Molund, Elsa

Molund, Elsa

• 1983-02-28 (Creation)

3 file folders
4 photographs
1 sound cassette

The interview was conducted with Elsa Molund on February 28, 1983 in Tacoma, Washington. This interview contains information on personal background, employment, marriage, emigration, adjustment, church and community life, and heritage. The interview also includes photographs of Elsa Molund as a young woman, Elsa at her uncle's store in Kalmar, Sweden, Elsa's aunt and uncle (October 26, 1916), and Elsa at the time of the interview. The interview was conducted in English with some Swedish throughout the interview.

Also see Erik Molund.

Folder Contents

Box 10, File 15 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background and Tape Index

Box 10, File 15A Correspondence and Forms
Checklist and Release Form
Letters from Janet Rasmussen to Mr. and Mrs. Molund regarding their participation.
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Box 10, File 15B Photographs
Six 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

Erik Molund (husband) oral history interview

Biographical Note

Elsa Anna Maria (Nelsson) Molund was born on April 11, 1894 in Resmo, Öland, Sweden. The Nelsson family, including Elsa's three brothers, lived in Mossebo, a town near Kalmar. After Elsa, known as Elsie, went to school and was confirmed, she began working in Kalmar at her uncle's store. Her family celebrated Christmas in the traditional way with a decorated tree, customary food, dancing, and a special morning church service. As Elsie grew up in Mossebo, she worked as a housekeeper and worked in a hardware store.

She met her future husband, Erik Molund, in school, but he moved to America for several years. They kept in contact through letters, and when he returned to Sweden, they got married. Erik wanted to move back to America, so the two of them left in May of 1922. They settled in Iowa for a short time and then moved to Tacoma, Washington. Erik worked in construction while Elsie cleaned for a store in town. Elsie and Erik had three children-Elmer, Inga, and Dorothy. Elsie says the hardest thing about moving to America was learning the language.

She returned on a ship to Sweden for a visit in 1957. Elsie retains her Swedish heritage by participating in Vasa, helping in the Lutheran church, and cooking Swedish food. Her son Elmer has taken a particular interest in Sweden and has visited several times.

Lineage

Maiden Name: Elsa Anna Maria Nelsson
Father: Karl Nelsson
Mother: Ida Söderman Nelsson
Paternal Grandfather: Edwin Nelsson
Maternal Grandfather: Edward Söderman
Maternal Grandmother: Venla Söderman
Brothers and Sisters: Erik Karlsson, Bernard Karlsson, Sture Karlsson
Spouse: Erik Wilhlem Molund
Children: Elmer William Molund, Inga Marie Molund, Dorothy Bernice Molund.