Our Magnuson Family Origins in Swedenby Andrew Craig MagnusonThese genealogy notes contain information from SVAR (Svensk Arkivinformation) microfiche copies of the original handwritten 19th-century Swedish parish records. The period covered by these notes is from the origin of our Magnuson family name in 1834, through the end of the 19th century. Our family ancestors who lived in Dalsland, during the 19th century, lived in Nordals härad and Sundals härad. They lived there on the Dalboslätten (the Dalbo Plain), where they mainly lived and worked on the local farms. Dalsland is one of the traditional landskap (provinces) of Sweden. Dalsland (with dal meaning valley) is one of the ten traditional provinces that are in the traditional landsdel (land) of Götaland. Anders Magnusson (my great great-grandfather), referred to as Anders throughout these notes, was the first Magnuson in our family lineage. Anders Magnusson was the son of Magnus Olofsson and Marta Svensdotter. Anders Magnusson was born on August 25, 1834, at Katteberg (Kattebergs torp), Örs socken (Ör parish), Älvsborgs län (county), Dalsland (province), Sweden. Anders was baptized on August 27, 1834. The date and place of birth for Anders Magnusson and the names of his parents are written in the old Örs kyrkoarkiv Födelse- och dopbok 1815–1859 (Volume C:9), on page 69. That same information and also the date of his baptism is written in the old Örs kyrkoarkiv Födelse- och dopbok 1833–1851 (Volume C:10), on page 94. The date and parish of birth for Anders Magnusson is also written in the various old parish Husförhörslängder (household examination records). The parish name Ör is thought to be derived from the fornnordiska (Old Norse) word eyrr, which has been defined by Cleasby & Vigfusson (1869) as meaning “a gravelly bank.” By the late 14th century, the parish name was the fornsvenska (Old Swedish) word Øør and then that name eventually developed into Ör. That place name was labeled as Ör on the 1626 map of the Nordic countries, titled Orbis Arctoi Nova et Accurata Delineatio, by Swedish cartographer Andreas Bureus (1571–1646). The origin of the parish name Ör apparently is associated with Örsjön, which is the largest lake in Örs socken. The name of the old county of Älvsborgs län is derived from the combination of the two words älv (meaning river) and borg (meaning fortified castle), so Älvsborg literally means the “river's fortified castle.” Älvsborgs län was named after a Middle Ages castle named Gamla Älvsborg (Old Älvsborg). Some ruins of 14th-century Gamla Älvsborg still exist, by where the Göta älv (Göta River) flows into Älvsborgsfjorden (Älvsborgs Fjord). The county of Älvsborgs län existed from 1634 through 1997, after which time the county was merged with two other counties to form the larger county of Västra Götalands län. Katteberg, Örs socken, the place of origin of our Magnuson surname, was a small rural farm area of about 50 people when Anders Magnusson was born there in 1834. The place name Katteberg apparently dates from around 1685, when the place name was known as Bärg or Katteberg, during the time period 1685–1700. An etymological record of the place name Katteberg is in the place-names book Ortnamnen i Älvsborgs län, Part XV Nordals Härad, on pages 90–91, (Stockholm: Aktiebolaget Ljus, 1911). The 1769 map of Kattebergs Skog (Katteberg's Forest), in Örs socken, has both Katteberg and Kattebergs Ägor (Katteberg's Property) labeled on the map. Katteberg is located a little over 1 kilometer southeast of the south end of Örsjön (Ör Lake), which is nearly 7 kilometers in length. Örsjön is located along the east side of the Kroppefjäll (Kroppe Fjeld), a rocky, hilly, upland area in south central Dalsland. Örsjön is centrally located in Örs socken and is oriented lengthwise nearly north-northeasterly, with the Kroppefjäll located off of the west side of the lake and the Dalboslätten (the Dalbo Plain) located off of the east side of the lake. Katteberg is located at about latitude 58°37′42″ north and longitude 12°17′38″ east. Katteberg is located slightly farther north than the latitude of Juneau, Alaska. The location of Katteberg is shown on the 1843, 1:100,000 scale, Generalstabskartan (General Staff Map) for Mellerud, which was reprinted in 1858. The location of Katteberg and the location of old 19th-century farms and buildings around Katteberg are also shown with a lot more map detail on the 1890–1897, 1:20,000 scale, Häradsekonomiska kartan (District Economic Map) for Örs socken. Several of the maps that are specifically of Katteberg, Örs socken, date back into the 18th century. Katteberg is located out in a scenic rural area, out a narrow county road (Länsväg O 2127) that meanders through a pleasant idyllic setting with large farm fields, picturesque Falu red farm buildings, and scattered woodlands. Some of the old Älvsborgs län farm areas where our ancestors lived and worked, during the 19th century, included Katteberg, Örebacka (Örbacka), Torp, Torbjörbyn, Siribyn, Eckre, Eckerud (Äckerud), Måsebol (Mossebol), Pålbön, Frestersbyn, and Gunnesbyn (Gunnebyn). The suffix -byn that is used in four of these place names means “the village.” Place names with the suffix -byn were sometimes spelled earlier with the suffix -bÿn, up into the latter part of the 18th century. All of these farm areas were located on the Dalboslätten, a lowland agricultural region of Dalsland, situated between the Kroppefjäll to the west and sjön Vänern (Lake Vänern) to the east. Vänern is the largest lake in all of Scandinavia. Anders had a brother, Olof Magnusson, who was born November 27, 1836, at Katteberg, Örs socken. Anders father, Magnus Olofsson, died on December 29, 1837, at Katteberg, Örs socken. Anders, his mother Marta Svensdotter, and his brother Olof Magnusson, moved from Katteberg to Örebacka (Örbacka), Örs socken, in 1838. The old spelling for Örbacka is Örebacka. Örbacka is located only about 1¼ kilometers north-northwest of Katteberg. Örbacka is situated on a low hill just above the east shore of Örsjön, near the south end of the lake. Anders brother, Olof Magnusson, died before three years of age, on August 06, 1839, at Örebacka. Anders and his mother, Marta Svensdotter, lived at Örebacka from 1838 to 1855. Anders and his mother, Marta Svensdotter, moved from Örebacka, Örs socken, to Torp, Örs socken, in 1855. Torp is located only about 1 kilometer northeast of Örbacka and a little less than 2 kilometers north-northeast of Katteberg. Anders moved around a lot to different farms in Örs socken and Järns socken. Anders lived at Torp until 1856, when he then moved to Torbjörbyn, Örs socken, located only about ½ kilometer south of Katteberg. Anders lived at Torbjörbyn until 1857, when he then moved back to Katteberg, the place of his birth. Anders moved from Katteberg, to Siribyn, Järns socken (Järn parish) in 1858, where he lived until 1860, when he then again moved back to Katteberg. The old spelling for Järns socken is Jerns socken. Anders returned to Siribyn, Järns socken, in 1861, before moving to Frestersbyn, Järns socken, in 1862. Siribyn is located about 1 kilometer southeast of Pålbön, where Kajsa Andersdotter Ax was living in 1860–1861. Anders Magnusson and Kajsa Andersdotter Ax may have first met in 1860, when they were both living in this vicinity. Kajsa Andersdotter Ax was the daughter of soldier Anders Olsson Ax and Ingrid Andersdotter. Kajsa was born on August 31, 1843, in Erikstads socken (Erikstad parish). The Erikstads socken kyrkoarkiv Husförhörsbok 1842–1846 (Volume A I:13), on page 29, shows that at the time of Kajsa's birth Anders Olsson Ax and family lived in Erikstads socken, at the Eckre stommen. Stom or stommen was usually a designation for a farm intended to provide support for the parish priest. At the Eckre stommen, they lived at the Eckre soldattorp (Soldier's Croft No. 557). Anders Olsson Ax was the soldier for Eckeruds Rote from 1842 to 1872. A “rote” was a parish subdivision to which a soldier was assigned and it was usually comprised of a few farms. Soldiers were often assigned a soldier's name that usually consisted of only one syllable, such as “Ax” or “Alm,” etc. Kajsa moved from her parents' home at Eckre, Erikstads socken, in October 1859, to Måsebol (Mossebol), Örs socken. The old spelling for Mossebol is Måsebol. Kajsa lived at Måsebol for about a year before moving, in October 1860, to Pålbön, Järns socken. Kajsa lived at Pålbön also for about a year before moving, in October 1861, back to Eckre, Erikstads socken. Erikstads socken adjoins Örs socken to the west and adjoins Järns socken to the northeast. Kajsa again lived with her parents at Eckre, Erikstads socken, for about two years before moving, in October 1863, to Frestersbyn, Järns socken. In the old Järns kyrkoarkiv Husförhörsbok 1861–1865 (Volume A I:14), on page 49, there is a Husförhörslängd (household examination record) for Frestersbyn, Järns socken, with a record for Anders on line 17 and a record for Kajsa on line 20. The individual notes in both of their records indicate that Anders and Kajsa were engaged to be married. Anders Magnusson and Kajsa Andersdotter Ax were married on September 22, 1865, in Järns socken, by Nils Gustaf Clarholm. Their marriage record is written in the old Järns kyrkoarkiv Lysnings- och vigselbok 1861–1895 (Volume E:1), on pages 11–12. Anders was recorded on the marriage record as a dräng (farmhand) at Frestersbyn and Kajsa was recorded as a piga (maid). Also recorded on that marriage record, under Giftomanna-samtycke (marital consent), is “Giftoman Anders Ax soldat från Eckerud i Erikstads socken.” Eckeruds Rote was the name of the rote (parish subdivision) to which Anders Olsson Ax was assigned, as a soldier, in Erikstads socken. After their marriage, Anders and Kajsa lived at Frestersbyn, Järns socken, where their son, Anders Magnus Andersson (my great-grandfather), was born on December 23, 1865. He was baptized on December 26, 1865, by Olof Fryxell (the Ör parish priest). The date and place of birth for Anders Magnus Andersson and the names of his parents are recorded in the old Järns kyrkoarkiv Födelse- och dopbok 1860–1895 (Volume C:6), on pages 54–55. In the old Järns kyrkoarkiv Husförhörsbok 1861–1865 (Volume A I:14), on page 54, there is a Husförhörslängd (household examination record) for Frestersbyn, Järns socken, which has in the record for the year 1865 Anders Magnusson, Arbetare (Worker), born August 25, 1834; Kajsa Andersdotter Ax, Hustru (Wife), born on August 31, 1843; and Anders Magnus Andersson, Barn (Child), born on December 23, 1865. Anders and Kajsa moved to Gunnesbyn, Järns socken, in 1866, where their daughter Mathilda Andersdotter was born on January 21, 1868. Their son Fredrik Andersson was also born at Gunnesbyn, Järns socken, on September 23, 1869. The old spelling for Gunnebyn is Gunnesbyn. Gunnebyn is around 1½ kilometers east of Frestersbyn. In the old Järns kyrkoarkiv Husförhörsbok 1866–1870 (Volume A I:15), on page 114, there is a Husförhörslängd (household examination record) for Gunnesbyn, Järns socken, which notes that Anders Magnusson left Gunnesbyn, on March 27, 1869, destined for America. That date when Anders left Gunnesbyn was following the weather-related widespread crop failures of 1867 and 1868 and was during the ensuing period of emigration. The old Järns kyrkoarkiv In- och Utflyttningsbok 1860–1894 (Volume B:2), on page 60, has an utflyttning (moving out) record for Anders Magnusson. That utflyttning record further documents that Anders Magnusson left Gunnesbyn, on March 27, 1869, destined for Nordamerika: Förenta Staterna (North America: The United States). Over three years later, Kajsa and the children left Gunnesbyn, on September 3, 1872, destined for America. In the old Järns kyrkoarkiv Husförhörsbok 1871–1875 (Volume A I:16), on page 117, there is a Husförhörslängd (household examination record) for Gunnesbyn, Järns socken, which notes that Kajsa Andersdotter Ax with the children left Gunnesbyn, on September 3, 1872, destined for Förenta Staterna av Norra Amerika (The United States of Northern America). The old Järns kyrkoarkiv In- och Utflyttningsbok 1860–1894 (Volume B:2), on page 80, has an utflyttning (moving out) record for Kajsa Andersdotter Ax med barn (with children). That utflyttning record notes that Kajsa Andersdotter Ax with the three children left Gunnesbyn, on September 3, 1872, destined for Förenta Staterna av N. Amerika (The United States of N. America). After immigrating to the United States, Anders, Kajsa, and their children all changed their Swedish patronymic surnames to Magnuson, spelled with only one letter “s.” The name of Anders and Kajsa's oldest child (my great-grandfather) was changed from his Swedish patronymic name, Anders Magnus Andersson, to Andrew Magnus Magnuson. The mother of Anders Magnusson, Marta Svensdotter, died on March 2, 1873, at Katteberg, Örs socken. After settling in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, Anders and Kajsa had a son, Charles (Carl) Magnuson, who was born on May 28, 1875. Anders Magnuson began working for the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad, on October 10, 1875, as a railroad car repairer. Anders first worked at the Chestnut Street yard located at the foot of Chestnut Street, where the railroad ran along the Mississippi River. Sometime after Anders began working at the Chestnut Street yard he moved to the Robert Street yard, about a half mile east up the tracks along the Mississippi River. Anders and Kajsa had another son, Albert William Magnuson, who was born February 5, 1880, in Saint Paul. The 1880 U.S. Census lists Anders, Kajsa, and their children Andrew (my great-grandfather), Mathilda, Fredrik, Charles, and Albert as living in Saint Paul in one of the immigrant shanties along Ontario Street. Anders is listed in the 1880 U.S. Census record (T9-631, Saint Paul, Ward 3, E.D. 221, Page 423C) as being a railroad employee. A note written along the left side of the census record page indicates that the Ontario Street shanties were not numbered with street addresses. Ontario Street is located in the heart of downtown Saint Paul, about two blocks south of Rice Park, a public square dating back to 1849, the year that Minnesota Territory was created. At the time of the 1880 U.S. Census, Ontario Street ran for about a block or two, northwest from the railroad tracks along the Mississippi River; up the side of the river bluff to what was a three-way intersection with Washington, Hill, and Ontario streets, about where the Science Museum of Minnesota is located today. At present, Ontario Street now only runs from Shepard Road along the Mississippi River, across to the north side of the railroad tracks, and is located a short distance south of the present-day intersection of Kellogg Boulevard and Washington Street. At the time of the 1880 U.S. census, both the tracks of the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway ran across the foot of Ontario Street along the Mississippi River. In 1881, the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad was absorbed into the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway, which had been formed about a year earlier through consolidation of the Chicago, St. Paul & Minneapolis Railway and the North Wisconsin Railway. Anders and Kajsa had a daughter, Ester Magnuson, who was born in January 1885, in Saint Paul. Kajsa's mother, Ingrid Andersdotter, died in 1888, at Eckerud (Äckerud), Erikstads socken. The old spelling for Äckerud is Eckerud. Kajsa's father, Anders Olsson Ax, immigrated to the United States in 1888, shortly after his wife died. In the old Erikstads socken kyrkoarkiv Husförhörsbok 1886–1890 (Volume A I:22), on page 68, there is a Husförhörslängd (household examination record) for Eckerud, Erikstads socken, which notes that Ingrid Andersdotter died March 16, 1888, and Anders Olsson Ax left Eckerud, on August 4, 1888, destined for America. After immigrating to the United States, in 1888, Anders Olsson Ax lived with his daughter Kajsa and his son-in-law Anders in Saint Paul. Anders Olsson Ax died, on January 29, 1893, at age 74, and he is buried in an unmarked grave (Block 14, Line 7, Grave 4) at Union Cemetery, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Anders Magnuson continued to work for the C. St. P. M. & O. Railway as a railroad car repairer, working at the Robert Street yard, until April 1889. The Robert Street yard was located on the downtown Saint Paul riverfront, where the north end of the Robert Street bridge over the Mississippi River is now located. By 1890, Anders Magnuson and family owned a home at 648 East Magnolia Street, in Saint Paul. Their house was located one lot east of Payne Avenue, on the south side of East Magnolia Street (now named Magnolia Avenue East). At the time, Payne Avenue was the main street of the Swedish community in Saint Paul. The lot where the house was located, in the Arlington Hills Addition to Saint Paul, is now a vacant commercial lot located behind west facing businesses along Payne Avenue. The 1890–1891 St. Paul City Directory (St. Paul, MN: R. L. Polk and Co., 1891), lists Anders as working for the “Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway” as a car repairer and as living at 648 East Magnolia Street. Children of Anders and Kajsa listed as also living at this residence are; Andrew M. Magnuson (my great-grandfather), working as a machinist for the American Manufacturing Co.; Fredrik Magnuson, working as a feeder at the Pioneer Press Co.; and Matilda Magnuson, working as a dress maker. Kajsa's father, Andrew Ax, is also listed as living at 648 East Magnolia Street. Anders and Kajsa's son, Andrew Magnus Magnuson (my great-grandfather), married Lovisa (Louisa) Karlson on June 22, 1890, in Saint Paul. Louisa Karlson was born on December 13, 1864, in Karlskoga socken (parish), Örebro län (county), Värmland (province), Sweden. In 1887, at the age of 22, Louisa had moved from her parents' home at Gälleråsen (Gelleråsen), in Karlskoga socken, and immigrated alone to America. Andrew and Louisa had a daughter, Elin Maria Magnuson, who was born on May 13, 1891, in Saint Paul. In 1892, the Saint Paul based American Manufacturing Company became the American Hoist & Derrick Company and the company opened a second office in Chicago, to service the rapidly expanding sales territory. About that time, Andrew and Louisa moved to Chicago where Andrew continued to work for the American Hoist & Derrick Company. Andrew and Louisa had a daughter, Esther Mathilda Magnuson, who was born on January 30, 1893, in Chicago. Andrew and Louisa had another daughter, Josie Magnuson, who was born in December 1894, in Chicago. Andrew and Louisa also had a son, Andrew Magnuson (my grandfather), who was born on October 10, 1897, in Chicago. Andrew Magnus Magnuson (my great-grandfather) traveled a lot as part of his job setting up, testing, and servicing steam powered cranes and derricks for the American Hoist & Derrick Company. In the year 1899 he went on business trips to Missouri, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. Anders and Kajsa's son, Charles (Carl) Magnuson, married Anna Skoog after June 1895. Anders and Kajsa's daughter, Mathilda Magnuson, married Oscar Carlson before 1896. Mathilda and Oscar had a daughter, Ethel E. Carlson, who was born about May 1896. Ethel died on April 4, 1897, in Saint Paul. Mathilda and Oscar also had another daughter, Jennie E. Carlson, who was born on August 22, 1897. Oscar Carlson died on February 17, 1898, and Mathilda later married Andrew J. Noble. The 1898 St. Paul City Directory (St. Paul, MN: R. L. Polk and Co., 1898) lists Anders Magnuson as working for the "Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway", as a car repairer, and as living at 648 East Magnolia Street. Anders and Kajsa's son, Albert W. Magnuson, is listed in the 1898 St. Paul City Directory as working as a machinist for the American Hoist & Derrick Company and as also living at 648 East Magnolia Street. Anders and Kajsa's son, Fredrik Magnuson, moved to Chicago where he married Hilda Fallgren in 1900. Anders Magnuson retired from the C. St. P. M. & O. Railway, after working previous to his retirement as a railroad car oiler at the East St. Paul yard. A retired personnel card from the C. St. P. M. & O. Railway indicates that on April 21, 1906, Anders was granted a pension of $14.20 per month for continuous service with the company. The back of the card also indicates that Anders “worked for contractors on grading and surfacing gangs for about 5 years,” probably from about 1870 to 1875 when the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad was being constructed in southern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa.
Andrew Craig Magnuson Descendants of Anders Magnusson
(children and grandchildren) 1 Anders Magnusson 1834–1924
Historical records are now on the Internet at Revised June 15, 2025 |
