Name: The Treasure Trove of Letters by Ruth Bonetti
Duration: 2 min 12 s
Description: Imagine being given a treasure trove of family archival letters! My Finnish relative Gretchen helped me translate the Old Swedish and Munsala dialect. My Swedish friend Jan Westerlund read KJ Back's letter from Bangalow NSW, dated ca. 1900 which captures the homesickness of an emigrant asking for seeds from home. And to the fear that Russians might trace him to the far end of the world.

At the end of 19th century, Finland is a dark and repressive place. Pacifist and political dissenter Karl Johan Back is conscripted to fight for the Russian despots that occupy his country. In 1899 he flees to an untamed land on the far side of the world. Finding refuge on ridges overlooking the Byron Bay lighthouse in northern New South Wales, he grows orchids and lush tropical fruit.
In 1903, he is joined by brother Wilhelm ("WA", the author's grandfather.) This saga traces the brothers' struggles from frozen Finland to the lush rainforests of northern New South Wales, to the dry and dusty sheep country of western Queensland, the highs and lows of their new life under the Southern Cross.

Introduction to "Midnight Sun To Southern Cross" Trilogy

My spine prickled with presentiment when we drove onto the ferry. It forged a passage through the ice from Sweden across the
Gulf of Bothnia to Finland–my grandfather's birthplace.

 The past drew me onward like a magnet to the land of the northern lights, its force invisible and mysterious.

The Frozen Highway–Chapter 1 of Burn My Letters

Imagine building a house with an elevator in it in 1950 Brisbane suburbia! I grew up as "a granddaughter of the man who built a lift in his house." Yet, even subsequent owners, Dame Quentin Bryce, former Governor General of Australia, and he husband Michael knew nothing of the heritage of the Art Deco Mansion. I told Michael when he invited me to visit.

The Art Deco Mansion in St Lucia

Art Deco Mansion In St Lucia–Quentin And Michael Bryce

Imagine being given a treasure trove of family archival letters! My Finnish relative Gretchen helped me translate the Old Swedish and Munsala dialect. My Swedish friend Jan Westerlund read KJ Back's letter from Bangalow NSW, dated ca. 1900 which captures the homesickness of an emigrant asking for seeds from home. And to the fear that Russians might trace him to the far end of the world.

Burn my Letters

Burn My Letters: Tyranny to refuge

The Treasure Trove of Letters

Fate led this 3rd generation #Australian #Finland-Swede to live in #Umeå, #Sweden, across the Gulf of Bothnia from Grandad's birthplace in #Munsala, Finland. Imagine the thrill to discover my #heritage! Share my journeys around the glove–and those of my forebears!

The Treasure Trove of Letters

Ruth Bonetti

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