How Far Back?

Often people want to know how far back a family historian or genealogist has gone in the family line. When I was in my first few years of genealogy research, collecting a new ancestor, a new generation, going back farther in time was a real thrill.

Today, I'm all about trying to learn more about their lives and document HOW they lived and died, WHAT they did for a living, WHY they moved or immigrated.

But I can tell you the farthest I've gone back on Elin Andersson Linn's line is to my 7th great grandfather, Jons Larsson, born in Vastra Eneby Parish in Ostergotland County on August 1, 1680. Once a person can establish an ancestor that far back, you can imagine how few records there are to give any details about a person's life. That's why I've not spent more time writing about these ancestors of ours who are back that far in Swedish history.

Unless we had an ancestor who did something extraordinary, there would be little mention of that person except in the birth, marriage, and death records. Maybe a probate record. Perhaps a tax record. And even then, there would be just a notation, a date. No proper obituary. No details about their occupations. Nothing more about their lives.

The "begats" of our genealogy lines can be boring and cause many people to just roll their eyes when I tell them that my hobby is genealogy. While I wouldn't agree 100 percent, it's the thrill of learning about their lives and telling their stories that is really exciting. But just to show you some of the "boring begats", here is our pedigree from Elin's line, starting with my 7th great grandparents:

Jons Larsson married Maria Mansdotter, also from Vastra Eneby Parish on May 16, 1706. Together, they had 11 children. Their second child is my 6th great grandmother, Kerstin Jonsdotter, born October 11, 1710.

Kerstin married Lars Mansson in 1729 and had 6 children, the oldest of whom was my 5th great grandfather, Carl Larsson, born in 1732.

Carl married Brita Carlsdotter in 1760, and they had  just 3 children, the middle child being my 4th great grandfather, Carl Carlsson.

Carl married Lena Abrahamsdotter in 1792 and had 5 children, the fourth being my 3rd great grandfather, Abraham Carlsson.

Abraham married Anna-Brita Johannesdotter in 1826 and had 8 children, their third being my 2nd great grandmother, Anna Maja Abrahamsdotter.

Anna Maja married Carl Magnus Andersson in 1856. They had 5 children. And here is where I'm sure everyone can pick up the story. Their 3rd child was my great-grandmother, Elin Mathilda Andersson.

You can see that, with just 7 generations and all of the children and in-laws and cousins who could be researched, this hobby of mine will never end.

I learned very early in my research that we are fortunate to be Swedish descendants. Their records are fantastic!! And not hard to read once you get the hang of it. You just need a few Swedish words and the ability to strain and squint to read some very old handwriting. Beginning in 1686, every birth, marriage and death needed to be recorded by the local parish priest. So, to work my way back to the late 1600's, as long as the records weren't destroyed and are readable, can be done. Anything prior to 1686 would just be available as long as a priest had decided on his own to keep records and those records were preserved.

So who wants to join me in this hobby? There are plenty of people, more lines, more records to research!

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!

Elin Mathilda Andersson Linn

I enjoy looking at old photos, imagining the lives of our ancestors, whether their clothes had been handmade a generation before and handed down for every additional family member to wear.

When I look at photos of my great-grandmother, Elin Mathilda Andersson Linn, I see such a beautiful woman, thin, hair perfectly combed into a knot, lovely dresses that covered her from neck to toe. I don’t imagine that she was ever poor or homeless. But she was.

Elin was the middle of 5 children born to Carl Magnus Andersson and his wife Anna Maja Abrahamsdotter. Carl and Anna were both born and raised in Ostergotland county and married there on December 26, 1856.

To this marriage were born the following children:

·         Maria Lovisa Andersson (born February 11, 1859)

·         Anna Charlotta Andersson (born June 10, 1864)

·         Elin Mathilda Andersson (born July 1, 1867)

·         Karl Johan Oskar Andersson (born January 21, 1871)

·         Viktor Alfred Andersson (born December 2, 1873)

Carl and Anna struggled to provide for their family and moved often. From Malexander parish where all of the children were born to Kisa parish where Carl was a crofter or renter of a small place to Ulrika parish where we find the family "on the parish" which means that they had no place to live.  According to a note in the parish record, Carl Magnus Andersson "ran away" to America on November 8, 1883, although he had not really left the country.  (It is said that he did not have the proper papers to emigrate; but Anna obtained the papers for him in 1885).  Carl is also noted in the moving OUT record April 7, 1885, together with his wife and two sons and two daughters, all of whom moved to North America.  The oldest daughter, Maria Lovisa, moved to America later, on October 12, 1885.

Coming to the United States meant a new life for this family, possibilities for success, opportunities for the children. In 1885, the children’s ages ranged from 12 – 26. They were ready to work, to help their parents farm, to marry and find their own paths. I imagine that if they had stayed in Sweden, their lives would not have been at all fulfilling or happy, perhaps ending with stints in the poor farm, being auctioned off as laborers and separated from each other. This was a brave move, a risk that Carl and Anna were willing to take for their family.

After arriving in Iowa, Carl farmed and is found in the 1895 Iowa state census for Dayton Township with his wife and two sons.

Andrew and Elin Linn

Elin, meanwhile, caught the eye of Andrew Linn. The two were married on November 1, 1888, just 3 years after the Anderson immigration. From an earlier post on Andrew Linn, we know this couple endured some personal issues but raised three fine children: Elsie, Peter, and Frank.

Elin became ill in early September 1925 and died of a cerebral hemorrhage on October 22, 1925. Her death record follows:

Elin was buried at the Linn-Bethel Owen Cemetery. Her husband Andrew died on March 22, 1939 and is buried next to her.

Four Generations: Elin Anderson Linn, Elsie Linn Carlson, Anna Anderson, and Kenneth Carlson

Elin, Frank, Elsie, Andrew, Peter at Cedar Brook Farm

Before I knew the story of this family, I would look at Elin and just see a beautiful woman. But now I look behind that beauty and see the courage, the strength, the endurance she had from an early age. From dealing with her family’s poverty, to making the long voyage to a new land, to learning a new language and culture, to dealing with her husband’s addiction, Elin brought the kind of strength that I so very much admire. It’s strength and courage that I see in many of my ancestors. It makes me so very proud to be descended from the people I’m writing about now.

Back: Elsie Linn Carlson, Francis Carlson, Charlie Lundgren, Lily Lundgren
Front: David Lundgren, Gus Lundgren, Elin and Andrew Linn, Kenneth Carlson