This article is based on excerpts from “Matts Johansson Svartsjö’s 300th Anniversary”, by Roger Mannil. It was translated by June Pelo in 1992.
When Matts Johansson Svartsjö-Torppa, born ca 1673, was 24 [in ~1697], he moved to Haltas-Svartsjö as a farm hand to widow Maria Henriksdotter who was a “small cousin”. Her husband Johan Olofsson had died 1697. Johan’s brother Jakob Olofsson and sister Malin didn’t get along with Matts Johansson so they moved to Storbacka. Matts’ father was Johan Gabrielsson, died at age 102, who had 14 children. His brother was a jurist and member of parliament.
Johan’s father was Gabriel Olofsson who built the church at Övervetil; his picture was carved on the pulpit. According to Ilmari Wirkkala he was first married to a woman from Svartsjö. Matts’ great grandfather and great great grandfather were called Olof, and then we go back to Michel Olofsson Stor-Caino, whose father was Olof Grelsson Caino, whose father was Grels, born ca 1490.
RE the Caino farm: Eric Cainberg, 1778-1816, came from Caino. He was Finland’s first sculptor. When K. J. Hagfors, also a descendant of Grels Caino, asked his mother if Cainberg belonged to the family, she replied: “I think not because he was a careless fellow who never knew what he would eat in the morning.” The answer was evidence of the great familiarity about a person who was dead close to 100 years. Hagfors did not exclude the relationship and we can now confirm this relationship.
Other relatives of the family: Carl-Johan Slotte and Alexander, his son, who was a writer. The Riska family, known for its musical talent. Also from the same roots came Dr. Karl Johan Hagfors, Director of Nykarleby Training College, fosterer of several generations of elementary school teachers in our area. Also other artists residing in the area were Professor Taneli Kuusisto and artist/designer wikipedia:Tapio Wirkkala.
Matts Johansson Svartsjö and Maria Henriksdotter had 5 children.
