I wanted to comment on another part of my time in Finland. My original desire to go was brought about by the fact that I am half-Finnish. Knowing that some of my mother's family were still in contact with our Finnish relatives, I reached out to my aunt and received information regarding two different families. I contacted them and received warm replies. We all share the same great-great grandparent, if I'm not mistaken. This makes many of them second cousins (and some once-removed).
Many within my generation or my older brother's, I thoroughly enjoyed my time. It was very exciting as the resemblance of one of my cousins to my mother was present. Indeed, it's definitely my family.
Many within my generation or my older brother's, I thoroughly enjoyed my time. It was very exciting as the resemblance of one of my cousins to my mother was present. Indeed, it's definitely my family.
One side resides in Helsinki, and after arriving at my hostel, I soon made contact with them. Within a day I was having dinner at their hope in a suburb of Helsinki, Espoo. Eating traditional Finnish dinner, a smoked set of salmon fillets (much like an American family having steak or chicken) our discussion was one of a family history I must confess I was not terribly familiar with. Their comments and knowledge of Minnesota was very impressive as they had visited during the summer of 2001, shortly before the events that were 9/11.
The other side of the tree was a family in Tampere, a city roughly two hours outside of Helsinki to the Northwest. Taking a pleasant train ride which by European standards was somewhat slow as we hauled through the Finnish landscape at 160kmh (96mph). A university town, Tampere was also much like the second-city syndrome I have spoken of before as it was very much a cultural hub of Finland.
Again, striking resemblances and my driving interest to understand my maternal family's history yielded many new pieces of information. Much of my family stayed in Finland. My family was started from one individual who came over to Minnesota (my great-grandfather, father of my grandmother, mother of my mother). I was struck by the intellectuals that were my cousins.
More to the point, it was very interesting to find so many writers in my family, in-laws included. It would seem that writing is in my family, as well as school and higher degrees of education. This is also supposedly the case on my mother's father's side, although I did not encounter this family unfortunately.
More the reason to return to Finland again, though. But next time, it will have to be in the summer.
Tampere:
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