Wedding Bells for Peter Tolf and Augusta Landstrom

How did this young couple meet I wonder? Peter August Tolf was born in Svenarum, Jönköping, Sweden 01 Jan 1858. Augusta Sophia Landstrom was born 13 Feb 1858 in Norra Sandsjö, Jonkopings, Sweden. While they weren’t terribly far from one another, they weren’t exactly neighbors. In May of 1878, Peter, three of his sisters and their parents immigrated…

Peter Tolf and Augusta Landstrom Marry

At first we thought there were two couples; Peter & Christine Tolf and Adolf & Augusta Sandstrom. Isn’t that what it looks like? But it was actually only one couple, Peter Tolf and Augusta Landstrom. They each brought a sibling to act as witnesses when Peter and Christine’s brother Frans Tolf married Matilda Peterson on…

Helena Christina Åman 1822-1901

She died. And then she disappeared. According to the local newspaper, my 3rd great-grandmother died 13 January 1901: From the Batavia (Illinois) Herald, Wednesday 16 January 1901, “Death of an Aged Mother – Died, at the home of her daughters, Misses Christina and Amanda Tolf, on Hueston (sic) St., West Batavia, Sunday, Jan 13, 1901, after…

Karl John Raymond Tolf 1891-1973

He was my grandmother’s Uncle Ray, the younger brother of her father. My mother and my sisters and I called him Unkie. While I was thinking about writing this post, it dawned on me – with some surprise – that I actually knew someone born in 1891. Not knew of him, but knew him. And I’m thankful that I…

Peter August Tolf 1858-1929

Happy birthday to my 3rd great-grandfather born on this day 157 years ago! The parish register of Births (Födde) and Baptisms (Döpte) [in] Svenarum [for the] year 1858: Pehr August was born on the 1st day of the 1st month and was baptized two days later. In the column following the new baby’s name are the names of…

Wesley Tolf; Bowler Extraordinaire

The following article, which appeared in the April 12, 1929 issue of the Batavia [Illinois] Herald, gave me some insight into the life of Wesley Lambert Tolf (17 Sep 1894-Dec 1969), a 1st cousin thrice-removed; “Batavia Bowlers Get in Prize Money at Ottawa Sunday – Frank Thomle and Wesley Tolf, prominent Batavia bowlers, shot into the…

Chicago Research – Batavia Illinois

Batavia Illinois is a lovely suburb about forty miles west of Chicago. The oldest city in Kane County, Batavia was founded in 1833 and many old buildings remain, giving visitors a sense of the community’s rich history. The Fox River runs through the center of town and shady well-kept parks are located along its banks. The town has…

Chicago Research – Home Again

Husband and I just returned from a genealogical vacation in Chicagoland. We explored records at the Gustafson Research Center in Batavia Illinois and at the Chicago History Museum, Harold Washington Library and Newberry Library. We visited several cemeteries including West Batavia, Rosehill, Graceland, Jewish Graceland and Wunders. We spent a day driving through residential neighborhoods and…