I recently discovered that the FamilySearch library in Salt Lake City has name indexes for the Federal Land Tract Books. The tract books show all of the ownership claims for those federal lands that were made available for public purchase. Without a name index, the tract books are really difficult to use, so usually you […]

A few months ago, I looked into the life story of my great-grandfather’s sister, Emma Christina Petersdotter and it turned into a wonderful adventure and the chance to meet a cousin in out in California! This time I turn my attention to Emma’s older sister, Hilda Maria.

When my great-grandparents Gust and Augusta Rudeen came to America in 1882, Gust’s younger sister Emma Christina traveled with them. Let’s take a look at her life and family.

Magnus Johansson was my 3x-great-grandfather. He lived in Jönköping län (county) in the historical province of Småland, Sweden.

I have long wondered about this photo. The version in my collection (from Grandma Clarinda Rudeen’s photo album) is a reproduction. I suspect the original may be in the hands of someone on Walt’s side of the family.