Looking for g-grandfather

LILLEBERG-JOHNSON

Posted By: Kathleen (email)
Date: 7/3/2010 at 15:46:23

My husband's grandmother Myrtle Annette Johnson was orphaned in 1899. She was born in Story City in 1896 to Christian Johnson and Mathilda Lilleberg. I can find Mathilda (or Martilde) in the census with her family at age 12, but when she's 22 she is gone. I assume she was married by then because Myrtle was born one year later. Apparently a brother was born 3 months before the death of Mathilda, but by this time they are living in Joliet, IL whee Mathilda died. Myrtle's adoption papers state that Christian "disappeared and was presumed dead" and she was finally adopted by a family in South Dakota. I cannot find a marriage record for Christian and Mathilda. What are the chances there is none? Why would her two children end up in orphanages never to meet again if there was so much family still living in Story City? If the two children were illegitimate would that keep the family from taking them in? My husband's family never knew anything about her birth family and I am very appreciative of any help.