Chuck,

How exciting to hear from you!!
Are you related to John Hendrickson and Mary Hirvela?

Mary was my grandmother's aunt. And she was the sister to two brothers, Axel and Matt Hirvela, who came to the US around 1890. Axel came to Alaska in 1897 and spent many years here. I have done a lot of research on him because I live in Alaska too, so I am very interested. He was a genuine sour dough.

I also have a couple of photos of John and Mary with their children that were sent to me by relatives in Finland. They asked if I had any idea what happened to Mary. I got a little info to send them, but ran into a dead end. I also have a photo of my grandmother at the wedding of John and Mary's daughter, Lillie to Ed Nolan. Lillie came to visit my grandmother and mother in California a couple of times, and my mother had fond memories of her.

I have found Mary and John in some of the census records, and have found one of John's siblings too. But I don't know anything much about the family or what happened to all of their children and grandchildren. (I assume there were some, but I haven't found their names or anything about them.) Now, thanks to you, I know all their names.

If you are related to them and/or have more information to share, I would be happy to hear from you, and to share my information with you too.

Bye for now,

Marybeth Michaels