Alm, Edith

Alm, Edith

• 29804 (Creation)

3 file folders
1 photograph
1 sound cassette

The interview was conducted with Edith Alm on August 6, 1981 in Tacoma, Washington. This interview contains information on family history, life in Sweden, school, employment, voyage to America, learning English, settling in, church life, the Vasa club, cooking, return trips to Sweden, the Swedish language, and Swedish traditions. A photograph of Edith at a Vasa Lodge bazaar is also available. The interview was conducted in English.

Also see Ivar Alm.

Folder Contents

Box 3, File 18 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background, and Tape Index

Box 3, File 18A Correspondence and Forms
Release Form
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Box 3, File 18B Photographs
One photograph

Interviewed by Morrene Nesvig
Transcribed by Mary Sue Gee, Julie Peterson and Becky Husby
Encoded by Kerstin Ringdahl & Amity Smetzler
Recording Quality: Good

Ivar Alm (husband) oral history interview

Biographical Note

Edith Matilda (Svensson) Alm was born on a farm called Bergsmola in Tving Parish, Sweden on April 28, 1900. She was one of eight children born to Sven August Petersson and Hilda Gustafsson. Edith attended school for seven years in a country church where she was confirmed at age 13. She worked on the farm as well as in a tuberculosis hospital.

After her mother died in 1919 and her brother died of the Spanish Flu in 1921, Edith decided to depart for America. Many of Edith's family members and friends lived in the Tacoma area. Her uncle, a restaurant owner, paid for her trip. Edith departed from Göteborg, Sweden in October of 1922, traveling aboard the "Stockholm". The ship arrived at Ellis Island; Edith had to stay in New York for a week due to a train strike.

After reaching Tacoma, Edith worked as a housekeeper. She claims that the great amount of cooking she did helped her learn the English language. Edith married Ivar Gottfrid Alm in 1928 and continued to work as a cook and housekeeper for wealthy families in Tacoma. She started her own catering business in 1933; Edith ran the renowned business until 1963.

Edith is a member of First Lutheran Church in Tacoma. She preserves her Swedish heritage by participating in the Vasa club, making Swedish food, and speaking the Swedish language with her friends. Edith has taken several trips back to Sweden, and she maintains contact with her Swedish relatives.

Lineage

Full Name: Edith Mathilda Alm
Maiden Name: Edith Mathilda Svensson
Father: Sven August Petersson
Mother: Hilda Gustafsson
Paternal Grandfather: Peter Isaksson
Brothers and Sisters: Nanny Viktoria Larsson, Ida Charlotta Forslund, Anna Linnea Lavesson, Emelie Serafia Nilsson, Dagmar Gunhild Lundquist, Karl Gunnar Valdemar
Spouse: Ivar Gottfrid Alm
Children: There were no children.