Ulrika Johansdotter

 Ulrika Johansdotter was born on March 24, 1840 in Skaverud, Molltrop Parish, Skaraborg County, Sweden. Her parents were Johannes Pehrsson and Britta Carlsdotter. Her father was 36 years old and her mother was 43. Johannes's occupation was farmer/peasant. She had older brothers and sisters. Their names were Britta Stina, born in 1826; Pehr Johan, born in 1830; Anders, born in 1832; and Greta Lisa, born in 1836.

In 1842 Johannes is listed as a lodging pauper and dies. He is 38 years old. His wife Britta Carlsdotter is blind. The family moves from Skaverud to Skackan. The family continues to be listed as lodging paupers. With no father to bring in income, and Britta being blind it is likely that the family is relying on the church for assistance. All of the children are listed as being able to read and understand from a book, and Luther's Catechism. All the children are also listed as being vaccinated against smallpox, including Ulrika. 

In 1847 Britta Carlsdotter dies. She is listed as a Widow Pauper, aged 51 years. Ulrika is only 7 years old. Earlier that year older sister Greta Lisa moves out. The other older sister, Britta Stina has moved back in. She has had a child out of wedlock. Ulrika is lucky that she is able to live with her siblings. The alternative would have been to go to foster care. Foster care involved hard work and often starvation. Support for orphans lasted until the age of 15 so that is probably when Ulrika moved out. 

The next Household record Ulrika is found in is 1857-1858. Ulrika is now working as a maid at Grytasen in Kyrkoroten. She moved in from Galteback and in 1858 moves to Rabacken. Her brothers Per and Anders moved away in 1851 and 1850. Older sister Britta had another out of wedlock child in 1855. In 1860 Ulrika moves to Orberga Parish in Ostergotland County. She works on a small farm. On the moving out record her reputation is listed as "Good" and she is 'free for marriage."

In 1860 Ulrika moves to Saby in Orberga Parish, Ostergotland County. She is still working as a maid and her reputation is "well justified-honest" and she is still "free for marriage" The size of the farm she is working on now is larger. She's also in a more wealthier county. In 1861 she moves to Nassia Parish. Her reputation is again "well justifiable-poor-honest"  It is also noted that she attended examinations and attended Lord's Holy Communion in 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, and 1859.

In 1862 Ulrika moves to the medieval town Vadstena in November 1862. Still working as a maid. I've found out that it was not unusual for single people to move so often. Following better job prospects. Also, Ulrika is steadily making her way to bigger and better areas. Leaving her smaller, poorer parish and moving into bigger and wealthier towns. On May 12, 1864 Ulrika moves to Stockholm County, Sweden. 

In Stockholm Ulrika meets, and marries Carl Johan Andersson on December 3, 1866. She is 26 years old. They marry in Sollentuna Parish, Stockholm County. Sollentuna is north of the city of Stockholm. Ulrika also goes by Johansson now, instead of Johanssdotter. It was not unusual for a woman to change from "dotter" to "son". It was the first marriage for Ulrika and Carl. Ulrika's brother Pehr Johan Johansson was listed as Ulrika's guardian and he gave his permission for her to marry. In 1885 unmarried women were emancipated at the age of 21. Prior to that any unmarried woman, no matter the age, had to have permission of a guardian to marry. It could be a father, brother, or widowed mother. For some reason Ulrika's birthday is now listed as March 14, 1840. Carl is listed as a farmhand, and Ulrika is listed as a maid. Ulrika and Carl live at the railway station in Rotebro Jarnvagssatation, Ed Parish, Stockholm County. They are also listed as moving out of the parish on the same day of their wedding, with Stockholm being their destination. 

On December 15, 1866 Carl and Ulrika move to Hjalmseryd Parish, Jonkoping County. They live in Stora Hokhemmet until 1870. Carl is listed as a farmer and owns 2 farms. They live here until they leave to move to America on May 2, 1870. 105 people are listed as moving out of Hjalmseryd Parish in 1870. There was a famine that year so the famine may have been very hard there. Carl is also listed as a lodging pauper in the moving out record. 

Carl and Ulrika leave Gothenburg, Sweden on May 13, 1870 and travel to Hull, England. From there they travel to America where they make their way to Allegan, Michigan. Ulrika is listed with the last name "Anderson" on the passenger list. 

Ulrika was able to make a good life with Carl in Michigan. They were able to buy land, farm, start a church, and raise a family, with many, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ulrika started out with a hard life, losing both her parents by the time she was 7. She was fortunate her siblings took care of her, and she was able to get help from the church. She also worked hard by working as a maid and moving upward to wealthier areas until she met Carl and they were able to save and move to America. More importantly though, in all the church notes and records Ulrika is always listed as being a "good" and "honest" person. She is an inspiration. 

All the research for this blog is courtesy of www.Findaswede.com Researched by Annika Hostmad

Ulrika and Carl and children: Frank, Malvina, Selma

Howard Charles Strandt 1909-1998

 Howard Charles Strandt was born August 9, 1909 in Hinsdale, Illinois. His parents, William and Mary Strandt had moved to Illinois to try their luck after living in Michigan. They were already the parents of Eva, Carl and Ruth. Howard was their youngest, and last child. William and Mary didn't stay in Illinois too long as in the 1910 census they are living in Trowbridge Township with William's father, Carl Strandt. In 1920 the Strandt family, except for Carl, is living on what is now known as the Strandt family farm in Watson Township. Carl is living and working as a hired hand on another farm nearby.  In 1926 William, Mary and Howard are living with Carl and his wife Mildred in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Unlike older brother Carl, Howard attends and graduates from high school. He even attends Western Michigan College for 2 years. He later attends a business school for one year. The 1930 census finds him living at home with William and Mary and attending school. In January 1934 Howard marries Elma P. Huggins. Howard is 25 years old and lives in Plainwell, Michigan.

Howard and Elma's first child, Charles Alden, is born in July 1934. Another son, Wendell, is born on May 31, 1937. In 1938 Howard runs for office as Registrar of Deeds. He doesn't win. I'm not sure what Howard's occupation was during this time. This is also during the time that Carl sued William and Mary over ownership of the Strandt family farm. Howard and older sister Eva seemed to side with William and Mary. I'm not sure what they said or did, but it offended Carl to the point where he cut both Eva and Howard out of his life and vowed to never speak to either one again.

In 1940 Howard and his family are living in Allegan in a rented house. His occupation is listed as a branch manager in a license bureau. A servant girl is also listed as living with the family. Howard has listed 2 years of college completed. Elma listed one year of college completed.

In 1942 Howard is elected to his first year as the Registrar of Deeds for Allegan County, I believe. In 1948 Howard is elected president of the Michigan Association of Registrar of Deeds. From various news articles I've found, Howard and his wife Elma were very involved in Republican politics. They had a daughter, Charlene born in 1945. The 1950 census finds the family still living in Allegan, with Howard listed as the Registrar of Deeds. His neighbors include an attorney and the City Assessor. 

In December of 1957 Howard and Elma's oldest son, Charles, was involved in a horrific car accident that resulted in the death of his cousin Ruth, and injured Ruth's daughter Marilyn. Ruth, the daughter of Eva, was visiting family in Michigan. She and her daughter Marilyn were in the same car as Charles. Their car collided with a truck when they swerved to avoid hitting a mail truck that was in the wrong lane. Ruth died later at the hospital and Charles was critically injured. He sustained brain injuries and was paralyzed. Marilyn was also injured but was able to recover from her injuries. 

Howard remained Registrar of Deeds until late 1976. Even after retiring Howard stayed active in Republican politics, being elected to the executive committee of the Allegan GOP in 1984. By contrast his brother Carl was active in Democratic politics.

By all accounts, Howard was a smart, nice, well liked guy. Even though Carl hadn't spoken to him in years, Howard and his family showed up at Mildred's funeral and signed the guest book. 

Howard passed away March 8, 1998. He was 88 years old. 

From Oct 31, 1964

Please feel free to leave questions and comments below, or email me. Due to Carl's not associating with Howard I don't have a lot of personal stories on Howard. Carl named his oldest son "Howard" so I feel at one time Carl and his brother must've been close. Or at least on friendly terms.