Blomqvist in San Francisco

Thanks to very good help from the USA, I have now learned several new things of my ancestors life in San Francisco. *****Please, accept my acknowledgements for the great help, Carolyn!*****

Karl Blomqvist (1868-1937)

Johan Blomqvist (1870-1934)
(In US: John Blomquist)

Gustaf Blomqvist (1872-1928)
(In US: Gust and Gustave Bloomquist)

Karl was in San Francisco for several years in the beginning of the 1900's (before the earthquake and fire). In one of his letters back home to his family in Åland he writes: (translated by me) "- - - I will tell you about my Christmas feasts. On the day before Christmas day, I and Gustaf was at Abel Lindholms place and spoke on how it would have been to be back home for Christmas celebrations. Then on Christmas morning I got up and was preparing to go to Church. But, shamefully enough, I did not dare to walk alone at that hour of day, since the gases are turned off in the mornings and the streets are dangerous. Especially during feasts, when all villains are out all night long, drinking, fighting and robbing. The morning is the best time for them, since everything is dark outside and every decent man is resting. So, I went back to bed with my mind on God and my home. - - -" Karl had his wife and several children left on Åland, the small island between Sweden and Finland, and after some years he went back home to them. In 1905 my grandfather, Joel, was born, and in 1907 Karl bought himself a farm in Åland.

His two brothers Johan (John) Blomqvist and Gustaf (Gust) Blomqvist, both immigrated to San Francisco and stayed there. John immigrated in 1892 and Gust in 1895. According to the 1900 census, they lived together as boarders in a home at 745 Howard Street in central San Francisco. They were both unmarried and worked as day laborers.

In San Francisco, Karl and his brothers was working in the construction business. Karl gained valuable knowledge in cement and concrete handling. After his return to the Åland Islands, he could utilize this knowledge and be of help to neighbours and others. Many of these buildings still remain in "good shape" today.

After having been back to the Åland Islands for a while, John and Gust returned to San Francisco where they both stayed until their death. Eventually, John married to Anna and they both became American Citizens in 1909. They had, however, no children. Therefore, when they travelled back to San Francisco in 1912 (according to family tradition) they wanted to bring Karl's son Joel to America - as their son. But, that did not happen. According to the 1920 census, John was a cement worker in a cement company and he lived with his wife at 1767 Alabama Street. Gust became a citizen in 1903 and was in 1920 living as one of five lodgers in the home of the french widower Joseph Blaes and his son at 2993 Folson Street.

Gust worked as a laborer, but in what kind of industry, business or establishment?
Can you read what it says just next to the blot of ink?
If you have a guess, please write a line in my guestbook.

A group picture from San Francisco. A) is Gustaf Blomqvist and B) is Anna and Johan Blomqvist.
Anyone that recogizes any other person?

A group picture from San Francisco with Gustaf and Johan Blomqvist.
Who are the other persons? Check on their faces below...

Unknown person

Gustaf Blomqvist

Johan Blomqvist

A group picture from San Francisco. A) is Gustaf Blomqvist and B) is Johan Blomqvist.
- Anyone that recogizes any other person?
- What are the ribbon like badges they all have on their jackets?
- What kind of feasts or meetings are these pictures from?

Have you seen them in your research? Do you recognize their addresses? Or, if you can tip me on where to find information on their jobs or life, please contact me by mail: gblomqvist@swipnet.se or visit my guestbook.

If You could help me in these matters in any way, You would make me much happier in my family research.