Dec 30, 2015

Wednesday's Child - Selma Matilda Ericsson




Selma Matilda Ericsson was born 01 Aug 1865 in Östergötland, Sweden, the first child of Franz Hugo and Albertina Ericsson. 
Her father emigrated to the United States in Dec 1868 to establish a home for his young family. In July of 1871 Swedish records record Albertina Ericsson and her three daughters; Selma, Maria and Erica, leaving the port of Gothenburg Sweden to join their husband and father.

(Gothenburg, Sweden Passenger Lists, 1869-1951, 09 Jun 1871
departing Gothenburg, Sweden for Hull, England on the ship "Rollo")
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Selma died in La Porte, Indiana at the young age of 14, July 13, 1879. The promise of a better life in America ended even sooner for her younger sister Erica. No more than a toddler, she died of dysentery shortly after landing in the US. Contaminated New York water? 

My grandfather Richard's paternal cousins:
Selma Matilda Ericsson  born:01 Aug 1865 Hällestad, Östergötland, Sweden 
                                           died: 13 Jul 1879 LaPorte, Indiana, USA 
Erica Theresia Ericsson born: 17 Feb 1869 Hällestad, Östergötland, Sweden
                                           died: 14 Jul 1871 Columbiana, Ohio, USA

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