Want to take a trip to Finland and go with a great bunch of people? Goodman, Carlson, Wagonlit Travel in Houghton has a trip to Finland planned for June 3-16. Call and ask for Karen Lahti at Goodman, Carlson, Wagonlit Travel Agency and she'll give you all the info. Time to take the BIG step and go explore Finland! Tune in to Laulun Voima on WUPY, 101.l FM every Sunday morning at 11:00 Eastern Time; or if in Minnesota, tune in on KRBT Radio 1340AM for Laulun Voima Sunday mornings at 9:15 Central time. Great Finnish music!!! Hei Hei!

I have tried to find my relatives called Pentti Makila and Gilbert Makila (they are brothers) but have not found any track yet. As far as I know Pentti has been living in San Fransisco and Gilbert in Detroit, working at General Motors. Their parents were Selma and Arvi Makila, not living any more. Do anyone have any address, email or anything for them?
Thanks in advance,
Raimo Majama, Rauma, Finland

Henrika Vilhelmiina LIIMAN (b. 29.10.1876) and Anders Johan (Andrew Joseph) TOIVOLA (b. 25.6.1871) came in 1901 from Finland to Michigan, Drummond Island. Henrika Liiman was my grandfather's syster. I am trying to locate the current whereabouts of any of the children or their children.
Ilkka Laakso, Finland
ilaakso@luukku.com

Hello,
I wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone, and especially to the persons named Luukkonen or Lautiainen in the U.S.

Hello to everyone in Finland,especially those who speak English. I was sent this site courtesy of a friend who lives there. Jari Salo and I have become email buddies, and we trade information on quite a bit of things, in general.

I spent 26 years in the US Army, and retired in January 1976. During this time I was with Special Forces and met several Finns who also were members of the organization.

Some day my wife and I would like to travel to Finland, but we will have to win the Lottery in order to do so...............Best Wishes for a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, to one and all...............Take care, stay safe, keep smiling, happy hunting, and may the Good Lord keep a watchful eye over you and yours........

Ringo Sends..........(-;[,\

Just wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas !!!
Hauskaa Joulua !!!!! From Seinajoki.

HI EVERYONE, I've been searching for information about my grandfather EMIL LAURI KANGAS, he came from HONKAJOKI FINLAND. he was married to LYDIA SOFIA KORPELA around 1916, they had four children, and lived in the Bessemer, Ironwood area.I'm looking for our relatives who might have information about them. if anyone knows anything about the Kangas/Korpela family please e-mail me. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. onemorefin@msn.com

by.loren hancock I'm looking for family of Emil Lauri Kangas,he is my grandfather,he lived in the Ironwood,Bessemer Michigan area around 1915 to 1930 approximately.he was married to Lydia Sofia Korpela,they had 4 children,Eunice,Eugene,Gladys, Vivian.my grandparents may still have family in the area that may have information about my grandfather. if anyone can help me, please contact me by e-mail. THANK YOU. onemorefin@msn.com

Hei amerikansuomalaiset!

Olen selvittänyt isoisäni (Matts Uppa) siirtolaisretkeä v. 1900 Hancockiin. Tänään vierailin kaupungissanne internetin kautta, kenties joskus matkustankin kaupunkiinne.

Onko mahdollista saada jostain selville isoisääni liittyviä tietoja Hancockin ajoilta, kuten missä hän työskenteli, milloin, millaista työtä hän teki, missä hän asui, paljonko oli palkka jne.

Hyvää joulunodotusta!

terveisin
Eija Assola
Orivesi, Finland

HEI HEI out there!!! I am married to a "FINN" and she's great, I am a California native and She is born and raised in Kuortane,a small town. I am lost when listining to two or more Finns getting together and speaking the language...can i get some help...send me audio tapes,books,e-mails etc!!! Loved our trip in 98 to Finland in Midsummer!!!!

Hello to all Finns. Father was born in or near Kalajoki Finland (Jaonas Pitkanen) in 1880, Mother was born in Dakota Territory about 1882
as Hilja Sofia Wirkkunen. Info on me can be found on www.askart.com under Clarence Pitkanen. Would
like to hear from you. seapit@msn.com

Hello,
I am so excited I have came across this site. My family is from Ewen, Bruce Crossing, & Kenton, Michigan. Both my mother and Father were raised their. My Great Grandparents came from Finland in the early 1900's and had 14 children. My Papa, never once spoke english to his children, unless us grandchildren were around. Real wonderful memories, couldn't even tell you what the heck he was saying. I sure wish I had payed more attention to what he was saying, so I could speak it to my children. Nurkkala, is my maiden name, if anyone from finland is reading this, I know this last name is not at all popular in the States, Sure would be interesting to find relatives in Finland. Have a Happy Holiday.

Greetings from Sparta Minnesota. Home to many Finns and (at the moment) not one grasshopper.

HELLO FROM ARIZONA--I'm of Finnish descent. My mother's maiden name is Rokala (from Kingston, MN area) My ex-husband is also part Finnish. HIs mother is a Tulkki (I think from Ishpeming, MI area) So, my children have Finn blood flowing in them:)! But, here's where you all come in: I'm doing a paper for school (ASU) on the Finnish American dialect. Any resources you have: books, music, movies, anything related at all to Finnish American people/things are appreciated!!! Thanks to you all,
Jeanne Falls,
Scottsdale, AZ
please e-mail me at jeannef64@juno.com

Hello
My name is Krishnamoorthy, originally from India, now in Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA. I lived in Hyvinkaa from 1989-1992. I would like to maintain my relationship with Finland by meeting Finns around the Detroit Metropolitan area. Would anyone know the address / phone number of the local finnish cultural center ?
My email is sakmoorthy@hotmail.com.
This looks like an interesting site.
Best wishes.

Hello everyone! I come from Hancock, MI, and am now currently in Mt Pleasant, MI, working on my undergrad studies. I'm Finnish on my father's side--Grandpa: Carl Luukkonen, and Grandma: Winnifred (Wiitala) Luukkonen. I recently found the city of Luukkonen on a map of Finland in the Finnish American Heritage Center, but havn't been able to find it on any other maps. Anybody have any suggestions?

Terveisiä Westbendista Wisconsinissa,
Having found relatives in Finland as far back as 1628, I'm now looking for relatives presently living in Finland with the name of Leppäluoto. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Kiitoksia paljon.

Hei all,

Looking for information regarding family. Mother born 1924 Brooklyn NYC USA Irene Ina Ayravainen (though the immigration officials spelled it Ayrovainen. Father Simo Ayravainen. Came from the region later annexed by Russia Karalevia (SP?) Records inicate that they came from one or two places--Sakkijarvi or Nistalahti (Nisalaks. If anyone haaaaaas any information I would be happy to receive it. Also are there Finnish activities in Grand Rapids MI, USA? Thank you
alexandratyler@earthlink.net
Sandrukka Ayrovainen

I am a descendent of the Amala family (Raymond Amala)from the Calumet/Laurium area. My Mother Mary Ellen Innes lived at 180 1/2 Calumet Avenue. We are all spread out now...I'm in California and was curious where the Finnish Lutheran Church is.
Thanks! Marie

Hello Yoopers! I'm David Sutton (Huhtala descendant) formerly from Sault Ste. Marie and now residing in Cleveland, Ohio. Looking for pasty recipe for my city raised daughter and found this site! Please email recipe if you have one....daughter has awful time making the dough!

David......dsutton@ixcenter.com

Hi Searching for information and descendants on my grandparents and great grandparents.JOHN KORBY born 1879 Finland married SOPHIE JURVA born 1881 Finland, They lived in Allouez, then Copper City MI Sophies parents: ANDREW JURVA & ANNA JUNTUNEN born Finland.I don't know Johns parents names at this time, don't have copy of his death cer. yet.John & Sophie had two children: ELMA & HUBERT, my father. Any info contact me Pat Korby Dickow at (patdickow@cox,net)Hope to hear from someone

Thanks for a very informative website. I am originally from Alston, MI (Houghton County) and now reside in Norfolk, VA

Lawrence (Larry) Mantta

I'm an American and the granddaughter of Eiri Nisonen, the daughter of Martti Nisonen, the first music director of Suomi College. I'm looking for any contact with the Nisonen family or anyone who has any pictures of the Nisonen's. My grandmother would love a picture of her mother and father if there is one somewhere out there. Also, my grandfather lived in Hancock, Michigan. He was a Canadian named Gordon Sutherland. If anyone knows where he is, I would greatly appreciate receiving any information on him. Thanks! Lisa

Hi Henry Vaananen (Väänänen)
I think your family name is from the Pudasjärvi and Kuopio area in Finland.
check emigrant records here, note umlats over the
"A's"
http://www.migrationinstitute.fi/index_e.html
then check this site
http://www.genealogia.fi/indexe.htm
Good luck,
Alicia

Hello everyone.
I'm searching information about my grandmother's brother Pietari Kuusjärvi, born on 1.20.1891 in Perho, Finland, died on 12.22.1962 in North America? He's wife was Tyyne Rintamaki and they had seven children: Sadie, b. on 1921 Wisconsin, Raymond, b. 1923, Norman, b. 1925, Hazel, b. 1929, Harold, b. 1932, Dorothy, b. 1940 and Nancy b. 1945
More information about Pietari. I am sure that his "American name" was Peter Jarvi and he lived and died in Wisconsin.
Kuusjärvi website: (only Finnish)http://members.surfeu.fi/kuusjarvi
Hannu Liimatainen
Espoo Finland

Hei to all my Finnish cousins south of the border. I currently live and work in the Canadian Arctic, (Inuvik, NT). I'm hoping to make some friends with this message and learn more about my heritage.

Hei-hei! My name is Hilary Virtanen-Stewart and I'm just surfing. I'm a student of anthropology and comparative literature at Michigan State University right now- haven't been back to Houghton/Hancock in a bit, but maybe when I get done with my degrees. Just wanted to say Hi, Mr. Kurtti, if you are reading these. I am working on a project regarding the Kalevala and runo singers right now. I saw that you are involved in the FA Reporter and just wanted to let you know I've still got Finns, Finland and Finnish on the brain. I hope you and your family are doing well.
Nakemiin, Hilary (The a should have umlauts)

Hi! Nice site! Greetings from Finland!

Ovatko yhdysvalloissa elävät amerikan suomalaiset kiinnostuneita Suomesta? Itse olen yrittänyt netin kautta etsiä tietoa vanhoista sukulaisistani, jotka ovat muuttaneet Yhdysvaltoihin, ja joihin ei sittemmin ole pidetty yhteyttä!

Hey everybody! =)
I have to write this looong paper about Finnish people in America so that's how I got in to this page, but soon I notice that it was hard to get out 'cause of the intressting articles. I'm a Finn myself and I live in Helsinki (Finland's capital if you didn't know that) my last name is Lehtinen and I'm very intrested to know is there any Lehtinen's out there in America too. I'm also very intrested in the Finnish last name Raminen since that's my family name. If there are any Rimnen's out there we are most likely blood relaited, because my family made up that name. Siinä kaikki ja hyvää päivän jatkoa! Pidetään me Suomalaiset yhtä. We rock!

Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to add your message here.

Reply to Kristy:
I am Finnish-American and I have dark brown and hazel eyes also. It may be true that the majority of Finns have blonde hair and blue eyes, but there is still room for brunettes like us. :+)
The only person in my family who wasn't a brunette was my great-grandmother Lempi (Weidemann) Ellis and she was a Swedish-Finn.

Hi my name is Jeannesta, and I am a finn, who would like to find out anything I can about the name of Leppanen, or Kosto, my grandparents came to america, in the late 1800's

Tervehdys Arizonista! Hyvaa Paiva!

Hello there!
I`m looking the family Kykkanen members from Finnish Carelia (Kirvu, Rautjarvi, Viipuri, Heinjoki etc.) If you are the one, or if you know someone, who is the member of Kykkanen family, please let me know with the notes, how to contact that person.
Ilpo Kykkanen
Metsapurontie 63
SF-03300 OTALAMPI
Finland-Europe
kykkanen.kirvu@pp.inet.fi

Hi!

I'm looking for the descendants of Reeta Kaisa Telinkangas (b. August 8th 1912). She emmigrated from Finland to the US in August 1912 with San Francisco (her cousin lived there) as her destination. In the US she used the name Greta Thompson. If you have any knowledge of her or her descendants, please contact me by e-mail (seppo.telinkangas@adulta.fi).

Terveisin,
Regards,

Seppo Telinkangas
Sipoo, Finland

Hello everyone.
I'am searching information about my grandmother's brother Pietari Kuusjärvi, born on 1.20.1891 in Perho, Finland, died on 12.22.1962 in North America? He's wife was Tyyne Rintamaki and they had seven children: Sadie, b. on 1921 Wisconsin, Raymond, b. 1923, Norman, b. 1925, Hazel, b. 1929, Harold, b. 1932, Dorothy, b. 1940 and Nancy b. 1945

Hannu Liimatainen

I am looking for info on my great grand mother and father. They were Swedes from Finland and came to this country probably around 1880. Their names are Ida Renback and Carl or Charles Ericson. They lived in the Quincy/ Braintree Massachusetts area in the late 19th and early 20th century. 1900-1920ish. Can anybody out there help me? Thanks, wendy

hei,
olen asunut Amerikassa nyt 22 vuotta. Asun Delawaressa. Onko ketaan , joka asuu taalla lahistolla ja haluaisi pitaa yhteytta Suomalaiseen ???
Hanna

A while back I posted a message.I wanted to find living relatives to the famous speed skater A.Clas Thunberg,me being his great great niece.I was contacted from someone who knew the family.And all this time I thought I was the only living one.Boy was I wrong.Thank you so much Ritva Makikahma.
Sincerely , Sheila Johnson

Terveiset täältä Kuusamosta kaikille Amerikassa asuville Kallungin sukulaisille, erityisesti Jimille.

I am searching for information about my great grandparents for a family history search I am writing for our Kirvesmäki Family reunion next July 2003. I am seraching for information on Anglea Henriksdotter Kirvesmäki born Sept 3 1869 in Perho Finland and her family. Her husband was Elais Eliianpoika Sortonen b April 19,1855 In Kartsula who immigrated to Amerika in 1896. Angela followed him in 1899 accompanied by 3 children Heikki Vihtori b. Nov 4/ 1888 Impi Onerva July 24 1892 and Hilja Sylvia B. May 13,1894 . I am looking for any family connections probabaly in Chicago Illinois area. Can anyone help me?

Tervehdys Missourista! On kiva nahda etta taalla on paljon suomalaista sukujuurta omaavia ja mahtavaa etta on tama finnishamericanreporter sivut! Olisi kiva kuulla onko taalla keskilannessa muita suomalaisia/suomalaista sukujuurta omaavia, toki muutkin saavat ottaa yhteytta.

hello !!!!! I did post a message. Can't find it !!! Let me try this again. Olen suomalainen Lappeenrannasta ja olen asunut taalla 22 vuotta. Nyt olen Delawaressa. Olisin hyvin iloinen, jos kukaan haluaisi ottaa yhteytta .

HELLO FELLOW FINN-AMERICANS, I WRITE THIS POSTING IN HOPES THAT SOMEONE CAN TELL ME HOW I CAN
PUT TOGETHER A FINN-AMERICAN CLUB, OR JOIN ONE IN MY AREA. I LIVE IN SARASOTA FLORIDA, IF YOU CAN HELP PLEASE POST. THANK YOU

A while back I posted a message on finding family of A.Clas Thunberg the olympic speed skater who won several gold medals in1920 and 1930.Well thanks to Ritva Makikahma Who remembered she use to be friends with the family ,and remembered hearing stories to that effect.I Found them .And all this time I thought I was the only living relative.I'm so excited.
Sincerely,
Sheila Johnson

Hello Finnish Americans! www.delphiforums.com has a new forum called : The Finnish Language. It was started and is hosted by an Australian lady who lives in England. She has decided to learn Finnish so you can write to her in simple Finnish or English if you have a question on Finland, the Finnish language or if you want to comment on something that has been said on the forum. You can talk about anything under the sun if you post your comments to "Other Stuff" on the same forum.Registration (easy to do and free of charge) is necessary if you want others to see your opinions, otherwise you can enter as guest.
You can also start a dicussion of your own on the forum. The address is : http://forums.prospero.com/suomikieli?fpi=yes
Have a great Itsenäisyyspäivä!

FINALLY A PLACE TO SHARE OUR ANCESTORY. I AM A VERY PROUD FIN AMERICAN. MY ROOTS ARE HEAVY IN FINLAND, YET I HAVE DARK HAIR AND HAZEL EYES. PEOPLE TELL ME THAT GENERALLY FINS ARE BLOND HAIR BLUE EYES, IS THERE ANY TRUTH TI THIS? WELL, IF ANYONE CAN SHARE A LITTLE HISTORY WITH ME PLEASE POST.

We hope you'll try to attend the biggest FinnFest ever. It's in Minneapolis August 7 - 11. Their website is www.finnfest02.org. Register online asap.

Please post new messages for July here.

The previous page was getting too long. Please start posting new comments here. We'll be adding additional months soon.

Terveiset!
I somehow found this website while searching for a place/site/etc., that sells Finnish music - not just folk and Kantele, but 1960s Tango artists Eino Gron, Laila Kinnunen, and Reijo Taipale. Does anyone have any ideas?
My name will not seem remotely Finnish, but my mother's family is from a town close to Saarijarvi, Keski-Suomessa. My mother moved to Massachusetts in the 1960s, but she now lives in Rhode Island - where Finns are as rare as Italians are abundant! I have been to Finland several times, as my whole family on my mother's side is there. How many trips have I taken to Anttilla, Seppalla, or Stockmann, and I haven't bought any of these CDs... Apua!

Hi I am Brenda Kotila from Chassell Michigan I now live in Albuquerque New Mexico and am right now dreaming of Lake Superior and Chassell Bay. It is mighty dry here in the desert. My mom's maiden name is Suojanen. I loved the website.

Terveiset Cincinnati Ohiosta.Muutin helsingista tanne seitsemantoista vuotta sitten.Olisin kiinnostunut kirjeenvaihdosta muiden taalla asuvien suomalaisten kanssa yllapitaakseni suomen kieltani.

Terveiset Cincinnati Ohiosta.Muutin Helsingista tanne seitsemantoista vuotta sitten.Olisin kiinnostunut kirjeenvaihdosta muiden taalla asuvien suomalaisten kanssa yllapitaakseni suomen kieltani.
Tiina Basso

My Swedish speaking maternal great-grandparents came from Jakobstad Finland in the 1880s to settle in Negaunee, Michigan. My paternal Finnish speaking grandparents arrived in Negaunee in 1910. The two sets of Finns were cultural entities that did not mix well. Caught between them, I loved them both.

Am looking for family of Aliisa Kilpelainan wife of speed skater Clas Thunberg who is my great great uncle and aunt.Please e-mail me if you have any information. thank you .
sheilaraej2000@yahoo.com

Olympian speed skater A. Clas Thunberg from Finland is my great great uncle on my fathers side to which my only son is the last known living surviver, And myself as an only child. Would be so happy to hear from someone related to this family. Bruno Thunberg was clas thunberg's brother. If anyone has any information to this family please write to me. My Address is;

Sheila Johnson
15531 Roper Ave.
Norwalk, California, 90650

Sheila Johnson

Hello everyone
Sure is nice to see all the finnish names. This wed site is cool and interesting to read albout everyones past roots.
Thanks

Hi All!

The Mountjoy/Pasenen/Pyykkonen - Tourville - Sullivan, Family Reunion will be held on July 6, 2002, 10:00 A.M. at the Mclain's State Park in Hancock, Michigan. We are endeavoring to add more names to our geneology work. If you have any information about the above families that settled in the Hancock, Houghton area please come by the reunion or send an email.
Here are some of the names:
Paavo & Anna Pyykkonen, Paavo was born in Finland on September 30, 1835. Thier daughter Elsa Pyykkonen was my Great Grandmother. My Great, Great Grandfather was born on January 20, 1877 in Pihitiputas, Vassa Finland. Or My Great Grandfather, John Leonard Pasanen, who served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish - American War.

Hello Finnish America!

I'm looking for Mr. Heikki Mannikainen or his family here! He has left Finland before WW2 and I think he might live somewhere in Michigan.
Anyone who knows something, please contact!

Hi,

I would appreciate any information that may help in locating relatives both in the U.S. and overseas. My paternal grandparents, John Pelto(nen or niemi)was from Oulu and Anima Jarvi was from Tampere. My maternal grandfather, August Saastamoinen, was from Nurmes. My maternal greatgrandparents, John and Mary Rautio, were from Tornio. All of them eventually ended up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula: Chassell, Laurium, and Painesdale.

Kiitos

Hei! I'm Julie Morello, the new President of the Finnish American Society of Madison, WI. Not many Finns in this part of Wisconsin, but we're an active group. We've just concluded a very exciting month of Finnish activities. Check it out on our NEW website: www.communities.madison.com/finnish/
This Message Board is great. I think we will steal the idea for our website. Heipa! jm

Hello Finns!
...specially near to Finlandia University (Suomi College)
I'm 39 years old, male, at the moment studying architecture in Vaasa Polytechnic, Finland. I'm going to continue my studies (industrial design) in Finlandia University, Michigan and need a nice, cheap place to live from August 2002 to end of April 2003. All hints wellcome!Thank You!
...ja sama suomeksi:
Hei!
Olen 39-vuotias arkkitehtuurin opiskelija Vaasan tekusta. Olen tulossa Michiganiin opiskelemaan vuodeksi teollista muotoilua. Etsin mukavaa ja ennenkaikkea edullista asuntoa yliopiston lähistöltä. Kiitos!

Greetings from Finland, spring is early this year...

Hello!

Looking for missing pieces of the lives of my grandpa Daniel Hakkinen later D.Nurmi, and his his brothers in this area 1906-?. Had a tailor´s shop? One of the brothers was killed in a copper mine which caved in,first to survive for some time in a lunch-room he happened to be in, tells the oral tradition. The others returned home to central Finland, Haukivuori-area: a typical excursion in those days... Hannu

Greetings from Los Angeles! I was turned on to this site by someone from the Finland message board. Both of my parents were Finnish, Mother was from Alaharma & Dad was from Karijoki. I made my first trip to Finland last June to attend a family reunion there. It was the first one that the Finland side of my Father's family had held although we have been having reunions in the States since 1988. We had 300 people at the reunion and only 13 of us were from the States! We estimate that there are at least a 1000 descendents of my great grandfather scattered over most of the globe from China, Austrailia, Canada, Sweden, Germany, Russia and all points east to west in the States. My father was one of 76 first cousins! My maiden name was Maki although the original name was Hakamaki. My Mother was an Ylinen. Plan to visit this site often.

I was just looking around for some Finn info for my son, who is doing a paper on the subject, and stumbled here. I am a 100% Finn originally from the U.P. and now live in Western NY.
I drive by and occassionally stop at the Yooper Tourist Trap a couple times a year.Can't wait to get home to get my hands on one of Mom's pasty's,
eh?
Gotta go now,ensi kerralla teidan taytyy tulla meidan luoksemme.

I am a Fin living in Lansing, Michigan. I Fish for trout at my cabin in Kaleva. I am interested in trading a trip to Finland for a guided trip of catching 20+ salmon from my back door.

Hello to all,

My name is Manny Marquez and I am not Finnish! So what am I doing posting a message on this website. Well, I am the General Manager of Henry's Pub "A Finnish Pub and Restaurant" in San Diego, CA. We also have two locations in Finland. One in Tampere and one in Kuopio. I would love to get my hands on some reproduction prints of old Finnish photos and memorabilia to add to our decor. If there is any one who can help me please respond to manny@henryspub.com

Hello. My wife has declared me a galvanized Finn. I love to visit the UP, snowmobile, golf and read the FAR. I hope to retire in the next year and visit Finland.

Good Day. My wife has decalred me a "Galvanized Finn" I enjoy reading the articles in the FAR. I look forward to the day I retire so I can visit Finland. I want to tee off at midnight in the Northern section where it will be daylight. I visit the UP with my wife each year to see family. I love to snow mobile.

Hi
Greetings from Long Island. It's March 11, 6 months since the WTC went down On Sept 11. To the west of my house I can see the twiw towers of light that are glowing tonight for the first time. Even in somber moments such as now I'm glad my grandparents came to this country and helped to make it what it is.

Jon Folk

Grandson of Hugo& Hilma Mannisto

Hello to all good soumilainens who use this page! I was born in Calumet, Mi.into the Lamminaho/Oikarinen clan--I think my mother was related to half of the people in the Copper Country!My wife, JoAnn is from Laurium. We have lived in Austin, Mn. since 1972 when I grad. from Mich. Tech. We currently handle publicity for the So. Minn. Finnish American Society. We are holding our annual St. Urho's Day celebration in Medford, Mn. on Mar. 17. If anyone is interested in attending, you may call me at 507-433-6928 for more info. We certainly have a good time, and all Finns are welcome. We even accept those who are non-Finns! Hyyvasti!

Hi. My great grandparents came to Australia from
Finland in 1901. They settled around Nambour in
Queensland. Their name was Vuolle but changed it
to Anderson (son of Andi). Mt great gradfather
came from an estate called Killinkoski (near
Jyvaskyla I think. They migrated to Australia with
five children. Their eldest son Oskari was my
grandfather. We have maintained contact with
relatives in my great great grand mothers side by
never seem to be able to find out much about the
Vuolle connection. I visited Finland in 1982 and
now keep in regular contact with my third cousins.

Anyhow just thought I'd post this bit of information.

Terveisia Teille kaikille lukijolle Torontosta

Hi!
Greetings from Tampere, Finland!
Have a nice day:)
Anna Leppänen
leppanenanna@hotmail.com

Great to read the entries.
We have a new web site at
www.finncamp.org
located in Wixom Michigan
I also have a web site
www.worldsarcsociety.com
where we are trying to find an answer to this
"mystery" disease afficting the world universally.
Please check out of Finn Camp web site.
Thank you for the FAR; love it.... :)
I was born in Sudbury, Ontario; live in MI and LOVE the Copper Country, Gramma born in Ishpeming.
Brenda

Hello all,

This is my first time at this site and I came here after reading a friends' FAR. My mother and grandparents were Finnish. I learned only a few words of Finnish and regret that now. My Grandfather's name was Lankinen and I am working on tracing his journey to American and his life once here. Will be back to this site as it is very interesting and I have gotten some other links to check out. Thanks.

Good morning all - My father was born in Finland as were my mothers parents. In 1997 I had my first opportunity to travel to Finland and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am happpy to have found this web site and will be a frequent visitor.

Lahti, Finland, 2.3.2002

It's really nice to find that also young people in USa are interested about their own roots.
My mothers family is from Salla - Lappland.
If someone knows something about Erkki Mikkola b. 28.5.1880 and Elma Mikkola 7.3.1890, please contact me ! Erkki and Elma Mikkola emigratited to USA about 1910.


Vesa Tähtinen

Hello...... What a great site this is ! I am researching the Keskitalo and Pesonen families. They settled in Houghton County, Michigan. The Americanized name is Keskey. I'd be so thrilled to find relatives in Finland.

My granparents were both of Finnish desent. They emigrated to the U.P and had 4 children. Martin, David, Patricia and Ruth Herrala.

I am the eldest daughter of Martin and have lately become interested in my 'roots'. I was born in the UP in 1976 and lived there until 1986, when I moved to England. I have lived in England ever since - mother is English. Being so close to Finland now, I intend to go there for a visit. However, I do not speak a sinlge word of Finnish - anyone got any idea if it would be possible for me to try and learn now - or is it too late, it looks complicated!

I just thought I'd add my little bit of American Finnish history to the site and let you all know that I too have a last name that no-one can spell or pronounce!

I have been waiting for several years for FAR to get a homepage going. Good deal.

I was born in the great Finn Canadian town of Sudbury. My mother was born just west of there in Beaver Lake. Her father was born (I think) in Ishpaming UP (maybe the spelling is wrong). I am told we have relatives there. Ranta is the shortened name. I think the long name was something like Ranta-river.

My father was born in South River - actually in Machar Township.

I now live in Osaka with my wife Yuki and daughter Maria.

Being Finn is the heart and soul of my family. I grew up listening to accordian music and stories of Paavo Nurmi. Then in highschool there was Lasse Viren to inspire me. And he did, I held track records there for decades. But more than everything is the sacrifice my grandfather (father's father) made when he left the civil war in Finland.

He found himself on the wrong side of history.

In Canada he worked hard to support his family, political ideals vanished as he cut cord wood. To his credit his children found better lives. But he died broken by his labours and his unfulfilled ambition. He was to attend Turku University when the revolution happened.

In the old accounting system half of my family was red, the other half was white. In Canada there were few rewards for either side. Hard rock mining on one side; logging on the other. Both grandfathers died in their 60s.

As a grandchild I find an account unfullfilled.

As irrational and foolish as it may sound I live my life to honour my grandparents and the sacrifice they made.

I care less that I was born in Canada; I care more about my family's desire, being Finn. And in my own way I work to honour my grandfather by being poet: however great or small.

Michael Salovaara

I just found this paper! How great. I have just recently been "connecting" with my finnish roots. My son found our long lost relatives in Finland after a year of searching.

Thanks for this great site!
Deena Asplund-Ackley

I decend from Finnish born Grandparents and I'm searching back for further roots in Finland. The names are Sundqvist, Hendricksson, Jacobsdr, and Backman. These folks lived also in the UP. I was raised on pastys that my Mother made and now I make them and have taught my son to make them also. He is a great cook but his favorite is the pasty. So down here in Florida we still have pasty dinners.
Manney5@aol.com

I found this site through Finngen and find it a rich source of links and information.
I recently was able to find out that my great grandmother came from Lohtaja and my great grandfather came from Uusikaupunki. I made a trip to Finland in August 2001 and when I returned to the U.S. I was able to contact family members in Finland who I did not know existed because they had taken back Finnish names years ago.

This is the first time on your web-site.got it off finngen. my mother came from Kokkola and my father came from Vaasa. I only speak English, my folks native tongue was Swedish, but they could speak Finnish also.
there used to be alot of Sweede-Finns in this area of Oregon.

Hyva Paiva! I am a third-generation Finn and I have been involved in Finnish Activities for many years. While living in Ironwood I was part of the Finnish Dance Group and the Finnish American Choir. After moving to Ontonagon, I became interested in radio and volunteered once a week on a very small high school radio station where I played Finnish music. At present I am employed by a larger radio station and I have been given the opportunity to have my "Laulun Voima" program air every Sunday morning at 11:00AM Eastern Time. By doing this program, I know I am helping to keep the Finnish language "alive and well" in the Upper Peninsula. A big thank you to all those who tune in. I want to thank The Finnish American Reporter for their support in promoting "Laulun Voima". Kiitos! Linda G.

This is my second visit to your website, and each time it has made me long for a trip to the UP. My family names are Loukinen and Kahkonen. I sure would love to hear from anyone who might know of them. I'm trying to get my children interested in their Finnish heritage.

From the "Valley of the Sun" in Arizonia another first generation Finn surfaced. My Mom was born in Tampere, Dad in Chase River, B.C, Canda whose parents came from Finland.
I was searching for info about FAHA/Sonoma, CA when I found FAR.
I'm doing a genealogy tree for my daughter's (50th) birthday the end of this year so I'm happy to learn of more websites. She will be glad I shared her age(?) and I've worked hard to reach 73 and proud to travel in a Class B RV towing my Honda-CRV where ever I go.
Also, I lived most of my adult years in the SF Bay area and still want to visit Duluth/Iron Mt. area where my Mom first lived in the early 20's, before I get old.
I subscribed to FAR immediately before reading and signing the guest book.

Hello!
Has anybody read the book Vaasan Jaakkoo rapakon takana, published by Werner Söderström Osakeyhtiö in 1949? It contains 479 pages written in South Bothnian dialect (Etelä-Pohjanmaan murre) by J.O. Ikola, a Finnish MP and journalist from Vaasa. He toured the U.S. and Canada for nine months in 1947 and 1948 visiting areas with Finnish population (Baraga, Hancock, Houghton and Calumet are some of the places he visited). Although I have no relatives in America, I found the book very interesting (I have read the book twice). I recommend the book if it is available somewhere in the States.

My main issue is if I could find a railway enthusiast of Finnish ancestry. As a regular reader of the Trains Magazine (published in Waukesha, WI)I have noticed surnames of Finnish ancestry among photographers so there definitely are railroad buffs with roots in Finland. Sometimes Finns even appear also as "stars": the quarterly special edition of Winter 2001 contains a photo of a Arthur Kowisto of Amasa, MI in a Pullman troop sleeper during WWII. I guess the surname should be Koivisto. Olisikohan hän jonkun Finnish American Reporterin lukijan sukulainen?

I have been interested in railways for more than 25 years and I have been trainspotting to the U.S. and Mexico, too. I managed to meet a railway enthusiast of Swedish ancestry but unfortunately I have lost that contact. So if there is somebody interested in Finnish railways (or railways in general) I would be pleased to start corresponding.

Kalevi Kämäräinen
kalevi.kamarainen@pp.inet.fi

I am so happy to see this web page!!!
I am from the Lakenan family.

This is a great site. I often see names from Ironwood, my home town. I have family in Hancock, Calumet and Jacobsville so your paper is particularily interesting.

Marsy Rintala Burns
Charlevoix, MI