Hej!
I have recently learned that my great-grandmother, Edla Sofia Johansdr Norrgård (f.1865-02-18 i Malax/d.1906-05-19 i Camden,NJ USA), had a sister Hilda Lovisa Johansdr. Norrgård (f. 1880-06-08/d.1968-02-02 i Aberdeen, WA USA) who also emigrated to America. Hilda apparently went to America twice: first time, about 25 May 1902 and then second time,about 16 Sep 1915. The second time she went with at least 2, possibly 3 of her children. Hilda Lovisa was married to a man from Malax, Alfred Isaksson Stolpe(f.1881-11-06 i Malax/d.1961-03-06 i Hoquiam, WA USA).
After coming to America, the first mention of the family that I saw (on US Fed.Census,1920) says that their family name is Mattler-- not Stolpe! I know that it is the same family because the given name, birth-dates, etc. all match what I'd already been given. Also, on this census, the older two children are shown as being born in Finland. The children's first & second given name also seem to have been switched & Americanized (for example: Torsten Olof became Thurston O.) and the father's name was now Fred Mattler, not Alfred Stolpe.
I was wondering if anyone might know or be able to find out if Hilda & Alfred were married in Malax or if any of their children were born in Finland. There were three boys listed on the probandus provided to me. Their birth-dates: Alfred Teodor Stolpe, f.1906-01-12; Helge Johannes Stolpe,f. 1907-04-13; & Torsten Olof, f.1910-02-26. The last boy may have been born in the USA. A fourth child was born in the US: a daughter, Linnea Hilda Mattler, f. 1919-10-19. None of the children appear to be still living; I am trying to trace descendants.
Also, can anyone provide an explanation for the surname change from Stolpe to Mattler? Does the name Mattler have any significance in or to Malax? Any input, ideas, or information would be most appreciated!
Mvh,
Christopher Hagstrom
New Britain, PA USA