Swedes in Canada

Welcome to my seventh Newsletter!

The manuscript is well on its way! Good news for me, and good news for you! As of 24 November seven draft chapters are completed out of a projected 20 to 25, and the eighth chapter has had a good start. Best of all, the book promises to be an interesting read. I am delighted that the material is coming together so well.

Much has been accomplished this year despite time off for cataract surgery and major computer problems. Swedes have been tracked in Yukon Territory and every province, including Newfoundland, from 1767 to 1914, except for the prairie provinces 1905 to 1914 which comprise the eighth chapter now being worked on. My goal is to finish it in time to start 2008 with the ninth chapter - the first world war. The most difficult sections will then have been completed, and I expect to finish writing the manuscript on schedule, that is by the end of 2008.

Honour the Pioneers

You can have your immigrant ancestor commemorated in my forthcoming book, under the Honour the Pioneers program. This program will end 31 December 2008, so don’t wait for spring - Do it now!

Click here to find out how you can participate. At last count there were 80 entries, and there’s still room for more!

Donor	Pioneers	Origin	Year to Canada	Place of Settlement	Commemorating
Angus, Patricia & Dr. Lynn Sargeant	Johan Ulrich & Anna Mathilda (Jonasson) Frejd	Undenäs, Västergötland	1887	Bruce Mines ON
Anonymous	Oscar & Svea Anderson	Rönnäs, Lappland	1909 1913	Kathryn AB
Barr, Peter & Elinor	Carl & Carolina Berglund	Mäland, Skog, Ångermanland	1907	Finmark ON	Audrey Broman (1922-2001)
Barr, Peter & Elinor	Neil & Anna Sideen	Bodsjö, Jämtland Gräfsåsen, Jämtland	1900	Stanley ON	Marion Muldoon (1926-2001)
Bissett, Alice (Johnson)	Ingrid (Lofstrom) Johnson	Ballnor, Hälsingland	1912	Chatfield MB
Bjorklund, Donna & Sharon	Elis Manfrid & Edit Maria Viktoria (Vikstrom) Björklund	Boden, Norrbotten	1923 1924	Port Arthur ON
Bjorkquist, Constance June	Ida Margareta Blomquist	Hede, Härjedalen	1911	Maidstone SK
Blaine, Jean	John Peter & Brita (Gärdwall Andersdotter) Bergenham Hälsingland	Offerdal, Jämtland	1892 1893	Moberly BC
Brown (Bjork), Aina & Gloria Roberton (Brown)	Oskar Emil & Alvina (Lundmark) Bjork	Piteå, Norrbotten	1912 1924	Timmins ON	Parents and grandparents
Carlson, Evar Yngve	Evert & Hulda (Olson) Carlson	Västergötland Bohuslän	1912 1908	Simmie District SK
Carlson, J.R.	Kristina Persson Carlson	Gagnef, Dalarna	1929	Sudbury ON
Carlson, Lynn & Neil	Edwin Otto & Beda Linea (Rosenquist) Carlson	Dalarna Värmland	1929 1930	Winnipeg MB
Carlson, Nancy & Family	Gustaf Carlson	Vetlycke, Torsås, Småland	1928	Port Arthur ON	Grandparents Gus & Vera Carlson
Danard (Sjodin), Lillian & Ann-Mari (Sjodin) Westerback	Erik & Agnes Margareta (Viklund) Sjodin	Bjärtrå, Ångermanland Ullånger, Ångermanland	1923 1924	Fort William ON
Edwards, Enid A.	Alexander & Svea (Hess) Stenberg	Stockholm	1887	Stockholm SK
Ersson, Per & Rayhni	Per & Martha Jonsson	Bodsjö, Jämtland	1926	British Columbia	Amy Danared
Ersson, Per & Rayhni	Arvid Jonsson	Bodsjö, Jämtland	1922	British Columbia	Wife Ester Jonsson
Fitzsimmons (Peterson), Sharon	Andrew Peterson	Livsdal, near Norberg, Västmanland	1908	Rich Valley AB
Hamilton, Janet	Anna Dahlin	Jämtland	1893	Ferintosh AB	Flora Watson & Lois Fraser
Harri (Walberg), Dianne Lynn	Olaf Konrad Lindberg	Kasa, Grundsunda, Ångermanland	1902	Slate River ON	Edith Anna Margaret Lindberg
Harri (Walberg), Dianne Lynn	Olga Carolina Sellin	Själevad, Ångermanland	1902	Slate River ON	Edith Anna Margaret Lindberg
Harri (Walberg), Dianne Lynn	Helena Augustina Lundström	Bjursträsk, Norrbotten	1904	Slate River ON	Renus Alfred Walberg
Harri (Walberg), Dianne Lynn	Nils Alfred Walberg	Vännfors, Vännäs, Västerbotten	1902	Slate River ON	Renus Alfred Walberg
Havel, Dr. J. E.	Anne Marie (Luhr) Havel	Växholm, Stockholm archipelago	1959	Montreal QC & Sudbury ON
Holmgren Family	Jonas "Helmer" & Selma (Westman) Holmgren	Malmberget, Lappland	1908 1910	New Hill AB
Johnson, Elvira "Vera" & Mavis Hyde	Johan Amos & Gustafva Carolina (Haraldson) Johnson	Höreda, Vetlanda, Småland Karlstorp parish, Småland	1898 1898	Scandinavia MB	Carl Amos Victor Johnson
Johnson, Ken & Isabel	Hans Bernhard & Agda Teolina (Carlson) Magnuson	Tanumshede, Bohuslän	1908 1924	Notre Dame, now Ponteix SK
Johnson, Kenneth, Ruth, Ross (dec), & Sharon	John Helmer & Anna Erika (Norman) Johnson	Strinne, Bjärtrå, Ångermanland Pitholm, Piteå, Norrbotten	1912 1916	Wabigoon ON	Parents Anna & John
Johnson, Dr. Leavert	Per & Karna (Jönsdotter) Johnson	Östraby, Skåne Vollsjö, Skåne	c1893	Malmo District AB
Johnstone, Irene M.	Marcus August Sylvester & Elizabet Katerina (Eriksson) Blomquist	Åsele, Lappland	1912	Hayter AB	Grandparents & uncles Fred & Eric who died 1914 Empress of Ireland sinking
Jones, Keith & Carol	Mary (Karlsson) & Charlie Johnson born Knut Håkansson	Gräfsåsen, Jämtland southern Sweden	1909 before 1911	Port Arthur ON
Kletke, Herb & Helen	Johan Hornfeldt & Eva Amalia (Eriksdotter) Holmstrom	Bursjöholmen, Arnäs, Ångermanland Åsele, Lappland	1910 1911	Inwood MB
Knutson, James	Hanna Wahlgren Knutson	Hjorted, Småland	1889	Waterville QC
Knutson, Marilyn	Ann Anderson	Hallaryd parish, Småland	1900	Stratton ON
Landine, Maureen	Jon & Karin Persson	Torsby, Värmland	1892	Stockholm SK	Commemorating William S. & M. Zetta Persson
Landine, Maureen	Kristoffer & Inga Landin	Åsele, Lappland	1903	Stockholm SK
Lilja, Bob & Elsie	Karl Johan Lilja	Dalskog, Dalsland	1916	Hayter AB
Lind, Luella	Ernst Valdemar Lind	Kålhög, Lille Ryland, Tanumshede, Bohuslän	1927	Calgary AB
Lind, Luella	Karl Vincent Lind	Raftötången, Bohuslän	1920	Cochrane AB
Lindholm, Family of Ernest	Charles & Anna Christina (Ohman) Lindholm	Lovsberg, Småland Delsbo, Hälsingland	1902 1897	New Norway AB
Linneborg, Henry's Children	Nils (Gullickson) & Frida Maria Augusta (Holmgren) Linneborg	Malmberget, Lappland	1907	New Hill AB
Lockhart, Elsie	Gustav Julius (Hellberg) Hill	Södertalje, Södermänland	1910	Vancouver BC	Father
Lockhart, Elsie	Judith Sofia (Solberg) Hill	Stockholm	1912	Vancouver BC	Mother
Lundgren, Margaret	Carl Fritiof (Israelson) Melin	Sandås, Lappland	1902	Meeting Creek AB
McDonald, Helen E	Beata (Johansson) Swanson	Kinnared, Halland	1887	Vancouver BC	Hilma Anna Justina (Swanson)
McGlade, Meliny	Staffin & Anna (Forsberg) Melin	Strådalen, Härjedalen	1912	Weldon SK
Maertens-Poole, Beverly J.	Sven Emil Folke (Nilsson) Nelson	Mörlunda, Småland	1928	Hughenden AB
Matson, Harold E.	Gustaf Eugene & Tea Viktoria (Salomonsson) Mattson	Norrbyskär, Västerbotten	1913	Fort William ON area
Monkman, Lois (Enborg)	Swan Enborg	Burseryd, Småland	1887	Port Arthur ON	Parents Swan & Rose Enborg
Nordstrom, Carol John	Carl & Hilda Nordstrom	Gaddaröd, Löddeköpinge, Skåne	1909	Canwood SK
Nordstrom, Sylvia	John Erland Göte Nordstrom	Järbo, Gästrikland	1964	Port Arthur ON
Norlander, Ivan	E. Manfred Norlander	Nora, Ångermanland	1929	Norquay SK	Parents E. Manfred & Mable Grace (Haglund) Norlander
Nystrom, Karen	Nils Viktor Nystrom	Piteå, Norrbotten	1915	Wabigoon ON	Bert E. Nystrom
Olson Family	Olaf Bernard Olson	Hede, Härjedalen	1911	Sprague MB	Elin Irene Jarf
Olson, Norman D.	Erick & Sofia (Swenson) Paulson	Laxsjö, Jämtland	1909	Bawlf AB
Oslund, Stone E.	Axel Sigurd Åslund	Jämtland	1924	Sioux Lookout ON
Pearson, Ida (Johnson)	Carl J & Olga (Carlson) Johnson	Småland Västmanland	1894 1895	Scandinavia & Erickson MB
Petersson, Marion (Ringwall)	Peter (Ericksson) & Gölin (Skanse) Ringwall	Överhogdal, Hälsingland	1900	Ferintosh AB
Roberton, Gloria & Lorne & family	Aina Marie (Bjork) Brown	Piteå, Norrbotten	1924	Timmins ON	Mother
Rydman, Harold & Perry	Gustav & Hulda Rydman	Tingsås, Småland	1908	Edmonton AB
Ryland, Ida	Sven Arthur Justinus Carlson	Fyrunga, Västergötland	1910	Swift Current SK
Sargent, Margo E	Justus (Svensson) Swanson	Älmehult, Småland	1891	Vancouver BC	Johan Ragnvald (John R.) Swanson
Sideen, Wesley & Carol Ann and Neil & Carol Sideen	Anna Regina (Karlsson) Sideen	Gräfsåsen, Jämtland	1900	Stanley ON	Commemorating Marion Muldoon
Simonson, Ted	Nils Valfrid & Märta Ingeborg (Hallquist) Bengtsson	Larv, Västergötland	1928	Winnipeg MB	Ed Carlson
Simonson, Ted	Edwin Otto Carlson	Dalarna	1929	Winnipeg MB
Simonson, Ted	Märta Ingeborg (Hallquist) Simonson	Larv, Västergötland	1928	Winnipeg MB	Doug Simonson
Sjoberg, grandsons Lawrence & Donald	Johan & Margareta Sillen	Sihl, Ångermanland	1892 1895	Scandinavia MB
Sjoberg, grandsons Lawrence & Donald	Johan & Clara Sjöberg	Vindeln, Västerbotten	1904 1905	Clanwilliam MB
Sjoberg, Edna	Lars & Emelie (Persson) Oman	Kärråkra, Västergötland	1886	Clanwilliam MB
Smith (Axelson), Ellen	Axel Eugene Axelson	Överklinton, Västerbotten	1928	Geraldton ON	Axel Eugene Axelson & Gene Edward Axelson
Smith, W. Robert & Helen Elizabeth Smith-Conrad	Charles John & Martha Agnes (Granlund) Erickson	Stockholm Stöde, Medelpad	1907	Clyde AB Metiskow AB
Sund (Winquist), Sonja	Albert Hjalmar Winquist	Hökön, Loshult, Skåne	1915	Edmonton AB
Syslak, Walter	Carl & Anna C. Booth	Stjärnsund, Dalarna	1893	Hilltop MB
Tennis, Leonard	Johan (Kristiansen) & Anna Tennis	Gammalsvenskby, Ukraine	1890	Ferintosh AB
Tornblom, Erik	Hildur & Ivar Tornblom	Söderhamn, Hälsingland	1912	Harstone ON
Wickman, Sharon	Frans Oscar Teodor & Anna Augusta Wickman,	Piteå, Norrbotten	c1909	Pellatt Twsp ON
Wickstrom, Family of Stan & Betty	Peter Adolph & Eugenia Maria Amelia (Johnson) Wickstrom	Enanegar, Hälsingland Sundsvall, Medelpad	1918	Calgary AB
Williams, Esther	Oscar & Svea Anderson	Hajom, Småland	1910 1913	Keoma AB
Williams, Richard & Karen	Lydia Ericsson	Forshaga, Värmland	1899	Revelstoke & Victoria BC	Lillian Williams
Williams, Richard & Karen	Johan Sigfrid Anderson	Kinnared, Halland	1889	Revelstoke & Victoria BC	Lillian Williams

Useful Services

Genealogy

Swedish church records are online at http://www.genline.com. For a special subscription to access them, enter code GEDCOM360 on the membership page and get three months for $70 Canadian (440 SEK). For more information, contact the Canadian representative, Connie Whitmore of Ottawa, at connie.whitmore@genline.com. For relevant books and CDs, go to http://www.ancestorsswedish.com. Canadian and USA prices and shipping. For direct contact with Genline's help desk in Sweden, for example to find living relatives, send an e-mail to info@slaktforskarnashus.se. Check out www.slaktforskarnashus.se first!

Translations

Check out http://swedishabstracts.com, then contact Rickard Enstrom of Edmonton at info@swedishabstracts.com. Rickard and his team translate letters and documents as well as scientific articles.

Travel

Contact Elaine Domier The Travel Lady, Edmonton, who is a Scandinavian Specialist, at elainedomier@shaw.ca or phone 780 434 6532, and ask to be put on her mailing list! Elaine represents Ward’s, The Travel Company Ltd.

News Flash from the Empress of Ireland Artifacts Committee

Our Newsletter #6 featured a father and son who perished in Canada’s worst maritime disaster, the 1914 sinking of the Empress of Ireland in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. During its 95 successful voyages the liner brought to Canada 117,000 passengers, many of whom settled on the prairies. In 2005 the Artifacts Committee sponsored an ambitious program in Calgary, followed by a tour of the artifacts to nine different locations. It was recently announced that the prestigious Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton has agreed to house the collection. A display of the 55 artifacts, four replications, seven archival pieces, and a model of the ship will open in May. For an invitation to the opening, or more information, contact Marion Kelch at czardust@telusplanet.net. The Committee will continue to work to procure the rest of the artifacts.

Courtesy of Marion Kelch, Czar, Alberta

No Longer a Conundrum

In Newsletter #6 I asked for information about the 1916 military photo, below. Anders Neumueller, editor of Swedish Press in Vancouver, sent the following response:

Tug of War used to be part of the Olympics and the Britts had teams that won all competitions (e.g. at the Summer Olympics in 1900, 1908, 1908), but at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912 the Stockholm Police quickly assembled a team and resoundingly beat the London Bobbies. This surprise victory is probably the background to the Alberta post card.

Thanks, Anders!

Courtesy of Carin Appelqvist, Mora, Sweden

Charlie Burkman, Globe Trotter

Pierre Berton told the story of “The Great Cross-Canada Hike” in his book My Country. This extraordinary event involved four men and one woman who walked from the Atlantic to the Pacific, a distance of 5,840 km (3,640 miles), from January to June 1921. It all started with Charlie Burkman’s layoff from the shipyards in Halifax. He and an out-of-work buddy decided to walk westward along the railway lines (this was before highways became commonplace), looking for work. Their journey was funded by selling postcards of themselves along the route. As it turned out four more people joined in after a Halifax newspaper publicized the event, and Charlie’s “leisurely walk” became a race covered by media across the country.

Charlie reached Vancouver in 150 days. He had spent time in Port Arthur [now part of Thunder Bay] visiting his parents, blacksmith John Burkman from Nederkalix in northern Sweden and his wife Annie Myllymaki from Finland. “I am a Port Arthur boy,” he told a News-Chronicle reporter, ”I have already been here a day and a half longer than I expected. I will wire you as soon as I reach Vancouver.” After completing his cross-Canada hike Charlie set out from Halifax in October 1921 to walk around the world for a prize of $20,000, subscribed by sportsmen in the Maritimes. It is not known how he made out.

For more details of the trip across Canada see http://www.users.qwest.net/~cirnielsen/winter2000.html.

Names Days

In earlier times, names days were celebrated rather than birthdays. See if you can find your name in this list from the 2003 Swedish Almanac, then try to convince gift givers that you deserve two special days each year! The first number is the day and the second number is the month.

Courtesy of Sonja Roulston, Winnipeg, Manitoba

A Marriage Certificate Made to Last

Once upon a time marriage certificates were a work of art, to be framed and hung in the parlour. The one below records the marriage of Arvid Petterson and Alma Erickson, solemnized by the Mission Covenant pastor in Winnipeg in 1899. The bride and groom both came from Trosa, Sweden

Courtesy of David Brown, Renfrew, Ontario.

Next Newsletter

I can’t guarantee a newsletter, but everybody on my e-mail address list will receive an update in 2008 about how the manuscript is progressing. Be sure to let me know if your address changes!

Season's greetings and best wishes to all for a fulfilling year in 2008!

Elinor