Emigrants for America 
Native of Niemis Village, Hietaniemi Parish, Sweden

 by Sture Torikka © copyright 2002 all rights reserved

 

PAGE 1

 

Emigrants from Niemis village

 

Also emigrants from Armasjärvi village and some citizens of Niemis who did emigrate while they resided in other villages

 

Please note: Only emigrants from the Swedish side of the border

 

After 1923 there are only sporadic notes.

 

All of the people below have an historical connection – in any form - to Niemis village, even if not all of them were physically living in the village during the time for their emigration. This has in those cases been shown with parenthesis.

 

The date for the emigration is, in most cases, the date which is noted in local church records. And that was usually the date when the vicar wrote the official certificate of change of address (exit permit). The travel itself was to some Swedish or Norwegian (later maybe even Finnish) harbor for outward voyage has accordingly occurred at least some days or weeks afterwards. Within a month the journey (from home) should have begun.

 

It was common in these early days that citizens of Tornio River valley visited North Norway, quite often these trips became emigration. While residing there, in the real North, many of these Finns later did move on the full way to North America. These citizens are not so easy to find as American emigrants.

 

A list like this can never be fully completed.

 

 

 

Niemis village

 

 

 

1853 à

 

Emanuel Mansten (Andersson) b. 1832 d. 1904

To North America already during the 1850s, but not as an emigrant. Working as a sailor. He is noted as a sailor already in 1853, and also was sailing abroad (1860). Later, in 1882, he himself is saying that he had been several times to America (according to Court house records). He did emigrate as a private (at that time he was residing in Haparanda City) to N. America, without a certificate, in the fall 1875. He did return back some years later. Emigrated to N. America again - also this time without certificate - about 1896.  Even this time he returned back home once again; at mid-summer 1902.

If the sailor Emanuel Mansten had been to North America before 1873 (which was the year for the first Niemis citizen who was travelling directly from Tornio valley to America), we don’t know for sure. But, it is very, very probable. However, he doesn’t seem to have made his first real “emigration” before the year 1875. Those earlier trips was in the service

 

1873

 

Isak Isaksson Forsman (Rova) b. 1850

Emigrated to N. America without official certificate from the vicar during summer of 1873

 

Johan Johansson Tiensuu b. 1851

Emigrated to N. America without official certificate during summer of 1873

 

Eva Isaksdotter Joki b. 1848 d. 20.10.1879

Child

Petter August f. 1871

Emigrated to N. America without official certificate during summer of 1873

 

1878

 

Karl Oskar Johansson Mörtberg b. 1845

To N. America 1.4.1878

 

1879

 

Maria Johanna Johansdotter Sammeli b. 1855

To N. America 14.6.1879

 

Jakob Aronsson Tiensuu (Tiesu) b. 1858 d. 1946

To N. America 16.6.1879. Later residing in Wellington, British Columbia, Canada.

 

Petter Abrahamsson Kaisajuntti (Kaisa) b. 1852 d. 24.9.1881

To N. America without certificate about 1879-1880. “Dead after/through an explosion in a mine in North America” (Hietaniemi death records). This was probably in Copper Country, Michigan

 

1880

 

Greta Vilhelmina Aronsdotter Tiensuu (Tiesu) b. 1861

To N. America 30.5.1880. Residing in Houghton, Michigan, USA. Unmarried

 

Isak Johansson Juntheikki (Luppio) b. 1840 d. 1911

To N. America 31.5.1880. Returned back home 11.11.1883

 

Albert Johansson Mörtberg b. 1854

To N. America 31.5.1880

 

Jakob Abrahamsson Kaisajuntti (Kaisa) b. 1859

To N. America 28.6.1880

 

1881

 

Isak Isaksson Pieti (Tiensuu) b. 1842

To N. America 30.7.1881. Later residing in Falun, Alberta, Canada

 

Abraham Aronsson Viippola b. 1848

To N. America without certificate 1881-1882. Left his family

 

1882

 

Abraham Olofsson Lustig b. 1858

Wife Emma Karolina Persdotter Nikulas b. 1864

To N. America 25.6.1882

 

1883

 

Karl Olofsson Lustig b. 1862 d. 1909

To N. America 13.5.1883. Returned back home 7.11.1896 together with wife Anna Juntunen

 

Johan Isaksson Kermuniemi (Kermu) b. 1861 d. 1939

To N. America 29.5.1883. Later residing in Mass City, Michigan, USA

 

Karl Johan Isaksson Joki b. 1862

Intended to emigrate to N. America 1.6.1883, but did return his certificate 26.6.1883

 

Johan Isaksson Tornberg b. 1863, d. about 1920

To N. America 1.6.1883. Later residing in Lead, South Dakota, USA

 

Isak Isaksson Kermuniemi (Kermu) b. 1854 d. 1930

To N. America without certificate during summer of 1883. Later residing in Lead, South Dakota, USA

 

Aron August Aronsson Tiensuu (Hill) b. 1863 d. 1912

To N. America without certificate about 1883 (eventually already in 1882?). Later residing in Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada

 

Karl Isaksson Erkki b. 1859

To N. America without certificate about1883. Returned back home 21.11.1897

 

Emma Kristina Gretasdotter Rolig b. 1864

To N. America without certificate about1883-1884

 

 

1884

 

Henrik Johansson Sammeli b. 1852

To N. America 14.5.1884

 

Karl Adolf Persson Forsman b. 1862 d. 1923

To N. America 11.6.1884. Residing in Houghton, Michigan, USA. Returned back home 6.10.1894

 

Future wife Greta Wilhelmina Isaksdotter Tornberg b. 1859 d. 1946

To N. America 11.6.1884. Returned back home 6.10.1894

Married in USA 27.7.1884 to Karl Adolf Forsman

(see above)

                                                                  Children born in Houghton, Michigan:

                                                                  Karl William b. 1885 d. 1951

                                                                  Anna Vilhelmina b. 1887 d. 1975

                                                                  Sedi Sofia b. 1888 d. 1910

                                                                  Elisa Amanda b. 1891 d. 1961

                                                                  Etna Teresia b. 1893 d. 1917

                                                                  Returned home to Sweden with their parents

 

Isak Wilhelm Isaksson Tornberg b. 1862 d. 1948

To N. America without certificate about 1884. Later residing in Ishpeming, Marquette, Michigan, USA

 

1886

 

Amalia Kristina Andersdotter Drugge (Svahn) b. 1868

To N. America 3.6.1886

 

Josefina Johansdotter Rolig (Rova) b. 1854

To N. America 10.6.1886

 

Karl Gustaf Isaksson Forsman (Rova) b. 1863

To N. America 14.6.1886

 

Karl Johan Olsson (Drugge) b. 1866 d. 1928

To N. America without certificate 1886. Later residing in Tapiola, Michigan, USA

 

Karl Henriksson Kunni b. 1847 d. 1917

To N. America without certificate about 1886-1887. Returned back home about 1891

 

Karl Johan Johansson Sammeli b. 1865 d. about 1890

To N. America without certificate about 1886-1887

 

1887

 

Petter Gustafsson Tiensuu (Tiesu) b. 1847 d. 1911

Children

Per Olof Persson Tiensuu b. 1868

Hilda Sofia Persdotter Tiensuu b. 1870

To N. America 1.6.1887. The father returned back home about fall 1891, but emigrated again with the rest of the family 31.5.1892 (se below). The parents did return (without any children) 7.11.1907

 

Isak Henriksson Sammeli b. 1847 d. 1921

To N. America 23.8.1887. Returned back home 2.1.1892

 

Karl Johan Johansson Hannu b. 1862 d. 1939

Wife Maria Greta Johansdotter Vuopio b. 1855 d. 1905

Children

Ida Johanna b. 1884 d. 1929

Jenny Vilhelmina b. 1886

To N. America without certificate 1887. Later residing in Atlantic Mine, Michigan, USA

 

1889

 

Kaisa Maria Isaksdotter Tornberg b. 1866 d. 1959

To N. America 15.6.1889. Did travel from Göteborg (Gothenburg, Sweden) 26.6.1889 with destination Hancock, Michigan. Married 1893 to Johan Kermuniemi (John Kermu; se above 1883), residing in Mass City, Michigan, USA

 

Isak Wilhelm Eriksson Kumppani b. 1869 d. about 1939

To N. America 25.6.1889. Officially declared dead 1941 with assumed date of death 30.6.1899. Tramp, roving, gold-washer. Died in British Columbia, Canada

 

Karl Johansson Kunni (Jussi) b. 1871

To N. America 30.6.1889. Did travel from Göteborg (Gothenburg) 9.7.1889 with destination Buffalo, New York, USA

 

Wife Amanda Kristina Isaksdotter Tornberg (Kermuniemi) b. 1858 d. 1926

Children

Greta Sofia b. 1880 d. 1969

Selma Maria b. 1883 d. 1963

To N. America 2.12.1889. Married to Isak Isaksson Kermuniemi (Kermu) (se above 1883). Residing in Lead, South Dakota, USA

Children (Kermu) born in America:

Isak b. 1890 d. 1967

Johan Oskar b. 1892 d. 1969

Karl William (Jake) b. 1894 still living 1994

Jakob Edvard b. 1897 d. 1958

 

1890

 

Petter Olof Johansson Hannu b. 1871

To N. America 19.5.1890

 

Brita Kaisa Olsdotter Drugge b. 1872 d. 1940

To N. America 16.6.1890. Married 1^st Johan Mäki, 2^nd Johan Mikkola. Residing in Hancock and Houghton, Michigan, USA

 

1891

 

Petter Britasson Mellajärvi b. 1850

Wife Eva Johanna Olsdotter Lustig b. 1852

Children

Emma Kristina b. 1877

Petter Oskar b. 1879

Hulda Johanna b. 1881

Elin Teresia b. 1883

Hilda Sofia b. 1886

To N. America 12.7.1891

 

Frans Oskar Isaksson Pieti (Tiensuu) b. 1875 d. 1949

To N. America 30.8.1891. Later residing in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

 

1892

 

Petter Gustafsson Tiensuu (Tiesu) b. 1847 d. 1911

Wife Eva Johanna Johansdotter Tiensuu b. 1850 d. 1916

Children

Selma Johanna b. 1878

Laura Gustava b. 1880

Johan Helmer b. 1882

Hilma Teresia b. 1886

To N. America 31.5.1892. The parents returned back home (alone) 7.11.1907

 

1893

 

Oskar Wilhelm Wilhelmsson Lustig b. 1874

To N. America 5.6.1893. Did travel from Göteborg 16.6.1893 with destination Quebec, Quebec, Canada

 

Petter August Henriksson (Puhkuri) b. 1864 d. 1930

To N. America without certificate about 1893. Returned back home in October 1896

 

1896

 

Selma Gustava Persdotter Matkajärvi b. 1880

To N. America 20.6.1896. Did travel from Göteborg 15.7.1896 with destination Calumet, Michigan, USA

 

1898

 

Petter Olof Olsson Drugge b. 1878 still living 1928

To N. America without certificate during the fall of 1898. Later residing in Minnesota, USA

 

1899

 

Selma Karolina Persdotter Vasikkaoja b. 1880

To N. America 18.8.1899 (maid at homestead nr 4 Knuuti)

 

Maria Helena Salomonsdotter Matkajärvi (nee Lampinen) b. 1844

(widow 1898 after Petter Anders Olsson Matkajärvi)

To N. America without certificate about 1899-1900

 

1902

 

Frans Oskar Johansson Hannu b. 1877

To N. America without certificate in July 1902

 

1903

 

Oskar Helmer Karlsson Drugge b. 1878 d. 1953

Wife Hilma Vilhelmina Isaksdotter Hannu b. 1876 d. 1937

Children

Gerda Sylvia b. 1897 d. about 1978

Karl Helmer b. 1900 d. 1958

Hanna Senefia b. 1903 d. 1979-80

To N. America without certificate in early summer of 1903. Later residing in Zürich, Montana, USA

 

Hilma Katarina Eriksdotter Kumppani b. 1878 d. 1931

To N. America 8.7.1903. Did travel from Göteborg 15.7.1903 with destination Atlantic Mine, Michigan, USA. Returned back home 1905. Married to Johan Herman Andersson in Keräsjoki village

 

Herman Abiel Fredriksson Tornberg b. 1881

To N. America without certificate about 1903

 

Johan Teodor Wennberg b. 1877 d. 1953

To N. America without certificate about 1903. Returned back home about 1906. Moved to Gällivare Parish 1.5.1910, and from there he and his wife did make a travel to Brasil, South America, about 1910-1911

 

Karl Levi Isaksson Tornberg b. 1876 d. 1939

To N. America without certificate about 1903-1904. Later residing in South Range, Michigan, USA. Died in a mining accident

 

Oskar Isaksson Tornberg b. 1879 d. about 1910-1915

To N. America without certificate about 1903-1904. According to family information he should have immigrated to America 25.11.1910 and settled in Ironwood, Michigan, USA

 

Anna Johanna Eriksdotter Salmi b. 1893

To N. America 1903 (alone)! – Is it possible? Have to check this up

 

1904

 

Greta Cecilia Isaksdotter Sammeli b. 1883 d. 1986

To N. America 11.7.1904. Married to Alrik Jaukkuri. Residing in Quincy, Massachusetts, USA. Cecilia did return back home to Sweden in 1965, where she died 103 years old

 

Oskar Eriksson Kumppani b. 1875 d. 1964

Wife Greta Johanna Isaksdotter Kaisajuntti b. 1877 still living 1930

Child

Hilja Teresia b. 1899 d. about 1969

To N. America without certificate 1904 (maybe already in 1903). Residing in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Did periodically live at their farm in Minnesota, USA

 

Nils Henrik Larsson Stridsman b. 1883 d. 1947

To N. America without certificate about 1904. Returned back home 6.6.1909

 

1905

 

Arvida Villmaria Uusitalo b. 1868

To N. America 13.7.1905 (from Kittilä, Finland; maid at homestead nr 10 Ranta-Tiensuu)

 

1906

 

Adla Josefina Isaksdotter Erkki b. 1888

To N. America 24.6.1906

 

1907

 

Frans Oskar Isaksson (Kaisajuntti) b. 1885 still living 1960

To N. America 1907. Later residing in Chicago, Illinois, USA

 

1909

 

Hulda Eufemia Bergström b. 1890

To N. America 7.8.1909 (maid at homestead nr 9 Mäki-Tiensuu))

 

Johannes Eeti Eriksson Kihlanki b. 1876

To N. America 16.12.1909. Left his family

 

Ida Maria Isaksdotter Sammeli b. 1887 d. 1971

To N. America without certificate about 1909. Married to Erik Gustav Klockare. Later residing in Whitehall, Montana

 

Johan Abraham Abrahamsson (Kaisajuntti) b. 1882 d. 1945

To N. America without certificate about 1909-1910

 

1910

 

Hanna Elisabet Gard b. 1885

To N. America 21.4.1910 (maid at homestead nr 7 Mäki-Hannu))

 

1911

 

Alfhild Katarina Isaksdotter Hannu b. 1888 d. 1974

To N. America 4.5.1911. Did travel from Göteborg 12.5.1911 with destination Quebec, Quebec, Canada. Later residing in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Unmarried

 

Kristina Matilda Larsson Stridsman b. 1888

To N. America 11.9.1911. Returned back home 1.10.1912. Married to Helmer Amandus Stenberg i Luleå

 

1913

 

Johan William Isaksson Sammeli b. 1893 d. 1940

To N. America without certificate about 1913, maybe 1914. Later residing in Quincy, Massachusetts, USA

 

1916

 

Judit Johanna Justina Löfvenborg b. 1895

To N. America 8.7.1916

 

Hellin Sofia Hannu b. 1896

To N. America 7.12.1916. Married to Bill Kohtala. Residing in Chicago, Illinois, USA

 

1920

 

Magnus Hilding Löfvenborg b. 1882 d. 1959-1960

To N. America 7.5.1920. Returned back home (to Morjärv, Töre Parish) about 1949. Then emigrated again to America, and returned back home one more time (to Morjärv)

 

1923

 

Fale Viktor Tiensuu b. 1897 d. about 1936

To N. America without certificate 12.4.1923. Accidental shot to death in Alaska about 1936

 

Sigurd Hilding Strålberg b. 1899

To N. America about 1923

 

1924

 

Karl Johan Aili b. 1885 d. 1977

Intended to emigrate to N. America (Canada) 10.4.1924 (passport dated 7.4.1924), but did not got the chance to leave (see next)

 

Erik Alfred Torikka b. 1903 d. 1964

To N. America (Canada) without certificate and passport of his own; did emigrate with previous passport and his identity: ”Karl Johan Aili, b. 1885”, (through Trondheim, Norway) 10.4.1924. Later residing in Canal Flats, British Columbia, Canada

 

1925

 

Frans Oskar Hannu (Hannedahl) b. 1885 d. 1972

To N. America 1925. Did travel from Göteborg 25.9.1925 with destination Two Harbors, Minnesota, USA. Returned back home 1930

 

Karl Anton Isaksson Frisk b. 1878 d. 1965

To N. America without certificate about 1925. Returned back home about 1928. Did work on the Pacific Railroad

 

1926

 

Karl Wilhelm Löfvenborg b. 1884

To N. America about 1926

 

1928

 

Helga Ingeborg Hannu b. 1911

To N. America 1928. Did travel from Göteborg 5.1.1928 with destination Detroit, Michigan, USA

 

Edit Maria Makslahti (Mathlin) b. 1908 d. 1985

To N. America (Canada) 25.4.1928. Married. Later residing in British Columbia, Canada

 

1929

 

Wife Sabina Juliana Fogelkvist (Löfvenborg) b. 1898

Children

Ingrid Gunborg b. 1914

Karl Wilhelm Georg b. 1919

Åke Oskar Teodor b. 1920

Hilding Magnus b. 1922

Sten b. 1924

To N. America 1929. Did travel from Göteborg 9.2.1929 with destination New York, New York, USA. Married to Karl Wilhelm Löfvenborg (see above1926)

 

Gustaf Fritjof Kumppani (Grape) b. 1909 d. 1973

To N. America 1929. Did travel from Göteborg 27.3.1929 with destination Detroit, Michigan, USA. Returned back home about 1935

 

Johan Gustaf Boman b. 1909 d. about 1970

To N. America (Canada) 1929. Did travel from Göteborg 4.5.1929 with destination Revelstoke, British Columbia. Later residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

 

Erik Axel Strålberg b. 1896 d. 1963

To N. America (Canada) 1929. Did travel from Göteborg 4.5.1929 with destination Revelstoke, British Columbia. Residing in British Columbia, Canada. Returned back home 1932

 

Gösta Wilhelm Strålberg b. 1906 d. about 1973

To N. America (Canada) 1929. Did travel from Göteborg 4.5.1929 with destination Revelstoke, British Columbia. Residing in British Columbia, Canada

 

Axel Abiel Torikka b. 1909 d. 1988

To N. America (Canada) 6.8.1929. Did travel by the ship Drottningholm from Göteborg 14.9.1929 with destination Twin Butte, B.C. Arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 22.9.1929. Later residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

 

Lars Emil Larsson Stridsman b. 1895 d. 1987

To N. America (Canada) 1929. Did travel from Göteborg 26.10.1929 with destination Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Returned back home during the 1930s

 

1930

 

Elsa Katarina Mathlin b. 1913

To N. America (Canada) 17.12.1929. Did travel from Göteborg 11.1.1930 with destination Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Married? Residing in British Columbia, Kanada

 

 

 

 

 

Population of Niemis village 1860-2001, taken each year at December 31st:

 

1860 = 295 people

1870 = 263

1880 = 272

1890 = 230

1900 = 237

1910 = 270

1920 = 379

1930 = 323

1940 = 350

2000 = 155

2001 = 147

 

 

 

 

30.9.2002

/ST