The marriage of Viola Strand and Raymond Henrickson

 The prompt for last week's blog was "random." I decided to write about a random article I found in the paper about Viola Strand.

Viola Strand was the daughter of Carl and Mildred Strand. She was born in September 1922. By all accounts she couldn't wait to get out of her parents house and start her own life. When she caught the eye of nearby farmer Raymond Henrickson, that seemed to be her way out. 

colorized picture of Howard Strand, Viola Strand, Ray Henrickson

By Spring of 1940 Viola and Ray were engaged to be married. The random article I found was from the Thursday, March 28, 1940 issue of the Allegan Gazette. It's about a kitchen shower given to one Viola Strand. 

Allegan Gazette, March 28, 1940

I can only imagine the fun and excitement Viola must have had opening her presents. I wonder what happened to the recipe box and the recipes?

Viola and Ray were officially married on April 20, 1940. Viola's age is given as 18, but she was actually only 17 at the time of marriage. I've seen the age of many women inflated on marriage certificates back in the day. 

I found it interesting that the marriage occurred in Grand Rapids, and not Allegan. Also interesting is that Ray's sister Esther and her husband Milo are listed as witnesses. They were married by a Lutheran pastor, though. Ray's family was very involved with the Lutheran church. The Strand family has been described as not very religious and not officially belonging to any one church. 

Ray and Viola's marriage was later recorded in the Allegan Gazette.

Allegan Gazette, April 25, 1940

A few more interesting notes about the wedding. The marriage occurred on April 20. The 1940 US Federal Census was being conducted that year. On May 9, 1940 a census taker came to the Henrickson farm and recorded the persons living there, which included new daughter-in-law Viola. 

What's interesting is that Viola is also recorded as living with Carl and Mildred, and being single, on May 17, 1940. Viola was recorded twice on the 1940 census, living in two different households! I wonder if maybe a neighbor gave the census taker information for the Strand household? Or maybe there was a cutoff date? Anyway, Viola was counted twice. 

The next piece of random information I have concerns Viola's baptism. Ray Henrickson's grandparents had been instrumental in starting a Lutheran church in Allegan, Michigan. Ray was already a member so it only made sense for his new wife to join the church too. I found church records indicating that Viola was baptized and officially joined the church as a member on April 6, 1941. This would be one year before giving birth to her first child in May 1942.

Does anyone have anymore information on the wedding of Ray and Viola? Why they were married in Grand Rapids? Was there another wedding in Allegan at the Lutheran Church down the road? What happened to the recipe box full of recipes Viola was given at her shower? Did she use them? Let me know in the comments down below or email me. 

 

Outcast: Johan Jonasson

 The prompt for this week is "Outcast." I immediately thought of my great, great grandfather Johan Jonasson. He was the father of George S. Henrickson, my great grandfather who immigrated to America from Sweden. As I looked over my notes on Johan I saw he was an outcast in more than one way.

The birth records for Moheda Parish in Kronoberg County, Sweden record Johan being born on October 28, 1827 to Crofter Jonas Johansson and Maja Stina Danielsdotter. He was baptized on November 1, 1827. 

The next record that records his life (1831-1836) shows him living with his parents and siblings at a remote land Nackelyckor, situated on the land of Vegby Forsagard. This land is so remote that when I did a Google search for it it doesn't even come up. So, it's either changed names, or no one lives there anymore. Either way, all the records describe this location as being "remote". So, Johan and his family lived faraway from other people. 

In the Household record for 1837-1843 the family continues to live at the "Remote land Nackelycke cultivated by soldier Warn at soldier croft." The father Jonas is listed as a pauper. Records also state that the father likes to fight, is poor and is called "Styf" Jonas. Styf translates to "Stiff" and can describe his physical appearance, or his personality. 

Johan has grown up living in a remote part of the parish, being an outcast, if you will. Now something will happen to make him another form of outcast.

Johan's father Jonas died on July 29, 1846. The family was already listed as penniless and paupers. Johan's mother was left widowed with 4 children. Johan was old enough to also be listed as penniless on the records. 

On the Household records for 1844-1850 Johan is listed as a farmhand in Nya och Sodra Kvarnen in Moheda Parish. There is a note on the record about his conviction of theft. The notes are hard to read but it looks like he was sentenced in June 1848. His mother was also convicted of the crime of theft in 1851 even though it appears it happened in June 1848. After his sentence, Johan becomes without a steady residence for 1848-1849. He had to move on. 

Notes for his mother Maja tell us that she was convicted of theft and sentenced to 17 days of living on bread and water. She and Johan also had to perform public church duty. They also would have been asked to stand on the "duty stool" during a church sermon where their crimes would have been described. They would have asked for repentance and then been rehabilitated. Johan and his mother's crime happened in 1848 and they were punished for it in 1851. Sweden outlawed public humiliation for crimes on May 4, 1855. Too late for Johan and Maja.

Johan marries and lives with his wife until her death on April 10, 1872. The very next day Ingrid Christina Svensdotter Fahna moves in with Johan as a maid. They have an illegitimate daughter born on June 13, 1873. Johan and Ingrid do not marry until January 10, 1874.

Under reputation Johan continues to be described as a drunk, penniless, and "Styf" like his father before him. Ingrid and Johan have two more children, George and his sister Amanda, who immigrate to America. Ingrid leaves Johan to care for her sister, leaving him alone, again. Johan died in 1903, living by himself, as far as I could tell from the records.

Johan seemed to live most of his life as an outcast, whether it was by living remotely from other people, or by his actions taken and being outcast from society. I don't have any pictures of Johan, but I did find a picture of his younger brother Anders. Anders, by contrast, was never convicted of theft, had illegitimate children or was classified as a drunkard. I found this picture of Anders with 2 of his adult children. Anders is seated in the front, next to his wife.

I found notes on the Fahna family online. They were not very complimentary when they mentioned Johan. Johan seems to have been the Black Sheep of the family. Johan is definitely one of the more colorful ancestors I've come across.

Carl Johan Anderson

 Carl Johan Anderson was born and christened on November 18, 1840 in Slatto Nybygge, Hjalmseryd Parish, Jonkoping County, Sweden. His mother was Maria Andersdotter. Carl is listed as her illegitimate child. Carl lives with Maria and her parents at the parents' home. His grandfather worked as a day laborer. Carl's grandparents were listed as penniless. Carl's mother, Maria, worked as a maid.

In 1844 Maria had another child, a daughter named Christina. She was also listed as illegitimate. However, this time Maria was churched as the wife of Anders Svensson. When someone was "Churched" it means they were being welcomed back into the church after an absence. Different religions had their own version of "churching." In Sweden it was mainly seen as a way to welcome someone back who had been out of the church. When women gave birth it was the custom that the woman giving birth would stay at home and do no work. Just work on recovering from childbirth and regain her strength. Other women would come to help her by doing her chores, cooking, cleaning, looking after the house, etc. After 6 weeks she would be churched and welcomed back to society. Maria was churched as the wife of Anders Svensson. However, Maria and Anders were not married. They didn't even live in the same household it appears. While Anders was seen as the father of Christina, and also Carl, he was not married to Maria when she gave birth to either child.  In fact, Anders and Maria would not formally get married until May 2, 1863. So, Anders Svensson is the assumed father of both children, since he and Maria were not married at the birth of either child. Since the Swedish Church churched Maria, welcomed her back, as the wife of Anders, that means that in the eyes of the church they saw Maria and Anders as a married couple, even though they were not legally wed. Living together without being married was not looked kindly on and would have been discouraged. Even so, the church still seemed to approve of Maria and Carl's unusual for the time relationship.  Carl's last name is Anderson. That could be because Anders Svensson WAS his father, or because Anders was his step-father. It could also reference the fact that his maternal grandfather's name was Anders. 

In 1844 Maria and her children moved to Soldier Croft Number 50 at Stora Hokhemmet, Hjalmseryd Parish, still in Jonkoping County. Anders was a practicing farmer.  Carl was confirmed in the church in 1856. In 1858 there is a note about Carl working at a railroad station but it's not clear what he did. He may have moved around between Rotebro, Sollentuna between 1859 and 1861. Maria and Anders legally marry in 1863. In 1866 Carl moves to Stockholm. In December 1866 he married Ulrika Johansdotter. 

After marriage, Carl and Ulrika are found back in Stora Hokhemmet, Hjalmseryd Parish, Jonkoping County. Carl is able to buy a small piece of property. Carl and Ulrika move back to where Carl grew up.

On May 2, 1870 Carl and Ulrika register to move to America. He is listed as a lodging pauper and Ulrika is his wife. On May 13, 1870 they sail on the ship "Orlando" to Hull, England where they continued on to America. I know they briefly settled first in Indiana before coming to Michigan where they eventually settled and raised their children. 

Annika Hostmad, a genealogist from "Find a Swede" who I hired to research Carl said she had never seen a case like this before. Where an unmarried couple was apparently viewed and treated by the church as a married couple.  Why did Maria and Anders wait so long to marry? Until 1885 a woman had to have permission from her father, a brother, a widowed mother, or her employer to marry. Was there someone who would not give Maria permission to marry Anders? Did her parents want Maria to stay at home and take care of them? Or perhaps she had an employer who didn't want her to leave? The Swedish church normally didn't look kindly on couple having children out of wedlock. Why did they treat Maria and welcome her back as if she and Anders were a married couple?  

As an orphan, Ulrika and her siblings were helped a great deal by the church. It also appears that the church helped Carl's mother and father too. Maybe that explains why they were so generous to the Swedish Lutheran church they helped start in Michigan. Now that they were both in a position of having much more did they want to payback for the kindness shown to them earlier? One thing is certain, both came from very humble roots. America offered them the opportunity they didn't have in Sweden. 

I definitely think that looking more into the lives of Maria and Anders is warranted. Hopefully 2023 will provide some answers. :)

Post any questions, comments, observations in the comments or email me.

The first picture is of the railroad station where Carl and Ulrika met while working.

The second picture is of the church in Hjalmseryd Parish. This is the church Carl would have attended until 1853, when a new church was built. 

Research help provided by Annika Hostmad from "Find a Swede"

https://findaswede.com/

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

The Marriage of George and Malvina Henrickson

This week's theme is "Landed" so I thought I would write about the marriage of George Henrickson and Malvina Anderson, when they "landed" in their married life together. February 21, 2022 is also the 122nd wedding anniversary of George and Malvina Henrickson. 

George Henrickson met Malvina Anderson when he was a student preacher. He attended, and graduated from Augustina College in Chicago, Illinois in 1897. Sometime after that he met Malvina and became engaged to her. They married in the Sandhem Lutheran Church in Abronia, Allegan, Michigan on February 21, 1900. Here is the church entry recording their marriage. 

It's interesting to note that the church records Malvina'a age as 20, but she was actually 21. George and Malvina's residence is listed as Florence, Wisconsin. Florence, Wisconsin is where first daughter Selma was born. George and Malvina must've returned to Florence after their wedding. Another interesting note is that the church lists this as their "2nd church" wedding. I'm not sure what the meaning of that is. On this same page is the wedding record of Malvina's younger sister Selma. By her and her husband's name is noted that it is their "3rd church" wedding. Was it common then to be married in more than one church? Or more than one location? Mysteries! The notes for George and Malvina go on to say that the Rev. Ryberg was the person who married them, and that they had no attendants.  Selma and her husband, at their 3rd church wedding DO have attendants listed though. 

Next we have the official Michigan marriage license to compare information with.

The official license lists Illinois as George's residence and Watson Township as Malvina's. It also correctly lists Malvina's age as 21. It lists George's father's name as John Henrickson, it's really Johan Johansson. George changed his last name to Henrickson so maybe he wanted his father to have the same last name? It also lists the Rev. Rydberg as a Swedish Lutheran pastor who married the couple. Malvina's parents Charley and Ulrika Anderson are listed as witnesses. 

I've searched newspapers but all I can find about the actual marriage of George and Malvina is this small blurb stating that it happened. 

I DID find a more descriptive article of sister Selma's wedding. It sounds quite fancy. I'm not sure if Malvina didn't have a party or if it just wasn't reported.

And finally, here is a picture of George and Malvina in their wedding clothes. It certainly looks like they were having a fancy ceremony.

In the first 10 years of marriage they lived in 4 different locations and had 7          children. George and Malvina went on to have 12 children, with 11 living to adulthood.

 

The Anderson and Henrickson connection to Immanuel Lutheran Church

 This week's writing prompt was "Groups." I thought I would write about the connection of the Anderson and Henrickson families to the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Allegan, Michigan. 

According to a pamphlet written to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Allegan, Michigan, in 1953, the Swedish settlers of what was then known as Abronia, Michigan met on August 4, 1878 to organize a "Swedish Lutheran Church."  Charles and Hulda Anderson were among the Swedish settlers present. In 1879 Charles and Hulda donated land to the church to be used as a cemetery. The deed was given on April 15, 1879.  On July 2, 1879  Charles and Hulda's daughter Malvina Olivia was the first person buried in the cemetery. In October of  1879 Hulda would give birth to another daughter who was also christened Malvina Christina. She would go on to marry George Henrickson.

Charles Anderson was one of the first trustees of the church. He served four terms as a church trustee. He served two terms as a Deacon, and 2 years as Sunday School Superintendent. In 1895 the church bought a Moline Organ for $75. I remember hearing a family story about how the organ was bought in Detroit and Charles and Hulda drove to Detroit in a horse and buggy wagon and brought the organ back to the church. Malvina was the first organist for the church. She played from 1895 to 1900. 1900 is the year she married George Henrickson. 

Charles passed away in 1915. That is the year that George and Malvina returned to Allegan, taking over the farm purchased by Charles and Hulda many years before. George and Malvina quickly became involved in the church. One of the first duties George took on was as church organist. He served as organist for many years. He was paid $52 a year. He also served as a Sunday School Superintendent.  He was often selected to attend church conferences in Detroit, Chicago and other places. George also served on a committee to raise funds for missionary work and aid overseas. He was a vital member of the leadership of the church. In later years when George got older and couldn't keep up as much, eldest daughter Selma took over and became quite active in the church. Following in the footsteps of both her parents she served as church organist for 15 years, from 1945-1959. She also worked with the Ladies Aid and the Missionary Society. 

The church played quite a large part in the lives of Charles and Hulda Anderson and George and Malvina Henrickson. And daughter Selma too. 

This is from the church secretary's book. If you look at lines 8, 13, 14, you'll see George Henrickson's name mentioned. Serving as Deacon, School Superintendent, organist and attendee to a conference. 

Another copy from the church secretary book from the end of 1929. Featuring a report by George Henrickson, Deacon. Also, reports by G. Henrickson as acting Treasurer. At the bottom is a report by Selma Anderson as Treasurer of the Ladies Home Foreign Ministries Society. 

The church played a major role in the lives of my great, great grandparents and my great grandparents. 

Leave any questions, comments, or your own personal stories relating to the Andersons or Henricksons below in the comments. Thanks for reading!