History of the
Surname Heyman - Hayman
Letter from
Agnes Heyman to her niece,
Shirley Louise Heyman
August 11, 1972
Dear Shirley,
Myrtle told me that you would
like to know the history of your
grandfather Heyman. I have no
records but I do remember so much as he and mother loved to talk about
Sweden.
He was born January 7, 1859
on a farm near
Gottenburg,
Sweden.
They were considered wealthy. I have no records but do remember there
were six boys, no girls. When my father was 12 years old grandfather
lost quite a bit of money, due to being too good hearted (so was my
father). He loaned people money when asked – then was never repaid. So
eventually he did as many Europeans did – go to
America
and get rich???? He stayed several years then went back to
Sweden
with no more money than when he left.
In the meantime grandmother and the boys
worked hard trying to make a living off the farm. Those days there were
few implements so it was done by hand. When young, grandmother was
wealthy.
Grandfather died at about 60 years of age.
I remember seeing tears in father’s eyes when he read the letter. It is
about one hundred years since father came to
America.
He was young –less than 20 years old – but had gone to
Stockholm
and learned to be a tailor. He also studied for confirmation in his
church. All children had to do that. Then he was on his own after
that.
Eventually he came to
America
by sewing for the Captain of the ship. I think he went to
Moline,
Illinois
for awhile but after a period of time he came to
Kansas City
and roomed and boarded with mother’s brother and wife, Uncle Charlie and
Aunt Maggie. We all loved them.
Mother lived in
Chicago.
Had a good job, nice boy friend (and his ring) but just had to see her
sister-in-law and the new baby (Elizabeth). Met my father and after a
courtship of a year or more they were married – at her brother’s home.
Two of father’s brothers came to see us
when I was 12 years old. (Harry was here today and he remembered them).
Both brothers were younger and tall like father. They went west to
Arizona
and one stayed many years and became a millionaire – he was a very fine
man, so good to his old mother who lived to be nearly 90 years of age. I
am told I resemble her very much. He died young.
On one of our trips we went to
Arizona
and asked at several places about them but no one remembered them – too
long before and few records in those days.
Father’s parents were named Larson but when
he came to
America he
changed it to Heyman, as it seemed to be the way they did then. Two of
his brothers also did the same. So, three were Larson and three were
Heyman. Their estate was named “Heyde” – hence the Heyman. Tho several
of the family use Hayman. Louis started that. I use Heyman.
This is the history of the family name.
I have only my memory but I am sure of
these facts as mother and dad used to talk about
Sweden
and the relatives, etc. so much. Tho I think they never really
cared to go back to
Sweden,
I did not mean to write all of this – just no place to stop. I hope you
enjoy reading this as I did writing it.
Love as ever,
Aunt Agnes