Friday

DNA and ME - so I changed my mind?

I thought I was done with the latest craze in genealogy/family history, DNA. But it is hard to ignore. With the holiday season upon us the marketing for the latest DNA technology seems to be more popular than ever. The Chicago Tribune ran an article on just that today.


I have to agree that there could be definitely a downside to this gift. For some folks anyway. I have seen You-Tubes and read stories where people discovered some "odd" things. Like the sisters whose DNA showed them to be only half sisters (shame on you Mommy), or those who paid extra for the health/traits report and now found themselves fearing some future health scare. I really had none of those fears. My brother had already tested and yes he is indeed my brother and it has been at least half a century anyway since I got over having red hair and freckles instead of being a cute blond like my siblings. So knowing exactly what chromosomes on my DNA were to blame? Oh well.

Finding DNA connections with relatives. That is what intrigues me. How cool is that, that a person on the other side of the country or even the Atlantic ocean, someone I had never met, nor even knew existed shares a bit of me because of an ancestor we both had many years ago?

Holiday marketing also means holiday prices, sales, bargains. I first tested with 23 and me and uploaded those results to My Heritage. The connections were rather disappointing.  Mostly remote connections, 5th cousins and more that I could not find the connection to on my family tree. Then Ancestry.com (the biggest, largest selling company) offered a deal too good to refuse. $49 for the autosomal testing. The most popular company here in the states, it made sense that they could possibly give me the most results. They did! Most of the cousin matches were not a surprise to me. I have a pretty expansive family tree. But it was so very cool to see names of those I knew (if only remotely) that shared not only my family history but my DNA.

The old sexist axiom is that it is "a woman's perogative to change her mind". I have.
I now think this DNA stuff is pretty cool and as the science progresses it can only get cooler!



Of the three companies that have estimated my ancestry, this company (Ancestry.com) comes closest to my genealogical family tree. My paternal grandparents were Swedish immigrants and my maternal grandparents were Norwegian immigrants. Personally I am a teeny tiny bit pleased that I appear slightly more Norwegian then Swedish. I was closest to my maternal Norwegian grandmother, Dagmar Gundersen Sevald. It was at her prompting to  "don't forget who you are" that I began my family history journey. See "Dedicated to Dagmar" →Here




Love you Grandma,

Saturday

Lovisa Charlotta Majholm (1850-1931) born in the poorhouse, died in the poorhouse


This is a 1910 photo of the Arboga, Sweden fattiggård or poorhouse. Looks lovely and peaceful from a distance doesn't it? I seriously doubt it.


Through the earliest times in Sweden the church provided benefit relief . Local governments later provided assistance to the indigent: for the young, the old and the infirm. Poverty among the able-bodied had come to be viewed as a moral failing. Those who could work were expected to. Destitute able bodied adults AND children were auctioned for work. They were offered to townsfolk who took the lowest amount of money from the poor relief for a year of room and board in exchange for the indigents work.  In 1847 Poor Laws were enacted that eliminated the auctions of children to work. The old, very young and infirm were provided for in the local poorhouse. Even those people however were required to contribute what they could. Work could be hard and provisions were bare minimum.

My grandmother's cousin, Lovisa Charlotta Majholm had more than one strike against her. She was born illegitimate, a stigma that remained with you for life. She was poor, her mother delivering her alone in the poorhouse. She was a woman in a time when women had few rights, choices or future.  She had no siblings and never married. She was also noted in the following census as crippled and insane. Perhaps for a short time her  health improved as she lived off the poor house for a short time in her late 20's. Maybe it was one of those contract deals. I don't know. I do know that my great great grandfather, Edvard Julius, was concerned about her welfare.  In 1886 he wrote to the welfare board concerning her upkeep. Unfortunately he died shortly after. Did she ever receive help from our family? Again, I don't know. 



•Arboga stadförsamling census 1926-1928. 
•Residing at "Fattiggården" (poorhouse),
•Majholm, Lovisa Charlotta
•work: "sinnessjuk" (insane)
•born: November 20, 1850 in Arboga
•has been vaccinated for smallpox
•Notes: "ofärdig" (crippled)



my grandmother Lydia's cousin
Lovisa Charlotta Majholm
b: 11 February 1850 Arboga, Västmanland, Sweden
d: 10 Oct 1931 Arboga, Västmanland, Sweden

She was born in and died in the Arboga "fattiggärden" (poorhouse)






Sunday

Collecting Family Memories, not just Collecting Stuff - "Great Aunt Olga's Crystal"

I recently read an article all "Baby Boomer" parents should read... "Memo to parents: your adult kids don't want your stuff" . I get it. I see the more minimalist view of things my kids have. My own daughter felt she had to break it to me gently that she was dumping her china cabinet. The china cabinet that proudly displayed her dishes. Dishes that had originally been bought in and brought from Norway by her great grandmother, my maternal grandmother Dagmar. She explained that she treasured those dishes but did not see the need to display them for all the world to see when they came out only at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Again, I get it.



Or do I? Top shelve in my china cabinet sits hand blown antique-looking crystal glasses with gold rims. They once belonged to my mother. She said they were given to her by my great Aunt Olga who told her that she didn't care much for her own daughter in law and liked her so "here they are". That was in 1955. Mom never once used them. Now they sat in my china cabinet. I also have never once used them. We always referred to them as "Aunt Olga's crystal" but as I got into genealogy/family history I found that great Aunt Olga could not have given them to Mom as she and her husband never had any children. Perhaps it was her sister, great Aunt Tekla who gave them to her? However these ladies were my Dad's aunts, my mom barely knew them as they lived in California and 1955 was the only time Mom went to California. I, never knew my great aunts at all. Yet "Aunt Olga's crystal" has been in either my Mom's or my china cabinet, occasionally dusted for sixty three years now. NEVER USED ONCE AND I THINK THEY ARE UGLY.


As I move further and further along in my family history journey I have collected many precious photos, documents and stories. I have also "collected" many precious 2nd, 3rd, even 6th  etc. cousins both here in the U.S and in Scandinavia who have helped to flesh out the story of our family. I learned that Aunt Olga had panned for gold in Alaska with her husband when she was young and I found pride that she was strong enough to move on without him when she discovered him to be "a ladies man". But "Aunt Olga's crystal" that perhaps wasn't even hers? It never held meaning for me. I was just collecting STUFF.  OUT IT GOES.


This coming weekend my German born husband and I are hosting an Oktoberfest German dinner for family and a few friends. So it was again necessary for the time consuming job of dusting and polishing the pride of this baby boomer woman...the expensive, Thomasville, dark wood, lighted, china cabinet displaying seldom used matching china services, crystal and silver place settings.
They were gifts from family and family friends now long gone who came to our wedding at the Glenview Evangelical Free Church and arrived at the reception carrying a nicely wrapped box from Marshall Fields. They gave us those place settings along with their love, prayers and best wishes that this young couple would have a long and happy life together. Forty-Five years later that china, crystal and silver hold meaning for me, so they stay.


I have made peace with the reality that my filled china cabinet doesn't hold the same meaning for my kids. When I am gone, to them it is just STUFF.  OUT IT GOES.

Yup, I get it.







p.s. "Aunt Olga's crystal" will stay boxed in my basement for awhile just in case a cousin feels it would have meaning for them. If so, it is yours for the taking. Come and get it.


Thursday

"Beloved siblings, Sarona, Olga, Rikard and Tekla. God's Peace"

My grandfather Richard left his home in Sweden to come to the United States in 1906, as did all of his siblings. Brothers Håkan Patrik and Karl Botvid emigrated in 1901, Olga 1902, Sarona 1904 and Tekla 1907. 1904, now married and a father,  Patrik returned to Sweden with his wife Maria and their young son. 1905  Botvid also returned to Sweden where he soon married.

February 16, 1908 Patrik wrote a letter to his siblings in Amerika.  He was ill.



translation to English by his son.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Spångsholm, February 16/08

Beloved siblings, Olga, Rikard, Tekla.
The Lord's peace.

After a long time since I wrote to you. I will now write to you. I thank you for the many greetings, which you have sent us, also for the card you sent us, and last for the letter, which you, Rikard, sent me, in which you told about your way to spend the time in the evenings. The folding rule you mentioned, you got from papa. I wonder, if the sisters Olga, Tekla, have any favorite occupation during free time, like you, Rikard. I have heard that Sarona is happy to be married and that husband Alvine executed the connection.

Perhaps you heard of Sarona's letter, that Christmas was a welcome feast in my house, and that the happiness was high underneath the roof and that my thought for the new year was the very best, but underneath all this, something unknown is lurking for me. I came down with a cold, which has caused a serious illness, and a sure thing is, that if I had waited a week longer with going to the doctor, my health would not have returned. Now I am well enough to be up during the days, but I am forbidden to work for an indefinite time. I have been ill ever since New Year, although it is only 4 weeks that I have not worked. Under all this, I realize that it is the Lord's direction, and I am satisfied with how it goes.

My family is well and strong, and they greet you dearly. I want to tell you that I have bought a fur vest to be able to keep my health, which I would like to advise you, my siblings to do also, as a protection for wind and cold.

Now lastly, I send the most heartfelt greetings to you my siblings. Perhaps you wonder what kind of illness I have and I can say that it consists of cough, but as I just said, I am on the mend, so now I have hopes of recovering my health. However, we may pray to the Lord for each other, for his help and guidance and blessing.

Your brother Patrik



(Greet Sarona and Alvine. At the time convey my thank you for letters I received from them and their wedding photo.)
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

In a second letter to his siblings in April of that same year he goes into greater detail.


••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Stratomta Sanatorium, 4/15/08

Beloved siblings, Sarona, Olga, Rikard, Tekla.
God's peace.

Perhaps you will think, now when you hear how it is, that I have been stricken with a hard affliction, and so it may seem, but I am much more thankful to the Lord now than when in good fortune. The greatest blessing I have received is that I have embraced Christ more as my Salvation.

Secondly, He has given us a healthy, well-formed boy, so although I am unable to work, we have been given richly of His blessings. I am not at home now, so I can not say more than what I was told by Botvid, that everything went well with Maria.

I myself, am strong enough, so that, with God's help, I will probably get well. You understand that it is Tuberculosis that I have. We are many friends here, and all of us must adjust to our situation. Still it is good that one does not suffer hard. T.B. Does not bring big pains.

I don't know how it is with our father, but I will go home next Saturday, Easter Eve to visit them. I have been here almost 14 days. Still there is no indication if this has done anything, but I have good hopes because here we may be in bed almost all day outside in the fresh air, and that is, of course the only thing, rest and strength which does that one gets well.

Botvid and family have moved over to Maria, so Amanda is helping her during the time she is ill.
Yes, dear siblings, may we pray to the Lord in trials, as well as in good fortune, for each other.

Please greet Alvine so heartfelt.

Patrik


Stratomta Lunghem
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

In the 19th century 25% of the deaths in Sweden were due to Tuberculosis. The situation was similiar throughout Europe and the Americas. Tuberculosis, an infectious, contagious disease with a high mortality rate, has been in the human population since the earliest of times recorded. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus causing Tuberculosis was discovered in the 1880's. Unfortunately it wasn't until 1940 that streptomycin was developed which could cure TB. Forty years too late for my grand uncle Patrik. In his day, isolation from the public, bedrest, nutrition and sun exposure was the "cure". And some did indeed recover. Some, but not many.

Encouraged by his wife, Queen Sophia, King Oscar II of Norway and Sweden sponsored the building of TB sanatoriums across Sweden. Built in 1907, high on a hill, the Stratomta Sanatorium in Stratomta, Törnevalla parish, Linkoping, Sweden was where Patrik was sent for "the cure" in April of 1908.


Stratomta Sanitarium was initially a fish farm which was bought in 1906 and in 1907built as a TB sanitarium. Later years the building was used as a rehab center, convalescent center and in 2006 was bought, restored and divided into apartments.

The treatment methods used were based on the idea that fresh air, sunlight and nutritious food could strengthen the body
 to heal the disease. The patients rested in the ‘fresh air’ in all seasons, during wintertime under thick blankets

The day after Christmas, 1908 Patrik died. The official record of his death states he died of ""Lungblodning". He bled out from his lungs.

He was 27 years old.


my grand uncle
Håkan Patrik Källman
b: 31 December 1880 Grytgòl, Hällestad, Östergötland, Sweden
d: 26 December 1908 Spångsholm, Veta, Östergötland, Sweden






I give great thanks and affection to my newly "found" second cousin Annette, the grand daughter of Håkan whose family had the great forethought to preserve Håkans precious letters this past century and the great kindness to share them with me. Thank you so much my dear cousin!



***double click on Håkan's letter and photos to enlarge for easier viewing***

Sunday

Another of Grandma's cousins emigrated to Chicago and became an American - Lars Gunnar Andersson

I started my family history journey with the belief that my grandparents came to the U.S. and settled in Chicago alone. All alone, leaving their family in Scandinavia behind forever. I knew that my paternal grandparents had a few siblings that also came to the U.S. but my research is turning up one cousin and extended relative after another that not only left Sweden for America but settled in, of course, Chicago.

My grandma or grandpa had cousins in Chicago and never told me? Then it occurred to me that I have never discussed most of my cousins with my children and am not in touch with them except perhaps with an occasional Christmas card or meeting up at a funeral.

Today in 2018 I do not personally know a single soul remaining in Chicago who is 100% Swedish (or Norwegian either for that matter). I know quite a few of my age, that I grew up with, who can point to a Scandinavian immigrant grandparent. I have not yet found any of them to be related to me.

I am beginning to wonder however if there are perhaps loads of folks, walking around Chicago and suburbs that are actually my third, fourth  etc. cousins. The descendants of my grandparents cousins. Their grandparents and my grandparents were born in the same small Scandinavian area, made that same long journey on foot, by boat and train that ended in Chicago. Today, over a century later how many of us, grandchildren and great grandchildren, unknowingly pass each other's car on the expressway, share a seat on the train, or stand right next to each other at a Chicago parade never knowing the history, the culture, the blood, that we share. How many of us? Boggles my mind.

my cousin twice removed
Lars Gunnar Andersson
b: 12 September 1895 Skäremo, Håcksvik, Älvsborg, Sweden
d: September 1973 Chicago, Cook, Illinois USA 

Gunnar's mother, Lena Johanna Karlsdotter Andersson was the sister of Anna Karolina Karlsdotter Abrahamsson. Gunnar came to Chicago in 1920. He worked as a carpenter living on North Clifton ave. in the Swedish neighborhood of  Lakeview. He became an American November 19, 1930. My grandmother, his cousin Lydia, was naturalized the same year.




***double click naturalization records for easier reading***

Wednesday

Twenty nine years ago today - Melvin Carl Kallman

Twenty nine years ago today my Dad was gone. There is something particularly sweet and poignant about revisiting the photo of a beloved family member now gone. Especially a precious photo of him or her in childhood. Today I share with you my Daddy age 2.


My Father
Melvin Carl Kallman
b: 18 August 1916 Chicago, Illinois
d: 12 September 1989 Park Ridge, Illinois


Love and miss you Dad,

Saturday

Remembering Pastor Paul Emil Jacobson Sr. Sept 22, 1922 - Sept 1, 1981

for our familyPaul Jacobson Jr. shares memories of his father

Pastor Paul



Memories of my Dad:

Suffice it to say, the early passing of my father, at 58 years of age, took an emotional toll on the whole family. For me, it was the loss of a friend and mentor…and an example of how to live life. I have never taken the time to document my thoughts or observations about him until cousin Ranae asked me to write about my father.

Needless to say, this has been an emotional exercise…Rather than writing a lifetime story about the man referred to as “Pastor Paul”, by his congregation and neighbors or “Big Paul” by his loving wife, Ruth, I have just done a brain dump of memories that are still etched on my mind and soul.

While he was Dad…first and foremost he was my Dad the pastor. Things I remember about his calling:
He loved all people and never spoke ill of anyone.
He visited the sick at home and in the hospital.
He visited people in jail (he took me along several times, it did make an impression).
He preached with passion for the lost and hurting. The love of God was his central theme.
He wasn’t judgmental, but he did have high expectations of folks (and his children).
He spent many hours praying, preparing sermons and performing pastoral duties.
Singing and playing his guitar were part of his ministry. This gift was something that was nurtured as a young man doing street ministry in Chicago with his brothers. I loved sitting with him in his study, listening to him play and sing. I never did figure out how he always had Martin guitars….
As some may know, country pastors didn’t make a lot of money back in the day. In fact, working other jobs to supplement his income was just a fact of life.
He painted homes.
He drove school bus.
He was a field boss during the summer berry season.
He was generous, probably to a fault….and wasn’t the best at managing finances.
Some of his personal quirks were legend amongst the family. What I recall is limited…
He loved the color orange. We had an orange car, sofa, carpeting….oh my, those socks!!!
He was not the best at coordinating colors and clothing styles. His style was, well, eclectic. He always wore suits while on pastoral duty but those leisure outfits were legendary. Striped and checkered shorts, goofy sandals with socks (usually orange).
He was partial to homemade root beer.
He loved driving the family on back roads, going on picnics and exploring the countryside. We were never lost, just exploring a new logging road to who knows where.
He would strike up conversations with anyone, rich or poor, black or white, able and disabled. You could always count on him to treat each with respect, listening and interacting. I always believed that his profound and unconditional love of God’s children drove this behavior.
Dad was a role model for behavior of a husband and father. I believe many of his virtues were the result of his mother Anna Abrahamsson Jacobson’s loving hand in raising the “baby” of the family.
He was patient and loving. He loved his family, his mother, father and siblings and their families.
He was even tempered and I never heard him raise his voice or argue with mom (or grandma:) in front of the family. (Yes, mom’s parents, Clara and Edwin Nelson lived with us for most of our childhood...creating a special dynamic for all of us.)
While my brother Tim and I probably gave him cause, he never lost his temper. When discipling us, he would always discuss the problem, help us understand the error, pray for us, and then calmly deliver our discipline. (Yes, we did have spankings). I have never had any ill feelings about this…and grew to understand what “going to the woodshed” really meant.
Oh yes, we did have a wood shed where my brother and I learned how to split wood and stack it to keep the home fires burning for heating and cooking.
While he was very busy as a pastor, Dad did find some time for his family and children. He was supportive of me in band playing the trombone, in sports, etc.
I learned how to play horseshoes from dad; the church picnic always had a horseshoe competition where he was in the thick of it. He could be somewhat competitive when it came to games, especially when us boys challenged him to croquet or “horse”.
He loved to go fishing with his boys. Later in life I tumbled to the conclusion that, yes, we were having fun but also providing food for the family.
A memorable event for a young boy was going duck hunting with Dad…with a borrowed shotgun for him and a popgun for me. Not sure if he got any ducks, but it was an adventure for me, spending time with dad in the wilderness.
He was protective and concerned about my joining the United States Marine Corps. In fact, he was not going to sign the papers allowing a 17 year old to become a leatherneck. Mom finally convinced him. He was super proud of my service and I know he prayed for me daily.
Dad was supportive of my marriage to this Anglican girl from Canada…he was a fast and favorite friend of hers.
He was proud of my getting a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington and working for Standard Oil of California (later Chevron).

What meant the most to me was his enduring concern for the well being of my soul and  my relationship to God .... up to the very end of his short life.


I love you Dad…You are not forgotten.
- Paul Jr., now the elder.


***************************************************






    Thank you Paul,

Friday

Journey to America - Grand Uncle Andrew Olaf Soderstrom

Grand Uncle Andrew Olaf Soderstrom was born Olof Anders Söderstrom 15 Sep 1888. He was listed in the Emigrants registered in church books as leaving 03 September 1910, destination "Nord Amerika". He was the first of his immediate family to leave for America. He followed a maternal uncle who had emigrated before him.



Manifest of the ship "Empress of Ireland" which left Liverpool, England September 23, 1910 and arriving in Quebec, Canada September 29, 1910, crossing the border into the U.S. at St. Albans, Vermont. Steerage passengers, second to the last line #29,

• Söderstrom, Olof Andrew
• age 22
• unmarried
• laborer
• can read and write
• nationality Swedish
• born Helgum, Sweden
• father Söderstrom in Sweden
• final destination Chicago, Illinois
• has ticket to final destination paid by self
• in possession of $10
• never been in the U.S.before
• joining uncle Eric Nordquist 3008 Palmer St. Chicago, Illinois
• not a criminal anarchist or polygamist
• good health, not crippled
• 5'10", brown hair, blue eyes
• light complexion, no identifying marks
• born in Norway (incorrectly dittoed) Helgum

From St. Albans Andrew would have traveled by train to Chicago. coming through Canada was a common route for Scandinavians at this time. Canadian entrance laws were less stringent than those at Ellis Island (rumors and fears in the homeland) and the fare was cheaper although traveling conditions were not as good.

Andrew's younger brother, Johan Edvin followed him the next year.

My Grand Uncle
Andrew Olof Soderstrom
b: 13 September Helgum, Västernorrland, Sweden
d: 08 October 1960 Moline, Rock Island, Illinois, USA







*** download ship manifest and enlarge on computer to read clearly***

Monday

1936 The Kallman Family

Another photo of the Kallman Family taken about 1936. This was also in my brother's family album, newly discovered while I visited him this summer.


 Below is a photo in my possession, obviously taken at the same time with the family members arranged a bit differently. I believe I like the top version better.  Those on the couch look a bit squished but it's a better likeness of my Dad, Melvin.


Looks like poor Aunt Eva was the only one who never got a chance to sit! Unless there is a third version out there somewhere?


Thanks to my brother for sharing,

1961 The Kallman Family

I visited my brother this past week in Fort Worth Texas and came across this photo I had never before seen in an album of his. "I thought you had a copy of this", he said. I did not and was pleased to get this photo of my grandparents and their adult children. I could be wrong but I believe this photo was taken on the occasion of Richard and Lydia's 50th anniversary. I was only 9 at the time but I feel confident that I recognized her dress as the one she wore to the party given for them.
1961 Chicago, Illinois
top row - Melvin, Ebba, Eva and Laverne - bottom row - Albin, Lydia and Richard
Grandpa looks a bit grumpy doesn't he? Just as I remember him!


Wednesday

Hulda Olivia Abrahamsson 1891-1966

Hulda Olivia Andersson Abrahamson was the second wife of grand uncle Gustaf Abrahamson. They married in 1933, seven years after the death of Gustaf's first wife, Hanna . Hulda was forty-two when she married Gustaf. They never had any children together but I have to believe she loved children as she was a schoolteacher for many years in the Torpa school.

1920 Torpa school -teacher Hulda Andersson
student Seth Abrahamson (Majholm) -top row in white

She was the teacher of Gustaf and Hanna's son Seth (seen just above her right shoulder), and perhaps all of Gustaf and Hanna's children in her years of teaching. There were never more than 300-400 folks living in Östra Frölunda so I am fairly sure she was familiar not only with the Abrahamson children but the entire Abrahamson family, and the sad story of Hanna's early death. I imagine that even with her love of children it would be particularly hard to marry later in life and become an instant stepmom to not only four children but four teenagers!

In this next photo Hulda and Gustaf have been married over thirty years. They do look like a happy couple don't they? I hope they were.

1964 Gustaf and Hulda Abrahamson

my grand aunt
Hulda Olivia Anderson Abrahamson
b. 27 Feb 1891 Mårdaklev, Västra Götaland, Sweden
d. 12 Jul 1966 Östra Frölunda, Västra Götaland, Sweden







***click on photos to enlarge for easier viewing***

Tuesday

Anna Lovisa Andersdotter Bruzelius 1842-1933

A great but surprising find. Today I noted on the immigrant ship manifest of my great uncle Håkan Patrik Källman that he had stated his aunt as his connection in America. No name just "aunt in Worcester, Massachusetts". I went about searching for who this aunt may be. This aunt now in America could be head of a line of additional cousins in the U.S.

I began by listing all of grand uncle Håkan Patrik's (and my grandfather Richard's) aunts and immediately eliminated those that I had verified had died in Sweden. I began to research his aunt Anna Lovisa Andersdotter. I only had a date of birth on her so perhaps she was the one?

No, she lived married and died in Sweden according to an Ancestry.com family tree of a Swedish man. I had doubts though if this was the same Anna Lovisa. There were photos of his Anna Lovisa, her husband and family, well dressed in their studio portraits. Photographs taken as early as the 1860's. Those photos were expensive. Anna Lovisa and my great grandfather Carl Teodor came from a poor family, their father a tenant farmer. My own grandfather had had an even poorer childhood and no photos were ever afforded for his family when they were young. My Anna Lovisa wealthy?

I dug deeper and found documents/ records confirming that this Anna Lovisa was indeed my families Anna Lovisa, no doubt about it. How did this poor farm girl do so well?  Anna's husband was a lawyer. A lawyer close to thirty years older then she. Even with the period clothes and severe mid-19th century hairdo you also can see from her portrait that Anna Lovisa was quite a beautiful woman. Oh yeah, I think Anna Lovisa was perhaps a 19th century "Trophy wife"! 



1858
44 yr old Carl Ludwig Theodore Bruzelius
and his 16 yr old bride Anna Lovisa Andersdotter


My Great Grand Aunt
Anna Lovisa Andersdotter Bruzelius
7 Jan 1842 - 13 Mar 1933




Monday

Grandmothers with Grandchildren - Lydia Abrahamson Kallman

My grandmother Lydia Kallman
with two grandbabies

This is my grandmother Lydia Kallman in 1952. I am the baby in her right arm and my cousin Robert is in her left. We were born just 6-8 weeks apart. I am the elder baby but even at this young age it was obvious I was the shorter. Well, no lie because he topped out at about 6'4" and I was lucky to squeak up to 5"3".  My drivers license says that I am officially 5'4" but I admit I lied and I never was. My weight on the license? None of your business how much I lied about that.

My focus in the past was always on my cousin and myself. I also was happy to get a pretty good photo of my grandmother, the way I remembered her.

Today when I viewed this photo I realized that since Grandma was born in 1890 she was all of 62 when this photo was taken. I am 4 years older than that now! And Grandma looks old to me! Whoa.....do I look this old? Lie if you must. I am old enough to know better than to ask my grand kids that question. After all, like they say...
"children, drunks and stretch pants don't lie".



Hoping to be remembered fondly 
(even if old) by my grand kids,



Tuesday

The end of a dream - Richard Kallman

For my grandfather Richard, the dream was to have a farm. Back in Sweden, one of the main "pulls" bringing men to America was the possibility of owning land. Swedish farms were small and families were large. Only the oldest son inherited the family farm. The later sons were out of luck. Their only future was working anothers farm as a field hand, the military or merchant marines, going down into the mines or the long hard dirty hours of factory work.

My grandfather Richard was also forever working on his "inventions". Looked like some type of farm equipment. I remember one he called the "plowmaster". Hate to tell you grandpa but I think that's a combine and Cyrus McCormick beat you to it.

He was finally able to farm but that dream was short lived. Why? Perhaps his health, the depression economy, his children growing up and moving on to their own lives?...nothing worked in his favor. The farm and all it held went up for auction.


Grandpa Richard with Grandma Lydia and their two youngest daughters returned to Chicago. Their youngest son, my Dad? World War II was already raging overseas and in just a few months he would be off to Europe.



Sunday

Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center of Augustana College

Click   → HERE ←     to view the 
Digital Permanent Exhibit of the Swedish Immigration to North America

located at Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois


Did you know that in 1910 20% of all native-born Swedes lived in the United States?
Among those were our ancestors ...
the Abrahamsson sisters, Anna, Lydia and Ruth
along with their Swedish born husbands.







Sunday

Is this Great Uncle Andrew Soderstrom?

Today I came across another of those "shakey leaves" on Ancestry.com.  I have conflicted feelings about those leaves, sort of a love /hate relationship. Those hints can be useful, very very useful. Those hints can be laughably wrong also.  This hint, which at first thrilled me (I love finding new photo of ancestors) also gives me some pause.

This photo hint came from the family tree of someone I do not know or recognize as being even a remote relative. The photo is identified as being Anders Olaf Söderström or my grand Uncle Andrew Soderstrom.


Below is a comparison of the photo with a photo to the right that is ABSOLUTELY Grand Uncle Andrew.



I knew Grand Uncle Andrew only as an elderly man and even then I met him just a few times when I was pretty young. This gentleman certainly strongly resembles Grand Uncle Andrew but here are my concerns.

 • Andrew would have been this age around 1910 however the style of dress appears earlier, perhaps 1880's?

• The face shape is the same. Same square jaw, wide forehead, eyes, nose and mouth but Andrew (right) appears thinner with features a bit finer.

• Andrew (right) has noticeably lighter eyes and complexion. Or is this just the lighting of each photograph?

 • Any earlier photo I already have seen of Andrew his hair is always side parted and seems almost blond while the gentleman to the left is surely dark haired.

   •The tree which it came from also had a photo of my grandmother Lydia Abrahamsson and identified it as a photo of her sister, and Andrews wife, Ruth Abrahamsson. This leads me to believe that the owner of this tree did not know Andrew and Ruth.

If not Andrew, could this be a close relative: father, brother or cousin?

All you Soderstroms, Liljegren, and Eckberg cousins, help me out if you can?


My Grand Uncle 
Anders Olof "Andrew" Soderstrom
b: 1 September 1888 Helgum, Angermanland, Sweden
d: 8 October 1960 Moline, Rock Island, Illinois, USA