MY SWEDISH ROOTS
For as long as I can remember, my father has told me about my grandfather, and how he was born in Sweden, and came to this United States at a very young age. Why, Sweden always seemed to facinate me, I really don't know. I suppose, to a young child, it conjured up visions of mystic and fantasy, dragons, elves, knights, and damsels in distress being rescued by daring young princes.I am inclined to think also, that one of the reasons I always felt proud of my ancestry, was because it wasn't the "norm" that we usually heard about. It was nothing to hear one say, "I'm of English decent", or "I'm of German decent", but hardly ever did you hear, "I'm of Swedish decent."
As I grew older, I became facinated with my ancestors, and decided to began doing a search of my Peterson background. Up until this point, I couldn't even so much have told you my grandfather's name. He had died long before I was even born. When my curiosity got the best of me, I picked up some paper and wrote my Aunt Alphild, asking her everything I could think of. With her letter came information and addresses. So, I worte more letters, to relatives I didn't even know I had, and to parishes in Minnesota, where pastors were so willing and helpfull in trying to locate certain information. I wrote government agencies, and county seats. Then on day, I wrote a letter to a parish in Almeboda, Kronoberslan, Sweden. I waited and waited for a reply. Weeks, months. Almost a year later, I received a letter, not from the parish as I expected, but a cousin...Ann-Marie Ahlberg, still living in Sweden. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was. That was in March of 1984. It was not always an easy task, and can often be disheartening, when dead ends are hit, or information can't be found. I was fortunate to discover quite a bit of information on my Dad's side of the family, from Ann-Marie, dating as far back as the 1700's. Of course, there is so much more information that is available now, especially with the internet. I have just about hit a dead end on my previous searches, all that could be done via mail, and then I was faced with having to hire someone in Sweden to try digging up the remaining information that I wasn't able to find. Well, unfortunately, I was not able to do that, so gave up my search for several years. Now that I have access to interent, I will probably begin to do more searching in hopes to find the additional information that I need.
Upon looking at all the names of those relative that had gone long before me, I only had one regret...that I could have known and talked with every single one of them. I'm sure they were facinating people, with a great knowedge of life, hearts full of endless love, and countless stores of the old country.
posted by Lev @ 1:23 PM
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