Dear relatives and friends!

 

Dear relatives and friends!

I know that some of your branch of the family is part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a faith commitment that embodies the same dedication and pioneering spirit that led our ancestors to leave Sweden.

I hope this message finds you well in your current mission/endeavor!

My name is Rolf Ericson, and I am your relative from Sweden. I am currently finalizing a comprehensive family chronicle detailing the lives of our shared ancestors, starting with the forester Nils Peter Ericson and his wife Mathilda Sundin in 19th-century Östergötland.

Your great-great-grandmother, Augusta Amanda Ericson Anderson, was a vital connection that I found in 1979 through my research (and thanks to, Ruth McGee). She, like many of her siblings, chose to seek a new life, a choice often driven by the pursuit of religious freedom and spiritual conviction.

The Family’s Spiritual Heritage

The chronicle explores the powerful role the Great Spiritual Revival played in driving our ancestors’ emigration from Sweden. This spiritual commitment continued in the U.S. Your family line specifically shows this heritage: Augusta Amanda’s husband, Johan Gustaf Andersson, served as a Methodist Pastor—a powerful example of dedication to the Christian faith.

Now, as I document how this faith and spiritual resilience has endured across generations, I would be deeply honored to include your personal voice and experience.

I know that your branch of the family is part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a faith commitment that embodies the same dedication and pioneering spirit that led our ancestors to leave Sweden.

What I would love for you to share (a short story or reflection):

I would be grateful if you could share a brief personal reflection (in English or Swedish) on how the Christian faith, as passed down through your family, has sustained you. For example, you could focus on:

1. Connecting Past and Present: How does your faith today feel connected to the difficult journey and spiritual search of your Swedish ancestors?

2. Spiritual Strength: How has your faith guided or sustained you in your current [mission/studies/life endeavor]?

3. Family Heritage: Is there a specific lesson, tradition, or principle from your Christian/LDS heritage that is particularly meaningful to you?

Your story would be a profound contribution to the chapter on spiritual heritage and would beautifully illustrate the ongoing strength of our family across continents and time.

Thank you so much for considering this request during your important work. I look forward to hearing from you when time permits.

With warm regards and family connection,

Rolf Ericson, Motala, Sweden.

Help Wanted for My Book Project: The Spiritual Roots of My Swedish-American Ancestry!

Dear Readers and Friends,

I am currently working on Chapter 4 of my family chronicle. This chapter is crucial as it explores how the Swedish Revival Movement (The Free Churches like the Baptists, Methodists, and the Mission Covenant) not only shaped life in Östergötland but was also a main driving force behind the great emigration to the US during the 19th century.

I have extensive documentation from the Swedish side, but I now need your help, particularly those with contacts in the US or specialized knowledge of Swedish-American Free Church history.

I am seeking the following information to clearly connect the spiritual shift in Sweden with life in America:

🎯 Specific Information I’m Seeking:

1. US Free Church History: Any written material, articles, or knowledge regarding how quickly and where the Swedish Free Churches (especially Baptists and Methodists) established themselves in the Midwest (e.g., Chicago, Minnesota, Kansas) between the 1870s and 1890s.

2. The "Welcome Factor": Information that illustrates how these churches functioned as a social and spiritual safety net for the newly arrived Swedish emigrants. Did they offer help with housing, language support, or job recommendations?

3. Key Figures/Anecdotes: Are there any compelling stories or names of key individuals who pioneered the establishment of these Swedish-American congregations, especially if they had roots in Östergötland or Närke?

4. Theology's Influence: Any anecdotes showing how the theological differences (such as Waldenström's view on Atonement – that man needed to be reconciled with God, not the other way around) resonated with the common emigrant seeking a new life.

If you happen to have old congregation histories, local historical articles, or know of someone who specializes in this field, please reach out! Even small details can help bridge this historical gap.

Thank you so much for your support!

Best regards, Rolf Ericson(Author of the Chronicle)