Relatives in the "Old Country"
The most recent discovery has to do with my husband's grandfather's roots. His mother's father Andrew Antilla was the son of Finnish immigrants: Henry or Heikki Antilla and his wife Ida Paavola.
We a conversation across the seas again with descendants on both sides. It was very sweet. A first cousin once-removed, here, in the US, was on the search for any relatives and through her, I was notified on Facebook of the existence of relatives. (I always hope for that to happen in Ireland--but so far, nothing!)
Here's what his great grandfather Heikki Anttila's brother's descendant wrote:
"In the Facebook group ′Reisjärvi families' The great grandfather Heikki Anttila Juho's son was born in Reisjärvi on 1856 and moved to USA on 1892.
My relatives and I were only familiar with it as a name in our family which I dug up."
He continues:
"The data matched. Turns out that Heikki was my grandfather Juho Juho's son Heikki Anttila (b. 1863) oldest brother and I saw quite close relatives with [The US cousin].
I've been curious to read [the US cousin's] stories about the lives of American relatives. It reminds me that my family was in correspondence with Heikki's son Tauno Anttila family in the early 1960's. "
He adds sadly, "[But] For some reason we lost contact and America's relatives were forgotten. As best I can, I've tried to tell Rebecca about Heikki's birthplace and relatives here in Finland. Thanks for contacting me! This is a wonderful thing for all of us."
In the picture the brothers : Heikki (1856-1926) and Juho on the right (1863-1942) Anttila
![]() |
Juho Anttila (Uncle of Andrew Antilla, bro. Heikki Anttila) 1863-1942 |
"Aili Anttila, (Juho and Heikki sister) always got an American package with such nice clothes that you couldn't wear them here in the country.
She always liked to show them out (off) though. As I recall, the packages came from the American side of their husband's family."
![]() |
Aili Anttila |
No comments:
Post a Comment