Alfred and Josephine Wirkkala

I have a group of three studio photographs of members of the WIRKKLA or WIRKKALA Family of Oregon. The three photographs in this group are as follows:

1 - Jonas WIRKKLA & Leona Kaisa WIRKKLA, taken at the Math Mathson Studio in Astoria, OR sometime in the 1890's, the couple appearing to be in their 40's or 50's
2 - Josephine WIRKKALA and her brother Alfred WIRKKALA, also taken at the Math Mathson Studio in Astoria, OR, in the 1880's or 1890's, both appearing to be in their teens to 30's, Josephine is also identified as "My Mother"
3 - Mr. & Mrs. John ROCK, also taken at the Math Mathson Studio in Astoria, OR, likely in the 1890's, with couple in their 20's, notes "Mrs. ROCK is my Mother" and "this is her first husband and father of John" confirming that this is the same woman in photograph #2 - Josephine WIRKKALA

Based on limited research and thanks to a family genealogist I was able to gather the following information regarding this family:

Jonas Johonp VIRKKALA or WIRKKALA was b. 7 Sept 1843 in Finland to parents Joho Heikki Juhonp VIRKKALA (1816-1857) and Liisa Greta HEIKINTYTAR (1813-1870) who were married in Finland on 20 Oct 1837. Jonas was one of 5 children born to this couple including Lena Kaisa Juhont Torppa; Jonas Juhonp; Juho Juhonp; Anna Sofia; and Juho Heikki Juhonp VIRKKALA, all born between 1840 and 1870. Jonas died 9 Apr 1897 in the USA.

Lena or Leena Kaisa Eliasdotter VIRKKALA was b. 18 Aug 1849 in Finland to parents Elias MICHELSSON (1824-1894) and Maria Johansdotter Viitala VIRKKALA (1825-1889) who were married 26 Jun 1845 in Finland. Leena was one of 8 children born to this couple including Johannes; Lena or Leena Kaisa; Carl; Johan; Matts; Matts; Gustaf; and Emma Maria VIRKKALA, all born between 1846 and 1868. Lena married Jonas WIRKKALA and she immigrated to the USA in 1872. Leena died 19 Jan 1931 in Ilwaco, WA and is buried in the Ilwaco Cemetery in Ilwaco, WA. The informant on her death certificate was Mr. Charles WIRKKALA of Astoria, OR.

Tirna Josephine “Fina” WIRKKALA was b. May 1877 in Finland to parents Jonas Juhonp VIRKKALA (1843-1897) and Lena Kaisa ELIASDOTTER (1849-1931) who were married in Finland on 18 Oct 1868. Josephine was one of 8 children born to this couple including Juho Alfred Jonaksenp; Maija Lisa Jonaksent; Anna Josephina Jonaksent; Kalle Joonaksenp; Tirna Josephine; Matilda “Tilda”; Emma; and Kalle VIRKKALA or WIRKKALA, all born between 1870 and 1882.

Josephine was married twice, first to John R. ROCK (1875-1900) with whom she had a son, Albert John ROCK (1895-1977). After her husband died, she married Waino Victor “Wayne” LONBERG (1877-1943) on 31 Dec 1901 in Astoria, OR and he adopted her son Albert, and they had two additional children including R. A. LONBERG (1903-1903) and Laura Helen LONBERG (1907-1989). Josephine died 19 Oct 1918 in Astoria, OR and is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Astoria, OR. It appears that she is often mixed in records with her sister Anna Josephina who was born in Dec 1874 or 1875.

Her brother Juho Alfred Jonaksenp VIRKKALA or WIRKKALA was b. 7 Feb 1870 in Kaustinen, Vaasa, Finland and immigrated to the USA in 1888, returning to Finland sometime after 1900 when he was living in Astoria, OR and died 2 Feb 1913 in Kaustinen, Vaasa, Finland.

I would love to find someone from the family so that these wonderful old photographs can be returned to a family member. If you are a member of this family or know someone who might be, please contact me.

Thanks,
Shelley