Traditions

One of the traditions I always liked in my family was the celebrating of Christmas on Christmas Eve. I remember going to the Henrickson farm one year and there was a huge buffet laid out with a ton of food. Presents were opened and a lot of fun was had. I had always heard that we opened presents on Christmas Eve because we were Swedish and that's what they did in Sweden. I decided to research it.

Sweden does indeed celebrate on Christmas Eve. In the late afternoon, when the sun sets, Swedes celebrate with a smörgåsbord. It contains a variety of hot and cold dishes and ends with sweets and rice pudding. The custom of bringing a tree into the house started in the 1880's and came from Germany. Originally the giving of presents was anonymous. A log would be left on someone's door step. There might be a riddle or poem attached and the receiver would try and figure out who had left it. The original Secret Santa! As near as I can tell, the custom of Santa giving presents didn't originate until the early 1900's, but I could be wrong. It does seem like it started in the late 1800's/early 1900's though. Too late for the Anderson family, but maybe George Henrickson knew about it? 

Swedish Christmas

As for why Swedes open their presents on Christmas Eve and not Christmas morning, I really couldn't find a good answer. The closest I could find is that in old Nordic culture, the people celebrated holidays on the eve. The holiday started as soon as the sun set according to their calendars and keeping of time. The Swedish church set the time of 6 pm as the start of holidays. 

Swedes in America

A modern Swedish Christmas tradition that I really like is that at 3pm, on Christmas Eve, Swedish television plays a Disney cartoon special from 1958. It contains Donald Duck cartoons, along with other Disney films. Everyone in Sweden sits down to watch Donald Duck, every year. Definitely my kind of tradition! :)

Swedish Christmas

When I was researching Christmas Eve celebrations, I learned that most countries that DO open presents on Christmas Eve and have big celebrations are generally located in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. More so the Northeastern Europe countries. 

What traditions do you remember about Christmas Eve? Christmas Day? 

Swedish traditions

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/

Charles Richard Brownell

 This week I'm writing about Charles Richard Brownell. Charles was the older brother of Eva Brownell Pulsipher, grandmother to Carl Strand, mother of Mary Pulsipher Strand. He would be Carl Strand's grand uncle.

Charles Richard Brownell was born February 25, 1840 in Allegan, Michigan. He was the oldest of 6 siblings. Eva was the youngest of the 6. She was also the only surviving sister. 2 other sisters passed away, one at age 2, and one at age 4. There were also 2 brothers but I haven't been able to find much on them. One may or may not have gone to Canada. The other brother stayed in Allegan and married 3 times. He had a child that died in infancy with his first wife and no children with his other 2 wives. Only Charles and Eva had any children, that I know of, who lived to adulthood.

In 1863 Charles married Clarissa Moon. They had 3 children, 1 girl and 2 boys.  The daughter died at the age of 2, and the youngest son died at 1 year of age. Only son Charles Horace Brownell lived to adulthood. Clarissa died and Charles married Fidelia Spencer. They had no children together. All of this is a long way of saying that children surviving to adulthood was not common in this family. Eva's oldest 2 children were girls, and the oldest died of pneumonia when she was only 23 years old. Carl's mother, Mary was the oldest and one of the few surviving girls in the family. My guess is that this resulted in a special relationship with her uncle Charles. Charles R. Brownell is the uncle who gave Mary and William what is now known at the Strand family farm. The farm was a gift from Charles to his niece, Mary. I wondered why Charles would do such a thing, but as I looked over the family and saw the large number of children, and specifically girls, not surviving childhood it became clearer that Mary was probably the closest thing Charles had to a daughter of his own. But, how was Charles able to afford such a gift? That's where the rest of the story comes in.

Charles became involved in the lumber business sometime in the 1860's. In the 1870 federal census he lists Lumber man as his occupation, $800 as  his personal worth, and $5000 as his real estate worth. Quite a sum of money for 1870. At some point in the 1860's and 1870's he begins going to Louisiana where he becomes involved in the lumber business down there. Specifically, in Morgan City, Louisiana. He starts a lumber mill with a partner. He becomes involved in civic affairs and is highly regarded in the community. When he passes away he is lauded in the local newspaper as a great citizen. 

Charles seems to have harbored some pretty liberal views for the times as he is mourned by both "white and coloured". Also, in another article on the Brownell family mentions how Charles R. thinks there should be a constitutional amendment allowing women to hold official positions as factory inspectors, be on school boards, etc. 

Charles's son, Charles Horace Brownell spends most of his time in New Orleans, but he also becomes involved in the lumber business. His son Charles Russell Brownell carries on in the family business in Louisiana. His son, Charles Russell Brownell, JR becomes a doctor and later serves as a popular mayor of Morgan City. I found this article which contains the pictures of all 4 Brownell men.

I wasn't surprised to find out that the Brownell men were involved in politics in Louisiana. Serving as mayor, and state representatives. As well as being business men they were civically minded, giving to local charities, helping others, and generally trying to make the world a better place. In 1971, Claire Brownell, a granddaughter of Charles Richard, donated a $1.5 million dollar carillon park to Morgan City, Louisiana. 

I've been able to trace this line of the Brownell family up to the 1960's. They still seem to be in the New Orleans area. I don't believe they're quite as prominent as they were back in the 20th century.

I don't know if Carl Strand ever knew of his Brownell relations but I think it's interesting that this line of the Brownell family was involved in civic affair and politics, just like Carl and Howard were. Maybe that's where the politics comes from, the Brownell side. This was definitely one of the more interesting branches of the family to study and find out more about.

Here are a couple of additional articles. One details the history of the Brownell lumber business in Morgan City, and the other is about the son, Charles Russell Brownell, Jr.

 

Ray Bellingar Road Trip

 This week's theme for #52ancestors is #RoadTrip. Awhile back Ginger Strand shared with me transcriptions she made from Mildred Strand's post card collection. Many of the postcards were from her older brother, Raymond Bellingar (1895-1982) as he traveled around the country when he was younger. In 1912 he sent some postcards from his travels to Canada, looking for work. He was 17 years old at the time. In March of 1915 he set out again, this time traveling west. He was looking for work, and he also mentions finding "Uncle Judson". Uncle Judson must refer to his mother Elnora's younger brother, Judson. In 1904 Judson married his wife Mary Elizabeth in Columbia, Oregon. In looking for Judson, Ray can never remember where, exactly, Uncle Judson lives. Ray is also traveling with "Rex." I have no idea who, or what Rex is. A friend? A pet dog? Does anyone have any guesses?

Here are the transcribes, as transcribed by Ginger Strand.

"Kalamazoo River and Gull Street Bridge, Kalamazoo, Mich." (pm) Kalamazoo Mar 11, 1915 2 pm Dear Mother: Arrvd in Kalamazoo OK and am leaving on the 11:57. Will make good connections. Will get there on Sat. for ? 16.00 ? Good luck so far Your son Ray Got Rex OK too.

"Dearborn Street Depot, Chicago" (pm) Chicago IL Mar 11 5:30 pm Dear Mother: arrived here O.K. and will leave at 6:30 pm for St. Paul. Got here 4:00. Will try and rite from St. Paul. Love to all, Ray

"Hennepin Avenue, East from Sixth Street, Minneapolis, Minn." (pm) Milbank Mar 12 4:30 pm Friday Well we got in Minneapolis at 7:55 a.m. and got rite on the 8:00 to Milbank where I change for Wilmot. Will get there Sat. morning. Love from Ray

"E.S. Main Street Millbank, S.D." (pm) Milbank SD March 12 1915 4:30 pm Dear Mother: Am in Milbank S.D. Got so far O.K. am leaving for Wilmot at 5:20 pm, get there at 6:10 am. Sat. Will rite from there. Love to all, Ray

.

"Birdseye View of Wilmot, SD" (pm) Wilmot SD Mar 13 5 pm 1915 Dear mother and all, Well what do you think of my home to be? Am leaving for the farm this afternoon. Yours with lots of love, Ray

"Come to Wilmot While the Going's Good" (pm) Wilmot SD Mar 15 1 pm 1915 Dear Dad: See what it says on this card? Well take its meaning. The country is just great around here. The man I am going to owns the largest farm in these parts. Love to all from Ray

"The country around here is wild and mountainous." (pm) Wilmot SD Apr 19 1 pm 1915 Dear Mother: Am leaving for Mon. tonite, will rite along the line. How is everything? This leaves me in the best of health. Love to all, Ray

"Bird's eye view, Wilmot S.D." (pm) Wilmot SD Apr. 19 8 pm 1915 No. 1 Dear Mother: Am leaving for Three Forks Mon. Get out that old old Chi, Milwau, RR & St. Paul time table and you can follow me on the map. I presume I will be

"Bird's eye view, Wilmot S.D." (pm) Wilmot SD Apr. 19 8 pm 1915 No. 2 some time getting there. Am going by jumps and jerks. We are going to see the country. Will rite from different places when I can. I expressed our suit cases to Three Forks this afternoon. Will follow tonite. Love Ray.

"Main Street North, Summit, S.D." (pm) Summit SD Apr 20 7 pm 1915 Dear Mother: Arrived here O.K. and am still going. Am on the great divide now of So. Dak. between So & Nor Dakota. Big hills all around. How is everything? I am in the best of health. Love, Ray

"We work all day/ We're tired at night/ But friends like us/ Must try to write" Summit, SD Apr 20 7 pm 1915 My Dear Dad: Well I am on my way O.K. and if nothing happens I'll be in Butte, Mont. the last of the week. Am trying to see the country a little. Rex is still with me and we are both in the best of health. Yours, Ray

"A Bunch of Trail Cattle. In the Northwest." (pm) Miles City Mont. April 24 - 15 Dear Dad: Arrived in Miles City O.k. but had some time getting here. Will tell you the particulars when I get a chance to write a letter. We've only been 3 days coming, 6 divisions, U know what that means. Love, your Ray

"The Tetons" (pm) Roundup, MT. April 25, 10 am 1915 To Mildred Bellingar Sunday. Dear Sister: Well what do you think of this great nature? Am seeing lots of these. Will see Uncle Judson next week if nothing happens. Love from Ray

"C. M. & P.S. Depot, Roundup, Mont." (pm) Roundup, MT. April 25, 10 am 1915 Dear Dad: Well I am still on my way. Am headed for Seattle now. Wish I knew Uncle Judson add. but I think I can find him. This is the place where the C, M, & St. Paul get all their coal. Tell Ma to excuse me for not writing on that card but I rolled it up before I tho't. WIll rite later. With love to all, Ray

"Signal Butte near Miles City, Mont." (pm) Miles City, Mont. Apr 24 1915 Dear mother: Well here I am so far in Mont. am looking around for work but have got a little change under my belt yet. You can see these kind of rocks just as far as you can see. This place is a little larger than Allegan. Gee but it's great air here. Will write when I can. Love Ray

"Viaduct and Tunnel, Montana Canyon" (pm) Miles City & Butte Apr 26 1915 Dear Dad: Well we have just commenced to see the Rockies now, from now on to Seattle they are big Mts. Did you find the map? If you did you can follow me by the cards. Will rite every time I get a chance. Good bye. With love to all, Ray Wish you could see them.

"The Eagle Tunnel, Montana Canyon, Rocky Mts. Mont." (pm) Miles City, Mont. Apr 26 1915 Sunday nite at Harlowton Dear Mother: Got here O.K. and am leaving for these tunnels tonight. We just came in sight of snow on the Mts. at 4:00 p.m. today. Think I will see Uncle Judson next week but don't rite to him about it. Love + your Ray

"East Side Main Street Three Forks Mont" (pm) April 26, 6 am. Dear Mother: Well this is the town I shipped my suit cases to, but I ain't going to stay only till this afternoon. Am leaving for Butte, Mont. Gee but there is some pretty senery around here. How is everybody? Well good bye till next time. Love to all from Ray

"Mammoth Log Drive of 80,000,000 Feet, St. Joe River, Idaho" (pm) St. Marie S April 29 1915 9:30 am Dear Dad: Well I got out of that State Mont. into Idaho at 12:30 yesterday. I tho't we never would get out of that state. How is this for a log drive? We are only 60 miles from Spokane where John S. is. Will be 30 miles from there about noon. Love, Ray

"Fishing on the Shadowy St. Maries River, Idaho" (pm) St. Marie S April 29 1915 9:30 am Dear Mother: Well I got into this state OK. I have changed my mind, I am going to Portland, Ore. I have forgotten whether Uncle Judson is in Seattle or Portland + remember your saying he can go from Portland to the coast on the Columbia. But I think I can find him in either place. Will rite when I can. Yours with love to all, Ray

"Milwaukee Lumber Mill, St. Maries, Idaho" To Lynn Bellingar (pm) St. Marie S April 29 1915 9:30 am Dear Brother: Well what do you think of my trip? Rex and I was in this mill morning what do you think of the logs? Tell Helen + Mildred I said Hello. Love from brother, Ray

"Crossing the famous Kittitas Valley, Wash." (pm) Plummer & ? Apr 29 Walden, Wash. 4-29-15 Dear Mother: Well I am in Washington. Got into this state about 12:45. We will go through this valley tomorrow some time. Will rite when I can. Yours with love, Ray Gee but we are seeing some pretty scenery.

"Lake Keechelus, Cascade Mts., Wash." (pm) Plummer Apr 29 1915 Dear Dad: Well what do you think of this kind of country? I have changed my mind again. I am going to Seattle for I have got to thinking it over and it seems to me Uncle Judson is there. Wish you could only whisper in my ear. Well goodbye. With love to all, Ray

"C. M. & St. P RY. Bridge Across the Columbia River at Beverly Wash." (pm) South Cle Elum, Wash. May 3 2 pm 1915 Dear Mother: Well I am within a hundred miles of Seattle. Wish I knew if Uncle Judson was there or in Portland but if I don't find him in one place I will the other. Yours with love, Ray

"McCall's Peak, Cascade Mts., Wash." To Helen Bellingar (pm) South Cle Elum, Wash. Date indistinct but probably May 3, 1915 Dear Sister: Well what do you think of this? I will be in Seattle tomorrow morning. I have seen so much scenery I don't like only the very best. Love to all Ray

"See Washington First: Mt. Queets and the Elwha Basin, in the Olympic Range" (pm) Tacoma, Wash. May 3 1:30 pm 1915 Dear Mother: Well I am in Tacoma, the prettiest city on the map I believe. Am leaving for Portland tonight. Am seeing everything as I go to believe me. Wish you could see what I've seen. Well good by till later. Love your Ray

"The Battleship Oregon in the New Dry Dock at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Washington" (pm) Portland, Oregon May 7 9:30 am 1915 Dear Mother and all: Well I arrived in Portland O.K. but can't find anything of Uncle Judson. Have looked in all the directories and every place else. Am trying to find work here. So as soon as you get this write me a short letter directed to Portland P.O. city. With love to all, Ray

Ray must've liked where he was and stayed awhile as Ginger notes that there is a 6 month gap with no postcards. The postcards pick up again in November 1915.

"Pocatello Hospital, Pocatello Idaho" (pm) Pocatello ID, Nov 18 1915 Thurs. 18 Dear Mother: Well I have got this far. Have been riding since 6:15 Tue. I will be in Salt Lake 1:15 today. Hope this finds everybody ok? Love to all from Ray.

"Ruby Castle, Utah" (pm) Nov. 18 1915 Utah Dear mother + all: Well I am in S[alt] L[ake]. O.K. This will be my road out. What do you think of it? Am only sending one card as I want to write so many but have got my pockets full to bring home. Love from Ray.

"Orchard Scene near Grand Junction, Colo." (pm) Grand Junction: Nov 19 1915 Fri. 19 '15 Hello folks: Well I've only got 102 miles left. Am shure glad believe me. This is about all you can all rite around this place. Acres + acres mostly cherrys. Love from Ray

"Las Animas Canon, Colo." To Mildred Bellingar (pm) Olathe Colo. Nov 22 2 pm 1915 Dear Sister: Well what do you think of this? Don't forget to rite. Add. Delta Colorado. Ray

And one last postcard from Ray in June 1916. On Dec. 25, 1916 Ray would marry his first wife, Elizabeth Hill in Fruita, Mesa, Colorado.

"The Portals, Canon of the Grand River, Colo." To Mildred Bellingar (pm) Olathe, Colo. June 8, 2 pm 1916 My dear sister: Read your welcome letters a few days ago + was shure glad to hear from you. I can see this scene nearly every day. Now don't wait for a letter from me but write again soon. With love, Ray

Reading the postcards you can sense Ray's delight in traveling and seeing the country. You can also sense his love for his family too. He sends postcards to his mother and father. He sends postcards just to his siblings. He's living his best life traveling the country before settling down. 

He later takes up residence again in Michigan, lives in Arizona for awhile, and eventually settled down in Hillsborough County, Florida by 1950 where he lived until he passed away at the age of 87 in December 1982.

Ray Bellinger working in Saskatchewan, Canada. 9th from right.

Strand/Henrickson Family Photos

 The theme for this week is "New to You." I thought I would post some pictures that were new to me, and maybe new to you too. 

The first picture that was new to me is one of a Sunday family dinner at the Carl Strand residence. Some time in the 1950's. 

Starting lower left, clockwise: Janice Henrickson, Carl Strand, Jack Strand, Miriam Strand, Joyce Strand, Ray Henrickson, Viola Henrickson, Vernon Henrickson, Paul Henrickson, Ilene Henrickson, Mildred Strand, Fred Strand, Marvin Henrickson, Ken Strand

What I'd like to know is, who's taking the picture?

Another New to Me picture is this one of Ray H. Viola S. and her brother Howard.

Ray Henrickson, Viola Strand, Howard Strand

Ray is looking up, Viola is looking straight ahead, and Howard is looking down. 

Here is another picture of a young Viola and believed to be her brother Milton.

Moving from the Strand side of the family to the Henrickson side, here's a picture of Ray Henrickson with horse Rody, 1930.

Another picture of Ray Henrickson and his Fahnstrom cousins, 1943.

Harvey Fahnstrom, Ray Henrickson, Herman Fahnstrom.

Harvey and Herman were Ray's first cousins from Illinois.

One more picture of Ray Henrickson and his brother Evald and their colts, 1930.

I'd like to thank Esther Henrickson Yeomans and Laurie Smalla for passing these pictures along to me. I always welcome any pictures of the Henrickson/Strand families. Pictures, letters, documents, etc. are all appreciated. Questions, comments, thoughts and remembrances in the comments or email me. Thanks for reading. Until next time. 

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.