Hard Times
The life of Lars Andersson and Anna Jonsdotter in Frykeruds parish, Värmland.
By Thomas Sverker, Borås, Sweden.
Background
One critic factor behind the emigration in the 19th century was that there wasn't land enough for everyone.
After the Napoleonic wars the mortality rate had shrunk, thanks to much improved medical care, healthier
living conditions and of course no wars for a longer period. This became a problem when the population
started to grow rapidly. It doubled from 2.3 millions to 5.5 millions in a hundred years and more if
we count the almost one million people who chose to emigrate. When more children became adults this
became a problem for the farmers because they couldn't divide the farms into smaller parts and still survive.
It was common that the oldest son took over the farm, and that the girls married other farmers.
The next son had to (if they could afford it) study or take hire at his brothers farm, marry rich, or if they
were wealthy, buy another farm. Another opportunity would be the army. In the 1840's
Sweden suffered droughts and torrential rain and harvests grew moldy from the excess of rain. This, happening at
the same time as the population explosion, created a mass off starving and very poor people.
They had no where to run.
Lars Andersson.
Nils Emil is the son of Lars and Anna
Lars Andersson was born Jan 1, 1811 in a small croft called Wassdrågen, which belonged to a farm in Solberg,
Frykeruds parish. His parents moved there from his mother's parents home about 1809, probably, when it was
clear that his mother's older sister and her husband would take over that farm.
Lars mother and father was very poor and the vicar writes 'utfattiga' (pauper) in the churchbook. The
children started to move out at the age of about 14-15 years. The first notice about 'moving out' for Lars is 1827
when he moves to Boda. There is no farm in Frykeruds parish with this name so that probably means Boda Parish instead.
At this time Lars was 16 years old and he probably became a farmhelp (hired man).
In the year of 1833, when he is 22 years old he moves back to Frykerud (from Grums parish) and became farmhelp at
his grandfathers farm in Ackebol. His maternal grandfather was old, and a widower but seems to still be in charge on the farm.
Even if they had a farm they were very poor, according to the churchbooks. In 1834 Lars moves to Wästra Glänne to
work as an farmhelp, it was here he met his 'wife to be' Anna Jonsdotter.
Convicted of theft!
Carolina is the daughter of Lars and Anna
After marriage, Anna (23 yrs old) and Lars (25 yrs old) lived at a farm in Karsbol, Frykeruds parish. They had a little daughter, Stina (named after Lars mother) when something happened. The aftermath wasn't fun... Lars was found guilty of theft and convicted according to the court record of 22 March 1837. He was then forced to go through what in Swedish is called 'uppenbar kyrkoskrift' (open penitence, in front of the congregation) in the church of Frykerud, which he did on 12 August 1838. The most likely reason for this was that he had broken one of Gods ten commandments 'Thou shalt not steal'. The theft was probably the reason why they left Karsbol and became beggers (lösdrivare), it means that the parish took care of them but they had no place to live (1838-1842).
In 1842 they became 'backstugustittare' (crofter or tenant farmer) in the village of Applungstorp. The family was now Lars, Anna and the children Stina(1836), Johannes(1839) and Anders(1842). In 1843 they move from Applungstorp to Gravås once again as crofters. They remain in Gravås for seventeen years during which time more children are born. Nils Emil(1845), Carolina(1847) This Carolina is Carolina Osterberg, Lars(1850), Anna Katarina(1853), Carl Olof(1856).
To Be continued