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Communal life for the Åkesson family revolves around
the church. The church is the place where all the great events
of the family’s life are recorded - from christenings to
weddings to funerals. The church was used once again when I visited
in June of 2000. We had a picnic outdoors where I was shown
many photographs, I was able to spread out the genealogy chart
in a meeting room so all could see it and make corrections and
additions, and finally we went to the cemetery where Ernfrid
spoke for a few minutes about our ancestors who are buried there.
I could not understand the Swedish, so May gave me a short synopsis
of what he said: |
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Ernfrid was talking about Johanna’s and Åke Bengtsson’s
funeral (Åke died four days after Johanna on March 9, 1927).
All eight [I count nine: Algot, Ernfrid, Greta, Herta, Erna,
Einar, Erik, Torvald, and Allan; I do not have any dates for
Greta who may have died young] cousins [who lived in Sweden]
attended the funeral. Two black horses pulled the carriage carrying
the coffins. Lots of people took part in the funeral. I can imagine
the great stir in little Örtofta. The Duke, Jacob Bennet,
gave a speech - a great honor. But the most fantastic thing that
Ernfrid remembers is that the children, for the first time, were
allowed to walk in front of Johanna. That had never happened
before.
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That day in the Örtofta church yard was very special
to me. It was a bright, blue, glistening day, and I had the
privilege of meeting many new relatives. Many questions were
answered and relatives identified, but the most pleasant surprise
of all was meeting Ernfrid. He was mentioned in many letters
written to my Grandparents, so it was really nice to actually
meet him. (Ernfrid is in front of the girl with the red jacket.) |
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