Alfred Andersson born 3 Feb. 1863 in Sweden

[Deane Craig]

Alfred Andersson born 3 Feb. 1863 in Sweden.
He died 9 Jan. 1903 in Indiana, USA.  The Emigration CD says he was from Gotland when he left the western coast of Sweden in 1881 for Kankakee, Illinois, USA.  He was 18 years old at the time and all indications are he was traveling alone.  But the Emigration CD did not give the parish or village or town where he came from.  His U.S. Declaration of Intent for citizenship was destroyed by a flood in the 1950s in Kankakee.  New information from his first marriage in the USA gives his parents names:  Peter Andersson and Christina Ingstr--?.  It is a guess on her last name.  Alfred is my great grandfather.  He was primarily a house painter.  He died at age 40 years old.  It appears his death was a result of alcoholism and possibly lead poisoning from the lead paint he probably mixed up regularly.  I would like to find out exactly where in Sweden my great grandfather was born and or lived. (If on Gotland, Island where?)  I have pursed him in the Civil Registrations of Gotland and in the Parish (Church) Records located in Visby.  This regional archives sent me a letter saying they have checked all the emigrations from Gotland and other registers without any results.  I'm beginning to believe maybe he was not born in Gotland, but, I am hoping to, at least, find some trace of him there.  Thanking you in advance.

[Anna-Carin Betzén]

Note that this question has also been posted under Discussions in English: Emigrants: Alfred Andersson b. 3 Feb. 1863 Sweden possibly Gotland.