Swedish American Genealogist
Volume 32 | Number 3 Article 1
9-1-2012 Full Issue Vol. 32 No. 3
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A journal devoted to Swedish American biography, genealogy, and personal history
Volume XXXIISeptember 2012 No. 3 CONTENTS
Family Ties to the Dakota Uprising. Part 4 ...... 1 By Helene Leaf
Handwriting Example 32 ...... 4 Copyright © 2012 (ISSN 0275-9314) Little Bertha Louise is found! ...... 5 Swedish American Genealogist News from the Swenson Center...... 7 Publisher: By Lisa Huntsha Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center Augustana College, Rock Island, IL 61201-2296 Illinois Swedes at Shiloh ...... 8 Telephone: 309-794-7204. Fax: 309-794-7443 By John E. Norton E-mail: [email protected] Web address: http://www.augustana.edu/swenson/ Bits and Pieces ...... 13 Editor: Elisabeth Thorsell My Grandparents, from Fryksände ...... 14 Hästskovägen 45, 177 39 Järfälla, Sweden By Eunice Holmgren and Myrtle Fagenstrom E-mail: [email protected] The American Swedish Institute ...... 16 Editorial Committee: By Elisabeth Thorsell H. Arnold Barton, Tyresö, Sweden Dag Blanck, Stockholm, Sweden King and Queen visits Minnesota ...... 18 Dennis L. Johnson, Pottstown, PA By Dee Kleinow Ronald J. Johnson, Madison, WI Christopher Olsson, Stockton Springs, ME In Memoriam: Ulla Sköld ...... 19 Priscilla Jönsson Sorknes, Minneapolis, MN By Karna Olsson Swedish American Genealogist, its publisher, editors, A BIG Swedish actor - Tor Johnson ...... 20 and editorial committee assume neither responsibility By Elisabeth Thorsell nor liability for statements of opinion or fact made by contributors. Solution to the Handwriting problem 32 ...... 22 Correspondence. Please direct editorial correspon- The importance of Å, Ä, and Ö ...... 23 dence such as manuscripts, queries, book reviews, announcements, and ahnentafeln to the editor in Book Reviews ...... 24 Sweden. Correspondence regarding change of address, back Interesting Web Sites ...... 30 issues (price and availability), and advertising should be directed to the publisher in Rock lsland. Genealogical Queries ...... 31
Subscriptions. Subscriptions to the journal are The Last Page ...... 32 $28.00 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 sub- scription inquiries to the publisher in Rock Is- land. In Sweden the subscription price is 275.00 kro- Cover picture: nor per year. This subscription fee may be de- Photo of the monument over the Civil War soldiers from posited in our plusgiro account: 260 10-9, Swed- Bishop Hill at the Village Square in Bishop Hill. ish American Genealogist, c/o Thorsell, Häst- (Photo by E. Thorsell, Oct. 2007). skovägen 45, S-177 39 Järfälla, Sweden. Family Ties to the Dakota Uprising – Minnesota 1862, Part 4
BY HELENE LEAF
On August 18, 2012, my husband sota. In 1861 their parents, Andreas The attack John and I attended a most unusual Larsson Lundborg and Lena Johans- On the morning of August 20, 1862, family reunion in Swift and Kan- dotter, brothers Gustaf and Samuel, Pastor Andrew Jackson was holding diyohi counties in Minnesota. Nei- and sister Johanna joined them. One a service at the Lundborg home when ther my husband nor I had met any sister, Sara, had remained in Swe- little Peter Broberg interrupted the of these people before, although a few den. Also two brothers, Anders Pet- service by saying that the Indians people knew some of the others. Over ter and Daniel Petter Broberg and were bothering those children who 120 people attended, and they were their families, immigrated and had been left at the Anders Broberg from all parts of the country and even claimed land two miles west of the home. Anders Petter Broberg, Gus- at least twelve of them came from Lundborgs in what is now Swift taf, Lars, Samuel, and Anders Petter Sweden. County. All joined the Norway Lake Lundborg ran to the Broberg house. What was it that brought us all Lutheran Church which had been Andreas Lundborg followed more together that day? It was an incident founded in 1859 by Pastor Peter Carl- slowly. Daniel Petter took the women that happened on August 20, 1862, son from East Union Lutheran and children in the oxcart. Those in which 13 Swedes were killed by Church. There was no church build- running arrived first; they were shot Indians. Everyone who was gathered ing so the pastor, Andrew Jackson, and all were killed except Samuel there was in some way related to the traveled from home to home conduct- who survived a wound to the side and Lundborgs or the Brobergs who were ing worship services. being beaten. Andreas arrived to see killed that day. My husband is his sons shot. The Indians shot at distantly related to the Lundborgs. The youngest attendee was the 5 month-old great-great-great-grand- daughter of Johanna Lundborg Paul- son, and the oldest was 100-year-old E.W. Solyst who for many years had organized a picnic around this date for the descendants of the survivors. Previous articles In the June, September, and Decem- ber 2007 issues of SAG I had written about these family ties to my hus- band’s Carver County ancestors (Pehr and Catarina Carlson in the East Union area) who had known these two families. In 1858 three brothers, Johannes, Anders Petter, and Lars Andreasson Lundborg, immigrated to Carver County, Min- nesota. In 1860 they claimed land in western Monongalia County (now Kandiyohi). This was the far western The Minnesota counties mentioned in the article. From Handy Book for Genealogists settlement of white people in Minne- 6th edition (1971).
Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 1 him, but he managed to escape. The account of the incident. A wreath was oxcart came into view, and the placed on the monument. There were Indians fired at it. All were killed three flowers on the wreath, one for except one child from each family, all the whites who were killed during Anna Stina from the A. P. Broberg the Dakota War, one for the Indians, family, and Peter from the D. P. Bro- and one for the soldiers. A Swedish berg family. The survivors hid in the flag was also on the wreath. A prayer tall grasses and on the Isle of Refuge for peace, healing, and reconciliation in Norway Lake and eventually was said. found safety in St Cloud. A more Then we traveled by car the two complete telling of this incident is in miles to the marker for the Lundborg the September 2007 issue of SAG. cabin. A long train of 48 cars trav- eled this country road which may not The memorial gathering on most days have that many cars Our gathering was to start officially pass by all day long. As we drove at 10 a.m. on the 18th at the Shelter along, I thought about little Peter House at Monson Lake State Park (in Broberg, age 7, running this distance Swift County, Minnesota), but by 9 through the woods. This property on Route 7 a few miles south of Sunberg Anna Stina (Broberg) Peterson (1846– a.m. the people started to gather, to 1933). From Findagrave.com. meet each other, to visit, and of course is still owned by the great-grandson of Johannes Lundborg. to have a cup of coffee and peppar- were descended from Torsten Algots- kakor. The weather was perfect. The son, born 7 October 1712 in Södra organizers had a color-coded system To New London Härene (Vägö.) and his wife Karin for the name tags to help us know Then it was off to Peace Lutheran Persdotter. It had been said that the the ancestor of the attendees. The six Church (formerly Lebanon Luth- Lundborgs and Brobergs were re- ancestors were Johannes, Johanna, eran) in New London. We were had a lated. Samuel, and Sara Lundborg, and wonderful smörgåsbord and had a Anna Stina and Peter Broberg. While chance to look through various pic- Pictures and music Sara Lundborg had remained in tures, family trees, and artifacts. There was time for pictures. There Sweden, some of her children im- From 1 to 2 p.m. the Monongalia His- was a large group picture on the steps migrated. torical Museum was open. This build- of the old Lebanon Lutheran Church At 10 a.m. we walked to the nearby ing was the original Lebanon Lu- – a tradition from previous gather- marker where the Anders Broberg theran Church and had much infor- ings. There were pictures of family house had stood and where those 13 mation about the early years in New groups and of the family tree. Modern victims were killed and originally London and area. This building was technology allowed us to share pic- buried. Charles Berget, a great- just up the hill and on the other side tures and information. grandson of Anna Stina, read her of the church cemetery. At four o’clock we gathered in the sanctuary to listen to Anders Berg- About the survivors ström from Sweden play some typical Back at Peace Lutheran at 2 p.m. we Swedish music on his violin. Then had a sharing time. One descendant Pastor Paul Lundborg, a great-grand from each of the six survivors told of son of Johannes Lundborg, reflected what had happened to their ancestor on Pastor Andrew Jackson’s memo- after the massacre. Sadly there was ries of that day as he looked back on no one descended from Peter Broberg it in 1890. Twenty members of his at this gathering. One of the poignant congregation were killed in just a few moments was when a descendant of days and his congregation spread out Anna Stina said thank you! to the across several counties and was dis- descendants of the Lundborgs be- persed as the settlers vacated their cause it was the Lundborgs who had homes to seek safety in eastern Min- saved the lives of the Broberg cousins nesota. In 1863 Pastor Jackson and had cared for them during their started teaching at St Ansgar Aca- escape and later. demy in East Union, Minnesota, and One of the descendents, Carol eventually became the pastor at West Lundquist, had prepared a huge Union Lutheran church, also in Car- family tree and had research to show ver County. Charles Berget places the wreath. that the Brobergs and the Lundborgs
2 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 The final event of the day was to law (which has never been repealed). names from the list. This is the return to the Lebanon cemetery and Minnesota secretary of state Mark largest mass execution ever held in gather around the monument where Ritchie shouted “Welcome Home” to the United States. John’s great- the 13 members of the Broberg and the 11 Indians on horseback and the grandfather Pehr Carlson was in Lundborg families were reburied in parade of walkers who crossed the attendance at this event as part of 1891. The state of Minnesota placed border into Minnesota amid Welcome the 9th Regiment, Co. H. Pehr’s the monument there. A wreath sim- Home signs. Historical societies had brother-in-law, A. J. Carlson, was also ilar to the one placed at the monu- programs and churches had special there. In his memoirs of his time ment at the massacre site was placed services throughout the state. during the Civil War, he did not write by the monument in the cemetery. about the hanging, but he said that Once again there was a prayer for Old Log Church he would let what others wrote speak peace, healing, and reconciliation. about it. Perhaps even 30 years lat- On Sunday morning we worshipped er it was too painful a memory. at The Old Log Church near Norway Then: about 500 white settlers Lake. This church is a replica of the were killed, some soldiers died, a log church that was built in 1868 number of Indians were killed dur- when the settlers returned to this ing this brief war, and 38 Indians area of Minnesota. Trees were cut were executed. White people were locally to build this church. Every driven from their homesteads and year on the third Sunday of August did not return for about three years, a worship service is held to remem- if at all. The surviving Dakota In- ber those early settlers. About 75 dians in Minnesota were driven from worshippers filled the little church, their ancestral lands and relocated but outside about that many sat un- in another state. Now: remembering, der a canopy to see and hear the ser- but also healing and reconciliation vice. Nearby an original log building seemed to be the themes for the had been moved to house a museum weekend. It is time. to tell the story of the area.
The log building is “The Old Log Church” which is a replica of the church built in The 1891 monument. Picture from 1868 at that site in Kandiyohi County. Findagrave.com. Both Swedes and Norwegians attended that church at the time. The Norwegians The man in the center is E.W. Solyst who We have traveled in Minnesota many have rebuilt the church and on the third for years organized the picnic to remember times and lived there for 10½ years, Sunday in August hold a church service the massacre. He is 100 years old now and to remember those pioneers who were but never before have I been as aware walked around at all the sites. The lady killed in that area in 1862. It was mostly of this need for healing between the in the center is Joan Wilcox, a great grand- Swedes and Norwegians living in that races. On August 17 we heard that daughter of Johannes Lundborg and one county in 1862. all flags in Minnesota were to be of the organizers of this gathering. She flown at half-staff in memory of the grew up on the farm where Pastor Andrew start of this war. Throughout the Min- Mankato hanging Jackson was preaching on the morning nesota River Valley there were nu- Our last stop in Minnesota was in of August 20. It has been in her family merous events. Also on the 17th about Mankato. We went by Reconciliation since the claim was filed for it about 1860. 300 gathered on the South Dakota- Park. This is the location of the Minnesota border. This was a sym- hanging of 38 Indians on December Author Helene Leaf lives in Mol- bolic welcoming home of the Dakota 26, 1862. Over 300 were originally ine, Ill., Indians, who were forcibly removed sentenced to be hanged, but Abra- E-mail:
Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 3 Handwriting Example 32
This is a small part of an estate widow Carolina Abrahamsson (b. kitchen. Sven and Carolina seem to inventory (probate), in a Swedish 1794), sons Johan (b. 1821) and Carl have had two maids for indoor work, bouppteckning, which was done after Magnus (b. 1829), and daughter and a couple of male hands for doing the death of the county court judge Stina Cajsa (b. 1823). farm work, but also to work in the (häradsdomare) Sven Jansson in Sven was a wealthy man and there mines, which Sven owned partly. Haborshyttan, Nordmark (Värm.). are pages and pages with all his Sven’s probate is found in the Sven died in 1857 Jan. 9 of dropsy property, in total 32 pages. records of Färnebo Häradsrätt, vol- after having been born 1793 March The above page lists all the items ume F IIa:52, page 1823. 28 in nearby Lersjöed in Färnebo that were to be found in the servants’ parish. Sven was survived by his room, usually situated behind the Transcription and translation on p. 22. 4 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 Little Bertha Louise is found!
In SAG 2012/2 we told a story that we were borrowing from the August- ana Heritage Newsletter, with the permission of its editor, Rev. Ronald Englund. The story was about a death memorial card for a little girl who died, just 4 years old, in an unknown location, and the names of the parents were not mentioned. The card had surfaced in a thrift store in Kansas. The little girl’s name was Bertha Louise Peterson, which look- ed very Swedish. Just a few days after that issue of SAG was sent out the mystery was solved. SAG reader David Johnson sent a link to a Family Tree on An- cestry.com – and there she was! Clicking on her father’s name Bertha Louise Peterson on a Family Tree at Ancestry.com. revealed that the family lived in Bradshaw, York County, Nebraska. –– Generation I –– died 1936 May 15 in Bradshaw. In the list of Swedish American Married to Churches I found that there was a 2) Joseph Edward Peterson,born 5) Christine N.N., born ca 1841 in Bethesda Lutheran Church in York, 1877 Sep. 1877 in IA, died 1926 May Sweden, died before 1900 in Brad- which had records already from 1874, 27 in Bradshaw. Farmer in Brad- shaw. where I hoped there would be more shaw. Marrried 1904 Jan. 20 to information about Bertha Louise’s 3) Maggie Lucinda Sandahl, born 6) Anders Lorents Zakrisson San- family. A question sent to Jill Sea- 1881 Jan. 28 in York Co., NE., died dahl, born 1848 Nov. 17 in Edshult holm at the Swenson Center gave the 1947 in Bradshaw. (Jönk.), died 1933 Nov. 22 in York Co., information shown at the bottom of NE. He immigrated with parents and this page. With the help of the –– Generation II –– siblings in 1858 from Bredagård, various U.S. Censuses the following Edshult. The family first settled in family ancestral table for Bertha 4) Nils Peterson, born 1846 Jan.10 Wayne, Henry Co., IA, but moved Louise can be built: in Sweden, died 1916 Oct. 23 in Brad- before 1873 to York Co., NE, where shaw. He first came to Iowa, but he spent the rest of his life. Married 1) Bertha Louise (Lovisa) Peter- shortly before 1880 he moved with 1873 Nov. 2 in York Co. to son, born 1905 Jan. 15 in Bradshaw, his family to York Co., NE. After the 7) Matilda Kaliff, born 1854 Apr. 9 York Co., NE, died there 1909 June death of his wife (before 1900) he in Gammalkil (Östg.), died 1915 June 29. lived in Bradshaw with son Frank 14 in York Co., NE. She immigrated Alfred, born 1875 Oct. 22 in Iowa, in 1869 Sep.15 from Östra Snår, Gammalkil, with parents and sib- lings.
Remaining questions How did little Bertha Louise’s death memorial card end up behind an- other picture in a thrift shop in Wichita, KS? And who were her paternal grand- parents? Nils Peterson and his wife Christine? Where in Sweden did they Membership records for Bethesda Lutheran Church, York County, NE. Swenson Center come from? collections. Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 5 Your link to your history!
NEW! NEW! The Swedish Cen- The Digital The Swedish Cen- sus database (Folk- sus of 1990 – the räkning) for 1910 Research Room way to find your liv- has now 2 million Here you can do research ing cousins. individuals. 105 110 about people and their A DVD with mil- posts were just ad- property, their life, work lions of Swedes 20 ded. and taxes. years ago. Contact us at the ad- dress below to find out much more!
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______SVAR Box 160, S-880 40 Ramsele, Sweden Phone: +46-10-476 77 50 Mail: [email protected] www.riksarkivet.se/svar
6 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 News from the Swenson Center
An Introduction from the New Archivist at the Swenson Center
BY LISA HUNTSHA
People always reacted in the same could readily see the value in this was fortunate enough to be consid- way when I told them of my college profession. ered for the position as archivist/li- major, Scandinavian Studies: “What Thus, I decided to pursue a mas- brarian here at the Swenson Center, are you going to do with that?!” To be ter’s degree in museum studies at and I could hardly control my ex- honest, I did not have a good answer Syracuse University in upstate New citement. This was my perfect posi- to give them when I declared my York. Here, I studied everything from tion given my combination of edu- major during my sophomore year of exhibition preparation to community cation, skills, and interests. Now that college, but I knew I wanted to follow outreach. I found that, while loving I am here, I can see that this posi- my interests. To me, college is about all aspects of this work, collection tion is an even better fit than I first honing your passions and discovering management encompassed my inter- realized. Here I am able to engage yourself through challenging educa- ests best. While in New York, I work- in outreach efforts to the campus and tional pursuits. Scandinavian Stud- ed at many cultural organizations, greater community, work with stu- ies allowed me to do this, with the attended professional conferences, dents (including Scandinavian Stu- challenge of learning a completely and took a week-long course in New dies students!), respond to research new language and culture, and York City visiting with leaders in this requests, design new collection studying abroad in Grebbestad, field. I interned in the education and displays, along with working to de- Sweden. And, in true liberal arts outreach department at the Everson velop, maintain, and preserve collec- fashion, I also studied anthropology Museum of Art in Syracuse where I tion materials. I am very fortunate and art to further pursue a well- was able to put my art skills to work to have found a position and profes- rounded education. designing gallery guides and edu- sion that I care deeply about. I am As graduation approached, I faced cational resources for an upcoming very happy to be back working at the the anxieties that many soon-to-be exhibition. I also spent three months Swenson Center. Coming back to the graduates face: what do I do when I interning at the Sitka Historical So- collections is almost like revisiting enter the “real world?” By this point, ciety in Sitka, Alaska. Here I again old friends; familiar faces unchanged I had been a student worker in the found myself working closely with thanks to the diligent work of the Swenson Center for four years, work- manuscript and photograph col- archivists before me. ing in a chilly basement digitizing lections, taking inventory, updating and transcribing letters, entering catalog records, and digitizing col- photograph records into the Past- lections. I also spent my time re- Perfect database, and taking inven- sponding to research requests and tory and rehousing collection mate- helping redesign the community rials. I eventually realized that I exhibit space. These experiences, loved working with material culture. again, helped round out my edu- Collecting, preserving, and making cation. available these resources to research- This time, again approaching ers for many years to come is a graduation, I faced new anxieties pursuit I strongly believe in. This about the job market, student loans, realization was helped not in small and finding a position that was a good part through my other studies, fit for my skills and interests. Natu- particularly anthropology, where I rally, I looked to cultural organ- actively used the resources of ar- izations that dealt with Scandina- chives, libraries, and museums. I vian history, culture, and language. I Lisa Huntsha in the Swenson Center reading room. Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 7 Illinois Swedes at Shiloh
Civil War Sesquicentennial Reflections
BY JOHN E. NORTON
April 6th and 7th 2012 marked the immigrant agent for the Illinois Cen- somber 150th anniversary of one of the tral Railroad in Sweden as the war bloodiest battles of the Civil War, approached.3 Upon his return to Illi- fought at Shiloh/Pittsburg Landing, nois, Malmborg was appointed Swed- TN. It began as a surprise attack by ish-Norwegian vice-consul for Chi- Confederate soldiers to protect their cago in November 1861, but resigned vital rail communications center of to join as an officer in the 55th Illi- Corinth, MS, threatened by Gen. nois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Grant’s approaching Union army. His leadership played a key role in Nearly 67,000 Federal troops and the Federal success at the battle of 45,000 Confederates met at Shiloh in Shiloh. He was a controversial, but the costliest battle yet fought in that successful, officer, disliked by subor- war. It left some 13,000 Federal and dinates for his strict discipline, yet 10,700 Confederate casualties, in- appreciated by his superiors for his cluding nearly 3,500 dead. Among the unit’s battlefield performance.4 fallen were young Swedish immi- grant soldiers from the Bishop Hill/ Western Illinois Swedes Andover area. Senior officers wrote “big picture” at the battle of Shiloh after-battle reports, but they tell little Early Civil War units were recruited Oscar Malmborg (1820–1880), photo from of the private soldier. locally for three-year enlistments by 1874. Swedish War Archives, Portrait U.S. Grant, in his 1885 narrative organizers who often became their collection (SVAR). of the battle, reported: “…Shiloh was commanders. They thus reflected the most severe battle fought in the their leaders’ and regional popu- 20 June 1865, and Karl, as an en- West during the war, and but few in lations, including immigrant com- listed man in A and later, the Swe- rd the east equaled it for hard, deter- munities, whether German, Scotch, dish C Company, 43 Illinois Volun- mined fighting. I saw an open field in Irish, Norwegian, or Swedish. In teer Infantry, from 24 February 1864 our possession on the second day, over western Illinois, two predominantly to 30 November 1865. Karl’s Civil which the Confederates had made Swedish units were recruited from War British-made Tower musket repeated charges the day before, so the Quad Cities, Andover, Galesburg, remains a proud family possession, covered with dead that it would have and Bishop Hill areas. now in the care of descendant Jim been possible to walk across the clear- They are memorialized today by Norton of Green Valley, AZ. ing in any direction, stepping on dead post-Civil War statues in village and Of special interest to western Il- rd bodies, without a foot touching the city parks, as in Bishop Hill, or in linois are C Company, 43 Illinois ground.”1 But, a member of Swedish- Andover, by a large plaque outside Volunteer Infantry, and D Company, th born Col. Oscar Malmborg’s 55th Illi- the entrance of the Augustana Lu- 57 Illinois Volunteer Infantry, both nois Volunteer Infantry Regiment theran Church. Both my great- almost completely Swedish, and both described it from the soldier’s view- grandfather, Lars Nordin (Lewis Nor- serving in some of the earliest and point: “My chief memories are the ton), and his brother, Karl Nordin deadliest conflicts of the war, in- battlefield horrors – mangled human- (Charles Norton), are recognized cluding the battle at Pittsburg Lan- ity, dead horses, deep mud, horrible there. Lars served as a sergeant in ding, or Shiloh, in April, 1862. It is stenches, and insufficient food.”2 H Company, 112th Illinois Volunteer said that more American soldiers Oscar Malmborg was acting as an Infantry, from 15 August 1862 until were killed during that single en-
8 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 gagement than in all previous wars Moline, Nekoma, Princeton, Wataga, 1862, describing the everyday prob- fought by the United States. Its Victoria, Iowa City, and Swede Point, lems of the soldier.8 costly losses, about 23,746 killed, IA. Lt. Eric Johnson’s published jour- wounded, or missing, brought the While still at Camp Bureau in nal details conditions under which horrors of modern warfare home to training with the 56th Volunteer the unit fought at Shiloh. The day both the military and civilian popu- Infantry, they were talked into at- before the battle, Lt. Johnson sent lations, north and south. It also tempting to join a sharpshooter unit $1,278 in funds from unit members’ brought an end to hopes of a short downriver, probably Birge’s Western first partial pay of 4 April, back to war, and a realization on the part of Sharpshooters.6 On 27 October 1861, families and friends in Bishop Hill, U.S. Grant that he would have to put the Swedes and others simply went which was delivered to Olof Johnson relentless military pressure on the AWOL, secretly boarding the steam- for distribution, in anticipation of the entire Confederate war machine to er Musselman, only to be stopped pending battle. be successful in defeating the insur- near Alton when Federal artillery Enlisted soldier Charles Valentine rection. The war’s ultimate cost was fired across its bow. After brief arrest, reported in his letter published in great, measured just in loss of hu- D company and the 56th were freed, Hemlandet 8 June 1862 that Olof man life. About 10% of all young and consolidated into the Illinois 57th Johnson responded from Bishop Hill northern males, and 30% of southern Volunteer Infantry. The incident by sending the unit “… half a barrel young men, are thought to have died never appeared in official records, but of pickled whitefish, along with other during the war.5 was reported later by a unit member, necessities of life. That pleased us Federal counterattack, supported Capt. Eric Johnson, in his history of well, and even we who did not belong by heavy reinforcements, yielded a the unit.7 Unit member Eric Berg- to the Colony, nor came from there, costly victory. The regiment of 500 lund also told that story in his Civil also got a lick of the spoon…” Valen- experienced 206 casualties, including War daybook, detailing efforts in tine noted that “…The majority of our 49 dead. They continued to the suc- Springfield of their Captain and Pe- soldiers are at present rather sick- cessful siege of nearby Corinth. ter Wikström to get them released for looking and pale, and not because of active duty, after their apprehension any wasted living….because the no- D Company, Illinois 57th for what appeared to be desertion. good sutlers are often not at all a- On 26 March 1862, they were or- shamed to demand all of 25 cents for Infantry Regiment at dered upriver to Pittsburg Landing, a cup of beer, and for butter they Shiloh. attached to Col. T.W. Sweeny’s 3rd usually charge 40 cents per pound, This unique unit, known as the Brigade, in Brig. Gen. W.H.L. Wal- and everything else in proportion at nd “Swedish Union Guard,” was organ- lace’s 2 Division. The 57th assem- such unheard-of prices, so living here ized before the war, in the summer of bled on 6 March in response to dis- in the forest is no paradise...Our 1860, at Bishop Hill, as a home guard tant firing, and marched into battle provisions have been rather meager drill unit, by Eric Forsse, a 12-year along the Corinth Road. They moved for some time, so for such a long time veteran of the Swedish Army. It was that afternoon to their left, closer to now we have not had anything but first made up almost completely of the Tennessee River, in support of rather disgusting and inferior bacon, Bishop Hill Swedes. Gen. Hurlbut’s division, but were a kind of smoked pork sides; and we To fill remaining vacancies after forced to retire under fire. They en- have been forced to eat only such mobilization, Capt. Forsse recruited dured a night of miserable rain, then inferior pork, fried and boiled, in the in the 16 October 1861 issue of the participated in the victory of the severe heat, with bad crackers, until Swedish-language newspaper Hem- second day, thanks largely to re- we just recently at least put into ope- landet of Chicago, in a lengthy article, inforcements from Maj. Gen. Buell’s ration an oven and a person rea- written from their training site at fresh forces arriving from the north. sonably skilled in the art of baking, Camp Bureau, near Princeton, IL. Those simple facts hide many stories, who furnishes us with bread, so at The appeal was simple: “Countrymen told best by the soldiers themselves. least we do not just plain starve to and brothers! You, who feel your obli- death. The money we had previously gation to both our adopted country Soldier’s tales received in pay we have had to spend and the Scandinavian name in this Lt. Eric Johnson recorded his ex- on articles of food, because it has been important hour, come and unite with perience of the battle, published as completely impossible to live off the us, and let us march off, side by side, “Lieut. E. Johnson’s Journal” in the food we received as rations.” in this most proper of all wars, to win Henry County Chronicle, 29 April On a more positive note, Valentine th renewed honor for the noble Scandi- 1862, Cambridge, IL. Another en- wrote: “On the 19 of this month our navian name.” The unit thus enter- listed member, Charles Valentine, whole regiment was in full parade ed the war with recruits from Altona, wrote home to Sweden about his formation. They had to do their drills Andover, Berlin, Bishop Hill, Galva, experiences in a letter published by for a rather grand flag, which would Galesburg, Geneseo, Gillson, Henry, Hemlandet, Chicago, IL, 6 August be presented to the company in the regiment most skilled in war games.
Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 9 ses, the pounding sounds more dis- tinctly, making it evident the enemy was gaining ground, and by 8:00 a.m. the sound of musketry became dis- tinct….never, through the whole day, from daybreak until dark was there one moment’s rest or cessation of hos- tilities, rather a continuous roar that cannot be described by the pen. But, we heard that, all around, the enemy was gaining on us by their superior numbers, though we disputed every inch of ground, and about 5:00 p.m. things began to look very bad, the enemy had taken most of our bat- teries and almost had possession of our (Pittsburg) landing. A kind of Bull Run (defeatist) spirit had taken hold of some of our troops, and if it had not been for the Tennessee Riv- er, it would have become a second Bull Run (panic). “But, thank God, there was no way to get across, and at just the oppor- tune time, Gen. Buell came and saved us, for had he not come, we would now have been prisoners…nobly did the 57th do its duty, standing on its ground for a long time, unaided, against three times their number. The first position they occupied was in defense of one of our batteries. Here, they lay flat on the ground (took cover), and here, the bullets flew like hail, and shells passed overhead by the thousands. Here, Corporal Warner was wounded. From here they moved a little further and took cover, but because the enemy was trying to flank them on the left, they were ordered on, and advanced nobly, crossing gullies and ravines, engaging the enemy and forcing their
SALE! Swedish Passenger Arrivals in U.S. Ports And the great honor of being the math deserves special attention, 1820–1850 winner there, and taking that prize, showing skills which later served him well as a writer and newspaper By Nils William Olsson went to our company.…For that, we and Erik Wikén (1995). had our Major (Forsse) to thank, who publisher in Swedish-America. He had made it his highest priority that writes of Sunday morning 6 April: “To 628 pages of Swedes, we should be the most outstanding Arms! To Arms! Fall In! sounds from comments, and indexes. in the drills.” mouth to mouth, and the distant roar $35 + $5 S&H Lt. Eric Johnson’s own narrative of heavy, rapid cannonading pro- claims that the enemy has attacked Contact Jill Seaholm at of the two-day battle and its after- our defenses. As each moment pas-
10 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 retreat, but as our regiment ad- their friends or relatives stood, nobly vanced, they were flanked on three fighting for their liberties – and sides by three different enemy regi- where they met a hero’s death and ments, and they became exposed to grave. All this is glory for a soldier, terrible crossfire, but they still stood and what we must be prepared for their ground until they received or- every minute.” ders to fall back. Lt. Johnson closed his report with “It was here that Chas. M. Green some simple soldiers’ thoughts fell. He was brave among the brave, ...“Cheer up friends! Not as bad, after and fell nobly, an honor to his an- all, as it might have been. We ex- cestry, his adopted country, and his pected to go through all this and numerous friends. Major (Norman expect still more similar scenes. But, B.) Page (Adjutant, 57th) also fell then, look at the blessings we are here, cheering on the men while handing down to prosperity. Say, shooting away at the enemy with his then, is it not worth dying for?... An- revolver…when our prospects were other big fight, and then another, and darkest, Gen. Buell came to our aid so on, until the rebellion is crushed. with what little he could get cross the Then, if we live, we will come home Olof Krans. Selfportrait. From Bishop river. Then we drove the enemy back to enjoy the fruits of our labor. If not, Hill, by Olov Isaksson & Sören Hallgren a short distance, after a most terri- then you must go on without us.” (1969). ble fight, when night came and put a The “Swedish Union Guard” con- most were kept and treasured. His stop to the bloody work of the day, tinued to the siege of Corinth 29 April work was recognized in a jointly- 9 both sides glad for the rest. But our - 30 May, where they lost others, released commemorative stamp by gunboats shelled the enemy the then to fighting later at Vicksburg. both Sweden and the United States whole night, wreaking terrible havoc At the end of their three-year enlist- among them. ment, they were rewarded with 30 “Monday, April 7th. Immediately at days’ reenlistment leave, and were daybreak, the battle commenced welcomed home to a grand reception again in earnest. During the night, in Galva’s Norton Hall on 29 January Gen. Buell had crossed (the Tennes- 1864. They then returned as “veter- see River) with his forces. The troops ans” to participate in Sherman’s in 1988. A documentary video on were now fresh, and the enemy began devastatingly effective “march to the Krans was produced by Athenafilm to yield ground, but fighting with sea,” and, finally, in the Grand Re- of Sweden in 1996. A major book on great perseverance, disputing every view before President Johnson and Krans is now being prepared by Illi- foot. But at last, after seven hours of his generals in Washington on 27 nois folkart historian Merle Glick, the hardest fighting ever witnessed May 1865. They mustered out at jointly with the Lakeview Museum by mortal eyes, they were forced to Camp Douglas, IL, on 7 July 1865. of Peoria. retreat, and the flight became gener- Krans’s paintings are now recog- al, our forces pursuing…though Olof Krans nized as some of America’s best victory crowns our efforts and strug- Among members of D Company was primitive art. Many are housed in gles, and the air is rent with our cries a truly unique sergeant, Olof (Ers- their own museum at the Bishop Hill of rejoicing, we cannot shut our eyes son) Krans, whose family emigrated State Historic Site. They give a view to the sad sight that meets our vi- from Västmanland, Sweden, in 1850. not only of pioneering life on the sion – the misery and pain of the He became an ox boy in Bishop Hill, prairies around Bishop Hill, but of wounded. Here ought to be hundreds joined Company D, but was released Swedes in the Civil War. They depict of surgeons where there is but one. from Civil War duty in June 1862 Krans himself in bivouac with D th “Monday, April 8 . Today has been because of poor health. He returned Company, and later as a proud veter- the saddest one for me. War is a ter- to the Bishop Hill area where he an in the Grand Army of the Re- rible thing. But nothing is worse than became a photographer, house- and public. He also painted Capt. Eric to walk over the battlefield after the sign painter, and portrait artist in Johnson in civilian attire, plus a uni- fighting. Today, I went out with the Galva. For the Bishop Hill Colony’s formed portrait of Maj. Eric Forsse, party detailed to bury the dead. We 50th anniversary in 1896, he was who in 1869 led a group of 50 settlers buried all of the regiment together, commissioned to do a series of paint- to found the town of Falun, Kansas. right where our flag stood during the ings, depicting Bishop Hill life and The exhibit contains photographs of fight. The slaughter on both sides is colonists as they began their Ameri- Maj. Erik Berglund (Eric Bergland), terrible...The place is marked so it can adventure. His subjects either who had the distinction of becoming can be easily found by those who in loved or hated those paintings, but the first Swede to graduate from the the future may wish to see where
Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 11 U.S. Military Academy, after Civil Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 1887. p. we are to go to Chicago to fill up the war service as a staff officer in the 116. regiment, and after that to go to St. 57th. He later returned to the Acad- 3) Paul W. Gates, The Campaign of the Louis…” emy as instructor, then continued a Illinois Central Railroad for Nor- 7) Eric Johnson & C. F. Peterson, Svensk- wegian and Swedish Immigrants, distinguished military career as an arne i Illinois. Chicago 1880, pp. 55- Norwegian-American Historical As- 58. engineer officer.10 sociation, vol. VI, Northfield, MN. 8) Illinois Historic Preservation Agency A special Civil war display is part 4) Lucien B. Crooker, The Story of the 55th historian Mark Johnson, Springfield, of that museum. It shows not only Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry in IL, has provided translated copies of weapons and musical instruments the Civil War 1861-1865, 1887, con- the Eric Forsse recruiting letters, the used by D Company, but a collection tains a frank appraisal of Malmborg, published journal of Lt. Eric Johnson, of translated Civil War letters writ- including dismissed court martial and letter of Charles Valentine. ten by members of the unit. charges brought against him as com- 9) D Company deaths at Shiloh were only th In 1967, researchers at Bishop Hill mander of the 55 . His unit’s service Charles Green (Myrtengren) of Bishop at Shiloh on 6 April 1862 was vital to from Sweden’s Museum of National Hill and Adolf Johnson of Princeton, Grant’s successful defense of his but over the next several months at Antiquities [Nordiska Muséet] re- threatened lines on the first day. Corinth, deaths were Andrew Ander- covered and re-recorded Edison wax Malmborg’s regiment, using the Eu- son 4 October, Otto Peal(sic) 3 October, cylinder recordings of its fife and ropean “hollow square” formation, Jonas Westhund(sic) 9 July, and Olof drummer playing “Yankee Doodle,” a held the Federals’ vital left wing near Wixtrum(sic) of Bishop Hill 7 October, Bishop Hill quartette singing “Dixie,” Pittsburg Landing, despite being Eric Hedberg of Galva 10 July, Jonas and a Swedish-language adaptation nearly surrounded. They participated Moberg of Andover 24 August, and of Henry Clay Work’s 1865 classic, in the second day’s successful coun- George Rodeen, 7 August 1863. “Marching through Georgia,” (Ox- terattack. The 55th suffered 1 officer 10) The Major Eric Bergland Collection and 51 enlisted killed, and 9 officers pojkarnas sång).11 They add impact (Hayes-30), Rutherford B. Hayes and 190 enlisted wounded, with an- Presidential Center, Fremont, Ohio, to the museum’s collection and its in- other 26 captured, out of a total unit contains copies of his Civil War diaries terpretation of that terrible war. strength of 512 men. and letters, and researcher Phillip 5) John Huddleston, Killing Ground: Stoneberg’s interview about Berg- For more reading: Photographs of the Civil War and the land’s memories of life in Bishop Hill. Changing American Landscape. 2002, Barnickel, Linda A. We Enlisted As 11) Sweden’s Royal Library, (Kungliga Johns Hopkins University Press. Biblioteket), in Stockholm, holds a Patriots: The Civil War Record of 6) Birge’s Western Sharpshooters were nd database of those Bishop Hill record- Battery G, 2 Illinois Light Artillery. training at Benton Barracks, MO. Its ings, titled “Svensk mediedatabas Heritage Books, 1998. C and F companies were already being Bishop Hill: Edison 6”. A listing of Daniel, Larry. Shiloh: The Battle recruited largely from western Illinois recordings may be accessed at website: That Changed the Civil War, 1997. and eastern Iowa. It later became the http://smdb.kb.se/catalog/id/ Hannings, Bud. Every Day of the 66th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regi- 001540642 Civil War, Chronological Ency- ment. Eric Bergland’s diary for 27 clopedia. 2010. October notes: “The Captain got orders to march at daybreak today and made Kvist, Roger. The Swedish Union ready. Accordingly at 4 o’clock in the Guards of Bishop Hill During the morning (we) marched out to town and Civil War, Swedish American Genea- from there to Trenton, a distance of logist (SAG), Vol XVI, No. 3, Septem- about 12 miles, where we got on a boat ber 1996. and steamed down the river for St. Nelson, Nels. Swedish-American Louis.” On 29 October he wrote: “We Boys in Blue. Prärieblomman 1907, arrived at Alton about 11:00 o’clock pp. 170-187, Rock Island, IL. (C Com- and we were stopped there by a can- pany, Illinois 43rd Volunteer Infantry non ball which struck the boat in the bow and made us make for the shore, Regiment). where we were taken prisoners…to Olson, E.W. & Engberg, Martin J. the old penitentiary at Alton till night, History of the Swedes of Illinois, Part when we went on the train to Camp 1, Chicago, IL 1908. Butler.” On 7 November he wrote: “The officers came back at about 9:00 Endnotes: last night with a petition to the Governor to let us go to St. Louis right 1) U.S. Grant, ”The Battle of Shiloh,” The away, which the boys signed, after Century Magazine, vol. XXIX, Feb. which the officers went back to Spring- 1885. field again. They are gone today, hard 2) Lucien B. Crooker, Henry Stedman at work at Springfield.” On Friday, 8 Norse, and a committee of the regi- November he noted: “The Captain ment, The Story of the 55th Regiment, returned tonight with the news that A Union soldier on guard duty. Illustrerad Tidning, Sweden, 1862 Apr. 26. 12 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 Bits & Pieces
Civil War widows Ancestry is sold! In Memoriam The U.S. National Archives recently “Ancestry.com is being acquired by released a new video in their “Inside Permira, a European private equity Olof Ljung the Vaults” series that highlights the firm, for $1.6 billion. It requires 1924 Sep. 21 project to digitize the Civil War stockholder approval but is virtually widows’ pension files. A team of 60 a done deal since more than 30% of – 2012 Sep. 28 volunteers led by National Archives Ancestry.com is held by previous in- Well-known Dalsland researcher personnel crossed the 100,000 mark vestors and officers of the company. Olof (Olle) Ljung of Mellerud, Swe- of 1.28 million case files. Family- “The announcement triggered a den, has recently passed away. Search is providing volunteers who number of lawsuits against the He was the author of numerous create the digital images. I think Ancestry.com board of directors family histories, for instance his Fold3 produces the index. Fold3.com claiming breaches of fiduciary duty huge book about the Ingevalds- publishes the index and images on and other violations for not acting in släkten (1994). He also wrote local their website. the company’s shareholders’ best history books about the parishes (Ancestry Insider 2012 Aug. 23) interests and stockholders were de- and churches of Järn and Skålle- frauded because the company is rud, and much more. He was also Ancestry grows worth much more than the buyout one of the founders of the Mellerud Museum in Sweden. Ancestry informed recently that they price. This is standard operating have acquired the website 1000- procedure for acquisition of public memories, where you can post your companies. The net effect is that Genealogy Club meeting old photos. Photos can be uploaded stockholders gain little and lawyers from your hard drive or transferred make a lot of money. in Philadelphia from facebook, instagram, or Flickr. “How will this affect the geneal- The American Swedish Historical Photos can be scanned by scanner, ogical community? ... Permira ap- Museum in Philadelphia has an digital camera, or smart-phone app. pears to be a company that buys and active Genealogy Club. The first (Ancestry.com blog 2012 Oct. 3) sells other companies and is likely meeting during 2013 will be held on (Link on p. 30) totally disinterested in the purpose January 26. of Ancestry.com. Thus are the ways Link on p. 30. Princess Madeleine is of ‘Wall Street.’ ” engaged (Nu? What’s New? 2012 Oct.28) On Oct. 25, 2012, it was announced H. Arnold Barton that H.R.H Princess Madeleine of Sweden, youngest daughter of King receives award Carl XIV Gustaf and Queen Silvia, Professor Emeritus H. Arnold Barton The American Swedish Institute has was engaged to be married to M. of Tyresö, Sweden, formerly of Car- a holiday exhibit, A Nordic Christ- Christopher O’Neill of New York. Mr. bondale, Ill., was awarded the Great mas, that runs until Jan. 13. O’Neill is 38 year old, and works in Achievement Award by Swedish The exhibit on Swedish lace: the financial sector. Council of America at their meeting Treasured Threads: Nordic Lace, also in Karlstad in September 2012. closes on Jan. 13. Dr. Barton was presented with the award by Anne-Charlotte Harvey. Dr. Swedish Genealogy Barton was formerly professor of his- tory at Southern Illinois University Days 2013 at Carbondale, and a longtime editor The Swedish Genealogy Days (Släkt- of the Swedish-American Historical forskardagarna) will be held in Kö- Quarterly. SAG congratulates Dr. ping on Aug. 24–25. Köping is situ- Barton for this well-earned award! ated between Örebro and Västerås. Dr. Barton is also a member of the Mr. O’Neill and Princess Madeleine. SAG Editorial Committee. Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 13 My Grandparents, John and Carrie Nelson of Fryksände
BY MYRTLE J. FAGENSTROM AND EUNICE HOLMGREN FROM MYRTLE’S BOOK “MEMORIES”
The immigration Minneapolis, found that the railroad grandma did most of the milking. She ended there. A bachelor who was liv- got really provoked when the kids Grandfather John Nelson, Sr., was a ing in a dugout let Grandma and the would use her wooden-soled shoes for tailor in Sweden. When his daughters children stay there while he and sliding, as they got too slippery. They sewed new dresses, they would get Grandpa joined the gang to extend put heated rocks in their sled to keep their dad to make the buttonholes. the railroad. It took sixteen weeks warm when they went to church. Grandpa said he never would have from the time they left Sweden until When all were aboard, Grandma left Sweden if he could have bought they reached their destination. would come running with a comb in a sewing machine. After making their home in Cokato hand and would braid and comb her When he sold his property in Swe- for six years, they decided to move to hair on the way to church. den, he was somehow swindled out Swift County where they home- Grandpa John grew his own tobac- of his money so he had to borrow steaded five miles northeast of Kerk- co, an unusual crop in that part of money to get to America. I remember oven. The Indians had been chased the country. Farming wasn’t easy in Uncle Victor telling that it was out of Minnesota and there was much those days, with more drawbacks grandpa’s main desire to get out of hardship and many massacres. than anyone can imagine. debt before he died. He just made it. The Nelsons left Vermland, Swe- den, in June of 1869, with four child- A new home in ren, all under eleven years old. They Kerkhoven, MN The locusts came thought their children would have When they settled on their last farm, One of the most trying periods was greater opportunities in America. Grandpa chose the highest spot of during the two summers of the grass- They didn’t realize then what hard- land on which to build a two-storey hopper plague. In July of 1876, the ships they would meet in this land. house. Folks laughed and asked if he grasshoppers came and destroyed all When they reached Christiania, was building a hotel. Grandma wove the grain. The ground was black as if Norway, they had to stay there two her own rag rugs on a large loom. The it had never been planted and the air weeks waiting for a boat, but were girls sewed these strips together and was full of these locusts. They tried finally on their way in a sailing used straw for padding so they had in many ways to get rid of them but vessel. It made good time as long as “wall-to-wall carpeting.” Curtains to no avail. Grandpa had to borrow the wind was in their favor. They were made from yards of white money to buy seed for the next year. even passed a steamship one day. cheese cloth. The more you could He, like everyone else, didn’t expect Then the wind died down and they drape on the floor, the more stylish the grasshoppers to return, but they couldn’t move. That same steamship you were. Mattresses were filled with did, and destroyed everything, leav- passed them and they never saw it straw, emptied, and refilled every ing in July just as suddenly as they again. They were on the ocean for Saturday. Each spring their summer had come. Grandpa had the seed debt nine weeks, the same time as the kitchen was freshly papered with to pay and nothing to show for his Pilgrims. Grandma was pregnant newspapers. To make their own work, and sick most of the time, so Grandpa candles, they had tallow on top of They drove oxen, and once when prayed that she wouldn’t die so he water in a boiler, fastened strings to uncle John was in town, the oxen got would have to have her thrown over- a stick, and hand dipped them. They scared by the smell of a bear which a board. Lena, who was the oldest, had plenty of milk, cream, and eggs, clown had on a chain. They started cried and was consoled with the but an apple sometimes had to be for home and arrived covered with promise that she could have all the divided into ten pieces. foamy sweat. white bread she wanted when they When Grandma was asked for a got to America. She was skeptical and recipe, she’d say “so much of this and Renting land from said in Swedish, “Like fun I will.” so much of that.” When pinned down (Vackert for ja.) Indians for measurements, she’d say, “maybe Alfred and Charlie were the ones that They had bought tickets to Cokato, a cup of everything except the soda.” Minnesota, but when they got to started to go to the Sisseton area to Until the boys were old enough, rent land from an old Indian. This 14 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 Indian had four wives and numerous Grandpa John had sometime before told about Grandma being such a children and for each child, the this donated one acre of his farm to happy widow. government gave him 40 acres of the young congregation for a ceme- land. They would do the spring work tery. As it turned out, he was the first ––––o0o–––– on the farm at Kerkhoven, then take one to be buried there [d. 1899 Oct. horses and equipment to the Indian’s 30]. His body was later moved to the John Nelson left Svenneby, Fryks- land west of Sisseton, break as much Hillside Cemetery in Kerkhoven ände, Sweden, on 1869 May 3, with prairie land and sow flax as long as where Grandma was buried at his his family. In Sweden he was Jan it was advisable to plant. Then they side. Nilsson Hagberg, and his wife was would come back home to harvest the Grandma lived with daughter Karin Jansdotter. They traveled with crops, then go back to Sisseton to Emma’s family from time to time their children: Karin (b.1858 Sep. 7); harvest there. when she wasn’t at Aunt lda’s in Nils (b. 1860 Oct. 8); Johan (b. 1863 Victor said that throughout the Sisseton. She never did master the Sep. 23); and Per Emil (b. 1865 Nov. time they did this, Alfred made over English language, so she spoke to the 26). In the U.S. six more children fifty trips between Kerkhoven and children in Swedish, which was no were born, including the writer’s Sisseton with about 120 miles one problem since that was what they mother Hilma (b. 1872 Apr.14 in way. He would be so lonesome that mostly used at home. Cokato, MN). Hilma married Isaak he sang the old Swedish hymns until During one of Grandma’s stays at Johan Moe, born 1869 Sep.3 in he was so hoarse he could only Emma’s place, Eunice and her broth- Hattfjelldal, Norway. Their daughter squeak. Emil got involved in this too, er had gone to bed. But something Myrtle was born 1899 Sep. 1 in Black as they plowed with a steam engine very funny had come up so they were Eagle, MT. (Dates from Emibas). and were going to put up a tow mill. having a hilarious time. Grandma One year Emma, who was about appeared in the doorway and she eighteen, went along to be the cook. quoted a Bible verse, perhaps John Story submitted by Christine and An old ugly Indian came, terrifying 3:16. The children were too much David A. Larson, Salt Lake City, her since she was alone. She made wound up to stop, so they were still Utah. out that he was asking for the Nel- giggling. Grandma said, “Va skratter E-mail:
ASI:s new Nelson Cultural Center in front, and the old Turnblad castle in the back (Photo by Paul Crosby Photography). In June 2012 the new building was Almost the first thing you notice, colored accessories of Swedish folk opened to the public. On October 2 when entering the ASI by the new costumes, and is aptly named “Folk the SAG Editor, with friends, visited entrance, is the huge tapestry by He- Costume Details.” the ASI, which later in the same week lena Hernmarck, which hangs on the Size: height: 15 feet was officially dedicated by the King wall, close to the Cafeteria FIKA. The width: 9 feet and Queen of Sweden. tapestry shows some of the vividly
16 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 n Minneapolis has grown!
Between the new Nelson building and the old Turn- blad mansion there is now a nice inner courtyard, which can be used for so- cial functions, concerts, and much more, even kubb games. In the Nelson Cultural Center there are new lec- ture rooms and a huge au- ditorium, which can also be used for banquets. In the building is also found an office for Gustavus Adol- phus College, based in St. Peter, Minnesota, as well as the seat of Swedish Council of America. There are now several elevators that There is the Osher Gallery for situated close to the new entrance in connect the old and the new building. exhibitions in the new building, and the Nelson building. We found that The whole institution is now acces- much more space for new exhibits in they stocked very few books on im- sible for handicapped people. the Turnblad mansion. A gift shop is migration history, or Swedish history, things that probably interests many visitors. Also we did not see any post- cards showing these spectacular buildings.
The new mascot of the ASI, the plastic goat Freja, who lives on the ecological sod roof of the Nelson Cultural Center. Dee Kleinow ponders the ecological sod roof, from the 2nd floor.
(Thanks to Dee and Ray Kleinow for help with the photos). Text: Elisabeth Thorsell Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 17 King and Queen visits Minnesota
A nice Välkommen was given to King were Bruce Karstadt, ASI president and the Drottningholm Palace & it’s Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of and CEO, Truett Lawson, ASI Board beautiful gardens which has been the Sweden who came to Minnesota for of Trustees, chair, Leslie Nelson, royal family’s primary residence a three-day visit last October 5th & board member and major donor, Se- since 1981, it was extra special, 6th. nator Amy Klobuchar and both the seeing the King and Queen in our While here, they visited the Gus- U.S. ambassador to Sweden Mark home state. tavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Brzezinski and the Swedish am- Minn., to help mark the 150th anni- bassador to the U.S. Jonas Hafström. versary of its founding by Swedish A beautiful music performance was immigrants. given by the Spelmanslag and the On the following day, they took an Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag. active part in the Royal Dedication We had the honor of attending this of the new Carl & Leslie Nelson Cul- Royal Dedication with our house ture Center which took place on the guest Helmer Olofsson from Växjö, grassy campus of the American Swe- Sweden. Having toured the city of dish Institute, beneath the shelter of Stockholm, watched the Parade of a white canvas tent on a cool, windy Soldiers and the daily changing of the day. The dignitaries who joined the Royal Guard in the Royal Palace Text and photo: King and Queen for this celebration courtyard, touring the Royal Palace Dee Kleinow SAG Court Reporter
Ostrom Tragedy in Washington
In SAG 2/12, page 20, there is an article about Nobel Prize Laureate Elinor Ostrom and her husband Vin- cent. Some effort was made to find out where Vincent Ostrom’s Swedish roots were to be found. His family was found as immi- grating from Kläppe in Marby parish in Jämtland in 1901, and settled in Whatcom County, WA. One of the sons in the family was named Alfred, born in Marby in 1894 Nov. 13, and he and his wife Alma Knutson became the parents of Vin- cent. SAG reader Bo Björklund, Kista, Sweden, read this article and then From Centralia Daily Chronicle shared some information he had 1931 Sep. 25 (from Newspaper- about Alfred’s fate. archive.com) Alfred died already in 1931 Sep. 24 in Everson, Whatcom County, age 37. Bo now told that Alfred had been shot by a neighbor, and that this was a double tragedy as the killer com- mitted suicide right after his deed.
18 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 In Memoriam: Ulla Sköld
An important member of the SAG Workshop staff has left us all
Ulla Sköld of Västerås, Sweden, died Salt Lake City. After meeting Ulla munities, and enjoyed each other’s 2012 Sep. 6 after a long battle with and realizing her knowledge, I sug- company. One of Ulla’s favorite ex- cancer. She was born 1937 July 20, gested we ask Ulla to come to SLC periences was to head down to the and leaves husband Daniel, sons Ulf and help. Ulla accepted and it was coast, she and I. She would say as and Magnus, and their families. the beginning of a long and re- we drove, often in silence, “it is good She was for eleven years a very warding time both in Salt Lake City friendship when you don’t have to important member of the staff of the and in our respective communities. talk, just be together.” Always I would SAG Workshop in Salt Lake City. In turn Daniel invited my husband stop on a hill called “Caterpillar hill,” Karna Olsson, then organizer of Phil to travel to Sweden and take up an area covered with wild blueber- the Workshop writes: motorcycyling, something my hus- ries. By the time Ulla and I would be I first met Ulla the summer of band hadn’t done in twenty-five at this spot, the blueberry barrens 1998. I had spent two weeks driving years. This became an annual jaunt would have turned a lovely rust red. my Father, Nils William Olsson, on for Phil. He would travel to Sweden Ulla just loved this natural pheno- what was to be his last trip to Swe- and stay with Ulla and Daniel before menon. We would sit quietly taking den. For years I had heard him and he and Daniel headed north, west, or in the beauty of the barrens, dotted Mother speak of Ulla and Daniel but south on week-long journeys. The two with boulders left by glaciers ages had never met them. Because of my men and a third Swedish friend, ago. parents’ ages, I assumed Ulla and Börje, traveled thousands of miles It has been a couple of years since Daniel were of their generation. over the next eight years. When in Ulla has visited Maine...and I realize Imagine my surprise when I dis- Salt Lake City, the two men, Phil and she will not again...but whenever I covered them to be the same genera- Daniel, would travel in a rented car do drive by a blueberry barren in the tion as myself. all over the west, seeing the different late fall, Ulla will be with me...two Ulla and her husband, Daniel and canyons, exploring Las Vegas, and friends who could visit in silence and my husband, Phil, and myself hit it various national parks. appreciate the wonders of the world. off immediately. Both Phil and Da- Once the week in Salt Lake City Thank you Ulla for being part of niel enjoyed cars and motorcycles was finished, Ulla and Daniel would the SAG Workshop world and my and had good senses of humor. Ulla travel east and visit us in Maine. world. explained to me from her genealogy Sometimes they ended up at our Karna Olsson research that we were distantly re- home at the same time we returned.
Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 19 A BIG Swedish actor
– wrestler Tor Johnson acted in many movies
Tor Johnson (1902–1971) has a solid reputation as an actor in so-called horror movies. Here follows an obit- uary that was found on the web site www.findagrave.com. No author is mentioned: “Actor. Born in Sweden in 1903, the husky son of Karl J. Johansson and Lovissa Petersson, he became a professional wrestler while in his early teens. Shortening his name to “Tor Johnson,” the young man jour- neyed to the United States and Cali- fornia in 1928. He immediately found work on the wrestling circuit as “The Super Swedish Angel,” a large econ- omy size version of the Internation- al Villain, Frenchman Maurice Tillet, who was wrestling in the U. S. at the time as “The French Angel”. In 1934 Johnson made his American film de- but in “Kid Millions” with popular Tor Johnson in “Plan 9 from Outer Space.” comic Eddie Cantor, then, while continuing to wrestle, appeared in “You Bet Your Life” with Groucho heart problems most of his life, he over thirty films, including “Man on Marx and George Fenneman, “Peter passed away at the age of 67, at San the Flying Trapeze” with W.C. Fields, Gunn” with Craig Stevens and Lola Fernando Valley Hospital in San Fer- “Shadow of the Thin Man” with Wil- Albright, “The Red Skelton Show” nando, California. The cause of his liam Powell and Myrna Loy, “Canter- with Red Skelton, and “Bonanza” death was congestive heart failure. ville Ghost” with Charles Laughton, with Lorne Greene and Michael Lan- In 1994, Tor Johnson was portrayed “Lost in a Harem” with Abbott & don. In the mid-1960s a mask and by wrestler George “The Animal” Costello, “Ghost Catchers” with Ol- special effects company, Don Post Steele in Tim Burton's motion picture sen & Johnson, “Road to Rio” with Studios, immortalized the “Gentle “Ed Wood,” with Johnny Depp and Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Giant” by taking a life mask of the Martin Landau. Lamour, “State of the Union” with actor-wrestler, and also creating a Spencer Tracy and Kathryn Hep- best-selling commercial “monster burn, “Alias the Champ” with fellow- mask” of Tor. The four-hundred grappler Gorgeous George, “The pounds-plus character actor, in turn, Lemon Drop Kid” with Bob Hope, recreated his best-known movie per- “The Black Sleep” with Basil Rath- sona – “Lobo” – for a series of person- bone, John Carradine, and Bela al appearances with the Don Post Lugosi, “Carousel” with Gordon Studios-Stunt Stars from Screenland MacRae and Shirley Jones, and Traveling Monster Show, seen at perhaps his most (in)famous film of Uni-Mart stores throughout South- them all, “Plan 9 from Outer Space” ern California. In 1969 he retired to Tor Johnson’s grave marker at Eternal with Bela Lugosi and “Vampira,” for his home in Sylmar, a community Valley Park, Newhall, Los Angeles county, writer-director Ed Wood. Tor John- near Hollywood, adjoining the San California. (Findagrave.com). son's television appearances included Fernando Valley. Plagued by ongoing
20 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 Brännkyrka CI:8 (1895-1902) Bild 2450 / sid 240 (AID: v84176.b2450.s240, NAD: SE/SSA/0003)
Tor’s life in the records They moved later to California, — Generation II — According to American biographies, and in Tor’s death notice he is listed Tore was born in Sweden in 1903. For as having signed up for the Social 4) Father unknown some reason this is not right; he was Security in New York before 1951. 5) fm Clara Josefina Lennqvist, b. 29 born in Brännkyrka in 1902, just Tor died in Sylmar, Los Angeles Jun 1845 in Klackhaga, Länna, south of Stockholm (see picture Co., California, on 1971 May 12. Södm. died 27 Jan 1920 in Älebytorp, above). Tore grew up in a working- Överselö, D. class family, and they moved from She worked most of her life as a Brännkyrka to the nearby island of domestic. In 1869 she married Johan Söder and then back again several Albert Andersson, b. 20 Oct 1846 in times. He had a brother Ernst Teodor, Tumbo, Södm., a tenant farmer in the b. 1884; sister Elsa Lovisa, b. 1889, Mariefred area. He ran away from who left for Chicago in 1906; Hilda home in the summer of 1875, and is Elvira, b. 1891; and Ester Maria, later supposed to be in America. b.1894. If any other siblings also emigrated is not known. In 1919 Tore 6) mf Per Gustaf Pettersson, b. 14 Oct left for America, but somehow told 1827 in Tensta, Upps., died after the authorities that he was going to 1881. He was a farm laborer, and la- Brännkyrka, as that is what is ter lived in Stockholm and moved in recorded in the Maria Magdalena and out of the city. Married to the moving-out records. following ancestor: He arrived at Ellis Island on Sep. 7) mm Maria Margareta Gustafs- 30 on the Stockholm, is called an dotter, b. 24 Dec 1822 in Lillkyrka, electrician, and his destination is sis- Upps., died after 1881. ter Elsie Möller in Chicago. He is — Generation III — listed as Karl Erik. This obituary was found in the Van Nuys In 1922 he returned to Sweden, Valley News 1971 May 16 (from News- 11) fm m Maria Sofia Persdotter, b. 6 and in 1923 he left again for Amer- paperarchive.com). Sep 1827 in Klackhaga, Länna, ica on the Kungsholm, this time in Södm. Married 26 Dec 1849 in Länna, the company of his future wife, Greta Tor’s ancestors Södm. to Johan Erik Lennqvist, b. 10 Maria Alfrida Johansson, born 1898 1) Karl Erik Tore (Tor) Johnson, b. Jun 1820 in Stora Risviken, Länna, Aug.9 in Kungsholm, Stockholm. 19 Oct 1902 in Tellusborg, Bränn- D. He lived with his in-laws at Gran- They arrived at Ellis Island on kyrka, Stock., died 12 May 1971 in lund on Klackhaga lands in Länna, 1923 March 28, and are both recorded Sylmar, Los Angeles Co., CA. but around 1853 he left his wife and as being unmarried. Their destina- disappeared. tion is his aunt, M. Nordmark, in Chi- — Generation I — cago, his mother’s older sister. Their — Generation IV — marriage record has not been found. 2) f Karl Johan Johansson, b. 28 Sep It has not been possible to find 1865 in Härad, Södm. died 15 Apr 22) fm mf Per Ersson, b. 26 Mar 1788 them in the 1930 census, but in 1940 1925 in Maria, Stockholm, AB. Stone in Länna, Södm. died in 1860 in they are living in New York, on 48th and building worker. Married 15 Feb Länna. Farmer at Klackhaga in street in Kings County in Brooklyn. 1891 in Jakob och Johannes, Stock- Länna. In 1855 he moved as a wid- Tore and Greta are married and their holm, Stock., to the following an- ower to the parish poorhouse. Mar- son Tore (later: Karl) is born ca 1925 cestor: ried to the following ancestor. in New York. In 1935 they lived in 3) m Lovisa Christina Pettersson, b. 23) fm mm Anna Andersdotter, b. 12 Boston, but were now in New York. 4 Aug 1867 in Österåker, Stock., still Feb 1794 in Länna, Södm. died of Tore is listed as a building worker, alive in 1926 in Stockholm. stomach ache 17 Jan 1829 in Klack- not an actor. haga, Länna, Södm.
Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 21 The solution of the Handwriting Example 32 Transcription
Möbler Transport 246:65 12333:30 (total sum)
I Kökskammaren
1 st Wäggur 12:- 1 st Skåp 5:- 1 st Nyckelskåp 0:50 A mirror with 1 st Slagbord 1:50 a drawer. 1 st Dito -mindre 1:- 1 st Thebord - dito 1:- 1 st Soffa med öfwerdrag 3:- 1 st Dito -Ligg 5:- 1 st Kommod 0:75 1 st Spegel 1:- 1 st Dito med låda 1:50 1 st Flaskfoder 1:50
Translation A “flaskfoder”. In the servants’s room
1 wallclock 12:- 1 cupboard 5:- 1 cupboard for keys 0:50 1 drop-leaf table 1:50 1 the same - smaller 1:- 1 tea table 1:- 1 sofa with cover 3:- 1 the same - for sleeping 5:- 1 washstand 0:75 1 mirror 1:- 1 the same with drawer 1:50 1 wooden box with bottles 1:50 A cupboard. This probate inventory was taken in lodging. 20 eggs (a tjog) cost 0:65 rdr March of 1857. In 1855 Sweden had rmt. A barrel of rye was 15 rdr rmt. changed its money from from the old A ticket for New York was 150 rdr riksdaler specie to the riksdaler riks- rmt. mynt, which was divided in to 100 öre. This probate is in riksdaler riks- mynt (rdr rmt). As a comparison it can be mention- ed that a laborer’s day of work cost 1:50 rdr rmt. A piga, tending sheep, A washstand. got 142:50 per year + food and
22 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 The SAG Workshop 2012 – The importance of Å, Ä, and Ö One of the basics of Swedish that was The Å, Ä, and Ö song studied during the SAG Workshop in Laura Reich has many ideas, and one Salt Lake City during the last week of them was the following song. The of September was to understand the lyrics were written by Ingrid Nilsson importance of Åå, Ää, and Öö. These and Jill Seaholm. The tune is Three three letters come at the end of the blind mice, and it can be sung just Swedish alphabet. If you ignore as it is, or in rounds. Ingrid Nilsson them, you might end up researching led the group when the song was first in Boda, instead of Böda. Then you sung at the end of the Workshop. wonder: What happened to the an- cestors? The Å Ä Ö Song: Å Ä Ö Å Ä Ö Å Ä Ö The Å, Ä, and Ö button was an idea Å Ä Ö from Karna Olsson when she was the They’re all at the end of the alpha- Workshop organizer. It was a good bet idea, and it was revived this year. Keep this in mind when you do your Everyone in the group got a button search just to remind all of the importance Or else you won’t find what you are of those letters. looking for But really, all letters are important, Å Ä Ö so always try to get the spelling Å Ä Ö correct. Don’t confuse Skeda (Östg.) with Skede (Jönk.). And remember that the old spelling with Hv (Hvet- To the left: Laura Reich with her Å, Ä, and Ö button. landa) is now Vetlanda!
The SAG Workshop September 2012. (Names will follow in Jill’s Christmas letter). Photo from Julie Benson, with David Garner as the actual photographer. See the Å, Ä, and Ö buttons on several of the members.
Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 23 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 Review Editor, Dennis L. Johnson, at <[email protected]> or Dennis Johnson, 174 Stauffer Road, Bucktown Crossing, Pottstown, PA 19465, so he knows what you are working on.
eborg Kongslien, a Norwegian pro- book contributes new insights into Brothers from fessor, compares the two national im- the wide range of immigrant experi- migrant sagas: Giants in the Earth ences in many locations, and the re- the North by Rolvaag and The Emigrants, by lations between Swedes and Nor- Moberg. wegians as they found themselves in In the third section, four essays close contact in these new com- Norwegians and Swedes in the Unit- focus on conflict between the two munities. The two groups had much ed States: Friends and Neighbors, groups in the U.S., especially regard- in common such as their primarily Philip J. Anderson and Dag Blanck, ing the 1905 Union dissolution be- rural Nordic ancestry, a very similar Editors, 2012, Minnesota Historical tween Norway and Sweden (Jørn Society Press, 326 pages, soft cover, language allowing relatively easy illustrated, $24.95. (Amazon.com Brøndal and Ulf J. Björk), and also communication, a common Protes- $18. 96, Kindle $10.99) plus shipping. the conflicts among the many newly tant Lutheran religious faith, and established Lutheran congregations many cultural similarities. (The This book assembles a series of 17 and synods in the U.S. during the authors occasionally referred to essays and papers by 17 leading immigration period (Mark Gran- Danes, Finns, or Icelanders, but their scholars and writers who are experts quist). One essay, by Kurt W. Peter- numbers were small compared with in the Scandinavian-American immi- son, a professor of history at North Swedes and Norwegians in most of grant experience. The essays deal Park University in Chicago, looks at the locations described.) primarily with the period 1840-1925, conflicts in the churches over the There were significant differences and focus primarily on the relations teaching of evolution during this pe- in culture as well. The overall in the U.S. among first and second riod. resulting pattern that can be drawn generation Swedish and Norwegian The fourth and last section ad- from this book is that as long as the immigrants in various locations. The dresses the building of communities two nationalities were few in number essays are arranged in four sections. by both groups, with six examples First, the context of the immigra- including architects and engineers tion is examined by Dag Blanck, who (mostly engineers) coming from looks at the patterns of Swedish- Sweden to the U.S. 1880-1930, with Norwegian interaction, and by H. a completely different pattern than Arnold Barton, who provides a num- usual immigrants (Per-Olof Grön- ber of comparisons between Swedes berg), the experience of Swedish and Norwegians in the U. S. students at a Norwegian American The second section of the book has college (Joy K. Lintelman), a small five essays which primarily deal with community of Swedes and Norwe- the differences in culture between gians on the isolated north shore of Swedes and Norwegians and the Lake Superior called Hovland, MN ways in which this affected the rela- (Philip J. Anderson), the two groups tions between the two groups as they in Willmar, Minnesota, in the early settled in the U.S. Writers look at the twentieth century (Byron J. Nord- effects of folk humor (James P. Leary), strom), political involvements by new organizations (Odd S. Lovoll), the both groups in Minneapolis and St. language shift in each group (Angela Paul, and the experiences of Scan- Falk), and the viewpoint of historians dinavians in the Rocky Mountain toward the immigrant experience West (Jennifer Eastman Attebery). (Mark Safstrom). One essay, by Ing- Each of the essays included in this
24 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 Book Reviews theran church will have a dominant other information, the author ex- Swedish history, one Norwegian, and plores Lennart Setterdahl’s oral his- possibly a Free Church or Mission tories. While reading Dr. Beijbom’s Covenant church. If the town is large book page after page, I became totally enough, there may even be a Finnish engaged. The stories of our country- or a Laestadian congregation, and men who had actually lived through probably a Missouri Synod (con- the Depression make even the writ- servative) Lutheran church. The once ten word come alive with action. strongly ethnic churches are slowly Some Swedes were too proud to and fairly isolated, they generally got changing into churches with an work for the WPA (Work Projects along well in building communities, ethnic history, but now having a Administration). Arthur Erickson sharing churches, schools, and coop- much more blended mix of members was one of them. “The Chicago har- erative efforts in farming and living. more closely resembling their com- bor was a nödhjälpsarbete (work There were enough differences, how- munity at large. project) but I never worked for the ever, that once each group achieved The well-assembled group of es- WPA. I’d rather starve,” he said. But a critical mass in any location, they says in this book is strongly recom- Edvin Svenson, who had lost money tended to separate into their own mended for those who wish to delve in the stock market, swallowed his more culturally homogeneous com- more deeply into Swedish-Nor- pride and stood in the soup lines. munities and institutions. This was wegian relations through the immi- He summed up his own experience especially evident in building chur- gration period. It will add depth to of the 30s: “It was a sad time with ches, organizing church synods, their knowledge of the variety of long lines outside the Red Cross and founding colleges, hospitals, and circumstances involved in the immi- Salvation Army. I was ashamed to other institutions, and even to some gration experiences of Norwegians stand in those lines and wait for a extent in intermarriage patterns. and Swedes to North America. The bowl of soup. But thousands of others Even today, after four and five gen- essays are all well written, and stood there because nöden har ingen erations, efforts at pan-scandi- extensive footnotes and references lag (necessity knows no law.)!” navianism usually fall short, those provide background and offer oppor- How did the greenhorns – of any interested in their ethnic heritage tunities for further reading. Some nationality – survive three years of tend to see themselves more as essays include illustrations or unemployment? How did so many of Swedes or Norwegians than as Scan- graphs, notes are provided on the the survivors manage to become dinavians. A great deal of blending background of each contributor, and successful in the end? This book will and intermarriage has taken place in a complete index allows the reader be an eye opener for many research- succeeding generations, not only to seek out particular subjects, ers of Swedish America. among Scandinavians but between individuals, and locations. them and people of other ethnic heri- Dennis L. Johnson tages. For most, the language of their heritage has been lost and many cultural differences have blurred, but remnants can still be found in many households and families, particularly The difficult in certain foods, in ways of observing Christmas and other holidays, and in the persistence of some ethnic organ- 1930s izations. These ethnic traces are Utvandrarna och den stora depres- sustained largely by the mothers, sionen, by Ulf Beijbom. Hardcover, who are most in control of organizing 312 pages, illustrated. Carlsson family and household meals and Bokförlag. ISBN 978 91 7331 480 0. In Swedish. Or try observances, but even that is less- www.bokus.com ening with each generation. In most small towns with sizable Following the first chapters about numbers of people with Scandina- the background to the Great Depres- vian heritage, the churches generally sion, the crash, the New Deal, and reflect differences as well; one Lu-
Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 25 Book Reviews rose to a prominent position in the Three Short Missouri Lutheran Synod. He was a prolific author of numerous books on Takes Martin Luther, early Protestant leaders, the Apostles, and other Several compact volumes have religious subjects. The Midnight Lion come to my attention in the past few is perhaps one of his less well-known weeks which may be of interest to our Ulf Beijbom has done the Swedish- works. readers. A brief review and informa- In this book, Dallmann offers a American community a huge favor by tion follows: drawing out the experiences of the background to the causes of the Thirty Years War, then moves to the Swedish immigrants who lived 1 ) The Midnight Lion, William through the Great Depression from Dallmann, 1997, Reprinted 2012, early life of Gustaf Adolf, his coro- interviews, America letters, journals, Repristination Press, Malone, TX, 63 nation at age 17, and his youthful and published material. Some of the Pages, softcover, Amazon.com leap into the defense of the Protes- researched letters are from returning $4.99 plus shipping, (Kindle $2.99). tant reformation. His career as Swedish Americans who had given outlined in the book consisted pri- up on America and returned to Swe- This brief account of the life of Swed- marily of his participation and den for good. ish King Gustav Adolf, grandson of leadership in this great war and the The letters to the homeland show Gustav I, also known as Gustaf Vasa, numerous battles in the eighteen that the parents in Sweden actually was written before 1930 to com- campaigns of the war. The book ends sent money to their starving child- memorate the three hundredth anni- with the King’s death in battle at ren in America during the Depres- versary of Gustav Adolf’s coming to Lützen at age 38. Gustaf Adolf was sion, a reversal of the earlier money Pomerania in 1630 to defend the first a soldier, he left the affairs of orders that had gone from America religious and political liberties of state to his friend and advisor, Axel to Sweden. Protestants in Germany. Oxenstierna. Dr. Beijbom has covered an amaz- The author, William Dallmann This is a fine first reader for per- ing array of subject matters, all (1862-1952) tells the story of the sons interested in the life of this except the newspapers ads at the heroic Swedish king from the point heroic Swedish king which, while th time. Although we learn that a of view of a 20 century Lutheran. brief, introduces lay readers and subscription to Svenska Amerikana- Dallmann was born in Pomerania, scholars to this man, one of the most ren cost 25 cents for four months, it ordained in the U.S. as a Missouri famous and beloved Swedes of all would have been interesting to learn Lutheran Pastor, served several time. more about the cost of living during churches in various locations, and the hard times, such as the cost of 2) Lindsborg Then and Now, by Bill Carlson, Outskirts Press, Inc, 2011, rent, groceries, clothes, and shoes. 101 pages, softcover, Illustrated, The book is illustrated with excel- Amazon.com $12.95 plus shipping. lent photos. Lilly Setterdahl Lindsborg, Kansas, is one of the very well-known small town Swedish settlements in the U.S., having been settled in the late 1860’s by im- SALE! migrants from Sweden and other Swedish Voters in Swedes from Illinois and other near- Chicago 1888 by locations. It remains very strongly By Nils William Olsson Swedish, especially on the days of 302 pages of Swedes, their semi-annual October cele- bration, or Hyllningsfest, begun in comments, and indexes. 1941. Most of the time it is a typical $10 + $5 S&H Midwestern small town but with Contact Jill Seaholm at several prominent Swedish elements
26 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 Book Reviews happenings in 2010. It is designed to life in our agricultural Midwest give you a flavor of the many facets shared by many other communities. of this small, mostly Swedish heri- tage community, rather than a detai- 3) Scandinavian Kings and Queens, led chronological history. three stories, by Selma Lagerlöf, The author, Bill Carlson, is a long Penfield Press, Iowa City, Iowa, no time teacher and athletic coach in publication date, 79 pages, Ill., Pen- field Press $12.95, Amazon.com area schools and later an adminis- Like many of these small towns, it $130.84(?), used $9.76, kindle has its own college, 600 student trator of the Bethany Home, a $10.95. Bethany College, founded in 1881 as retirement community in Lindsborg. a Lutheran school. Lindsborg is part He has been an active leader in Penfield Press has undertaken to of an agricultural community in the Lindsborg for many years, and he is republish many works of Selma La- Smoky Valley of Kansas, just off dedicated to preserving the history gerlöf and has published this in- Interstate Highway 35, about 30 of Lindsborg. The book informs the teresting small volume containing miles south of Salina. Lindsborg now reader not only about Lindsborg, but her accounts of three well-known has a population of about 3,000 gives insights into typical small town stories from Sweden’s history, Astrid, residents. The book is organized as a collec- tion of about 35 essays, the first 23 about early Lindsborg (1860’s to early 1900’s) and the remaining articles Add to your family history about Lindsborg today (2010). Each essay focuses on a particular subject Learn what Sweden and America were like such as the naming of Lindsborg, when your ancestors emigrated entertainment for pioneers, or hap- penings (now) in 2010. Pioneer days, Join the Swedish-American Indians in the Smoky Valley, early church controversies, music and Historical Society traditions, Depression hobos are all touched on, and more currently there Four issues a year of the Swedish-American are essays on celebrations, city Historical Quarterly, plus dividend books organizations today, King Carl Gus- The Society's latest book is Norwegians taf’s visit in April 1976, and major and Swedes in the United States: Friends and Neíghbors For more information, write Swedish-American Historical Society 3225 W. Foster, Box 48 Chicago IL, 60625 or see www.swedishamericanhist.org Mention the Genealogist when you join or order books
Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 27 Book Reviews great ships at the piers. All now gone. written, in a way that conveys the The first story, Astrid, is about the sense of the times and the traditions bondswoman (trälkvinna) who by and beliefs of the people in the time deceit became the wife of King Olaf of the story. Selma Lagerlöf (1858– Haraldsson of Norway in place of the 1940) is one of the best known wri- Swedish King’s daughter, Ingegerd, ters Sweden has produced and her who was pledged to him. They found, stories are read and enjoyed all over Sigrid Storråda, and The Silver however that when the deceit was the world in multiple translations. Mine. The first two stories are taken unmasked, they truly loved each She received a Nobel prize for litera- from her 1899 book, Queens at other and Olaf forgave her. She was ture in 1909, and soon after repur- Kungahälla (Drottningar i Kunga- in fact the Swedish king’s daughter chased her family home, Mårbacka, hälla), a collection of stories about by a bondswoman. in Värmland, where she lived and 12th century Swedish royalty. The The second tale is of another Swed- wrote most of the rest of her life. third story is from her 1908 book of ish queen, Sigrid Storråda, who was Dennis L. Johnson short stories, The Girl from the betrothed to another king of Norway, Marsh Croft (Tösen från Stormyr- Olaf Tryggvason. King Olaf was a torpet), a story about the time of King Christian king and Sigrid was a heat- What was life Gustav III. Each is, in a way, a moral- hen, and at the last moment she was ity tale. rejected by King Olaf because of like? Included as a preface is an essay, visions of disaster, and signs that he On the Site of the Great Kungahälla, had if he joined with this heathen Daily Life in Immigrant America a description of the great city which woman. 1820–1870. How the first great once stood not far from the mouth of The third story is called The Sil- wave of immigrants made their way the Göta River (älv) above present ver Mine, in which King Gustav III in America, by James M. Bergquist. day Göteborg, where the present (1746–1792) is traveling through Paperback, 329 pages, ill. town of Kungälv now stands. A mo- Dalecarlia when his coach is disabled. Published by Ivan R. Dee. dern visitor finds only fields and While waiting, he speaks to a man in Amazon.com $13.22. meadows, with no sign of the great the parsonage whom he takes for a dwelling place of kings in the twelfth peasant. It is in fact the parson, who This book was a find at my recent century. There once stood the great relates to the king the story of the visit to the Old Sturbridge Giftshop, hall, a marketplace, docks and few peasants who find a silver mine and it looked very interesting. It is wharfs, the church, the convent, near their poor village. It brought not just about Swedish immigrants, kilns, the weeping bridge, and the nothing but pain and suffering to the finders, and the parson was pledged to keep the mine hidden so as not to corrupt the entire village. The king understands the lesson of the story, judges correctly that this is the par- son who is keeping the mine secret, and tells him to continue to do so in spite of the king’s great need for money to protect his nation.
These simple tales are masterfully
28 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 Book Reviews ten to the wishes of ordinary people. ing paying patients in America than This caused revolutions in, for in- among the poor people in his home- stance, France and Germany, and town. In beginning there were hard- people left in the thousands to look ships, but after twenty years they for better understanding and con- were doing well. There are many sim ditions in America. Also he mentions ilar stories from other groups of that in 1800 some 184 million people immigrants, and it is interesting to but about people from all corners of inhabited Europe; by 1850 there were compare them with the stories of the the world; their joys and problems in 266 million and by 1900 more than Swedes. the new country were often similar. 390 million, and all these wanted Another chapter is called “Across The author describes the purpose food, and jobs, and the U.S.A seemed the Atlantic and into America 1820– of the book as “It seeks to recreate to be the solution of these problems. 1845.” The stories here focus on the the world of the immigrants – as A factor that was important was progress of transportation that came much as any such thing can be done also the amount of land that became along during this period: better roads, – in order to understand their daily available in western U.S.A. There a many canals, and finally the rail- lives as they lived them. By seeing farmer could buy a large farm for the roads that could take people further the environments through which money he had recieved for his small than anyone could imagine at the these immigrants passed in their farm in the homeland. start of this period. very mobile and diverse careers, we In the chapter “Leaving Home” Others than the Swedes also seems can better understand what they did various stories are cited from ac- to be quick to organize their own and how they reacted to the con- counts about various people of why churches and societies, both for so- siderable challenges they faced.” they emigrated. One Norwegian, Ole cial contacts and for mutual help in Then he goes on and discusses the Rynning, had plans to start a com- case of illness and death. reasons for emigration, among which munity in northern Illinois for a This is a very rich book, which I he counts the end of the Napoleonic group of religious dissenters, a pro- think will be useful for the under- wars, and the new stability in Eu- ject that later failed. A German wom- standing of the conditions for the rope, and later the new movements, an immigrated because her husband, “New Americans.” when the reigning classes did not lis- a doctor, saw better prospects of find- Elisabeth Thorsell
New and Noteworthy
Downton Abbey seems to be just as popular in the U.S. as in Great Britain and in Sweden. People love to follow the many things that happens at this historical manor house. Then you might want to read Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle, by Fiona 8th Countess of Carnarvon (2011). In this fascinating book about Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, and her husband, the 5th Earl, famous for his discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. We also get to know much of the life downstairs and what happened during World War I. (Amazon.com ca $11). Two new CD’s were presented at the Genealogy Days in Gävle this summer. The most important one is the Begravda i Sverige 2, which has information on more than 6 million burials, starting with a few from the 1500s, but with the majority from the 1800s (130,000), and the 1900s (5.2 million) and even some from the 2000s (952,000). About 85% of the local cemetery authorities have shared their databases to make this DVD possible. It can be purchased from the Swedish Federation of Genealogical Societies (Sveriges Släktforskarförbund) for about $100. But it is best to contact them first and get the exact price ([email protected]) and writing in English should be OK. The other new CD is Svenska Ortnamn, which is the same as the previous edition, but now it works with Windows 7 and Windows 8. Many have had problems with installing it on new computers, but now it should work. Price around $35, but check with the Swedish Federation first. They do take credit cards nowadays. Family Tree Magazine has a couple of interesting articles in the October 2012 issue. One shows a number of small research projects that can be done in a short space of time. Another teaches how to spot faulty records or find the truth about those three brothers that immigrated and then went different ways.
Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 29 All links tested in November 2012 and Interesting Web Sites should work Old names of illnesses: http://www.antiquusmorbus.com/ The Legal Genealogist: http://www.legalgenealogist.com/ Swedish-American Family Photos: swedishamericanphotos.blogspot.se/ Scandinavian War Re-enactors: http://www.faltjagare.se/docs/lankar-en.html To find Evangelical Lutheran churches in America: http://www.elca.org/ELCA/Search/Find-a-Congregation.aspx FamilySearch Online research courses: https://familysearch.org/learningcenter/home.html The Nordic Culture Clubs: http://www.nordiccultureclubs.org/ A website for posting old photos: http://1000memories.com/ New address for Illinois statewide databases: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/home.html Old Swedish books on CD: http://enobdr.myshopify.com/ U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, grave locator: http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/index.html Saskatchewan Cemeteries Project: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cansacem/ The Royal Family (link to English pages in top right corner): http://www.kungahuset.se/ American Swedish Historical Museum: http://americanswedish.org/calendar.htm Atlas of Historical County Boundaries: http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/index.html Swedish Place Names Index (by län): http://www2.sofi.se/SOFIU/topo1951/_cdweb/index.htm The most common Swedish surnames in alfa-order: http://spraakbanken.gu.se/statistik/lbenamnalf.phtml The Jussi Björling Society-USA: www.jussibjorlingsociety.org/
A grocery store in Hedemora, Sweden, around 1922. (Private collection).
30 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 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.
Lindman, Tyson, Wilhelm, Rozar, Hurst, Koch
I am looking for all descendants from the following member of my family: Carl Bleckert Lindman, b. 1856 June 19 in Kungsholm, Stockholm. He emigrated in 1887 Nov. 23 from Stockholm, and might first have lived for a short while in New York City before moving to Philadelphia, where he lived the rest of his life. He was a seaman, but also an engineer. In 1889 May 5 he in ?? married Emma Augusta Sophia Ohlsson, born 1861 Mar. 9 in Dalarö (Stock.), who had been a maid at Carl’s parents household. She immigrated 1889 Mar. 30 from Stockholm. Carl died 1919 in Philadelphia, and Emma in 1948. They had the following children, all born in Philadelphia: 1) Ina Sigrid, born 1890 Mar.? She was an office manager at United Fruit in New York City and died 1963 Aug. in New York City. She never married and had no children. 2) Agnes Marion, b 1892 Jan. ? Married in 1915 in Philadelphia to Harold B. Tyson, b. 1894 Nov. 28. He was a printer, and died 1958 Aug. ? They had children Harold (b. 1917); Hildren (b. ca 1921); David L (b. ca 1923); Marian (b. ca 1925). 3) Carl Bleckert, b. 1893 Oct.?, engineer. He and his family lived for a few years with his mother in Philadel- phia, but moved before 1927 to Orange Co., California. His death has not been found, but he was alive in 1940. He married in 1919 to Frances Pratt, b. 1901 Jan. 26 in Pennsylvania, died 1942 Jun. 17 in Orange County, CA. They had children: (1) Martha Louise b. 1920 Feb. 20 in Philadelphia, died 1987 in San Diego, CA. She married in 1978 to Raymond F. Grant, (b. 1915), who died 2002 in Danville, Contra Costa Co., CA. (2) Howard A., b. 1923 Jan. 19 in Pennsylvania, died 2004 in Los Angeles. (3) John Biryard, b. 1925 May 3 in Los Angeles Co., died 1979 in Riverside Co., CA. (4) Patricia, b. 1926 Sep. 9 in Orange Co., CA, died 1990 in Los Angeles. Married to NN Wilhelm. (5) Carlotta, b. 1928 May 5 in Orange Co., CA, died 1986 in San Diego, CA. Married to NN Rozar. Children: Linda Sue and Robert Earl, both born in Los Angeles. 4) Emily Ulrika, b. 1896 Aug. 13 in Philadelphia, PA, died 1929 Apr. 11 in California. Married in 1918 to Russel E. Hurst, b. 1894 Oct. 10 in Pennsylvania, died 1981 Mar. 5 in San Bernardino, CA. He was first a brakeman at a railroad, and moved before 1925 to California, where he worked at a lumber company. They had children Russel, Jr., (b. ca 1919); Wayne Boland (b. 1925), Dolores Ruth (b. 1929). 5) Helen Elizabeth, b. 1898 Jan. 28 in Philadelphia. In 1930 she was a teacher in a public school. Married to George Ferdinand Koch, b. 1898 Feb. 21 in Pennsylvania. He was some kind of a salesman. They had children Helen (b. ca 1920) and Nancy (b. ca 1923).
Any and all information on these families will be most welcome! Johan Alexander Lindman, Nortuna, S-743 93 Vattholma, Sweden. E-mail: < [email protected]> 1311
Send queries to SAG! Not everything is online
Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 31 The Last Page Dear friends, Time passes quickly, and summer is in the Stora Tuna birth records, berg held a number of lectures, as just a distant memory. I and my where he was found as being born on well as Ingrid and I. We hope that colleague and longtime friend Ingrid 1911 Feb. 2 and named Johan Jona- the participants heard some new Nilsson spent 3 weeks in the U.S. in tan, so Jussi is just a nickname, which things and learnt a bit more about September and early October. First he evidently liked. Swedish genealogy. came the SAG Workshop in Salt Lake Next we went to Burnsville, MN, Before we left the area we also City, which was fun as usual with where our friends, Dee and Ray toured Old Sturbridge Village, the many new and old friends. Personally Kleinow, took us for a tour to admire Skansen of Massachusetts! I also met with a long-lost relative the new extensions to the American Back home life has been as usual, on my farmors side, who suddenly Swedish Institute. The new premises with a few lectures at places like Sol- popped up on Ancestry. I just wish looks very good and will give space lentuna and Fagersta, SAG work, but my Dad had still been around, so he for many new programs and events. also making jars and jars of apple would have known this. The last stop in the U.S. was sauce, as we have three trees in our For the first time we had a lecture Sturbridge, MA, where the local Swe- yard, and they produce a lot of apples. at our farewell party about Jussi dish Ancestry Research Association It is good to have with the traditional Björling, by Walter Rudolph, presi- (SARA) had organized a two-day ham at Christmas. dent of the U.S. Jussi Björling Society. Swedish research conference, with And as Christmas is getting close, We also heard some excerpts from lectures, one-on-ones, and a nice I take the opportunity to wish you Jussi’s recordings; very nice. Some- banquet. The SwedGen Group (Anne- all a God Jul and Gott Nytt År! one wondered about his unusual first li Andersson, Anna-Lena Hultman, Till next time! name, so he has now been checked Charlotte Börjessson, and Olof Cron- Elisabeth Thorsell
Help us promote the SAG journal! SAG Do you belong to a Swedish genealogy or other Swedish interest group? Workshop Even a group that only sometimes focuses on Sweden? We are happy to supply SAG back issues and sub- Salt Lake City scription brochures for you to use as handouts. If you will have a raffle or 3 – 9 Nov. drawing, we can even provide a certificate for a 1-year subscription to SAG for you to give away. Contact Jill 2013 ! Seaholm at e-mail: [email protected] or call 309.794.7204. Thank you! We look forward to seeing old and new friends in our happy group of researchers !
The SAG Workshop is the highlight of the year – a fun learning experience and a chance to do your Swedish genealogy with hands-on help from experienced Swedish and American genealogists. The social side includes both welcome and farewell receptions, a buffet dinner & entertainment. Contact Jill Seaholm at 309-794-7204, or e-mail:
32 Swedish American Genealogist 2012:3 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 Bu- reau of Statistics, Stockholm).
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).