Charles (Carl Set) Windahl 1896 - ??

What happended to my disappeared grandfather in the U.S.A?

My grandfather CARL SET WINDAHL emigrated to Norwood, Massachusetts in USA in March in 1923, but has not been heard of since 1926.

He was born on 8 March 1896 in Figeholm, Misterhult in Sweden.

He had studied at a business school in Sweden and had worked as a shopassistent.

He was interested in music and "tried" to play the violin.

The above picture was taken in Sweden in 1916.

Changed his name, or names!?
In USA he changed his name to CHARLES Seth Windahl.

His surname has been spelled and misspelled in different ways
in official doucuments:
Windahl - Vindahl - Windal - Vindal - and also Vindahf

Last addresses - from Newark, New Jersey, USA
1940: Occupation in Newark - painter
1941: 47 Nelson Pl, Newark NJ
1941: 117 Branford Pl, Newark NJ
1944: 53 Nelson Pl, Newark NJ
1950: 375 High Street, Newark NJ

(One rumour is saying that Charles later moved to Boston or Chicago and opened a chemist's and paint shop together with an Italian. True?)



The last photo of Charles in USA:

Charles and an unknown friend in 1926. Swedish or Italian?

294 ! But what street and what town or city? Norwood? Newark? Chicago? Boston?

His brother Bert Windahl- the first from Norwood who was killed in action
Charles brother lived in Norwood 1909 -1918. He worked as a painter at Spearwater & Readel and was married to Fannie Marie Oman, also from Norwood.
They lived at 9 Melville Avenue in 1918
Bert was the first soldier from Norwood who was killed in action in World War I.
A memorial service was held for him in 1918 at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Norwood.

Relatives?
If you believe that we are relatives and have some old photos,
one way of comparing pictures of older people is to look at the shape of the ears. As you see my grandfather had very caracteristic ears.

Help with questions:
I am not able myself to go to America, and because of this I am looking for somebody who can help me with my research in Norwood, Newark, Boston and Chicago.
Examples of important questions:

  • Was there any street with the number 294 in 1926?
  • Is the above picture taken in Norwood, Newark, Boston or Chicago?
  • Is Charles mentioned in some street lists after 1950?
  • Is there still a company called Spearwater & Readel in the Norwood-area?

    There are many more facts that could lead me to an answer to what happened.

  • Did he change his surname too?
  • Was he in some accident or was he killed?
  • Did he marry again and do I have some unknown relatives in USA?

    • What happened? - All news is good news!

    If you have any information, please mail, or write to:

    		 Urban Windahl
    Näckrosvägen 112
    SE-590 54 Sturefors
    SWEDEN

    windahls@telia.com

    To genealogy