Passports... check
Plane tickets... check
What we're going to do when we get there... um
My sister, Robin and I decided it would behoove us to look through some of grandpa's things trying to find remnants of their trips to Norway/Sweden. Something we can use as a guide to help plan our trip. We want to make our trip as similar to theirs as we can so we can experience some of the same things they did. While going through the filing cabinets, we came across several pictures of the trip and started piling those to the side to go through later more thoroughly. Just a few minutes into our search Robin said, "Check this out" and she began to read an excerpt from a book. "We went to a cafeteria where they served coffee and rolls. The coffee was strong enough to walk! One sees very light haired people everywhere. The only talk you hear is Norwegian. ..." The front of this book said Travel and the first page inside said Norway/Sweden 1981. This was a daily journal written in our grandmother's handwriting. Priceless!
We wanted to get sucked into the adventure, but realized we needed to gather the rest of the stuff and head down to dad's house so we could be more comfortable while reading and learning, since dad has actual furniture and heat. Two hours and two runny noses later, we loaded up the stuff and headed to dads.
In addition to the pictures and journal, there were several Svenska/Engelska dictionaries, maps of Norway, maps of Sweden, airfare and car rental receipts and tourist brochures. Where to begin?! We decided to begin with the journal.
Coming to America
In 1870, my great, great-grandfather, Börje came to America along with two of his brothers. One brother remained in Sweden. Two years later, Börje sent for his wife and two sons to join him in America. One of his sons, my great-grandfather, was only three years old at the time. Sixteen years later, in 1888, the brother that remained in Sweden was killed in a logging accident. Shortly thereafter, our family lost all contact with relatives in Sweden. My great-grandfather often spoke of returning to Sweden for a visit, but never found the time to go.
In 1975, my grandpa became more and more interested in visiting Sweden, even though he did not know a soul there. After some research through the Lutheran church, he found records indicating his father was born in Slämtegen, Värmland. He spent the next six years planning the trip. In 1981, they boarded a plane and flew to Oslo, Norway, rented a car and drove up the coast, into Fjord country. They would spend 10 days taking in the beautiful sights of Norway before heading to Sweden.
I will quote right from the journal for this next part, because it's just too good not to. "We are now in Sweden for the first time. We stopped in Årjäng and reserved a room for three days at the Esso Motor Hotel. We drove over to the Silbodal Church and cemetery where a young man took us to the pastor's house. He loaned us a church book and we found the names of grandparents, father, his brother, uncles, etc. We went looking for Slämtegen where Carl's dad was born. We thought it would be a small town but we could not find any sign of it. We were about to leave when I saw a white-headed man out working in his yard. I told Carl to go and ask him where Slämtegen is, so he did. The man said, 'Slämtegen is right here!' His name was Alvar Sundman. He told his wife Gerda who we were and she called their son, Bertil, who lived in Årjäng, and he came right out. Slämtegen is a community of small mountain farms and a logging camp. Mr. Sundman knew where Carl's grandparents' old home was. His son, Bertil took us there where we met Algot Danielsson, who now owned the home place. Algot told us that Carl had a relative living nearby and they took us to meet him. Uno Fredricksson, his wife Margit and son Claus greeted them warmly. Uno is Carl's third cousin. And now we have found relatives in Sweden!"
And that's how it all began. A man on a mission, left the U.S. to learn more of his Swedish heritage and found more than he bargained for. Family. Oh what a thrill it will be to stand on the same ground where my grandpa asked a stranger, Where is Slämtegen?
My dad is taking my sisters and I on a once in a lifetime vacation to Sweden, Germany and other countries. (Blogs are posted in reverse chronological order, so start at the bottom, and work your way up)
1. The Old Country
2. Striking Gold
3. Time is Drawing Near...
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Old Country
During my childhood, I recall visiting my grandparents house, which happened to be right up the gravel road from my parents home. My grandfather and my father farmed together and my mother was a homemaker who constantly tried new recipes on us, her little guinea pigs. There were three of us, all girls, all born within a seven year time span with me being the youngest. As we happily rode our bicycles the eighth of a mile to Grandma and Grandpa's, we wondered what sort of sweet treat Grandma would give us in an attempt to spoil our supper. Most treats were tasty, however we had to suffer through our share of "salad cookies" (Cookies with fruit/vegetables in them). Sometimes while grandma was spoiling our supper, grandpa would come in from the field smelling of peppermints and diesel fuel and share his stories about the Old Country, Sweden; the country where his father (my great-grandfather) was born. When my great-grandfather was a young lad, his family moved to the United States in search of opportunity and prosperity, and settled a family farm in the Midwest. Grandpa's stories always fascinated us and we were eager to hear more. Occasionally when we'd visit, grandpa would be sitting in the living room, listening to a record of a man teaching him to speak Swedish. He was brushing up on his Swedish Kansas farmer accent (Think Swedish Chef)
"You goo forr zee meety bolls, you stay-a forr zee Sveedeesh Cheff!" |
so he could take grandma to visit long lost relatives who still lived there. They ended up traveling to Sweden/Norway twice together, enjoying the company of our relatives, as well as taking in the beautiful scenery, including FEE-Yords (Fjords), mountains, lakes and beautiful countryside. They would always bring back Swedish chocolate bars for us!
Several years ago our Swedish relatives, Uno and Ingela (father and daughter) made a trip to Kansas to visit so the rest of us were able to meet them. Uno spoke very little English and Ingela spoke some, and was able to translate for her father. We were simple farm girls and found this all fascinating!
Sometime after grandma passed away, grandpa decided to make one more trip to Sweden, considering he was getting up there in years and didn't know how much longer he would be able to travel. Again, he had a great time visiting places where his ancestors had lived and again, he brought home chocolate!
During my grandpa's 98 years on this earth he lived life to the fullest and enjoyed every opportunity to travel and see new things.
One day, I was talking to my dad about things and he mentioned how he regretted not taking my mom to Sweden while he still could. I half jokingly/half seriously commented, "Well, dad, you could always take us three girls!" to which he responded, "OK, let's do it!"
During my grandpa's 98 years on this earth he lived life to the fullest and enjoyed every opportunity to travel and see new things.
One day, I was talking to my dad about things and he mentioned how he regretted not taking my mom to Sweden while he still could. I half jokingly/half seriously commented, "Well, dad, you could always take us three girls!" to which he responded, "OK, let's do it!"
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