My brother Sean and I embarked on a trip to a tiny island south of Sweden which is actually a Danish island called Bornholm. (Apparently it has gone back and forth between Danish and Swedish rule and currently it is Danish.) My mother’s family comes from this tiny island. Our ancestor Magnus sailed from here around the southern tip of South America and up to San Francisco where he homesteaded land near Coloma prior to the gold rush. He then sailed back and collected his family and made the journey again. Sean and I visited the island and found ancestors buried outside this lovely little church. The island is charming and lovely and quiet with very little tourism.
Bulldog Travels / Photos By Jenny 
So great that you were able to make the trip and reconnect with some of your heritage!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks. It was pretty neat. My brother and I will never forget it that’s for sure.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can imagine! Sometimes I think the memories of travel end up being so much more important than the actual experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I find it interesting which places and memories stay the clearest. Sometimes it’s just a moment, an interaction, or even a meal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree! The things that we forget versus what we remember is fascinating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you and thanks for the comment.
LikeLike
We are planning to travel to Fontanarosa in Italy soon. That’s where my grandparents emigrated from. There was a rumor that relatives still live there but even if not, just connecting with the town will be emotional, I think. It’s great that you were able to find your ancestor’s final resting place!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks! I look forward to hearing about your trip.
LikeLike
It won’t be for awhile. Still have to work for another year to save the money! Hope you’ll stay in touch till then. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just had a baby so I am sidelined for a little while myself. Just going to try and travel locally for a little while.
LikeLike
Congrats! Local trips are fun. We started by getting on the freeway and taking one exit after another just exploring. Of course, once you get past the Las Vegas city limits it’s all desert and easy to find old derelict and abandoned homes, vehicles, factories. But even in town we’ve been able to find things we didn’t know existed. have fun. With your local travels and with your new child.:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Hoping he will be able to travel soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you been to Italy before?
LikeLike
No. My wife has. I haven’t traveled much out of the country. Only Canada.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Best food anywhere and it is SO BEAUTIFUL. Enjoy when you go.
LikeLike
Of course it’s the best food anywhere. It’s Italian. My favorite. Of course, it won’t be able to compete with my grandmother’s. Or even my father’s! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll bet!
LikeLike
“Our ancestor Magnus sailed from here around the southern tip of South America and up to San Francisco where he homesteaded land near Coloma prior to the gold rush.” Wow, was he there before Sutter then? –Curt
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll have to ask my brother. I don’t remember the date exactly but I believe it was after the gold rush. I don’t believe the Panama Canal had been constructed yet is what I was always told.
LikeLike
Then we know it was before 1914. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh definitely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Since you know the area the property that was homesteaded was in the town of el dorado, up above sky park, and also in pollock pines.
LikeLike
Thanks. Okay, trying to work it out. 🙂 The El Dorado I know is a small town on #49 which is two miles south of where I was raised in Diamond Springs. It was first known as Mud Flats until a realtor moved into town. 🙂 Pollock Pines is about 10 miles east of Placerville on #50 heading toward Lake Tahoe. All, very much part of my old ‘stomping grounds.’ –Curt
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those are the ones! My cousins are still running a cattle ranch on the property in el dorado and sly park. And my aunt is still living on the property in pollock pines.
Looks like the Panama Canal opened sometime about 1914 so he definitely would have sailed around the long way. I’m guessing it was shortly after the gold rush like so many other people. But he came here to ranch not looking for gold. Interesting huh?
Has your family been around these parts for long?
LikeLike
We didn’t move to Diamond Springs until 1945 when I was two. Newcomers in comparison to your family. 🙂 We left in the 60s but I still consider Diamond my ‘hometown.’ –Curt
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never been to Bornholm. But we hope to sail to this little chaming island this summer. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awesome. Glad to hear it. It was beautiful and not touristy when I went. But, it’s been a while.
LikeLiked by 1 person