We are fast approaching the end of the school year in Sweden. At the moment, both teachers and students are very busy. Every week there are several examinations that require a lot of studying. We are all very much looking forward to summer holidays. A hundred years ago, my grandparents Rudolf attended Year Four and... Continue Reading →
Ever since I started researching missionary history, I have encountered, and been pleasantly surprised by, meeting and connecting with generous people of all kinds. People who have shared their knowledge and time with me, been interested in my findings, and rooted for me - motivating me to keep researching and writing the history of my... Continue Reading →
My grandmother Edna’s old photo albums from her and her parents’ (Olga and Nils) years in China offer many glimpses into their daily lives and what mattered most to them. Olga and Nils had two children who survived into old age - my grandmother and her sister. Their little brother died in China at the... Continue Reading →
Throughout my research, one particularly important source has helped me make sense of the adventures my great-grandparents experienced during their time as missionaries in China. The Swedish missionary magazine in China - Sinims Land - first published in 1896, is filled with articles from Robert, Dagny, Nils and Olga. Aside from their contributions, I can... Continue Reading →
My great grandfather Nils Styrelius passed away on this day, the 16th of October, 82 years ago. By then he was a well-travelled man, who had lived an adventurous life. I have written about his passing before, and a bit about his time as an emigrant to America. He emigrated from Sweden to Chicago in... Continue Reading →
Her name was Li-Niang. She worked with Olga and Nils at the station in Dali/Tungchowfu in China. Li-Niang was a hard-working woman, who helped my great grandparents take care of their children. My grandmother Edna loved Li-Niang. It was Li-Niang who taught her Chinese, who made sure she got bathed and hid Edna when bandits... Continue Reading →
