Joshua and Family

Posted on 2011/04/14

Joshua recently sent some family pictures in, I have chatted with both Joshua and Sara briefly on Facebook and hope some day to meet Sara and the kids. When Joshua was little, I visited them often after Steve (his Dad and my brother) got out of the Marines (see pictures on bottom provided by Tammy), so I have met him and hope to know him better as an adult (Joshua is currently active duty in the Army):

Joshua and Sara with their children Joshua Braeden and Kaylie Dawn.

Joshua at castle ruins in Europe 2010.

(Left to Right) Joshua as a baby, Tomas Downer (Joann’s son) and Allen Warner, my brother.

Uncle Gary hugs toddler Ryan, Joshua’s brother.

Phil Seeks Tools of Old

Posted on 2011/03/07

Phil has suggested that we all look around and see if we have any of the wood-working items that Philip Swanson (Dad/Grandpa) made…and that we take pictures of them to share and then, sometime in the future, maybe bring them all to a family gathering to look over! For those of you who didn’t know Dad that well, he was a very accomplished craftsman, had a complete shop set up in what was then the garage, worked at Temple Stuart, sold his hand-crafted items from the ‘stand’ near the road (see picture attached of Chris & Betty eons ago with the ‘Swanson Novelties/Toys sign in the background. He made baby and doll furniture, spice cabinets, candlestick holders, and small pieces of furniture. I’ve attached a picture of a doll chair that I have and also a piece that Phil has (you’ll see Phil’s reflection in the mirror!)

If anyone has any of the items he’s made, send a picture along and I know Gary will be happy to show them on the website!

Images 1 an 3 have been clean up a bit and re-posted!

Erik Victor Mattson (of) Svevfar – Genealogical Certificate

Posted on 2010/07/17

Below is the text of a certificate we received from the great folks at the Parish of Malax, Finland in reference to Lydia (Mattson) Swanson’s descendants:

CERTIFICATE for genealogical research

Reference: Church Records, I 1 1847-1969

Ev. -luth. Parish of Malax, Finland

Malax, Finland 08.07.2010

Matts parents:

Erik Eriksson Perjus, born in Malax 26.06.1820 and died 28.01.1891 married.

He was married 19.12.1843 with Stina Lisa Markusdotter Gullman, born 10.03.1823 in Malax and died 12.02.1910 as a widow.

Beata Lisa parents:

Matts Jonasson Bro, born in Malax 20.06.1820 and died 23.12.1903 as a widower.

He was married 14.05.1843 to his first and only marriage with Stina Olofsdotter Röj, born 09.10.1825 in Malax and died 15.08.1856 married.

Matts Eriksson N O R R G Å R D t Svefvar t Perjus

was born in Malax 19.05.1854 in a homestead called Perjus, and he died 29.05.1896 married to his second marriage.

He moved 1871 with his parents and sisters and brothers from Perjus to Svefvar.

He was married to his first marriage 19.05.1878 with Beata Lisa Mattsdotter Paxal, who was born in Malax 15.04.1854, and she died 07.04.1881 married.

Children in the first marriage:

1. Hilda Maria Mattsdotter Norrgård t Svefvar,

was born in Malax 15.06.1878.

She moved to Vasa 16.09.1895 unmarried.

2. Erik Viktor Mattsson Svefvar,

was born in Malax 08.11.1880.

1889 he moved to his fathers parents and lived vith them as a

foster-child until he moved to Korsholm.

He moved to Korsholm 28.11.1898 unmarried.

In Korsholm he toke a certificate to get married with Anna-Lovisa Brännbäck, born 30.05.1879 in Korsholm. They got married in America.

Erik left for America 03.10.1899.

Anna-Lovisa left for America 26.09.1899.

Matts Eriksson N O R R G Å R D t Svefvar t Perjus

He was married to his second marriage 03.01.1883 with Kristina Karlsdotter Marander, who was born in Solf 23.06.1855, and she died 04.03.1886 married. She moved to Malax from Solf 14.06.1881 to work as a maid (tjänstefolk).

Children in the second marriage:

3. Karl Gustaf Svefvar,

was born in Malax 17.05.1883, and he died 18.05.1883.

4. Wendla Sofia Mattsdotter Norrgård t Svefvar,

was born in Malax 26.07.1884.

She moved to Vasa 16.09.1985 unmarried.

1885 the whole family moved to a homestead called Norrgård.

Matts Eriksson N O R R G Å R D t Svefvar t Perjus

He was married to his third marriage 08.02.1887 with Sofia Isaksdotter Wias, who was born in Malax 11.02.1852, and she died 30.01.1901 as a widow.

Children in the third marriage:

5. Aina Emilia Mattsdotter Norrgård,

was born in Malax 06.12.1887, and she died 11.05.1905

unmarried.

6. Otto Mathias Mattsson Norrgård,

was born in Malax 28.12.1889, and he died 27.11.1908

unmarried.

7. Gustaf Alexander Mattsson Norrgård,

was born in Malax 07.01.1892, and he died 08.04.1912

unmarried.

8. Olga Kristina Mattsdotter Norrgård,

was born in Malax 23.07.1894, and she died 14.04.1904.

I have uploaded the file we received for download.

Smedhemmet

Posted on 2010/07/17

Smedhemmet (Blacksmith Home) was Phillip Swanson’s homestead in Sweden. He lived here as a boy with his parents Carl and Emma. In this Carl and Emma link (or by using the left menus or categories to find them within the blog), you will see pictures of this home taken a very long time ago, about 100 years! K&B and I&M recently visited Sweden and one of the places on the agenda was Smedhemmet:

They, along with family from Sweden, have many more pictures which we will be going through soon and I will be posting…In the meanwhile here are some that Rune and Betty have emailed to me this week: