After their marriage on May 19, 1933, Hazel and Thure settled into life together in Quincy, Massachusetts. They lived at 33 Cranch Street, where they shared a home with Thure’s mother, Louise Nord. It was a tight-knit setup, one that likely helped the young couple balance work and raising a family during the Great Depression.
💡 Genealogy Tip! When reviewing census records, don’t just focus on the head of the household. Look at everyone in the family, including in-laws and extended family, like Thure’s mother, Louise, in this case. Their presence can tell you a lot about the family dynamics and help you track down other records.
Family Growth and Community Involvement
The early years saw the arrival of two daughters:
- Elaine Pearl Bergquist, born June 14, 1934.
- Brenda Louise Bergquist, born September 13, 1939.
Note the elder daughter’s middle name was after Hazel’s mother, while the younger was a namesake for Thure’s mother.
Evidence suggests that both girls grew up surrounded by a close-knit family, with both of their parents being actively involved in the local community. Thure belonged to the Rural Lodge of Freemasons, and Hazel was a member of the Junior Women’s Union in Quincy.
While Thure was active in the Swedish Lutheran Church on Granite Street, Hazel worshiped at the Central Baptist Church. Religious differences were not unusual in the 1930s and 1940s, especially in a time when families were often more focused on practical matters—like supporting one another through the Great Depression and raising children—than on religious divisions. In this case, it’s likely that Thure and Hazel respected each other’s traditions, possibly attending each other’s services at different times or finding other ways to support one another’s spiritual practices.
In 1935, Hazel was mentioned in a local newspaper as the matron-of-honor at her sister Muriel’s wedding. The Bergquists were clearly rooted in Quincy, and their participation in events like these shows how Hazel balanced her role as a mother with her community involvement.
The 1940 Census: A Glimpse into Their Life
The 1940 U.S. Census offers a snapshot of the family during these years. Thure, now 40, worked as a supervisor in the shipbuilding industry—an essential role in a city like Quincy, which was known for its bustling shipyards during World War II. Hazel, 30, was a stay-at-home mom, looking after their two young daughters. They rented their home at 33 Cranch Street from Thure’s mother, Louise, who owned the property. The $20 monthly rent (about $450 in 2025, adjusting for inflation) was modest, but it shows the financial arrangements that likely helped Louise cover her mortgage payment.
The census also reveals that Louise had an income in the year 1939, logically at surface value this would be the rent she collected. However, it’s also worth mentioning, from family lore we know that Louise worked under the table as a private washerwoman, and occasionally as a baker for hire. Whatever the source, any additional income likely contributed to the family’s overall stability during these years.
💡 Genealogy Tip! Census records can provide crucial details about occupations, income, and living arrangements. For example, Thure’s $2,340 income in 1939 (roughly equivalent to $53,000 in 2025) is a key detail for understanding the family’s financial situation. His work as a supervisor likely meant stability during an uncertain time.
The Draft and Family Loss
In 1942, at the age of 42, Thure registered for the military draft. His draft card shows that, by this point, he had been employed at Bethlehem Shipbuilding for years. It also shows that his wife, Hazel, was his next of kin.
Their lives took a somber turn with the passing of Hazel’s mother, Flora Pearl Sabean, on March 10, 1943. Hazel, now in her early 30s, had to navigate the grief of losing her mother while raising two young daughters in a nation that was in the throes of war.
What These Records Tells Us
The records from 1933 to 1943 offer us an intimate look into Hazel and Thure’s married life, full of family, work, and community. Here’s what we learn:
- Family Roots: Hazel and Thure’s home life was intertwined with family ties, as they lived with Thure’s mother, Louise. This extended family dynamic likely helped the young couple manage both raising children and maintaining a household.
- Stable Employment: Thure’s steady work in shipbuilding and the family’s financial situation provide a clear picture of how they made ends meet during the Depression and early war years.
- Community Involvement: Hazel stayed active in the community, showing that family and church played a significant role in their lives. Her involvement with the Junior Women’s Union and other local events gives us a sense of the social fabric of her world.
- The Impact of War: Thure’s military draft registration card signals how the war was beginning to affect families across America, even those not directly serving.
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