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Links: Family Main Page Email Us |
News:
Ted Branson's Death: June 7, 2026
Sadly, Uncle Ted passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at the nursing home in Miami, Florida. Ted had entered the nursing home in September 2024. He was just a few days short of his 91st birthday (June 11, 1935). All our family's love, thoughts, prayers and wishes are with Aunt Patty, Tim, Dan, Patrick and their families as we mourn the loss of a great husband, father, uncle and all-around great guy! For more photos visit Aunt Patty's page here.
Photos above: 1 - Ted 1952 St. Joseph HS yearbook photo, 2 - Ted and Family at birthday party 1960s, 3 - Ted and Patty at Bernie's in 2007, 4 - Patty and Ted at Dayle's 2007, 5 - Dan, Mirtha, Patty, Ted, Grandma Ackerman and Charlie Scovern, 5 - Patrick friend, Patty, Patrick and Ted, 6 - Ted and Patty at their place in Allegan 2006, 7 - Jimmy, Robin, Patty, Ted, Bernie, Dayle and Larry at Jimmy's in 2007, 8 - Patty and Ted.
RIP Uncle Ted - Theodore Allen Branson: June 11, 1935 - June 7, 2026
Dayle's Gathering IV: 5-31-2026 Click on the photo below to enlarge
The extended Christophers had another gathering at Dayle's in Muskegon on May 31, 2026. It was the day after Pete's grandson (Dawn's son) was married in Muskegon. Pete, his friend Shirley, Lynn, Yvonne, Lee, Bonnie, Dayle, Jim, Julie (Dayle's daughter), Bernie, Larry & Jimmy attended the gathering. Dayle provided us with awesome food as usual, pulled pork, chicken salad, cole slaw, potato salad... Lynn brought her tasty limpa bread (along with many loaves to share - I've been enjoying mine many ways but I think best toasted, butter and jam as Lynn suggested). Bonnie brought her equally tasty rice pudding. There were cakes, pies and homemade cheesecake as well.
Unfortunately, Pete, Shirley, Bernie and Jimmy left before we could get a photo of the group, and somehow we missed Yvonne. Also, how could I forget to get a photo of the food??? After all, it is a Christopher gathering and what is the gathering without pictures of the food? Fortunately, I remembered just before Lee and Bonnie left to get a couple photos. So, we have a photo of (left to right) Bonnie, Dayle, Lee, Lynn & Larry below. The second photo is of Bonnie, Lee and Lynn.
It was an awesome time and big thanks to Dayle and Jim for having all of us to their place, and Julie for helping out. Hopefully, another get-together is in the offing this October (fingers crossed). I so enjoy sharing stories and learning more about our family. I disovered there are a few errors on this page I hope to rectify soon.
Also, I found this photo and newspaper article of Sentkerestys from the 1950s. As you can see, it was a newspaper article about the store that was right in front of our little house, Grandpa Warren and Grandma Wally's farm. I didn't know it was called Blackstones.
Photos Info from 5-31-2026
Dayle's Gathering III: 8-16-2025 Click on the photos below to enlarge
Dayle and Jim held a family gathering of Christophers at their place on August 16, 2025. Pete, Lynn, Paul, Patty, Lee, Bonnie, Roy, Larry and Yvonne attended (the over 60 crowd 😁). It was another great time shared with all the Christopher aunts and uncles, except Ava. It was such a treat to listen to all the great stories, recollections and learn so much about our family. Thanks to everyone who made a special effort to attend. As with all Christopher gatherings, the food was plentiful and tasty. Thank you to Dayle and Jim for hosting and providing so much delicious food. Author's note: special shout out to Bonnie's awesome rice pudding, and Patty's incredible wild blueberry bread, it was the best I ever had.
Photos: Group 1: Patty, Paul, Lynn, Yvonne, Lee, Larry, Pete, Roy, Dayle and Jim - Group 2: Patty, Paul, Lynn, Yvonne, Lee, Bonnie, Pete, Roy, Dayle and Jim - Photo 3: Paul and Patty - Photo 4: Paul and Roy - Photo 5: Lee and Pete - Photo 6: Patty, Bonnie, Lee and Pete - Photo 7: Dayle and Lynn
Photos from Bonnie:
Group 1: Jim, Paul and Roy - Group 2: Lee, Pete and Larry - Group 3: The Boys - Lee, Pete, Larry, Jim, Paul and Roy - Group 4: Lynn and Dayle - Photo 5 - Yvonne
Video: All the attendees except Larry who is shooting the video.
Dayle's Gathering II: 7-12-2025 Click on the photos below to enlarge
Dayle and Jim had the surviving members of the "Christopher Five" up to their place for a gathering with her kids, grandkids, Robin's son Joe and Christy on July 12, 2025. It was a great time - not pictured Jason, Kenna, Khorbin, the new puppy and Trevor.
Photos: Photo 1: Jimmy, Larry, Dayle and Bernie - Photo 2: Jimmy, Jim, Chris, Andrew, Joe, Christy, Erin and Bernie - Photo 3: Jim, Erin, Andrew and Dayle - Photo 4: What would a Christopher gathering be without a picture of food :) - Photo 5: Dayle and Julie - Photo 6: Helena and Chris
Robin's Graveside Memorial at Millburg Cemetery: 6-26-2025 Click on the photos below to enlarge
Robin's Memorial at his graveside was led by Michelle's Pastor James Whitman at Millburg Cemetery, Millburg, Michigan on June 26, 2025. This service was put together by his loving daughter Michelle Moore and her husband Brandon. Pastor Whitman and his wife, Gaile, are from Berrien County Baptist Church in Stevensville, Michigan.
Photo 1: Robin and Kathy's gravestone. The engraving for Robin's death is ordered but waiting on completion. Photo 2: Miguel (Robin's Grandson), Larry, Bernie, Michelle Moore (Robin's Daughter), Brandon Moore (Michelle's Husband) and Allison Moore (Michelle's Daughter). Photo 3: Michelle, Bernie, Miguel, Pastor Whitman and Gaile during service. Photo 4: Brandon, Pastor Whitman and his wife Gaile. Photo 5: Pastor Whitman & Gaile singing "Amazing Grace."
The other hymm, especially chosen by Michelle, as it was one of Robin's favorites, was "The Old Rugged Cross." To close the service, each of us gave a short tribute to Robin. It was a very moving and lovely memorial service. Rest in Peace Robin. Click here to go to Robin's Page.
Lynn's 80th Birthday Party in Noblesville, Indiana: 5-4-2025 Click on the photos below to enlarge
Lynn celebrated her 80th birthday (2 days early) at Osprey Pointe Pavillion in Noblesville, Indiana on May 4th, 2025. All of her living brothers were present. Photo 1: Paul, Lynn, Roy, Pete & Lee. Photo 2 & 3: Lynn. Photo 4: Dawn Nelson (Pete's Daughter) and Michelle (Lee and Bonnie's daughter - sorry for earlier error). Photos 5 & 6: Buffet and Hall. Click here to go to Lynn's Page. *Photos courtesy of Bonnie Christopher
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNN!
Family Gathering at Dayle's: 4-26-2025 Click on the photo below to go to the special webpage
The Christophers gathered at Dayle and Jim's in Muskegon to celebrate Robin's life and enjoy the company of the extended family. Photo 1: Dayle, Bernie, Jimmy, Lee, Pete, Larry & Roy. Click on the photo above to go to the page with 11 more photos.
Robin's Death: 4-10-2025
Sadly, Robin was found dead in his apartment in Portage, Michigan on April 10, 2025.
LOVE YOU ROBIN! See Robin's Page to learn more about Robin and his family.
Introduction to the Site:
This site is dedicated to all our ancestors who helped make us who we are. It is with gratitude for their sacrifices and love I present the Christopher/Ackerman/Larsen/Dolph/Söderling/Allard/Lambert/Berggren story. I have @1,000 photos on this site and have @2 hours of old 8 mm video.
This site is an on-going work in progress and will be updated regularly so check the Update List at the bottom of the page (BE SURE TO REFRESH - circular arrow above - every time you visit a page because you don't know if I have updated it and without refreshing your browser will not show you the proper updates). If anyone have photos or information they want placed on a page PLEASE send them to me and I will add them to your page or wherever appropriate. Jimmy sent me several photos so I could update his page.
Most ancestors don't have complete biographies yet, but some do - check bottom of this page to see updates listed. The Karen Ackerman Christopher, Bud Christopher, Johanna Lundberg, Eric Christiopher, Sivert and Anna Larsen, Roy Gilbert Ackerman pages are complete with some minor additions possible. Rose Larsen's bio section is almost complete but I need to add photos, censuses and other records. Every person has a photo except Inga Östman and Mary Avery. It is quite remarkable that I have been able to find photographs for our next four generations except two (27 of 29 people - Eric's father is unknown).
There are 100s of photos and numerous videos throughout the site. The DNA page is complete and is a great place to start to see our family DNA and learn about our ethnicity. The Siblings Page is a don't miss and is done. Mom's page has a very special book, "Reflections of a Mother's Heart," in her own words to all of us from Mom that I transcribed and it is a MUST SEE.
Another don't miss is a very brief History of Sweden/Norway, Geography and Language page with audio and video. This page is chocked full of photos, maps, family trees, video of Grandma Wally's Christmas feast and audio. It is very helpful because it shows where our people came from on maps, it explains the way Swedes and Norwegians used last names for centuries (patronymic system), and I have a very brief explanation of the languages with audio examples to help interpret some of the records I have included on the site. This page actually has audio of me speaking Swedish, along with real Swedish voices speaking it.
Christopher Family Tree - Click any name on the family tree or graphics below to see bio, photos, video, DNA test results. The whole page is interactive so if you see something you like just click on it. Be sure to check out the whole page because there are links to photos and videos below the interactive family trees at the top of the page. (Note: use the "Family Main Page" link above to navigate back to this page from any page on the site - for links that lead you to photos and documents simply click the back button to return to the page you were viewing - don't forget to refresh your browser every time you visit a page)
To explore the family tree branches further back than what is shown above click on the person in the last column for whom you want to follow and you will find additional branches for each person (work in progress). Note: some branches go all the way back to pre-Viking Era circa 600 CE (that's 45 generations!) through Anna Jørgensdatter - Here is a link to the earliest ancestors on the tree.
Links:
List of Webpages you may want to visit on this Site:
Siblings Page with 100s of photos of the "Christopher Five"
8 mm videos from Bud Christopher - almost 2 hours of footage
Houses of interest (photos of all the family houses in Berrien County)
Aunts and Uncles to the "Christopher Five"
Brief History of Sweden & Norway, the Languages, and Where Our People Come From
Gib's Slide Photograph Slideshow 1950s
Gib's Slide Photograph Slideshow 1960s+
Keepsakes, Heirlooms & Trinkets
Christopher Gathering at Dayle's 4-26-25
Updated Pages/Slides/Photos:
Family Page Update - June 10, 2026 (Uncle Ted's death, Dayle's Gathering May 31, 2026, Sentkeresty's newspaper article)
Pete Christopher - June 10, 2026 (Names added to family and his name Peter Knute fixed)
Lynn Christopher - June 10, 2026 (Names added to family and birthdates)
Paul Christopher - October 25, 2025 (Update on Patty and children, newspaper engagement notice)
Lee Christopher - October 25, 2025 (Update on children)
Larry Christopher - October 25, 2025 (Photos of his new condo)
Family Page Update - October 20, 2025 (Dayle's Gathering Aug 16, 2025 - Bonnie's Photos)
Dayle Chronister - October 20, 2025 (Photos from Aug 16 Gathering)
Lillian Ackerman - October 13, 2025 (Added Five Generations Photo)
Dayle Chronister - October 13, 2025 (Added Five Generations Photo)
Larry Christopher - August 1, 2025 (Barb's Family Tree - Photos of Barb, Erica, Jason and Jackson)
Bernie Christopher - August 1, 2025 (Added Pattie's Family Tree)
Dayle Chronister - August 1, 2025 (Added Jim's Family Tree)
Robin Christopher - July 15, 2025 (Added photos of Michelle Family, Joe Family - updated info)
Houses, Maps... - July 15, 2025 (Added Location of Graves by Ancestor and Riverside Cemetery Map, added other images)
Cemeteries Page - July 15, 2025 (Created Location of Graves by Ancestor and Riverside Cemetery Map Page)
Dayle Chronister - July 14, 2025 (Added Photos for Chris, Jason and Julie)
Larry Christopher - July 11, 2025 (Added Grade School Photos - My Two Cemetery Plots Photo)
Bernie Christopher - May 24, 2025 (Added Photos of Katie & Kari - processing other photos received)
Updated Lynn's Party on Family Page & Her Page, Pete's, Paul's & Lee's - May 5, 2025 (Added Photos from Birthday Party)
Dayle Christopher Chronister - May 4, 2025 (Added Photos from Dayle's Gathering)
Bernie Christopher - May 4, 2025 (Added Photos from Dayle's Gathering)
Jim Christopher - May 4, 2025 (Added Photos from Dayle's Gathering)
Lee Christopher - May 4, 2025 (Added Photos from Dayle's Gathering)
Roy Christopher - May 4, 2025 (Added Photos from Dayle's Gathering)
Pete Christopher - May 4, 2025 (Added Photos from Dayle's Gathering and Dawn's Photo)
Knut August Soderling - May 4, 2025 (Added Cerificate from War Department about Manhattan Project)
Andrew Wedding Photos and Video Page - April 29, 2025 (Added Photos & Video Julie Sent Me - Link Here or on Dayle's Page)
The Gathering At Dayle's Page Created - April 28, 2025 (Created Page with Photos and List of Attendees)
Family Page Update- April 28, 2025 (Family Gathering Photo and Link)
Robin Christopher - April 28, 2025 (Slideshow Updated - Kathy Family Tree - Timeline Updated - Family Info Updated)
Dayle Christopher Chronister - April 28, 2025 (Dayle's Children Update, Beginning of Timeline)
Robin Christopher - April 24, 2025 (Slideshow Completed - Other Updates - Timeline in Progess)
Robin Christopher - April 19, 2025 (Update in Progress - faulty link fixed)
Dayle Christopher Chronister - April 19, 2025 (4 photos of Dayle & Tea Sets - Family Info)
Heirloom, Keepsakes & Trinkets Page - January 3, 2025 (12 photos from Dayle and Bernie's)
Lynn Christopher Meyer - December 12, 2024 (Updated Family Info & Photos)
Lee Christopher - December 12, 2024 (Wedding Photo & 3 Photos from Dec 12, 2024 Gathering at Lee's)
Heirloom, Keepsakes & Trinkets Page - September 19, 2024 (9 More Photos from Larry's)
Created Heirloom, Keepsakes & Trinkets Page - September 5, 2024 (9 Photos from Larry's)
Roy Gilbert Ackerman - September 3, 2024 (Added to Biography & Photo of "A" & "Mason" Rings)
Bud Christopher - September 3, 2024 (Added Death Certificate)
Karen Ackerman Christopher - September 3, 2024 (Added Death Certificate)
Roy Gilbert Ackerman - August 30, 2024 (Finished Bio, Slideshow, Documents, Censuses... Spartanette Trailer Link)
Karen Ackerman Christopher - August 30, 2024 (Added Spartanette Trailer Link)
Created Gib's Trailer Photos Page - August 30, 2024 (Added 1952 Spartanette Trailer Photos)
Karen Ackerman Christopher - August 13, 2024 (Added LINK W2 and updated biography - dog Rusty)
Karen Ackerman Christopher - August 9, 2024 (Added second slideshow with 32 NEW photos and updated biography)
Lee Christopher - August 9, 2024 (Added two photos to his page)
Karen Ackerman Christopher - August 8, 2024 (Finished biography, added keepsakes, documents and photos)
Bud Christopher - August 5, 2024 (Finished slideshow, added documents)
Jim Christopher - August 5, 2024 (Added one photo to his slideshow - #45)
Uncle Norm on bottom of Sivert & Anna Larsen pages - August 3, 2024 (short biography, documents & photos)
Anna Sofia Jørgensdatter (Larsen) - August 3, 2024 (added to narrative, photos, maps, updated dates, records - mortgages)
Jim Christopher - August 2, 2024 (added 47 photos, made slideshow, noted time of birth)
Pete Christopher - August 2, 2024 (added a photo)
Siblings 5 Adults - August 2, 2024 (replaced two placeholder photos to slideshow - C5 at Larry's Wedding & added lists of people)
Sivert Larsen - July 31, 2024 (added to narrative, photos, maps, updated dates, records - mortgages)
The Cottage - July 27, 2024 (added to narrative, updated dates, records - mortgages)
Warren's House - July 27, 2024 (added to narrative, updated dates, records - mortgages)
Gib's Sawyer House - July 27, 2024 (updated dates, records - mortgages)
Gib's Harbert House - July 27, 2024 (updated dates, records - mortgages)
1010 Broad Street - July 27, 2024 (updated dates, records - mortgages)
Johanna Lundberg - July 26, 2024 (updated bio, added census and other records)
Eric Bernard Christopher - July 26, 2024 (updated bio, photos, added census and other records)
Sivert Larsen - July 26, 2024 (added photos, bit of narrative - much more to go)
Bud's Sawyer House - July 17, 2024 (added kitchen photo)
Bud's Page - July 17, 2024 (updated bio and added census other records)
Working on:
Lillian Larsen Ackerman - Creating slideshow, biography and documents
Wally and Warren Christopher - Creating slideshow, biography and documents
Dayle Chronister - Several photos to be added to slideshow including 5 generations.
Karen Christopher - Grandkids page
Bernie Christopher - Photos to complete slideshow
Aunts & Uncles - Photos and information as I receive them
Carl Norman Page - Biography, kids and my stay with Arne
Other ancestors - Biographies, photos, dates, records...
