The Auld Badgers

"Proper job from the basement"

Thursday, July 22nd:Woke up around 7 o'clock. There was a line for the bathroom. I stayed in bed until 8 before daring to get up. At 8:30 AM, Jean Michel went to work at the UN, and Anneli went to school at 10:00 AM. I wrote a letter home with the first report of the landing. Luckily, I didn't feel any of the previous day's agony. At 1:00 PM, Jean Michel came home, and we went together to pick up Anneli outside the school. A Finnish girl, Lea Timmonen, was already waiting for Anneli. It was decided that we would meet her husband, who is a doctor and received a scholarship through the Rockefeller Foundation. He had a car and drove us around New York. We parked the car in a garage on 5th Ave. I went into a store and was surprised by the rudeness. We found another store where I bought a tropical suit for 34 dollars. In the same store, I also bought a dacron shirt (which wasn't available in Sweden then) for 8.75 dollars. Before heading home, Docent Timmonen drove us around more and showed us New York. At home, we ate spaghetti and had a pleasant evening together. It's warm outside. I seem to have already gotten used to it and find it comfortable.

Friday, July 23rd:Headache when I woke up. Stayed at the apartment in the morning and wrote letters to my mother's Aunt Elin in Manchester, N.H., whom I was supposed to visit, and to Mrs. Gefvert in Chicago (Ida in Klinthult's daughter), who was also to be visited. At 2:15 PM, I was to meet Jean Michel and Anneli outside Hunter College of the City of New York. Later, I also met the Timmonens and a strange Finnish couple that Mrs. Timmonen had run into randomly on the street. The trip went to the UN, where we followed the disarmament commission's negotiations with a Russian speaker. The Russian spoke in Russian, but through headphones, you could get the speech translated into a comprehensible language. Jean Michel then guided us through the entire UN building. Very impressive. Anneli had had a tough day at school. We went to bed early.

Saturday, July 24th:When I woke up this morning at 8 o'clock, Anneli and Jean Michel were still sleeping. They didn't show up until 11. Since it was Saturday, they spent the day as they pleased. From the beginning of my stay, I was informed that if I got hungry, there was food in the fridge. It was free for all. The temperature was about 20 degrees and rose to 29 degrees later in the day. This has been the prevailing temperature in New York so far. In the afternoon, we went out shopping. I met a Swedish girl who had heard us speaking Swedish. We chatted for a while. In the evening, we went to the city and went to the movies. Afterward, we strolled around Broadway and Times Square. Lots of people moving about

July 25, SundayWoke up early and made my own breakfast. Anneli and Jean Michel had their separate tasks. J.M. was writing an article for his newspaper and A had to study. I went to the Bronx Zoo by myself. Not comparable to European zoos. A disappointment. Later, I went to Coney Island… a long and troublesome journey by subway.

July 26, MondayWent out to Hoboken to bid farewell to the Timmonens, who were returning to Finland. We stayed quite long. Arrived there at 3:30 PM. The boat didn't leave until 9 PM. In the meantime, I started to get hungry, which was satisfied after returning home.

July 27, TuesdayTook a boat to the Statue of Liberty. Also visited the top of the Empire State Building, where the famous actor Robert Young, along with his wife and two daughters, were present at the time. In the evening, I strolled around alone…. asked a young lady about Rockefeller Center. It turned out she was Swedish. She took the time to walk a bit with me. She told me she was an au pair with an American family and was thoroughly enjoying it!

July 28, WednesdayNow it was time to leave New York for a while... At 4:50 PM, I traveled by train to visit Algot and Mary Magnusson, who had previously lived in Bodafors and were friends of my parents. Uncle Algot met me in Katonah, after which we drove in his hyper-elegant Pontiac to Lincolndale, where a substantial and very good Swedish dinner was laid out. It actually felt nice to get away from New York City. It was cooler here, and there were no noises. I felt content. I had a large double bed at my disposal, which felt comfortable. At J.M.'s place, I had been sleeping on a couch, which lost balance at the slightest movement. But I got used to it... Watched TV for the first time in my life. Fantastic! Then I fell asleep and slept soundly.

31 July Saturday

Drove down to Mount Kisco for shopping. Magnussons only shops once a week.

Terribly hot 37 degrees C.

1 August Sunday

Early in the morning we drive to his son Roy in Freeport on Long Island. It was crowded on the roads. In the car we also have the dog and the cat and it is a hell of a life. We go out in Roy's boat and swim at Long Beach, a party with buffet and some friends was organised. Roy could not speak Swedish. Everyone spoke English.

2 August Monday.

Leaving Roy for Lincolndale after a pleasant stay at 4pm. It was lovely weather.... Not too hot about 20 degrees C.

3 August Tuesday

Pouring rain in the morning. It was only 18 degrees C. Played samba with Mary (who is a housewife) and her friend Ellen Johnson.

4 August Wednesday

Beautiful weather. The heat has returned. Go down and swim in the lake. Later in the day

coffee with Mr and Mrs Wolff.

5 August Thursday

Coffee with Mr and Mrs Ellen Johnsson

6 August Friday

It was time to leave Mary and Algot to continue to mom's Aunt Elin in Manchester, N.H. It was an emotional farewell. Got up early in the morning at 05:30. Went with Fred Johnson to Katonah. The train arrived in New York City at 08:15. Once all the ticket formalities were arranged for Manchester, I went for a while to Jean Michel and Anneli but only met Anneli, who was home. At 11:30, the train went through Worcester and Lowell to Manchester, arriving at 16:30. Mom's Aunt Elin and a nephew of Elin, also Mom's cousin George Pearson, met me at the station with an incredibly elegant red convertible. Aunt Elin was very happy to see me and kissed me here and there. Then we went straight home to Elin for a great dinner. There, I also met Elin's husband, Uncle Carl. Later the same day, we went to a meeting with all Swedes. They were very curious about Sweden. I had gotten up early and was quite tired. It was nice to get back to bed again.

7 August Saturday

Together with Aunt Elin, Uncle Carl, and Mom's cousin George Pearson, we went to Mom's cousin Agnes Morris, 43 years old, who was a widow. She was temporarily renting a summer house by Lake Webster, about 8 Swedish miles from Manchester. There, I also met my small second cousins: John 12, Ann 11, Joann 7, and Jackie Francis 4 years old. We had both lunch and dinner there and had a lot to talk about. After returning to Manchester, we also visited another cousin of Mom, Raymond Pearson, and his wife Marian. They had just returned from a vacation and were eager to meet me. It got quite late.

Here is the translation:

**8 August Sunday**

Got up already at 07:15 to go with George and Raymond to Boston. We were to pick up mom's aunt by marriage, Alma, who had been admitted for a goiter operation at New Center Hospital. After picking up Aunt Alma at the hospital, we went home and had dinner. I then accompanied Raymond, who drove Aunt Alma to her daughter Agnes's summer place, where she would stay.

**9 August Monday**

I was supposed to take a bus to go to the city. While I was waiting, a car stopped. A lone man was also on his way to Manchester city and offered me a ride. When he heard that I was a tourist from Sweden, he became very interested. He was very impressed with my English and suggested that I should stay in the USA and look for work. A bit exaggerated... but he added that it's people like me they need in the USA... It was bad weather with rain. The heat wasn't worse than that I could use my raincoat without sweating. I found what I was going to buy and then returned to Aunt and Uncle.

**10 August Tuesday**

Stayed at Raymond's and his wife's place and watched TV.

**11 August Wednesday**

Went to the “Drive-in center” (outdoor cinema) and watched “Vicky Lind and Prince Valiant”. George treated. We sat in the car and watched. (New experience for me)

**12 August Thursday**

Accompanied George to Agnes Morris at Webster Lake to bring Aunt Alma back to Manchester. She was a widow of one of Mom's uncles and lived on the upper floor of Aunt Elin's house.

**13 August Friday**

Mr. and Mrs. Löfgren, together with Mr. and Mrs. Rohcen, had coffee at Aunt Elin's. They were interested in how things were in Sweden. There was a lot of talk and laughter. After returning to Sweden, it turned out that the Löfgrens were related to a good friend of mine in Stockholm… Birgit Bergman.

**14 August Saturday**

Went to Massabesic with Aunt Elin and Uncle Carl. There was a big party at IOGT with many Swedes who were interested in hearing about Sweden. Supper with dance.

**15 August Sunday**

Went with George to the White Mountains. Started at 08:15 in the morning. The weather was bad at departure but changed quickly. The day turned out wonderful with a clear blue sky and comfortable warmth. First, we went to Indian Head, which is said to be a natural formation in a mountain shaped like an Indian head. After that, we stopped at "The Flume," a nature reserve with a deep gorge. Then we went to Profile Lake and rode a tram up to Cannon Mountain. The journey continued to Mount Washington. However, since the train ride to the top took 2¾ hours, we refrained from going. We then began the journey back, stopping at Weirs, a famous resort at Lake Winnipesaukee. Came home at 21:30. We had traveled 260 English miles. When we got home, we found out that it had rained all day in Manchester. (We must have eaten, but I haven't noted it in my records).

**16 August Monday**

Lazy day spent relaxing and socializing with the hosts.

**17 August Tuesday**

Went shopping with Aunt Elin in the city. Aunt Elin treated me to a delicious lunch at a restaurant. She was very eager to point out to the waitress that I had come from Sweden to visit her. In the evening, Raymond and Marian called and invited me to watch television... It was mostly chatting.

**18 August Wednesday**

Agnes Morris and the children have returned to Manchester. She also has an apartment in Aunt Elin's house. I played with the children in their splash pool, much to Jackie's delight. In the evening, coffee party at Mr. and Mrs. Rohzen's.

**19 August Thursday**

Coffee at Mr. and Mrs. Osberg's in Bedford along with their daughter Marjorie. Mrs. Osberg is Aunt Alma's niece. Marjorie had been in Stockholm and studied at Stockholms Högskola, now Stockholm University. Her brother had also done the same, whom I had met once in Stockholm. Marjorie had an apartment in the same building as Jean Michel on Riverside Drive in New York, but they did not know each other. There were many American students at the university in the late '40s, whom I got to know through Jean Michel.

**20 August Friday**

Coffee at Mr. and Mrs. Richard Svensson's. A woodchuck had entered the garden and was eating Mrs. Svensson's beans. It looked like a hare but somewhat larger, and after much effort, we managed to get rid of it. The chase elicited many laughs... Popped corn (new for me) in the open fireplace. Mrs. Svensson was hilariously funny.

**21 August Saturday**

Traveled to Mr. and Mrs. Lövgren in Lynn. Mr. Lövgren picked us up, that is, Aunt and Uncle and me, in his newly acquired car. They served hamburgers, which we grilled on the portable grill in the garden.

**22 August Sunday**

Murtle Udd (a relative of the Lövgrens) picked us up with his car at the Lövgrens and drove us home to Manchester via a detour so that I could see Hampton Beach. I have started feeling some back pain.

**23 August Monday**

The back pain has worsened. I visit Chiropractor Dr. Hummel. The treatment did well but the back pain seems to remain.

**24 August Tuesday**

Visited Dr. Hummel once again, as the back pain hasn't gone away. After the treatment, it hurts more. In the evening, it gets significantly better. Together with George, Raymond, Marian, and Agnes, we go to Fine Island Park for roller skating, that is, I watch and have fun.

**25 August Wednesday**

Today it is hot, 33°C. The back pain has almost disappeared. I have to be careful.

**26 August Thursday**

It is a sad day because I will leave my wonderful relatives today to return to New York. Aunt Elin, Agnes, and Jackie accompanied me to the station where we said our goodbyes. I was very sad when I sat on the train… they had all been incredibly generous and kind in Manchester. Had pleasant company on the train with two young ladies from Manchester who were on their way to Florida for a vacation. ... Stayed overnight at Jean Michel's after returning to New York.

**27 August Friday**

In the morning, I go out to the city… Visited Radio City Hall and saw “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” a typical American show. Also visited National Broadcasting Company N.B.C. Was interviewed by announcer Jac Ladell. The interview was broadcast across the entire New York area. At 16:50, it was time again to go to Algot and Mary Magnusson in Lincolndale. After arriving there, we immediately went to Long Island to visit their son Roy.

**28 August Saturday**

Roy's wife had arranged a big party and a buffet with lots of good food. Many nice people my age.

**29 August Sunday**

Together with Mary and Roy's wife Ginger, we went to Jene Beach. Lovely weather.

Returned to Lincolndale in the evening. It was troublesome with the heavy traffic.

August 30, Monday

It is pouring rain. I am packing for the trip to Chicago. The radio warns of a typhoon.

August 31, Tuesday

Got up at 5:15 AM to thank and say goodbye to Algot, who is leaving for work. Mr. Fred Johnson has offered to drive me to Katonah for the onward journey to New York. Mary and I wonder whether to take the luggage over to the Johnsons or if he will come here with the car. He is delayed. We take the luggage and march off in the pouring rain through a small forest to find that Mr. Johnson's car is gone. Mary runs back to see if he might have driven up to their house in the meantime. I am standing and waiting in the most terrible downpour and have already become soaking wet. Mary returns and hasn't seen any sign of Johnson. We can conclude that he simply forgot to pick me up. Mary, who is very temperamental, gets furious and has to take a pill to calm down and lies down for a while. ... Instead, I take a taxi to Katonah, from where the train leaves at 8:15 AM for New York City. Upon arrival in New York, I discover that the storm has reached there. I can't leave Grand Central Station without being blown away. I wait there for three hours until it has calmed down enough for me to get to Pan American and arrange a flight ticket back to Sweden.

I take the subway to Jean Michel. No one is home. I stay there only a short while. I have a key so I can come and go as I please. The train to Chicago leaves at 4 PM. It travels slowly due to the storm. I can't sleep on the train.

September 1, Wednesday

Arrive in Chicago only two hours late. Am warmly received by the Sidor Ericson family (son in the Celinder clan in Bodafors). I sleep a few hours in the afternoon. In the evening, we take a drive along Lake Michigan, and then we are invited to Sidor's wife's sister, Mrs. Carlson. She lives very nicely, and we are well entertained.

September 2, Thursday

The aforementioned Mrs. Carlson's son Ralph picks me up at 9 AM. He has his own car, and we visit Rockfield Zoo and take a tour around Chicago city, which I appreciated. In the afternoon, I explore the downtown area on my own by bus. Among other things, I visit a television studio where I sit among the audience during the broadcast. ... In the evening, we are invited to Mr. and Mrs. David Celinder, who live very exclusively.

September 3, Friday

In Sweden, the large slaughterhouse in Chicago was often described. I wanted to see it and went there. But it turned out that group tours for tourists had stopped on September 1. However, I was allowed to walk around and look on my own. My visit was limited to watching some poor beef cows, prepared for slaughter. I decide to go to Cinerama instead, as a substitute for the slaughterhouse. The show, however, was postponed because it was Friday. Therefore, I couldn't get in there. Instead, I attended a television studio with a broadcast and audience. ... In the evening, my mother's cousin Mr. Bror Johnson (son of my mother's Aunt Hilda) picks me up. He wants to have me as a guest for a few days. I move to his family in Evergreen Park... a suburb of Chicago.

September 4, Saturday

Terribly hot! Spend most of the day in front of a fan and socializing with the family. In the evening, it is somewhat cooler. We take a drive along Lake Michigan. We interrupt and go to wrestling, a peculiar type of free wrestling but entertaining and exciting.

September 5, Sunday

Same heat ... 35 degrees Celsius in the shade. I have moved down to the basement and take showers almost all day. In the evening, it is somewhat cooler, and there is speedway. In the family, there was a son about 14 years old. He didn't seem to have noticed me. ... I asked him if he knew who I was ... He didn't. ... After several years, I found out that this boy worked as a pilot for Pan American.

September 6, Monday (Labor Day holiday)

Leave Chicago for Woodhull at 11 AM, arriving in Galesburg at 1:50 PM. There was no one at the station to meet me. I sat on a bench and waited. Eventually, my father's brother, my Uncle Hjalmar, with his daughter Doris and son-in-law Dick, showed up. There had been a misunderstanding since Chicago time is one hour ahead of Galesburg time. We drove to Woodhull, where I met my cousins Helen and Hazel with their husbands and Uncle Hjalmar's wife, Aunt EmmaThere will be a lot of talking and eating all day.**

**Tuesday, September 7**

Visited Dad's cousin Lillie de Long, daughter of Dad's Uncle Karl (Charles). She lives in Alpha with her husband and several canaries. I was also supposed to visit her brother, Walter Peterson... Dad's cousin. However, he was not home. In the evening, supper at my cousin Hazel's.

**Wednesday, September 8**

Woodhull was a rather small community, and word got around about a visiting Swede. I was interviewed by the local newspaper. In the evening, I was invited to dinner together with Uncle and Aunt to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Ottoson. Mrs. Ottoson was the sister of Mrs. Rapp in Bodafors.

**Thursday, September 9**

Party at Dad's cousin Walter Peterson's place. (Brother to Lillie de Long) I also met their daughter Francis Mary and her husband and their three children.

**Friday, September 10**

Lunch at Mr. and Mrs. Peterson's in North Henderson. Mrs. Amie Peterson is a cousin to Dad and the daughter of Dad's Uncle August, who reportedly fled to America according to church records. I also met her sister Annie Nylander and a brother. There was a lot of curious talk. In the evening, dinner at Mr. Richard and Mrs. Doris Shephard's in Rio. Mrs. Doris Shephard is my cousin, daughter of Uncle Hjalmar. I stayed overnight... It was quite cool and moonlit, but unfortunately, I slept poorly. They lived very beautifully on a farm that Richard owned.

**Saturday, September 11**

In the morning, Mr. Richard and Mrs. Doris Shephard took me to my cousin Helen Hensley and her husband James, who lived very pleasantly in their own house in Rock Island. We arrived at around 11 AM. As usual, there was a lot of talking and eating. After Richard and Doris left for Rio, we took a drive. We passed the house where my dining companions from the ship, Dr. and Mrs. Freden, lived in Rock Island. Mrs. Freden had called my cousin Helen and wanted a visit. She had read an interview about me visiting a newspaper and the connection to Helen Hensley and figured out Helen's phone number. Unfortunately, there was no time for that. Mrs. Freden was an unusually charming lady, and we got along well on the ship. Dr. Freden was also of the charming type. ... Later in the day, we drove around and looked at Rock Island, Moline, and Davenport, which lay on the other side of the Mississippi River. These cities were almost merged. We briefly visited some Swedes named Almkvist. In the evening, we had dinner at Morando's restaurant with exquisite food. After dinner, we went to the nightclub “Plantation.” A very delightful day and evening. (These are notes from my diary entries, but how did we manage to do all this? But I was only 32 years old then).

---

Sunday, September 12

In the morning, I went out driving. In the afternoon, my cousins and their spouses, along with Uncle Hjalmar and Aunt, came to Rock Island for dinner. Afterwards, I returned to Woodhull with Uncle Hjalmar.

Monday, September 13

Back in Woodhull. Met an old Swedish man (81) named Carl Andersson, who was born in Vrigstad on a croft under the Lundholmen estate. He claimed to be a cousin of Claes and Hulda Ottosson in Bodafors, whom I didn't know. Together with Uncle Hjalmar, we visited a large-scale farmer named Albin Anderson. He was born near Sävsjö and had done well for himself in the USA. He shouted terribly when he spoke. Moreover, there were so many flies where we stood talking that I made up an excuse to leave as quickly as possible.

Tuesday, September 14

Went to visit Lillie de Long to invite her and her husband to dinner in Woodhull the following Thursday. I met her husband this time. Took some photographs of them. Then I went over to Walter Peterson to invite him as well and took some photographs there too. In the evening, I moved to my cousin Doris Shephard's place.

**September 15, Wednesday**

Accompanied Doris to her chiropractor in Mounmouth. Continued to Galesburg for shopping.

**September 16, Thursday**

Returned to Uncle Hjalmar in Woodhull where a family dinner was to be held. All cousins with families were invited as well as Mr. and Mrs. Walter Peterson and Mr. and Mrs. de Long. After the delicious dinner, the gentlemen played rummy, in which I won. Received a letter from Ragnar Norén (Dad's cousin), stating I was welcome to visit Detroit.

**September 17, Friday**

Today it's very hot, about 34°C. I have sent my tropical suit, which I bought in New York, to the dry cleaner. My cousin Hazel Carlsson and her husband are picking me up to go to Rock Island in the evening. They were supposed to arrive at 4 PM but were heavily delayed.

**September 18, Saturday**

Now I am back with my cousin Helen and her husband James. We are going to Davenport for shopping in the morning. It's still suffocatingly hot, and I am wearing my Swedish suit. We have been promised cooler weather. I was called to Rock Island Argus Paper for an interview after lunch. In the evening, we went to a dance at the Coliseum… a boring place. On the way home, we stopped and watched a fire that had broken out at a distillery. Didn't get to bed until 4 AM.

**September 19, Sunday**

Today, the weather is cooler. I woke up at 12 o'clock. Helen and James were worried about my sleep and thought something might have happened to me. That was not the case. Instead of breakfast, it was lunch, after which we went around taking photographs. Then dinner at Dad's cousin Lillie de Long in Alpha. Her daughter, about 24 years old, was home from Moline. Today I turned 32 years old. No one knew, and I mentioned nothing.

**September 20, Monday**

Back at Uncle Hjalmar's in Woodhull. ... We travel to Bishop Hill, a Swedish colony, much talked about. There, I met an amusing postal clerk who said she was related to Archbishop Brillioth, who had recently visited her. It was Mr. and Mrs. de Long who drove us (Hjalmar and me) in their car... In the afternoon, Hjalmar and I go to Aledo to visit Dad's cousin Edof Chinlund (79). He had a farm and was busy working on the roof of the farmhouse. He had a son my age, whom I also met and who was thus my second cousin. ... In the evening, dinner at my cousin Hazel and her husband Virgil Carlson's place, where Doris and Richard Shephard, Hjalmar and Emma, and Virgil's mother were also invited.

Sure thing! Here’s the translated text:

**When I was in Woodhull, a gentleman named Julius Anderson asked me if I possibly knew where Hägersten was. It was indeed where I lived in Stockholm at that time. He had found out that he had a brother living in Hägersten.**

**September 21, Tuesday**

Today it's cold in Woodhull, only 12°C. We had to heat the house. It's starting to feel like autumn with leaves falling. It's also already getting dark at 6 PM. Lillie de Long called and asked if I wanted to go to Galesburg. I was happy to. In the evening, dinner at Mr. and Mrs. Walter Peterson's place, followed by coffee at Walter's brother, Dad's cousin Chester Peterson. Chester had two sons, one of whom, 28 years old, was a psychiatrist collaborating with actress Ingrid Bergman's husband Peter Lindström. … The day began very sadly. This morning, a telegram came from Aunt Elin in Manchester stating that her husband Uncle Carl had passed away suddenly. I, therefore, wrote to Aunt Elin and my cousin Agnes Morris to offer my condolences and ask for more details.

**September 22, Wednesday**

Today, I was woken up early by Julius Andersson, mentioned on September 20, who came for a visit. He had received a letter from his newfound brother in Sweden and needed help with translation. Julius was born in the USA and struggled with the Swedish language. ………… Sent a package to my sister Saga in Sweden with some of the items she had ordered. ….. In the evening, my cousin Helen and James came to Woodhull for a farewell visit along with some more relatives.

**September 23, Thursday**

Invited to lunch at the school……… In the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Ottoson (relatives of Rapp) came for coffee at Hjalmar and Emma's.

**September 24, Friday**

It's time to leave Woodhull. Traveled to Galesburg in Virgil Carlson's car together with Uncle Hjalmar, my cousin Hazel with her son Sydney, and my cousin Doris. At the station in Galesburg, my father's cousin Chester Peterson and Doris' husband Richard also appeared.

I had been informed that the train would depart from Galesburg at 11:45. When we arrived at the station, it turned out that it was actually at 10:53. We arrived just in time to see the train rush into the station. It was a very quick farewell. Uncle Hjalmar had tears in his eyes……. I took the California Zephyr, a two-story train, preferring the top deck with glass both in the roof and on the sides, offering a good view. The landscape was flat as a pancake, with cornfields and the occasional dirty river. ….. Arrived at 13:30 in Chicago. Mr. Gefvert (Ida in Klinthult's son-in-law, where I would stay) met me at the station and took me home, where his wife welcomed me with a magnificent coffee table and later a wonderful welcome dinner. ….Mr. Gefvert was retired. They were a very nice couple. Mrs. Gefvert still worked….. in the beauty industry. She had a beauty box and traveled around sprucing up her customers. Therefore, it was mostly Mr. Gefvert and I who spent time together.

**September 25, Saturday**

Today, Mr. Gefvert took me on a car trip, 129 miles. We visited various Swedish families, to whom I was introduced. In the evening, we visited the Swedish family Mr. and Mrs. Lindman. They showed a film taken during their recent vacation in Sweden. Mrs. Lindman was from Bäckaby. They had visited Bodafors and also filmed our house there.

**September 26, Sunday**

With Mr. Gefvert at the wheel, we took a trip up towards Evanton. We intended to visit Mr. Rosenkvist, who was the brother of Oscar Fritz's wife in Bodafors. He wasn't home. Instead, we visited other friends of Mr. Gefvert. In the afternoon, there was a party at the Gefverts, and in the evening, a movie on TV.

**September 27, Monday**

Got up quite early. Spoke on the phone with my father's cousin Ester Johnson, daughter of August Pettersson who had fled to the USA. We agreed that I would visit her and her daughter Darlene today. After some time in her tasteful home, we went out in Chicago and visited a restaurant for lunch, after which we visited bars, where there were Swedish bartenders. They generously offered drinks. …. In the evening, Clarence Peterson came. Clarence was a brother to Ester and thus a cousin to my father. We then went to his home to be introduced to his wife and her aunt Mrs. Bondero. Clarence had just bought a new 1954 Hudson car, beige with a red roof…… Spent the night at Ester's.

Sure, here's the translation:

**September 28, Tuesday**

Spent the day with Ester in the city. We visited, among other places, Merchandise Mark. After lunch, we went to Chicago Theatre, where we watched the movie "Sabrina" starring Audrey Hepburn. Before the movie, there was a show featuring the then-popular Mac Guire Sisters, who sang. Took it easy in the evening.

**September 29, Wednesday**

Back to the Gefverts. It was raining in the morning. Mr. Gefvert had arranged an interview with the Swedish-American Tribune. After that visit, I went to Cinerama. Watched a 3D movie and got a headache. Got lost on the way back with the "elevator" and finally had to take a taxi. Arrived late for a dinner at the Gefverts' landlords, Mr. and Mrs. Bror Johnson. In the evening, we also visited Mr. Gefvert's niece, Mrs. Baseck, and her husband, where we had coffee.

**September 30, Thursday**

Clarence Peterson contacted me and suggested we take a car trip. We drove 212 miles, accompanied by his wife and her aunt. I was treated to a lovely lunch at Milk Pail Farm. We continued to Lake Geneva and Honey Bear Farm. Had an exquisite dinner at Howard Johnson. Clarence was a very generous man…… After returning home, I made a brief visit to Mr. and Mrs. Sidor Ericson (Celinder descendant).

**October 1, Friday**

Called Ester, and together we went downtown. She had a dentist appointment, and I went to Bonds to pick up a suit. Had a drink at Drake's Hotel. Later, had dinner at Ester's and said goodbye at a nightclub………. Packed at night to continue to Detroit tomorrow.

**October 2, Saturday**

Traveled to Detroit at 09:40. Mr. Gefvert drove me to the station. I thanked them once again for taking such good care of me during my stay. Arrived in Detroit at 16:50. There was a misunderstanding upon arrival. I took a taxi, but my future host Mr. NN Noren (unfortunately, I've forgotten his first name) caught up, and I switched to his car. The evening was spent quietly, with some talk about family…. They were kind and hospitable but a bit gloomy. They had had two sons, both of whom died young, reportedly due to hospital negligence. I didn't want to ask too many questions.

**October 3, Sunday**

Mr. Noren (originally Norén) drove me around Detroit and showed me the sights. We stopped at Belle Isle, located in the middle of the Detroit River. There, we sat on a bench and looked across to Canada, which was very close on the other side of the river. Then we drove along Gross Point and looked at the millionaire homes. …… In the afternoon, Bob Noren (25) arrived with his wife and their 1-year-old son Marvin. It was a nice little family. Bob was the nephew of Mr. Noren, son of Gottfrid Noren, who was in Sweden on vacation and also visited our family. It was pouring rain and thunder outside.

**October 4, Monday**

During the night, heavy rain poured down and paralyzed the communications in Detroit. It cleared up in the morning, and we took a car trip to see the car manufacturing facilities. … My back pain has returned. I bid a warm farewell and continued on my way back to New York in the afternoon.

Here my diary entries end. I stayed for a while in New York with Jean Michel, accompanied him to the UN on a few occasions, and explored the city together with him and on my own. Autumn had arrived. The leaves changed color, and the trees became quite bare. Mrs. Magnuson called from Lincolndale and wondered if I could come over for a few days. The days leading up to my return to Sweden were also hectic. I stayed in New York, which I left from Idlewild Airport on Sunday, October 11th, with Pan American.

Flying was new to me….. many years later, when flying became common, I regretted not taking the boat back to Sweden. The boat trip to New York was an experience.

On the way to Kastrup, the plane stopped in Glasgow for refueling. From Kastrup, I took a boat to Malmö, then a train to Nässjö. I arrived at such a time in the morning that I had to wait several hours for a passenger train to Bodafors. I was offered to accompany a freight train, which I gladly accepted and arrived in Bodafors exhausted.

Transcribed from various sources on July 12, 2016. Nils Wiksander