Önnert Vallberg (1762 - 1831)

Did you know that...

Önnert Vallberg (1762-1831) was born in Ängelholm, Sweden, and became a belt maker in Helsingborg during the late 1700s. A belt maker worked with processing and finishing belts, straps, and horse saddles with metal buckles. There were also works involving metal alloys such as bronze, brass, and sword fittings for soldier belts. In 1802, he married Helena Lundberg, who was also born in Ängelholm (1774–?). At the beginning of the 1800s, the last name was changed to Wahlberg.

In Helsingborg, the couple had a son named Jonas Wahlberg (1806-1859) who became a goldsmith in Ystad and married the daughter of a goldsmith from Ystad, Christina Nöbbelin (1815-1859).

The couple had a son named Axel Gustaf Wahlberg (1843-1907). Axel followed in his father's footsteps and trained as a goldsmith. He emigrated to the USA and settled in Boston on April 26, 1870, where he started working as a jeweler. He met a Swedish woman from Askersund named Ida Albertina (Nordström) Pettersson (1857-1952), and they got married on August 3, 1885.

They had a son named Axel Simon Wahlberg (1902 - 1963) who grew up in a Swedish-speaking home in Boston. He became an elevator technician and married Mary Madeline Bradley (1903 – 1983).

Their son, Donald Edward Wahlberg (1930-2008), worked as a delivery driver, and he also had a small role in the movie "Southie" in 1998. Donald married Alma Elaine Donnely (1942-2021).

The couple had many children, including Donnie Wahlberg, born in 1969, who had an amazing career as a member of "New Kids On The Block" and as an actor. In 1971, Mark Wahlberg was born, who also had a successful career as an artist with "New Kids On The Block," "Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch," and as a highly acclaimed actor.

This is a fantastic family history where the Wahlberg surname still persists, all starting with the belt maker Önnert Wahlberg in Ängelholm and Helsingborg. He is the great-great-great-grandfather of Mark and Donnie.

ulf.guttman@sweroots.com