Erik Nordlander Family in Gudmundra

[Lynette Case]

I found an 1890 census, listing my great-great-great grandparents and their children living on the parish poor farm in Gudmundra. I found another record that stated they moved there on 05/26/1887 and lived there until some time in 1894. Their names were Erik Nordlander and Brita Stina Jonsson. Is there any parish or town record that indicates why they were living there? I would really like to know what circumstances led them to this desperate living situation. Thank you. Lynette Norlander Case

[Per Sundin]

ANSEDEL Erik Nordlander


Erik Nordlander
* 1844-12-14 Ullånger
† 1897-05-26 Gudmundrå Frånö (crushed by accident in Alnö)


  Fam:
 Brita Stina Jonsson * 1844-09-08 Nordingrå † 1928-05-31
  g: 1867-11-15
    1 2391 Johan Edvard * 1869-05-09 Bjärtrå
    2 2392 Hulda * 1870-05-19 Bjärtrå † 1915-03-30
    3 2393 Kristina * 1872-11-01 Bjärtrå † 1947-05-11
    4 2395 Emma * 1875-03-22 Hässjö † 1917-11-09
    5 2396 Karl Oskar * 1878-01-17 Sundsvall † 1950-11-12
    6 2397 Olof Leonhard * 1880-09-22 Skön † 1963
    7 2398 Erik Petter Johan * 1883-04-26 Skön
    8 2390 Nästor Emanuel * 1888-03-03 Gudmundrå † 1915-06-22
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fr Skön 1884 15/10
Häktad av stadstj. Skalin i Hsd för lösdriveri (arrested by sheriff Skalin in Härnösand for vagrancy)
The widow lived after his death in Frånö (except för 1906-10 in Härnösand) where she also died in 1928. There is no evidence of her living in the parish poor-house. I do not think there was a poor-house in Gudmundrå in 1928, the name had earlier been altered from fattighus to ålderdomshem (house för aged people). In the burial-book Brita Stina lived in Frånö, nothing else. I know there was a poor-house (after 1922 house for aged people) in Frånö from 1910, but Brita Stina never was listed there. I think the family rented compartments all the time since they came to Gudmundrå in 1894 and they were common workers inte the saw-mills in Gudmundrå and other places in Västernorrland.

[Lynette Case]

Thank you for the information.
Arrested for vagrancy. I am guessing he was looking for work and was living rough? His wife and children were living in Skon at the time. But I am not sure. Any ideas?
I have attached the 1890 census which I should have done in original post. I think Erik's occupation is listed as vagabond laborer. I would appreciate your input on what is written across the page concerning the parish poor farm. If it is the poor farm, would there be records indicating why they were living here? My great-great grandfather Johan is not listed on this census as he is living elsewhere in Frano. But Erik, Brita  and their children are listed. It seems that mostly elderly and orphans? were living on the farm.
One additional question I am hoping you can answer. Erik was crushed to death by falling planks in an accident in Alno. Did that happen at the lumber plant? Is there any way to find the answer to this?
Thank you for your help,
Lynette Norlander Case

[Per Sundin]

I am sorry, I seem to have missed where the family was listed in the Gudmundrå church-registers between 1889-98 and that the poor-house seems to have been established 1889. According to Gudmundrå AI:7b they are listed in Strömnäs ångsåg 1884-88, the poor-house in Frånö 1889-98 (Gudmundrå AI:8b), but after that according to Gudmundrå AIIa:2 in a house owned by Gabriel Johansson's widow in Frånö. There is no indication of why they lived in the poor-house, but I think your definition of Erik's occupation, vagabond laborer, probably is correct. Planks could be falling also on a stevedore, either ashore or on a ship. Or he could be working at one of the numerous saw-mills (lumber plant is the american expression) on the island Alnö.
Fattiggården seems to be the domicile of old workers, widows, and some orphans. Erik Nordlander's family is an exception, indicates that Erik mostly was absent. Brita Stina attended a communion 1891 alone.
in the except from the 1890 census Erik's profession was worker, though he was also listed as vagrant,  location: På obekant ort (Unknown) and across the page: Intagna å församlingens fattiggård i Frånö (taken to the parish poor-house in Frånö).

[Lynette Case]

Thank you so much for researching the records to find the answer to my ancestor's living situation. It really explains why my great-great grandfather Johan immigrated to the United States. Sadly, only a few months after bringing over his two youngest children, Helga and John, he died of tuberculosis in Duluth. His four children struggled at first, but they worked hard and were successful. My Dad shares stories of his grandfather, Olof Einar, with the family, keeping his memory alive. We are all very proud of our Swedish heritage.
Again, thank you so very much,
Lynette Norlander Case