I'm trying to find the link between my Michigan ancestors and Finland.
My grandfather Emil L5BJ-3RP, grandmother Gladys L5BJ-QZ5 lived in Michigan and their families were born in Finland. I don't know where in Finland, and I'm not sure where to start looking. I could really use the help bridging the gap between Michigan and Finland.
Answers
-
Is this the same person Emil A. found in Find a Grave? https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12848431
0 -
There is an Emil Andrew Kesti in the U.S. Naturalization Records Index who is born 29 July 1905. Court is in Detroit. Another possibility, is Michigan, Marriage records that show his father is Andrew Kesti and mother Catherine Moilanen. This needs further study.
0 -
Emil Andrew Kesti in U.S. WWII Draft card, born 29 July 1905 in Oulu, Finland. https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Finland_Online_Genealogy_Records
0 -
More possibilities.... WWI draft registration Andrew Kestila (father of Emil?) b. 27 June 1877 Finland. Married to Kate.
0 -
The biggest key is to search all records in the United States for clues of the Finnish origins. I would look at local/county histories & biographies as well as obituaries in addition to the records that @Shari Duce has already provided. Don't limit the search to just the ancestor - sometimes the siblings' records will contain more information.
0 -
Another record to evaluate. 1943 WWII Draft registration.
0 -
I found birth records for Emil and his sister Sylvia Aileen.
Parents Antti Kestilä and Katri Helena (Kaisa Helena)
Both children born in Oulu (city)
- Aili Sylvi Katarina, born 28 Sep 1903 and baptized 18 Oct 1903
- Antti Emil Henrik, born 29 July 1905 and baptized 27 Aug 1905
0 -
Parents Antti Kestilä and Kaisa Helena were not married in Oulu. They were married about 1901-1902 because mother was 20 years old when Sylvia was born and 22 years old when Emil was born.
They moved into Oulu from some where else.
0 -
There is an Antti Juhonpoika Kestilä who moves into Oulu, 13 August of 1901 from Kempele parish along with his brother Juho Juhonpoika Kestilä. The move-out record from Kempele parish shows he is an unmarried worker and gives his birth as 27 June 1877.
0 -
@Norm Baker That's a great match with the Soc. Sec. Death Index birth date for Andrew.
0 -
I would study this 1907 passenger list.
Anti is married but no spouse or children are with him. 0 -
Thanks-that's great. It also matches the birthdate on the WWI draft registration card. They are certainly the same person. It is looking more and more, to me, at least, that he is the correct individual.
0 -
Emil had a big brother who died as baby.
Antti Kestilä and Kaisa Helena had their firstborn, Antti Arvid born at 4 Jan 1902 in Oulu, baptized 26 Jan 1902.
Antti Arvid died at 22 Oct 1902 from measles in Oulu and buried 26 Oct 1902.
0 -
Antti Kestilä and his wife Kaisa(Kaisa Helena/Katri Helena) in census:
1902: Oulun läänin henkikirjat - Henkikirja 1902-1902 (Ou:160), jakso 1076; Kansallisarkisto: http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=74162485
1903: Oulun läänin henkikirjat - Henkikirja 1903-1903 (Ou:163), jakso 1114, sivu 1114; Kansallisarkisto: http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=73422549
1904: Oulun läänin henkikirjat - Henkikirja 1904-1904 (Ou:166), jakso 1057; Kansallisarkisto: http://digi.narc.fi/digi/view.ka?kuid=73041638
Those censuses were collected every year in May.
Year 1902 census shows that Antti Kestilä and Kaisa were married and had one boy child.
Thus if Antti moved 13 August of 1901 from Kempele and was mentioned to be unmarried he was married some time between 13 Aug 1901 and 4 Jan 1902. And he already knew his wife to be and they had their firstborn on the way.
0 -
Heidi, these records are great! Did you have to search one page at time or is there some kind of index to help find an individual? Either way, nice job!!
0 -
Norm, I had to search almost page by page. These records are not yet indexed. But I had time. We had a stake conference, and we have 2,5 hour drive at one direction, so 5 hours sitting in the car and my husband was driving, I had lots of time. And after I had found the first one, the second and third ones were much easier to find.
0 -
@Kelly KellyDrew1 are you just loving this information? I hope you'll record all these wonderful discoveries in FamilySearch tree.
0 -
My Grandfather (from Finland) who move to Michigan abt 1913 married Johanna (Hanna ) Kesti who born Järvenpää, Jurva, Vaasa, Finland. Maybe your Kesti is also from same area in Finland?0
