Overview of the Collection
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Repository Name:
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Robert A.L. Mortvedt Library
Scandinavian Immigrant Experience
Collection
Archives and Special
Collections Department
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA, 98447
253-535-7586
Email:archives@plu.edu
http://www.plu.edu/archives
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Collection Number:
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t083
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Creator:
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Silverberg, Ina (Aino) Huntos Eriksson
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Title:
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Ina (Aino) Huntos Eriksson
Silverberg Oral History Interview
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Dates:
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1981 (inclusive)
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Quantity:
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3 file folders
1 photograph
1 sound cassette
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Languages:
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English
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Summary:
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An oral history interview with Ina (Aino)
Huntos Eriksson Silverberg, a Finnish immigrant.
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Biographical Note
Ina Silverberg was born on February 11, 1889
in Kaustinen, Finland to Abram Huntos and Maja Lisa Puumalla. Abram was a
carpenter, and Ina lived on a farm with her parents and four older brothers.
The family grew rye, oats, and vegetables and always had plenty to eat. When
Ina was eighteen, she decided to visit three of her brothers who were living in
Naselle, Washington. Ina ended up staying in America and went to Portland,
Oregon, where she hoped she would be able to learn English. She found a
housekeeping job with a German family, whose children were also learning how to
read, and attended school. When Ina was offered a job that paid thirty dollars
more a month, she moved to Astoria, Oregon. In Astoria, she married Leif
Erickson, whose mother was Finnish and father was Norwegian. Leif was a logger,
and Ina did housework, cooking, and worked at St. Mary's Hospital. Three years
after they were married, Ina and Leif had their only child, Ellna. When Elna
was twenty years old, Ina married her second husband, Axel Silverberg. Ina's
Finnish heritage is very important to her. She belongs to the Finnish
Brotherhood and has returned to Finland three times. If she did not have a
daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in America, Ina would move
back to Finland permanently.
Lineage
Full Name:
Ina Silverberg. Maiden Name: Aino Elizabeth Huntos. Father: Abram Huntos.
Mother: Maja Lisa Puumalla. Paternal Grandfather: Matt. Maternal Grandfather:
Matt. Brothers and Sisters: Matt Huntos, John Huntos, Charles Huntos, Andrew
Huntos. Spouse: Leif Erickson Axel Silverberg. Children: Elna Erickson.
Content Description
This interview was conducted with Ina Silverberg on
August 26, 1981 in Astoria, Oregon. It contains information about family
background, emigration, employment, marriage and family, and Finnish heritage.
The interview also includes a photograph of Ina at the time of the interview.
The interview was conducted in English.
Administrative Information
Custodial History The Oral History collection
project was started during an experimental course on Scandinavian Women in the
Pacific Northwest. Students in the course were encouraged to interview women
and learn about their experiences as immigrants to the United States. The
project was continued and expanded with support from the president's office and
by grants from the L.J. Skaggs and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation, from the Joel E.
Ferris Foundation and the Norwegian Emigration Fund of the Royal Norwegian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project was directed by Dr. Janet E.
Rasmussen. The collection was transferred to the Archives and Special
Collections Department.
Processing Note The interview was conducted by
Donna Mallonee using a cassette recorder. A research copy was also prepared
from the original. To further preserve the content of the interview, it is now
being transferred to compact disc. We deliberately did not transcribe the
entire interview because we want the researchers to listen to the interviewee's
own voice. The transcription index highlights important aspects of the
interview and the tape counter numbers noted on the Partial Interview
Transcription are meant as approximate finding guides and refer to the location
of a subject on the cassette/CD. The recording quality is good
The
collection was transcribed by Mary Sue Gee, Julie Peterson and Becky Husby.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access The oral history collection
is open to all users.
Restrictions on Use There are no
restrictions on use.
Related Information
Bibliography
Rasmussen, Janet Elaine. New Land
New Lives: Scandinavian Immigrants to the Pacific NorthwestTacoma, WashingtonUniversity of Washington
Press1993
Additional Reference Guides
Subjects
This collection is indexed under
the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials
about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these
headings.
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Erickson, Elna |
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Erickson, Leif |
| Huntos, Abram |
| Puumalla, Maja Lisa |
| Silverberg, Axel |
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Silverberg, Ina--Interviews (creator) |
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Erickson family |
| Huntos
family |
| Puumalla family |
| Silverberg family |
| Finnish Brotherhood (Astoria, Wash.) |
| Astoria
(Or.) |
| Kaustinen (Finland) |
| Education -- Finland |
| Emigration and
immigration |
| Family--Finland |
| Finland -- Economic conditions
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| Finnish-Americans -- Ethnic identity |
| Finnish-Americans--Northwest,Pacific--Interviews |
| Finnish-Americans--Social life and customs |
| Oral
histories |
| Domestics |
Detailed Description of the Collection
The partial interview transcription
highlights important aspects of the interview. Numbers may be used as guides to
important subjects. Two numbers separated by a slash indicate that the first
number is for cassette and the second for CD.
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Cassette Counter
015:
Aino Elizabeth
Huntos
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Cassette Counter
071:
FAMILY NAME
Russia ruled Finland when Ina lived there. There used
to be a Russian Military Hospital in her hometown. Caretaker of the hospital
had a dog named "Hunt."
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Cassette Counter
111:
People started calling the hospital "Huntos." Ina's father
last name was Pentela (?) originally. Not enough work or food on their farm.
Moved to another farm called Kentola (?) and took that name. His 2 oldest
brothers married and split the farm.
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Cassette Counter
154:
Next brother crippled. Became a blacksmith. He married.
Ina's father knew Ina's mother but she was too young for marriage.
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Cassette Counter
198:
He didn't have money. Went to St. Petersburg (Leningrad) and
helped build St. Isaac's Church there.
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Cassette Counter
255:
Ina was born in 1889 in Kaustinen, Finland. Kaustinen is
located inland of the Gulf of Bothnia and southeast of Kokkola (Gamla Karleby)
in Vasa Laani.
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Cassette Counter
310:
PARENTS
Abram Huntos. His father's name was Pentela (?). Abram was
born with the name Kentola (?).
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Cassette Counter
332:
Ina's name was "Aino" when she lived in Finland. Her name
comes from the Finnish epic, Kalevala.
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Cassette Counter
348:
BROTHERS AND
SISTERS
4 brothers - Matt Huntos, John
Huntos, Charlie (Kalle) Huntos, Andrew Huntos.
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Cassette Counter
366:
CHILDHOOD
Father was a carpenter. They lived on a farm. Open
fireplace in the house. Father would get up early. Build fire in fireplace.
Take care of the cows and horses. Come in house and make coffee. Call his wife
to come have coffee with him. Take Ina in his lap.
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Cassette Counter
394:
After done with his coffee, he'd fix Ina's hair.
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Cassette Counter
418:
He did farm work and helped his brother, who was a
blacksmith, if he needed help. (See also I-154).
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Cassette Counter
429:
They lived in the old military hospital called "Huntos" in
Kaustinen. It was a big building with many rooms. (See also I - 071, 111,
310.)
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Cassette Counter
441:
Ina's uncle, wife, and 2 sons moved in. It was too crowded.
Ina's father and mother built a smaller house when only Ina and her youngest
brother were left at home.
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Cassette Counter
465:
Ina likes America and is a citizen, but she was never hungry
in Finland. She had a good farm and they had plenty. Grew rye and oats.
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Cassette Counter
491:
Her father would never give money to people. If they came
and asked, he'd ask them what they need and tell to help themselves. Told them
to come and help when they started digging up potatoes.
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Cassette Counter
506:
Ina's mother was a good cook. Made good bread. When Ina's
parents gave food to people, they were glad to help out on the Huntos' farm.
They got good food when they worked at the Huntos.
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Cassette Counter
549:
Father was active in church. Went every Sunday. Had a good
voice. Helped with the singing.
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Cassette Counter
557:
He wanted the kids to have some fun. On fall evenings, after
they were done digging the potatoes and harvesting other crops, Ina's mother
would fix food. Then the kids would play in the yard. Her father would sit on
the porch and watch.
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Cassette Counter
590:
Her father was a very good dancer. Won prizes. Did
schottisches, polkas, waltzes. Learned Russian dances when in Russia.
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Cassette Counter
603:
GRANDPARENTS
Died before Ina was born. They were farmers. Ina's
mother came from a really big home. Russians ruled Finland then. On large
farms, Finns had to give 1 or 2 Russian soldiers food and lodging. On Ina's
maternal grandparents farm, there were two houses. One was for the Russian
soldiers. There was a military training camp for Russians near this farm.
(English translation II-990.)
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Cassette Counter
700:
SCHOOL
A neighbor boy was the same age as Ina. They shared a
private teacher in town. They didn't like her. They were wild ones.
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Cassette Counter
720:
The neighbor boy, Jalver, and Ina were 2nd cousins. Were
very good friends. They ate dinner with each other. They'd make the teacher mad
by running up to the window and yelling "company is coming! Here come the
horses!" (Translated to English by Donna Mallonee.)
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Cassette Counter
789:
Grade school started. Family of 3 boys and 2 girls moves to
the area. Daughter, Alina (?) wanted to go to school. A man came to teach Ina,
Jalver, and Alina (?). Her mother, Maja Liisa, helped Alina (?) learn to read.
(This was part of the interview is difficult to understand.)
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Cassette Counter
840:
Ina's mother said that Ina always had a book with her when
she learned how to read. There weren't any libraries. By the time she was 9
years old.
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Cassette Counter
914:
She had read the Bible. Sometimes when Ina had questions,
her father would pat her on the head and tell her she was very young and would
understand when she was older. Question about one of the preachers at church
who didn't read very well. Ina's father said they'd have to replace him
someday.
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Cassette Counter
923:
REASONS FOR COMING TO
AMERICA
Came when she was 18 to visit 3
of her brothers who were married and lived in Naselle, Washington, which is on
the Naselle River. The 4th brother came to visit Ina and ended up staying in
America.
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Cassette Counter
956:
TRIP TO
AMERICA
Came in 1907. Left Finland August
7th. Cousin's wedding just before she left. Lasted for 3 days. Dancing and
celebrating.
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Cassette Counter
982:
Lots of flowers. Describes a Finnish dance they did. Married
a boy from Astoria, Oregon. His mother was Finnish. His father, from
Hammerfest, Norway sailed from Norway, around Cape Horn, and settle in Astoria.
He had a store there.
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Cassette Counter
015:
Swedes and Norwegians in logging camps went half-crazy when
they heard Finnish. Ina married Leif Erickson, a logger.
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Cassette Counter
041:
Ina describes the dance in the cook house she and Leif went
to. Violin and accordion players. Swedish and Norwegian boys couldn't speak
Finnish. Leif translated for her.
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Cassette Counter
105:
Couldn't learn much at her brother's place. Told her
brothers she was going to find a place to learn something. Went to
Portland.
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Cassette Counter
147:
Met 2 Finnish girls who were born in the US. Came with her
when she put an ad in the newspaper for work. The boy there, Billy Hayward,
said she didn't need to put an ad in the paper to find work. There were many
people who wanted Finnish girls who would cook and make bread.
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Cassette Counter
208:
She was visiting a friend. The boy from the newspaper came.
First time she saw a car. They ran to the window to watch. Billy said the lady
in the car wanted a Finnish girl to work for her.
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Cassette Counter
272:
Met a Finnish boy who worked at a theater which showed
silent pictures. He was from Hailuoto, Finland. His name was John Heikkala.
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Cassette Counter
337:
Told her she should go places and do things. She said one
should be like a slug. Do things slowly and take it easy.
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Cassette Counter
366:
Went to school with John to learn English.
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Cassette Counter
384:
Had worked for some Germans. Good people. 2 boys and 3
girls. They were learning to read. She started to read too.
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Cassette Counter
429:
John was very honest. Ina made it clear to him that she
didn't come to the US to get married. Go back to Finland to get married. They
were like sister and brother.
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Cassette Counter
455:
Cousin came with wife. He died. Ina had to find a girl to
take her place at work while she was in Astoria, Oregon for the funeral.
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Cassette Counter
535:
Was offered a job in Astoria that paid $35 a month.. Job in
Portland only $5 a month. Planned to go back to Finland in 4 or 5 months.
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Cassette Counter
556:
Leif Erickson hung around a lot. They ended up getting
married. Married almost 3 years before they had children. Ina has only one
daughter. Her name is Elna. Married to Leo Malantes.
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Cassette Counter
588:
They lived at a logging camp after they got married.
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Cassette Counter
613:
They moved to Astoria. She had a job washing windows on the
tall houses. Worked for a catering service. Did housework and cooking.
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Cassette Counter
649:
Worked at St. Mary's Hospital.
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Cassette Counter
657:
Worked while her daughter was young. Daughter grew up in
Astoria.
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Cassette Counter
687:
CHURCH
Went to a Lutheran church.
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Cassette Counter
697:
FINNISH
ORGANIZATIONS
Both she and her husband
joined the Finnish Brotherhood. Belonged to an athletic club at one time.
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Cassette Counter
708:
Married Mr. Silverberg when her daughter was 20 years
old.
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Cassette Counter
739:
TRIPS TO
FINLAND
Has gone back 3 times. Would go
to stay if she didn't have her daughter, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren. She has good friends in Finland, but blood is thicker than
water.
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Cassette Counter
763:
IMPORTANCE OF
HERITAGE
"I have been here 72 years and I
get these kind of spells, like a sickness, I get so lonesome for Finland."
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Cassette Counter
791:
FINNISH
TRADITIONS
Christmas in Finland almost
like here, but better.
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Cassette Counter
825:
FINNISH FOODS SHE
LIKES
Laxlaada, a fish and potato
casserole.
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Cassette Counter
839:
CONTACT WITH FAMILY IN
FINLAND
Some first cousins and many
second cousins. Write to each other. They have often sent tapes for her
birthday and for Christmas.
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Cassette Counter
854:
Tells about her favorite people in Finland.
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Cassette Counter
887:
Tells about when her father said good-bye to her when she
left Finland. "When my daddy said good-bye to me, he put his hands over my head
and said, 'Now my girl goes to the world. I can't give you silver or gold, but
take my blessing and keep it. Remember the old folks prayers and it will always
help you." (Translations II-990.)
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Cassette Counter
979:
TRANSLATIONS BY THE
INTERVIEWER
SEE I-603: Ina was talking
about her maternal grandmother. They had to accommodate a certain amount of
Russian soldiers on their farm. The grandmother would chase the soldiers with a
whip. They'd pretend to be afraid and run away from her. They were just
humoring her.
SEE II-887: Father saying good-bye to her in Finland. Ina
says she has gone through a lot. Her 2nd husband was sick many times and
suffered. Had to have a leg amputated. Her youngest brother wrote to her and
said he worried about her very much with all the hardships she had. She
answered: "Brother, don't worry about me. I have the Lord's blessing and it's
helped me a lot. And it is true. I have read and talked to many religious
people. Everybody has to find their own God. Some think it's imitation
(referring to the blessing her father gave her) but in the Bible it says
everything will help if you believe in it… I have my father's blessing. Prayer
helps an old person if it is believed…If it is real to you then it is the real
thing."
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