Yulekaka or Yulekaga, or Scandinavian Christmas Bread

Mary Ann shared two recipes for Yulekake (Norwegian breads) she received from a friend. The first one can be made in the bread machine:

YuleKake Recipe 

Scandanavian Bread

Ingredients:1 cup 1% low-fat milk, plus 1 T. 

1 egg
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
3 cups bread flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 1/8 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup candied citron
1/4 cup raisins golden

Directions:  Place all ingredients except for the citron and raisins in the order given into the bread machine. Coat the citron and raisins very lightly with whole wheat flour so that they do not clump together. Use a 1.5 lb., light cycle. Ten minutes before the first knead finishes, add the raisins and citron.
NOTES : Check for proper dough consistency after 5 to 10 minutes of kneading; add up to a tablespoon of milk or a tablespoon of bread flour as needed. Use more or less citron as desired. 

12 servings Nutritional Info (per serving): 188 Calories (kcal); 3g Total Fat; (12% calories from fat); 6g Protein; 35g Carbohydrate; 23mg Cholesterol; 129mg Sodium 

The second one is begun in a mixer:

Yulakake  (second recipe)

Ingredients:41/2 to 5 cups unbleached flour

2 packages active dry yeast
3/4 tsp. ground cardamom
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup mixed candied fruit
1 cup golden raisins

Directions:In large mixer bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups of the flour with the yeast and cardamom. In saucepan, heat together milk, butter, sugar, and salt just till warm, stirring occasionally to melt butter. Add to dry mixture in mixer bowl; add egg. Beat at low seed of electric mixer for 1/2 minute, scraping sides of bowl constantly. Beat 3 minutes at high speed. By hand, stir in fruits, raisins, and enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn out on lightly floured surface; knead till smooth, 8 to 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover; let rise till double, 1 1/4 to 1/1/2 hours. Punch down; divide dough in half. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. Shape in 2 loaves. Place in 9x5x3 inch loaf pans. (I run a strip of greased, waxed paper along the bottom of the pan so that the bread will come out easier.) Cover; let rise till double, about 45 minutes. Combine one slightly beaten egg yolk, and 2 tablespoons water; brush over loaves. Bake in 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes (until loaves are golden and bottom sounds hollow). Remove from pans; cool. Drizzle with thin confectioners' sugar icing and garnish with sliced almonds and red adn green cherries, if desired. Makes 2 loaves

--------------------

My mother didn't like citron very much, so she made hers with candied fruit -- and she always made hers round loaves rather than using standard loaf pans. 

Gavle -- the part of Sweden the Ekekqvists Immigrated From

Sue has also shared the following website with us:

Gavle Photos

This shows the city where the Anders and Lovisa left in Sweden to come to Florence, Wisconsin, for the promise of free land to be homesteaded in "Amerika." Over the years, the oldest settlement was called Gavle-ägarna, which means "Gavel-owners". This name was shortened to Gavle, then Gefle, and finally Gävle.

The Swedish Christmas Goat made of straw was first made in Gävle, and this ornament is sold worldwide at Christmas time.

About 20 years ago, I began collecting Vinranka dinnerware, known also as Swedish Flow Blue, and which is made in Gävle.

Today Gävle is well-known for the coffee called Gevalia, produced by Kraft General Foods Scandinavia and exported under multiple brand names. Gevalia is particularly popular in the United States. 

Enjoy!

Additional Information Received on the Ekekqvists in Sweden

The following information has been received from Sue, granddaughter of Willard. Thank you so much for this! We will add any additional information we find..... Information will also be entered into Ancestry.com and my personal Family Tree information. Note another spelling as well == Ekeqvist (Nancy)

Following is the updated copy from Sue with Swedish spelling. As we learn more, we will make another update here.

-------------------

Tracing movements of Johan Ekeqvist and Ulrica Sophia Larsdotter and then Andrew.

Marriage of Johan and Ulrica? do not have

1830-- Daughter born in Vintrosa – Körningstorp in Ånsta Längbro, p. 135 household census 1836-1840

1832--Daughter born in Ånsta -- Körningstorp in Ånsta Längbro, p. 135 household census 1836-1840

1835--Daughter born in Ånsta -- Körningstorp in Ånsta Längbro, p. 135 household census 1836-1840

1838--Son born in Ånsta -- Körningstorp in Ånsta-Längbro, p. 135 household census 1836-1840

March 1838 -- moved from Körningstorp in Ånsta-Längbro to Taby p. 135 household census 1836-1840

1838-1840--lived in Skeppsta Rote, Täby, household census, 1836-1840 p. 84

24 May 1840--Andrew born in Täby. Record does not say May but all further references say May. The 1840 birth record has April and June but possibly May was left out.

1841--family moved to Mosjö, household census 1841-1845, Täby Rote p. 146

July 1841 (handwritten note, no copy) family moved from Täby to Södra Palmbohult in Mosjö

8 April 1842 (handwritten note, no copy) left S.P. to Glanshammar.

14 Feb. 1843—son Per August born in Glanshammar

1844—left for Längbro

Big Gap--- big enough gap for Anders to have another wife, family. I do not have actual marriage for A & L

1866-1969 in Fellingsbro?

Nov. 1866--Anders examined in Bergaby Rote, Ö. Norrby, Fellingsbro household census p.87

My incomplete note--rattar Anders Gustaf Ekeqvist p. 572 Grenby (Björke) 4 June 1869 "In" #10

1869-- Anders to Munktorp

22 Sept 1873--Anders of Grenby left Munktorp for Gefle "Out" record #11, p. 955 and opp.

10 Nov 1873--Anders entered into Korsnäs, Gefle household record (from Munktorp)

10 Nov 1873--Louisa Olsdotter entered into Korsnäs, Gefle household record (from Hed)

17 July 1874--betrothal (this and next three items from pp. 171-172 household Korsnäs, Gefle)

11 Oct 1874--marriage in Gefle

4 June 1875--Carl Gustaf born in Gefle -- have birth record

31 Jan 1876--Carl Gustaf died in Gefle -- from p. 151 household Korsnäs, Gefle

13 June 1877--Augusta Eleonora born in Gefle -- have birth record

5 Oct 1878--Ida Charlotta born in Gefle -- have birth record

11 Sept 1880--record says family left for N. Amerika p. 152 household Korsnäs, Gefle) and yet Anders was in Göteborg on 19 March and came to New York (per Bruce Osterberg) and Louisa and daughters were in Göteborg on 17 Sept, Boston on 8 Oct and then on to Chicago. (per Bruce)

Miracles Do Happen

As many of you know, my sister has been going through chemo treatments since March to reduce the size of a cancer before having surgery to remove it.

The surgery took place on Tuesday morning and the pathology report has been received. After surgery, they can find no indication of cancer cells anywhere.

The doctor has told her this is next to a miracle and they all wish they could give this kind of news to all their patients.

She still has to go through recovery from major surgery -- but that isn't as daunting as it looked before. AND there will be additional preventative steps to take because through DNA testing, she was found to have the BRCA1 gene mutation which gives the indication of a much higher risk for several kinds of cancer, including breast and ovarian for women; and breast and prostate cancer for men; and skin cancer for both.

Information I received after I had the DNA testing is that family members who remain at-risk for carrying this mutation include our brother and his sons, and all cousins on both sides of our family (until it can be determined whether the mutation was maternally or paternally derived.) My note -- it could have potentially come down from both sides since all of our great-grandparents came from Sweden where there is a history of the BRCA1 mutation. My children and my grandchildren are not at risk for having the BRCA1 mutation because I do not have it. BUT this does not mean that I am immune from cancer, it just means my risk is no longer extremely high. We have additional information for any relative who may have missed receiving the information we sent out. We also have the compiled list of cancer history within the family.

For relatives, this is important information to share with your doctors as well.

And, yes -- miracles do happen!

New Information I Didn't Know

Today, I received information from my 2nd cousin on my mother's side. She has been teaching genealogy to small groups in Sweden, and she has been looking at Louisa Ekquist's side of the family for us.

Following is part of what she wrote:

"Lovisa’s younger sister Augusta Vilhelmina who was born 1862 March 22 in Västra Skedvi is married to Per Gustaf Österberg born 1865 Febr 8 in Hed. They were married in 1887 Aug 20. Per Gustaf was a “smältare”. I have seen the translation “smelter” but i don’t know if it is ok. It is a type of smith. They emigrated to N. Amerika in Sept or Nov 1887. It is difficult to read the month and date." A year later, Louisa's parents also immigrated and came to live with the Ekquist family.

 

Once I entered this information into Ancestry.com, I discovered that Per and Augusta Osterberg arrived in New York on the 14 October 1887, so they married and left immediately through Norway to New York. 

I then discovered they went to Florence, Wisconsin where both their son Henry and daughter Nannette were born -- and then they moved to California by 1920.

The story of how Louisa's younger sister intercepted the letter from Andrew to Louisa telling her not to come to America yet is probably a true story. In 1880 Augusta would have been 18 and probably was tired of having little ones in the house. Sounds like something a younger sister would do. 

Here is information on Nannette, the daughter of Per and Augusta Osterberg. Notice that the information for a missing birth certificate was certified by her cousin, Emil Ekquist. 

I have emailed both Bruce and Ron Osterberg to find out if they know whether Per (or Peter) Gustav Osterberg was a relative of Axel Osterberg, husband of Aunt Ida. More of the pieces of the puzzle are coming together.

Also for your reading pleasure, here is a link to information about Homestead from Ralph Hoaglund's book:

http://genealogytrails.com/wis/florence/homesteadhoaglund2.htm

Celebrating Family History Month

I know, I know -- I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but the rest of us would like to also hear from YOU!

Here's another article, I'd like to share with you:

Five Tips For Celebrating Family History Month

•    Michael Leclerc's Genealogy News

•    Research Tips

01 Oct 2013

This is the favorite time of year for genealogists. October is Family History Month. It is a time dedicated to remembering our ancestors and celebrating them. Here are a few ideas for ways you can commemorate your own family history.

1. Write Up Some Family Stories

Time to take your research and start writing it up. Look at one of your ancestral families and start writing up the research you have conducted on them. One of the reasons we do genealogical research is to preserve their memories, but all too often we get tied up in the thrill of the chase, and never share what we find. Put together a biographical sketch of the family and post it on your blog, email it to family members, or print it out and mail it to them through the postal service.

2. Tell the Story Behind a Family Photograph

We all have piles of family photographs with no identification on them. Take some time this month to go through some of your pictures and label them. And don’t just put the names of the people in the picture. Tell the story behind it. Was it taken at a wedding? At a birthday party? A family vacation or outing? Were you doing something special at the time? Knowing those stories is just as important as knowing who is in the pictures.

3. Have a Family Get-together to Share Stories

You don’t have to have a huge, fancy party. But invite some of the aunts, uncles, and cousins to come over. It is still warm enough in many areas to have a barbecue. Have some time during the get-together to share some family stories. They can be stories of the past generations, or stories of the current ones.  And set your digital recorder to capture the stories, so you can share them with others who can’t attend.

4. Visit Cemeteries

Generations past used to visit the cemetery all the time. They would go and tend the graves. The entire community would sometimes be there. It was a festive occasion to honor family members who have passed. Nowadays we seem to be too rushed to take the time to visit. As genealogists, we may be the only ones there. But it is still important. Go and visit. Make sure the stones are still in their proper places and need no extra attention. Do some weeding. And bring the younger generation so you can not only share the experience, but share their stories.

5. Compose Part of Your Own Story

The time has come to tell your story. If you don’t tell it, who will? You are the only one who knows what you think, what you feel, how you experienced things. What do you want future generations to know about you? Sit down and start writing your life. You don’t have to write an entire novel in a month. Focus on a particular event or two in your life. Put down your memories. You don’t even have to share them right away, but knowing that you have got some of them written down ensures that someone should see them someday.

Commonwealth Cemetery Stones Need Work

The stones for our great-grandmother and great-grandfather need help. The following photos were taken in 2011 and I'm sure these stones are in worse shape today. They are located on the far end of the Commonwealth, Wisconsin, cemetery and if I remember right, they are on the right side of one of the paths perhaps 3 or 4 from the road going towards Homestead. The larger stone is to the left of the smaller stone, but they are next to each other.

The larger stone was for Margareta Elizabeth Tagstrom Lundwall, who died at the age of 52, wife of Andrew Lundwall. As you can tell by the stone, Andrew loved her deeply and was very particular that we would know more about her, and it was important to him that we know she was born in Sweden.

This stone needs the most work -- first the stone is on the edge of the base rather then in the middle where it belongs. Once it is secured in it's proper place and sealed to the base, the stone needs to be cleaned. This also is a problem because there is no water available at the cemetery. This is a small town cemetery. 

We have had wonderful results just with a brush, a plastic trowel, and water; but without water brought to the cemetery, there is no way to clean it.  

By the time Andrew died at the age of 79, he had been a widow for 27 years. During this time, he lived with or near his sons in the Iron River area.

If anyone in Michigan would like to take a trip to the Commonwealth Cemetery to see what can be done, fix and clean the stones, or if anyone knows who we can contact to have the stones cleaned and the larger stone fixed, please let me know who I can contact. There was a phone number listed on the shed in the middle of the cemetery, but when I tried calling, I wasn't able to get in touch with anyone.

It would be a shame to just let the stones continue to deteriorate. The larger stone may have already fallen.

Materials Needed For Cleaning a Gravestone

• Soft-bristle brush: Metallic brushes are entirely too harsh, and they also leave particles on the surface of the stone that can rust.
• Small, soft, slanted paintbrush: To clean debris and critters out of lettering or carvings.
• At least one large sponge, firm toothbrushes
• Water: A good water supply, a hose connection, or buckets of water. You may also want to bring a small spray bottle of water for gently cleaning dirt and debris from the stone. The spray bottle, should contain only water and not detergent or chemicals of any kind that would damage and further erode the stone's material. You might want to use Photo Flo, which is made by Kodak and used in photo developing. Mix one capfull per gallon of water. Wash stone with solution, then rinse stone with clean water. Use brush.
• Towel or old rags: used to kneel on or clean polished granite stones. Launder the towels first, but do NOT use fabric softener. The softener will affect their ability to absorb liquids as well as cutting down on the "magnetism" for dirt and dust.
• Hand cleaner: Bring along a sample size of antibacterial waterless hand cleaners or wipes.
• Cutting Tool: Hand-held grass clippers, scissors or a retractable razor knife for trimming grass and/or weeds close to the stones. DO NOT use weed-whacker type trimmers as these can scar the stones. For site clearing/cleaning, a pair of pruning shears or hedge clippers is also helpful for brush that is too thick to rip out or cut with grass clippers, but not thick enough to bother with a chain saw.
• Pencil and Notepad: to record information about the stone or cemetery location.

The larger stone reads as follows, (unfortunately I don't remember what else is on the stone):

In Memory of

Margreta E.

Wife of

Andrew Lundwall

Born in Sweden

Born Apr 30, 1848

Died Oct 9, 1900

LUNDWALL