Andersons Family History: Släkt Träff

ÄLVDALEN CHURCH:

Sunday morning, August 1st. Several of us went to services in the old church in Älvdalen which Grandfather Anderson may have attended. He was not baptized in this church but was baptized in Annundsjö where he was born. Annundsjö is far north of Älvdalen in Västernorland. His parents were married in Älvdalen church.

I said that he may have attended church in Älvdalen, but then again he may not have done so if he was living in Skinnarboda. He received his permission from the government to emigrate from Skinnarboda, where he was living at that time.

He may have been taught by the Mormon missionaries in Skinnarboda. Several families from that area joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Jesu Kristi Kyrka av Sista Dagars Heliga). Maybe the Mormon missionaries had good success in Skinnarboda since it was so far away from the church in Älvdalen.

But getting back to the church service - the Priest gave a very nice sermon about not having our hearts fixed on the things of the world and the importance of the members safeguarding the church, not only the physical facilities but the spiritual and doctrinal teachings as well. He said that he could trace his authority through the priest who ordained him back to Peter, the Apostle.

The congregation that Sunday was made up of about 25 persons, half Mormons from Utah and half Swedes. We had a nice visit after the services.

Alvdalen church

Altar inside Alvdalen church

Baptismal font and organ loft in Alvdalen church

View inside Alvdalen church showing pulpit and altar

SLÄKTTRÄFF:

It was raining when we went to church at 10 am and many were anxiously considering what to do about the family reunion, but the rain stopped by noon and many tables and chairs were set up in the Bogg farm yard. They were obtained from the Community Center and hauled to the Bogg Farm by Roger, Erik, Anders and others. Karen Bogg and her daughters Maria and Lena were busy as bees getting things ready. Mona and her daughters Maria, Rebeka and Karen and son Erik and Roger were helping everywhere. Michael Slade and his family also got to lend a hand. Folks from other families helped as well. Tables were set up in the old barn for the food. The tables were loaded with delicious foods ranging from Rysk Sill (Russian Herring) to Janssons Frestelse (Janssons Temptation) . It was a wonderful feast.

Afterward we were entertained by the inimitable Roger Zakrisson. Roger sat up a sound system so that the program could be heard. After words of greeting, the 'traveling back pack' was opened to share gifts from America, just as it had been brought to the Anderson reunion in Pleasant Grove Utah with gifts from Sweden. Then Roger sang several numbers and Bonnie and I did Änglahund (Heavenly Hound).

Many Swedish 'cousins' came to meet the American visitors. Sigge was guest of honor. What a wonderful thing to have him present. Ulla has helped me with a list of those who came, in addition to the visitors from America representing Swen Olof.

Per Axel's progeny - Sigge Bogg, his daughter Karen Bogg and daughters Lena and Maria; Gunnel Hagman with daughters Marina and Tina and Marina's children; Jan-Erik Hagman , his wife Inga-Lill, their daughter Eva-Karin and her family; Mona Sten with her family Maria and her husband Roger Zakrisson and children Izaak (10), Kaiza (8) and Louiza (6), Rebeka, Erik, Karin; Ulla Bogg and her children, Åsa and her husband, and Björn and his wife. Åsa's children Claes (10) and Sara (8), Björn's children Simon (9), Emil (7) and Oskar (5); Bertil Bogg and his family.

Anders progeny - Anders and Astrid Åhs; Elisabeth Bogg; Christina Bogg and her husband Bengt Andersson.

In addition Roger Zakrisson's parents Gerd and Gunnar Zakrisson were in attendance along with Anders Olsson. It was quite a gathering - the progeny of Swen Olof, Anders and Per Axel were well represented. It was wonderful for Swedes and Americans to be able to get together - people from the same ancestors, Spjut Anders Swensson and Kerstin Olssdotter, living on different continents.

Ulla prepared a chart of the connections of families and attached it to the wall of the barn. If I have missed anyone or made errors in the names or activities let me know and I will make needed changes.