G.008-1 Tumning å timmer, Ångermanelfven

G.008-1 Scaling of Timber, Ångerman River

Virkesmätning, “tumning”

När timret körts ned till flottningsleden skulle det mätas in, så att man visste vad som hade avverkats under vintern. Det hade sin betydelse både för uppgörelserna med arbetskraften, och som inmätning av produkten, ägarens värdefulla tillgång, råvaran för träindustrins alla grenar, den blivande handelsvaran efter vidareförädlingen i fabriken.

Läs mer: http://www.laxvikensmuseum.com/skog_tumn.html

The log scaler is an occupation in the timber industry. The Log Scaler measures the cut trees to determine the scale (volume) and quality (grade) of the wood to be used for manufacturing.

To: Herr Gustaf Ekman, Storeg(ården), Fristad

Hjärtligaste gratulation på Gustafsdagen!!
den 6/6 –02 från syster Ester

Heartfelt congratulation on your name day!! ²
6/6 –02 from sister Ester

…

Kommentar

Det här kortet fick Gustaf från sin syster Ester till namnsdagen i juni 1902. På senhösten samma år for Gustaf iväg på sitt livs stora äventyrsresa, över Atlanten till USA. Hur långt i förväg planerade han resan? Visste han att det var till stor del timmer han skulle komma att arbeta med? Och visste hans syskon det också, eller var det bara en slump att Ester valde just det här kortet till sin bror?

In English

This card was sent to Gustaf from his sister Ester on his “name day” in June, 1902. Later the same year, Gustaf would be setting off on his life’s big adventure, emigrating to the United States. I wonder how far in advance he started planning, and how much he anticipated what kind of work he was likely to get over there. Did he know that he would be working at a lumber yard? Had he talked about that with his family, or was it just by chance that Ester picked this card? That I’ll probably never know.

²Celebration of name days in Sweden began in the 17th century, at first among royalty and aristocracy, but then also among the general population. Each day in the calendar is associated with one or more names. A thorough modification of the list of names was made in 1901; but before as well as after, Gustaf (Gustav) was one of the names for 6 June (and still is).