My great grandparents Christine Brita (Olson) and Anders Alfred Erickson smiling broadly on the steps of their farmhouse in Ghylin Township, near Regan, North Dakota in 1917.

Christine and Anders were proud parents of the children they raised, two daughters and five sons as you will see below in a 1910 family portrait. It was taken by Helmer Erickson at his 'Erickson Studio' in Wilton, North Dakota.

The family had arrived in the Dakotas in 1903 from Torpshammer and Sundsvalle, Sweden only seven years before.

The four (top row) brothers and two (middle row) sisters were born in Sweden. Alphons "Al" Erickson (bottom row middle) was born in Bismarck in 1905.

left to right - top row:
Uncle Ernest (Ernst) Julius Alfred, Uncle Andy Anders Sebran Filimon, my Grandfather Frank (Frans) Gustaf Severin and Uncle Helmer Erick Olaf Erickson.

left to right - middle row: Aunt Vera (Elvira) Edla Alfrid (Gallagher) Erickson and Aunt Abbie (Ebba) Angnis Kristina (Lincoln) Erickson

left to right - bottom row: Great Grandmother Christine (Kristina) Brita (Olson), Uncle Alphons 'Al' Fred Alkallar and Great Grandfather Anders Alfred Erickson.