52 Ancestors - Sakris Honkawaara

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story Too Small issued the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  Each week focus on one ancestor and post something about him or her.

This week I'm looking at my Finnish side. Sakris Honkawaara (Waara) was my 2nd great grandfather. Sakris was born in Pudasjärvi, Oulu, Finland. According to the Gothenburg, Sweden, passenger lists, he was 44 years old when he immigrated aboard the Orlando to Hancock, Michigan, United States in 1882. He left his wife, Britta and four children to follow in 1884.

The family stays in Michigan at least till 1889, as two more daughters are born there. One daughter being my great grandmother, Carolina (Liina).  Sakris and his family are in Towner, North Dakota, United States for the 1900 and 1910 census. Sakris is listed as being a farmer. 

The Finnish seemed to move in groups and once again in 1911, they are on the move. His family has now increased with daughters-in-laws, sons-in-laws, and grandchildren. One daughter, Mary, stays in United States. His daughter Anna Kaisa married Gideon Mustonen. My great grandmother, Liina married Jack Makie. Johanna (Hannah) married John Antilla.  Sakris's son, Charlie married Olga Kellokoski and son, Sakris married Anna (last name unknown). So, at the age of 75, Sakris and his wife follow the rest of the family to southern Saskatchewan, Canada. This is the last move for Sakris, as he dies at the age of 82. He is buried at the Dunblane Finnish Cemetery, Saskatchwan, far from his homeland.

See post about my Finnish Side:

Surname Saturday - My Finnish Roots