June 2000

In 1993, on the initiative of Mr.Ragnar Mannil and the late Helge Smedjebacka, a project was started aiming at presenting the oldest generations of the two ancient families of Caino (Kainu) and Torp (Torppa). The home of both families is in Veteli, about thirty miles south-east of the town of Kokkola (Gamlakarleby). Today the descendants of the families - both Finnsh-speaking and Swedish-speaking - live mostly in the valleys of the Vetelinjoki and Kronoby rivers (in Keski-Pohjanmaa/Mellersta Österbotten), but many also live in Sweden and in America.

At the first general meeting in 1993 a committee was appointed with Mr. Smedjebacka as chairman. It was common knowledge that a lot of research had already been done in the matter but there was also a lot of controversy as to the origin of the two families and their relationship to each other.

It goes without saying that the fact that a lot of research had already been done, the compilation and publication of the material would be "a piece of cake". Unfortunately this turned out to be an illusion and what was first thought to take a couple of years and produce a book of about 200 pages, has now been going on for 8 years and the book will probably be close to 700 pages. As the material tended to expand too much, the committe decided that it would only include families whose children were born not later than the year 1799. Nevertheless the material comprises close to 3000 families.

It is the intention of the committee to finish the book and get it published during the spring of 2001 - or at least in the course of the year 2001.

Those interested in getting a copy of the book may contact the secretary of the committee mr. Jan-Erik Nygren. (e-mail:jan-erik.nygren@pp.inet.fi)

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