In the Wake of Our Ancestors: A Swedish Journey

When David’s grandfather Oskar Friedolf Wilheim  Persson (changed to Pearson at Ellis Island) stayed with us for a couple of weeks when we were newlyweds, he (age 86 at the time) talked about his harrowing Atlantic crossing locked below deck, in steerage each night, as the seas sloshed in through cracks in the porthole. We wondered what would compel someone to leave the safety of home and travel thousands of miles into the unknown.  But life has a way of filling in the spaces between questions. Part of this Swedish venture is to seek some of those answers. 

We began our travel from Helsingborg to Kalmar, a small city, whose seaside location draws Swedes from all over. It is in close proximity to Bloomstermäla and more specifically, Älem, where Oscar was born and baptized and where the generation before was married and buried.

We stopped at the Swedish Emigrant Institute in Växjö, to examine census and emigration records to find our answers. Gunnar, a Swedish genealogist, helped us navigate documents in a very Henry Gates Jr sort of way. His enthusiasm with the beauty of history added a richness to this quest.

The surprising beauty of such an experience as a traveler is to explore areas not typically on a tourist plan. The small cities and even smaller villages offered a glimpse in to both the past and the present in Sweden.

Älem’s tranquill cemetery and tastefully unadorned church and surrounding farms looked much as they might have when Grandpa was a young boy attending the school there, founded in the 1600’s and still operating there today.

Bloomstermäla, a larger village where his sister’s family resided, was far from  a tourist stop, yet presented the peacefulness of the Swedish countryside.

Finally, arriving in Kalmar, a lovely seaside city, resplendent with a Baroque castle and harbor lined with modest yatchs and sailing boats, gateway to Örland, a popular resort in the Smäland on the Baltic Sea, our back door travel is complete.

If you like to mix your travel experience between large well known cities and quiet country gems, Kalmar and Älem offer a refreshing contrast with Stockholm.

While visiting, a short ride to Kosta to tour the hot shop of Boda and Orrefors (Swedish crystal makers) completed our journey to reconnect with family memories. We had planned for over 25 years to return and replace some crystal given to David by his aunt on his college visit which broke in a move to our new home with young children.

We watched the master glass blowers begin and complete beautiful vases. Mission accomplish! Crystal will ship home.

And,the good fortune of crossing paths with David’s brother and his wife while completing our pilgrimage made it even more special. 

An unexpected, yet enjoyable aspect of the trip was the treat of staying at a hotel on the water, which provided breakfast, Fika ( if you have ventured into an IKEA you have probably heard of it). A coffee, cinnamon bun ( here with a delicious bite of cardamom and far more delicious giving time to refresh with family or friends) and dinner. While we loved to explore local restaurants, the communal aspect and delicious variety of food lent itself to a new experience. 

All in all, searching to discover your heritage, who came before you, and what you share is always a treasure of travel. We highly recommend included some exploration in your next trip.

For us, this journey through Sweden—blending genealogical discovery, countryside serenity, and cultural tradition—was like setting sail on waters charted long ago. It offered not only a deeper understanding of family roots, but also a reminder that the most meaningful voyages are often those that follow in the wake of those who came before us.