My Great Great Great Great Grandmother

Banks, Oregon
January 4, 2021 12:49am CST
I recently was given this amazing Photo of my Great Great Great Great Grandmother Christina Olson who was born in 1820 in Holen, Dalarna, Sweden and passed in 1909 at the ripe old age of 89. A Grandson of hers wrote a book detailing his mother, and also his grandmother Christina's journey from Sweden to living life in Black River Falls, Wisconsin a small Sawmilling community, Christina started smoking from a pipe at a very young age, it was very common at that time for the young and elders, she also always had a small bottle of in the pocket of her dress she called medicine. She would use both internally and externally. She would mix a drink for herself with hot water, sugar and alcohol that, she claimed, assisted to digest food. never did she use it to excess; moderation in all things was her slogan. She was described as a very feisty woman for the time, she would argue with itinerant preachers whom came to the neighborhood to convert new patrons, she was taught the Swedenborgian philosophy which was quite popular at the time, especially among the Scandinavian Emigrant. She would sit in her rocking chair with clay pipe in hand, and remark about the bible, which her daughter prized highly was a very controversial book. Reading about this woman and looking into her eyes in the photo had really given me such a great respect for my ancestors, this would traveled to a foreign country to her taught herself, and her children and grandchildren english, read vigorously all books she could get her hands on, she grew very philosophical in nature and questioned everything she was taught and formed her own opinions on all things. Very proud to descend from this woman.
14 people like this
13 responses
@Namelesss (3365)
• United States
4 Jan 21
Imagine what could be accomplished today if people had her fortitude and critical thinking abilities. Great photo and history lesson.
2 people like this
@Namelesss (3365)
• United States
4 Jan 21
@chrissbergstrom Though she is much older so you obviously never knew her in life she reminds me of my grandmother who I did know. The older generations were a treasure and it expands my heart to see them and their memories cherished.
2 people like this
• Banks, Oregon
4 Jan 21
@Namelesss Yes i know of a few whom remind me of her aswell
2 people like this
• Banks, Oregon
4 Jan 21
I love her philosophical point of view, despite being indoctrined young of certain teachings and being from an era, and being a woman she still questioned everything, I just look at her eyes and see a very wise woman.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (51407)
• Canada
4 Jan 21
Its wonderful that you have this photo and so many details about her and her ways. Do you have a complete history of your family from when they arrived in North America?
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (51407)
• Canada
4 Jan 21
@chrissbergstrom We have our family traced back to when they arrived in Canada in 1835. We even have the name of the ship that they crossed the Atlantic on, and have several deeds and copies of life insurance polices from over the generations.
2 people like this
• Banks, Oregon
4 Jan 21
@Juliaacv Yes i have copies of the ship manifest, a photo taken of the family the day before immigrating, and in the book written by Christina's grandson he details several stories he was told about his families immigration, it's all quite fascinating.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37381)
• Toccoa, Georgia
5 Jan 21
That is so cool that you know about this part of your ancestors. On my Mom's side through her Mom (my grandma) we can trace it back to the late 1830s. It's so interesting to me.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37381)
• Toccoa, Georgia
5 Jan 21
2 people like this
• Banks, Oregon
5 Jan 21
Yes i have most of my family lines traced back to the late 1700s its so nice learning more about our ancestors
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
4 Jan 21
How interesting for you to learn about her life. She must have been very adventurous to leave Sweden for a foreign country as travel must have been so much more difficult in those days.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
4 Jan 21
@chrissbergstrom How awful for her.
2 people like this
• Banks, Oregon
4 Jan 21
@jaboUK Yes very sad
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (181821)
• United States
4 Jan 21
What a wonderful photo. You are very lucky to know something about your ancestry and about this amazing woman.
2 people like this
• Banks, Oregon
4 Jan 21
Yes i am blessed to have many old photos of family, i love learning everything i can about them. The fact this line has written history is truly amazing!
2 people like this
@ZedSmart (19786)
• Philippines
4 Jan 21
That's great that you're able to see a photo of your ancestor. I've only seen my grandpa in photo from my mother's side and personally the grandma in my father's side.
2 people like this
• Banks, Oregon
4 Jan 21
Photos or are ancestors are great to see, it's even more fun learning about there history
2 people like this
@ZedSmart (19786)
• Philippines
4 Jan 21
@chrissbergstrom I agree. I have seen photos in keeps. Those are black&white and there are people that I did not recognized and even with my older siblings.
2 people like this
@allknowing (137822)
• India
5 Jan 21
What a fascinating story and what a fascinating photo.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (139996)
• Roseburg, Oregon
7 Jan 21
She educated herself and did good with her life. Thanks for sharing this information.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154130)
• Canada
4 Jan 21
You come from a strong line
1 person likes this
• Banks, Oregon
5 Jan 21
Yes very proud of my heritage
@RasmaSandra (80783)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Jan 21
Great photo and you have some wonderful memories,
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
4 Jan 21
This photo is a classic! And to think we live a hard life. She was an amazing woman and you are lucky to know her history.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
4 Jan 21
@chrissbergstrom sounds cool!
1 person likes this
• Banks, Oregon
4 Jan 21
I have a photo just like this one of her daughter Anna (Olson) Bergstrom going to write about her soon and share that photo, I love it because it's the same chair and likely the same day.
1 person likes this
@Janet357 (75646)
4 Jan 21
wow, what a nice discussion! You really got my attention. I wish I could see and read as well something about my great great great mother.
2 people like this
• Banks, Oregon
4 Jan 21
I do alot of family history so it's nice to write about our ancestors
1 person likes this
@rhuenz (10643)
4 Jan 21
That's been a long photo, I am glad you have still her photo in memory of her.
1 person likes this