Mower Family History Association
Third Quarter 2002 Newsletter

Research Report by Mrs. Linda K. Larson, A.G.
Scandinavian Research Specialist
Mower/Anderson Genealogy, Lindesberg, Sweden

17 June 2002

Jerry Mower
615 County Road 123
Bedford, WY 83112

Dear Jerry:

In as much as you seemed anxious to resolve the questions posed by Greg Ramstedt, I have put your research on the fast track this past period, and I can now give you some answers on the families which he discusses in his messages the end of April and first part of May. I have studied my past research notes, and also did considerable extra research on some of these families, as well as continue with the research which I have most recently been doing. As usual, you will find an updated set of pedigree charts on the ancestors of Emilie Augusta Andersson. There are several new extensions of her lines contained in these pedigrees.

First I will discuss the families mentioned by Greg Ramstedt. One of these is Joran Ersson and Anna Joensdotter (family #7) who are your 7th great grandparents. He questions the date discrepancy on Stina or Chiersten Joransdotter, child #10. After reviewing my notes I believe that 1729 is the correct date, and that they are indeed the same individual. The 1734 date comes from the clerical survey records, and appears to be in error. The dates given in the clerical surveys are frequently incomplete, only the year, and frequently in error. My research at Lindesberg has shown this to be the case.

The birth/chr record on Stina Joransdotter does list the mother as Anna Ohlsdotter, but here again, I believe this is an error. As I recall, there was no Stina Joransdotter born in 1734 and this was the only likely possibility. Although the date given in the clerical survey record is apparently incorrect, it does show that Stina belongs in this family. So apparently you and Greg are related through this family as well.

I spent a good deal of extra time researching the family of Par or Pehr Andersson and Kerstin Jansdotter (family #24). As Greg indicates, the research on this family has been quite challenging. Here again, the birth date given in the clerical survey record, 1709 is obviously incorrect, but the correct family was not so easily identified. Indeed, when you find that the groom was 17 years of age at the time of his marriage, this is undoubtedly a red flag.

It was the norm for Scandinavians to marry quite late, by our standards at least, and very uncommon, especially for the male, to marry at such a young age. Even many women waited to marry until much later, often somewhere between age 25 to 35 or later. In this case it is impossible to check the death/bur entries for Pehr Andersson and Kerstin Jansdotter, in as much as the death/bur records for 1758 through 1773 are missing. However, after my research this last period, I can state that the lineage given by Greg seems to be correct.

I have researched the family of Anders Hansson and Anna Larsdotter (family #93) and have identified eight children, of whom Pehr was apparently the last, born in 1712. Please note that I have not yet checked the death/bur records for deaths on these children, but will do so when I next continue the research. Of the parents, the mother, Anna Larsdotter, died in 1713, when Pehr was only one year old. Anders Hansson was remarried the next year, in 1714, to Maria Andersdotter (family #291) with whom he had at least one child.

This child by the second marriage, Anders Andersson, born in September 1715, was married in 1739 to the widow Kerstin Hansdotter of Marshyttan (family #293). Information given in the clerical survey on his family, as an adult, clearly shows that he was the son to Anders Hansson, by his second wife. This Anders Andersson of Marshyttan was a witness in 1751 at the birth/chr of the last child to Pehr Andersson and Kerstin Jansdotter, Eric, born 10 Sept 1751. This is the most positive piece of information which I have found to tie Pehr Andersson into the family of Anders Hansson. The list of witnesses at christenings and marriages are often the best clues to relationship.

There are several other witnesses who may also fit in. However, in as much as the earlier clerical survey records do not give any birth dates at all, only names, it is difficult to tell for sure whether these individuals are actually related, or how they are related. But there is no doubt that Anders Andersson of Marshyttan, a witness in 1751, was also a child to Anders Hansson, and thus a half brother to Pehr Andersson. Based on this information, I would say that Pehr Andersson was indeed the son of Anders Hansson and Anna Larsdotter.

I also found what appears to be an error in the marriage record of Anders Hansson and Anna Larsdotter, married on 1 Sept 1701. The marriage lists the wife as Kerstin Larsdotter, daughter of Lars Christophersson of Gusslehyttan. However, this appears to be an error, as all the birth/chr records list the mother as Anna Larsdotter. It does appear that she was the daughter of Lars Christophersson, as he was a witness in 1704 at the birth of their second child, Hans. Lars Christophersson (family #287) apparently also had a son Christopher Larsson, who was a witness in 1708, 1709, and Anders Hansson, father to Pehr Andersson, was reportedly the son of Hans Andersson and Elisabet Andersdotter (family #286) of Hammaren. This is according to information given in the marriage of Anders Hansson. I have not yet fully researched the family of Hans Andersson and Elisabet Andersdotter, but I believe I have identified two other sons:

Peder Hansson was married sometime before 1701 to Margareta Ohlsdotter (family #290) and resided at Hammaren, where they had at least eight children. Hans Hansson was married in 1703 to Sigri Haraldsdotter and had at least one child (family #288). Here again, I have not yet checked for deaths.

Pehr Andersson's wife was Kerstin Jansdotter, daughter of Johan or Jan Nilsson and wife Ellicka or Elin Parsdotter (family #65). They were married in 1707 and it appears that Kerstin, born in 1713, was their first child. However, witnesses indicate that they may also have had a son named Johan, whose birth/chr I have not yet located.

That covers the research which I have done on the questions posed by Greg. I believe I have answered the most vital question, that of lineage. If I have missed anything, please let me know. There is undoubtedly further research to be done on these families, and I will continue this in future research periods.

I will now go on to the other research which I have done this period. On pedigree chart #3 we have the family of Nils Ersson and Ingebor Hansdotter (family #181) who are your 8th great grandparents. They were married in 1687 and were the parents of twelve children.

Peder or Per Eliasson and Anna Hansdotter (family #76) are shown on pedigree chart #11. They resided at Forbohyttan in Lindesberg and are your 9th great grandparents. I have identified four daughters in this family. Your ancestor is their daughter Bryta. Two of the other daughters were married as follows: Margreta Persdotter was married in 1692 to Lars Ersson of Marshyttan (family #283) and Kerstin Persdotter was married, on the same day in 1692, to Nils Ersson of Marshyttan. The husbands of these two were brothers.

Next we go to pedigree chart #12 where we find the family of Elias Joensson and Gertrud of Wasselhyttan (family #184). They are your 10th great grandparents. I have identified seven children in this family, although there may have been others. The birth records for part of this period are very incomplete.

Pedigree chart #13 has the family of Hans Ersson and Ingeborg Ersdotter (family #87) of Wasselhyttan in Lindesberg. There is some new information on this sheet.

It appears that Hans Ersson was the son of Erich Hansson and his wife Gulbor Ersdotter (family #201) of Wasselhyttan. I have identified only one other child in this family.

Per or Peder Ersson of Granshyttan in Lindesberg is your 9th great grandfather. He is shown on pedigree chart #17. You are descended through his first wife, whose name is unknown. Their daughter Margaretha Persdotter, was married in 1682 to Lars Larsson (family #276). Per Ersson was married secondly to the widow Anna Olofsdotter (family #262).

Nils Jakobsson and his wife Cherstin Hansdotter (family #188) are shown on pedigree chart #18. You already have their family group sheet. However, enclosed you will find new sheets on two of their children. Peder or Par Nilsson was married in 1686 to Brita Larsdotter (family #189). Hans Nilsson was married about 1687 to Kerstin Larsdotter (family #190). Both families resided at Armanboda in Lindesberg.

On pedigree chart #38 you will find the family of Pehr Larsson and Anna Hindrichsdotter (family #221) who resided at Hidinge in Lindesberg. They are your 8th great grandparents. I have identified seven children in this family.

Lastly, if you will go to pedigree chart #43, you will find Kerstin Parsdotter, your 9th great grandmother. She was married first to Hans Pehrsson (family #198, which you have). Her second husband was David Ersson (family #279).

That covers the research which I have done for you this period. I look forward to hearing from you again soon and continuing with your research.

Sincerely yours,

(Mrs.) Linda K. Larson, A.G.