What an amazing whirlwind of a day and such an experience to acquaint with the Swedish relatives. From what was a correspondence with a genealogist in Sweden to just find the location of the ancestral farm at Ekebo, that allowed us to become acquainted with family that still lives nearby!
Anders Kjellsson, Anders Eckberg, Per-Olaf Ekenvärn, Ella Ekenvärn and us standing in front of Nils Alfred's house. He was Hildur's uncle that she wrote letters to when she moved to Iowa. He was a mailman and never married.
This is near Nils Alfred's house and the site of Grandfather John Israelsson's foundation and former house existed. Hildur lived here for a time while her father, Carl went to America. John Israelsson is Hildur's grandfather.
We came back and more people arrived. The family of Nilla Ekenvärn and her 3 daughters. The youngest one, Märta was quite shy at first but Juliette became fast friends with the older two. They were all so friendly, kind and interesting.
Their pet goose,
Anders Kjellsson and Jamie
The beautiful home and land of Anders.
Eva-Britt prepared along with Annie an amazing meal for all of us. We had fruits and cheeses, vegetables from their garden, traditional Swedish salads and desserts, bread and even moose meat. It was all so good!
Ella was just a doll and Isabelle, Allie and her became fast friends and inseparable
for the rest of the day. They still keep in touch on WhatsApp.
Annie lives in Stockholm and was the biggest sweetheart. She came down to help her aunt prepare for our arrival.
Gun-Britt Tjäder
Anders Eckberg who is an accomplished author and lives in Våxjö.
Per-Olaf Ekenvärn
This game is called, Kubb which is a Viking game that the girls played. It has wooden blocks and the object of the game is to toss the blocks and knock the king block off the other team.
Juliette, Hilma, Märta, Tyra, Ella, Isabelle and Allie
Fagerhults kyrka (Fagerhult church)
The is the grave of Per-Olaf's father.
Hilma, Tyra and Juliette
Isabelle and Ella
This is inside the church. Nicolaus Brodderi Bruun was one of the priests of this church in 1658-1676. His son, Nicolaus Braun (Bruun) was a bishop of Kalmar. This is a distant relative.
The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed Swedish Princess cake for dessert. It was delicious!
Front row:
Tyra Ekenvärn (age 11), Juliette, Märta Ekenvärn (age 7), Hilma Ekenvärn, Hanna Ekenvärn Strömberg (daughter of Per-Olaf), Kerstin Ekenvärn (wife to Per Olaf), Annie (niece of Eva-Britt Kjellsson), Isabelle, Ella Ekenvärn (daughter of Hanna), Jody
Back Row:
Nilla Ekenvärn, Per Arne Ekenvärn (brother and sister), Jamie, Anders Ekberg, Per-Olaf Ekenvärn, Anders and Eva-Britt Kjellsson (hosts of the family reunion)
We stayed at this charming bed and breakfast near Målilla. It was situated in the forest and the grounds were beautiful but with aggressive Swedish mosquitoes that were relentless! The lodgepole pines and granite, rocky landscape made this area so stunning. It is not very populated but the peaceful surroundings were enjoyed.
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