Zion Lutheran Church; Silverhill, Alabama

Zion Lutheran Church (take a look at the site in the historical section you will see Erick Ulrickson's name. If you look at the pages of the book by clicking on it you will see his signature.)



Today Paul and I went to Silverhill, Alabama to visit the area that Great-Grandfather Erick Ulrickson went to after the panic 1893. What we had gathered is that a group of Swedish man sent out three groups to Alabama to find a place to work and live. Erick's group came to Silverhill. The area was all forest and ready for logging. In the records of the church it appears that he was one of the founding fathers of the Zion Lutheran Church. In 1905 he became one of 16 founding members. in 1905 he is listed as one of four Historians. In 1907 The historical records of the church state that Eric Ulrickson became the custodian.

Then in 1907 a large unnamed Hurricane hit the area many people were killed or left the area. Erick's attendance records which are not that good have him gone after 1909. We were told that by 1910 only three of the first 16 were left.

We went to the cemetery but could not find him there. We then found the name of the man who has all the records for the cemetery Elvin Ewing. Mr Ewing looked in his records and could not find Erick. He did say that there were 25 unknowns buried there. We then went to the local smallllllllll library and got a book on the history but it didn't help. She recommended we talk with Gus Ulter in his 80's and one of the oldest members of the church. Gus was interesting but did not know about Erick. He recommended we talk to Pastor Dave. Pastor Dave met us at the church and spent the next 2 1/2 hours talking with us and showing us all the old records. He called the Lutheran church for information with little luck. It was really interesting.

Paul got to ring the bell and we saw the old church now someone's home across from the church. All the old things displayed in a museum in the back of the church. We had a great time.

We know little more about Erick but not much. We do have a copy of his signature on the old papers. We also have several historical books about the Swedish Community.