January 1, 1858-1921

My second great-grandfather was given the name Pehr August when he entered the world on 01 Jan 1858 in Svenarum, Jönköping, Sweden. He was the 5th of eight children born to spiksmed (nail-smith) Carl Tolf and his wife Helena Stina Åhman. Pehr was just 11 years old when his oldest brother Gustaf emigrated to America.…

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…

Surname Saturday: Tolf

I come from a long line of Tolfs. And that’s quite an accomplishment for a Swede! You see, genealogists researching in Scandinavian countries generally encounter the patronymic naming practice early on. Since Tolf was the first name I added to my family tree, I was fortunate not to have the extra challenge of ever-changing surnames. According to Ancestry.com, Tolf was…

A Swedish-Style Wedding in Chicago

On this day one hundred and thirty-two years ago, my maternal 2nd great-grandparents Peter August Tolf of Svenarum, Jönköping, Sweden and Augusta Sophia Landström of Norra Sandsjö, Jönköping, Sweden were married in Chicago by Rev. D. S. Sorlin of 151 Oak St. Chicago [1], pastor of the Swedish Methodist Episcopalian Church on the northwest corner…

Raymond Carl Johan Tolf 1891-1973

I started climbing my family tree in 1986 after reading an article in the Chicago Tribune. Raymond C. Tolf’s name was in the article. Everyone in my family referred to Raymond as Unkie. He was my maternal grandmother’s paternal uncle, the brother of Harry Tolf. Unkie and his sister outlived Harry and my grandmother and became sort-of surrogate…

Carl Tolf 1768-1827

My 5th great-grandfather Carl Tolf was born on this date in 1768 (246 years ago!) in Svenarum, Jönköping, Sweden. Here’s  a brief pedigree for the cousins following this line: Carl TOLF (1768-1827) married Helena Jonasdotter WIDERBERG and they had a son named Carl Jonas; Carl Jonas TOLF (1795-1833) married Maja Lisa LIDSTROM and they had a son…

August Birthdays

Happy August birthday to my incredibly wonderful husband and to our beautiful granddaughter, to my sister, my paternal grandfather, my uncle Bob, my cousin Bill, my grand-uncle Bud, and my first cousin once removed Faith. Birthdays among my (possibly) German Clarkes: A second great grand-aunt Zora E CLARKE was born in Maryland on the 19th of August…

June Birthdays

Happy June birthday to my daughter, my niece Cynthia, my grand-niece Kortney, my 2nd great-grandmother Bengta Jönsssdotter (23 Jun 1866 Västerstad, Malmöhus, Sweden), my 2nd cousin Elena, my 3rd cousin once-removed Susan, and my 4th cousin once-removed Carter. Birthdays among my (possibly German) Clarkes: My great-grandmother Ellen Gertrude Clarke was born in Springfield, Clark, Ohio 09…