Laurila Genealogy

The Good News is that Cousin Donna's cancer is stable and she is doing well at this point. So we all have much to be grateful for. The bad news is, the U.S. economy has put a major crunch on most of us, making it difficult to afford the trip to visit Finland and our Finish Roots this summer. Others have pressing plans that cannot be ignored this summer, so with the majority of cousins unable to attend, the GROUP trip will not be taking place this year. That is not to say some won't decide to go seperately, and we hope if you DO, that you will share some photos for us here on this site.

Many Thanks to Jan Maki, who put these facts and stories together and who still works to update this information for the family to this day. If you have corrections or additions to this tale, please send it to me at the contact link above and/or to Jan Maki.

Karl Charles Laurila – Grandfather
(Kalle Charles Laurilla or Charles Jaffet Laurila)
Born on January 9, 1884 in Raahe, Finland according to his naturalization papers
Died on July 10, 1948 at the age of 64 in Saxon
Buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Saxon, Wisconsin
Occupation: Farmer - Saxon, Iron County, Wisconsin
Personal Description: Fair Complexion, Blue Eyes, Light Brown Hair, 5 feet 8 inch and 150 pounds

In the 1920 Census taken in Saxon Township on February 8, 1920 , Charles Laurila was 36 and listed his occupation as Iron Miner.

Note: His last foreign residence was Hanko, Finland. Hanko is a small port city on the south coast of Finland about 80 miles west of Helsinki. It was the port of choice for emigrants leaving Finland for a new life in North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A memorial statue showing birds in flight commemorates this part of history.

He immigrated to the US via the SS Saxonia at the age of 26 from Liverpool, England on March 9, 1909 and his lawful point of entry was Boston, Massachusetts on March 18, 1909.
Declaration of Intention No. 1841 on December 4, 1923 in
Hurley, Wisconsin.
Certification of Arrival No. 14-64495
He took the Oath of Allegiance on June 20, 1946 and became a US Citizen. Certificate No. 5800733

Note: It should be noted that even though both Karl and Aliina immigrated to the US in the early 1900s, they did not apply for citizenship until 1943 and did not become naturalized US citizens until 1946 after WWII ended. This could have been because of WWI and WWII or possibly the language barrier.

According to a copy of the ship’s manifest, Karl Laurila traveled from Finland on the SS Saxonia with Ilmari Kilpelamen whose wife’s name was Sophia Kilpelamen. Ilmari’s last permanent residence was Kemi, Oulo, Finland. According to the manifest, he was 26; and like Karl, arrived in Boston on March 18, 1909. His birthplace was Liminka, Finland which is just north of Raahe. Was this the man who lived on the farm for many years and everyone called “Keilapela”? In Ina Maki’s paperwork, we found a prayer card from the funeral home in Wisconsin with this information.

Ilmari Kilpela was born March 5, 1879 in Finland and died on November 18, 1971. He is buried at the Hurley Cemetery in Hurley, Wisconsin. His services were held at the Engstrom Funeral Home in Hurley.

“Keilapela” (a nickname) was Grandmother’s sister’s husband. Her sister’s name was either Sophia or Lydia but if we go by the ship’s manifest it would be Sophia Kilpelamen. As the story goes, he came to the US; lived and worked on the farm in Saxon but never sent for his wife in Finland because she was such a “witch”. There is no indication that she came to the US nor is it unknown whether there were children or if Sophia remarried in Finland. On the back of one of his portrait pictures that Dennis Laurila has, Grandmother wrote Meorena Nuekina which means ……???…..…in Finnish.

In the 1920 Census taken in the Hurley/Vaughn Township on January 15 1920, Ilmari Kilpela was 41 and listed his occupation as Bartender.

Who was Wilho Kuitunen? Was he related to either of the grandparents or just a friend who came from Finland and settled in Ironwood?

Points of Interest in History:

World War I “the war to end all wars” was fought from 1914 to 1918.

The “Fire and Ice” War On November 30, 1939 Four Soviet Armies with 21 Divisions more than 400 thousand soldiers, thousands of tanks, war planes, and heavy artillery crossed Finland's borders. The “Fire and Ice” War was an intense and bloody conflict fought in unimaginable extremes of weather during the coldest winter on record, between Finland and the Soviet Red Army which lasted 105 days.

the Soviet Union’s invasion of Finland was almost three times larger than the Allied landing at Normandy on D-Day. The Soviets were convinced they could win the war in a matter of days. No one expected that tiny Finland could resist the highly mechanized Red Army, the largest military force in the world. And no one anticipated that 1939 would be one of the coldest winters in recorded history.

During the 105 days of intensely bloody and brutal combat, Finland improvised a devastating and deadly defense, for an environment that historians called a frozen hell. The Winter War changed the course of what would soon become World War II. There is a wonderful DVD available from PBS that re-enacts the “Fire and Ice” War. A demonstration of true Finnish “sisu” (Translation: perseverance, guts or nerve). World War II was fought from 1939 until 1945.

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Note: Grandfather Laurila arrived in the US via Boston on March 18, 1909 and Fanni was born in Finland on August 7, 1909 five months after he left for the US. Grandmother Laurila at the age of 24 with baby Fanni departed from Liverpool, England on the S.S. Megantic on August 6, 1910 and arrived at the Port of Quebec, Quebec, Canada on August 13, 1910 and entered the US via Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on August 14, 1910. According to some of the information found on the www.norwayheritage.com website, when the contract was signed and steerage passage paid; it often included both the steamship passage and railway transportation to final destination.

Special Memories: (Memories of the farm and Grandfather and Grandmother)

Grandmother always had several dogs on the farm. One of their names was Butchie who like to bite the kids. John Maki was once bitten by him on the leg. There was also a collie and a white horse named Katie.

Joel Maki and Donna remember Grandmother drinking her coffee out of a saucer while rocking in her chair. She used to put a sugar cube in her mouth and sip her coffee. Sometimes she would motion to the kids to follow her and they would go down in the basement to get soda pop.

Grandmother taught Dennis to play Canasta and how to cheat at cards. They would be partners when they played cards with Dennis’ parents and would routinely beat them at various card games.

Note: In Finland, Grandfather Laurila was a leathersmith making shoes, harnesses and other leather goods. Even after he came to the US, Karl continued to make shoes and leather goods for the farm. (Donna and Dennis)

Kalle Charles Laurila married Aliina Fanni Karjaluota on November 13, 1908 in Kemi, Finland

Aliina Fanni Karjaluoto Laurila – Grandmother
(also Fanni Aliina)
Born: October 23, 1885 in Raahe, Oulun, Laani, Finland
Died: June 6, 1964 at the age of 78 on the Farm.
Buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Saxon, Wisconsin
She immigrated to the US from Liverpool, England on August 6, 1910 and entered the US at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on August 14, 1910.
Personal Description: Fair Complexion, Blue Eyes, Light Brown Hair, 5 feet, 2 inches and 179 pounds.

Children:

Fanni (Vanni) Marie Laurila
(Crego/Augustine/Durham)
Born: August 7, 1909 in Raahe or Kemi, Finland
Died: August 19, 1988 in Mountain Home, Arkansas
Married: 1st Husband: George Crego (1928-1939)
Children:

Shirley Jean Crego Rion - Born: May 11, 1932
Married: Harvey Rion in May 1951
Children:

David – Born: July 15, 1959
Rachael – Born: March 19, 1965

2nd Husband: Willard C. Augustine – June 1939
Born: July 4, 1902 in Iowa
Died: May 1, 1975 in New York City
Buried: Mountain Home, Arkansas
Children:

Marsha Lynn Augustine DeRue
Born: September 22, 1940 in Wadsworth, Illinois
Married: Robert DeRue on February 21, 1959 in Waukegan, Illinois
(The highlight of the evening was when Willard took the shell out of the shotgun at the back of the church.)
Children:

Randy – Born: August 15, 1959
Michael – Born: April 7, 1962
Laura – Born: October 16, 1964
Lisa – Born: January 21, 1966

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Carol Joyce Augustine (Witt/Ulan)
Born: March 22, 1942 in Wadsworth, Illinois
Married: 1st Husband: Brian Lee Witt on June 30, 1961
Children:

Christopher Witt – May 4, 1962
Married:
Children:

Harrison Born:_________

2nd Husband: Mark Ulankiewicz on October 4, 1998

Special Memories and Great Stories from the past:

Fannie had a beauty salon on our back porch so she could earn extra money to be able to buy the formal dresses for Joyce and Marsha for the Rainbow Girls functions and high school proms. Marsha and I had them made by a dressmaker in Zion. We had some beautiful dresses. She even made Marsha’s wedding dress. (Joyce)

When Momma would drive the car to run errands for the family, we always knew when she was about a mile away by size of the cloud of dust on the dirt road coming home. “Here comes Momma……… Momma’s coming home.”

Sharon, do you remember the time you and Donna came to the Augustine Farm in Wadsworth…………

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John A. Augustine
Born: March 22, 1942 in Wadsworth, Illinois
Married: (1st Wife – Unknown)
Married: (2nd Wife) “Bunny” Elenore
In Hawaii in March 1990

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#3 Husband:
Henry Durham on June 14, 1980 in Moline, Illinois
No children

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Lillie (Lyyli) Katherine (Lillian Kathleen) Laurila (Steil/Montgomery/Houts)

Born: December 6, 1911 in Ironwood, Michigan
Died: May 2, 1999 in Glendale, Arizona at the age of 87
Buried: Maryvale Mortuary in Glendale, Arizona
Married: 1st Husband: Clarence Steil in 1935
Children:

Sharon Joy Steil Wall Miles
Born: June 16, 1937
Married:

1st Husband: Robert Wall in 1956
Children:

Cynthia Lea - Born: March 10, 1957
Married: Robert Maynard
Children:

Dana Rae Born: August 27, 1984
Evans Dana Born: July 26, 1987

Shari Lynn– Born: January 23, 1959
Married: Elee Kit Storey
Children:

General Elee Gene Born: November 11, 1990

Katherine Louise – Born: September 1, 1964
Married: Matthias Tennhard
Children:

Wesley Matthias Born: September 6, 1988
Dutch Waylan Born: March 9, 1992

2nd Husband: Harvey Miles on October 11, 1986

Special Memories and Great Stories from the past:

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Donna Rae Steil Stubbs Zaharchuk
Born: January 10, 1940
Married: 1st Husband: Ted Stubbs on September 5, 1958
Children:

Scott – Born: October 5, 1960
Married: Elaine Ellis, May 1985
Children: Ryne Born: October 31, 1985

Deidra Alina Born: April 26, 1988

Todd – Born: October 9, 1962
Married Peggy April 1999

2nd Husband: Andrew Zaharchuk on March 20, 1987

Special Memories and Great Stories from the past:

Information regarding Donna and Lilli’s 1988 Trip to Finland:

In 1988, Donna and Lillie (Lyyli) traveled to Finland to visit the countryside and search out the relatives. In May of 1988, Donna wrote Sanni and Pavo related to their travel by train from Rovaniemi to Vihanti on July 8, 1988 and would be leaving Vihanti for Helsinki on July 12 in the afternoon. Their Itinerary was as follows:

Day 1 – Helsinki to Turku (225 km)
Day 2 – Turku to Hameenlinna – Tampere (170 km)
Day 3 – Tampere – Jyvaskyla – Kuopio (300 km )
Day 4 – Kuopio – Kajaani – Hossa (340 km)
Day 5 – Hossa – There was a sauna in this town that was very similar to the sauna at the Farm in Saxon.
Day 6 – Hossa – Posio – Rovaniemi (315 km)
Day 7 – Rovaniemi – Vihanti

After the tour, they visited the cousin’s farm in Vihanti. Cousin Saani and husband Paavo in the fields on their farm. Great-grandmother’s gravesite was visited…….Anna Laurila. They visited Raahe; they visited grandmother’s birthplace.

Raahe has been one of the countries fastest growing towns in recent years. The townspeople like their town so much that they voted it into sixth place in the nationwide “best town” competitions. Raahe is situated on the coast in the plains of Pohjanmaa and close to the center point of Finland. Raahe is also the cultural and shopping center of the region. The founder of the town, Pietari Brahe was a farsighted man, although he knew nothing of steel rolling or computer technology or did he or did he just guess? In 1988, it would soon be 350 years from the founding of the town in 1649. So you are bound to bump into large or small events in Raahe’s history no matter which way you turn. A man of Raahe was married to the sea and then to his wife and lived in harmony with them both without ever offending either. In Raahe you can’t help bumping into the sea or its positive influence on the welfare of the town. Earlier the life in Raahe was perhaps very simple. It was, however, full of riches and idyllic so that it helped as well to shape the town. It has been preserved for you to see. Not from the bustle of a car but by strolling leisurely and taking time to absorb the atmosphere.

They visited Cousin Erkii and his wife Kaite; Cousin Taini and husband Paavo; Cousin Katrina. They had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Finland.

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2nd Husband: Andrew Montgomery in 1947

Children:

Mary Lynn Montgomery Sadler
Born: March 17, 1948
Married: David Sadler, April 1968
Children:

Stephen- Born: November 12, 1968

Special Memories and Great Stories from the past:

3rd Husband: Forrest Houts in 1956

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Charles Elmer (Ilmari) Laurila
Born: December 25, 1912 in Ironwood, Michigan
Died: February 9, 1976
Buried: Saxon Cemetery in Saxon, Wisconsin
Married: Millie (Amelia) Belany on ________
Born: November 10, 1913
Died: June 21, 1975
Buried: Riverside Cemetery-Ironwood, Michigan

Children:

Dennis Laurila
Born: March 31, 1948 in
Married: Sue Oebser on July 5, 1975 in Elmwood, Wisconsin
Children:

Jay Michael - Born: July 30, 1980

Scott Thomas - Born: October 20, 1981
Married – Lisa Martini on August 20, 2005

Erin Alina - Born: November 19, 1984

Special Memories and Great Stories from the past:

Note: Elmer and his family lived on the Laurila farm for many years. Dennis still owns the original Laurila family property in Saxon, Wisconsin and in ~2000 built a small hunting cabin on the property somewhere between where the original farmhouse stood and the newer farmhouse was built where Elmer and Millie raised Dennis. (Dennis, please edit and expand on the details of the farm, the trees your father planted and your hunting cabin.)

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Rieno Laurila
Born: November 2, 1914
Died: July 7, 1915

Special Memories and Great Stories from the past:
The story goes that he suffocated to death from an epileptic seizure when he was alone with sister Fanni while Mother Aliina went to town to get either medicine or help.

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Aina Alina Laurila (Ina Maki)

Born: August 30, 1916 in Saxon, Wisconsin
She was issued a Certificate of Birth Registration from the Wisconsin State Board of Health in Madison, Wisconsin which could probably mean that she was born at home. This postcard was sent to Charles Jaffet Laurila in Saxon, Iron County, Wisconsin; date unknown.
Died: March 16, 2007 in Mountain Mesa, California
Buried: Kern River Valley Cemetery in Wofford Heights, California

Father Karl was 32 and Mother Aliina was 31 when Ina was born.

Married: Alfred August Maki
Born: November 2, 1914 in Montreal, Wisconsin
Died: June 3, 1984 in Wofford Heights, California
Buried: Kern River Valley Cemetery in Wofford Heights, California
Social Security No. 350-09-6924
Education: 1920-1928 – Montreal Grade School
1928-1929 - Hurley High School attended the 9th Grade

Childreni:

Joel Alfred Maki
Born: June 11, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois
Married:

1st Wife: Margaret Mueller on June 1961 in Las Vegas
Children:

Glenn Joel
Born: December 30, 1961
Married: Kalissa on June 18, 1985
Children:
Davin - Born: November 28, 1985
Lorin - Born: July 10, 1989

Garret Cameron
Born: October 25, 1965
Married: Melanie on
Children:
Keaton-Born:
Ryan
Born: December 14, 1969
Allison-Born:

Kari Ann
Born: February 12, 1969
Married: Toby on
Children: Zarah-Born:

2nd Wife: Sherri _______ on September 1971 in Pittsburg, PA

3rd Wife: Jana Casey Brown On March 16, 1978
Born: February 15, 1952
Children:

Jason Brown - Born: April 21, 1973
Married: Virpi Valkama on
Children:

Julia Jana - Born: July
Tuomas - Born: January 12, 2007
Matias - Born: January 12, 2007

Special Memories and Great Stories from the past:

John Edward Maki
Born: June 6, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois
He moved to California when he was just three months old; arrived on September 9, 1942.
Married:

1st Wife: Sharron Humbard on August 28, 1965
Born: May 28, 1944
Died: February 2003
Children:

Julie Ann Maki – Born: March 14, 1967
Married: Darin Anderson on March 28, 1992 in Thousand Oaks, California
Children:

Rachael - Born: April
Heather - Born: November
Kenneth Allen – Born: May 9, 1968
Married: Suzanne Neleinger On February 29, 2000
Children:

Sidnie Zana–10/31/2002
Lindsay Allen–5/31/2005

2nd Wife: Janet Benjamin Maki on February 2, 2002 in Ventura, California

Special Memories and Great Stories from the past:

Alfred August Maki married Ina Laurila on March 13, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois. They were married by Oscar B. Anderson, Pastor (church unknown). Mr. and Mrs. Martin and Helen Lovequist were their witnesses. Helen Maki Lovequist was Alfred’s older sister. Ina made a notation in a small book of poems entitled “Our Marriage” that this was “the happiest day of my life”. To this day, it still has a pressed corsage tucked between the pages.

Note: Ina and Al left Chicago on September 4, 1942 at 11:30 am from John and Ingrid Haugbert’s home; then left Oak Grove Cabins at 7:30am on September 5 out of Coralville; and arrived in Los Angeles, California at 3:30pm on September 9, 1942. According to Joel, they had an evaporator cooler hanging on the window for air-conditioner and a canvas water bag hanging from the radiator as they traveled through the desert. Ina tells the story that they had to hang John’s diapers out the window to dry. John was just three months old and Joel was five years old when they made this journey.

Note: Al was issued a Certificate of Age issued by the Industrial Commission of Wisconsin on December 23, 1933 in Hurley, Wisconsin. We did find a copy of his Birth Registration sent to his father Joel Maki in Montreal, Wisconsin on January 22, 1934 and a State of Wisconsin Birth Record issued on February 11, 1977.

Al worked for Viking Industries from January 24, 1957 until he retired; prior to that he worked for O’Keefe & Merritt in Los Angeles from 1950 to 1956and prior to that he was a tool and die maker at Industrial Fabricators in Burbank in the mid-1940s; he worked for Lockheed in tool and die for a short time with his brother Arvo. Al also worked with brother-in-law Martin Lovequist in Los Angeles the summer of 1947.

Residences: 1937-1938 4145 Sheridan Road, Chicago
1938-1939 3333 Seminary, Chicago
1939-1941 1221 Fletcher Street, Chicago
1941-1942 3217 North Kenmore, Chicago
1942-1949 5533 La Mirada, Hollywood
1949-1951 4234 Gateway, Los Angeles
1951-1956 949 ½ Ridgewood Place, Hollywood
1956- ? 19901 Bryant Street, Canoga Park
? -2002 Abby Lane, Wofford Heights

Sometimes Ina would laugh and tell the story, if she found an apartment or house for rent cheaper than the one they were living in, she’d have everything packed and when Al got home from work and they’d move. Until they bought their first house on Bryant Street and then they discovered Lake Isabella and bought property there; she moved to the Lake; Al commuted on weekends; eventually Al retired and they moved to the lake permanently.

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Henry (Henrik) Joel Laurila

Born: June 14, 1918 in Saxon, Wisconsin
Died: March 20, 2000 in Gainesville, Florida
Buried: Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL
Married: Jean Elizabeth Wuerker - February 14, 1947
Born: January 10, 1922 in Racine, WI
Died: March 4, 2005 Gainesville, Florida Buried: Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL
Children:

H. Joel - Born: November 9, 1951 in Racine, WI
Kaye Elizabeth - Born: June 29, 1954 in Racine, WI
Married:
1st Husband: Tim Wall on December 21st, 1981 in Gainesville, FL
2nd Husband: William Peglar on May 1, 1992 in Gainesville, FL

Special Memories and Great Stories from the past:

In WWII – Dad [Hank Laurila] found that his backwoods background served him well and in many situations, would save him and his comrades from harm. Among the many tales, he told us once about a couple of men who had been milling about the town his company had recently occupied. The army officer in charge, on the suspicion they were enemy spies, ordered them detained. He tried to interrogate them, but every available translator was sent for, still, no one could understand the odd pair.

Finally, someone mentioned that a Private Laurila was exceptionally good at picking up the foreign language of every country they marched through, was nicknamed “The League of Nations” by his buddies. Pehaps he could help? The officer agreed to summon him in the hope that he may be able to at least discern what language was being spoken. Dad was quickly informed of the problem on his way to report.

When the weary men were produced, Dad introduced himself in English “Hello, I’m Private Laurila and who are you gentlemen?”

Dad listened carefully as the first man remarked to his mate “Here’s another damn fool that thinks we know how to speak English. What the !&%! is this?”.

Dad replied perfectly so they would understand, “Well, I had to get you to say something so that I could figure out what language you’re speaking.”

Astonished officers watched as the surprised and delighted fishermen quickly turned to Dad and explained their situation in a relieved torrent of babble. They told Dad they had been separated from their fishing boat; missing its departure due to a gross hangover suffered from the previous night’s celebration. Their biggest concern was not getting caught up in the war and making their way back to their boat. The three quickly became fast friends with the Private who was going to interpret and secure their freedom for them.

The officer in charge listened to the flurry of conversation that ensued. Dad explained their situation to him, as soon as he was able to get a word in edgewise. Scratching his head, the OIC asked Private Laurila, “by the way, what language is that Private?”

“It’s Finnish sir.”

He frowned, well aware that Finland had been no where near this Private 's tour of duty. “Wherever on earth did you learn to speak that?” He asked in a perplexed manner.

“At home, sir.” Private Laurila grinned.

Juho Henrik Laurila – Great-Grandfather
1st Wife – Name ?????? (See below for family in Finland)
Hopefully, between now and when we travel to Finland in July of 2008, we will be able to reach back another generation to fill in some of the unknowns.

Juho Henrik Laurila- Great-Grandfather
Born:
Died:
Married: _____________________________(1st Wife)

Married: Anna Josefina (2nd Wife)
Born:
Died:
Sulo Laurila
Born:
Died:

Matti Laurila
Born:
Died:

Jaakko Laurila
Born:
Died:

Katri (Grandmother to Sirpa Tikkala)
Born:
Died:
Note: According to Sirpa, Katri’s father
Was Kaarlo (Kalle) Laurila

Husband: Jaakko Tikkala
Born:
Died:

Toini
Born:
Married:
Husband: Paavo Aho
Anni
Born:
Married:
Husband: Pentti Junttila
Sanni
Born:
Married:
Husband: Paavo Raisanen

Eino Tikkala

Paavo Tikkala
Born:
Married:
Wife: Raili

Elli
Born:
Married:
Husband: Esko Vaisanen

Erkki Tikkala
Born:
Married:
Wife: Taisia

Sirpa Tikkala
Born:
Married:
Husband: Juha Vierimaa
EMail: Juha.Vierimaa@mail.suomi.net

Markku Tikkala
Born:
Married:
Wife: Pirjo Kallio

Eero Tikkala
Born:
Married:
Wife: Sirpa

Jarkko Tikkala
Born:
Married:

Arto Tikkala
Born:
Married:
Wife: Heli

Matti Tikkala
Born: