Kajava

Kajava, Pitkanen

Simuna Sihveri's son Pitkä (1776–1859) moved from Sossonniemi to the Kajavasalmi farm at lake Muojärvi in 1812, and got ownership of the farm 2 years later. The Kajava farm was founded already in 1751. Kajavasalmi family church book 1816:

Kajava farm was relatively wealthy. The sons of Sihveri Kustaa Kajava got wealthy by burning liquor and they were able to buy houses from various places in Northern Finland.

One of the brothers was Taneli Kaitera (1847–1926), who worked some time as a merchant in the center of Kuusamo. Taneli worked in various council duties for over 30 years time. He work for 9 years as the chairman of the county council in Kuusamo. Photo: Kaitera house.

Local pastor forced part of the family to change their name to Pitkänen at the end of 1920s.

Pictured Herman Pitkänen's (1854-1933) farm Onnela. Photo source KirjastoVirma.

From Kajava other brothers moved to Tervola county in 1877 and Paavola county in 1880 and from there to Raahe county.

Part of the family moved to Astoria, Clatsop, Oregon from 1900 onwards. This family branch uses surname Pitkanen.