History Hans Högman
Copyright © Hans Högman 2017-06-07
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A Sjöberg Snusdosa in Canada

The story about the Sjöberg snusdosa could have ended here, but it doesn’t. A few weeks after I had published this article on my website I received an email from a woman in Manitoba, Canada, Christine Seaberg (Sjöberg). She had found my snusdosa article on the Internet. Her paternal grandfather, Emil Walfrid Sjoberg (Sjöberg), was a younger brother to the original owner of the snusdosa mentioned above, Jöns Bengtsson Sjöberg. Christine has in her possession her grandfather’s snusdosa which he brought to North America when he emigrated from Sweden in 1913. This snusdosa has the inscription “EWS” (the initials for Emil Walfrid Sjöberg).

The Story of a Snusdosa -

The Sjöberg Family

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The image shows Emil Walfrid Sjoberg's (Sjöberg) snusdosa with the inscription "EWS". The image is shown with consent of Christine Seaberg, Canada.

Jöns and Emil Walfrid Sjöberg’s Parents

As mentioned above, Jöns and Emil Walfrid Sjöberg were brothers born to Bengt Jönsson Sjöberg and his wife Anna Jönsdotter. • Bengt Jönsson Sjöberg, b. 1844-09-18 i Öijenäs, Ekshärad parish, Värmland, d. 1912-01-04 i Malung parish, Dalarna. • Anna Jönsdotter, b. 1841-01-01 i Ekshärad parish, Värmland, d. 1921-10-11 i Nordanåker, Malung parish, Dalarna. The couple married on October 10, 1865. Children: 1. Karin, b. 1865-11-07 in Ekshärad. 2. Jöns, b. 1867-08-03 in Öijenäs, Ekshärad parish, d. 1949-07-01 in Rödön parish, Jämtland. 3. Johanna, b. 1869-09-14 in Ekshärad 4. Ingeborg, b. 1871-09-12 in Ekshärad, d. 1931-01-12 in Stjärnefors, Värmland. Surname as married: Båth. 5. Maria, b. 1873-09-15 in Ekshärad, d. 1888-09-20 in Ekshärad. 6. Kristina, b. 1875-04-29 in Ekshärad 7. Karl Johan, b. 1877-01-22 in Ekshärad, d. 1950-07-11 in Nordanåker, Malung. Married. 8. Erik Gustaf, b. 1879-01-20 in Ekshärad, d. 1972-11-28 in Ånge parish, Medelpad. Married. 9. Per Olof, b. 1882-04-18 in Ekshärad 10. August Wilhelm, b. 1885-07-31 in Basterud, Ekshärad, d. 1920-03-01 in Canada. 11. Emil Walfrid, b. 1885-07-31 in Basterud, Ekshärad, d. 1961-02-14 in Winnipeg, Canada August Wilhelm and Emil Walfrid were twins.

The children who emigrated

1. Kristina, b. 1875-04-29 in Ekshärad. Emigr. 1903-06-12 from Rödön parish, Jämtland. Occupation: seamstress. Unmarried. Destination: St John, MA, USA. 2. Per Olof, b. 1882-04-18 in Ekshärad. Emigr. 1902-03-25 from Malung parish, Dalarna. Unmarried. Destination: North America. 3. August Wilhelm, b. 1885-07-31 in Ekshärad. Emigr. 1910-04-10 from Malung parish, Dalarna. Unmarried. Destination: North America. 4. Emil Walfrid, b. 1885-07-31 in Ekshärad. Emigr. 1913-06-06 from Ås parish, Jämtland. Occupation: filer. Married, one child. Destination: Canada.

Picture of Bengt Sjöberg and his wife Anna:

Bengt Jönsson Sjöberg and his wife Anna Jönsdotter. The photo is taken around the turn of the century, 1900. The image is shown with consent of Christine Seaberg, Canada.

Below are Two Images from the Ekshärad Household Examination Rolls:

Above is an extract from Ekshärad (S) AI:38 (1886-1890) bild 75 / sid 65 (AID: v10795.b75.s65, NAD: SE/VA/13100). The above image shows Bengt Jönsson and his family between 1886 and 1890. Bengt was then a settler (Nyb. = Nybyggare) in Acksjön, Basterud, Ekshärad parish. In the top left corner, we also see the parish minister's note "öst på skogen" (east of the forest) as a direction to Bengt's settlement. Bengt's son Jöns is listed above as laborer (Arb.) Jöns Sjöberg. This is the first time Jöns is listed by the surname Sjöberg.
Above is an extract from Ekshärad (S) AI:39 (1891-1895) bild 44 / sid 16 (AID: v10796.b44.s16, NAD: SE/VA/13100). In the above image we see settler Bent Jönsson listed by the family name Sjöberg for the first time which means he adopted a family name during this period (1891-1895).

Below is an Image from the Malung Household Examination Roll 1886-1895

Jöns Sjöberg was 18 years older than his brother Emil Walfrid. So, Emil Walfrid and Jöns’s daughter Emma were closer in age than he was with his own brother Jöns. Emil Walfrid Sjöberg, who became Emil Walfrid Seaberg in North America, had a twin brother, August Wilhelm, who also went to Canada. Jöns Sjöberg never emigrated to North America but 5 of his children did, among them Emma Sjöberg (Carlson) above. Emma left Sweden in March, 1913, for the USA. Her uncle Emil Walfrid emigrated from Sweden to Canada in June 1913. Emil’s twin brother August Wilhelm emigrated from Sweden to Canada in April 1910. He filed his application for permission to emigrate in February 1910.

Emil Walfrid Sjöberg

In November 1905 Emil Walfrid moved from Malung to Hissmofors, Rödön parish, Jämtland province. This was the place where his older brother Jöns lived. Maybe Jöns had managed to get him a job at the mill where he worked? Anyhow, Emil Walfrid's occupation is listed as filer or smith filer (see below). He is listed by the surname Sjöberg in Rödön. He married Sara Julia Kristina Holmberg in June 6, 1910, and in December 1910 the couple moved to Ösa, Ås parish, Jämtland.

Emil Sjöberg being drafted in 1907 - Conscription

Sweden had a conscription system at the time and Emil Walfrid was drafted in 1907 to fulfill his military service (military training). His enrollment number, which can be found in the parish records, was 242 63/1907. The last part on the number, 1907, is the year of enrollment. “63” is the roll keeping area (rullföringsområde) which tells us where he was enrolled. “242” is his personal serial number in the roll. Enrollment area “63” was Östersund West Roll Keeping Area [draft board] (Östersunds västra rullföringsområde) which in 1907 belonged to the Jämtland Enrollment Area (Jämtlands inskrivningsområde). So, Emil Walfrid was drafted in the Östersund West roll keeping area. Östersund is the major city in Jämtland. Emil Walfrid's enrollment (inskrivningsbok) book has been kept and are today in the possession of Christine Seaberg. According to the enrollment book Emil Walfrid did his military service in The Norrland Artillery Regiment (Norrlands Artilleriregemente, A4). The regiment was garrisoned in Östersund, Jämtland. In the military Emil Walfrid was a “hovslagare” (hofslagare) which means farrier. The image to the right shows the barrack square, Norrland Artillery Regiment, 1930's. Free image Wikipedia. Emil Walfrid’s enrollment date was March 3, 1907. See Emil Walfrid's Enrollment book from 1907

Permission to emigrate

Since Emil Walfrid was of conscription age he had to apply for permission to emigrate (frejdbetyg) to the Government (Kungl. Maj:t). His permit came through on May 23, 1913.

Emil Sjöberg’s Frejdbetyg

The above images show a "Frejdbetyg" issued by assistant parish minister (komminister) N. Söderlind in Ås parish, Jämtland, prior to Emil Walfrid's emigration from Sweden. A "Frejdbetyg" was a certificate stating that the holder had a good reputation and was to be held in esteem (medborgerligt förtroende). This certificate also states that Emil Walfrid had been enrolled as a conscript and that his enrollment number was 242 63/1907. The certificate was issued on May 18, 1913. The image is shown with consent of Christine Seaberg, Canada. Emil Walfid Sjöberg married Sara Julia Kristina Holmberg on June 23, 1910 in Fors parish, Jämtland. Prior to the emigration the family lived in Ösa, Ås parish, Jämtland. His occupation was “filare” (filer).

The Occupation Filer (Filare)

A filer was a craftsman working for example in a workshop filing off or smoothing parts made of steel or iron with a file. Casting shops weren’t able to cast parts with 100% precision in the past. In order to fit different parts together filers were needed to file off or smooth the parts in order to achieve the required precision. There were also other types of filers; for example, filers sharpening sawblades.

The Emil Walfrid Sjöberg Family

• Emil Walfrid Sjöberg, b. 1885-07-31 in Ekshärad parish, Värmland, d. 1961-02-14 in Winnipeg, Kanada. • Sara Julia Kristina Holmberg, b. 1886-12-16 in Utanede, Fors parish, d. 1973-04-22 in Winnipeg, Canada. Emigration from Sweden to Canada: The Emil Walfrid Sjöberg family emigrated from Ås parish, Jämtland, to Canada on 1913-06-06. The family’s surname was changed to Seaberg in Canada. Interestingly, Emil Walfrid changed his name but his twin brother, who also immigrated to Canada, did not. Children: • Anna Viola, b. 1912-12-29 i Ås parish, Jämtland. • Walter Eric Seaberg, b. 1918-07-18 in Winnepeg, Canada, d. 2005-03-22 in Winnepeg, Canada. Below are two images from the Ås parish book (församlingsbok) 1895 - 1914:
Above is an extract from Ås (Z) AIIa:1 (1895-1914) bild 2630 / sid 249 (AID: v115483.b2630.s249, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11105) - lefthand side. The above image shows Emil Walfrid Sjöberg and his family in Ösa, Ås parish, 1910 - 1913 prior to their emigration. Emil's occupation was a filer (filare).

Related Links

• The Swedish Emigration to the USA • The Johnsons, an emigrant family • Military enrollment numbers for conscripts (draftees) • Map of Sweden

Source References

• Rödön (Z) B:4 (1902-1915) bild 550 / sid 98 (AID: v115161.b550.s98, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11090) • Rödön (Z) B:4 (1902-1915) Bild 690 / sid 126 (AID: v115161.b690.s126, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11090) • Rödön (Z) AIIa:2 (1904-1933) bild 180 / sid 8 (AID: v228706.b180.s8, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11090) • Rödön (Z) AIIa:2 (1904-1933) Bild 550 / sid 45 (AID: v228706.b550.s45, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11090) • Rödön (Z) AIIa:2 (1904-1933) bild 670 / sid 57 (AID: v228706.b670.s57, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11090) • Undersåker (Z) C:6 (1888-1894) Bild 860 / sid 80 (AID: v115389.b860.s80, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11100) • Ås (Z) AIIa:1 (1895-1914) bild 2630 / sid 249 (AID: v115483.b2630.s249, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11105) • Ås (Z) B:2 (1895-1929) bild 520 / sid 46 (AID: v115487.b520.s46, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11105) • Åre (Z) C:5 (1861-1878) bild 370 / sid 33 (AID: v115465.b370.s33, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11104) • Ekshärad (S) AI:29 (1866-1870) Bild 468 / sid 460 (AID: v10786.b468.s460, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:30 (1866-1870) Bild 68 / sid 581 (AID: v10787.b68.s581, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:32 (1871-1875) Bild 45 / sid 482 (AID: v10789.b45.s482, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:32 (1871-1875) Bild 61 / sid 496 (AID: v10789.b61.s496, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:34 (1876-1880) Bild 73 / sid 513 (AID: v10791.b73.s513, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:36 (1881-1885) Bild 77 / sid 503 (AID: v10793.b77.s503, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:38 (1886-1890) bild 75 / sid 65 (AID: v10795.b75.s65, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:39 (1891-1895) bild 44 / sid 16 (AID: v10796.b44.s16, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) C:6 (1847-1867) Bild 281 (AID: v6416.b281, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) C:9 (1868-1894) bild 283 / sid 627 (AID: v6419.b283.s627, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Malung (W) B:3 (1895-1934) bild 90 / sid 1 (AID: v184070.b90.s1, NAD: SE/ULA/11213) • Malung (W) B:3 (1895-1934) bild 500 / sid 42 (AID: v184070.b500.s42, NAD: SE/ULA/11213) • Malung (W) AI:9f2 (1886-1895) bild 94 / sid 90 (AID: v130994.b94.s90, NAD: SE/ULA/11213) • Malung (W) AII:1f (1896-1905) bild 260 / sid 14 (AID: v131001.b260.s14, NAD: SE/ULA/11213) • Malung (W) AII:2f (1906-1916) bild 200 / sid 10 (AID: v184024.b200.s10, NAD: SE/ULA/11213) • Hede (O) C:6 (1870-1894) Bild 82 (AID: v2663.b82, NAD: SE/GLA/13203) • Hede (O) AI:11 (1881-1894) Bild 80 / sid 69 (AID: v2650.b80.s69, NAD: SE/GLA/13203) • Hede (O) AIIa:1 (1895-1916) Bild 790 / sid 75 (AID: v29382föddb790.s75, NAD: SE/GLA/13203) • Hede (O) B:1 (1895-1916) Bild 320 / sid 28 (AID: v46537a.b320.s28, NAD: SE/GLA/13203) • 1900 Census, Sweden • 1910 Census, Sweden • The Swedish Death Index 1901 - 2013 • The Swedish online emigrant database, EmiWeb The letters within brackets above, after the parish name, is the county code. • O = Göteborgs och Bohus län • S = Värmlands län • W = Dalarnas län • Z = Jämtlands län
Contents this page:
The image is a close-up of the above snusdosa showning the inscription in detail. The image is shown with consent of Christine Seaberg, Canada.
Above is an extract from Malung (W) AI:9f2 (1886-1895) bild 94 / sid 90 (AID: v130994.b94.s90, NAD: SE/ULA/11213). The above image shows Bengt Jönsson and his family in 1895. Bengt's occupation is listed as log driver foreman (flottningsförman) in Malung.

Ekshärad Parish, Värmland

The family had a croft (torp) in Öijenäs, Ekshärad parish until 1868. A crofter was a kind of tenant farmer. In 1868 the family moved to Bergsäng, Ekshärad and Bengt Jönsson is then listed as laborer. In 1874 the family moved to Basterud, Ekshärad. Bengt is now listed as a settler (nybyggare) in Sätterskogen (the Sätter Forest). Bengt probably broke new land here (clearing the land and cultivating the ground). In the household examination roll Ekshärad AI.38 (1886 - 1890) the parish minister added a note "Acksjön, öst på skogen" (Lake Acksjön, east of the forest) as a description the Bengt Jönsson settlement. Bent Jönsson's son Jöns is in this parish record for the first time listed as Jöns Bengtsson Sjöberg. Jöns moved to Jämtland in July 1890 so he probably adopted a familyname (Sjöberg) prior to his move to Jämtland province. In the household examination roll, Ekshärad AI:39 (1891-1895), Bengt is listed as Bengt Jönsson Sjöberg for the first time. So, also Jön's father Bengt adopted a family name during this period.

Malung Parish, Dalarna

The Bengt Jönsson Sjöberg family moved from Ekshärad parish, Värmland to Bjuråker, Malung parish, Dalarna province, on August 4, 1895. Bengt’s occupation in Malung is listed as "flottningsförman", log driver foreman (conveying timber in floats). The family soon moved to Nordanåker, Malung parish. Also Jön's younger brother Emil Walfrid moved to Jämtland and settled, like Jöns, in Rödön parish. Actually, four of Bengt Jönsson’s children moved to Rödön, Jämtland: • Jöns (b. 1867), in July 1890 • Kristina (b. 1875), in January 1900 • Karl Johan (b. 1877), in August 1900 • Emil Walfrid (b. 1885), in November 1905 Emil’s twin brother August Wilhelm never moved to Jämtland. August's conscript enrollment number was 407 59/1906, which means he was drafted in 1906. He most likely did his military service in the Dal Regiment (infantry). This regiment is garrisoned in Falun, Dalarna.

Conveying Timber in Floats

Bengt Sjöberg worked as a log driver foreman in Malung. Log driving or floating was a way of conveying timber or logs from the locale of lumbering to sawmills and pulp mills downstream using the current of a river. The people employed to do this were called floaters or log drivers (Swedish: flottare). Log driving was the main transportation method of the early logging industry
A workforce of log drivers from Finnskoga, working at the Lusten separation point, Klarälven river, Forshaga, Värmland, taken 1918. Free image, Wikipedia.
Log drivers in Kvissleby, Ljungan River, Medelpad, Sweden.. Kvissleby is located about 6 miles (10 km) south of Sundsvall City where Ljungan River meats the sea. There were two pulp mills located here; Essvik Pulp Mill (1900 - 1967) and Svartvik Pulp Mill (1906 - 1974). They were both sulfite pulp mills.
Above is an extract from Ås (Z) AIIa:1 (1895-1914) bild 2630 / sid 249 (AID: v115483.b2630.s249, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11105) - righthand side. In column 15 "Värnpliktsförhållanden" (Conscription) we can see Emil Walfrid's conscript enrollment number, 242 63/07. In the remarks column - 14, (Anteckningar) in the middle of the extract, we can read that Emil Walfrid had been granted permission to emigrate (Kungl. Maj:ts tillstånd att emigrera). In column 16 and 17 we have emigration notations. The family emigrated to Canada (Kanada) on June 6, 1913. This particular date is also the National Day of Sweden. Below is an extract from the Ekshärad birth book (födelsebok) in 1885:
Above is an extract from Ekshärad (S) C:9 (1868-1894) bild 283 / sid 627 (AID: v6419.b283.s627, NAD: SE/VA/13100). The above image shows twins Emil Walfrid's and August Wilhelm's birth entries. The twins were born on July 31 and baptized on August 9, 1885. Note the age of their mother Anna; 44 years old (to the far right).

Christine Seaberg

Walter Eric Seaberg is the father of Christine Seaberg. Christine lives in Ste Anne, Manitoba, a small community just east of Winnipeg, Canada. Christine mentioned that when her family moved to Park Forest, Illinois, in the late 50’s, they always visited Emma Sjöberg (Carlson) in Duluth, MN, on their way back to Winnipeg every summer. The chart below shows how Sojna Thomas and Christine Seaberg are related.
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Släktforskning Hans Högman
Copyright © Hans Högman 2017-06-07
Made with Xara

A Sjöberg Snusdosa in Canada

The story about the Sjöberg snusdosa could have ended here, but it doesn’t. A few weeks after I had published this article on my website I received an email from a woman in Manitoba, Canada, Christine Seaberg (Sjöberg). She had found my snusdosa article on the Internet. Her paternal grandfather, Emil Walfrid Sjoberg (Sjöberg), was a younger brother to the original owner of the snusdosa mentioned above, Jöns Bengtsson Sjöberg. Christine has in her possession her grandfather’s snusdosa which he brought to North America when he emigrated from Sweden in 1913. This snusdosa has the inscription “EWS” (the initials for Emil Walfrid Sjöberg).

The Story of a Snusdosa -

The Sjöberg Family

Top of page
The image shows Emil Walfrid Sjoberg's (Sjöberg) snusdosa with the inscription "EWS". The image is shown with consent of Christine Seaberg, Canada.

Jöns and Emil Walfrid Sjöberg’s

Parents

As mentioned above, Jöns and Emil Walfrid Sjöberg were brothers born to Bengt Jönsson Sjöberg and his wife Anna Jönsdotter. • Bengt Jönsson Sjöberg, b. 1844-09-18 i Öijenäs, Ekshärad parish, Värmland, d. 1912-01-04 i Malung parish, Dalarna. • Anna Jönsdotter, b. 1841-01-01 i Ekshärad parish, Värmland, d. 1921-10-11 i Nordanåker, Malung parish, Dalarna. The couple married on October 10, 1865. Children: 1. Karin, b. 1865-11-07 in Ekshärad. 2. Jöns, b. 1867-08-03 in Öijenäs, Ekshärad parish, d. 1949-07-01 in Rödön parish, Jämtland. 3. Johanna, b. 1869-09-14 in Ekshärad 4. Ingeborg, b. 1871-09-12 in Ekshärad, d. 1931-01- 12 in Stjärnefors, Värmland. Surname as married: Båth. 5. Maria, b. 1873-09-15 in Ekshärad, d. 1888-09-20 in Ekshärad. 6. Kristina, b. 1875-04-29 in Ekshärad 7. Karl Johan, b. 1877-01-22 in Ekshärad, d. 1950- 07-11 in Nordanåker, Malung. Married. 8. Erik Gustaf, b. 1879-01-20 in Ekshärad, d. 1972- 11-28 in Ånge parish, Medelpad. Married. 9. Per Olof, b. 1882-04-18 in Ekshärad 10. August Wilhelm, b. 1885-07-31 in Basterud, Ekshärad, d. 1920-03-01 in Canada. 11. Emil Walfrid, b. 1885-07-31 in Basterud, Ekshärad, d. 1961-02-14 in Winnipeg, Canada August Wilhelm and Emil Walfrid were twins.

The children who emigrated

1. Kristina, b. 1875-04-29 in Ekshärad. Emigr. 1903- 06-12 from Rödön parish, Jämtland. Occupation: seamstress. Unmarried. Destination: St John, MA, USA. 2. Per Olof, b. 1882-04-18 in Ekshärad. Emigr. 1902-03-25 from Malung parish, Dalarna. Unmarried. Destination: North America. 3. August Wilhelm, b. 1885-07-31 in Ekshärad. Emigr. 1910-04-10 from Malung parish, Dalarna. Unmarried. Destination: North America. 4. Emil Walfrid, b. 1885-07-31 in Ekshärad. Emigr. 1913-06-06 from Ås parish, Jämtland. Occupation: filer. Married, one child. Destination: Canada.

Picture of Bengt Sjöberg and his wife Anna:

Bengt Jönsson Sjöberg and his wife Anna Jönsdotter. The photo is taken around the turn of the century, 1900. The image is shown with consent of Christine Seaberg, Canada.

Below are Two Images from the Ekshärad

Household Examination Rolls:

Above is an extract from Ekshärad (S) AI:38 (1886- 1890) bild 75 / sid 65 (AID: v10795.b75.s65, NAD: SE/VA/13100). The above image shows Bengt Jönsson and his family between 1886 and 1890. Bengt was then a settler (Nyb. = Nybyggare) in Acksjön, Basterud, Ekshärad parish. In the top left corner, we also see the parish minister's note "öst på skogen" (east of the forest) as a direction to Bengt's settlement. Bengt's son Jöns is listed above as laborer (Arb.) Jöns Sjöberg. This is the first time Jöns is listed by the surname Sjöberg.
Above is an extract from Ekshärad (S) AI:39 (1891- 1895) bild 44 / sid 16 (AID: v10796.b44.s16, NAD: SE/VA/13100). In the above image we see settler Bent Jönsson listed by the family name Sjöberg for the first time which means he adopted a family name during this period (1891-1895).

Below is an Image from the Malung

Household Examination Roll 1886-1895

Jöns Sjöberg was 18 years older than his brother Emil Walfrid. So, Emil Walfrid and Jöns’s daughter Emma were closer in age than he was with his own brother Jöns. Emil Walfrid Sjöberg, who became Emil Walfrid Seaberg in North America, had a twin brother, August Wilhelm, who also went to Canada. Jöns Sjöberg never emigrated to North America but 5 of his children did, among them Emma Sjöberg (Carlson) above. Emma left Sweden in March, 1913, for the USA. Her uncle Emil Walfrid emigrated from Sweden to Canada in June 1913. Emil’s twin brother August Wilhelm emigrated from Sweden to Canada in April 1910. He filed his application for permission to emigrate in February 1910.

Emil Walfrid Sjöberg

In November 1905 Emil Walfrid moved from Malung to Hissmofors, Rödön parish, Jämtland province. This was the place where his older brother Jöns lived. Maybe Jöns had managed to get him a job at the mill where he worked? Anyhow, Emil Walfrid's occupation is listed as filer or smith filer (see below). He is listed by the surname Sjöberg in Rödön. He married Sara Julia Kristina Holmberg in June 6, 1910, and in December 1910 the couple moved to Ösa, Ås parish, Jämtland.

Emil Sjöberg being drafted in 1907 -

Conscription

Sweden had a conscription system at the time and Emil Walfrid was drafted in 1907 to fulfill his military service (military training). His enrollment number, which can be found in the parish records, was 242 63/1907. The last part on the number, 1907, is the year of enrollment. “63” is the roll keeping area (rullföringsområde) which tells us where he was enrolled. “242” is his personal serial number in the roll. Enrollment area “63” was Östersund West Roll Keeping Area [draft board] (Östersunds västra rullföringsområde) which in 1907 belonged to the Jämtland Enrollment Area (Jämtlands inskrivningsområde). So, Emil Walfrid was drafted in the Östersund West roll keeping area. Östersund is the major city in Jämtland. Emil Walfrid's enrollment (inskrivningsbok) book has been kept and are today in the possession of Christine Seaberg. According to the enrollment book Emil Walfrid did his military service in The Norrland Artillery Regiment (Norrlands Artilleriregemente, A4). The regiment was garrisoned in Östersund, Jämtland. In the military Emil Walfrid was a “hovslagare” (hofslagare) which means farrier. The image to the right shows the barrack square, Norrland Artillery Regiment, 1930's. Free image Wikipedia. Emil Walfrid’s enrollment date was March 3, 1907. See Emil Walfrid's Enrollment book from 1907

Permission to emigrate

Since Emil Walfrid was of conscription age he had to apply for permission to emigrate (frejdbetyg) to the Government (Kungl. Maj:t). His permit came through on May 23, 1913.

Emil Sjöberg’s Frejdbetyg

The above images show a "Frejdbetyg" issued by assistant parish minister (komminister) N. Söderlind in Ås parish, Jämtland, prior to Emil Walfrid's emigration from Sweden. A "Frejdbetyg" was a certificate stating that the holder had a good reputation and was to be held in esteem (medborgerligt förtroende). This certificate also states that Emil Walfrid had been enrolled as a conscript and that his enrollment number was 242 63/1907. The certificate was issued on May 18, 1913. The image is shown with consent of Christine Seaberg, Canada. Emil Walfid Sjöberg married Sara Julia Kristina Holmberg on June 23, 1910 in Fors parish, Jämtland. Prior to the emigration the family lived in Ösa, Ås parish, Jämtland. His occupation was “filare” (filer).

The Occupation Filer (Filare)

A filer was a craftsman working for example in a workshop filing off or smoothing parts made of steel or iron with a file. Casting shops weren’t able to cast parts with 100% precision in the past. In order to fit different parts together filers were needed to file off or smooth the parts in order to achieve the required precision. There were also other types of filers; for example, filers sharpening sawblades.

The Emil Walfrid Sjöberg Family

• Emil Walfrid Sjöberg, b. 1885-07-31 in Ekshärad parish, Värmland, d. 1961-02-14 in Winnipeg, Kanada. • Sara Julia Kristina Holmberg, b. 1886-12-16 in Utanede, Fors parish, d. 1973-04-22 in Winnipeg, Canada. Emigration from Sweden to Canada: The Emil Walfrid Sjöberg family emigrated from Ås parish, Jämtland, to Canada on 1913-06-06. The family’s surname was changed to Seaberg in Canada. Interestingly, Emil Walfrid changed his name but his twin brother, who also immigrated to Canada, did not. Children: • Anna Viola, b. 1912-12-29 i Ås parish, Jämtland. • Walter Eric Seaberg, b. 1918-07-18 in Winnepeg, Canada, d. 2005-03-22 in Winnepeg, Canada. Below are two images from the Ås parish book (församlingsbok) 1895 - 1914:
Above is an extract from Ås (Z) AIIa:1 (1895-1914) bild 2630 / sid 249 (AID: v115483.b2630.s249, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11105) - lefthand side. The above image shows Emil Walfrid Sjöberg and his family in Ösa, Ås parish, 1910 - 1913 prior to their emigration. Emil's occupation was a filer (filare).

Related Links

• The Swedish Emigration to the USA • The Johnsons, an emigrant family • Military enrollment numbers for conscripts (draftees) • Map of Sweden

Source References

• Rödön (Z) B:4 (1902-1915) bild 550 / sid 98 (AID: v115161.b550.s98, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11090) • Rödön (Z) B:4 (1902-1915) Bild 690 / sid 126 (AID: v115161.b690.s126, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11090) • Rödön (Z) AIIa:2 (1904-1933) bild 180 / sid 8 (AID: v228706.b180.s8, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11090) • Rödön (Z) AIIa:2 (1904-1933) Bild 550 / sid 45 (AID: v228706.b550.s45, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11090) • Rödön (Z) AIIa:2 (1904-1933) bild 670 / sid 57 (AID: v228706.b670.s57, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11090) • Undersåker (Z) C:6 (1888-1894) Bild 860 / sid 80 (AID: v115389.b860.s80, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11100) • Ås (Z) AIIa:1 (1895-1914) bild 2630 / sid 249 (AID: v115483.b2630.s249, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11105) • Ås (Z) B:2 (1895-1929) bild 520 / sid 46 (AID: v115487.b520.s46, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11105) • Åre (Z) C:5 (1861-1878) bild 370 / sid 33 (AID: v115465.b370.s33, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11104) • Ekshärad (S) AI:29 (1866-1870) Bild 468 / sid 460 (AID: v10786.b468.s460, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:30 (1866-1870) Bild 68 / sid 581 (AID: v10787.b68.s581, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:32 (1871-1875) Bild 45 / sid 482 (AID: v10789.b45.s482, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:32 (1871-1875) Bild 61 / sid 496 (AID: v10789.b61.s496, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:34 (1876-1880) Bild 73 / sid 513 (AID: v10791.b73.s513, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:36 (1881-1885) Bild 77 / sid 503 (AID: v10793.b77.s503, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:38 (1886-1890) bild 75 / sid 65 (AID: v10795.b75.s65, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) AI:39 (1891-1895) bild 44 / sid 16 (AID: v10796.b44.s16, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) C:6 (1847-1867) Bild 281 (AID: v6416.b281, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Ekshärad (S) C:9 (1868-1894) bild 283 / sid 627 (AID: v6419.b283.s627, NAD: SE/VA/13100) • Malung (W) B:3 (1895-1934) bild 90 / sid 1 (AID: v184070.b90.s1, NAD: SE/ULA/11213) • Malung (W) B:3 (1895-1934) bild 500 / sid 42 (AID: v184070.b500.s42, NAD: SE/ULA/11213) • Malung (W) AI:9f2 (1886-1895) bild 94 / sid 90 (AID: v130994.b94.s90, NAD: SE/ULA/11213) • Malung (W) AII:1f (1896-1905) bild 260 / sid 14 (AID: v131001.b260.s14, NAD: SE/ULA/11213) • Malung (W) AII:2f (1906-1916) bild 200 / sid 10 (AID: v184024.b200.s10, NAD: SE/ULA/11213) • Hede (O) C:6 (1870-1894) Bild 82 (AID: v2663.b82, NAD: SE/GLA/13203) • Hede (O) AI:11 (1881-1894) Bild 80 / sid 69 (AID: v2650.b80.s69, NAD: SE/GLA/13203) • Hede (O) AIIa:1 (1895-1916) Bild 790 / sid 75 (AID: v29382föddb790.s75, NAD: SE/GLA/13203) • Hede (O) B:1 (1895-1916) Bild 320 / sid 28 (AID: v46537a.b320.s28, NAD: SE/GLA/13203) • 1900 Census, Sweden • 1910 Census, Sweden • The Swedish Death Index 1901 - 2013 • The Swedish online emigrant database, EmiWeb The letters within brackets above, after the parish name, is the county code. • O = Göteborgs och Bohus län • S = Värmlands län • W = Dalarnas län • Z = Jämtlands län
The image is a close-up of the above snusdosa showning the inscription in detail. The image is shown with consent of Christine Seaberg, Canada.
Above is an extract from Malung (W) AI:9f2 (1886- 1895) bild 94 / sid 90 (AID: v130994.b94.s90, NAD: SE/ULA/11213). The above image shows Bengt Jönsson and his family in 1895. Bengt's occupation is listed as log driver foreman (flottningsförman) in Malung.

Ekshärad Parish, Värmland

The family had a croft (torp) in Öijenäs, Ekshärad parish until 1868. A crofter was a kind of tenant farmer. In 1868 the family moved to Bergsäng, Ekshärad and Bengt Jönsson is then listed as laborer. In 1874 the family moved to Basterud, Ekshärad. Bengt is now listed as a settler (nybyggare) in Sätterskogen (the Sätter Forest). Bengt probably broke new land here (clearing the land and cultivating the ground). In the household examination roll Ekshärad AI.38 (1886 - 1890) the parish minister added a note "Acksjön, öst på skogen" (Lake Acksjön, east of the forest) as a description the Bengt Jönsson settlement. Bent Jönsson's son Jöns is in this parish record for the first time listed as Jöns Bengtsson Sjöberg. Jöns moved to Jämtland in July 1890 so he probably adopted a familyname (Sjöberg) prior to his move to Jämtland province. In the household examination roll, Ekshärad AI:39 (1891-1895), Bengt is listed as Bengt Jönsson Sjöberg for the first time. So, also Jön's father Bengt adopted a family name during this period.

Malung Parish, Dalarna

The Bengt Jönsson Sjöberg family moved from Ekshärad parish, Värmland to Bjuråker, Malung parish, Dalarna province, on August 4, 1895. Bengt’s occupation in Malung is listed as "flottningsförman", log driver foreman (conveying timber in floats). The family soon moved to Nordanåker, Malung parish. Also Jön's younger brother Emil Walfrid moved to Jämtland and settled, like Jöns, in Rödön parish. Actually, four of Bengt Jönsson’s children moved to Rödön, Jämtland: • Jöns (b. 1867), in July 1890 • Kristina (b. 1875), in January 1900 • Karl Johan (b. 1877), in August 1900 • Emil Walfrid (b. 1885), in November 1905 Emil’s twin brother August Wilhelm never moved to Jämtland. August's conscript enrollment number was 407 59/1906, which means he was drafted in 1906. He most likely did his military service in the Dal Regiment (infantry). This regiment is garrisoned in Falun, Dalarna.

Conveying Timber in Floats

Bengt Sjöberg worked as a log driver foreman in Malung. Log driving or floating was a way of conveying timber or logs from the locale of lumbering to sawmills and pulp mills downstream using the current of a river. The people employed to do this were called floaters or log drivers (Swedish: flottare). Log driving was the main transportation method of the early logging industry
A workforce of log drivers from Finnskoga, working at the Lusten separation point, Klarälven river, Forshaga, Värmland, taken 1918. Free image, Wikipedia.
Log drivers in Kvissleby, Ljungan River, Medelpad, Sweden.. Kvissleby is located about 6 miles (10 km) south of Sundsvall City where Ljungan River meats the sea. There were two pulp mills located here; Essvik Pulp Mill (1900 - 1967) and Svartvik Pulp Mill (1906 - 1974). They were both sulfite pulp mills.
Above is an extract from Ås (Z) AIIa:1 (1895-1914) bild 2630 / sid 249 (AID: v115483.b2630.s249, NAD: SE/ÖLA/11105) - righthand side. In column 15 "Värnpliktsförhållanden" (Conscription) we can see Emil Walfrid's conscript enrollment number, 242 63/07. In the remarks column - 14, (Anteckningar) in the middle of the extract, we can read that Emil Walfrid had been granted permission to emigrate (Kungl. Maj:ts tillstånd att emigrera). In column 16 and 17 we have emigration notations. The family emigrated to Canada (Kanada) on June 6, 1913. This particular date is also the National Day of Sweden. Below is an extract from the Ekshärad birth book (födelsebok) in 1885:
Above is an extract from Ekshärad (S) C:9 (1868- 1894) bild 283 / sid 627 (AID: v6419.b283.s627, NAD: SE/VA/13100). The above image shows twins Emil Walfrid's and August Wilhelm's birth entries. The twins were born on July 31 and baptized on August 9, 1885. Note the age of their mother Anna; 44 years old (to the far right).

Christine Seaberg

Walter Eric Seaberg is the father of Christine Seaberg. Christine lives in Ste Anne, Manitoba, a small community just east of Winnipeg, Canada. Christine mentioned that when her family moved to Park Forest, Illinois, in the late 50’s, they always visited Emma Sjöberg (Carlson) in Duluth, MN, on their way back to Winnipeg every summer. The chart below shows how Sojna Thomas and Christine Seaberg are related.