Mora, on Lake Siljan, Sweden

Mora is the largest town on Lake Siljan. It is located on a promontory near the spot where the Osterdalalven flows into the lake, and is the center of an old parish. Nusnas is a small village a few kilometres away from Mora, and is famous for the little Dalecarlian horses that are manufactured there. A Viking settlement 6,000 years old has been discovered on the island of Sollerson, and large Viking burial grounds have been uncovered near Bengtsarvet, both quite close to Mora. The area is heavily forested, and nowhere else is fir of such good quality. The scenery is breathtaking, with an abundance of plants and animals.

My grandfather, Olof Bengts (Ole B.) Andersson, was born at Nusnas, Mora  see family tree. His father was a jordbrukaren, or farmer/peasant, and his mother was a housewife. Ole B. was the youngest of 6 children: Brita, born 1859, Anders, born 1861, Marget, born 1864, Kerstin, born 1867, and Anna, born 1872.

Ole B. was just a toddler when his parents decided to take advantage of the opportunities in the United States and struck out for America in about 1877. They settled at Willmar, Minnesota, where Ole B.'s father homesteaded land in Kandiyohi County. Kandiyohi County, named for Kandiyohi Lake, reminded the family of the home they'd left behind. It was just as beautiful as Lake Siljan and its surroundings. "Kandiyohi" is the Dakota name for several lakes, meaning "where the buffalo fish come". When the family moved to the United States, they took the name "Olson", in the patronymic tradition of Sweden. Their first names were also Anglicized.

Ole B. and his family attended the Lutheran Church in Willmar, where he was confirmed in about 1888 to 1890. Ole B. is 2nd from the right, back row.

Ole B.'s Confirmation

Ole B. met Christina Logstrom, a beautiful young girl who had recently arrived from Helsingtuna, Sweden. They probably met at church, which was a large part of the lives of these immigrants. Ole B. and Christine fell in love and were married on December 2, 1897. They started their married life at Atwater, Minnesota, where their first four children were born. Then in 1905 they made the trek to Saskatchewan, where they again took up farming. The remainder of their 12 children were born and grew up in rural Saskatchewan. Click on  Grandmothers to see an account of the trials and tribulations of these pioneer women.

The Olson saga continues; Ole and Christine left many descendents thru their 12 children. The family has spread out over all of North America, with many living in Western Canada and the United States.

Olson Family Group Sheets

Olson Family Photos