Albert Carlberg, a young man from Småland, left his homeland in search of a better life in America. With the bold spirit that characterized many Swedish emigrants of the 19th century, he crossed the Atlantic and settled in Pennsylvania, where he built a family and a new life. But the journey was fraught with both successes and severe trials—from the long voyage across the ocean to the losses of loved ones and a life of hard work. This is the story of Albert Carlberg, a man whose life spanned two continents and whose legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren. Albert Carlberg is my great grandfathers brother.
A Journey Across the Atlantic
Albert Carlberg followed in the footsteps of his sisters when, on October 21st, he boarded the ship Orlando, with New York as the final destination. Like many Swedes in the late 19th century, Albert was part of the mass emigration wave, driven by hopes of better opportunities in America. The journey across the Atlantic was long and arduous, lasting weeks in cramped quarters with little comfort. But for many, the promise of a new beginning in the land of opportunity made the hardship worthwhile.
Upon his arrival, Albert settled in Pennsylvania, where he would later marry Anna Dorothea Carlberg (b. 1869) on May 8th, 1890, in Motala, Sweden. Their shared surname, though purely coincidental, was a symbol of the bond they would create. Together, Albert and Anna built a large family, blessed with nine children: Carl Edward (b. 1892), Georg Albert (b. 1894), Gustaf Arthur (b. 1896), Edna Lovisa (b. 1897), Robert Herman (b. 1900), Harry Victor (b. 1902), Clifford Theodor (b. 1904), Dorothy Elvira (b. 1906), and Raymond Felix Sigfrid (b. 1907).
However, life for the Carlbergs was not without tragedy. Of their nine children, only six would survive into adulthood. Their second son, Georg Albert, passed away at the tender age of 12, while Gustaf Arthur and Dorothy Elvira tragically died as infants, at just six months old. These early losses would leave a mark on the family, but they carried on with resilience.
A Temporary Return to Sweden
In 1901, Albert and Anna made the bold decision to return to their homeland. With their four surviving children—Edward, Georg Albert, Edna Lovisa, and Robert Herman—they moved back to Småland, settling in Skirö, just outside Vetlanda. They moved in with Albert’s brother, Emil Carlberg, who was a woodcarver renting space in a carpentry workshop. Here, Albert found work as a carpenter.
However, the return to Sweden was short-lived. A year later, on April 8th, 1902, the family once again set out for America. Remarkably, during the Atlantic crossing, Anna was pregnant with their sixth child. Their son, Harry, was born on August 11th, just months after their arrival in the U.S.
A New Life in Pennsylvania
By 1910, the Carlberg family had settled on 399 Henry Hills Road in Sheffield, Pennsylvania. Albert worked in the timber industry, a vital sector in this part of the country, where the forests provided abundant resources. Despite his hard work, the family faced further hardship when Anna Dorothea passed away in 1917, at just 47 years old, after complications from a cancer surgery.
The loss of Anna left Albert a widower with six children. By 1920, he had moved to 107 Dunham Street in Sheffield, where he lived with his remaining children. Albert had taken a job as a church sexton, while his oldest son, Edward, worked as a brakeman for the railroad, and Robert found work in the same industry. Meanwhile, Harry had taken up a job at a local kindling factory.
Kindling factories were common in timber regions like Pennsylvania. These factories used leftover wood scraps from sawmills to produce kindling, which was then sent to cities like New York and Philadelphia. In these urban centers, coal stoves were widely used for heating and cooking, and kindling was a necessary commodity. The bundles of kindling, tied with tar-soaked string, could easily ignite the coal in stoves, making them a crucial part of daily life.
A New Chapter: Remarriage and Loss
Sometime during the 1920s, Albert remarried Christina Sophia Holmgren, a woman 15 years his junior, originally from Alseda, Sweden. Sadly, this second chapter of Albert’s life was cut short when Christina passed away in 1936, leaving Albert alone once again.
By 1940, Albert was still living on Dunham Street, now with his two sons, Edward and Raymond, who remained by his side. Albert continued working as a sexton at the local church until his retirement. On September 26th, 1942, after a long and eventful life, Albert Carlberg passed away at the age of 84.
The Legacy of Albert Carlberg
Albert’s descendants continued to live out his legacy in America. His son, Robert Carlberg, lived to be 77 years old, passing away in 1977. Robert’s wife, Olga, outlived him and passed in 1998. Their daughter, Donna, married Charles Edward Adams in 1963, and their son, Owen, served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. Owen later married Janet Marie Hall in 1957, and together they had three children: Leigh Ann, Robert J., and Lynn.
Harry Carlberg, Albert’s fifth son, married Beata Lenora Johnson in 1930. Like Harry, Beata’s family also hailed from Sweden. The couple had five children: Joyce Elaine (b. 1931), Doris Jean (b. 1933), Stanley B. (b. 1945), Geraldine (b. 1946), and Allan (b. 1950). Harry worked as a machinist in one of Jamestown’s many factories. After Beata passed away in 1970, Harry lived on until July 21st, 1994. The couple was laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery in Jamestown.
Albert’s seventh child, Clifford Carlberg, lived with his father until 1928, when he began his military service with the U.S. Army. After completing his service, Clifford moved in with his brother Harry and sister-in-law Beata. Clifford worked as a welder and later married Helen Mary Babarik, whose parents were immigrants from Austria-Hungary. The couple had one son, Clifford Theodore, born on May 26th, 1948. Clifford continued to work in Jamestown as a lathe operator and passed away in 1989 at the age of 84. His wife, Helen, followed in 1996. Their son, Clifford Jr., later moved to Ohio with his family.
The youngest son, Raymond, shared a tragic fate. In 1941, Raymond died in a terrible accident when he fainted and fatally struck his head at his brother Harry’s home.
Conclusion
The story of Albert Carlberg is one of resilience, hardship, and enduring legacy. From his journey as a young emigrant across the Atlantic to his life as a father and worker in Pennsylvania, Albert’s life encapsulates the experience of many Swedish immigrants. Though marked by loss and struggle, his legacy continues through his descendants, who carried on his dreams of a better life in the New World.