Anders Gustaf Anderson, from Åland to the Darling Downs
My great grandfather, Anders Gustaf Anderson, was born on the 17th December 1837, to Anders Andreasson Rosenberg and Christina, ‘Hanna’ Johansdotter Sundberg. Anders grew up in Mariehamn, in the K ökar archipelago , part of the Åland Islands ( 6,700 large and 20,000 small islands). In 1809 the Åland Islands were ceded by Sweden to Russia, along with Finland, under the Treaty of Fredrikshamn. However, in 1920 the League of Nations degreed it an autonomous and demilitarised region of Finland. Although part of Finland, the official language is Swedish. 'Hanna's house where Anders was born, is now a museum. (Photo courtesy of Tessie Anderson). St Anne's church K ökar where Anders was baptised, sits on the site of St Anne’s 15 th century Franciscan monastery. It is believed that there was an even older church there before the Franciscans. ( https://www.kyrkor.ax/churches/kokar-church/ ). Anders...