Today my Aunt Laverne would have been 102 years old. Every year I remember her birthday above all birthdays of extended relatives. April 29th, a day I can never forget. Why? My mother often reminded me that she went into labor for me at my Aunts birthday party! I was not born until the next day but Aunt Laverne, the favorite sister-in-law of my Mom. never let her forget it!
Why they left… During the Swedish emigration to the United States from 1840 to 1930, about 1.3 million Swedes left Sweden for America, mainly for economic reasons. In Sweden, population growth made farmland scarce in a country already overpopulated. The Swedish bishop and poet Esaias Tegnér summarized the population growth with these three words: peace, vaccination, and potatoes.
While the land of the U.S. frontier was a magnet for the poor all over Europe, some factors especially encouraged Swedish emigration. There was widespread resentment against the religious repression practiced by the Swedish Lutheran State Church and the social conservatism and class snobbery of the Swedish monarchy. Population growth and crop failures made conditions in the Swedish countryside increasingly bleak. Most people working the farms were “Statare”. They were married agricultural laborers in Sweden who received payment primarily in kind. The system mainly existed in the south of Sweden and reached its maximum extent in the late 19th century. Thereafter the system gradually declined until it was formally abolished in 1945.These agricultural laborers were generally viewed as being on the lowest ranks of Swedish society, and it developed into a social scandal in Sweden.
By contrast, reports from early Swedish emigrants painted the American Midwest as an earthly paradise, and praised American religious and political freedom and undreamed of opportunities."
This was reprinted from the New Sweden - Cultural Society. The entire article is very informative in the explanation of why Swedes and our ancestors, both Kallman and Abrahamsson, left for a new life in America. This is well worth the read.
The article can be found here↓
The Emigrant Routes to the Promised Land in America
In this 1950 Census, my great uncle Hugo and great aunt Sarona lived at 611 Main St. Turlock, Stanislaus, California. They are retired, age 74 and 71 respectfully.
#4 house #611, Alvine, Hugo H., head, white, male, 74, married, born in Sweden, naturalized citizen, unable to work
#5 house #611, Sarona R., wife, white, female, 71, married, born in Sweden, naturalized citizen, unable to work
In this census every fifth person had additional questions. Luckily Great Uncle Hugo was one of those.
#4 living in the same house 1 year ago, both parents were born in Sweden, he finished the 8th grade as his highest education, he did not work at all the last year nor earned any money working, he earned $700 from other income (perhaps some came from lodger income), he did not serve in the US military during WWI, WWII or any other time.
The Abrahamsson family poses for a portrait. These are the siblings who remained in Sweden. The year is at least 1915 perhaps a bit later as Ruth was the last to leave for America and she left in 1914. Also Tyra, in the front left, was born in 1901 and she appears to be at least in her teens.
Perhaps this was a photo taken to send to family in America?
