Alva's biological father, stepfather Alfred Woodhead Teolk, and Freda Johnson

We know nothing about Alva's biological father. One story related to D.M. by her grandfather Albert Erickson was that Alva's father traveled west to seek his fortune and never returned (presumed dead). We have not been able to locate a first marriage record for Freda, or a birth certificate for Alva which might indicate the name of her father. According to the marriage certificate for Freda and Alfred four years later, Freda is listed as a widow entering her second marriage.

Alfred lists this as his first marriage; however records indicate that he was married before to Edith Sizer, with one child (Blanche Iola) born to the union.  We must assume that they divorced as both Edith and Alfred married again; we don't know why Alfred lists his marriage to Freda as his first. 

Above: Freda and Alva, date and location unknown.

Alfred was the only father that Alva ever knew.

Though she was biologically a half-sister to Marion Gladys Teolk (b. 16 October 1916 in Methuen, Essex County, MA - pictured below) and Shirley Genevieve Teolk (b. 16 April 1920 in Methuen, Essex County, MA), that distinction was never emphasized. 

The two photographs below are known to be Alfred Woodhead Teolk and his mother, Mary Woodhead Teolk. 

This final photograph from Valerie's belongings is believed to be Alfred Woodhead Teolk as a young man.