1910 Census - Hugo and Sarona Alvine

I found my grandfather’s sister, Sarona, and her husband, Hugo in the 1910 Census. Sarona was one of the first Kallman family members to come from Sweden. She had followed her brother Håkan Patrik, but on immigrating, she did not name him as her contact but her future husband, Hugo. Hugo had arrived in the U.S. in 1893. He visited Sweden as a U.S. citizen returning to the U.S. in 1903. 1904, Sarona left to join him. Did he meet her on a return visit to his family, or was the intent always to leave for the U.S., establish himself, and return for his love, Sarona? I like either possibility!

April 16, 1910 Chicago, Cook, Illinois    889 King Place

#59- Alvine,Hugo H., head, Male, White, 34, Married 1st time for 2 years, born in Sweden, both parents born in Sweden, immigrated in 1893, naturalized citizen, occupation merchant in retail grocery, not out of work throughout 1910, can read and write, renting a house

#59- Alvine, Sarona, wife, female, white, 30, married 1st time for 2 years, born in Sweden, both parents born in Sweden, immigrated in 1904, *, occupation none, can read and write.

* Naturalization is not noted for Sarona. Before 1922, marrying a citizen automatically conferred citizen status on a woman. Conversing, an American-born woman lost her citizenship if she married an alien!

D-Day to V-E Day May 5, 1945

80 years ago today was Victory in Europe Day.

Victory in Europe Day meant the long march from Omaha Beach to Berlin was over.

My Dad, Melvin Kallman, would be coming home.

     

Thank you Dad, Uncle Arnold Sevald, Uncle Howard Johnson, Cousins Soderstrom, Jacobson, Kallman and all the others who served. Members of "The Greatest Generation".

Aunt Laverne's Birthday

Today my Aunt Laverne would have been 102 years old. Every year I remember her birthday above all birthdays of extended relatives. April 29th, a day I can never forget. Why? My mother often reminded me that she went into labor for me at my Aunts birthday party! I was not born until the next day but Aunt Laverne, the favorite sister-in-law of my Mom. never let her forget it!

MyAunt 

Laverne Ruth Esther 

Kallman Johnson

1923-2009

Why did so many Swedes, among them our ancestors, leave Sweden?

 

Why they left… During the Swedish emigration to the United States from 1840 to 1930, about 1.3 million Swedes left Sweden for America, mainly for economic reasons. In Sweden, population growth made farmland scarce in a country already overpopulated. The Swedish bishop and poet Esaias Tegnér summarized the population growth with these three words: peace, vaccination, and potatoes. 

While the land of the U.S. frontier was a magnet for the poor all over Europe, some factors especially encouraged Swedish emigration. There was widespread resentment against the religious repression practiced by the Swedish Lutheran State Church and the social conservatism and class snobbery of the Swedish monarchy. Population growth and crop failures made conditions in the Swedish countryside increasingly bleak. Most people working the farms were “Statare”. They were married agricultural laborers in Sweden who received payment primarily in kind. The system mainly existed in the south of Sweden and reached its maximum extent in the late 19th century. Thereafter the system gradually declined until it was formally abolished in 1945.These agricultural laborers were generally viewed as being on the lowest ranks of Swedish society, and it developed into a social scandal in Sweden.

 By contrast, reports from early Swedish emigrants painted the American Midwest as an earthly paradise, and praised American religious and political freedom and undreamed of opportunities."

This was reprinted from the New Sweden - Cultural Society. The entire article is very informative in the explanation of why Swedes and our ancestors, both Kallman and Abrahamsson, left for a new life in America. This is well worth the read.

 The article can be found here↓

The Emigrant Routes to the Promised Land in America

1950 Census - Hugo and Sarona Alvine

 In this 1950 Census, my great uncle Hugo and great aunt Sarona lived at 611 Main St. Turlock, Stanislaus, California. They are retired, age 74 and 71 respectfully.

#4 house #611, Alvine, Hugo H., head, white, male, 74, married, born in Sweden, naturalized citizen, unable to work

#5 house #611, Sarona R., wife, white, female, 71, married, born in Sweden, naturalized citizen, unable to work

In this census every fifth person had additional questions. Luckily Great Uncle Hugo was one of those.

#4 living in the same house 1 year ago, both parents were born in Sweden, he finished the 8th grade as his highest education, he did not work at all the last year nor earned any money working, he earned $700 from other income (perhaps some came from lodger income), he did not serve in the US military during WWI, WWII or any other time.

I never met my great Uncle Hugo as he died a few months before I was born. I did once meet great Aunt Sarona, but being only 3 or 4 I do not remember that meeting. Great Aunt Sarona, her sisters Tekla and Olga and also my Uncle Albin all moved out to California well before my birth. I do not think my Illinois branch of the family, unfortunately, ever really knew them.

The passing of Margareta Jonason

 Today I was notified of the passing of one of our Swedish cousins. 
Margareta Jonason was the wife of Hakan, my fathers cousin.

Our beloved Margareta Jonason, born December 8, 1943 has left us in great sorrow and loss in Östra Frölunda on March 17, 2025. 

She leaves behind...

Husband Håkan

Son Henrik, his spouse Eva with their children Evelina and Willy
Daughter Josefine, her spouse Johan with their children Vincent and Amanda
Family and Friends

"Thank you for painting the world so beautifully with your love and care, our beloved Maggan!
May your path meet you and may the wind be your friend and may the sun warm your cheekand may the rain water the soil of the soul and until we meet again may God hold, hold you in his hand."

The funeral service will take place in Östra Frölunda church on Thursday, April 10 at 1:00 p.m.
After the farewell at the grave, you are invited to a memorial service inMedborgarhuset. 

RSVPs for participation are requested by tel. 0325-61 15 17 or via kindsbegravningsbyra.se by Thursday 3 April.

Please remember Maggan with a gift to the Swedish Rheumatology Association
donation phone number. 08-505 805 00.
———
A special warm thank you to the staff at Solsidan Östrabo and Hemtjänsten in Östra Frölunda for her excellent and friendly care.

† Rest in Peace Margareta,