Elfriede and Johan

This is letter number 27, and the last letter in the first envelope of letters I have. 🌸⁠ ⁠ The first envelope contains the letters that Elfriede and Johan sent to each other during their first three months of acquaintance, april - juni 1920. In total I have 20 envelopes with around 3 - 30 letters in each that were sent between 1920 - 1941. 🍃 ⁠ ⁠ To maybe clarify some confusion. Johan goes by several names in the letters. Johan, Olle and Hanni. Olle being a nickname derived from his last name, but also a very common Swedish name. 📝⁠ ⁠ Ängelholm 29/6 - 1920 - From Johan.⁠ ⁠ "Dear Elfriede!⁠ ⁠ Your letter makes me happy. Many thanks. ⁠ I could eat pancakes with lingonberries ⁠ for every meal.⁠ ⁠ I have only a few minutes at my disposal⁠ and that's why I have to keep it short.⁠ ⁠ Next Sunday at 10:27 I will arrive at Ovesholm. You meet me, and and we'll walk to Lille Paris, right? As you⁠ want!⁠ ⁠ Greetings and goodbye!⁠ Hanni" 🌸⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #truelove #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900s #1900 #1920s #1920 #history #lovestyory #ancestors #ancestry #heritagte #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #historicallove #ängelholm #elfriedeandjohan⁠ #lovestory⁠ https://www.instagram.com/p/CV7iWstM9jm/?utm_medium=tumblr

29th of June 1920 - From Elfriede to Johan. "Dear Hanni! I thank you very much for your nice, long letter. Same for the lines on Saturday and your congratulation for my birthday. Our planned meeting on Sunday was anything but successful. Poor you wasted the entire Sunday traveling around. How much I looked forward to your coming. My heart was beating with happiness. I drove to the train station where I waited half an hour until the train arrived. And then? You can imagine how my happiness disappeared. I imagine it wasn't any better for you. Slowly I went back, still hoping to see you at the train station. Then my sister Miss Rose and the children arrived and told me your greetings." 🍃 Elfriede instead hoped they would be able to see each other another time: "Even though you, you Swede, bestowed upon me by Fate, won't always be free due to your profession, I would never want to exchange you for someone who is free to do or not do whatever they want. "I want", a powerful word, has shown us after all that it cannot always be powerful, for example when the train is late or duty calls. Poor bachelor! You must soon long for a woman, simply because of the pancakes!?! I know the nice, tall man who was in Thorslund on Sunday and who is allegedly called Olle very well. O, and how well I know him! I have been to Thorslund with him plenty of times. That was a wonderful time. Do you still think fondly of the little German girl who would always meet you by the church in Ängelholm at 9 o'clock? In order to calm you, I now try to educate my boys to be good children through kindness and love. They have to thank you and only you for not getting spanked. You know, I will raise my own children better from the very beginning so that it will not be necessary to beat them in the first place. Now I would like to tell you something about my birthday. I have received many flowers, The children brought me the first roses. From my dear home country I got 12 letters, 3 cards and 6 photographs. Herbert Beer has also written and sent me a picture. In the evening we all sat in Hamsell's room. she had made some good coffee, we even risked a little dance." 💃 https://www.instagram.com/p/CV0QHdxMl1d/?utm_medium=tumblr

Halmstad the 28th of june. From Johan 🌸⁠ ⁠ I think one of my absolute favourite things I have learned about Johan through his letters is his aversion to violence and harsh words. Sweden later, in 1966, become the first country in the world to completely outlaw corporal punishments against children (not only in school but in the home too). ⁠ ⁠ A lot of people think Sweden outlawed child corporal punishment in 1979 when it was explicitly written into the law. But even before this it was illegal. ⁠ ⁠ So for me, knowing that Johan all the way back in the summer of 1920 asked Elfriede not to punish the children, is really special. ❤️⁠ ⁠ "Your letter is still with me. I don't have any special news to tell, just that the weather is marvellous and there aren't a lot of flies. It's only half past two in the afternoon, we'll be starting our journey from Halmstad tomorrow morning at six. What am I supposed to do? Read and write. There is a pretty café in H. where you can have coffee and cake, maybe we'll go there. We are three young men from Ängelholm, not young girls.⁠ ⁠ How are your headaches? I hope they're better. Are the children polite? Hopefully you are good at raising kids, aren't you? You wanted to beat them once. Please do not do that - don't! Beating isn't good for kids, you know? ⁠ ⁠ "You don't understand!" is what you might say to me and you're right. An old bachelor doesn't know anything about children.⁠ ⁠ At last, dearest greetings from your Olle! Write soon!"⁠ ⁠ #truelove #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900s #1900 #1920s #1920 #history #lovestyory #ancestors #ancestry #heritagte #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #historicallove #ängelholm #elfriedeandjohan⁠ #halmstad #svenskhistoria #childcorporalpunishment #barnaga⁠ https://www.instagram.com/p/CVZ9mzCs0mq/?utm_medium=tumblr

Unfortunately Elfriede and Johan weren't fated to meet on the 27th of June. 🍃 As soon as he arrived home Johan sat down to write Elfriede to let her known what had happened.⁠ ⁠ The train Johan was taking was supposed to leave at 6:05, but before departure it was already 1 hour and 14 minutes late and before he came to Teckomatorp the train he was supposed to change to had already departed. So instead he traveled on to Kävlinge and hoped to be able to travel to Lilla Paris by Malmö. But when the train to Malmö was late his only connection to Lilla Paris would arrive after he would have to go back home to Ängelholm. 🛤⁠ ⁠ Johan tried to call Ovesholm to let Elfriede know he wasn't coming, but it was half an hour before someone picked up the phone. ☎️⁠ ⁠ "Next Sunday I am on duty. The following week I need leave to go to the north. So when can we meet each other? A question, easy to ask but difficult to answer, isn't it? It should take a whole month before I can come. ⁠ Difficulties are to be overcome. Hopefully you can overlook what happened, I could not help at all that it went so badly. Is the Countess still away? Maybe fate wanted us to be good. The opportunity, as well as the weather would be better in July, right? ⁠ ⁠ Now I have to go and eat lunch, and then I will write you further. There is also a "festival" in Thorslund, but only for children and those who love to dance. But I like to sit in the open-air restaurant to drink coffee and listen to good music. ⁠ ⁠ Why did you have to go before these wonderful evenings had begun?⁠ ⁠ One more stupid question, forgive me! I am hungry, I want to eat - but - I can't get pancakes! See, I don't have a wife yet! Poor bachelors!" 🕺⁠ ⁠ #truelove #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900s #1900 1920s #1920 #history #lovestory #ancestors #ancestry #heritage #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #historicallove #soulmates #ängelholm #elfriedeandjohan⁠ ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/p/CVLB6Ant4Jl/?utm_medium=tumblr

For Elfriedes 24th birthday. As promised, a birthday telegram from Johan. 😍⁠ ⁠ #truelove #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900s #1900 1920s #1920 #history #lovestory #ancestors #ancestry #heritage #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #soulmates #ängelholm #elfriedeandjohan #oldtelegram #telegram https://www.instagram.com/p/CVFmziuNtnu/?utm_medium=tumblr

"Munkeberg d. 21 June 1920⁠ ⁠ Dearest Hanni!⁠ Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your dear letter and the cute photo. You will not believe how much you have pleased me with it. My only regret is that I was not able to be in Ängelholm at the time the picture was taken. How nice it would be if I could have been in the picture. Your friend Olle must have taken this picture. ⁠ ⁠ I showed the picture to Knut and asked if he knew who it was. He said immediately: "Oh, the one from the station",and wanted to keep it, I should hang it over his bed. I would love to go with you to Thorslund or meet you on the Västra Promenade. So your landlord is already teasing you with your “Tyska Flicka"? But I will gladly believe that you are pleased if a letter from me is waiting for you. I myself feel the same. How I looked for your last letter and how happy I was when I received it. ⁠ ⁠ So now it remains that you will come here on 27th of June? Are you looking forward to seeing me again as much as I am looking forward to seeing you? Hopefully we will have beautiful weather and few flies. I will certainly be at the station. You will write me again about your exact arrival, won't you? I would rather save you the trouble of reading a letter with German writing. I'm sure you want to use your precious time for other things than struggle with things that basically serve little purpose for you. Don't you? ⁠ ⁠ You poor thing must have so much time for fixing socks and washing anyway, but you won't be able to do that without pancakes and lingonberries once you're married. But what would you do if your wife does all the things alone and then you have to eat the pancakes and lingonberries anyway? Would that be wonderful? But what if your wife can't make pancakes? That would be less wonderful, wouldn't it?⁠ ⁠ Now please, please write me soon and be greeted many, many times from my heart,⁠ your Friede.⁠ ⁠ Best regards also from Miss Rose and my little sisters."⁠ ⁠ #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900s #1900 1920s #1920 #history #lovestory #ancestors #ancestry #heritage #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #historicallove #soulmates #ängelholm #elfriedeandjohan https://www.instagram.com/p/CU_fichLb63/?utm_medium=tumblr

This letter dated on the 19th of May I suspect was actually written on the 19th of June. As it is a clear response to the letter Elfriede wrote on the 14th of June. ⁠ ⁠ "Your last letter, yes, I mean the most recent one, gave me joy. I completely agree, when you talk about your sweetheart. Complete trust is an absolute necessity. One does not marry a social rank or money, but one marries the loved one. Two people, that understand and love each other, they live more happily and have a good life with each other than two people, who have money but no trust. I hold you in high regard for your opinions Friede" 🌸⁠ ⁠ Johan also revels a little about what he would want from a future partner.⁠ ⁠ "By the way, everything is going decently. I am washing and fixing my socks, sewing my shirt buttons and so on. When I am married, I can continue to do those things, but only if I get pancakes with lingonberries!" 🫐⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #truelove #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900s #1900 #1920s #1920 #history #lovestyory #ancestors #ancestry #heritagte #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #historicallove #ängelholm #elfriedeandjohan⁠ ⁠ ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/p/CU5IPllNZRw/?utm_medium=tumblr

Most of Elfriedes and Johans letters are much too long to transcribe in their entirety. This one written by Elfriede in Munkeberg on June 14th, 1920 and continues their talk about their previous relationships and Elfriede praises Johan for how much better his German has become. 🇩🇪⁠ ⁠ "You say you are old and uneducated. How can you speak like that? Don't you do your best to be on a par with her in terms of education? Even if your means did not allow you to receive a higher education, you would have been eager to have been able to attend? Oh yes, that's how it goes in life. But what can you do about it? Shall we thank God that we have healthy limbs to secure a future for ourselves through our own work?" 📚⁠ ⁠ Elfriede felt like her relationship with Herbert was quite similar to the relationship Johan had with Sara. As both Herbert and Sara came from well to do families.⁠ ⁠ "Although he assured me before I left on my trip to Sweden that he still loved me and I thought I loved him, your trust is shaken forever when you have been deceived several times. And in my opinion, unconditional trust is the first necessity for a perfect happiness of two people who want to wander together for a long life."⁠ ⁠ "Materially, I could not be better provided for, but would I be happy? I have been thinking about it a lot lately. My parents and siblings are very simple people and during my absence he has made them feel that he is above them. And it would hurt me if I could not welcome my relatives in his house with open arms, but knew them only tolerated. So, it is good the way everything has turned out. I still do not give up my plan to become a sister. That would give me a purpose in life, even when I am old.⁠ ⁠ But now enough. I hope you are not bored by my detailed story! My sister and Miss Rose send their regards. How awfully glad I would have been to go to the sea with you. But alas! ⁠ ⁠ Write soon and be greeted and kissed from the bottom of my heart by your loving, Friede." 🌸⁠ ⁠ #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900 #1920 #history #ancestors #ancestry #swedishhistory #familyarchives #letters #elfriedeandjohan⁠ ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/p/CUhn65JJDg1/?utm_medium=tumblr

Dear Elfriede! I was very happy about your letter today. Many thanks, my darling, for the same. Unfortunately, I cannot express my thoughts clearly and distinctly with German words, but I hope that you understand me correctly. No master fell from the sky, we want to learn from each other during the time. I also owe you thanks for the poem. Everything I got this morning, I have read many times. What you wrote in the beginning I could read well. At least I think so. Next Sunday I might have come to you, but this afternoon I met Löthberg, and he is coming. The 24th I am probably still free, but not the 27th. My friend in Katrineholm and I also want to make a trip to northern Sweden this summer. As you know, you can see the sun all night long and that would be something to see, wouldn't it? Do you want to travel with us? Further you get my respect for the self-experienced story. But why don't you communicate with him? You still love him, don't you? And he probably loves you too. There is no sky without clouds, you always have to wait for sunshine. But you understand your business much better than I do, and I don't want to advise you in that. You say that you would not have been able to get married to him in more years. Why not? Last summer I met a young girl. She has finished her secondary school, is rich, i.e. her parents are rich farmers and certainly did not want to see me with their daughter. But we like each other very much. We still communicate with each other. But she is young, educated and rich, and I am old, uneducated and poor, without any other property than my clothes and books. This I have told for her earlier, and I am convinced that the fate leads her in other circles when she, Sara Jönsson, has flown from the parents' nest. Don't you believe it? So now we know each other's love story, and we can think something about it. Yesterday and tonight I walked in the forest opposite Torslund. I wished you were with me. Many greetings and kisses from the Olle who loves you! Write again! My greetings to your friends! #truelove #oldletter #geneology #history #ancestor #ancestry #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #elfriedeandjohan https://www.instagram.com/p/CUaUFfqNzRU/?utm_medium=tumblr

"And now, my love story! How shall I tell it to you? It's a story that happens in almost every person's life. He and I, we knew each other since early childhood. Herbert Beer, that's his name, and I went to school together. From the 12th to the 18th year of his life he went to the Oberrealschule in Liegnitz, then we saw each other again. We were always friends and also wrote to each other as such when I was in Dresden. When I came went home for vacation in 1916, he was a soldier and was sent out to war. We were now more than friends and agreed to get married. His and my parents agreed. Our engagement was due to be on July 24th at his parents' silver wedding anniversary this year. After his return from the war it seemed he had gotten to know other young women while I was in Bolkenhein. Our serious relationship was probably too much pressure on him in such a small town as my hometown. At least I felt that something had changed. I asked him to break our engagement because I didn't want to be a burden to him under any circumstances. He didn't want to hear of it. He finally understood how to make it all right again, until later he started acting so weird. Then, too, I said to myself that we would not be able to think of marrying for years and I would be too old for him, who was the same age as me. I presented this to him and asked him again to let our relationship be friendly and he then "released" me. When I came home for the first time at Easter, we saw each other again. I am still on friendly terms with his mother and siblings. Before my departure for Sweden he asked me to talk with him, which I agreed to. He asked me to let our relationship continue as before. But I can't do it anymore, it's pointless after all. I told him we should let fate run free and wait and see what the future brings. He asked me to write to him, as a friend. I congratulated him on his birthday on the 4th of May and he still hasn't answered. So now you know everything. Is your curiosity satisfied? I'm about to run out of daylight so I have to end this here. Many many loving and sincere greetings, my dear, and write soon. Greetings from my sister. Your Friede." https://www.instagram.com/p/CUVIqXsL0Vs/?utm_medium=tumblr

Monday, June 7, 1920⁠ ⁠ "Dear Friede⁠ ⁠ Thank you very much for your dear letter! How are you now my darling? Judging by your latest letter, everything is going well. Yes you, I sincerely wish: "may the sun of happiness shine on its way, and may Fortunas give you part of its favour!"⁠ ⁠ One of the longest letters I have read so far, Johan begins in Swedish. He did not only want to learn German for himself. But he also helped Elfriede learn Swedish. 🌸⁠ ⁠ A large part of this letter is devoted to solidifying their plans to meet on Sunday the 24th of June (midsummers day in 1920). Johan also responds to Elfriede joking that she might surprise him one day when he is going for a swim. "Please, do that!" I don't mind."⁠ ⁠ Before signing off he as always sent his greetings to her sister and Miss Rose and asked Elfriede "what love story did you want to tell me? I'm really curious. "Love" or "What is love" was really nice. Do you have time to write it down?" 🌸⁠ ⁠ #truelove #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900s #1900 1920s #1920 #history #lovestyory #ancestors #ancestry #heritagte #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #historicallove #elfriedeandjohan⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/p/CT7N2ZwLo1d/?utm_medium=tumblr

"Thousand thanks for your letter. I was very glad to receive so many kind lines from you. I often, expectantly, looked for new mail. Now I can laugh often and heartily again, without Knut having to ask me. Margit still has to stay in bed and apart from the fever doesn't have any pain any more. So I can sleep well again at night. The boys still make a lot of trouble, but apart from that I am well. During Pentecost, you of course travelled a lot back and forth. I'm sorry that you are so lonely now. How much I would like to take you on a walk for an hour or so. Who do you miss the most now, your friend who departed, or the German girl? It is splendid that you want to go to Germany next summer. We will plan our holidays together. Why did you not go to the party in Thorslund on Sunday? It seems to me that you lead an actual hermit life. The bathing in the sea might be quite nice. Look out so that I don't surprise you during that one day! Last Sunday I was in “Lilla Paris” with Miss Rose. We walked for 1 and a ¼ hours. We went to the Tivoli, where there was a concert. In general we were not very impressed with Kristianstadt. However there are wonderful parks there. So you have Sunday off in 8 days? Do you intend to go to Kristianstadt. then? Oh, it would be wonderful if we could meet. Actually it wouldn't be my turn yet to have a Sunday off, but my sister could arrange it for your and my sake. How is the train connection? Would you have to wait long in Kristianstadt. if you went to Ovesholm? I would much prefer it if you could come to Ovesholm and I could meet you at the station. Surely you can come in the morning and we could still go to K. by foot in the afternoon, if you feel like it. Please write to me exactly how you imagine our meeting. Yesterday was Miss Rose's birthday. We celebrated in the evening with punch and cake. Miss Rose wants me tell you that you are correct in capitalising You, Your, etc. But you can do as you please. I'm suddenly terribly tired, so my letter will come to an end. My sister and Miss Rose send their regards. Your Friede. Write to me soon." ❤️ #truelove #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #elfriedeandjohan https://www.instagram.com/p/CTzsvyKt_2m/?utm_medium=tumblr

When Johan came back from his Copenhagen trip with his friend Olle, he was happy to find Elfriedes letters waiting for him. 📬⁠ ⁠ Of course he responded to her and told her about his trip and the many things they got to see. He thought Copenhagen had many sights but wasn't a beautiful city. Instead he and his friend Olle was hoping to go to Germany the following summer. Maybe Elfriede could join them as their guide? 🗺 ⁠ ⁠ In one of his many poetic moments he told her their life was like the wheat which the fate wants to separate from the chaff. That he couldn't have met her before she left because he was sent away for work. ⁠ ⁠ "Now it's 8pm, my friend has left to travel home and I sit alone in my room. Yes, I'm really alone.⁠ Why? Can anyone answer this?⁠ ⁠ I wanted to go for a walk with you this evening but we can't, "Go alone" the fate said. I like being alone but when you have a good friends you want to be with them.⁠ ⁠ You are away! My friend Olle is away. I had many happy hours with him.⁠ ⁠ As you know I didn't have many hours with you but these hours were valuable. Meet a nice girl and a foreign language at once, that's not often, is it?" 🌸⁠ ⁠ Johan continued to write his letter the next day at 2:30 pm whilst on the beach. He had brought a towel, soap, a book and a newspaper and planned to go back home when he was hungry. ⁠ ⁠ Before Johan ended the letter to go for a swim he asked Elfriede if they could meet up in "Lilla Paris" and told her to send his greetings to her sister and Miss Rose. 💌⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #truelove #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900s #1900 #1920s #1920 #history #lovestyory #ancestors #ancestry #heritagte #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #historicallove #ängelholm #elfriedeandjohan⁠ https://www.instagram.com/p/CTpeA5St2lb/?utm_medium=tumblr

On the 25th of may Elfriede wrote Johan to let him know she had arrived safely in her new home. 🚂 The letter was divided in two parts, one written on the 24th and one the 25th. She suspected Johan was already in Copenhagen on vacation with his friend and she wished him an interesting and fun trip “wonderful weather and few flies”. 🪰 On the 24th Elfriede and Frl. Rose had walked halfway to Kristianstad. But on the 25th the weather was bad with thunder and lightning and Elfriede’s sister Clara and Frl. Rose had just gotten in and were like two drowned cats. They all sent their greetings to Johan. ⛈ #truelove #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900s #1900 #1920s #1920 #history #lovestyory #ancestors #ancestry #heritagte #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #historicallove #ängelholm #elfriedeandjohan https://www.instagram.com/p/CQTzYOpMaqo/?utm_medium=tumblr

By the 21st of may 1920 the children in Elfriedes care were feeling better. Before her departure from Ängelholm she wrote Johan a letter sending him her greetings for pentecost and thanking him for her happy arrival in the city. ✨ “If only I could meet you again, but unfortunately it is not possible. Thank you so much for all the wonderful hours I got to spend with you. I especially owe you for my happy arrival to Villa Hvilan. I would never have gotten to know the wonderful forrests and promenades in Ängelholm, if not through you. Hopefully destiny will be kind toward us and we will see each other again and exchange memories.” 🌸 She told him to keep writing her and that she would write to him when she arrived in Munkeberg. 🏡 #truelove #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900s #1900 #1920s #1920 #history #lovestyory #ancestors #ancestry #heritagte #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #historicallove #ängelholm #elfriedeandjohan https://www.instagram.com/p/CQRWGqjsK_k/?utm_medium=tumblr

Ängelholm the 19th of May 1920 “Dear Olle! A few scary hours behind me, I'm now sitting here at noon, busy with your work and thinking about you. Imagine now, when I came home from running errands in the afternoon, my little Knut had a fever of 39.7.” 🤒 The family, a german count, countess and their children, that my great grandmother worked for were only staying in Ängelholm temporarily and with the children sick their departure for Ovesholm in Munkeberg was delayed. 🚂 #truelove #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900s #1900 #1920s #1920 #history #lovestyory #ancestors #ancestry #heritagte #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #historicallove #ängelholm #elfriedeandjohan https://www.instagram.com/p/CP8noq3s5JZ/?utm_medium=tumblr

Sometimes I wonder how quick the mail service in Sweden was back in 1920. 🧐 Dated on 17th of may 1920. I have both a letter sent from Elfriede and a reply from Johan. 📝 The children in Elfriedes care are sick, and she has to play nurse, but when she wakes up next to them her thoughts turn to another darling, who might spare a thought for the German girl in the “sick room”. She also want Johan to bring the next book, that he promised her in a previous letter, as she forgot it the last time. 📚 The letter from Johan is one of my favourite ones yet, and it even contains, what we today would call a pun. But maybe was just a simple play on words back then. “I forgot to take the book last night, because the countess came over so quickly that we had to rush our goodbyes. But now I have found The Happy Marriage and you'll be getting that from me, as well as Too Much Love! Ha ha ha ha or . . ... . ! “ Johan implies that the dots in the letter are laugh symbols from the “telegraph”. To me it doesn’t seem to mean anything in morse code. Have anyone else heard of other “telegraph code” that was used around that time? ✉️ #truelove #oldletters #geneology #lettersfromourpast #1900s #1900 #1920s #1920 #history #lovestyory #ancestors #ancestry #heritagte #swedishhistory #sweden #familyarchives #letters #historicallove #ängelholm #elfriedeandjohan https://www.instagram.com/p/CPLHM-XJ56M/?utm_medium=tumblr