Jonas Nilsson and Marta Larsdotter, residents of Svenshult, Åsenhöga, in Jönköping län, Sweden, had seven children born between 1865 and 1877. One child, Nanny Albertina, did not survive childhood. Four children emigrated to America and two children remained in Sweden.
The Emigrants
Nils Malkom, Johan Laner, Sven Alfred, and Wilhelmina each
traveled to the United States between 1887 and 1890, with Johan arriving first
and settling in New Britain, Connecticut. Nils Malkom followed in 1889,
settling first in Sheffield, Pennsylvania, where he was pastor for the Mission
Covenant Church (now Grace Bible Church). Nils would live in several places where
he ministered at churches in Youngstown, Ohio; Cromwell, Connecticut; Harcourt,
Iowa; and several communities in California: Hilmar, Escalon, San Pedro, and
Santa Cruz.
Wilhelmina, arriving in 1889, settled in New Britain near her brother, Johan, who now went by John. Sven Alfred arrived last in 1890 and settled in New Britain near his siblings. All three siblings attended the Bethany Covenant Church in New Britain, adopting the surname Nilsen, as their brother Nils Malkom had.
Those Who Stayed
In Sweden, the division of farms was growing increasingly
challenging as they dwindled in size. It was customary for the youngest son to
take on the farm and help take care of the parents in their old age. This fell
to Gustaf Albert Nilsson, born on 2 September 1877, who married Hilma Emilia Johansdotter
on 21 May 1904. Together, they welcomed ten children. His parents sold the farm, so Gustaf became a wagonmaker,
making one-horse buggies at the factory he purchased in Skarvhults. After automobiles
became popular, he switched to making furniture.
Beda Charlotta, born on 19 March 1872, married Salomo
Swensson on 11 November 1893. Together they had seven children, four of whom
lived to adulthood and provided them with fourteen grandchildren.
Less is known about these families and their lives in Sweden but as more records become available for research, I will be able to add to their story.
Reunions
In America, the Nilsen family has a yearly reunion and the
invitations are always sent to those Swedish relatives for whom we have
addresses. Multiple Swedish families have attended a reunion over the years. Some
of the Nilsens from California have visited the Swedish cousins, including my
daughter. Someday, we hope to go, too.
In a sense, we are blessed that the two children of Jonas and Marta chose to remain in Sweden so we now have a living connection to the country of our ancestor’s past.
#52 Ancestors: Week 47: This Ancestor Stayed Home
This is my sixth year working on this year-long prompt,
hosted by Amy Johnson Crow (https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/)
at Generations Cafe. I write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s Southern Family or My Trails into the Past.
I have enjoyed writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways.
Gustaf was quite adaptable, changing his occupation to keep up with changing times! Enjoyed your post and hope you get to meet your Swedish kin sometime soon.
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