Justina Nilsson

Justina's Story

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The Story

Justina's Story

researched by Penny Magnusson Hannum

Birth:  January 29th, 1857   |   female   |   in Berg, Gestad, Älvsborg, Sweden

Death:  ?? ??, 1866   |   9 years old   |   on the Mormon Trail

Memorial:   Stone 13   |   left column

Justina Nilsson is oldest of six children born to Nils Nilsson and Martha Nilsdotter, both of Sweden.

Nils, Martha, and Justina immigrated to America, crossing the ocean on the ship “Kenilworth.” After arriving in America, they traveled to Nebraska and joined the Joseph S. Rawlins Company bound for the Utah Territory. With other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the company began the trek August 2, 1866.

Exhaustive travel conditions, disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, premature birth, and extreme weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers. Somewhere along the journey, 9-year-old Justina passed away of unknown causes. She is buried along the Mormon Trail.

submitted by The Daughters of Utah Pioneers and Days of ‘47