Great Grandmother Anna Mathilda Svenson

This beaded shawl belonged to my great grandmother,

Anna Mathilda Svenson (1859-1930)

wife of August Joel Hoglund (1855-1926)

They married April 10, 1889 in the 

Logan, LDS Temple

Anna brought this with her when she emigrated to the 

United States from Sweden at the age of 16 (around 1873)

The shawl is at least 140 years old.

 Today, on behalf of my family, I donated this exquisite beaded shawl to the the Church Museum of History for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Accompanying me were my mom, my daughter, Megan, and my niece, Sophie. Sophie and Megan are Anna Mathilda's great-great grand daughters.

 Anna Mathilda Svenson was married to August Joel Hoglund who served a mission in Sweden from 1873-1875.
At the end of his mission to Sweden, August Joel Hoglund was asked to go to Russia to assist with missionary work in St Petersburg Russia. He was one of the first LDS Missionaries to serve in Russia. As time went along, and communist rule took over Russia, members of the Church, as well as all residents of Russia did not have the freedom of religion. Fast forward to the the 1990s when Christianity was again allowed back in Russia. Because of the efforts and obedience of August Joel Hoglund and fellow missionaries, the LDS Church was recognized as a Church that had already been established in Russia and did not have to wait for approval to begin missionary work and establishing the Church in Russia. There was a long waiting period for many other religions and faith-based groups who desired to enter Russia and become established.

 Previously, our family donated a gold bust of August Joel Hoglund to the Church Museum. The bust was made by the Lindloff family of St Petersburg and sent to the family of August Joel Hoglund while he was still serving in Russia.

 As we completed the paperwork for the donation with one of the acquisition curators, I asked the two great-grandaughters of Anna Mathilda Svenson to model the shawl. It is absolutely gorgeous. I could picture  this shawl being worn by my great grandmother as she attended Church in this new country.

I acquired this shawl from my cousin, Darlene Hansen, daughter of Marilyn Hoglund Hansen. Marilyn wrote a brief note that was included with the shawl, explaining that the shawl belonged to her grandmother Hoglund and was brought with her from Sweden when she emigrated to the US around the age of 16. I did not want to keep this treasure in the humid climate of Florida and felt it would be best donated to the Church Museum where it could be preserved and enjoyed by others.

In addition to the gold bust of August Joel Hoglund and this beaded shawl of his wife, Anna Mathilda Svenson, a few year ago, I donated a silver Sacrament cup that was used by their son, Joseph Wilford Hoglund, when he served a mission to Sweden.