1. From an untitled family history in my possession. This genealogy was begun by Eric Arvidsson of Taxinge-Nasby, Sweden in 1916-1922, and finished by Alden T. Olson of Arlington, Virginia in 1966-1969. A letter included with the book is addressed to my grandmother, Marjorie FINK Ivey, from Alden T. Olson, dated 24 April 1969. Some of the newer dates have been typed in by someone other than the original author (presumably my grandmother). The following is the Forward to this work, written by Eric Arvidsson...

“Already in the year 1915 an idea came to me to search the families preceding me, and began in earnest in 1916. I took four families all at one time; my paternal grandfather, maternal grandfather, grandmother, (that is forthcoming), also my maternal grandmother. The work, however, became more tedious than I thought from the beginning and especially since I hit upon the idea to “Delve into the branches” so that as is shown -- all branches, and the unmarried male and female side as well included way up to our days.
One loses one’s way so easy the deeper and deeper into the family labyrinths you go, one finds tracks and one loses them, and finds suddenly new ones again, and with assistance of names and dates that step forward after centuries of rest out of church books and archives, allows one’s long dead generations to stand up again -- at least in a weak splendor of the life that they once lived.
Of the forthcoming reports are the older recovered from church books and old documents. Besides, a large amount of researching must be done in the Land Archives in Vadstena, where all old church documents are brought together (in any case until the beginning of the 18th century). For the rest reports have been procured from the proper person’s descendants of the present time or through inquiries made among older persons in the parishes.
It is disheartening for a researcher when all track is entirely lost or suddenly stops, like for example, that church books were destroyed by somebody or by a fire that revaged a church or rectory. But disheartening it is when one’s inquiries meet with miunderstandings, and more often with suspiciousness and think “That something lies underneath”; inheritance questions first and foremost.
Much is lacking in this my work but I know that I, with what was at hand, have tried to find out a great deal which is now lacking. I could also have included more personal history but should I also have looked for such, it would surely be a long time yet, one quarter of a century, before this work would be completed. Yet I have not tired of family investigation, for the one that one time takes up this work will, no doubt, persue it until he reaches old age.
Should this my little work possibly wake up the inclination in somebody to do likewise with his famiies, there is no harm done. As some publisher of “Swedish Family Calender” for 40 years back wrote: “Knowledge of and love for my forefathers memory wake up and fortify my affection for my fatherland”.
Finally to all who have in one way or another been helpful to me with my work I give my thankful gratitude. Among these, may especially be named Rev. C. E. Berg in Malmback; Pastor Gunnar Celander, Rogberga; Organist C. A. Berg, Kulltorp; Elementary School Teacher J. R. Linder, Tvaaker; Mr. Chas. V. Hedreen in Chicago; also Colour-Sergeant Iwan Sundbaeck in Sexdrega.”

Taxinge-Nasby
August 1922
Eric Arvidsson

The following is what Alden T. Olson wrote on the following page, after Eric Arvidsson’s Forward...

“This Family Tree manifests itself in the true ramifications of our ancestral lineage begun by Eric Arvidsson, a pronouncement of our hearldic bearing and consanguinity, and extended from the year 1659 to the present date, a span of over 300 years, with the collaberation of Ruth Johnson, Jamestown, N.Y.; Margaret Johnson, Erie, Pa.; Jennie Carlson, Chicago, Ill.; Helen Smoot, Park Ridge, Ill.; Helen Rentschler, Springfield, Ill.; Augusta Hempel, Jacksonville, Ill.; Helen McDougall, Marietta, Ga.; Corinne Butterfield, Detroit, Mich.; Corinne Hovda, Lynchburg, Va.; Mary Laurie, Udall, Kansas.; and Carl G. Carlson, Udall, Kansas. I sincerely appreciate the co-operation that the aforementioned members of our Family Tree have given to me.”

Alden T. Olson
August 3, 1966