, Anders Mag- beck, Hakabergh, and Höckabärg. died with her. A second marriage in nus, was born 26 May 1828. It should At the time of his marriage, Nils’s 1836 to Edda Catherina Bengts- be noted that illegitimacy was not occupation was identified as that of dotter, who was twenty years uncommon among the families of a Skrifvare which is defined as a younger than Nils, produced five Sweden at this time. Sometimes the writer. In that era the word had a more children. Some of the de- parents married later as in the case different meaning than the present scendants of this second marriage of Johan Justus, but in other cases day. The occupation was in the con- reside today in Kinna, Sweden. no wedding bells followed. text of someone who wrote docu- Johan Justus was probably a far- mer as he is not otherwise identified. In 1858 he married Augusta Eleo- nora Andersdotter, born 3 October 1830 in Holsljunga. The family lived on a lake in the Backstuga of a place called Sjöganäs. We visited this area in 1994 and saw the main house still called Sjöganäs today. It is used as a modern day vacation home. There are several out-buildings which could have been the Backstuga in the time the Winberg family lived there. There were five children born to this marriage – Alfrid 1859, Johan Nico- Nils Johan Winberg and family at cottage Sjöganäs on Danskabo lands in Holsjunga laus 1862 (died as an infant in 1863), parish [Holsjunga AI:4, p.186]
2 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 Örby
Revesjö Holsljunga
Öxabäck Torestorp
Edvard 1865, and the twin sons Pe- notations refer to charitable contri- issued to our ancestors. ter and Severin in 1870. butions to the two boys. From the The twin brothers were passen- Several interesting notes appear above it would certainly appear that gers on a ship called Romeo which in the Holsljunga Husförhörslängd. their home life during this period of departed Göteborg, Sweden, on April One indicates that Johan Justus was time may have been hectic. 24, 1891. The first part of their jour- “punished for theft in 1848 and had Although family tradition says the ney took them to Hull, England, (an) illegitimate daughter in 1851.” twins were from Kinna, all of their where they left the ship and boarded I have only partially researched family data is found in the parish a train for Liverpool. The third and these notations, but have learned records of Holsljunga. Kinna is the final part of the ticket was for the that the 1848 incident involved largest city in the area and perhaps voyage across the Atlantic where breaking into a house. Johan’s oäkta they worked there or considered they arrived at the port of New York. (illegitimate) daughter was named themselves a part of that city. I have not researched the name of Anna Christina, and she was born 29 the ship which carried them on to September 1851. Her mother was Going to America New York which was their stated Ingrid Sara Petersdotter who was The records in Sweden indicate that destination upon leaving Sweden. I from Burseryd Parish in neighboring 37,276 of her citizens left the coun- have a copy of the Romeo passenger Jönköpings län. The record of Anna’s try in 1891. The vast majority of list, and it is interesting to note that birth indicates that Johan Justus these immigrants came to the Uni- although they were twins traveling acknowledged that he was the child’s ted States. Peter and Severin Win- together, Peter’s surname is spelled father but did not marry the mother. berg were among these Swedes who ‘Winberg’ and Severin’s is listed as In 1883 the record says that Pe- left their homeland forever that year. ‘Vinberg.’ ter and Severin have received help When we visited the Emigrant- Interestingly, Peter and Severin do “from the Royal Order of Seraphim’s institutet in Växjö we saw copies of not show up on the Galesburg City Guild and even the bootbox.” Swed- the three part tickets which were directory records until 1895. So did ish nationals have told me that these they spend some time in other parts
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 3 of the United States after they ar- rived in New York? No one seems to have any information, and oddly enough there are no family stories. Peter’s obituary says they came directly to Galesburg, but it also says they immigrated in 1892 which is incorrect. In the 1895 city directory their name is spelled Wineberg and both list their occupation as brick mason. By 1897 the directory lists their name as Weinberg which is the way most family members spell the name today. So why did Severin and Peter choose Galesburg, Illinois, as their destination of all the places in the The S/S Romeo. United States? It was a mystery to me until a couple of years ago when listed as brick mason. This same building contractor in the 1934 city I received a letter from a descendant individual appears again with his directory. of Peter Winberg, the twin brother family in the 1900 Census Index. Severin married Anna Sofia (Jons- of my ancestor. Last I checked for an obituary and dotter) Johnson on 6 July 1897 in Nancy Winberg Sutton had some found the conclusive evidence that Monmouth, Illinois. Anna was born old papers from Peter, her grandfath- this Erick Anderson was indeed the 27 February 1876 in Ryssby Parish er, which indicated that the twins maternal uncle of Severin and Peter in Kalmar län. The following year the had relatives living in Galesburg at and immigrated to the U.S. in 1866. first of their six children was born: the time they immigrated. This was The date of birth listed in the obitu- Selma Eleanore - 1898, then came the first indication of earlier relatives ary matches that of the brother of Rangnee Marie – 1900, Hjalmar who had chosen Galesburg as a home Augusta Eleonora Andersdotter in Naphtalia – 1902, Karl Theodore - in the United States. The papers Sweden. 1905, Reuben Leonard – 1907, and indicated that this relative’s name Additionally, the obituary of Erick finally William Gustav – 1911. was Eric Anderson; he was a brick Magnus Anderson, who died in 1904, Tragically, Anna died in 1918 of mason, and Peter and Severin mentions another brother named typhoid fever and Severin was killed worked for him when they first ar- Gustavus Anderson. More research in an industrial accident in 1920 rived in the United States. He was in the Galesburg books disclosed that leaving the six young children with- born in Holsljunga Parish 30 Sep- John A. Anderson born 28 Septem- out parents. tember 1832, and turned out to be ber 1849 in Revesjö Parish was one Hjalmar, the third child of Severin the next younger brother of Augusta and the same as Johan August An- and Anna, was a first generation Eleonora Andersdotter, the twin’s dersson, another brother of Augusta American Swede and my maternal mother. I have copies of several books Eleonora Andersdotter. In Galesburg grandfather. compiled by the Knox County Genea- he sometimes used his middle name logical Society and I wanted to know and was known as Gus. He died in Note: who this Eric Anderson was. I Galesburg in 1910. Both of these 1) Profoss was originally a military checked several of these books to see Anderson uncles had families in official, who had to execute corporal if there was an Eric Anderson listed. Galesburg. A side note may be of punishment, like flogging. This was I immediately found Erick Ander- interest. I have a 1934 Galesburg city later also a function in the civil so- son listed in the 1880 Census Index directory. Erick Anderson’s oldest ciety, and each town or legal district for Galesburg. His occupation is son, Andrew Victor, is listed as a (härad) could have their own profoss, who carried out the sentences of corporal punishment passed by the court. (Nordisk Familjebok) Contact information Harold L. (Hal) Bern, former SAG editor, lives in Longview, Washing- ton. He can be reached at
4 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 The Swedish “Wil(l)sons” at Bishop Hill and St. Louis
A couple of mysterious early immigrants found!
BY JOHN E. NORTON
In the fall of 1854, Blomdahls Its author Charles Wilson remained search of Swedish records, with good Printing House of Sundsvall, Swe- a complete mystery. help from Elisabeth Thorsell, editor den, published a small pamphlet Four years later, I was visiting the of the Swedish American Genealogist titled Några upplysande underrättel- Bishop Hill Colony cemetery on an- and Helene Leaf, researcher at the ser rörande Erik Jansenska kolonin other research project, and came Swenson Swedish Immigration Re- i Norra Amerika, Samt en särskild upon a tombstone inscribed “Anton search Center at Augustana College resebeskrifning (Some Enlightening Frederick Willson, born 6 June 1814 in Rock Island. They quickly found Information Concerning the Erik in Sweden, died 6 January 1857,” Anton Frederick was born Anders Janssonist Colony in North America, and “Elizabeth, wife of Fredrick Wil- Fredrik Andersson, at Norra Härene And a Special Travel Description) son, born 14 December 1814, Unna- socken, Skaraborgs län, on 27 May written in part by one Charles Wil- ryd, Jönköping, died 26 March 1898.” 1814, and married Lisa Hansdotter son from St. Louis, Missouri, on 9 The similarity of family names ap- on 11 April 1842 in Norra Unnaryd, September 1854. No further informa- peared to be more than coincidental. Jönköpings län. The Wilsons were tion about its author was given. A meeting with Bishop Hill State Me- actually Anderssons! From its context, it was clearly morial archivist Cheryl Wexell The family history reports that authored by a Swede who had immi- Dowell quickly uncovered a Willson upon arriving in New York, Anton’s grated around 1840, and who had family history, written by a daughter (Anders’s) family began their west- retained frequent contact with his and deposited by a descendant in ward journey to St. Louis to meet his homeland. But there were no ad- 1996. brothers Carl and Johan Otto An- ditional clues about this mysterious It described Anton Frederick Will- dersson (Charles and John Wilson). “Wilson,” nor how he had come to vi- son as having been born 14 June They stayed in St. Louis until 18 July sit Bishop Hill. It gave, however, a 1814(?), married in late 1841(?) at 1854, when they set out by steam- very positive and detailed account of Unnaryd to Elizabeth Hansson, and boat for Peoria, Illinois, with the goal economic and social conditions at departing Sweden with their family of Andover, settled since the mid- that Swedish “prairie Utopia” in wes- of four children on 14 January 1853 1840s by Swedish immigrants, in- tern Illinois, founded by dissident aboard the Preciosa, arriving New itially from Östergötland and later, Swedish perfectionists under the York on 2 May 1853, then heading Gästrikland. In Peoria, they hired a leadership of Eric Jansson in 1846. for St. Louis, “…where father had driver and a “prairie schooner” for It was clearly written by someone two brothers, John and Charles, who what they hoped would be a short who had spent considerable time in were in the mercantile business…” trip to Andover, just 75 miles away, the colony, even meeting there an old Charles had been discovered! across largely unbroken prairies. friend, Erik Ulrik Norberg, born 23 But who were the Wilsons? The Carl (Charles Wilson) evidently June 1813 at Ullälfva, Västergöt- family history incorrectly described accompanied them as interpreter, land, and arriving New York aboard Anton Frederick Willson as having and out of curiosity about Bishop the Clarissa of Göteborg on 15 Au- been born in “Härna församling, Hill, which had substantial trading gust 1842. Linköpings län, Östergötland,” a contacts in St. Louis, and about In 2001, the Wilson article was clearly erroneous location. But birth- which he had been asked on previous translated and published by the Illi- year, marriage location, immigration return trips to Sweden. nois Historic Preservation Agency in information, and the presence of two Seven days later, they finally ar- its Journal of Illinois History, vol. 4 named brothers in St. Louis, John rived at nearby Bishop Hill, only nr 1, Spring 2001, but no further and Charles, gave enough informa- about 15 miles, or one day, south of clues about his identity were found. tion to begin an Emibas and Genline their goal. They found the prospect
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 5 of an overnight at the relatively new until her death on 26 March 1898. ymous, and far less favorable travel (1852) Björklund Hotel in Bishop Hill Armed with the correct patro- report, dated Moline, 1 September too inviting to pass up, after seven nymic of “Andersson” and birthdate 1853, about immigrant conditions in nights in a prairie schooner. Hotel of Carl as 30 January 1816 and Jo- that expanding farm industry city, manager Sven Björklund also dis- han as 23 July 1819, it was now already a magnet for early industrial covered that Anders (Anton) had simple to learn more about their im- immigrants from Sweden. skills too inviting to pass up…he was migration. Carl arrived New York a tanner, a trade badly needed at City on 30 March 1840 aboard the Notes: 1 Bishop Hill, which had large num- Edla , and Johan at Boston, aboard 1) In Swedish Passenger Arrivals in the 2 bers of cattle, for use as draft ani- the Gotha on 20 June 1845. The St. United States 1820–1850 [SPAUS], by mals, while providing meat and Louis City Directory of 1854-55 Nils William Olsson and Erik Wikén, hides, for both local use and export. shows John Wilson clerking at C. Carl is listed as #558, and called mer- Anders, though suspicious of their Wilson’s, and John’s residence at 15th chant of Norrköping. He received pass- communal lifestyle, was intrigued by and Chestnut. As yet, not much more port in Stockholm 25 Nov. 1839. their offer of one year’s employment is known about their activities in St. 2) In SPAUS Johan is listed as #923, a as foreman of the tannery, after Louis, beyond Carl’s several return servant who received passport for Bos- ton on 10 April 1845. He was born in which he could leave with a full trips to Sweden, evidently on busi- Norra Härene 23 July 1819. year’s pay, if dissatisfied with con- ness. ditions there. He stayed until his Carl Anderson (Charles Wilson) death on 6 June 1857. His family was clearly impressed by what he remained, and was well cared for. experienced in the Bishop Hill Contact information Upon dissolution of the colony in Colony, and wrote his lengthy and John E. Norton 1860-61, his widow Lisa (Elizabeth) very positive description of con- 4015 36th Ave. Ct. received an allotment of land in ditions in Bishop Hill, after his re- Moline, IL 61265 Galva Township, ten miles west of turn to St. Louis that fall, dating it 9 Tel. 309 736-3131 Galva, upon which she built a home, September 1854. To his report, the Email: [email protected] and raised her family. She lived there printer also appended an anon-
View from the Tower Building towards The Colonial Store, Bishop Hill, Illinois. 6 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 “Now We Are Arrived”: Stories of Swedish Immigration for Young Readers
BY ERICA OLSEN
“Now we are arrived,” says Carl Erik, making life hard for young Carl Erik west to Minnesota. The illustrations the immigrant boy in Joan Sandin’s and his family on their farm in convey their hopes and excitement at The Long Way to a New Land, when Sweden. When a letter arrives from being in America. Both books are for he finally reaches America. It is an the boy’s uncle in America, the family very young readers, with just a few English phrase that he learned on decides to emigrate. Joan Sandin’s lines per page. A third book in the shipboard. Children’s books by San- lucid prose has the strength of poetry. series, At Home in the New Land, will din and other authors about the The simplicity will be clear to child- be published in 2007. Swedish immigration experience can ren and eloquent to adults: “They Klara’s New World has a similar be a great way to get kids interested scraped the inner bark from pine story line to the Long Way books but in their Swedish-American heritage. trees. Mamma mixed it with flour to is told from the point of view of a Here’s a look at the small but sub- bake their bread – a hard and bitter seven-year-old girl. Jeanette Winter’s stantial shelf of picture books and bread.” Sandin’s highly detailed full-page illustrations allow the novels for young adults that bring illustrations, in somber blacks and strong characters and emotions to this history to life. grays, reflect the hardships the come through. In the family’s house family is enduring. in Sweden, we see the wooden kitch- Picture Books en utensils hanging from the wall At the beginning of The Long Way to and the colorful textiles made by a New Land, drought and famine are Mamma (who is shown weaving at her loom). In another illustration, an “America letter” is readable in Swed- ish. The writing is at a higher read- ing level than Sandin’s books, and the voice sometimes seems older than a child’s. These books do not sugarcoat the realities of the immigrant’s journey, taking on serious subjects such as death on shipboard. Author Joan Sandin explains, “I felt I couldn’t do an accurate story about immigration without including the reality of star- vation, desperation, sadness, hu- miliation, even death. However, The color scheme brightens in these unpleasant events and emo- Sandin’s sequel, The Long Way tions are balanced with the optimism Westward, which takes the family and excitement also experienced by
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 7 the family.” In their text and illus- theme about women’s rights. Swed- trations, Sandin and Winter dem- ish dialogue interspersed throughout onstrate solid research. All three could inspire readers to learn the books include historical notes. language. Young Adult Novels Other Scandinavian- Meet Kirsten, about a nine-year-old American Young Adult Swedish girl who immigrates in 1854, is the first in a series of six Novels books published by American Girl, Two other books of interest are the company best known for its dolls. Dancing in the Streets of Brooklyn by This series accompanies the “Kirs- April Lurie (Delacorte Press, 2002) ten” doll, but the books can stand on and The Journal of Otto Peltonen: A their own. Once again, there is little Finnish Immigrant by William Dur- sugarcoating of the immigrant’s bin (Scholastic, 2000). Lurie’s novel experience – Kirsten’s best friend tells of a 13-year-old girl growing up dies during the journey. While this in the Norwegian-American neigh- book cannot compare to a pioneer journey alone. Much of this novel borhood of Brooklyn, New York, in classic like Little House on the takes place in England, where 12- the 1940s. Prairie, the story is appealing, and year-old Britta’s family is stranded Since most children’s books about the illustrations are charming. The when a misunderstanding and then immigration focus on earlier time an illness prevent them from con- periods and settlement in the Mid- tinuing their journey. The story’s west, Lurie’s setting stands out. In strength is in the details of immi- Durbin’s book, written in diary form, grants’ travel arrangements – hotels, a teenage boy from Finland immi- meals, and medical services. Britta grates with his family to the iron is a likeable, independent heroine, mining country of Minnesota in 1905. although at times the banter be- Part of Scholastic’s “My Name Is tween her and her know-it-all broth- America” series, the book includes a er feels too contemporary for the historical note and an excellent 1904 setting. Also noteworthy is selection of archival photos. Although Britta’s background – the family their subject matter is not Swedish, comes from Swedish-speaking Fin- both books are worth mentioning, as land. The epilogue reminds us: many Scandinavian Americans (like “Every family has a story … Take the myself) claim ancestry from more time to talk to your older relations than one country. about their memories, their While children are the intended childhoods, their parents and their audience for the books reviewed here, grandparents.” adults can certainly enjoy and learn historical afterword asks: “If your Set in 1902, Land of Dreams is the from them. Picture books, in partic- family decided to move to another third book in Joan Lowery Nixon’s ular, provide a vivid introduction to country, could you do that? How Ellis Island series about three the immigration experience. would you know what to bring with teenage girls who meet on shipboard Through the eyes of a child, these you? What would you leave behind? (the others are from Russia and books remind us that for a family One of your relatives probably had Ireland). Land of Dreams focuses on starting over in a new land, the to make decisions like these, because 16-year-old Kristin, who expects adults might be as vulnerable as there is a story like Kirsten’s in near- more freedom from America than her children, and as open to new expe- ly every American family.” A book family and her conservative “Little riences. that stimulates young readers to Sweden” community in rural Minne- Once upon a time, there was a think about these questions is sota are willing to allow her. “Why family in Sweden … These books also certainly doing something worth- can’t women do the same things as remind us that as we search for facts while. men? she thought with disap- about our ancestors, what we are The family in Britta’s Journey pointment. Wasn’t life supposed to be really doing is writing this story for embodies a story that many families different in the United States?” Kris- ourselves. experienced: the father has preceded tin’s impatience with the Swed- the family to America, and mother ishness of her new American life is and children are making the long conveyed with more spirit than the
8 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 Note: Two Authors Retrace the More ideas for reading Books in print are available by spe- Immigrant Journey Do these stories make you want to cial order from your bookstore or Joan Sandin’s grandfather was born learn more? Here are three non- through online booksellers. The in Falun, Sweden, and immigrated fiction books that present immigra- website abebooks.com is a great to Wisconsin with his parents in 1882 tion history for young adults – and resource for secondhand and out-of- when he was just two years old. San- the whole family. print books. Last but not least, visit din herself had firsthand knowledge your public library (which, if it of immigration, but in reverse – she The Scandinavian Family Album doesn’t have a particular book, can lived in Sweden for a time. She in- by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler obtain it through interlibrary loan). cluded details about learning English Oxford University Press, 1998 in Carl Erik’s story because, she says, Paperback, 128 pages, ISBN 0-19- Books discussed: “My own personal experience of being 512424-3, $16.95 an immigrant in Sweden made me A survey of Scandinavian-Ameri- The Long Way to a New Land particularly aware of how important can life from the colonial era to the by Joan Sandin language (or lack of it!) is to our sense present, through first-person ac- HarperTrophy (an I Can Read Book), of who we are.” counts. Extensively illustrated. 1981 To create her story and illustra- Paperback, 64 pages, ISBN 0-06- tions, Sandin did extensive research. The Swedish Americans 444100-8, $3.99 “I looked at anything of interest,” she by Allyson McGill says. “Letters, journals, self-publis- Chelsea House Publishers, 1997 The Long Way Westward hed family histories, Swedish news- Paperback, 110 pages, ISBN 0-7910- by Joan Sandin papers, maps, train and steamship 4552-8, $9.95 HarperTrophy (an I Can Read Book), schedules, official reports on immi- Part of the series “The Immigrant 1989 grant conditions. I also did drawings Experience,” chronicling the contri- Paperback, 64 pages, ISBN 0-06- of old houses, tools, household objects butions of various ethnic groups to 444198-9, $3.99 and clothes, at museums in Växjö, American culture. Stockholm, and Minneapolis. When Klara’s New World I was unable to find a picture of the Welcome to Kirsten’s World, 1854: by Jeanette Winter mail boat Carl Erik’s family would Growing Up in Pioneer America Knopf Books, 1992 have taken from Gothenburg to Hull, by Susan Sinnott Hardcover, 41 pages, ISBN 0-679- I used a technical description in the Pleasant Company, 1999 80626-1, out of print Maritime Museum in Stockholm and Hardcover, 58 pages, ISBN 1-56247- worked up the picture from that.” 770-6, $16.95 Meet Kirsten: An American Girl Ann Marie Mershon’s Britta’s A pictorial history and companion by Janet Shaw Journey was inspired by the author’s to the books in the Kirsten series. Pleasant Company, 1986 elderly neighbor in Minnesota, Elea- Paperback, 61 pages, ISBN 0- nor Jacobson Stone. In the story 937295-01-9, $6.95 Mershon heard, the family was Contact information stranded in London during their jour- Erica Olsen Britta’s Journey: An Emigration ney. When Mershon researched the 2300 Pacific Ave. #106 Saga story, she discovered that “the lan- San Francisco CA 94115 by Ann Marie Mershon guage barrier was so great that the (415) 775-5745 Singing River Publications, 2004 family thought they were in London [email protected] Paperback, 205 pages, ISBN 0- when they were really in Liverpool 9709575-6-4, $12.00 all summer.” Mershon’s own family history turned out to have an unex- Land of Dreams pected parallel to the story she told by Joan Lowery Nixon in fiction. Her grandfather, whom the Delacorte Press, 1994 family thought had come from Swe- Hardcover, 152 pages, ISBN 0-385- den, turned out to be a Swede-Finn 31170-2, $14.95 like Britta. Mershon discovered his origins while researching her fiction- al character’s journey. “It is pretty amazing,” she says, “to realize that my grandfather had a crossing very similar to the one I researched for the Jacobsons.”
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 9 Your link to your history!
Swedish Church Records 1860 – 1905 The Swedish church records for the counties of Kalmar, Kronoberg, Östergöt- land, Jönköping, Gotland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Södermanland, Örebro, Väst- manland, Kopparberg (Dalarna), Gävleborg, Västernorrland, Jämtland, Väster- botten, and Norrbotten are now online on our web site. We are in the process of scanning the records for the counties of Göteborg och Bohus, Älvsborg, and Skaraborg. The database is updated with more than 10,000 and up to 15,000 digitized documents every day. Swedish Censuses You can search the whole Swedish poulation in the 1890 and 1900 censuses. A great part of the 1880 census is ready, and we are working on completing it. In these databases you will find information on family status, occupations, places of birth, other members of the household with different names, and much more. In the 1900 census most posts are linked to images of the original pages.
Released prisoners At www.svar.ra.se there is a database of released prisoners (fångförteckningar) during the period 1876–1925. The information on each prisoner contains infor- mation on his name, place of birth, current sentence, previous convictions, per- sonal description (hair and eye color, etc.), and a photograph. See example to the right.
The Swedish Tax records (Mantal) 1642–1820 The Tax records are now online at www.svar.ra.se They list all able-bodied people from age 15 to age 62, household by household.
Other databases At www.svar.ra.se there are many other databases of interest to genealogists. We have databases with seamen (sjömanshus) and much, much more. The number of databases is constantly growing. How do I get access to all these resources? By contacting SVAR and getting a subscription. You can subscribe for just a single visit or anything up to a whole year.
Contact us at [email protected] SVAR, Box 160, S-880 40 Ramsele, Sweden. Phone + 46-623-725 00. Fax + 46-623-726 05.
10 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 A Swede Who Had an Unusual Career in the U.S.
Old letters showed that Uncle was a cowboy
BY LEIF AND KENTH ROSMARK
When we went though the papers our turous; at about 12 years of age he during this period that he met with deceased mother had left us, we gets a job on a boat. The following Indians and studied their clothing, found some letters that awakened year, after sailing the open seas, he the combination of colors, and their our curiosity. As children we had arrives in Copenhagen and sees Buf- cuts, something that he put to use heard that she had an Uncle Helge, falo Bill and his cowboys.With wide- later on. He also learned to speak two who had immigrated to America and open eyes he sees their performance. different Indian languages. who had performed with Buffalo Buffalo Bill and his circus are in In his spare time he started to Bill’s circus; as children we found Copenhagen during a European tour. make copper belt buckles for his belt, that fascinating. As we grew up there Helge/Edward approaches the and they aroused envy and admi- was no more talk about that. When greying Buffalo Bill and asks, ”If I ration from the other cowboys. He we found the letters and became come to the U.S., can I become a cow- also learned to repair and decorate interested in knowing more, all who boy?” saddles and harnesses. knew anything were dead. “Of course, answered Buffalo Bill, In 1921 he got a job in vaudeville, When we started to do more re- and patted Edward on his head. You where he showed lasso tricks among search on this uncle, we found a story just come over and I will get you a other things. that we want to share with SAG job on my ranch.” One day when he had the day off readers. Maybe someone recognizes Four years later Ed comes to Buf- and nothing special to do, he amused this story and can tell us more about falo Bill’s ranch in northern Wyo- himself by cutting intricate figures our Uncle Helge? ming. It is not yet known how he got in leather. The then famous actor Our story starts in Vintrosa, just to the U.S. as he has not been found Tom Mix saw him and said, “Ed, your outside Örebro in the middle of on any passenger lists, but he might leather work is among the finest I Sweden, on 12 May 1895, when Emil well have worked for his passage, as have seen. My advice is that you Helge Bohlin was born. In the U.S. he was a sailor. should move to Hollywood. It will not he will call himself Edward H. Boh- “And who are you?” asked the old take long before you are a wealthy lin. His parents were Gustaf Bolin, colonel abruptly. man.” born 7 June 1851 in Kräklinge “I am the boy you promised a job In 1922 he moved to Hollywood (Närk.), died 21 April 1928, and his four years ago in Copenhagen,” said and played small parts in Indian wife Augusta Karlsson, born 24 the young Ed. movies. He also continued with his March 1855 in Hidinge (Närk.). He “Well, well, not that I recall such leather work, but business was slow. is the twelfth in a family of thirteen a promise, but if you say so it is One day during the production of children, and all of them have first probably true. And as you are here, an Ed ‘Hoot’ Gibson movie there were names starting with ‘H’. you can put your blankets in the some problems with the costumes. Already as a child Helge/Edward bunkhouse and start working.” Bohlin brought forth one of his was different from other children his sketches for a pair of breeches and age. He had many interests, but his Cowboy life showed it to the director. main interest was to take apart and Bohlin worked as cowboy for several “How much will it cost to have then reassemble things that did not years. He learned to ride as cowboys these clothes made?” asked the direc- have be taken apart, to his mother’s do and to master the art of the lasso tor. great annoyance. and the six-shooter. It was also “$22 for the pants and just as He must have been quite adven- Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 11 much for the jacket,” said Bohlin. An West, the actress, in which the Addendum hour later Bohlin was summoned by leather work cost $475 and the The SAG editor could not resist the the director, and told sign a contract. diamonds, inlaid in the leather, an- challenge to find out more about Ed Ed looked at the paper and said, other $3,500. He made similar Bohlin’s life. “I said $22 for each piece of telephones for P. K. Wrigley, but By surfing on the net it was found clothing and here it says $22,000!” without the diamonds. On special that there is a book about this re- The contract was signed, and for order his company now produced markable man, Saddlemaker to the $22,000 Bohlin produced 300 pairs candlesticks, wall lamps, night Stars: The Leather and Silver Art of of pants and 300 jackets according lamps, coffee sets, and much more. Edward H. Bohlin, by James Nottage to the sketches he had made. As the business took off, he moved (1997). to larger and better premises at 6309 Success in Hollywood Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. He This was the beginning of Bohlin’s employed 18 artists, all working un- Hollywood career. He continued in der his supervision. In 1937 he pub- movies, but also started to fulfil his lished an illustrated catalog with 232 dream of making beautiful, artistic pages of all his products. saddles, heavily decorated with sil- In 1947 he comes back to Sweden ver fittings in old Indian designs. His for the first time in 35 years. He first business was housed in small brought his products to an exhibit at and unsignificant premises on Ca- the NK in Stockholm, which hosted huenga Boulevard. a California exhibition. He brought The film companies now gave him a saddle, estimated at $50,000, some assignments; for instance, for ornamented with pictures of birds The Ten Commandments, where he and animals in the Old Wild West. made the harnesses for the wagons, He also brought six trunks full of and he also made the harnesses for Indian curios, cowboy clothes, and With the help of Judy Olson Ben Hur. He made bridles, stirrups, photos from the old days. He also Baouab of Orland Park, IL, a SAG spurs, reins – just about everything showed his riding art at the outdoor Workshop member, it was also found a rider and his horse needs. His museum Skansen. that Ed had married in 1916 to knowledge about Indian attire now During his visit to Sweden he also Leanna Marie Freeberg, born 25 Feb. comes in useful as he makes cos- visited his family in Örebro. He 1898 in Pompeys Pillar, Yellowstone tumes for Indian movies. He also visited our morfar, his brother, in Co. Montana, and died 13 Dec. 1918 makes belts, gun holsters, belt Örebro on a Monday evening in May in Cody, Park Co., Wyoming. Her buckles, and filagree work of many 1947. He was supposed to come at parents were Sven Larsson Fröberg kinds, and silver fittings with valu- lunch time, but was delayed and the from Torsås, Kalmar län, and Hilda able stones. family had waited impatiently all Sophia Karlsdotter of Vissefjärda, Saddles are his speciality, and that day. At last he came and was cor- also Kalmar län. is what makes him famous. The dially met by all. Ed and Leanna had one daughter, chewing-gum magnate P.K. Wrigley After 1947 we know nothing about Lilian H. Bohlin, born 9 May 1917 ordered a saddle worth $5,250, and his life. We do know from those let- in Wyoming. She married Volney then he makes another saddle for the ters, written to our morfar, that he Pinkerton and died 30 Oct. 2000 in actor Tim McCody, worth $4,350. had a daughter, born in 1916, and Seattle, Washington. It is not yet Now every aspiring star in cowboy that she was living in Seattle, Wash- known if the Pinkertons had child- cinema wants a Bohlin saddle, as ington, in 1937. We know nothing ren. well as very wealthy Californians about his wife or any grandchildren, After Leanna’s death Bohlin re- with luxury ranches, who want to and welcome all help in finding out married in 24 November 1920 to play at being cowboys and get Boh- more about him. Harriett Sweem, but this marriage lin saddles. The rumors about the The above information has been did not last. Swedish saddler’s craftsmanship gathered from those letters, news- On 24 April 1937 Bohlin married spread outside the boundaries of paper clippings, and family tradition. again, this time to Lillian S. Holm, America. Orders come from Indian born 6 Oct. 1892 in California. She Maharajas. The Sultan of Johor, Contact information died 22 Oct. 1985 in Los Angeles. north of Singapore, also wants a Boh- Leif and Kenth Rosmark Lillian’s parents were both Swedish. lin saddle. Mandelstensvägen 81 Edward Hugo Bohlin died in May Bohlin now branched out and S-703 74 Örebro, Sweden 1980 in Los Angeles. made other leather items. He has for E-mail: instance made a telephone for Mae [email protected]
12 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 News from the Swenson Center Children of two countries: Ethnic identity in youth literary culture in Swedish America
BY AGNIESZKA STASIEWICZ
Within the large Swedish community most influential Swedish-American other useful data about the period- in the U.S. there were many who publishing house. Although its icals in question as well as others. came to America at a very early age publishing profile was deeply reli- The second important factor in with few memories of their home- gious, there were also many works children’s literary culture is books. land. Some, being second or third connected with the topic of ethnic On the Swenson Center’s library generation immigrants, had never identity in a more direct way. shelves I found not only sources been to Sweden at all and were more In my dissertation I will examine referring to this topic in general, but fluent in English than in Swedish. ABC periodicals and books for child- also a significant amount of stories Therefore, many Swedish-American ren and youth, searching for the for children themselves. Most of institutions set the ethnic education elements which helped maintain a them, surprisingly, were translated of children and young people as one “Swedish spirit” in young genera- from German or imported from of their most important goals. As the tions, but also which recognized their Sweden. Very few were written by literacy rate was very high among “American side.” Among the wealth Swedish-American authors. One of Swedish immigrants, literature and of the Swenson Center’s holdings of the latter was Anna Olsson; therefore newspapers flourished and the publications of the Swedish-Ameri- I decided to put a special emphasis written word seemed to be the can press I was forced to choose only on her works. perfect way to get through to the a few. Therefore, my focus will be Many people have asked why a youth. Between 1840 and 1960 more mainly on Swedish-language publi- Polish Ph.D. candidate is doing re- than 200 denominational Swedish- cations, mostly because of their search on Swedish immigration. My American periodicals for children important role in maintaining Swed- answer is always: “Because it is fas- were published. ish speaking skills among youth and cinating!” For a long time I have been What was the content of these children and because, in general, interested in Scandinavian and literary publications and how did their content is more diversified. American culture and I wanted to they refer to Sweden, the U.S., and I will put a special emphasis on combine these two topics in my dis- Swedish-America? Who contributed these publications which highlight sertation. After spending half a year to the books and periodicals? How the dual heritage of the children of in Sweden I became certain that the wide was their circulation? What Swedish immigrants. My focus will immigration phenomenon and Swed- values did they promote? What was be the periodical Ungdomsvännen. ish-America were the very right their influence on children and I have found Ungdomsvännen to be choices for me. youth? What was their role in the one of the most interesting maga- That is why I am very happy that preservation of the cultural heritage zines for youth because of its literary I was selected for the 2005 Dagmar of immigrants? And most important- sophistication and its concentration and Nils William Olsson Fellowship. ly, which publications shall I choose on ethnicity. I was very happy to find Thanks to it I was able to spend a for my research? I am examining the whole collection of Ungdoms- month at the Swenson Center study- these and many other questions in vännen among Swenson Center’s ing the impressive holdings of Swed- my research for a doctoral disserta- duplicates which will enable me to ish-American periodicals and litera- tion about the process of creating study them in-depth at home. Among ture for youth and children. More- youth and children’s ethnic identity the Center’s extensive holdings of over, it gave me a unique opportu- through literary culture. Swedish-American press I have also nity to explore both Swedish-Ameri- When I came to the Swenson Cen- found an interesting periodical for can traces in the Quad Cities and ter in Rock Island, I realized that the younger children called Barnens Tid- American life and culture in general. overwhelming amount of materials ning. Although it was mainly devoted I have brought home not only an gathered there would enable me to to religious education, it also con- impressive collection of materials for narrow my project down significant- tains many features that deal with my doctoral dissertation but also ly. Therefore I decided to focus on the ethnic issues. Moreover, in August- warm memories of a beautiful coun- role of the Augustana Book Concern ana Synodens Protokoll, I found try, people’s kindness and friendship, (ABC) in the process. In its day, the plenty of information about the my first baseball game, and chocolate Augustana Book Concern was the number of subscribers, prices, and chip cookies.
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 13 A Handwriting Example IX
Here is an example of the hand- here uses the more modern Latin church records of Bjälbo parish in writing of the later 1700s. The gothic style, but still also uses the long “s” Östergötland. style of writing is no longer in use, in words with double “s” like Hans- The transcription will be found on except for some letters. The writer son. This example is taken from the page 26. Digital photos – a revolution! In the last few years two companies tal photos, not scans, and you get I have used their photos for the old- have started in Sweden that offer them on a CD and can then work est records for Filipstad from the genealogists a choice for the first time with them in your picture program. 1650s, and am amazed at how much between the black and white micro- The other company, Arkiv Digital, easier they are to read than the old films/fiches and very neat color offers much the same type of docu- microfiche. The possibility of enlarg- pictures of the records. ments from the area of Västergöt- ing the photos is a big help, and I can The first company, HH Digiarkiv land, Bohuslän, Dalsland, and also change the contrasts as I want AB, offers high quality photos of Värmland. Later this year they will to. Check out their web sites! The ad- church records, probates, and much start on Småland and Östergötland. dresses are on page 31. more for the area of Skåne, Halland, Military records might be in future Elisabeth Thorsell and Blekinge. The pictures are digi- plans.
14 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 The Old Picture
On this page we intend to publish old pictures sent in by our SAG readers. If you have a picture you want to see on this page, either send a digital copy, scanned in at no less than 300 dpi and saved as a jpg or tif file, or send a good paper copy to the editor at the address shown on the inside cover. Do not send any originals, as we can not accept responsibility for them. Neither can we promise to publish all pictures.
This picture shows the folkskolärare leaving from Undenäs, a slightly ish, Scandinavian race, from Unde- Karl Johan Lindvall and his pupils larger nearby town) 17 September, näs, to Bridgeport, without a ticket at Forsvik school in Undenäs parish 1906. She went to Göteborg, where to Bridgeport, paid for her own pas- in Västergötland, close to Karlsborg she probably boarded a ship to Eng- sage, carrying $14 in cash, never Fortress. The picture was taken in land, most likely to either Newcastle before in the U.S.A., to join her sis- 1898. upon Tyne or Hull -- both common ter, Mrs. Hedvig Forsman, 308 Olive The picture was sent in by Tom ports. She travelled across northern St. Bridgeport, Conn. (full address), Lundeen, 299 N. Linden Avenue, England, probably by train, to Liver- never in prison, not a polygamist, not Palatine, IL 60074-5468 pool, where she boarded the steamer an anarchist, traveling on her own
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 15 Bits & Pieces
President Bush has The Swedish War The Order of the Polar Swedish ancestors Archives (Krigsarkivet) Star In early April (but no joke) there were will be closing In early April it was announced that many articles in the Swedish news- The War Archives (Krigsarkivet) in Ronald A. Hendrickson and Sandra papers about how it had become Stockholm will be closed for re- Springer Pfaff had been awarded the known through a press message from building and renovation of the offices Order of the Polar Star (Nordstjär- the Swedish Colonial Society that and the research room. The archive neorden), along with some other President George W. Bush is de- closes on 14 August and they hope distinguished Americans. scended from a Swede, Måns Anders- to be able to open the new premises Ronald A. Hendrickson has been son, a member of the Delaware New on 23 October 2006. Governor of the Swedish Colonial Sweden colony. Måns Andersson was During the time the research room Society, which maintains the memo- one of the earlier colonists and is said is closed it will be possible to use ry and genealogy of the Swedish to have arrived on the Kalmare microfiche copies of muster rolls and colony New Sweden in Delaware Nyckel on its second voyage, landing much more at the research room at which was founded in 1638. in 1640. Måns travelled with his wife Arninge. It will also be possible to or- Sandra Springer Pfaff is chair- and a small daughter, Brita. His wife der volumes and search them at the person of the Board of Directors of died some years later and he re- National Archives (Riksarkivet) in the American Swedish Historical married. He and his new wife esta- Marieberg. Museum in Philadelphia. blished a farm “Silleryd” in Delaware (www.ra.se/KRA/index.html) (www.ColonialSwedes.org) County, where they lived for a few years. As a member of the opposition From Bjurtjärn to Famous photographer against Governor Printz, Måns found it best to leave the area and finally Stockholm, WI Lennart Nilsson in settled in Maryland, where he still The founder of Stockholm, Wiscon- Minneapolis lived in 1679. sin, returns to the American Swedish Well-known Swedish photographer That he gave the name “Silleryd” Institute with some 80 of his rela- Lennart Nilsson will exhibit his to his farm has been taken as an tives and friends at 7 p.m. on Wed- extraordinary photos of the begin- indication that he came from the nesday, July 5, 2006. The Bjurtjärn ning of life at the American Swedish parish of Sillerud in western Värm- Theatre Group from Värmland, Institute during the period of 31 land. The local grocer was on nation- Sweden, brings to life Erik Peterson, May to 8 October. The exhibition al TV and the village was filled with who founded Stockholm in 1854. The is called “Lennart Nilsson: Life,” an journalists who wanted to know all troupe will perform a concert version exhibition of the Hasselblad Center, about Måns – a task that no one has of the play They Sold Their Homes- Göteborg, Sweden. It includes im- been able to accomplish so far. To find teads. There is no charge for the con- ages from his early photo essays, a man named Måns Andersson in the cert, but freewill donations will be portraits of celebrities and states- tax records in the 1630s is no easy accepted. Space is limited; reserva- men, Sweden’s royalty, images of matter, especially as he might not be tions are advised. For reservations human development from “A Child from Sillerud. The church records do or information, call (612) 871-4907 is Born” and science pictures. not start that early, and the tax or e-mail: records most often give just the first
A young boy’s experiences onboard an Atlantic liner
BY LENNART PEARSON
In the late fall of 1946, when I was of the entire pier – twenty-six letters twelve. Nanny was a professional in the eighth grade, my mother repeated in blue, green, and red. It cook. She had provided Scandinavian decided to take me with her to was a scene of noisy confusion. cuisine for some of the finest families Sweden to visit her aging father. The Outside, taxicab drivers were blow- in New York such as the Vanderbilts war was over and the Swedish-Amer- ing their horns, porters with hand and Hattie Carnegie, the fashion ican Line was once again carrying trucks were hustling those who had queen. Coming to the United States passengers across the Atlantic, so she just arrived, and hot dog vendors for the first time in 1910, Nanny had put her name on a long waiting list were hawking their indigestibles. returned almost every summer to for tickets. After some months, she Inside the shed, policemen helped Sweden to see her relatives. This was was told that space would be avail- newcomers make sense of the signs to be her twenty-eighth trip; she able on the S.S. Gripsholm, sailing as people shouted across barricades would cross the Atlantic thirty-four Friday, December 6th, and arriving in various languages. Parents were times in all before she retired. She in Göteborg (Gothenburg) ten days tugging at cranky children, teen- had an imperious way about her, and later – just in time for Christmas. agers were eyeing other teenagers, perhaps her instincts about human My recollections of packing are officials were stamping anything nature had been too much shaped by hazy. I recall my mother putting handed them, travel agents were the hard hand of experience. She things rather ingeniously into a selling tickets, and wispy old ladies knew well, for instance, that much wardrobe trunk of the type that in hats and gloves were protecting could be accomplished by a well would have been standard equip- their handbags from purse snatchers placed “tip.” Not everyone appre- ment for transatlantic travelers a and pickpockets. Just beyond the ciated Nanny as much as I did, but decade earlier. We also had a steamer commotion, through the open walls certainly, everyone who knew her trunk, a couple of suitcases, and a of the shed, I could see the portholes also respected her. 16mm movie camera that my father of the gleaming white ocean liner and Two other passengers that turned had bought in 1941. gangplanks leading into the ship. up on deck were religious celebrities, A number of people from church Gustaf Landmer and Einar Ekberg. Leaving New York had come down to the dock to see us Landmer was an evangelist and Ek- The S.S. Gripsholm, which to my off, including the pastor who consid- berg was a gospel singer. Whether eyes was simply enormous, was ered it his Christian duty to say fare- they traveled together regularly as docked at Pier 97, at the west end of well to members of his flock but who a Swedish version of Dwight L. 57th Street on the Hudson River. The also enjoyed the excitement of such Moody and Ira D. Sankey, the nine- pier itself was a long drafty shed in departures. We were all properly teenth-century American evangel- which several thousand people were dressed for the occasion. I even had ists, or whether they found them- all trying to figure out what to do a hat with a brim which I wore un- selves together on this particular next. There was baggage every- der protest since I always hated hats sailing purely by coincidence, I do not where. Movable picket fences sepa- (and still do). We were not the only know. On board ship, however, they rated passengers according to wheth- passengers from church. There was did team up to hold religious services er they were traveling First Class Nanny Paulson, a redoubtable wom- in Swedish on several evenings in one (blue tags), Cabin Class (green tags), an in her sixties, and a good friend of the lounges. Ekberg sang and or Tourist Class (red tags). Trunks of my mother. Although she had Landmer preached to a generally and suitcases were to be checked in never married, she had a surprising- receptive audience. by last name, under large letters ly good instinct for things that were Once on board, we all posed for strung on overhead cables the length of interest to a boy just about to turn pictures on the upper deck and
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 17 engaged in the customary bon voyage sation of the ship’s engines. The in Swedish (gaffelbitar) and in Ger- rites of hugs and goodbyes. water was calm and beautiful, and man (gaffelbissen), were really quite through the windows of the dining similar. My mother confirmed that The ship sails room, we could see the shoreline of the Swedish language was closely At 12:30 p.m., thirty minutes before Long Island perhaps four or five related to German, but was not able the ship was due to sail, the ship’s miles off the port side. to come up with a Swedish cognate horn signaled visitors to disembark. for rollmops. Clearly, there was more It was an unforgettable sound, ear- Delicious food! to be learned about Germany than I shatteringly magnificent as it echoed The table steward began to bring out had picked up during the war years, back across the Hudson River from the various luncheon courses, includ- when all Germans without exception the New Jersey shore. With a pang ing Scandinavian delicacies that had been regarded as “the Enemy.” of sadness I said good-bye to my fath- were familiar to me from home: an Later in the afternoon there was er, not realizing that the moment was assortment of cheeses, pickled her- a lifeboat drill. We were each as- far harder for him than it was for me. ring, and lingonberries. Scandina- signed to a particular lifeboat, which A few moments later, I could see him vian cuisine – Swedish, Norwegian, meant that when the alarm sounded, and the pastor emerge on the obser- Danish cooking – is unique, in the everyone gathered at designated vation platform at the end of the pier, same way that there is something points on one of the upper decks. In waving. In those days it was custom- special about Chinese, French, and our group there were perhaps twenty ary to throw rolls of narrow stream- Greek cuisine. Not everyone is fond people. I was puzzled by the fact that ers from the ship to those on shore, of smoked eel, cheese made from I could see no lifeboat from where we the thin strip of paper being the last goat’s milk, head cheese, or lutfisk were standing. It was explained that link broken as the ship was slowly (boiled stockfish previously soaked in the lifeboat was immediately above nudged from the dock by the at- lye), but almost everyone can find us, and that in an emergency it would tending tugs. The ship began to move something to savor at a smörgåsbord be lowered by the crew for access very, very slowly backing out into table, especially when it is followed through an open window. This was the Hudson River. The figures on the by coffee and Danish cookies or a slice not reassuring. I had read all about pier grew smaller and smaller until of raspberry tårta (cake) covered with the Titanic, and I could almost hear they were no longer identifiable. As real whipped cream. a ghostly band playing in the back- the tugs withdrew and the ship’s own Nothing that was served up during ground, “Nearer My God To Thee.” screws began to turn, a faint vibra- the ten days of this crossing was too tion indicated that the ship was exotic to be sampled, and the greater Our temporary home moving under its own power. Then the variety, the better I liked it. Some Our particular cabin was on D-deck, the pier slipped behind us, and the portly German people seated at a which was about at the waterline bow of the ship pointed east out nearby table commented very favor- since I could hear water sloshing on toward the Atlantic. ably on the food, and one grand- the other side of a porthole that had I was fascinated! The harbor was motherly traveler pointed out to me been tightly closed with an inner alive with barges, ferries, garbage that the words for “herring tidbits” metal cover. There were two decks scows, tugboats, oil tankers, freight- ers, and everywhere, sea gulls. The sun was bright and the air chilly, and I was reluctant to leave the upper deck. Fortunately, all meals on board were served in two sittings, and we had been assigned to the second sit- ting. That meant I could remain on the upper deck until almost 2:30, by which time the Gripsholm had already passed the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and was well out beyond the Narrows into Lower New York Harbor. I had heard a great deal about seasickness from my mother who knew herself to be a poor sailor so I expected the ship to begin tossing just as soon as it left port. When we sat down to eat lunch, however, the only thing I felt was the faint pul- M/S Gripsholm in 1952.
18 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 even lower, E- and F-decks, and while nied on a portable organ. Sunday din- makes it hard to keep one’s balance, I suppose it was an advantage not to ner was especially nice. It was a and in heavy seas, it is possible to be be quite that far down, the stairways buffet table with all kinds of deli- thrown from wall to wall in a cor- and corridors were equally narrow all cacies, followed by Baked Alaska for ridor, or even clear across a room. though this part of the ship. The dessert, which was for me another The pitching of the ship as it plows cabin was tiny, with barely enough first. On the menu, there was a daily forward through the waves creates room to turn around. It made me instruction about the six-hour time a feeling of compression as the floor want to spend as many waking hours adjustment that we needed to make pushes up against the soles of one’s as possible elsewhere, which is as the ship traveled east. Each day, feet followed by decompression as it precisely what I did. Since it was easy we were to advance our clocks a mod- suddenly drops away, producing a to slip under or past various ropes est twenty or thirty minutes so that sense of light-headedness and a loss and barriers without being noticed, we would arrive on local time. of gravity, especially disconcerting I soon discovered that the more Once out on the high Atlantic, the when going up or down stairs. Since desirable parts of the ship were for days settled into a routine of sorts. the eye perceives an enclosed space Cabin Class and First Class passen- Many of the passengers would rent as stable, these discrepancies can gers. Still, even in 1946, the es- a deck chair and a blanket after produce dizziness and nausea, a sentially egalitarian spirit of the breakfast and spend the morning discomfort further aggravated by the Swedes was such that markers of taking in the sea air and snoozing in incessant creaking of the walls and class seemed to be only halfheartedly the sunshine up on deck. Those who floors. In daylight, I found it helpful observed. At any rate, my own con- felt more energetic played shuffle- to be up on deck or to stay near a science was no more than minimally board or, in one of the enclosed areas window or porthole where I could see troubled as I roamed about the ship of the deck, ping-pong. I recall the bow or the stern of the ship quite freely on my own. playing games with some of the child- dipping up and down against the ren on board, but nothing more horizon. Shipboard events particular than that. Below deck, in By the middle of the week, the sea On the second day out, as the ship a caged hold not being used for bag- was rougher, and certain deck areas was approaching Newfoundland, I gage or freight, the crew had laid out had to be roped off. For several days, noticed an unusual number of fishing some tarpaulins to provide an indoor my mother stayed pretty much in the trawlers in the area. The sea was area where children could tumble cabin while I was personally more very calm, and by afternoon, as fog about – a kind of playpen about comfortable upstairs. Food was less closed in, the ship began to sound its thirty feet square. The space was appealing than it had been, but I foghorn at one minute intervals. It dirty and unappealing, and the tarps missed no meals and felt rather in- was a bit spooky, and I could only smelled of mildew. Since the ship was dependent having the table to myself. hope that those on the bridge knew nearly two city blocks long, it was a When the dishes on the table began what they were doing and that the bit of a walk from the cabin to the to slide around because of the rolling ship’s radar was in good working or- rear deck. One had to go through a and pitching of the ship, the table der. long, narrow corridor past some steward would pour some water on In one of the hallways, a map was doors to the engine room that also the tablecloth to hold the dishes in posted showing the progress of the happened to be near some ventilators place. If it got really bad, the edges trip, and each morning we could see from the kitchen. It was very noisy, of the table could be pulled up about how much of the distance had been and the odor for about a hundred feet an inch so as to keep things from covered in the previous twenty-four seemed to be a mixture of machine falling off entirely. When that became hours, usually somewhere between grease and tomato soup. I found that necessary, not many passengers 250 and 350 miles. Beside the map the best way to avoid being nause- showed up to eat. was a posting of world news as it had ated was to hold my breath while been received in the ship’s radio room passing through that immediate Boring evenings during the night, along with a listing area. Evenings were rather boring, except of shipboard events scheduled for the perhaps for the lounge lizards, who day. Seasickness took advantage of the tax-free oppor- On Sunday morning, for example, Some passengers, including my tunities of the mid-Atlantic to drink anyone who wished to attend Divine mother, suffered from seasickness, a like Vikings. On several evenings, Service in the first class lounge was malady that originates in a discrep- music was provided by a rather sorry welcome to do so. The service of ancy between what one senses and band. When the band was occupied worship was conducted by the ship’s what the eye can see. The brain has elsewhere, presumably playing in the captain, who read the “Order for to interpret two types of motion: side- upper class lounges, a noisy barker Morning Prayer” of the Church of to-side (rolling) and up-and-down presided over a kind of horse-racing Sweden, the hymns being accompa- (pitching). The rolling of the ship game, in which small model horses
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 19 advanced across the floor of the awed by the size of the propeller when everyone had eaten their fill, lounge according to the roll of the shafts, and by the sense of power in the table could have fed as many all dice. This provided players with the ship’s engines, but I was also glad over again. Even now, all these years opportunities to bet on their favorite to get out of there. later, I cannot remember a more horse. One is continually amazed at All through the voyage, a few impressive meal. the ingenuity of human beings when seagulls had accompanied the ship, it comes to indulging their vices. swooping and diving whenever the The Swedish The fixtures on board were rather ship’s waste, which included a old-fashioned. Bathroom doors had considerable amount of food, was archipelago little turn locks with red or green dumped overboard. Toward the end On Monday morning, I was up early. indicators on the outside that said, of the week, I noticed that the num- The Swedish equivalent of New Ledig (“Available”) or Upptaget ber of seagulls had greatly increased, York’s Ambrose lightship was Vinga (“Occupied”). The device is common and then on Friday morning the word fyr, a very old lighthouse that marks in Scandinavia, and one wonders went out that land was in sight. the entrance to the archipelago of why something so simple and so Göteborg. Once past Vinga fyr, the helpful has never been widely mar- Land in sight! ship took on its harbor pilot and continued to sail slowly up the well- keted in this country. Instead of a Sure enough, on the starboard side shower, it was possible to arrange marked channel toward the city. of the ship, I could see the rocky coast There were many small, rocky is- with the bath steward for a hot tub- of northern Scotland. Seasickness bath if one didn’t mind sitting in sea- lands with little red cottages, and supposedly ceases as soon as one can here and there we could see people water and feeling sticky afterwards, see land, so my mother was tempo- though presumably clean. waving at the ship. At midmorning, rarily back among the living, but only we entered the river (Göta älv) on temporarily because the North Sea Tour of the ship which Göteborg is situated. On the in December is known for its rough- left were the shipyards of a thriving Nanny Paulson never suffered from ness. By Sunday, however, land was shipbuilding industry (Götaverken). seasickness, and she was a good again visible. This time it was on the I could see huge cranes and gantries, companion while my mother was port side of the ship and it was the vessels in dry-dock for repair, ships being miserable down below. Nanny coast of Norway. That night we at various stages of construction, as had arranged a ship’s tour for several attended the traditional “Captain’s well as the usual tug and barge of her friends and she invited me to Dinner.” It was the last evening meal traffic found in a major seaport. The go along. It was fascinating. We saw on board ship, complete with whist- signs and advertising billboards, the whole ship, including the bridge les and funny hats. Since it was however, were all in Swedish. with all the controls, and I even got nearly Christmas, the table was to meet the ship’s captain and first spread with an incredibly lavish mate. Our guide took us up to the smörgåsbord. The centerpiece was a Göteborg harbor radio room where the wireless was roast suckling pig complete with a Presently I spotted the pier up ahead crackling and the teletype machines red apple in its mouth. One could go where the Gripsholm would dock. It were clattering away. back repeatedly, as indeed I did, and was festively decorated with bunting Outside, on top of the radio room, cages had been specially built for some rare silver-blue foxes and for some thoroughbred mink that were also on the way to Sweden. They were fed canned chicken and cereal during the voyage and apparently did not suffer much from seasickness. We went through some of the crew’s quarters that seemed incre- dibly cramped and uncomfortable even by comparison with our tiny cabin. We climbed down metal lad- ders until we were in the engine room where the heat and the noise were very intense. It was hard to imagine anyone working under such con- ditions, but of course someone had to attend to the machinery. I was Vinga lighthouse outside Göteborg. 20 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 and banners, and on top of the pier, being smuggled into Sweden. As soon In the morning, we had a few at about fifty foot intervals, were as she was clear of the checkpoint, things to do before we could head for Swedish flags – a yellow cross on a the seaman relieved her of the bag. the train station like changing mon- blue field – waving in a brisk wind. With an exchange of winks, he ey. I went with my mother to a Swe- Below were hundreds and hundreds thanked her and disappeared into dish bank, where she changed some of people waving and waiting for all the crowd. It was the payoff for the dollars into crowns. I was much 1,350 of us to disembark. tour! impressed by the number of times a While the ship was secured by rubber stamp had to be applied to a noon, it would be another several Friends meet us piece of paper before the transaction hours before we could get off because To my surprise, two friends of my was considered complete. First Class and Cabin Class passen- mother met us on the other side of gers were the first to disembark. the barricade, Martha Johansson On the train home From the upper deck I watched the and Signe Johnson, who had re- Eventually, we got to the central booms hoisting the baggage and turned to Sweden several months railroad station where a whole new mailsacks out of the holds of the ship. earlier. Martha was an attractive world invited scrutiny. Freight cars Somewhere in the giant nets swing- redhead, probably in her forties, who were unusually short and stubby. ing through the air from the ship to wore her hair in braids pulled up on Passenger trains had signs on each the shed were our trunks. A cabin her head somewhat like a garland. individual coach indicating its even- steward helped us get our small suit- Signe was short and plumpish, tual destination. There were no cases upstairs to a hallway where a probably in her sixties. Both had steam locomotives; everything was wide door would fold back to allow worked in the United States for electrified. Our first destination was the gangplank to be emplaced. After wealthy families, and they now the town of Markaryd, and then, the a detour through one of the lounges shared an apartment in Göteborg. tiny community of Hannabad, where where various officials checked our Since it was mid-afternoon, they my mother had grown up and where papers and our passports, the mo- invited us to have supper with them her family still lived. The passenger ment finally arrived. We passed and to stay the night. Out on the coaches had compartments that down the gangplank and I was in broad cobblestoned street, it sur- openedon a narrow corridor along Sweden! prised me to find that the blue street- which the conductor could come by Unlike New York, where the pier cars of Göteborg consisted of two to collect the tickets. We had the was perpendicular to traffic, the connected coaches, powered by pan- compartment to ourselves, with seats Swedish-American Line pier in Gö- tograph, and that they could turn facing opposite each other and a teborg was parallel to the street. In corners just as easily as the single folding table in between. My mother other respects, the interior of the streetcars did back in New York. It wrote some postcards for mailing shed seemed much the same though was very cold and starting to snow. back to the States while I rode better organized. To find our bag- The daylight was turning to dark- backwards observing the changing gage, we looked in the proper area ness, and a warm apartment was landscape and noting the names of under a large “P,” and there it was. welcome. The apartment house, in an stations where the train stopped: When we had assembled everything, older part of town, had a certain Kungsbacka, Varberg, Falkenberg, we collared a customs inspector who faded elegance, and looked much the and then, Halmstad, where we had asked a few questions and then way I imagined older houses might to change trains. slapped an official looking stamp on look in Paris or in Prague. The apart- each piece. ment itself had high-ceilinged rooms I speak Swedish! Nanny Paulson was also in our with ornate moldings, and was nicely area, and I distinctly remember that I have two vivid recollections of the furnished. One unusual feature was layover at Halmstad. First, I remem- when she found a customs inspector a quarter-round tile fixture in one to check her bags, he took a long, ber buying a bar of chocolate at the corner of the living room that went kiosk and thinking to myself that it squinting look at her, and then said, from the floor to the ceiling and “Oh my, are you back again?” To exit seemed grainy compared to Ameri- extended about two feet out into the can chocolate. Second, I remember, the shed, we found a porter who room. It was a kind of central heating wheeled our things past a checkpoint at my mother’s urging, going up to a unit – called a kakelugn – for the railroad official who was changing where another inspector applied a various apartments that provided crayon to the sticker affixed earlier. signs on the platform and asking him radiant and continuous heat. It was in Swedish when the next train Nanny was carrying an extra suit- not something familiar from my case, as it turned out, on behalf of would be leaving for Markaryd. I do previous experience, but it worked not know whether I was more sur- the crew member who had taken us very well. I was to make many such on the grand tour of the ship. The bag prised to hear myself actually saying discoveries during the next few something in Swedish or getting an had a sticker just like all the others months. but was full of American cigarettes answer that confirmed I had really
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 21 been understood. The part of Sweden that is south of Göteborg at one time belonged to Denmark, which ac- counts for the fact that southern Swedish is marked by a distinctly “Southern drawl.” So, in the broad accent of the province, the man looked straight at me and said, “Ahhrr-ton och fyrtio-fyra (18.44),” or, 6:44 p.m. My mother was much amused by the exchange. By lavish praise, she convinced me to think it really was worth the effort to try to speak Swedish after all, I was going to be there nearly a year. She was not wrong. When the train arrived in Marka- ryd, we were met at the station by my Uncle Andrew and my cousin, Allan, who was about my age. The snow-laden branches seemed to father”), my grandfather. Reunion four-mile ride by taxi out to Hanna- sweep the ground in greeting. It was was heady stuff. The tears flowed bad was memorable. It was totally incredibly beautiful and I knew that freely, and everyone was talking at dark, and there was about a foot of somewhere at the end of the forest, the same time. snow on the ground. Once the village a welcome was awaiting us. I could tell my mother was very, of Markaryd was behind us, I could I was not disappointed. The woods very happy. only see what was illuminated by the eventually opened out into the headlights of the car. The unpaved, hamlet of Hannabad where I could snow-covered road was barely visi- now see a few lights here and there, Contact information ble, though the driver seemed to and then the car stopped. We were Rev. Lennart Pearson know exactly where every turn was at my Uncle Andrew’s house. Aunt 402 Chestnut Street supposed to be. We rode uphill and Gerda, a slightly younger version of Clinton downhill, over little bridges, and my mother, welcomed us and intro- SC 29325 through a deep, deep forest with duced us to her two little girls, my E-mail: [email protected] enormous evergreen trees whose cousins, and to Morfar (=“mother’s The Bridge Conference in Karlstad in September 2006
In late September, Wednesday 27th tinations vary from the Nobel Mu- tainments and transportation during to Sunday October 1st there will be seum in Karlskoga to Mårbacka, the conference. Lodging is extra and an intersting congference being held home of famous author Selma Lager- available in various price ranges. On in Karlstad, Sweden, the capital of löf to the Viking Ship Glad of Gill- the web site it says that the con- the County and Province of Värm- berga to the gourmé inn at Gryt- ference fee should be paid by 1 June, land. The conference is organized by hyttan. Two excursions also go to but it will still be possible to register the Kinship Center in cooperation Dalsland, to The House of Straw, the during the summer be. with the Swedish Council of America, Acqueduct at Håverud and many Documentation of the conference who wants to broadens its contacts other interesting places. will be sent to the participants within with modern Sweden. The conference is open to anyone, one month after the conference. The conference language will be who is interested in meeting with You can find more details at English. Swedes, active in preserving and www.swedishcouncil.org/ There will be several social events showing local history, as many of the conference.htm but also a number of workshops, 24 participants will be active in local or at in all are planned. Their topics range historical societies (hembygdsföre- www.emigrantregistret.s.se/ from genealogy through folk cos- ningar). conf-en.htm tumes and wood carving to Swedish The conference fee is $400. The Välkomna! You will see your SAG food, and life in modern Sweden. costs include the conference, all editor there! On Friday there will be a number meals from Wednesday dinner of excursions, ten in all. Their des- through Saturday banquet, enter-
22 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 I Found the Needle!
My search for the immigrant Asp Family in America and Sweden. Part II
BY JAN SOKODY ASP
In order to begin my research in within the parish boundaries. All the year 1816 so that could be the father Sweden, I studied about the re- ancestors I have traced have not but not the name. I had been looking sources available by reading come from the town with the parish for four family members, not five. I “Tracing Your Swedish Ancestry” by name. I find it very satifying to be had been looking for Christine, not Nils William Olsson and purchasing able to pinpoint the exact location of Caroline. ”Cradled in Sweden”, by Carl-Erik the birthplace, as an example, I was doubtful about this list but I Johansson. I learned about vital Grimshult in the parish of Ödeshög, was grasping at straws. After locat- records, clerical surveys (household on a map and to follow a family as ing Luleå on a map in Norrbotten examination rolls), moving records, they move from one farm to another. County, I decided to search northern probate records, county and province My estimated time for immigra- Sweden. From October of 1982 to differences, and emigration films. tion was 1851 to 1854. On 10 March May of 1984 I ordered clerical sur- My mother-in-law, Eleanor Carl- 1979, I ordered a Stockholm passen- veys covering seventeen parishes in son Asp, is entirely Swedish so my ger list film at a LDS branch library, Norrbotten, three in Västerbotten, first Swedish genealogy experience next, six passenger journal films and four in Västernorrland. A letter was tracing and documenting her from four Swedish counties. I orde- written October 10, 1983, arrived parents’ lines. Her father was Char- red fifteen Stockholm City parish from the Landsarkivet in Härnö- les August Carlson (Karl August films covering births for the years sand. They were unable to find the Karlsson) b. 1874 in Grimshult, 1844-1850 and four films covering Asp family in their Norrbotten Ödeshög (Östg). Her mother’s par- other county parishes. The Asp name records. On page 73 in ”Cradled in ents were the immigrants. Lila was not found in any of these films. Sweden” a chart shows the number Swanson Carlson’s father was Ge- In the summer of 1982, Ingrid of emigrants from each county for orge Swanson (Göran Peter Svens- Klering of Stockholm, the daughter ten-year periods between 1851 and son) b. 1848, Södra Ralingsås Norr- of Eleanor’s cousin, Agne, visited in 1925. Only two left from Norrbotten gård, Lommaryd, Jön. Her mother Elgin for six weeks. When she retur- and none from Vasterbotten between was Maria Charlotta Johansdotter, ned to Sweden, she took the Asp 1851-1860. That was a wild goose b. 1845 in Spånshult, Bredestad, family data. Her mother sent it to the chase and I was back to square one! (Smål.). They all had lived in Moline, Emigrant Institute in Växjö. A letter I only had Sweden: no parish, no Illinois. I did not have the name of arrived from Växjö with information county, and no province. Should I the last parish but an obituary gave from the SCB (Swedish Central Bu- give up the search? the name as ” Bresto.” I showed it to reau of Statistics) archive about an an experienced Swedish genealogist ASP family emigrating from Sweden New information at the Wilmette FHC along with a in 1851, stating that they came from In the fall of 1983, a positive change list of all parishes beginning with ”B” Luleå in the northern part of Swe- began to take place when I reread a and she chose ”Bredestad.” If you den. The names were not 100% typed note from Aunt Katy. Informa- have a problem locating a place in correct. They were: tion she had found at the Louisa Sweden, ask a person who can read Anne C. 7, Caroline 30, Christine County Courthouse stated that John Swedish to look at the English M. 10, I Fred 35, John A. 4 Henry Asp had two boys and TWO spelling. Only the first and last seemed to girls: Charlotte Ann and Christine. In my possession, I have topo- be a possibility with three years Maybe that list from Växjö was the graphical maps. They are wonderful difference in age and correct names. Asp family? for locating the outlying places Thirty-five from fifty-one would be
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 23 Next, my in-laws moved from 2. Extraction of Nils Wm. Olsson’s The first clerical survey film I Elgin, Illinois, to Geneseo, east of books regarding passenger arri- chose to order on October 24, 1984, Moline, Illinois. The day after vals: where they came from and was Locknevi, Kalmar County. My Thanksgiving, I drove to the Mercer where they went reference came from Olsson’s work County Courthouse in Aledo to look 3. References to the name Asp on the SPAUS. There was no Asp in his in- at land records for the purchase of International Genealogical Index dex. However, a word-by-word search the blacksmith shop in New Boston. 4. Swedish places beginning with of his book revealed on page 355: The indenture made on August 15, ASP: extracted from ”Svensk Ort- “Anna Marie Asp Bäckstrom was still 1854, shows that John Asp and forteckning” (Agne had given me listed as a member of the St. Ans- Caroline Asp purchased a lot in New the book) garius Church in Chicago in 1853 Boston. Both names are on the record 5. Swedish places similar to “Ne- together with her s. Anders Peter and when the lot was sold on April 24, vada” dau. Christina Maria.” Further infor- 1856. Across the hall was the Regis- 6. Extraction of County Histories for mation in the same note, #3139, trar’s Office. Even though I have the Mercer, Knox, Henry, and Rock shows Peter Larsson m. to Anna original marriage certificate for John Island recording places of origin of Maria Bäckström b. in Åninge, August and was in a hurry to leave Swedes Locknevi Parish May 27, 1806, dau. to drive to New Boston and Tooles- 7. References for the name given to Peter Bäckström and Stina Jons- boro, I spontaneously decided to me by genealogy contacts dotter. They had children and the check the marriage application, as entire family emigrated from Lock- well as a marriage index, looking for Next, I made a copy of each county nevi in 1849. the daughter, Christine. I did not find map and marked the above refer- When I looked at the clerical Christine (she is still a mystery), but ences by parish. Three areas of con- survey, I found a family leaving for I found that the parents of John Au- centrated marks were obvious: Kal- “Norra Amerika 1851”, and the gust were John Asp and Caroline. mar, Östergötland, and Jönköping; names were Petter Beckstrom b. The 1851 ship list now seemed more Uppsala and Gävleborg; and Söder- 1815, wife Anna Marie Asp b. 1821, an actuality. manland. After analysis of all the son Johan August b. 1848, and A trip to the Federal Archive above data, I was ready to begin orde- daughter Christina Maria b. 1850 li- Branch in Chicago enabled me to see ring clerical surveys films for 1851 ving in Fogelåsa. Three lines below: the passenger manifest for the ship when the Schaumburg FHC opened “Enk. Smed. Peter Asp b.1785, arriving at the port of New York on October, 1984. Feb.26, Hjorted.” Was he the father September 17, 1851. The Swedish of Anna Maria? Brig was named Luleå. The family Choosing more straws I next looked at the Luleå passen- was at the top of the list and the I volunteered at the branch library ger list and found written on lines father’s name looked like it began on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 4:00 and 66-69: P. Beckstrom 36, Anna 30, with a “J” not an “I”. I thought, yes ordered four films each week. Joh. 3, Christine 9 mos. The ages and indeed, this is the family I have been A clerical survey also called a birth dates matched. Why is this seeking. I copied all 86 names on the household examination roll, known family on same boat with the Asp passenger list. It turned out to be in Sweden as the husförhörslängd, family? Is Anna related to John very important in my later research. is a fantastic and unique record. It Henry? Should I concentrate my Plans were being made to open a should be used by the researcher search in the Kalmar area? LDS branch library in Schaumburg, along with the birth, marriage, and Then I ordered the clerical survey Illinois, which meant a drive of death records. Each year a member for Södra Vi, (Smål.). A couple leaving twenty minutes instead of an hour. I of the state church would question for America in 1853 caught my eye was asked to consider being a volun- all members of the household in or- because the wife’s father’s name was teer, if they were able to get permis- der to record what they knew about Achilles. I recognized that name. It sion for a non- member to serve. My the catechism. One record might was on the boat list. (I had looked at in-laws were also talking about a cover five or ten years. The survey the couple because I was extracting second trip to Sweden and I des- lists the place within the parish all names of people leaving in the perately wanted to find the place of boundaries where the family lives, years 1851 to 1859). Ulrica Charlotta origin of my father-in-law’s family. the names of the family members, Jacobsdotter was born 7 August 1830 their relationship, occupation, birth in Nykil, (Östg.). Her parents were Intensifying my dates, birth parish, marriage year, Jacob Achilles and Anna Greta An- research death dates, moving in year and dersdotter Gottsell. On the pas- place where they came from and the senger list, following the Asp family I made lists: was: J. Achilles, 59; Anna, 60; Ma- 1. Film numbers for 1851 Clerical column I was most interested in, moving out, showing where they ria, 24; and Caroline, 11. Next I orde- Surveys for each parish in each red the Nykil film and eventually county. moved and the year.
24 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 found Jacob Achilles and his family ten. Success in genealogy leaving in September of 1851. requires determination, perseverance, creative The needle at last! thinking, spontaneous ge- On May 1, I arrived at the Family nealogical activity resul- History Center wondering which ting in unexpected finds films had come in and how many or serendipity moments, patrons would arrive. The only pa- and an extensive amount tron was Margaret Nelson, a retired of just plain luck. I had school librarian and bridge player them all! friend. For six years, we had been My in-laws did return traveling together to and from the to Sweden. Agne drove Wilmette FHC. I had convinced Mar- them to Vimmerby, Hjort- garet to research her Swedish genea- ed, and the house in Sim- logy. She could read and speak the merum where Carolina language. When the Schaumburg Göransdotter was born FHC opened, our indefinite loan and lived until she mar- ried. Her father was Gö- films were transferred from Wilmette Vimmerby Stadsförsamling AI:10, p. 205 so Margaret’s Swedish films were in ran Hansson Hall Wipa, a kronobåtsman (naval soldier/ailor). the cabinet. Fogelså: The last name was given to the man Two films, ordered on March 3, Peter Henriksson Asp Hjorted Feb 26, that lived in the Simmerum house had arrived. Both were from Vim- 1785. provided for the båtsman. (Margaret merby, (Smål.). I decided to look at H Stina Bengtsdotter Frödinge Apr Nelson had a collateral relative who the Stadsförsamlingen (city) first. I 29, 1778. lived there in the later 1800’s and looked at the far right Bortflyttat Son Johan Henric Locknevi Jan 8, had the name of Wipa.) They did not (moving out) column on p. 205 and 1816. go to Falsterbo In Hjorted, where read: till (to) Amerika, år (year) 51. I ordered the next Locknevi cleri- Peter Asp was born. His father, I quickly looked to the right side and cal survey and verified that Johan Henric Nilsson Asp, b. 1749 Risinge, read: Henric and Anna Marie were indeed (Östg.), was a master blacksmith and siblings. the first ancestor I have found to Grönlid: Hjorted, (Smål.), was also Mar- have the Asp name. Smeden Johan Henrik Asp, Lockne- garet’s parish. All the films were in Later in my research, I ordered the vi 8 Jan. 1816. the cabinet. I was able to add two probate records for Peter Asp and H [=hustru] Carolina Göransdotter, more generations that very day and Göran Wipa. The translation of their Hjorted 3 Aug. 1819. also found the marriage record, De- household belongings was interes- D [=daughter] Christina Maria cember 18,1840, for Johan and Carol- ting and a challenge. How difficult Törnsfalla 22 Oct. 1841 Oct. ina. Margaret’s reply was, “I came and sad it must have been for these D Anna Charlotta Vimmerby 20 Nov. across the name Asp but I never two fathers to have their only child- 1844. thought anything about it!” I had ren leave Sweden, never to see them S Johan August Vimmerby 1 Dec. been that close to the films for six again. Both records named their 1847. years. children living in “Amerika.” Later that evening, I wondered if I kept looking at the familiar names, there could be another family with the birth years: 1816, 1844, and the same names? Did they come from Thank you to: 1847, the three-year birth difference a parish where the records had bur- Nils William Olsson for writing his for Anna and Johan and finally said, ned? No! I am claiming the Asp book, providing the most impor- “Margaret, Margaret, I think I found family I found today. It was time to tant straw, Locknevi. them! What does Smeden mean?” celebrate. I could not tell my in-laws Al Mink, a member of Elgin Gene- Her reply was “blacksmith”. She for they were on a bus returning alogy Society, for giving me the studied the screen and said, “I have home from Indiana. book. the 1816 Locknevi clerical survey From October 24, 1984, to April 24, Agne Klering for bringing me maps film here.” I quickly pulled that film 1985, I had ordered fifty-one films. I and the place book. out of the cabinet and placed it on found the family on the thirty- The blond-haired, blued-eyed fellow the reader. I rolled the film to page second. It was difficult to believe that for providing money to order the 151 and read: I had found them in six months and films. one week. I had been hoping it would My children who did not verbally only take one year and not more than protest my time spent on this won- derful hobby called Genealogy. Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 25 The Solution to the Handwriting Example IX
Transcription År Mån Dag Apr. d. 12 dödde Pigan Maria Petersdotter på Sjuntorps ägor oägta dotter Anna Caisa af oangifwen barnasjuka – 7 4 Apr. d 16 dödde afl. Rytt. Fogelfeldts Enka hustru Catharina Pehrsdotter på Bjälbo ägor af wärksjukdom 66 – – Maji d. 25 dödde Lifgrenad. Pet Odes nöddöpte Son Carl på V. Elgsjö egor 1 Junii d.14 dödde Lifgrenad. Sven Ducktigs lilla Son Eric af Mässling, – 2 9 på V. Elgsjö ägor Junii d. 24 dödde SochneMan And. Håkanssons Son Carl i Grimskumla af slag 3 2 9 Aug. d. 11 begrofs Drängen Fredr. Jonssons i Trägården dödfödde Son – – – Aug. d 29 dödde Rusth. Joh. Anderssons i Östergården hustru Cath. Jacobsdotter af barnsbörd 39 6 – Oct. d. 15 dödde SochneMan Måns Hansson i Marstad af förkylning 64 – – Dec. d. 29 dödde Drängen Jacob Johansson i Ö. Elgsjö af inflammation 24 3 5
Döde 1794
Feb. d. 3 dödde Lifgrenad. Pet. Marfeldts Son Jöns på Marstad ägor af oangifven sjuka – 1 13
Translation
Year Months Days Apr. 12 died the maid Maria Petersdotter at Sjuntorp lands illeg. daughter Anna Caijsa of unrecorded children’s illness – 4 7 Apr. 16 died the deceased Cavalry soldier Fogelfeldts widow wife Catharina Pehrsdotter on Bjälbo lands from an aching disease 66 – – May 25 died the Life Grenadier Peter Ode’s emergency baptised son Carl on Västra Elgsjö lands – – 1 June 14 died Life Grenadier Sven Ducktig’s little son Eric of the measles on Västra Elgsjö lands 2 9 – Jun 24 died parishioner Anders Håkanssons son Carl in Grimskumla of stroke 3 2 9 Aug.11 was buried farmhand Fredrik Jonsson’s of Trägården stillborn son – – – Aug.29 died the rusthållare Johan Andersson’s of Östergården wife Cath. Jacobsdtr in childbed 39 6 – Oct. 15 died parishioner Måns Hansson of Marstad of a cold 64 – – Dec. 29 died the farmhand Jacob Johansson of Östra Elgsjö of inflammation 24 3 5
Feb. 3 died the Life Grenadier Peter Marfeldts son Jöns at Marstad lands of unrecorded illness 1 13
A rusthållare was a man who owned to keep a cavalry soldier and his was an ordinary foot soldier, who had a farm that was yielding enough in equipment and the horse. A farm like some training in throwing grenades. crops and other things so he could that was called a rusthåll. enter a contract with the government A Life Grenadier (livgrenadjär) 26 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 Book Reviews
Here you will find information about interesting books on the immigration experience, genealogical manuals, books on Swedish customs, and much more. We welcome contacts with SAG readers, suggestions on books to review perhaps. If you want to review a book yourself, please contact the Book Re- view Editor: Dennis L. Johnson at
to members of other chapters of the Minnesota. These women collected Frontier D.A.R. in other locations in Minne- and recorded the memories of 62 men sota. These are all first person stories and 92 women in all. Mrs. Morris Tales as told to the interviewer with little assembled and edited this collection editing, not hand-me-down tales into the first edition, titled Old Rail from descendants who may or may Fence Corners: The A.B.C.’s of Min- Old Rail Fence Corners, Frontier not have altered these recollections. nesota History, published in late l914. Tales Told By Minnesota Pio- Together, these stories form a mag- This first edition sold out quickly neers, Lucy Leavenworth Wilder nificent human record of these pio- and a second edition, almost identical Morris, Ed., softcover, 344 pages, Minnesota Historical Society Press, neer decades and the frontier expe- to the first, was published in l915. St. Paul, 1976, (Amazon.com, rience. The book was widely acclaimed and $11.53). Lucy Wilder came to Minnesota read at the time, but sixty years lat- from Illinois in 1878 at the age of 16, er it was long out of print, rare, and What was it really like to be one of living in Houston County and teach- little known. the first pioneers in the Minnesota ing in country schools. By 1890, after In 1976, the Minnesota Historical Territory in the 1840’s and 1850’s, some time in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Society reprinted Old Rail Fence when you filed your claim with an to further her education, she re- Corners under its present title. The axe mark or a boulder as markers turned to Minnesota and married Ja- book is almost identical to the 1915 and set about to build a farm and a mes T. Morris, who was in the lumber version and the original pioneer map life on the prairie? This is difficult business and later a lender. After is reproduced and included. A splen- for descendants to imagine four and some European travel, she did some did introduction by Marjorie Kreid- five generations later, aside from writing: travel guides, children’s berg provided an up-to-date back- images created by Vilhelm Moberg in books, and articles for magazines. ground for the book, and a new con- his The Emigrants series of books, She had a great-grandfather in the tents page and comprehensive index The Little House on the Prairie, by American Revolution and joined the were added to assist readers. The Laura Ingalls Wilder, or Ole Røl- Daughters of the American Revolu- main title was kept despite its some- vaag’s Giants in the Earth. tion (D.A.R.) in 1894. She rose to what puzzling nature. Old Rail Fence Corners, dis- prominence in the D.A.R. organiza- These accounts of pioneer life covered while I was browsing the tion, holding national office and make fascinating reading today, both back shelves of a small town book receiving an honorary award in l933. for those with roots in the Minnesota store in northern Minnesota, was She died in 1935. Territory and for others with an first printed in l914 and l915 by a By the early l900’s, Mrs. Wilder interest in the settlement of the subcommittee of the Daughters of recognized that the exceptional per- prairies of the American Midwest. the American Revolution (D.A.R.). It sonal stories of the first settlers were These are not stories of important was reprinted in l976 by the Minne- rapidly being lost as these pioneers historic figures and events, but of sota State Historical Society, and were dying off. By 1911, she con- everyday life for those who undertook copies remain available at some on- ceived the idea for her book, and this great adventure, in their own line booksellers and elsewhere. began to interview as many of these words. Stories of happy times, trage- The book contains personal stories pioneers as she could, many then in dy, encounters with native Ameri- told by some 154 of the earliest set- their 80’s and 90’s. The task became cans, wolves, the sound of Red River tlers in the Minnesota Territory. This overwhelming, and she organized a ox carts, ferocious winters, drought, collection of stories was edited by Book Committee to assist her with hunger, hot summers, fears, and Lucy Morris, about half of them told the interviews, consisting of mem- dreams. Unlike many other pioneer directly to Mrs. Morris and the others bers of 16 chapters of the D.A.R. in adventures, nearly two-thirds of
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 27 Book Reviews
higher proportion of the population that were lost in our own families of Minnesota than in any other state. through the generations because The conditions encountered by these they were not written down or the early Swedes were little different chain of memory was broken by from those for the first pioneers circumstances. In my case, I might twenty years earlier, however. have learned some of this from my One recorded interview caught my father, who knew his pioneer grand- these stories are told by women, eye, that of Mrs. C.A. Smith who ar- father and even worked on his farm portraying the rigors of their lives as rived with her parents in 1858. (She for a time. But he died when I was vividly as those of the men they was Swedish born, but later married only 14, too young to have an inte- accompanied to the frontier. an English man). Her family arrived rest in these events. The times Although Minnesota Territory had in St. Paul, and then traveled by boat described in Old Rail Fence Corners been explored and traveled for two to Chaska on the Minnesota River. will not occur again. centuries before by Voyageurs, ex- The family walked to Watertown, Dennis L. Johnson plorers, trappers, French-Canadian MN, (27 miles from Minneapolis) traders, and others, settlement did where they purchased two quarter not begin until the 1840’s, initially sections of land and began to farm. A dream in by people from the Eastern U.S. “We lived just as we had in Sweden,” seeking land for farming. The popu- she said, “as we were in a Swedish pictures lation grew quickly, from about 6,000 settlement. We were Lutherans, so there were no parties. Going to people in 1840 to about 40,000 by Images of Swedish America, Ulf l855 and over 170,000 by 1860. Min- church was our only amusement.” Beijbom, hardcover, 120 pages, nesota became a state in 1858. Many She went on to describe the prairie, Emigrant Institute Friendship So- settlers came from nearby Wisconsin, wildlife, and how they celebrated ciety, Kristianstads Boktryckeri AB, Iowa, and Illinois, others from Christmas in Swedish fashion that 2003, American Swedish Institute, further East, and a few directly from first year. Minneapolis, $27.95 or Adlibris.com Europe. Most came with little money Relations were described as quite 151 kr. (about $20.00 U.S., plus postage) and only a few possessions, some- good with the Native Americans, times cattle or horses. Families came although sometimes unnerving. There have been many books of in small groups or singly; sometimes They would enter a pioneer house photographs about the history of the men came alone the first year to build without knocking or stare in the populating of the United States, and a shelter and stake a claim, re- windows and often help themselves other books about the Swedish im- turning the next year with their to food and other objects. They were migrant experience which include a families. A few Swedes were scat- usually peaceable, more interested in few photographs of early times. tered among these early settlers, but scalps from other tribes than from None, however, have been as rich in the vast majority came with other settlers. (Prairie Indians were Sioux, images or as focused on the ex- Europeans after Congress passed the and woodland Indians were Chippe- periences of Swedish immigrants in Homestead Act of 1862. wa, Ojibwe, or Winnebago). After America as this little book printed in The first settlers were mainly Eng- they were forced onto reservations by Sweden. lish and Scots-Irish, descendants of treaty, often broken, relations turned Ulf Beijbom, professor and former earlier settlers in the Eastern states. violent, leading to the major uprising director of The Swedish Emigrant Nearly all of the interviews recorded of 1862. About 500 settlers lost their Institute in Växjö, Sweden, is the in Old Rail Fence Corners are of lives in Minnesota, and Army detach- editor and has provided the text for these people; almost no Swedes were ments forced the Indians further this book, assisted by Stig Marz, represented in the book. These set- west, capturing and hanging some photo editor, and with an English tlers founded the first towns and thirty or more in Mankato. translation by John Norton. The claimed land along the rivers, at first These frontier tales offer fasci- photographs span between about the the only means of access to the area. nating reading, hearing directly in 1870’s to the 1930’s and range from By the time the Swedes arrived, most the words of those who lived the New York to the Yukon. The photos areas had been surveyed and each pioneer life what conditions were are largely based on items in the took his quarter section, or 140 U.S. like. Thanks to Lucy Morris, we can Emigrant Institute collection, sup- acres under the Homestead Act. But relive these times and draw upon the plemented by a few from private col- by the 1890’s, Swedes made up a memories of these pioneers. Stories 28 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 Book Reviews lections. These images are treasures and other locations. Canada scenes from the collection at the Institute include Winnipeg, Manitoba; Alber- and many were a part of their ex- ta, British Columbia; and the gold hibition, “The Dream of America.” rush in the Yukon and in Alaska. Most of these photos were taken by Occupations of immigrant Swedes Swedes in the U.S. and they then are represented in many photos of either returned to Sweden with railroad workers, miners, woodsmen, them, or sent them to relatives in merchants, and maids as well as velous view of Swedish America as Sweden. farmers and settlers. Most of the seen through Swedish eyes, a some- The book is well organized begin- photos are of common people, but a what unique perspective as com- ning with “The Dream” of those number of Swedes who distinguished pared to similar immigrant col- wishing to go, then the emotional themselves in America are also in- lections published in the U.S. The departure from friends and family, cluded. Among them are the singer- book is not intended to provide a the voyage by ship and the usual entertainer Olle i Skratthult, Swan background or a detailed history of stopover in Liverpool, U.K. Arrival Turnblad the newspaper king, Curtis the great migration, but simply to images feature the Statue of Liberty Carlson, Eric Wickman of “Grey- focus on the destination of America and the Castle Garden immigrant hound Bus Lines”, nurse leader in images of those who were part of reception center. The new land, Constance Magnusson, John J. Nord- that migration. It is a most worthy called the “Land of Goshen” by Beij- strom, department store founder, addition to your collection of books bom, has numerous photos and text and others. Swedes in the U.S. Civil about Swedish America, and you may showing farms, families, forests, War and in World War I are hono- even find an ancestor or relative prairie life, and other images of the red, and illustrations of the parti- among the photographs included. frontier settlements. Swedish Chi- cipation of Swedes in Swedish-Ame- Dennis L. Johnson cago is well represented, as are rican organizations are also featured. photos from Rockford, IL; the Twin This collection of images and the Cities; Jamestown; New York; Texas; accompanying text provide a mar- New and Noteworthy (short notes on interesting books and articles)
For those who want to read about rural life in the northern U.S. we can recommend that you try Echoes. It is a magazine that focuses on positive values rooted in the past that have relevance for the present and the future, to cite its mission statement. Echoes is a quarterly, published in northern Maine, and often has articles and stories on New Sweden. Subscription is $17.50 for one year. Address: Echoes Press, Inc., P. O. Box 626, Caribou, ME 04736-0626. Phone: 207-498-8564. Professor Ulf Beijbom recently published a thick volume in Swedish, with the title Utvandrarkvinnor. Svenska kvinnoöden i Amerika (Immigrant women. The fate of Swedish women in America), published by Norstedts, ISBN 10:91-1-301493-5. 450 pages, illustrated, name index and good source citations. It is not now known if it will be published in English. Price in Sweden varies between 187 SEK up to 260 SEK. A fun book was compiled by Lars Hübinette and Bengt Odenstedt in 1988, published by Studentlitteratur. ISBN 91-44-28871-9. The title is Ord och inga visor. 2000 svenska idiom i engelsk översättning. (Words and no songs. 2000 Swedish idioms translated into English). This book, for instance, explains that “att ha myror i byxorna” means being uneasy, restless, and furnishes the English variant as “having ants in one’s pants.” “Inte född i farstun,” which means that somebody is not stupid, is translated as “not being born yesterday,” “Nära skjuter ingen hare” which translates as a shot that almost gets the hare, is given the English version “a miss is as good as a mile.”
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 29 Genealogical Queries
Genealogical queries from subscribers to Swedish American Genealogist will be listed here free of charge on a “space available” basis. The editor reserves the right to edit these queries to conform to a general format. The inquirer is responsible for the contents of the query. We would like to hear about your success if you receive useful information as a result of placing a query in this publication. Please send us your feedback, and we will endeavor to report your new discoveries in this section of the journal.
Mary Parker from Las Vegas – where are you?
In 2002, members of the Swedish Genealogical Society toured the U.S. and participated in many workshops, assisting Americans seeking their Swedish roots. One such stop was in Kingsburg, CA, and the stop there was later covered by an article in the Swedish magazine Släkthistoriskt Forum. The article relates how a woman named Mary Parker had travelled to Kingsburg from her home in Las Vegas to get help to trace her ancestor Peter Olaus Olausson. Per Olaus Olausson had emigrated to the U.S. in the 1870’s and was born in Figgemålen, Kristvalla (Smål.) on 22 March 1848, the son of farmer Olaus Petersson and his wife Valborg Charlotta Johansdotter. Mary – your Swedish distant cousins would very much like to get in touch with you! Monica Björklund is the great grand daughter of Lorentz Petersson, who was the younger brother of Peter Olaus’ father Olaus. Susanne’s husband Rune’s is also related to you by way of another line of the family. Unfortunately, the man helping Mary out did not record her address or phone number. We have tried calling the Mary Parkers listed in the U.S. phone book for Las Vegas without success. So, if Mary, or someone knowing her, is reading this - please get in touch with us! We have family history researched down into the early 1700’s and can share many photos of family and places of family interest. Monica and her family still live in Kristvalla parish and Susanne and her family live in the adjoining parish of Åby. Susanne Åkerfeldt, Åbygatan 110, SE-380 31 Läckeby, Sweden, e-mail:
Salomonsson
My grandmother Charlotta Salomonsdotter was born 25 March 1858 to the sharecropper Salomon Johansson/ Jansson, born 7 April 1814 in Askeby (Östg.) and his wife Eva Lisa Carlsdotter, born 19 March 1819, also in Askeby, living at cottage Carlslund on the lands of Askeby Storgård in Askeby. Their son Carl Axel Salomonsson, born 14 July 1855 in Askeby, emigrated on 24 October 1882 from Tuttorp in Svinstad (now Bankekind) in Östergötland. He left the port of Göteborg on 3 November 1882 and his destination is given just as Princeton, no state mentioned. I am 88 years old and would really be happy if anyone can help me find my great-uncle. Kurt Tunros, Törnbacken 6, 5 tr, S-170 67 Solna, Sweden. Phone: +46 8 655 41 71 1261
Pettersson, Peterson
The girl in the picture is Jenny Olivia Peterson, born in 1912 in the U.S., a daughter of Anna and Olof Peterson. Anna Johansson was born 26 February 1886 in Myckleby (Bohu.). Olof might have been of Norwegian origins. They also had daughters Lena, born in 1911, Ruth Josephine, born in 1915, and son John Oscar, born in 1908. Anna was a sister of my grandmother, Justina, and immigrated in 1904 to the U.S., where she already had brothers Carl and Olof. Anna is said to have died in 1920. The Petersons are said to have lived at Strawberry Hill Road in Concord, MA, but may have moved to New Jersey. Kurt Andersson, Burås 314, S-472 94 Svanesund, Sweden. E-mail:
30 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 Interesting Web Sites (All links have been tried in May 2006 and should work)
Emigrants from the Falbygden (Vägö) area: http://www.emigrant.se/eng/english.htm Minnesota Veterans Grave Registration Index: http://people.mnhs.org/vgri/ Historical Minnesota Maps: http://www.mnhs.org/collections/digitalmaps/index.htm What did eggs and more cost in 1924? http://historicaltextarchive.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=418 Swedish map search and place names: http://www2.lantmateriet.se/ksos_eng/index.html History of Swedish Evangelical Friends Home Congregation. Savonburg, Allen County, KS: http://www.orwells.com/savhist1.htm City Directories for Montreal 1842–1950: http://bibnum2.bnquebec.ca/bna/lovell/index.html Missouri Death Index Database 1910-1955: http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/deathcertificates/ The best site for Genealogy in Finland: http://www.genealogia.fi/indexe.htm Sheriff's Passport List 1863-1916 for Åland: http://www.genealogia.fi/emi/krono/krono0e.htm A good web site for Danish archives: http://www.sa.dk/sa/omarkiverne/english/default.htm HH DigiArkiv AB: http://www.digiarkiv.se/ Arkiv Digital AB: http://www.arkivdigital.se/ About Måns Andersson of New Sweden: http://www.colonialswedes.org/Forefathers/Andersson.html
Latest news! Dr Per Nordahl, director of the Swedish Emigrant Institute (Svenska Emigrantinstitutet) in Växjö, has had to resign from his post after a long conflict with the staff. He has been replaced with Björn Johansson, a former local government employee, who is a temporary director until the board has found a new ordinary one. It is only a few years since Per Nordahl succeeded long-time di- rector Ulf Beijbom at the institute.
Here is Agnieszka Stasiewicz, a Polish researcher, who received the 2005 Nils William and Dagmar Olsson scholarship. Read more on Agnieszka’s research in her article on page 13 in this issue.
Addition to the SAG Article Index in SAG 4/05
Scott, Lars E., Johan Fredrik Roos, 1984:3
Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 31 The Last Page
Dear Friends, the work with compiling these books brated. These days are open to every- Time passes quickly and it is already he realized that the church records one, and there is a lecture program time for another issue of SAG. were not well protected; instead they and lots of exhibitions. For the first This time I wish to say “Tack!” to were in danger of being destroyed by time there is an entrance fee of 40 all of you that have congratulated me damp, fire, or eaten by mice. He SEK. More information can be found on being awarded the Victor Örnberg started a campaign to have the Na- at www.stockholm2006.se/ Memorial Prize (Victor Örnbergs tional archives (Riksarkivet) take It might also be mentioned that the Hederspris) by the Swedish Federa- over the responsability for these his- Örnberg Prize was awarded to Nils tion of Genealogical Societies. torical documents and make them William Olsson, SAG Founder, in The Örnberg Prize is the finest available to the public through a sys- 1994. honor a Swedish genealogist can get, tem of provincial archives. He was Otherwise Sweden has come out and I am deeply grateful to all of you successful and the first provincial ar- from the snow, the winter was un- for your support. chive opened in Vadstena in 1899, usually long this year, it seems, and The prize is named for Victor Örn- and he was the first head archivist. now is the time to go and look for the berg (1839–1908), a professional The prize will be awarded at the remains of gg-grandfather’s cottage, archivist but also a dedicated genea- banquet at the yearly Släktforskar- and the church where grandma’s logist, who published among other dagarna (Genealogy Days) in Nacka, aunt sat every Sunday. things 14 volumes of his Ättartal just outside Stockholm, on 12 Au- See you there! with hundreds of genealogies about gust, when the 20th anniversary of Elisabeth Thorsell ordinary Swedish families. During the Federation will also be cele- You can buy back SAG Workshop issues of SAGs Salt Lake City from 15 – 22 Oct. 2006 Jill Seaholm Welcome to join our happy group of at the researchers at the Family History Library in Swenson Salt Lake City! Center. Just send The SAG Workshop is the highlight of the an e-mail year – a fun learning experience and a to chance to do your Swedish genealogy with hands-on help from experienced Swedish
32 Swedish American Genealogist 2006:1 Abbreviations
Table 1. Abbreviations for Swedish provinces (landskap) used by Swedish American Genealogist (as of March 2000) and Sveriges Släktforskarförbund (the Federation of Swedish Genealogical Societies, Stockholm [SSF]).
Landskap SAG & SSF Landskap SAG & SSF (Province) Abbr. (Province) Abbr.
Blekinge Blek. Närke Närk. Bohuslän Bohu. Skåne Skån. Dalarna Dala. Småland Smål. Dalsland Dals. Södermanland Södm. Gotland Gotl. Uppland Uppl. Gästrikland Gäst. Värmland Värm. Halland Hall. Västerbotten Väbo. Hälsingland Häls. Västergötland Vägö. Härjedalen Härj. Västmanland Väsm. Jämtland Jämt. Ångermanland Ånge. Lappland Lapp. Öland Öland Medelpad Mede. Östergötland Östg. Norrbotten Nobo.
Table 2. Abbreviations and codes for Swedish counties (län) formerly used by Swedish American Genealogist (1981-1999) and currently used by Statistiska centralbyrån (SCB) (the Central Bureau of Statistics, Stock- holm).
Län SAG SCB SCB Län SAG SCB SCB (County) Abbr. Abbr. Code (County) Abbr. Abbr. Code
Blekinge Blek. Blek. K Stockholm Stock. Sthm. AB Dalarnaa Dlrn. W Södermanland Söd. Södm. D Gotland Gotl. Gotl. I Uppsala Upps. Upps. C Gävleborg Gävl. Gävl. X Värmland Värm. Vrml. S Halland Hall. Hall. N Västerbotten Vbn. Vbtn. AC Jämtland Jämt. Jmtl. Z Västernorrland Vn. Vnrl. Y Jönköping Jön. Jkpg. F Västmanland Väst. Vstm. U Kalmar Kalm. Kalm. H Västra Götalandc Vgöt. O Kronoberg Kron. Kron. G Örebro Öre. Öreb. T Norrbotten Norr. Nbtn. BD Östergötland Ög. Östg. E Skåneb Skån. M a formerly Kopparberg (Kopp.; W) län. b includes the former counties (län) of Malmöhus (Malm.; M) and Kristianstad (Krist.; L). c includes the former counties (län) of Göteborg and Bohus (Göt.; O), Skaraborg (Skar.; R), and Älvsborg (Älvs.; P). BD
Lappland Norrbotten
AC
Västerbotten
Ångermanland Z Jämtland Y
Härjedalen Medelpad
Hälsingland X
Dalarna Gästrikland w Uppland C Värmland Västman- S U land T AB Närke Södermanland Bohuslän Dals- D land Östergötland E O R Västergötland P Gotland F Halland Småland H I N G Öland Blekinge Skåne L K M
The counties (län) as they were before 1991. The provinces (landskap)