Cover photo with (fr left) Maria, Judith, Hanna and father Johan August

Maria was the 6th child of Johan August and Sofia. Born in Storrydet.

Maria enjoyed drawing and this is a postcard that she, herself, drew 1903 and sent to Anna Svensson- brother Johns wife

She was very close to her older sister Judith and she emigrated together with her and her husband Rudolf to the US 1911.

They go to England and continues to NewYork- Ellis island. They take the train to Hastings where Maria stays with Emil Tydens family – her cousin who had established himself in the US since 17 years of age 1882 and become very successful as an inventor and businessman. He had bought her the ticket to stay and work in the family for some time.

She met Arvid Bjurström in the US. He came from Lindesberg in Sweden. He was a minister and together they decided they wished to go as missionaries to China. Sadly, Arvid got sick with appendicitis and died. Maria was now pregnant and half a year after Arvids death their little daughter Arvida was born  September 30 1916.

Maria and her little daughter Arvida eventually moved to Canada and worked in a family with a widowed man ….. Persson with 3 sons. Fred was one of them and after a few years he married Maria. They got one daughter 1927: Lloydy