Anders Carlsson Laudon

[Mary E. Leveille]

Looking for information on my ancestor Anders Carlsson Laudon. He was born on October 9, 1801  in Mogestad, Östra Tollstads socken, Östergötland. He died on March 23, 1856 in Nybble, Vikingstads socken, Östergötland. He married Anna Catharina Nilsdotter on November 1, 1825 in Viby, Östergötland. He was a soldier with Kungliga Andra livgrenadjärregementet and Västanstångs kompani rotenummer 50. I  was always told by family that Laudon was an old family name that he took back when he became a soldier. But his father was Carl Andersson Modig, also a soldier and I wonder why if Laudon was a family name why he didn't use it instead of Modig. I have not been able to find any information on Carl Modig except that he was born in 1778 and died in a campaign on the Norwegian border in 1814. He was in Stångebro company and his act number was FL-02-0111-1800. Relatives have told me that we are related to Gideon Ernst Freiherr von Laudon, but I have no proof of that. Anders son, August, used the Laudon name but changed it as it was too hard to pronounce, in 1900 My grandfather took it again when he went to work for the Pilotage service. I would appreciate any information on these two individuals as I would love to find out if Laudon is our true name or just a military name assigned. Thank you for any help.