Ths Story of Marie, a 19 Century Swedish Immigrant to Minnesota in America part 5-her 2nd letter
Comments on 2nd letter
Although Marie does not mention the names of the ships it would appear that she probably took the S/S Juno of the Wilson line from Trondheim, Norway to Hull, England. From there she most likely took a train to Liverpool. She would than have taken another ship to Quebec, Ontario.
Since she was in Chicago before going to Minnesota it seems likely she went from Quebec to Chicago by train.
Marie’s birth name was Brita Maria Ericson. In this letter she signs herself Maria. When she mentions the Hoglund's she is referring to her brother’s home. Hoglund is the name adopted in America. It is uncertain why they chose that name but there were a number of reasons for name changes, Sometimes names were assigned. Marie eventually adopts the name Hoglund as well.
The dream of flowers might symbolize expectations and hope for love and relationships.
I noted her comment about “regards to all who wish regards from me.” She seems a bit bitter about rejection from brothers.
Swedish Immigrants
2nd Letter
The Atlantic Ocean November 2nd, 1893
Dear Mother!
I promised to write to you so often as possible and I think it will be the best to write again.
We now are on the Ocean. Today it will be 8 days since we left England. There hasn’t been any storm but there is a head wind so it goes very slowly.
I haven’t been sick this time, only a little the first day. Since that time I have been well and I
can both eat and sleep. We get much food, different food every day, and 5 dishes every dinner.
It isn’t more then 300 emigrants at the ship, most of them from Scandinavia.
Many people are coming from Gothenburg and many young people who are very nice. We have had great fun during the whole trip so it couldn’t be much better. I’m not worried about I haven’t any company when I have been lucky enough to be well. In other case it had been difficult for me. Many people have been ill. One child has died. It was 3 years old. They left it into the Ocean. It was a child of an English family.
Today we have seen the coast and then we did as we saw at the card at home. The card where
the mother of Sundstrom’s is. We did sun shelf and looked.
This night I have dreamed I was home and was going to America and you mother had did a garland of red flowers to give it to me for the journey. I myself picked lingonberry to have with me but it wasn’t true.
I haven’t more to write about this time. I will leave the letter in Quebec so you will have it
quickly. We have to go inside the islands 2 days before we are in Quebec. You will have a telegram too. I will write as soon I have arrived at Hoglund’s.
My regards to all who want to have regards from me. At this occasion most of the people are on the deck dancing. It is very cold here so it is good to have warm clothes.
anything.
Now I have left my birth country and am going to a foreign coast. Whatever will meet me in the world God has promised to be with me on the trip a foreign coast. What ever will meet me in
trip.
Don’t be worry Mamma. Once again we will meet, if not before so after death. We will be brought together only by God. Please, pray for my soul.The body can’t miss the fates which are meaning but let us hope the best.
Farewell!
Live well by the protection of God Maria wishes
My regards to all people at the Bergqvist family and to Henrietta,
Comments
It must have been so hard in those days to depart knowing that they would probably never see their loved ones again.
- Author
Peggy W
I imagine it was hard but maybe we are more reluctant to make these kind of changes than people of an earlier time were. Thanks for your comments.
da, I have often thought the same thing- it would be terrible, thinking you would never see your mother again, though she was alive. My ancestors also took the boat from Norway to the US and eventually to North Dakota, where they farmed or owned shops. It was a very difficult life. I wonder where you got this letter, if it is real- or is this a compilation of stories you have read or family stories? I see that there are links to other hubs about Marie. But isn't her name yours? Is this a family member? Perhaps these questions are answered in your first hub. I will have to find it! Thanks. You tweaked my curiosity button.
- Author
Storyteller,
There is a link to the first hub just below the vote buttons.Marie is my great aunt, my grandfathers sister.She wrote the letters and my sister got them from relatives in Sweden.My sister did a family history the old fashioned way, without the help of the internet.
For some of the hubs I made up scenes to fill the gaps.Her story rather fascinated me because I didn't think women in that day did anything on there own.There are eleven hubs altogether.I hope your curiosity is strong enough to endure.
women
da, I will return tomorrow. I have to run some errands now that the temp has cooled a bit. I am curious. We will see! Thanks for the information. Voted up- did I say that?
- Author
This has not been that popular on hubpages.Probably too long. I think I may use some other material with it and use it for an ebook later.
Good idea!
Liverpool street scene
Link to next hub part 6
- Marie-an episode in immigration and family history-part 6-meets a friend
I have soeculated that Marie will take the train to Chicago from Quebec. The following scene is further speculation that she meets a friend and is from my own imagination. Whether such a scene might have...
- Marie-an episode in immigration and family history-part 6-meets a friend
I have soeculated that Marie will take the train to Chicago from Quebec. The following scene is further speculation that she meets a friend and is from my own imagination. Whether such a scene might have...
© 2009 Don A. Hoglund
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