Johanna Carlson or Karlsdotter

[Mark Zajac]

My great-great grandmother, Johanna Carlson was born in 1858 and came to America in 1881.  I have found a Johanna Karlsdotter who lived in Urshult, Kronoberg, Sweden from 1858 until 1880.  I was wondering if there was any way that I could find out if this is the same person.  Any information about either name would be greatly appreciated.

[Barbara Wall]

Dear Mark,
There are thousands of Johanna Karlsdotters (=Johanna the daughter of Karl), i.e. all the girls named Johanna whose fathers were called Karl/Carl had that name, and many were born at that time, sort of like Jane Smith in the US. Do you know whether she came from Urshult or do you just know Småland, because knowing the town will help a lot to narrow it down. Have you checked the Ellis Island site at http://www.ellisislandrecords.org/  for Johanna Karlsson in 1881? Do you know where she traveled to?
Good luck, Barbara

[Mark Zajac]

Thank you for responding.  All I know about Johanna Carlson is that she was born in Sweden in 1858, married Peter Peterson in 1877, had a daughter Hulda in 1880, and came to Minneapolis, MN in 1881.  I was looking through a site of Swedish records and found the name of Johanna Karlsdotter born in 1858 who lived in Urshult until 1880.  I am thinking that it may be her since the dates match up and I found a Peter Peterson and Hulda Peterson also in Kronoberg district.  The Ellis Island records only go from 1892-1924 and I could find nothing at the Castle Garden database either.  I was just wondering if birth/marriage/immigration records could be found for that specific Johanna Karlsdotter so that I could find out who she really is and whether I can just dismiss it.  I understand that it is a common name, but I have a feeling that there may be some connection and that my great-great-grandmother just adopted an Americanized version of her last name.  Maybe you could help me out to find info on Johanna Karlsdotter.  Thanks.

[Maud Svensson]

Unfortunately, the Urshult Johanna does not seem to be the one you are looking for. According to the database of KGF (Kronoberg Genealogical Society) only one Johanna with a father named Carl/Karl was born in Ursult in 1858 (21 June). In census 1890 she is found in Blekinge county with husband Daniel Petersson and three children.

[Mark Zajac]

Ok.  Thank you for that information.

[Mark Zajac]

I was wondering if a search could be done on another Johanna Carlsdotter.  This one was born on Mar. 13, 1858 in Husby-Lyhundra, Stockholm, Sweden.  I believe this could be my great-great grandmother since the year and date match the information that I have.  Any information would be appreciated.

[Lena Mårtenson Tingstam]

Johanna Carlsdotter born 1858 Mar 13 in Husby-Lyhundra lives with her parents until she marries in 1882 and moves to her husband in Wäddö.
No daughter born in 1880.

[Mark Zajac]

I have found another Johanna Carlsdotter that may be the one I am looking for.  This one was born on April 13, 1858 in Mangen, Hallefors Parish, Orebro Co, Sweden.

[Lena Mårtenson Tingstam]

Johanna Carlsdotter born April 13 1858 in Mången, Hällefors parish dies Jan 5 1866.

[Maud Svensson]

Mark,
I think I have found your family on the Emibas CD:
 
Worker Per Erik Pettersson b. 23 May 1848 in Hjulsjö, Örebro county (province Västmanland)
Wife Johanna Matilda Karlsson b. 13 March 1858 in Grangärde, Kopparberg county (province Dalarna)
Son Viktor Emanuel Persson b. 19 July 1874 in Ljusnarsberg, Örebro county (province Västmanland)
Stepson Carl Teodor Persson b. 30 April 1878 in Grangärde
Daughter Hulda Kristina Persdotter b. 19 Sep 1880 in Grangärde  
 
They left Nyhammar, Grangärde 19 June 1882. Destination: North America.

[Mark Zajac]

Oh my!! Thank you so much!!  That is definitely the family I was looking for!  I cannot begin to thank you for finding that out for me!

[Linda McIntyre Swanson]

I too am looking for an Anna (possibly Carlsen/Carlsdotter) who was born October 15, 1856 unknown parish in Sweden.  Married August Svensson, apparently an Ordained Swedish Minister @1874 and had 3 sons: Carl M (possibly Magnus) b. @July 1875, John P (Peter)b. @April 1877 and Gustav Ferdinand b. @ April 1879.  August came to Minnesota about 1881 and she travelled with the boys later about 1882.  Is there any chance of finding a Parish?  All the family can recall is Stockholm.