We got to Sweden via planes, trains and automobiles. Cousin Torbjörn picked us up at the airport in Copenhagen and drove us across this bridge to Sweden.
We became acquainted quickly on the road traveling to our first family history stop.
We went to Olof Widtfeldt's farm outside Eslöv where we were greeted by the owner. The farmhouse here was built in 1880 after Olof's previous home burned to the ground.
This hundred year old photo shows the same house and outbuildings with a threshing machine in the foreground.
The threshing machine is being stored in a barn and still has straw in the bin.
Here is another 100 year old photo taken at the farm with the owner (in jacket) and the help.
Here are the barn and horse stable opposite the farm house.
These old stone buildings were on the farm at the time Olof and family lived there.
Today one can board their horse at these stables and take equestrian lessons here.
Decades ago we visited with the previous owner who raced trotters.
The owner has done an amazing job of preserving the estate.
This antique buggy is being stored in the barn & may be from Olof's day.
This sleigh was drawn by horses on frequently ice-covered winter roads.
This bannister finial was crafted by a relative for the current owners.
This is a typical Swedish military hat from days gone by.
These are the original staircase and bannister from when the house was built in 1880.
The home owners graciously invited us to have "fika" with them which was delightful. "Traditionally fika requires sweet baked goods - especially cinnamon rolls - accompanied by a drink." The word fika (Swedish for coffee break) is back slang or a reversal of the syllables in "kaffi" (older Swedish for coffee).
Next we visited the Trollenäs church where Lovisa Widtfeldt's father Adolf Berg was minister.
Adolf Berg and several of his family have gravestones here.
Adolf Berg - born in 1805 - is my 3 great grandfather.
John Wendell Widtfeldt's memorial to Olof & Lovisa Widtfeldt has gone to seed. Jim tried unsuccessfully to pull the weeds.
The Trollenäs church was built at the same time as Kirtland.
The architectural details are beautiful.
A large Christus by Thorvaldsen stands at the alter.
We enjoyed a self-conducted tour up to the organ loft.
We walked down to Trollenäs castle where they were preparing for a wedding.
The medieval chapel next to the castle houses tombs of the nobility.
The chapel dates back to the pre-Lutheran days of Sweden when it was catholic.
Next we visited Hörja and the final home of the Widtfeldt family before they emigrated in 1883.
The current owner was there mowing the lawn and visited with us about the farm.
The Hörja church yard is the final resting place of Lovisa Widtfeldt who died in 1877.
Her grave stone is still in excellent condition there. The scripture engraved on it is Revelation 14:13.
Finally we drove to Torbjörn's sprawling 200 year old farm house, Bösakulla. Lovely.
There he prepared a delicious hot meal for us. He spared no effort on our behalf. The lamp is kerosene.
We became acquainted quickly on the road traveling to our first family history stop.
We went to Olof Widtfeldt's farm outside Eslöv where we were greeted by the owner. The farmhouse here was built in 1880 after Olof's previous home burned to the ground.
This hundred year old photo shows the same house and outbuildings with a threshing machine in the foreground.
The threshing machine is being stored in a barn and still has straw in the bin.
Here is another 100 year old photo taken at the farm with the owner (in jacket) and the help.
Here are the barn and horse stable opposite the farm house.
These old stone buildings were on the farm at the time Olof and family lived there.
Today one can board their horse at these stables and take equestrian lessons here.
Decades ago we visited with the previous owner who raced trotters.
The owner has done an amazing job of preserving the estate.
This antique buggy is being stored in the barn & may be from Olof's day.
This sleigh was drawn by horses on frequently ice-covered winter roads.
This bannister finial was crafted by a relative for the current owners.
This is a typical Swedish military hat from days gone by.
These are the original staircase and bannister from when the house was built in 1880.
The home owners graciously invited us to have "fika" with them which was delightful. "Traditionally fika requires sweet baked goods - especially cinnamon rolls - accompanied by a drink." The word fika (Swedish for coffee break) is back slang or a reversal of the syllables in "kaffi" (older Swedish for coffee).
Next we visited the Trollenäs church where Lovisa Widtfeldt's father Adolf Berg was minister.
Adolf Berg and several of his family have gravestones here.
Adolf Berg - born in 1805 - is my 3 great grandfather.
John Wendell Widtfeldt's memorial to Olof & Lovisa Widtfeldt has gone to seed. Jim tried unsuccessfully to pull the weeds.
The Trollenäs church was built at the same time as Kirtland.
The architectural details are beautiful.
A large Christus by Thorvaldsen stands at the alter.
We enjoyed a self-conducted tour up to the organ loft.
We walked down to Trollenäs castle where they were preparing for a wedding.
The medieval chapel next to the castle houses tombs of the nobility.
The chapel dates back to the pre-Lutheran days of Sweden when it was catholic.
Next we visited Hörja and the final home of the Widtfeldt family before they emigrated in 1883.
The current owner was there mowing the lawn and visited with us about the farm.
The Hörja church yard is the final resting place of Lovisa Widtfeldt who died in 1877.
Her grave stone is still in excellent condition there. The scripture engraved on it is Revelation 14:13.
Finally we drove to Torbjörn's sprawling 200 year old farm house, Bösakulla. Lovely.
There he prepared a delicious hot meal for us. He spared no effort on our behalf. The lamp is kerosene.
2 comments:
Wow! That looks amazing. I love the detail of the staircase and the circular details in the arched windows. Torbjorns farmhouse and meal looked incredible.
Coming back from the last sail of the season I saw the first of your photos from Sweden. They are are really catching the moments. I felt like having the experience again.
It was such fun sharing with you folks the findings that we have made together the last few years. Your visit with us has been a highlight of our summer.
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