CA CA- Muir Woods near Deer Park Fire Trail, Marin County John Doe #UP17746, Nov. '82, DNA identified '24- Sigvard Swanson, born 1908.

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''Marin County Sheriff-Coroner & California DOJ Team with Othram to Identify a 1982 John Doe​

After 42 years, a man whose remains were discovered in the Muir Woods near Deer Park Fire Trail in Marin County, California, has been identified as Sigvard Swanson, born February 4th, 1908''​

''In November 1982, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in the Muir Woods National Monument, near the Deer Park Fire Trail in Marin County, California. Muir Woods National Monument, known for its redwood trees, is part of California’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and is located just northwest of San Francisco. Investigators responded to the scene and determined that the remains were that of a male who was approximately 5’8” tall and likely between the ages of 60 and 70 years old. At the time of the man’s discovery, he was wearing a white collared shirt, gray socks, and a pair of size 11.5 white tennis shoes. The man could not be identified and became known as Marin County John Doe.

In April 2018, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP17746''
 

''Marin County Sheriff-Coroner & California DOJ Team with Othram to Identify a 1982 John Doe​

After 42 years, a man whose remains were discovered in the Muir Woods near Deer Park Fire Trail in Marin County, California, has been identified as Sigvard Swanson, born February 4th, 1908''​

''In November 1982, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered in the Muir Woods National Monument, near the Deer Park Fire Trail in Marin County, California. Muir Woods National Monument, known for its redwood trees, is part of California’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and is located just northwest of San Francisco. Investigators responded to the scene and determined that the remains were that of a male who was approximately 5’8” tall and likely between the ages of 60 and 70 years old. At the time of the man’s discovery, he was wearing a white collared shirt, gray socks, and a pair of size 11.5 white tennis shoes. The man could not be identified and became known as Marin County John Doe.

In April 2018, details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP17746''
Now, I hope we can find out more about "his story".
 
''Sigvard Sven Svensson was born on February 4, 1908, in Almundsryd, Kronoberg, Sweden, to Matilda Johannisdotter and Karl Alfred Svensson. In 1926 Sigvard moved to the United States and he and his brothers and sisters changed their last name to Swanson. In the late 1920's Sigvard had quite the amateur boxing career. He and another boxer would turning the boxing match into slapstick comedy match which the crowds loved.

Sigvard married Elizabeth A. Kirschner in San Francisco, California, on December 24, 1931. Sigvard married Evelyn R. Macconnell in 1940, they had two sons and two daughters together. His wife Evelyn passed away on March 27, 1948, in Burlingame, California, at the age of 33. They had been married 8 years. Sven went missing in 1978.''
 
''Sigvard Sven Svensson was born on February 4, 1908, in Almundsryd, Kronoberg, Sweden, to Matilda Johannisdotter and Karl Alfred Svensson. In 1926 Sigvard moved to the United States and he and his brothers and sisters changed their last name to Swanson. In the late 1920's Sigvard had quite the amateur boxing career. He and another boxer would turning the boxing match into slapstick comedy match which the crowds loved.

Sigvard married Elizabeth A. Kirschner in San Francisco, California, on December 24, 1931. Sigvard married Evelyn R. Macconnell in 1940, they had two sons and two daughters together. His wife Evelyn passed away on March 27, 1948, in Burlingame, California, at the age of 33. They had been married 8 years. Sven went missing in 1978.''
Sad. I wish we knew how his life continued. Who raised his kids? Would've been unusual for a widower to raise 4 small kids alone back then, but it has happened. Or did they live with relatives or foster parents? Which, if he did not keep in touch with his kids, would explain if he was not reported missing. Kids were adults when he died.
Was he reported missing? Where did he live when he went missing?
 
Sad. I wish we knew how his life continued. Who raised his kids? Would've been unusual for a widower to raise 4 small kids alone back then, but it has happened. Or did they live with relatives or foster parents? Which, if he did not keep in touch with his kids, would explain if he was not reported missing. Kids were adults when he died.
Was he reported missing? Where did he live when he went missing?
Relatives or the living parent remarried, usually.
 
Sad. I wish we knew how his life continued. Who raised his kids? Would've been unusual for a widower to raise 4 small kids alone back then, but it has happened. Or did they live with relatives or foster parents? Which, if he did not keep in touch with his kids, would explain if he was not reported missing. Kids were adults when he died.
Was he reported missing? Where did he live when he went missing?
I "feel" the same questions on this one.
There must be more to the story.
I tried to find any background. But no success with my feeble attempt.
Just too old a case...
 
Not really helpful, but I looked up the address in Burlingame that was listed on Evelyn's funeral home record and it was an apartment building. I located the address in the 1950 census and could not find Sigvard still living there.

Thank you for your research.
Could you post a link to Evelyn's the funeral home record ?
Maybe are they names of other family members.
 
Seems that Sigvard had at least one child with his first wife, Elizabeth — whom he married in 1931 — because this San Francisco Examiner clipping announces the birth of a son in 1932.

Screenshot 2024-07-02 at 1.47.41 AM.png

That son would’ve been 16 when Sigvard became a widowed father in 1948, but I’m assuming it’s likely that he lived with his mother.

Looks like Sigvard had his kids for at least two years after his second wife Evelyn died, based on this Gridley Herald article from 1950.

Screenshot 2024-07-02 at 1.59.40 AM.png
 
Well, now that I have used my Ancestry account.... there is quite a bit more...

I dont think I can post some data from Ancestry, but I think I can post legal records. I do have his WWII registration for 1940. Contact was wife ELIZABETH. Though I do have census records in 1940, showing him living with evelyn. Elizabeth was born in Germany, emigrated to NJ, and her family moved to LA, CA.
 
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Seems that Sigvard had at least one child with his first wife, Elizabeth — whom he married in 1931 — because this San Francisco Examiner clipping announces the birth of a son in 1932.

View attachment 514852

That son would’ve been 16 when Sigvard became a widowed father in 1948, but I’m assuming it’s likely that he lived with his mother.

Looks like Sigvard had his kids for at least two years after his second wife Evelyn died, based on this Gridley Herald article from 1950.

View attachment 514851

Butch Swanson
Age 82/ Nov 1941
View Profile
San Francisco, CA

ALSO KNOWN ASButch P Swanson
RELATED TOJoan Swanson, 81Marc Swanson, 53David Murphy, 49David Alba, 59Mary Alba, 87Wayne Alba, 96Faisal Barafat, 48
HAS LIVED INSan Francisco, CA
 
1719924681382.png
Well, now that I have used my Ancestry account.... there is quite a bit more...

I dont think I can post some data from Ancestry, but I think I can post legal records. I do have his WWII registration for 1940. Contact was wife ELIZABETH. Though I do have census records in 1940, showing him living with evelyn
 

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