notes
'My Family Tree' is largely the result of the work begun by my grandmother, Ivy Olson (Dobie) who compiled a family album (in 1978) of her family and ancestors, and my father, Robert Thomas Dobie, who continued the work begun by his mother.
When I (Robert Stewart Dobie) was a junior high school student (living in Nova Scotia) , one of my teachers gave me a family tree project to work on. My grandmother (Ivy Dobie) mailed to me a remarkable copy of a document that she had recently acquired from one of her second cousins (living in Sweden). It was a a family tree dating back to the late 17th century, detailing the names and dates of direct family members leading to her father (Olaf Olson), herself, my father, and my sister and me. Below is a transcription of the letter (circa 1978) that my grandmother sent to me along with the family tree. Any text in brackets, that is red, indicates an additional note by me, Robert Stewart Dobie.
When I (Robert Stewart Dobie) was a junior high school student (living in Nova Scotia) , one of my teachers gave me a family tree project to work on. My grandmother (Ivy Dobie) mailed to me a remarkable copy of a document that she had recently acquired from one of her second cousins (living in Sweden). It was a a family tree dating back to the late 17th century, detailing the names and dates of direct family members leading to her father (Olaf Olson), herself, my father, and my sister and me. Below is a transcription of the letter (circa 1978) that my grandmother sent to me along with the family tree. Any text in brackets, that is red, indicates an additional note by me, Robert Stewart Dobie.
Your maternal side of Dobies
Dear Robbie,
I am sending you a copy of a "family tree" which was compiled in Salna, Sweden about 6 years ago by my second cousin. It's very interesting as it dates back to 1670. It may not help you in your project but its a worthwhile document to keep - you may like to have it in your later years. The earliest I know anything about them would be your great-great grandfather Gods Olaf Anderson (born Alvdalen [sp.?] Sweden 1868 (so named as believed to be descendants of the last tribes of Israil [sic]. Before that I assume they were farmers, fishermen & builders in Sweden. Your great-great grandfather was a farmer and a tailor as well. Raising his own sheep & spinning the wool to make clothing, blankets, etc. They had seven children, one being your Great grandfather Gods Olaf Olson (last names were always changed when Swedes emigrated to America) which they did in 1887, to Minneapolis Minnesota. Olaf became a bookkeeper after breaking his back in a mine accident. The medical [sic] could do nothing for him and at Death's door he was healed by a Divine Healer. He continued to walk with a slight stoop.
In 1901 he married Hilma Josephine Hendricksonof Stanedfield [sp.?] Minnesota. In 1903 they emigrated to Brightview, Alberta, near Edmonton, in a colonists railway car, bringing with them their farm animals, household goods, etc. Taking up homestead land in wilderness he became a Government land guide settling much of the surrounding area with immigrants from the U.S.A., Europe, Scotland, Sweden, etc. He also set up a sawmill providing work for many as well as the lumber to build their houses, barns, etc.
At various times, being the leader of the community, he acted as lawyer, judge, and counsellor [sic] in many and varied cases. Also acting as School Board Secretary & Council Secretary. He had a heart of gold and gave away much more than he earned.
Your great grandmother was a beautiful young lady, born in Stanefield, Minnesota in 1880 and a very hard worker at her husband's side, also taking part in local groups such as Ladies Aid and Farm Women's Movements.
Both of these ancestors were musical, playing violin & guitar. They had six girls & three boys.
Also your great-great grandfather, having come naturally from his forebearers the art of cabinet making & building, he built many beautiful and stately homes at Wetaskiwin, Alberta. They moved to British Columbia in 1927, after suffering many years of crop failures, such as hail, drought, grasshoppers, frost, etc. While in B.C., they farmed, acquired a hotel at Mission and a boarding house in Vancouver. Great great grandfathers [actually, my great-grandfather] last [indecipherable word] was to build a huge barn for the prominent Vancouver family Me[indecipherable name] known as Woodwards. He passed away in 1940 after a lingering illness. Your great-great grandmother [actually, my great grandmother] died in 1965 after five years hospitalization with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
As for your maternal great-great grandparents & ancestors I know not too much. Except they were all born in Sweden and emigrated to Minnesota, U.S.A. in the mid 18 hundreds, and in 1910 to Alberta. They were good "salt of the earth" God fearing people, your great-great Grandmother Anna Hendrickson, having been the driving force behind the building of a Baptist church at Stanefield [sp.?], Minnesota, which is still in use today.
As for your Grandparents you will find that under your Paternal lineage.
I wish I could write about your ancestors walking on the moon or having a ride in a U.F.O. That would make an exciting tale, but alas, we're just ordinary people, with our eyes on the horizon for the coming of the Lord, meantime trying to keep our powder dry. Comprends, n'est pas?
Rob - you can take what you will out of this - copy it verbatim using my [sic] for your [sic] or whatever. Sorry about the writing but my hand is stiff with arthritis. Hope you can read this and much good luck in your project.
Love,
Nannie
If Kim [my sister] wants a copy of the lineage I'll have one made for her.
Dear Robbie,
I am sending you a copy of a "family tree" which was compiled in Salna, Sweden about 6 years ago by my second cousin. It's very interesting as it dates back to 1670. It may not help you in your project but its a worthwhile document to keep - you may like to have it in your later years. The earliest I know anything about them would be your great-great grandfather Gods Olaf Anderson (born Alvdalen [sp.?] Sweden 1868 (so named as believed to be descendants of the last tribes of Israil [sic]. Before that I assume they were farmers, fishermen & builders in Sweden. Your great-great grandfather was a farmer and a tailor as well. Raising his own sheep & spinning the wool to make clothing, blankets, etc. They had seven children, one being your Great grandfather Gods Olaf Olson (last names were always changed when Swedes emigrated to America) which they did in 1887, to Minneapolis Minnesota. Olaf became a bookkeeper after breaking his back in a mine accident. The medical [sic] could do nothing for him and at Death's door he was healed by a Divine Healer. He continued to walk with a slight stoop.
In 1901 he married Hilma Josephine Hendricksonof Stanedfield [sp.?] Minnesota. In 1903 they emigrated to Brightview, Alberta, near Edmonton, in a colonists railway car, bringing with them their farm animals, household goods, etc. Taking up homestead land in wilderness he became a Government land guide settling much of the surrounding area with immigrants from the U.S.A., Europe, Scotland, Sweden, etc. He also set up a sawmill providing work for many as well as the lumber to build their houses, barns, etc.
At various times, being the leader of the community, he acted as lawyer, judge, and counsellor [sic] in many and varied cases. Also acting as School Board Secretary & Council Secretary. He had a heart of gold and gave away much more than he earned.
Your great grandmother was a beautiful young lady, born in Stanefield, Minnesota in 1880 and a very hard worker at her husband's side, also taking part in local groups such as Ladies Aid and Farm Women's Movements.
Both of these ancestors were musical, playing violin & guitar. They had six girls & three boys.
Also your great-great grandfather, having come naturally from his forebearers the art of cabinet making & building, he built many beautiful and stately homes at Wetaskiwin, Alberta. They moved to British Columbia in 1927, after suffering many years of crop failures, such as hail, drought, grasshoppers, frost, etc. While in B.C., they farmed, acquired a hotel at Mission and a boarding house in Vancouver. Great great grandfathers [actually, my great-grandfather] last [indecipherable word] was to build a huge barn for the prominent Vancouver family Me[indecipherable name] known as Woodwards. He passed away in 1940 after a lingering illness. Your great-great grandmother [actually, my great grandmother] died in 1965 after five years hospitalization with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
As for your maternal great-great grandparents & ancestors I know not too much. Except they were all born in Sweden and emigrated to Minnesota, U.S.A. in the mid 18 hundreds, and in 1910 to Alberta. They were good "salt of the earth" God fearing people, your great-great Grandmother Anna Hendrickson, having been the driving force behind the building of a Baptist church at Stanefield [sp.?], Minnesota, which is still in use today.
As for your Grandparents you will find that under your Paternal lineage.
I wish I could write about your ancestors walking on the moon or having a ride in a U.F.O. That would make an exciting tale, but alas, we're just ordinary people, with our eyes on the horizon for the coming of the Lord, meantime trying to keep our powder dry. Comprends, n'est pas?
Rob - you can take what you will out of this - copy it verbatim using my [sic] for your [sic] or whatever. Sorry about the writing but my hand is stiff with arthritis. Hope you can read this and much good luck in your project.
Love,
Nannie
If Kim [my sister] wants a copy of the lineage I'll have one made for her.
See below for a copy of the original four-page scanned letter:
Below:
A Family Tree diagram by my father, Robert Thomas Dobie, c. early 1980s
A Family Tree diagram by my father, Robert Thomas Dobie, c. early 1980s