Forman, Lempi Suaminen

Forman, Lempi Suaminen

• Undated (Creation)

2 file folders
1 sound cassette
1 compact disc

This interview was conducted with Lempi Forman in Portland, Oregon. It contains information on her family background, life in Finland during World War II, emigration, and return trips to Finland. The interview was conducted in English.

Folder Contents

Box 1, File 19 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background, and Tape Index

Box 1, File 19A Correspondence and Forms
Checklist and Release Form
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

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

Biographical Note

Lempi Forman was born on a small island close to Turku in southwest Finland. Her father was a farmer/fisherman, and there were five girls and five boys in the family. Growing up, Lempi experienced many hard times due to World War II. Money was scarce, and she says people did not know what to do or how to run their country once the war ended.

In the fall of 1948, Lempi moved to Stockholm, where she stayed for half a year, and then immigrated to New York in May 1949. She stayed in New York for five weeks and worked in a tailor shop. On July 4, 1949, she went to Portland, OR, where she had two cousins. Lempi met her husband on an ocean ship where she later worked and had one son, David. Every time she visits Finland, she returns to her home place, but would never want to live there again.

Lineage

Full Name: Lempi Suaminen Forman
Maiden Name: Lempi Suaminen
Father: Frans Suaminen
Mother: Wilma Aleksandra (?)
Paternal Grandfather: Johe (?) Petersson
Maternal Grandfather: Gustav Adolf (?)
Brothers and Sisters: There were 10 children altogether, five boys and five girls. Frans Erki (?) Suaminen, Marte Maria Wilhelmina Suaminen, Kaski (?) Suaminen, Willia Emelia (?) Suaminen, Margret (?) Suaminen, Arne Suaminen, Adolf Suaminen, Ila Suaminen
Spouse: (?) Forman
Children: David Forman