CANADA Canada - “Albert Johnson”, "Mad Trapper of Rat River" killed in an Arctic shootout, Feb 1932

If "Albert Johnson" had served un the US Army during World War One (1917-1919 time frame) he would probably be listed in the Adjutant General records of Washington state.

Those records, which can be searched on line, contain rosters and abbreviated service records of many who served in the National Guard and National Army.

Unfortunately, there are over a dozen Albert Johnsons and a dozen Arthur Nelson's listed. And both names could have been simply aliases used by the "Mad Trapper".

However, this resource might be of interest in looking up other possiblities.
 
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''DNA analysis has shed new light on the identity of the Mad Trapper, also known as Albert Johnson.By analyzing isotopes, scientists determined that Albert Johnson grew up in the northern United States or northern Scandinavia.News of Johnson's nationality disappointed dozens of Canadians who had submitted their DNA for testing.Scientists also determined that Johnson was in his 30s when he died.CBC/RADIO CANADA. (2009, FEBRUARY 20). MAD TRAPPER NOT A CANADIAN, SCIENTIFIC TESTS DISCOVER | CBC NEWS. CBCNEWS. RETRIEVED APRIL 1, 2023''
 
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Bumping for a trapper mad
Who somehow survived a savage land
The Mounties finally tracked him down
Now he lies in the permafrost ground

I recently watched Death Hunt, with Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson. As you can imagine, testosterone flies off the screen. It is a great adventure movie, but very poor history. They should not have used the names of actual people and written a fictional story about them.
Today I finished The Mad Trapper of Rat River by Dick North. It is an engrossing read, and it really took me to that time and place….so much so that I put on an extra blanket while reading it.
It is a good book but 20 years old at this point, and of course does not address the exhumation and DNA work that has taken place since then. As for Albert Johnson’s identity, the author focused on John Johnson, an American, who has since been ruled out as a match. Still, I recommend the book.
We are getting close on this one. The DNA database grown daily, and there will be a match some day soon.
 
@Magnum P.E. I like to hope there's a DNA kit under someone's Xmas tree right now that in about 3-4 months is going to unlock the mystery.
I hope so. A close match will surely show up in the next year or two.

The isotope analysis results are frustrating. They show that he grew up in Sweden….or the upper Midwest of the US, which is about what you would have expected anyway from someone who spoke English with a Scandinavian accent. I do hope that someone figures out a way to do more with isotope analysis. So far it has not delivered on its promise. I don’t know of any cases solved by isotope analysis.

DNA shows a connection to three towns in Sweden. There are two known ancestors (likely collateral ancestors) but Othram has yet to find the smoking chromosomes.
 
I hope so. A close match will surely show up in the next year or two.

The isotope analysis results are frustrating. They show that he grew up in Sweden….or the upper Midwest of the US, which is about what you would have expected anyway from someone who spoke English with a Scandinavian accent. I do hope that someone figures out a way to do more with isotope analysis. So far it has not delivered on its promise. I don’t know of any cases solved by isotope analysis.

DNA shows a connection to three towns in Sweden. There are two known ancestors (likely collateral ancestors) but Othram has yet to find the smoking chromosomes.
Haha "the smoking chromosomes". Love it! What a great description.
 

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