Kasen, Sigrid

Kasen, Sigrid

• 1983-01-18 (Creation)

3 file folders
2 photographs
1 sound cassette

This interview was conducted with Sigrid Kasen on January 18, 1983 at Foss Home in Seattle, Washington. It provides information on family background, emigration, employment, marriage and family, and heritage. Also available are two photographs of Sigrid at the time of the interview. The interview was conducted in English.

Folder Contents

Box 10, File 11 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background and Tape Index

Box 10, File 11A Correspondence and Forms
Checklist and Release Form
Letter of inquiry from Janet Rasmussen
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Box 10, File 11B Photographs
Two photographs

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

Biographical Note

Sigrid Kasen was born on November 15, 1884 in Sideby, Finland, which is a Swedish community on the West Coast of Finland. Her parents were Matt Lammenpaa and Sophie Rönnkvist, and Sigrid had three younger siblings: Hilma, Hilding, and John. Sigrid's mother passed away when Sigrid was twelve, and she helped her father raise the other children. In Sideby, Sigrid attended a Swedish school and church, and her family spoke Swedish in their home. Sigrid understands Finnish but cannot converse in it.

In 1909, Sigrid immigrated to the United States due to curiosity and lack of work for young girls in Finland. She knew someone in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and went there first. After one winter in Massachusetts, she moved to San Francisco, California and did housework. While living there, she met her husband, Alfred Kasen. Alfred was also from Finland and did carpentry work.

After they were married, Sigrid and Alfred moved to Seattle, Washington, and they had five children: Anna, Astrid, Edith, Ruth, and Melvin. Sigrid has returned to Finland once and her heritage is very important to her. Nevertheless, she is very glad she came to America.

Lineage

Full Name: Sigrid Josephine Mattson Kasen
Maiden Name: Sigrid Josephine Mattson
Father: Matt Lammenpaa
Mother: Sophie Rönnkvist
Brothers and Sisters: Hilma Lammenpaa, Hilding Lammenpaa, John Lammenpaa
Spouse: Alfred Kasen
Children: Anna Kasen, Astrid Kasen, Edith Kasen, Ruth Kasen, Melvin Kasen