Big Basin Camping

1990 was a very busy year for me.  Recently divorced, dating someone else, each of us had young children -- so we retrofitted then took off in this Chevy van.  It had custom benches in an L shape so there would be room for all 5 kids to sit as we traveled.  The back half was piled with sleeping backs.  Under the benches was storage for all our things.  We "roughed it" -- each of us only carrying a small duffel.  

But one thing roughing it taught us:  how to be more independent.  One weekend, I decided I needed to get away, just me and the kids headed up to Big Basin to camp.  We didn't bring much, just essentials.  I don't recall if I planned out any meals to cook -- I'm guessing we just had hot dogs cooked over the fire (My fav meal when we're camping!)  

We explored, chopped wood, took a hike, looked at the Redwood trees, and didn't bother with setting up a tent.  We just slept in the van.  We brought along pumpkins to carve, as this was October.  Luckily, it hadn't turned cold yet!  

This was 30 years ago now, and I have no idea what my daughter remembers.  I just know that she wasn't a big fan of camping after she became a teenager!!!

Good times, family memories, makes life worth living.

Linderoth Mystery

My paternal great-grandmother is Christine Hendrickson.  She is listed in the obituary of Peter Hendrickson as his sister; her son Harold is listed as living with Peter on the 1910 Census as "nephew" -- so the family line fits.  Martin H Linderoth is listed as the brother of Peter Hendrickson (oh the joys of these swedes who came over and re-invented themselves with a new name...... ) 

So I am trying to do research on Martin H Linderoth.  I find it quite odd that I cannot locate a grave for him.  I know he was born in August 1858, and that he died after 1922.  He was the President of the State Bank of Alvarado (Minnesota) and also on the board of directors.  Wouldn't a small town make sure there was a grave marker for one of their own? 



Thanks to the Warren Sheaf for putting small town news in their paper, I know that he bought a new Ford car in 1917.   Considering he had a family, perhaps it was the Model T Touring car like this one:








And then in 1922
he was the administrator of his
brother, Peter Hendrickson's estate.




Where does one look for Mr. Linderoth after this?  I have tried to follow his children, but girls are difficult because of their possible married names.  He had four children with Carolina, who had already been married and had children prior to this marriage.  Esther, Henning, Edwin and Ida. It's also difficult to locate children when they change the spelling of their name.

Maybe one day, I will know more!

Mysterious Fire!

I found another glimmer of life on the farm with this tidbit from the Warren Sheaf, October 1916.  Peter Liden is my great grandfather's older brother, and sadly, they lost a part of their livelihood when there was a mysterious fire in the barn. 

It's easy to gain dates, numbers, marriages, childrens' names from sources like the Census data.  But it's these little newspaper blurbs that give a glimpse into the real history of your relatives.  I'm grateful the Warren Sheaf liked to print local history, colorful and otherwise!