Father's Day

Today I honor the Swedish dads, those men who paved the way for those of us who follow them through their strength and leadership, their bravery and hard work.

To my grandfather: Peter Edward Linn (1892-1980); and his brother, Frank Frederick Linn (1895-1986);

To my great-grandfathers: Andrew Frederick Linn (1861-1939) and William Edward Olofson (1866-1924);

To my great-great grandfathers: Gustus Magnus Olausson Linn (1829-1897), Carl Magnus Andersson (1828-1896), Olof Olofson (1837-1924), and Olof Rask (1824-1888).

And so many, many other men that I research and write about, I thank you on Father's Day. Their lives, no matter how insignificant or humble they may have seemed, are appreciated today. Just four generations back, our family was toiling in Sweden. Our ancestors were poor. They had no opportunity to own land, to provide for themselves or their families.

We have no royalty or wealth in our family history. But the opportunities these men and their families gave us to seek our own paths, to find our own happiness, is immeasurable. I feel a connection to these men, and that's why I document their lives and pause today to thank them.



NOTE: Did you notice on the dates above that William Edward Olofson and his father Olof Olofson died in the same year? William died on February 12, 1924 (age 57); his father died on July 16, 1924 (age 86).

Peter Edward Linn

And to all of my family members who are fathers, happy Father's Day to you!