Every saga starts sometimes. For several generations ago Samuel met Maria giving birth to Pakkala family history. This took place at late 19th century, when Finland was a Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire. However, Russian language was then rarely spoken in Finland. Cossacks or Russian officials were seen only in cities and surroundings. Finland was also sparsely inhabited. Population reached two millions, mostly farmers. “Ruista pelloos ja itikoota navetas” (rye in meadows and cows in stable) warranted livelihood for most people.
Railway was built up (from Helsinki) to Seinäjoki and Vaasa, but self-reliant farmers did business in cities only seldom. Southern Ostrobothnia plateau was a good foundation for roads, where house masters usually drove their horse buggies. Carriages with springs (linjaalirattaat) were popular vehicles for carrying children, valentine and even one's housewife. For Samuel those carriages were inevitable.
During the time of Samuel and Maria migration in Finland was turning to new directions. Migration from Satakunta, Häme and Savo to Southern Ostrobothnia was diminishing but to cities increasing. A new type of migration was on the door. Towards the end of the 19th and up to the 20th century immigration from Finland to foreign countries grew, especially to America and Canada.
People from Southern Ostrobothnia and particularly from Isokyrö moved to foreign countries in great masses. It has been calculated that half of the immigrants during that time were from the province of Vaasa. Reasons have been big families, first-born entitlements and lack of local industry or handwork. Immigration also stimulated itself. As a brother or sister already were abroad, it was easier to younger ones to make the same move. Immigration in all its forms pressed a special stamp to the history of Pakkala family.
During Samuel´s and Maria´s time devoted religiousness on one hand and laws and habits broking lifestyle on other hand belonged to everyday life. Wakefullness (“Herännäisyys”) Finnish form of Pietism had commenced during their time in Southern Ostrobothnia in Lapua. Going to religious assemblies and church services, Christian way of life, hair combing and dressing were the external signs of the Finnish Pietism. Their split coats in men or “körtit” were other well-known signs and gave the name “körttiläiset” to Finnish Pietists in Southern Ostrobotnia. For Maria “Herännäisyys” played a great role during her whole life.
Opposite to Finnish Pietism there was in Southern Ostrobotnia illegal activity that was in other hand not accepted even in secrete but glorified. This means activities of “häjyt” (evils) or “puukkojunkkarit” (knife rascals). Through all epochs these activities have varied such as Roman gladiators or icehockey or football players in our time. To knife-rascals´ portrait belonged spirits, guns, horse buggies, fights and finally imprisonments. These features were not unknown to Samuel. During his last moments Samuel doubted if he is accepted to the Kingdom of Heaven where Maria was already waiting for him.
Photo: Hilda's grandaughter, Allan's daughter Elaine Tourville in front of the Alakoski house in Jurva in 2013. The house no longer belongs to the family.
Let us go to the beginning of the saga. Samuel´s home was in the village Koskimäki in Jurva. He was the second oldest of the seven children in the family. They were called as Alakoski and were migrated in the 16th century from Laihia to Jurva, from where their family name Alakoski was probably originated. Jurva had good road connections to close by villages Kurikka and Teuva. Samuli carried on farming in Koskimäki and also had a village store. His business trips conveyed him widely to Southern Ostrobothnia. During his trips Samuel had engaged a girl in Teuva and given her a silk cloth (black silken scarf) as a sign of his promise.
Photos: Pukkala farm in Laihia where Maria was born.
According to a family tale Samuel met Maria first time, when Samuel hit Pukkala farm in Laihia, where he was given a bed for night. In the morning Samuel was going to thank his hosts for bed, but did not meet them, since it was threshing time. Insteadly he saw a blond and blue-eyed girl through the opening of the drying barn (luuva). She was the daughter of the house, Maria Pukka. Samuel fell love in Maria instantly and started to help Maria in threshing. Was it familiarization more important that helping but Samuel took Maria a flail (klupu) and threshed cut rye.
They made a next meeting in the threshing barn. Samuel was so charmed with Maria that fetched back his present from the girl in Teuva (and broke the engagement with her). (Some family members have told that Maria was also engaged with an other young man but she also broke up her engagement because of Samuel.)
Photo: Samuel and Maria Pakkala
Between the years 1876 and 1897 ten children was born in their family. Sanna Ruusa died in age of 31 and Iida Alma was less than four months old when she died. In 1889 the family moved from Jurva to Isokyrö, Tuurala, to the Pakkala farm. Family name Alakoski was left and name Pakkala lives in the family.
Photo: Ruusa Pakkala passed away when she was only 31 years old.
We live now 6th and 7th generation after Maria and Samuel. We thank Samuli Saura for the list of family members that has made it possible to organize family members in generations.
Samuel and Maria form roots of the family tree. They both passed away in 1934. The second generation their ten children are the main branches of the family tree. Of the children Hilda lived longest and died in 1978 in US. The 3rd generation had about 50 members and the 4th about 100 members with growing numbers.
Immigration and urbanization have swayed our family tree. Jaakko´s and Hilda´s heirs live and grow in America. Very few lives there where his or her roots are and earn living in farms. We are grateful for the spiritual heritage of Samuel and Maria.
(Original Finnish version written by: Irma Leppäluoto 1913-2010, translated by Juhani Leppäluoto, comments by Terhi Ahvonen)
