I am looking for any information concerning one Elsie Adams Johnson who was married to a Mr. Johnson (perhaps an "Oiva Johnson"). She lived in Ilwaco in 1955. Elsie was my mother's first cousin, daughter of Manuel Dennis Adams and Lela May Hendricson. Any information appreciated.

Nancy Shire

Hi Nancy, Johnson is such a common name and I'm finding two Ovia Johnson's who lived in Pacific County.

Since you're not sure if Elsie husband's name was Oiva, when and where was she born?

I find an Oiva E. Johnson, 1104 State Route 4, Naselle, WA (Pacific Co)
--That address was owned by a Hilda Johnson to 2004, when it was purchased by a Cooper.
--An Oiva E. Johnson born in 1914, enlisted in the Army for World War II from Pacific Co, WA.
--An Oiva E. Johnson died on 20 July 1980 in Pacific County, WA, born about 1914.

The 1930 Census had a Oiva W. Johnson, born about 1899/1900 to father born in Sweden, mother in Finland.
--An Oiva W. Johnson died at age 80 in Pacific County, WA, born about 1900.

The 1900 Census for East Dallas, Wasco Co, Oregon
Manuel Adams born July 1856 in Oregon
Lela, wife born April 1875
Pearl, August 1894
Ruby, Oct 1896
Earl, Mar 1899, all born in Oregon.

The 1910 Census for Stayton, Marion Co, Oregon
Dennis Adams, age 52, born in Oregon to both parents born in Pennsylvania
Lela, age 34, born in Oregon, mother of 6, all living
Pearl, 15
Ruby, 13
Earl 11
Della, 8
Elsie, 4 (born circa 1905/1906)
Ivy, 1 6/12, born in WA, all other children born in Oregon.

I looked for Elsie in the Death Index, the Death Certificates. I looked at ALL Oiva's in the Death Certificate index 1907-1960. Nice Swedish name, but can't find any connection to an Elsie.

I would suggest you seek an obit on the two Oiva's identified above, try the older one first, as he would be a "better" match for Elsie. The Washington State Library has a free research service, the ask-a-librarian program, where they will look for information in the archives, in this case the newspaper microfilm for an event, such as an obituary. They will look up to an hour and send you the results. Contact them at: http://www.secstate.wa.gov/library/ask.aspx .

Ron Bestrom

Thank you for your messages. I have the information you cite. Unfortunately, I don't have Elsie's exact date of birth. I did find an Elsie Viol (Viola or Violet) Johnson who died March 1985 in Salem, Marion County, Oregon whose spouse was "Oiva." This record gives her date of birth as 6 January 1906. Whether or not this person was the same Elsie Adams Johnson I don't know. I could send for her death certificate, which I might do. I do know for certain that Elsie lived in Ilwaco, Pacific County, Washington at the time of her mother's death in 1955. I found one likely candidate to be her husband -- Oiva W. Johnson, born about 1900, son of Charles J. and Alina Johnson. This Oiva W. Johnson died 26 January 1980 in Pacific County, Washington.

Elsie's family (sisters, brother) seem to have for the most part lived in the Salem area, it makes sense that she would have moved to be nearer them after her husband died.

Again, thank you for your help.

Nancy Shire