New findings autumn 2009
Fellow genealogists have made great progress lately regarding the ancestry of Henrik Klasson Ekman. This came to my attention through the latest edition of the so called "Smedskivan (6) 2009". The following is the current working hypothesis:
Henrik was born 1717-07-04 at Ekeby hammare, Fellingsbro (T). His parents were Klas Klasson and Anna Svensdotter. It is quite possible that the father of this Henrik, Klas Klasson, is the same as the "Klas" who was born in Finnåker, Fellingsbro 1680-02-12. The parents of this Klas was Klas Michelsson and Margareta Bovinsdotter (Bowengsdotter). It is not unlikely that the family name "Ekman" used by Henrik Klasson, stems from "Ekeby hammar". Furthermore, the given names Klas and Henrik, children of Henrik and Maria, was also given names to children of Klas Michelsson and Margareta Bovinsdotter. Also, Henrik Klasson Ekman's first child was Anna Kajsa (Anna Karin) which could be a combination of his mother's name Anna and the name of his mother-in-law's name Karin (if the theory of Marias's ancestry (se column at right) is correct.
Finally, regarding the origin of Klas Michelsson, there is one theory that he was the son of Michel Grignart (vallon), who lived and worked in Långboda, Fellingsbro and who died 1652. (Source: Kjell Lindblom).
Sources:
GID 297.73.84000, [Örebro] Fellingsbro, C.4, Födde, 1716-1724, 7-0, Bild 12 av 96
GID 297.70.28200, [Örebro] Fellingsbro, C.1, Födde, 1670 - 1708, 0-0 s.77 1680, Bild 42 av 213
Smedskivan 2009 [Örjan Hedenberg]
New findings 23 February 2008
A Henrik Klasson has been found at Wedevåg and Kvarnbacka in Lindesbergs landsförsamling (T). Working for master Olof Åberg, in 1736 (approx.), is the young man Henrik Klasson (Hindrik Classon).
Sources:
2106.91.110700, [Närke och Värmland; Örebro] Lindesberg Landsförsamling, AI.A6, Husförhör, 1734 - 1747, 299-0, Bild 146 av 159
Mantalslängder 1642-1820, Mantalslängder 1642-1820 Örebro län, SE/RA/55203/55203.19/93 (1736), Lindesbergs landsförsamling (SVAR interna s.213)
Background 2007
To this day there is no trace of Henrik as a child. I'm certainly not the only one looking for his parents. My first encounter with someone else going for Henrik's roots was more than 10 years ago and over the years I've crossed paths with a few more genealogists on the same mission. So, what is known?
- Year of birth has been recorded as 1717 as well as 1719, place unknown
- His father's name most likely was Klas
- His mother's name could have been Anna, Katarina or Stina
- He probably came to Kroppa, in Värmland, Sweden no later than 1738
- He married Maria 1 July 1739 in Lindesbergs landsförsamling, in Västmanland, Sweden
- He received the contract on one of the smithys under "Storfors bruk" in Kroppa 1740
- Henrik used the family name "Ekman" already 1738 in Kroppa (first record of him)
- Henrik died 7 July 1771 in Kroppa
- All his sons became blacksmiths, his daughters married blacksmiths
- Descendants from Henrik to a very high degree remained within the trade for centuries
Assumptions:
Henrik was the first in his family to use the name Ekman
Henrik was not the first in his family working as a blacksmith
Alternative spellings:
Hinrik, Hindrik, Hendrik, Clas, Claes
