Gustave Edwin Engstrom

Gustaf Edvin Sjölin(Engström) was born on 4/16/1883 in Goteborgs Domkyrkoforsamling,Goteborg och BohusIan, Sweden. His father, Edwin R Engström ,had a relationship with Josefina Emilia Eriksdotter Johansson Sjölin, a widow,, 31 years old living at 2.11.80 Vastergatan 17 Gothenburgh, Sweden. Josefina's husband, Frans Wilhelm Sjolin had died in 1880 after only being married three months.Witnesses of baptism: Raider Carl Karelin and wife Betty Karelin.

In 1883 Josefina and Gustaf Edwin moved to Västervik, Kalmar.  In 1885 Josefina went alone to Malmö Sankt Petri and worked as a maid for Gustaf Alfred Osberg and family in Svanen II, Malmö Sankt Petri. In 1885, Gustaf became foster son to Carl Axel Gustafsson Forsberg and his wife Anna Kristina Nordstrom. In 1889 he is listed as 'non-existent " in their home. 

At some point Josefina got Gustaf Edvin back and he is listed as living with her at Svanen II. The household record states they moved to Skövde, Skaraborg together in 1886. We cannot find their immigration info into there.
So Gustaf at age 1 is with his mother and they live in Vastervik, Kalmar. . Then Gustaf is living with a foster family at age 2, and then back with his mother,Josefina, at age 3 living in first at Svanen ll, but then both moved to Skovde, Skaraborg. But by 1890 when he is 7 his mother is back with her family in Varola and Gustaf is probably with his (Engstrom) Aunt Mathilda by then.

The records for Josefina show Gustaf living with her in 1886. Gustaf used the surname " Sjolin" and after moving in with the Engstroms- his aunt Mathilda , and then he also used their name too-- Gustaf Sjolin Engstrom.

In 1890 census (Sweden) he is listed as Gustaf Edvin Sjolin and he is only about 7 years of age but it says that he is a boy alone in the household and has been absent/non-existent from 1883 to 1890. He is living in Gothenburgh Gamlestad.

In the 1900 census (Sweden): he is being raised by his father's sister, Mathilda Charlotta Larson (b. 1840) and her husband Anders Wilhelm Larsson; they all lived in Gothenburgh Kristine on the 7th rote number 34 and 35. Gustaf’s cousin Olga Beda Charlotta also lived in the household. GE is listed as Sjölin/Engstrom.

His father, Edwin Robert left for Chicago, Illinois, USA in 1892 when Gustaf was 9 years old, and Gustaf was living with his aunt,( his father's sister).. His mother Josefina returned to her family home in Varola and lived with her brother and his family, her sister and her mother according to the 1890 and 1900 censuses. Josefina died on June 27,1942 in Varola-Solvik.

Emigration Information:

Gustaf Edvin Sjolin Engstrom,      emigrated to Chicago, Illinois in 3/17/1902 from 10 Rote:26,27,30, Goteborgs Kristine, Goteborgs och Bohus Ian ( Vastergotland) to Nordamerika (Source" household Examination Roll p. 1210. Emibas migration file ID Goteborgs Kristina O 1902010.)  He listed his occupation as an Electrical Fitter Apprentice in Sweden. Left Gothenburgh on May 2, 1902 for Chicago at age 19 years . ( It is not clear which date he actually left Sweden.)  

Immigration and Naturalization Papers -- US Forms -- Superior Court Cook county Illinois. Name: Gustave Edwin Engstrom, Born April 16, 1883, Arrived about May 8, 1902 in port of Boston. Naturalized April 29, 1910. Cerificat No. P-2393 Address: 3340 Seminary Ave., Chicago, Ill (photo of papers attached in Media Tab

He arrived in port of Boston from Liverpool England on May 16, 1902 on ship SSCommonwealth.

1910 Census(USA): He is listed as a lodger, Cook County; address: 3340 N. Seminary Ave. Chicago, Illinois (age 27 year old)

1920 Census (USA): GE Engstrom, age 36, immigated 1902, naturalized USA citizen in 1907; from Goteborg, wife and 2 children (Edward, Elaine); occupation: electrician: works for Roofing & Paper Company (perhaps later became CertainTeed Co.) All in household can read.

Lived in Marseilles, LaSalle County, Illinois. 715 Orange Ave and 327 Scott St until his death in 1943.  He and his wife Selma Andersson Engstrom (from Nyed Molkom Sweden-- emigrated August 4 1899--destination Chicago, Illinios, age 15 years old)   had 5 children.   Gustav continue to write letters to his cousin Beda Gustava Bengstsson.