The document summarizes a family's trip to Sweden to learn about their ancestry and connect with living relatives. It describes their activities over several days, including visiting cities and sites important to their ancestors like Goteborg, Uddevalla, and Bokenas. They met with cousins and learned about their Swedish relatives who immigrated to America in the past. Key places mentioned include the Botanical Gardens, Bohus Fortress, gravesites of ancestors, and beaches they enjoyed during their visit.

1. Wilsons Visit Sweden The Homeland Tour June 2009

6. Your Tour Leader: Helga!

7. Team Mike

8. Our adventuring…tour GROUP! Tomima Hilde Alexandra Cassie Claire Jane Mike EMily Tori Nonie

9. The first few days in Sweden: From The Province of Bohuslan , our Swedish relatives departed Goteborg to the New World: American & places far beyond…

16. Departing Swedes headed to the New World left from this dock in Goteborg

22. Do YOU really eat Herring? Fish Markets and Fishy Treats

28. Have mini van…we go sight seeing WE go shopping for clogs, shoes & treasures Guess what? … The Sweden ride bicycles The Swedish youth are really……into their fashion … the comment is made: “Sweden doesn’t look foreign, it looks like home !”

41. Boats, fishing and the Sea Even Churches …even seem to worship … sailors & maritime

42. Göteborg Church oversees the Harbor

46. We have dinner with cousin Carl Spalde….and we meet some new family

55. Cousins take us to the Botanical Gardens in Goteborg

56. Cousins Andreas & Solveig

57. Goteborg Botanical Gardens

65. Bohus Fortress on way to Uddevalla Since the 1100’s, this fortress protected the Swedes from invading tribes

70. Uddevalla=Largest city near Bokenas. Wilsons originated close by

76. Cousins Helene & Jonas Larsson

77. Helene helped to research book. Emily 1 st visited Helen in 1991

78. Fred Wilson Named one of his ships after this Swedish vessel HASSELO

85. Annette’s Grave

91. Bokenas This is the region outside of Uddevalla from where the Wilsons originated. They lived on farms, raised animals, fished and sailed their boats. The Bokenas Old Church was where they spent their Sundays.

99. Katarina Hillevi Grave of Charles R. Wilson’s mother

101. Dragsmark A 13 th Century Monestary and Burial place of other Wilson relatives.

106. Alice Simonson was daughter of Adolf Carlsson. She was born in Aberdeen

117. The Secret Chalice

119. Johan Sterner, he was 6 years old when I last saw him. He likes to watch “Deadliest Catch” a Seattle based TV show

120. Orrevik Where the father of Charles R. Wilson was born & raised

122. Stora Karr Where the parents of Charles R. Wilson lived after they were married. The birthplace of Charles R. Wilson

127. Mid Summer’s Eve Light abounds until well after midnight Hooray-it’s Midsummer Eve-possibly the BIGGEST holiday in Sweden It’s time to meet the WHOLE Family in Sweden Most people are free from their jobs & shops are closed. We decorate the Mid-summer’s pole, sing & dance PLUS eat & drink like crazy.

160. Fiskebakskil “ Fishkill city”…and it rained and rained and rained. We learned that the Norwegians are buying up all the summer homes, cuz they have all the $

168. Swedes love Yellow Houses, Decorative Windows & Lots of Flowers

187. TO the Beach Cottage with Carl Spalde, Solveig & Andreas We meet Carl’s brother’s & sisters; they are so happy to meet more cousins…

202. BEACH BBQ Swedish style We are across from Rolf & Katarina’s house, looking at the Rorback property

213. Rorback Waterfront Acreage & Farmland of Christina Elisabeth's family

215. Christina’s House

220. All too soon, we must go home

221. The Wilsons Visited Sweden!

222. to reconnect with our roots & family