ELLIS ISLAND: John Oskar Lindell; Arrival July 1, 1923; Scandinavian;
Last residence, Botkyrka, Sweden; Age 19y; Male; Single;
S/S Stockholm; Description, 5'11", Brown hair, Blue eyes,
Laborer; Address in US, Uncle Sigfrid Karlson, 36 Myrtle
Ave, Jersey City, N.J.
A few years later . . . John Oskar and Mary Malone Lindell
June 26, Tuesday, 3-4 PM
The last 24 hours we have had the highest speed so far; 349 nautical-miles compared to the usual 325-345, thanks to the weather. Yesterday we had a complete "Grona Lund" amusement park on board. In II class as well as in III class there was dancing and on our deck a violin player, a real folk music player, and below the deck violin and piano and in the cabins concertina and mouth organ and some so-called singers. Today between 3 and 4 o'clock I will send the telegram that I mentioned to you. A guy who was sick during the whole journey did not get up until yesterday and among the women folks there are some still in bed. I on my part am completely well. I want Ester's and the Tureberg people's addresses, please don't forget that!
The other day I got stuck with my raincoat in a deck chair. The slit got ripped up. The cleaning lady will mend it. Harry Vinther sends his regards to the Vallgrens. He is an able-bodied seaman on board. Tell Tore and Sigrid to learn how to swim this year as it is very good to know. They say that it is very warm weather in America. When I get there I shall have to take off long johns and a couple of shirts. The Soderfors boy whom Uncle Otto introduced me to at the Central Station is a skillful violin player. He often plays on board. He is an iron-turner by profession. He does not travel alone, he is accompanied by his sister. There are people from all over Sweden here and some Germans, Jews, Finns and Russians too. Stockholm is badly represented. Those from Stockholm have not got any travel money. I wouldn't have any either, if not . . . (?)
I want Uncle Alfred's and Uncle Otto's addresses. I will write cards sometime. Ask the garden hand at Stavshall if he could take some snaps/photos of you.He is a good photographer. Then you will send me pictures too. I might have forgotten to pack my shaving brush. I will search through my luggage once more. I have a very bad pencil.
June 28, Thursday, 2 PM
Today the boy from Gotland and I had a drink of my cordial, it tasted very good. I found the soap brush at the same moment. I no longer feel sick by the air indoors, as I did the first time on board when I only wanted to throw up as soon as I got under deck. The number of letter writers is increasing. One notices this as we are approaching the destination. I misled you about the boy from Gotland. He has met his father. His mother did not want to go. The last 24 hours we have covered 330 nautical-miles. It gets warmer everyday. One takes off heaps of underwear. The air in the cabins starts getting stuffy.
John Vedin is an emigrant who got robbed of 300-400 crowns before he left Stockholm. His coat was cut up and his wallet stolen. It happened in a crowd at Kungstradgarden. The boys from Gastrikland traveled by the same train to Goteborg. They saw Vedin walk crying on the platform all night. He is married and has five children. A subscription list has been circulated on board and I contributed 1 crown.
My old pencil is worn out which is OK as the lead was very bad. I still use the pen holder. I would appreciate if Gosta (brother) would send my regards and thank the boys from home who traveled to the Central Station to say goodbye to me. I really appreciate to see them and I had not expected it. I will remember them with a few lines now and then. I will have a huge job writing to everyone I promised. I want to know Gothberg's PO Box number in Tullinge. He also wants to hear from me. Yesterday the office was closed. I will send the telegram today. Yesterday we got our passes, where your name, age, native country and an ordinal number in gigantic figures is written. I have number 22. I hope it will bring me luck.
June 29, Friday, 8:30 AM.
Today at noon it will be exactly 10 days since we put off from Gothenburg. Early tomorrow morning we shall reach New York. Yesterday afternoon I went up to the telegraph station and wrote the following telegram: "Lindell Separator Tumba Sweden. (father, employer, location)
Go ashore Monday. All is well. Regards, John" According to a message on the notice board it would cost 6 crowns but the telegraph operator informed me that it would cost 16.20. I was very surprised but learned that 6 crowns was applicable while we were still in direct connection with Sweden. Now we were close to the American coast. On Midsummer's Eve I could have sent the telegram but I wanted to wait some days. That's why you did not receive any telegram.
We have had +23 C (73 F) until 6-7 PM. Yesterday evening at 7:40 we watched for the first time the blood red sun set in the sea. On the surface were just a few small ripples, no wind at all. I can tell you that it was very beautiful indeed.
Translation; by Christina Spolen, John Oskar's niece.
See online - Ellis Island Foundation
I want Uncle Alfred's and Uncle Otto's addresses. I will write cards sometime. Ask the garden hand at Stavshall if he could take some snaps/photos of you.He is a good photographer. Then you will send me pictures too. I might have forgotten to pack my shaving brush. I will search through my luggage once more. I have a very bad pencil.
June 28, Thursday, 2 PM
Today the boy from Gotland and I had a drink of my cordial, it tasted very good. I found the soap brush at the same moment. I no longer feel sick by the air indoors, as I did the first time on board when I only wanted to throw up as soon as I got under deck. The number of letter writers is increasing. One notices this as we are approaching the destination. I misled you about the boy from Gotland. He has met his father. His mother did not want to go. The last 24 hours we have covered 330 nautical-miles. It gets warmer everyday. One takes off heaps of underwear. The air in the cabins starts getting stuffy.
John Vedin is an emigrant who got robbed of 300-400 crowns before he left Stockholm. His coat was cut up and his wallet stolen. It happened in a crowd at Kungstradgarden. The boys from Gastrikland traveled by the same train to Goteborg. They saw Vedin walk crying on the platform all night. He is married and has five children. A subscription list has been circulated on board and I contributed 1 crown.
My old pencil is worn out which is OK as the lead was very bad. I still use the pen holder. I would appreciate if Gosta (brother) would send my regards and thank the boys from home who traveled to the Central Station to say goodbye to me. I really appreciate to see them and I had not expected it. I will remember them with a few lines now and then. I will have a huge job writing to everyone I promised. I want to know Gothberg's PO Box number in Tullinge. He also wants to hear from me. Yesterday the office was closed. I will send the telegram today. Yesterday we got our passes, where your name, age, native country and an ordinal number in gigantic figures is written. I have number 22. I hope it will bring me luck.
June 29, Friday, 8:30 AM.
Today at noon it will be exactly 10 days since we put off from Gothenburg. Early tomorrow morning we shall reach New York. Yesterday afternoon I went up to the telegraph station and wrote the following telegram: "Lindell Separator Tumba Sweden. (father, employer, location)
Go ashore Monday. All is well. Regards, John" According to a message on the notice board it would cost 6 crowns but the telegraph operator informed me that it would cost 16.20. I was very surprised but learned that 6 crowns was applicable while we were still in direct connection with Sweden. Now we were close to the American coast. On Midsummer's Eve I could have sent the telegram but I wanted to wait some days. That's why you did not receive any telegram.
We have had +23 C (73 F) until 6-7 PM. Yesterday evening at 7:40 we watched for the first time the blood red sun set in the sea. On the surface were just a few small ripples, no wind at all. I can tell you that it was very beautiful indeed.
Translation; by Christina Spolen, John Oskar's niece.
See online - Ellis Island Foundation
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