Kirjahaku

When Marion Dakin died in 1974, a bundle of letters was found in her desk -- all in Swedish. Years before she died Marion had given her granddaughter "old family rings" to use for her wedding -- one came from Eric Helsten, or so she thought. Her grandfather Eric Helsten was a tanner who immigrated from Sweden in 1845, initially settling in Haviland Hollow NY and then in Gaylordsville CT. He married another immigrant, Mary Hearty, who came from Ireland in 1848. These letters are from Eric's mother and twelve siblings dating from 1845 until he died in 1903. This is the story of Eric and Mary's life, in the US with the accompanying story of life back home as told through these 86 letters and documents. Included are two chapters with genealogical information on Eric Helsten's maternal and paternal ancestors in Sweden -- including family names of Alfvars, Bouvin, Chevet, Dandanell, Dubois, Gilljam, Hellsten, Hultman, Krutmeijer, Martin, sterman, Pousette, Robbert (Robert), Tillman, Tussin.

When Marion Dakin died in 1974, a bundle of letters was found in her desk -- all in Swedish. Years before she died Marion had given her granddaughter "old family rings" to use for her wedding -- one came from Eric Helsten, or so she thought. Her grandfather Eric Helsten was a tanner who immigrated from Sweden in 1845, initially settling in Haviland Hollow NY and then in Gaylordsville CT. He married another immigrant, Mary Hearty, who came from Ireland in 1848. These letters are from Eric's mother and twelve siblings dating from 1845 until he died in 1903. This is the story of Eric and Mary's life, in the US with the accompanying story of life back home as told through these 86 letters and documents. Included are two chapters with genealogical information on Eric Helsten's maternal and paternal ancestors in Sweden -- including Swedish family names of Alfvars, Bouvin, Chevet, Dandanell, Dubois, Gilljam, Hellsten, Hultman, Krutmeijer, Martin, sterman, Pousette, Robbert, Tillman, Tussin.

Harry Bogart Richardson told stories to his granddaughters about his exciting career in the Secret Service catching counterfeiters in Denver. Everything indicated that he was a businessman in downtown Chicago selling insurance or bonds. The Secret Service records in the National Archives revealed Harry did work for the Secret Service from 1907-1909 -- the second year catching counterfeiters in Denver. Read all about the life of a Secret Service Operative catching counterfeiters in Denver.

Born mid-1800s, lived thru wars, depressions, the vote: Mary Alice Smith Dakin, Caroline (Carrie) Matilda Helsten Evans, Mary Louisa Helsten Pomeroy, Alice Copeland Harvey, Martha Elnora (Nora) Worthington Richardson. Nora, lived thru the Chicago Fire, life-long learner became entertaining speaker at the women's groups. Hired by the WPA to help research and write the Historical Survey of Oak Park - a town she new so well. Four raised on farm or tannery. When her husband died, Mary L ran lumberyard and hardware store on farm. Mary A taught, married postmaster-general store owner, sold the business and moved to a farm. Carrie married entrepreneur contractor, moved to Gt Barrington MA during a building boom and back to care for aging parents. Took over family business of a mill, not tannery. To send children to college, Alice ran boarding house, then moved to Oak Park. They met life's challenges, nurtured and raised families who met the demands of the 20th century. - see Remember the Women! part 1, (2016)