R-Returned, Henry, Kerttu, Vieno & Edla Aho left for Karelia on 9/11/1932.  My grandfather, Henry Aho and his 2 daughters, Vieno and Kerttu (my mother) returned to the US, sailing from Southampton on 12/31/1935 and arrived in N.Y. on 1/7/1936. My grandmother, Edla Aho, sailed from Goteborg Sweden and arrived in N.Y. on 8/18/1936. My grandfather kept his U.S. passport and was able to return. My grandmother had to return via Finland and then came to the U.S.  Information provided by Ilona Harju 6-22-2013. dandihar@charter.net

A - Ammuttu, Frank, executed 22 April 1938. My grandmother's family The Heino's consisting of her father Frank, mother Justina, her brother Walter and her sister Alice were never heard from. My grandmother passed away in 1998 and never gave up looking for them. She knew that her father had been executed, but just found out about 10 years before her death. Information provided by Cheryl Carmichael 3/11/09.

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I am the grandson of Frank & Justina Heino.  He emigrated to the Soviet Union with his children Alice & Walter as well as my father Carl Heino and Arvid & Martha Tieva and their two daughters Florence and Violet. My father had just turned 17 when they emigrated.  When he turned 18 he immediately started the procedure to return which he did prior to the start of World War II.  Martha Tieva was Frank and Justina's daughter so Arvid was their son-in-law.  Fortunately they and their daughters also returned to the US as well.  Several years ago my daughter went to Russia and did some research on the family and learned that Uncle Walter was killed fighting for the Soviet Union defending Leningrad against the Germans.  I would very much like to make contact with Cheryl Carmichael who submitted information about the Heino family to this website on 3/11/09, we must be related and we can exchange information.  We also have some letters from Justina she may be interested in knowing about.  Information provided by Frank Heino 8/31/2011.   

R - Returned, Lauri and Sylvi Hokkanen, a young, recently married second generation Finnish American couple also caught "Karelian fever." She had taught in a one-room school for a few years and he had worked in the woods, owned a little sawmill and a grain grinding mill. So in spite of the Great Depression, they were surviving rather well on Sugar Island, a small island in the St. Mary's River near Sault Ste. Marie. They were hall Finns, attending all through their childhood a variety of activities at the leftist hall, including political lectures by Communist leaders. Lauri and Sylvi left for Karelia in 1934, when "Karelian fever" had just about subsided. There was no band, no singing of the Internationale, no waving of red flags when their little band of less than a dozen boarded the ship, Smolny, for the journey across the ocean to Karelia. They really didn't have much to take with them except for a Simmons hide-a-bed and Lauri's tools, but they were young and strong. Upon arrival, they were assigned to a lumber camp in Uhtua, north of Petroskoi, There the bedbugs made sleep almost impossible. They did a variety of types of work. Sylvi, the former teacher, drove a horse around and around in a circle to turn a mixer to make brick slurry. She also served as a cook for log drivers downstream. Cooking was not a difficult task, for so few foods foods were available. They had porridge for breakfast and soup made of canned meat and dried potatoes for the other two meals. Sylvi hoped to teach in Karelia and was therefore pleased to be given an opportunity to attend a teachers' college in Petroskoi where she majored in Finnish and Finnish literature. She also had to study the Russian language and Russian literature and history, and philosophy—the philosophy of Communism. The most surprising course requirement was "War Study," which entailed a study of the rifle and rifle practice to get them ready for the final conflict with "capitalist exploiters." Lauri left the sawmill where he had been employed, accepting a transfer to a ski factory in Petroskoi. His skill in auto and marine engine repair was valued as was his ability to play the trumpet in the ski factory band. They lived in a barracks where they had their own cubicle for six years. They suffered long queues to buy whatever food might be available, and rued the lack of privacy. Sylvi had to get a Russian passport to continue with schoolwork, so almost unknowingly they gave up their U.S. citizenship. In the fall of 1936 she began teaching, earning 1,000 rubles per month, two times as much as her husband earned with all of his overtime. But her job of teaching Finnish literature and language ended abruptly just a year later when all Finnish language activities and materials were banned. So she got a job teaching in an all-Russian school. But it was an unmitigated disaster, for her Russian language was not acceptable. Late in 1937, a friend of theirs was arrested and taken away. Why? They were afraid even to speculate. In 1938 the same thing happened to many Finns and Finnish Americans whom they knew. The wives of many were transported to an island in Lake Onega and put to work in the lime quarries, and some were simply turned out of their homes and told to get out of town, e.g. Laila Korpi. The Hokkanens decided it was time to go home. They told the Soviets that their parents were ailing and needed their help. Surprisingly, they received permission to leave. They knew of only one other similar request that was granted at that time. A war was raging in Europe, so they came back to Sugar Island by way of Japan. They were permitted to take only twenty American dollars with them and their personal belongings, which consisted mainly of old clothes. After six-and-a-half years in Karelia that wasn't very much to have saved. They visited their folks on Sugar Island but then went to Detroit where Lauri got a job in a tool and die shop where he worked for twenty-nine years until his retirement, at which time they moved back to the island. They didn't talk much about their experiences in Karelia either, thinking that people might not be interested or perhaps, like Lauri's mother, simply did not believe what they said. In 1991, their daughter, Anita Middleton, helped them recall that time of their lives and publish a book, Karelia, a Finnish-American Couple in Stalin's Russia, 1934-1941.
Sylvia Kinnunen, Marquette Monthly October, 2000

A - Ammuttu, My paternal grandfather Einar Holmberg came to the U.S. in 1913, and left for Karelia in 1931 from Cleveland Ohio.  I have been able to learn from a correspondent in Finland that he was executed in Murmansk on Nov. 21, 1938.  In the list of victims there is also a "Edith Paulina Otontytar Holmberg", born in 1909, that was also executed. Maybe he remarried?  Information provided by Leo Holmberg, holmbergl@gmail.com on 9/4/2013.

Leslie and Clyde Jalkanen, along with their mother, Tynne (?) left Russian and after spending four years in Finland, returned to the United States in 1940. They settled in the Finnish community of Voluntown, CT. Adam apparently stayed in Russia.  Information provided by Judy (Korpela) Schoch – June 2009

John O. Johnson, left Ludlow VT 1/26/32 with his wife Sophia Johnson. Died en route to Karelia 1/30/32. John's son's Theodore A. Johnson and William Johnson, both of Ludlow, VT also returned to US, William on 8/17/34 and Theodore on 7/8/32. Both lived long lives in the US, thank God. Sophia's fate is unknown. Information provided by Jo-Ann Coates, 14 Nov 2011.

R-Returned - Erland and Hillja Jokinen returned to the United States and are buried at the Park Cemetery in Marquette, Michigan.  The main head stone reads Jackson-Jokinen. Information provided by Gary Dahlke. 31 Jan 2014 Dahlke.gary@gmail.com

Information regarding Felix "Feelies" Jokiranta and his wife, Fannie Sofia Kero and their daughter Elsie Mae Jokiranta. Felix was born 18 Mar 1895; place unknown. He died in Red Lodge, Montana on 21 Jun 1986. Carbon County Cemetery Records, JOKIRANTA, FELIX 1895 1986 Red Lodge. Montana State Death Index 1980-1989 – J Montana State Death Index List Last Name, First Name, Middle - Death Date - File#, County JOKIRANTA, FELIX, - 6/21/1986 - 2795 - 5 Married: bef 1925 Fanny Sofia Kero, born: 16 Jul 1900 in Red Lodge (Fox), Montana. Died: 23 Apr 1964 in Red Lodge, Montana Carbon County Cemetery Records, JOKIRANTA , FANNY SOFIA 16 JUL 1900 23 APR 1964 Red Lodge. Montana State Death Index 1960-1969 – J Montana State Death Index List Last Name, First Name, Middle - Death Date - File#, County JOKIRANTA, FANNY, S - 4/23/1964 - 1638 - 5 daughter Elsie Mae Jokiranta, born: 27 Mar 1925 in Red Lodge, MT; died 15 May 1989 in Billings, Montana married: 17 Nov 1945 in Livingston, Montana to Waino Harold Hamburg 1925-2001. Both the Hamburgs and Keros were neighbors of mine in Fox, Montana. Information provided by Matti Kujala, 1 Oct 2008.

R- Returned, Eino and Maria Keranen, grandparents of Laverne Chappell, a well known Marquette writer, never told her about the Karelian period in their lives until she was in college doing some research for a class in Russian history. The Keranens, natives of Finland, owned and operated a small forty-acre farm in Watton. Like many others, they yearned for something better, so during the years of "Karelian Fever" they sold their farm, packed up their young daughter and son, and with their worldly possessions they set off. They knew life would be difficult during the beginning years, but they found it to be more difficult than they could have imagined. No housing was available so the men had to fell tress and construct a log barracks. Some barracks provided a separate little room for each family, but theirs had only one big room for sleeping and a communal dining room. The lack of privacy was bothersome. The scarcity of food was irksome. Although decisions which would affect their group were made at group meetings, they quickly learned that certain comments and suggestions were not welcome and, in fact, led to the disappearance of the unwary. Together and very privately they discussed ways they might extricate themselves from the unexpectedly unpleasant situation. Their daughter Iria needed medical attention. It was possible that the forty-mile ride to school each week in an open truck during frigid winter weather and the poor diet may have caused, or at least contributed to her poor health. They decided to seek permission to take her to Finland where she might receive the care she needed. Fortunately, Mrs. Keranen had a lovely, warm winter coat with a fur collar that a number of women had eyed covetously; she also had her prized sewing machine. With those two items, they were able to bribe a Russian interpreter at the commune to expedite their trip to Finland. Actually they sold her the items and bought tickets to Finland with the money. Naturally, after they reached Finland, they didn't go back to Russia. They came back to Watton. They were able to reclaim their forty-acre farm with its modest house and barn, for the man who had "bought" it had made no payments beyond the first one, nor had he paid the taxes.
They lived a quiet life on the farm, not talking to anyone of their unfortunate trip to Karelia. Were they embarrassed? Were they afraid the KGB or NKVD might be looking for them? It was basically a happy life, but in the back of their minds lurked the fear that at any time a car might drive down their lane with KGB men in it coming to punish them for leaving Russia without permission. Sylvia Kinnunen, Marquette Monthly October, 2000

X - Missing - August Kettunen is my Great-Grandfather.  I've been looking for him for a very long time.  If you have any information, please contact me at willokeays@gmail.com. Thank you, Jaci W.  February 2011

R - Returned, I have some information about Otto Kiiskinen who left to Karelia from Chicago 19/10/1932 His name is there in Laiho list. Otto Kiiskinen was my grandfather and he died at 1972 at 94 years old. My grandfather and grand mom have 5 children - 4 girls and one boy. My mom is first born. If anyone knows anything about my grandfather's life in USA for 30 years he was there - I'm grateful of any information. I know my grandfather was married twice in USA and I know he had 2 daughters and one son there.  So please , if you know anything about him, let me know! raija.oikarinen@gmail.com

My grandfather Otto Kiiskinen (left from Chicago maybe 10th of Sep 1932 to Karelia / there in my first message is a wrong date) came back to Finland just before the war from Karelia. He wanted to see his family and renew his passport but the war started and he stayed in Finland, because he could go back to Soviet Union. That was our luck, because he met my grandmother and they got married. My grandfather lived good life in Finland and his wife, who was 36 years younger than he - they got five children. Otto Kiiskinen died 1972. He was loved and honored father and grandfather. I miss him still very much and his stories about his life in USA where he was living 30 years. Of course my grandfather's children in USA are not alive anymore but maybe they had children also and I hope to get some connection with someone of them... (sorry my English is not very good).  Information provided by raija oikarinen 

Onni Koivisto, son of Gabriel and Mary, was my father.

 Onni returned to MN in 1933. "Arne" Koivisto was actually "Arvid" Koivisto, Onni's brother. Arvid also returned to Minnesota and died in Chisholm, MN, in 2011.  Information provided by Barbara (Koivisto) Anderson Marston bobbi@animal-pounds.com 6-18-2014

Toivo Korpela, who had live in Clifford and later moved to Owen, WI was the first of the Korpelas to immigrate to Karelia leaving on 02 Mar 1932 (on the same day as the Jalkanens and probably with them).   Toivo coaxed his parents, Gust and Marie Korpela, and his brothers, Bill and Oliver, into immigrating to Karelia also. The family sold everything they owned and left Owen, WI with Gust’s brother, Kalle (Carl) Korpela and Kalle’s wife, who was from Tripoli; The conditions in Russia were so harsh that the families obtained passes to ‘visit’ Finland and of course never returned to Karelia.  Kalle and his wife stayed in Finland.  Gust, Maria and Oliver stayed in Finland long enough to earn money to return to Owen, WI and later moved back to Clifford.  Toivo and Bill returned to the U.S. and took up residence in New York City.  Information provided by Judy (Korpela) Schoch – June 2009

Laila Korpi, originally from Ishpeming, went to Karelia with her mother in 1934, a few years after her father had gone. Her dad was assigned to a lumber camp; her mother became a mail carrier; and Laila was permitted to enroll in a Finnish drama school where she also studied dance, her first love. The Finnish people in Karelia at that time had an active social life. In a few years, the school closed, the speaking of the Finnish language was forbidden and Finnish books and magazines were burned. The time of terror was upon them. Laila had married Olavi Siiki, a second generation Finnish American from Detroit whose search for an ideal society had led him too to Karelia. He was very active in drama circles, even skiing to distant fishing villages and lumber camps to provide folks there with some entertainment. They had been losing friends, friends who simply disappeared and were not heard from again. One night in 1937 the dreaded knock was heard at their door and Olavi was led away. Her father, too, was arrested and taken perhaps to prison, perhaps to a labor camp or perhaps to be shot. After her husband was arrested, Laila was told to get out of their apartment and she lost her job. After all, the wife of "an enemy of the people" didn't deserve any sympathy. Olavi's parents volunteered to care for the baby Oliver while Laila and her mother went to Kostramo to live. Life was harsh. Their fist winter in Kostramo was very cold. They didn't have a bed in which to sleep so they laid boards from trunks to chairs; put on all their warm clothes including mittens, shoes and tams; and piled under and over them whatever warm things they could find. During WWII, Laila was shipped to Siberia to work on a collective farm where all the other workers spoke only Russian; she perforce learned to speak Russian. She was moved to various factories and eventually found herself again in Petroskoi, where she taught English at the elementary level for nine years and later worked in a drafting department until her retirement at age fifty-five. Through the efforts and the generosity of her cousin Emmy Kulkki of Gwinn, she was able to return to the area of her birth, living in Snowberry Heights until her health deteriorated, at which time she was transferred to the Palmer Nursing Home. Her old ballet slippers, which she had carried with her through the many years, hung by their ties on the wall by her bed. Her son Oliver moved from Russia to Alaska and called her regularly. She never saw her grandson nor her three great grandchildren again, which was a sorrow to her. Although she had been an atheist, while in Snowberry Heights she attended church regularly, anxious to learn what religion was all about. When she died, a service was held for her at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Marquette, where I was privileged to deliver the eulogy. Sylvia Kinnunen, Marquette Monthly October, 2000

D - Died, Solomon Isaakovich Laine, born in 1914, Place of birth: U.S., Finns, a non-partisan, driver. Living in the village Avni-threshold Kemskogo district.  He was arrested on 24.09.1937.  During the investigation, he died on 28.07.1938 while waiting trial.

R-Returned, My mother's uncle, aunt, and cousin left Sault St. Marie, MI on 12/6/1932 for Karelia. Their names are Matti, Selma, and Viola Maki. All 3 of them returned to the United States. I do not have a date for their return.  Information provided by Ilona Harju 6-22-2013. dandihar@charter.net

Juho was born in Lapua 1888 and  he was shot in 10.2.1838 in Karhumäki, Karelia. Kaisa was born in Kuortane 29.6.1892 , she died in Karelia Suojärvi 18.9.1965. Sylvia was born 21.6.1913Wyoming, she moved with her parents to Karelia. Her Finnish husband Yrjö Kolu was shot in Petroskoi 26.9.1838. Sylvia moved to Finland late 1990's and died in Jyväskylä 20.2.2002. Information is from Sylvia's personal diary.

X - Missing, Lily's maiden name was Lillian E. Hokkanen.  She married David Metsälä on 21.12.1918 Green Evangelical Lutheran Church, Carp Lake Township, Ontonagon County, Michigan.  (Lyyli Eliina Hokkanen was born on 14 Jul 1899 in Lappee, Finland.)

A - Ammuttu John (Juho), executed 22 April 1938;  X - Missing, Sanna; Harold escaped and R - Returned to USA.  He died in Oklahoma and is buried at Rose Hill Memorial Park Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma Nahkala, Harold Henrik Herman, bur. 11/4/1983, Sec. Love (26) L-282 #7. Information provided by Mrs. Edith J. Futcher, 4/6/2008.

X - Missing, Felix PESONEN and (R-Returned)Fanni NIEMI married. They lived, at least some of the time, in Warren, Ohio where Felix' sister Johanna PESONEN SELKÄMAA lived. Felix and Fannie traveled to Karelia together. Mayme Sevander remembered them, especially Fannie. We have letters that Felix wrote to his family while still alive. Originally, Felix's sister Johanna and her daughter were going to join them. Felix wrote to warn them not to come. From what is pieced together, when one arrived, one had to choose whether to keep the American Passport (and money) or trade it in for a Russian one and Russian money. There was evidently a lot of pressure and if it was known you held onto US dollars, the money was tricky to protect. Felix gave up his passport but more prudently insisted that Fannie keep hers. When they realized the situation (people were disappearing on a regular basis), he put her on the last train that got out. She died here in 1958 never knowing what happened to him, although she tried to find out. Coming back was also difficult. Those here who believed strongly in Stalin and what he supposedly stood for did not want to hear what was really happening. So, the community in which Fannie found herself could not have been easy. She died in 1958 in the place her NIEMI family settled when they emigrated. She must be the Fanni NIEMI in your list as: NIEMI, Aleksi,Fanni,Evert,Kenneth & Gloria. She is also found in the Cedar Valley Cemetery, Cedar Valley township, St Louis Co., MN as Pesonen, Fanny M. b.September 18,1895 d. August 14,1958. Information provided by Deb Paul 3/6/2009.

National Archives of Petrozavodsk indicated that Arthur Nikula went to Karelia from New York on the ship S.S.Drottninholm, February 23, 1932.  The last address in America was Ashtabula, Ohio, USA   1455 W. 6th Street.

 Arthur Nikula’s first job was a lumber worker and later he got a job as a driver.  On October 24, 1933 he married Olga Savina.  Their son, Leo was born  17.01.1935. In 1934, Arthur received  Soviet citizenship and passport.  During 1941-45, Arthur spent approximately 4 year in prison located in Sverdlovsk, where he had evacuated his family.   Arthur  was released from prison only at the request of his wife's sister's husband, who was a correspondent for the newspaper Izvestia.  After prison Arthur became ill, but was able to build a house in Petrozavodsk.  He died July 30, 1955, buried in the cemetery of Petrozavodsk.

 Arthur Nikula has a sister who is married and lives somewhere in Ohio.  There is a picture of her that was taken in the studio of Cleveland, Ohio.  It was said that Arthur’s sister called him and asked that he return to America, but he was already married and had a son and could not return.

The Soviet documents indicated that Arthur Nikula was born October 30, 1909 in Nyland province in the village of Espoo.  His father's name was Kustaa.  We do not know if this information is true information, because the national archives of Helsinki did have any information on Arthur Nikula.

If you have any information on Arthur Nikula or his sister, please leave a message in the Laiho List Guest Book.  Information provided by:  Elena Nikula, nikula@sampo.ru , 12/15/2010.

Santeri was named Alexander Nyberg when he was born in Viipuri, Finland on June 29, 1881.  He took the name Santeri Nuorteva in 1906. He became a member of the Finnish parliament in 1907 and served until 1910.

Santeri, Sanna, Matti, Kerttu, and Pentti left USA for Soviet Karelia in 1920.  Santeri Nuorteva was an important person in USA and Soviet Karelia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santeri_Nuorteva 

Santeri Nuorteva died in Leningrad (of natural causes) 31st March 1929.  Daughter Kerttu died in Kazakstan (of natural causes) in 1963.  Sons Pentti and Matti were executed in Wiborg in 1941.  It is not known what happened to Santeri's wife Sanni.  Information provided by Maria Smeds, 11/29/2010

Juho Arne Kallenpoika Patana and his wife Helmi Tuomaantytär o.s. Sironen. Arne b. 2 Jun 1896 Patana Veteli, Finland Passport issued 28 Nov 1901 for North America Departure from Hanko, Finland 30 Nov 1901 aboard the Polaris with a destination of Seattle, Washington, USA; Allan Line from England to USA. Montana State Death Index indicates that  PATANA, ARNE, died 2/2/1967, 553 - 5 Carbon County Cemetery Records, show PATANA, ARNE, died 2 FEB 1967 Red Lodge. Helmi Tuomaantytär Sironen, born: 10 Apr 1910 in Red Lodge, Montana; died: 3 Jan 1992, Red Lodge, Montana Montana State Death Index shows PATANA, HELMI, died 1/3/1992.  Married: 7 Jul 1930 in Red Lodge, Montana Son: Raymond Patana Arne's parents were from Veteli, Finland (Kaarle Reinholtti Matinpoika Patana (1872-1923): died in Red Lodge, Montana. married: 28 Dec 1894 in Veteli to Anna Amalia Juhontytär Björkbacka, born: 1877. Helmi's parents were Tuomas Sironen, b. abt 1885 in Karstula, Finland; died: 1925 in Red Lodge, Montana. He married Ida Maria Kamppinen born abt 1885 in Ylistaro, Finland. They had three other children besides Helmi: Eugene, Mildred and Archibald. Eugene's son, Gary Sironen and his family lived near me in Fox, Montana and owned and operated and dairy farm there. I am quite certain that this is the correct Patana family but have not heard anything about them going to Russia and when or about their return. Roberts is only 13 miles from Red Lodge.  Information provided by Matti Kujala, 1 Oct 2008.

The singer Sirkka Rikka was in her 80's and living in Petrozavodsk when she was interviewed by Laurie Hertzel. Laurie's September 2007 blog post includes a photograph of Sirkka and information about her 2 sons. http://lifewiththreedogs.blogspot.com/2007_09_11_archive.html Information provided by Paula Miller, millermf@aol.com, October 31, 2014.

ga, Eila & Erkki

Rintala, Mr. Kalle Kallenp, b. 6/4/1913 Norwood, MA, USA - d. Sept. 10, 1941 in Lappeenranta, Finland. Northern Kymenlaakso SKP's KeO 09.10.1941, § 46 Executed immediately (PM valv.os. 17/1941).  Status of others family members unknown. Information provided by heimo.outola@chic-print.inet.fi, January 5, 2011.

X - Missing, Thank you to Rikhard Laiho and Dr. Rudolph Pinola for their diligent research to compile the Laiho list that enables us to connect with our families. I am the namesake of Thelma Salminen, my mother's cousin, who was lost in Karelia.  All my life I heard about her and the terror the Finnish people experienced in Karelia. These accounts dovetail exactly with the stories and make them so real. We have several letters Thelma wrote to my grandmother (Eliina Heikkila Hamari) and her daughters from Karelia. Initially, they were glowing accounts of life, but that faded to disgust and in the last letter complaining outright about the lack of heat, food, privacy, etc. If anyone has heard anything about Lempi (step mother) and Lauri (Thelma's father) or Thelma Salminen, please let me know (tilind@hotmail.com). Thelma's mother, Hilja Heikkila Salminen, originally from Jalasjarvi, Finland, died in Detroit when Thelma was about 10 (around 1925). Information provided by Thelma Lind Mosebar, February 14, 2009.

R-Returned - Arma Siikoila of Owen, Wisconsin is actually Armas Siikarla.  He is my maternal uncle.  He (Armas) survived being sent to the Urals in '30s, reconnected in the '70s with my mother in Wisconsin and died in Russia in the '80s.  I have a lengthy account of his time that he wrote my mother, and I used it as source material for a major segment of my novel, The Finnish Girl, which in part deals with the Karelian Technical Aid movement. A reader of the novel made me aware of this site.  Information provided by Dennis Frahmann, March 29, 2014. dennis@frahmann.com

R - Returned,  Arvid Tieva (my grandfather) and my grandmother Martha, my mother Florence and her sister Violet returned to the US on the SS Hamberg leaving Southampton on 6-28-1935 and arrived in New York on 7-5-1935. I have a copy of a document showing this. A friend of mine is doing a genealogy for my family and discovered this. I thought you would like to know. My grandmother's family The Heino's consisting of her father Frank, mother Justina, her brother Walter and her sister Alice were never heard from. My grandmother passed away in 1998 and never gave up looking for them. She knew that her father had been executed, but just found out about 10 years before her death.  Information provided by Cheryl Carmichael, 3/11/09.

A - Ammuttu, Juho Nikolai Unkuri was born in Ylihärmä, Finland 18.2.1891.  Juho immigrated to USA in 1914, leaving a wife and child in Finland.  Juho left for Soviet Karelia in 1.2.1932 and lived in Uhtua and worked as a machinist and carpenter. He was executed 3.4.1938 in Medvezegorsk, Soviet Union. Information provided by Maria Smeds, 6 March 2011

Emil Töttö myöh. Uutela s. 2.1.1890 Sippola

Emil Töttö matkusti 11.1.1913 Hangosta Arcturus laivalla ensin Englantiin, josta matka jatkui Cunard Linen Ivernia laivalla yhdessä Vihtori Sakin kanssa New Yorkiin ja sieltä edelleen Minnesota Virginian suomalaiskaupunkiin. Sieltä hän on ilmeisesti muuttanut Massachusettsiin ennen vuotta 1926. Emil lähti Massachusettsin Clintonista perheineen 11.9.1932 Gripsholmilla Neuvostoliittoon. Oli matruusina Äänisenrannan piirissä Vilgan koneasemalla. Ulkoministeriön ilmoituksen (20.4.1937) mukaan Emil ja hänen perheensä ovat saaneet Neuvostoliiton kansalaisuuden. Vangittiin kotonaan Petroskoin lähellä jouluna 26.12.1937. Ammuttiin 10.2.1938 Petroskoin lähellä. Maine palautettin 1957.  Information provided by Aarno Niemi 7/14/08.

Emil Töttö later Uutela b. 1890 Sippola travelled from Hanko 11.1.1913 with the ship Arcturus to England, where the journey continued with the Cunard Line ship Ivernia with Vihtori Sakki to to New York and further to Virginia at Minnesota. From there he has moved to Massachusetts before 1926. Emil travelled from Clinton (Massachusetts) to Soviet Russia 11.9.1932 with the ship Gripsholm. He was as seaman at Vilga machine station at Äänisenranta. According the information (20.4.1937) of Office of State Emil and his family has got citizenship of the USSR. Emil was arrested at his home Petroskoi at Christmas 26.12.1937. He was executed 10.2.1938 near of Petroskoi. He was rehalibited 1957. His daughters family is living in Russia. Information provided by Aarno Niemi 7/14/08.

R-Returned (Roosa); Lillian Viger arrived in New York on 28 Jan 1938 (she came through Sweden) and she died in Bronx, New York June 1981.  Rosa (Koskinen) Viger died in Bronx, New York Dec. 1970. She visited her relatives in Finland in the late 1950's. I would love to have any information you have on the Viger Family. Rosa is my father's aunt. Thank you very much.  Information provided by Tiina Duffy 6-15-2013. pori658@hotmail.com

Emil Vilen- Emil Whalen's name is found in the book, Raise the Workers' Flag: The Workers' Unity League of Canada, 1930-1936. By Stehen Endicott Time period may be ~1931 when he was "deported by the authorities." Emil Wilen's name is mentioned in this book, Labour at the Lakehead: Ethnicity, Socialism, and Politics, 1900-35. Page 172. By Michel S Beaulieu. Information provided by Paula 2-2-2013. Millermf@aol.com

Arvi Vilenius, Online records state Arvo Wilenius/Vilenius arrrived in Canada in October 1923 from Kuusankoski.  He was born 2.1900 in Iitti Finland to Antti Wilenius and Maria Nyberg.  Information provided by Paula 2-2-2013. Millermf@aol.com