•VOL XX NO 1 FEBRUARY 2CXXJ

Serving Norwegian-Americans of Sigdal, Eggedal and Kredsherad Ancestry

COMING EVENTS

Feb 27 - Concert: Soprano Anne-lise Berntzen, born in Eggedal,presents "Engleskyts", sacred Norsefolk songs, with organist Nils HenrikAsheim at St. Marks EpiscopalCathedral. Tickets $15 (center andgallery) and $10 (sides). Send areturn address with a check, Visaor Mastercard number (plusexpiration date and your signature)to St. Mark's Cathedral Tickets, 519Oak Grove St, Minneapolis, MN55403. Phone: 612-870-7800 foravailablity. Open seating at 3:30for concert beginning at 4:30 pm.

April 22 - Nordic Brunch, a day-longevent sponsored by MinneapolisFriends of Vesterheim Museum. Call.linda Mona, 612-944-3110.

April 29 - Vikings Exhibiton opens,Washington, D.C.

May 6 - Annual meeting ofBygdelagenes Fellesraad fordelegates and guests.

May 14 & 17 Syttende Mai events

June- Emigration festivals (Norway)

June - last weekend is HjemkomstFestival in Fargo, NO, andMoorhead, MN

July 13-15 - 7 LAG STEVNE at NOState College of Science, Wahpeton,NO, for lags representing Norwegianorigins from Land, Hadeland,Numedal, Ringerike DrammensDistricts, Sigdal, Telemark andToten.

July 28-30 - Decorah, lA, hosts its34th Nordic Fest. Call for housingsuggestions 1-800-382-FEST.

Festivals Honor Vikings, EmigrantsTwo special anniversaries will be celebrated throughout the year2000. Many communities, especially in Norway and the UnitedStates, will celebrate the Viking discovery of America by LeifErikson 1,000 years ago and the second series of events mark the175th year since the first emigrant ship, Restauration, fromNorway docked in the harbor at New York.

Norwegian emigration 2000 festivals are being held in Hadeland,Hallingdal, Land, Rogaland, and Sigdal, among other places. In theUnited States there will be announcements for several majorimmigration celebrations, including those at Ellis Island and NewYork where many ancestors were admitted as US immigrants.

The international exhibition, "Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga."opens April 29, 2000, at the Smithsonian Institution's Museum ofNatural History in Washington, D.C. where it will remain for fourmonths. It explores the impact of new archaeological finds thathave re-defined the world's knowledge of early North Americanand Scandinavian life.

The exhibit occupies 5,500 square feet of exhibition space withmore than 200 artifacts. It is produced by the the Museum ofNatural History in partnership with the White House MillenniumCouncil and the Nordic Council of Ministers. After its premier,"Vikings" will tour for two years, taking it to New York, Ottawa,Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago and other US Cities.

Leif Erikson (whose name is spelled a dozen ways) celebrationscelebrating the 1,000th year of the Vikings in North America owea huge debt of gratitude to a Norwegian archaeologist couple,Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad. They unearthed Viking finds inNewfoundland, showing a Viking settlement ca. 1000. (see p. 3)

Icelandic and Norwegian sagas had long ago recorded episodes ofViking voyages and forays, including Vinland (Greenland) whichhad been passed in oral tradition as well. These tales were knownby Norwegians immigrating to America because Rasmus Andersonin 1867 delivered a Viking discovery lecture at Albion Academy inWisconsin. He suggested a day to commemorate the Vikings, andLeif Erikson in particular, and campaigned and supported thisposition for the next 60 years. Funds were raised for a LeifErikson statue in Boston in 1887 with the help of violinist Ole Bull,Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and other notable Americans.

Professor Anderson promoted a bill in Wisconsin's legislaturewhich was passed in 1929, stating that the Governor should issuean annual proclamation designating that October 9 be Leif EriksonDay. October 9, 1825, was the anniversary of the Restaurationarriving in New York, a company known as the Sioopers.(continued, page 3)

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Calendars ArriveFrom Kredsherad

Sigdalslag again thanks Inge Thorud, ordferer ofKredsherad Kommune, for the calendars whicharrived recently, according to Carol Meade,president.

This is the 13th year a calendar has utilizedhistoric pictures from the community and sentgreetings for Christmas and the New Year.

Extra copies of the year 2000 calendar areavailable to members for a donation to the lag'spublishing fund on a first come, first served basis.Postage and envelope will take the first $1.50, soplease keep that in mind when you make out yourcheck to Sigdal lag with "KK kalender" on thememo line. Send your check to treasurer DonSkadeland and Carol Meade will send yourcalendar.

The cover picture includes one of threetransportation centers for horse and cart, thetaxi of its day, at Olberg skyss-stasjon.januar- Ten top leaders of Kmdsherad since January 1,1901, when the kommune received its authority to beindependent: Truls A. Strand 1901-1904; Ole ASchinnress1904-1907; HansWang1908-1922; WilhelmW. Sorterberg,1923-1926; EivindDybendal,1929-1931,1935-1940, 1946-1955; Torsten Heslien 1932-1934;Invald Granum 1956-1982; Gudbrand Halmrast 1982-1991; Truls Levli 1992-1995; and Inge Thorud since1995.februar-1) Olympic games 1952 Gold Medalist slal~mwinner, Stein Eriksen and other athletes; 2) 1993Olympic torchbearer Monica Granummars- 1960 KrederenSchool & teacher Bjern Skagestadapril- 1954 K~re Skogstad w/mother Margit Skogly,grandmother, Kristi K I1ldegard& dtr Helen Margrethemai- Scenic Noresund picture with dwellings identifiedjuni 11ThorleifRudolf Akselsen; 210lav Hess, RagnvaldTorstenrud, (not identified), and Kristian Kjemperudjuli- 1916 first open air sporting event at Skinnesmoenaugust- 1920 funeral procession of Erik O. Lestebergseptember- Idyllic view of Krederfjord from Noresundoctober- Ingvald Granum invited industries to kommunenovember 1)1880s emigrants to Albert Lea, MN: 3childrenof EvenGunderseng.m. Kristi Andersdtr Raaen,1878. 210le Kittilsen, f. Kvernplassen em.1902 toAmericadesember-Pastorsliving at Bjertnes:J. Moe,O.P.Monrad,A. Hovden, J.P.Kjelstad, Theo. Dahl, C.F. Falkenberg,J. Einarsen,G.B.Thoresen,Olav Bjartli, TarjeiNordgaren,KjartanAlm~s, and l1lyvindMreland, pastor since 1993.next page Lists party affiliations of (5) leaders inbusiness, industry, sports and government followed byan overview of 2001.

Besides the mayor's greetings on the back coverare those of the working committee, HelgalIldegArd, Ragne Hansen and Bodil Granum.Notable holidays are listed for 2000 and 2001.

FRA PRESIDENTEN

We Norwegians first set foot in America 1000years ago when Leif Erickson and his crewlanded in what is now Canada. Adventure is partof the Norwegian heritage.

A visit to Alexandria, Minnesota, to see theKensington Rune Stone and examine its historyis an interesting and educational trip. OlafOhman, an immigrant farmer, unearthed a rockcovered with strange markings on his homesteadover 100 years ago. The markings are ancientNorse runes. They document a journey ofexploration to this area in 1362 A.D. by a groupof eight Goths (Swedes) and 22 Norsemen.

Controversy of the stone's authenticity persists.Some believe it is a hoax, but I like to believe itis authentic, as do some researchers. Even twoNorwegian visitors to the Mall of Americarecently told my son they were convinced thestone was inscribed by early Vikings. Nowdoesn't that make you proud?

Plans for the summer of 2000 were discussed ata Sigdalslag board meeting at my home January19, one of the snowiest days we have had. Wewere pleased that Earl O. Knutson from NewJersey made the trip to be present while takingcare of some research stops along the way.

Genealogy at the 7 Lag Stevne July 13 to 15thshould be better than ever this year. The 7 Laggroup has purchased the Rowberg File microfischand arranged to purchase a reader for each lagfrom the 7 Lag treasury. Sigdal Lag had theoption to purchase the dual lens microfisch readerinstead for an extra $90 and the board decidedto do that.

Newer members may not be aware of theextensive data base maintained by ourgenealogist Lee Rokke for the Sigdal-Eggedal andKredsherad areas. Just key in your ancestor'sname for information on your ancestral lines.

Excitement for the 2000 Sigdal Tour appears tobe building as the waiting time for departure inJune decreases. We thank the local committeein Norway for all the work they are doing to helpus appreciate "our" areas of Norway.

Hilsen,

slCarol Rugland Meade

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HELGE INGSTAD TURNS 100

Few reach a 100th birthday, but December 30,1999, Helge Ingstad, the anthropologist andarchealogist, reached that mark. Besides the newson radio, TV, and in the papers, Oslo had a torchlight parade from Oslo to Ingstad's house to honorhis efforts. Even though he spans three centuries,Ingstad still lives at home in Vettakollen, high abovethe city of Oslo.

. He became a living legend by proving that NordicVikings arrived in North America 500 years beforeColumbus, thereby rewriting world history.

Some life remembrances leading up to the birthdaywere shared with a reporter. Growing up in Bergen,Ingstad knew the man who owned the firstautomobile there in 1909 because he lived on thesame street. He remembered Bjorstjerne Bjernson'sbody being brought back from Paris in 1910 aboardthe panzer ship, Norway. Or the Swedish pilotCedarstrem who arrived in Bergen by plane in thesame era. In his lifetime there were many others.

Ingstad and his wife spent much time between1960 and 1968 performing archeological researchat the L'Anse aux Meadows site on the northerntip of Newfoundland. This followed from living inthe wilderness previously--in Arctic areas of Svalbardand Greenland as well as South America --and beinginvolved in the resistance movement in Wor'ld WarII. Many scientific articles have been publishedworld wide.

Among his published books are TheNorse Discoveryof America in 1985 and The Viking Discovery ofAmerica in 1991. Helge Ingstad is decorated withthe St. Olav Medal, is an honorary member of theNorwegian Scientific Academy, and holds severalhonorary doctoral degrees. He is currently workingon his twelfth book and is still playing chess withhis friends. '

Sources this page: Norway Times, Jan 13, 2000

Festivals - - (continued from page 1)In 1893 Norwegian Captain Magnus Andersonmade headlines by sailing a replica Viking ship fromNorway across the Atlantic to the ChicagoColumbian Exposition. Anderson sought to proveto a doubting world that Erikson's voyage waspossible about year 1000.

Renewed interest for Leif Erikson gained strengthagain in the 1950s, but during the early 1960s theproof came with the Ingstad finds. They haddiscovered and excavated traces of nine structuresand a primitive smithy near L'Anse aux Meadows,

a small Newfoundland fishing village. Radiocarbondating of charcoal from the site indicated it wasoccupied and in use about year 1000.

Testimony about the Ingstad findings was givenbefore the US House Judiciary Committee in March1964. Helge Ingstad came from Norway andSenators Henry M. Jackson and Warren G.Magnuson from the state of Washington wereamong the 17 called to testify. Petitions fromScandinavian organizations and individuals addedsupport which was assisted through Congress byformer Minnesota Senator and then Vice President,Hubert H. Humphrey. The US Congress passedthe bill which settled on the spelling, Leif EriksonDay; it has been proclaimed October 9 by thePresident of the United States since 1964.

Many states issue proclamations requested byresidents. To date at least 36 states--often thosewith significant numbers of Scandinavian heritage--have issued Leif Erikson proclamations.

Last year Martin Olav Sabo (D/MN) and the Friendsof Norway Caucus sent a letter to the PostmasterGeneral to request a Leif Erikson stamp. A bill haspassed in the House of Representatives to allow ajoint minting of coins by the US and Iceland tocommemorate Leif's voyage. Readers can writetheir Senator to urge support this bill.

BYGDELAGENES FELLESRAAD TO MEETMA Y 6 A T WYNDHAM GARDEN HOTEL

Carol Meade and Amy Michelsen are Sigdal Lagdelegates to the 84th annual meeting ofBygdelagenes Fellesraad May 6 from 8:30 AM to12:30 PM at Wyndham Garden Hotel, 4460 West78th St Circle, Bloomington, MN. (612-831-3131)Snapshots may be seen and ordered from theBygdelag Centennial at Decorah last July.

Guests may also attend and the cost for thebreakfast meeting of the national council ofbygdelag is $11 if postmarked by April 15 or $13per person if postmarked by April 30. Makechecks payable to Fellesraad. Secretary R. LeeBrown will receive advance reservations by mailonly. His address is 2210 Spruce Trail, GoldenValley, MN 55422.

Each lag is asked to submit current officerinformation with phone numbers and e-mail for alag directory. Contact Carol Meade by March 1with changes in information. Lag presidents arealso asked to survey members and officers for thenumber of directories each lag wishes to order.Her phone number and e-mail appear on page 12if you wish to order/buy a copy of the directory.

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Genealogy Views and Newsby LeeRokke

A big TUSEN TAKK! to all members who tookthe time and effort to collect, copy and donateold photographs.

Photographs. depicting the life and work ofemigrants from Sigdal and their families. weredonated by Sigdalslag members and they nowhave been forwarded to Norway.

Life member Havard Stilvern reported that thepictures had arrived in Prestfoss and that theywere very pleased with the number. variety,and quality of the pictures.

Subjects in the photographs appear first,followed by the member who sent them:

Anders Gulliksen by Judith Sosted, Northfield,MN; the Ansten family by Rosella Goettelman,Decorah. IA; Carl Olsen Bjorndalen & family bySonja Minchau, Calgary, AB, Canada; ChristenBergerud family by Esther Ugstad. Mesa, AZ;Edward Enger by Vivian Enger Erbes.Worthington, MN; Ellef Anderson by ElveraBisbee, Tracy, MN; Elling Enger family by IreneNavarre, Albuquerque. NM; Gotfred Gulliksenby Anita Welsh, Vancouver, WA; the Gronsethfamily by Marilyn G. Moen, Erhard, MN;

Gullik Thorstensen Lindbo and Thea LarsdtrDahlen by Roy and Carol Sund, Maple Plain.MN; Gunnar Johnsen Bergetre and KarlFingarsdtr Evju by Diane Hatlevig Rostvold,Lakeside Park, KY; Halvor and Mari Gronsethby Gunhild Gronseth Lundquist, Rose Prairie,BC, Canada; Helge Skadeland by DonSkadeland, Omaha, NB; Kristi HansdtrLiubriiten and Kristen Narveson Hiaasen byDavid Rokke, Apple Valley, MN;

Jakob Pedersen Leegard by Elaine Schulstad,Mesa, AZ; the Medalen family by June Barrett,Colorado Springs, CO; Ole Knudsen Bakken byLee Rokke, Apple Valley. MN; Ole Knudsenfamily by Earl O. Knutson, Budd Lake, NJ;Peter Johnson Organvika by Enid JohnsonRingdahl, Fergus Falls, MN; Mathilda Andersonby Norma Wangsness, Decorah, IA; NarveOlson Lesteberg and Ingeborg GulbrandsdtrKvernplassen by Corrine Lesteberg Johnson,Bloomington, MN; Torger Torkilsen and IngeridEllingsdtr by Larry Rolfstad. Rapid City. SD.

GIFTS & MEMORIALS$'00 to the Genealogy Fund

given by Larry & Linda Rolfstad

In memory of Lawrence Solum:$5 to the Publishing Fund - Elaine Schulstad

A Sigdalslag Family History Surveyhas been received from each of the following:*Diane Rostvold on the family of GunderJohnsen Bergetre and Kari Fingardsdtr Evju.*Elaine Helgeson Hasleton, Centerville. UT, onthe family of Helge Olsen and Kjersti AslesdatterSkaalia.* Joann Ronningen. West Concord, MN, on GoreOlsdtr Endeberg.*Kirsten Peterson, London, England, on thefamily of Christian Olsen Rustand.*Ed Espe. Bemedji, MN, on the descndants ofAnne Andersdtr Grensbratan.*Sigrid and Harald Medalen. Petersburg, Alaska.Harald emigrated from Eggedal in '950.

GENEALOGY QUERIES

Earl Knutson (mail address p. , 2) and ColleenCameron are seeking information and contactwith descendants of the Golackson family ofFranklin County, IA. Listed in '900 census wasNels Golackson, b. Norway, April' 852. age 48;m. 26 years & imm '857. naturalized citizen,owns farm (no mortgage. Wife, Carrie, b.Wisconsin of Norwegian parents August '852.age 47; 9 children. 6 of whom still living:dtr lena B.• b. Iowa, January , 883, age '5dtr Cora R., b. Iowa. March , 887, age '3dtr Gina R.• b. Iowa, February' 888, age"son lewis A., b. Iowa. June' 890, age' 0Carrie is the daughter of Christian NarvesonHektoa 1'824-'890) and Anne Ellefsdatter, bothfrom Sigda!.

A second query: Seeking contact withdecendants of Gunhild & John Johnson, and Mary& Sven Johnson. The wives were daughters ofKnud Narveson Hektoa (1826-1873), born atHovland, Sigda!. Mary was born 23 Jan 1867.GreenCo, WI and baptized Torine Marie. Gunhild,also known as Cornelia. was 4 years older. BothJohnson families are believed to have lived in SWWisconsin. Replies also bye-mail:< eoknutson@compuserve.com> or< cameroncolleen@hotmail.com>

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Volunteer hosts at Olin Hall last July 29 in Decorah areCarol Meade. leg president, and AI Stevens, treasurer ofValdres Samband and of NSI. A.HansonlFellearaad photo

NSI Plans 7 Lag StevneJuly 13-15 at Wahpeton, ND

Carol Meade represents Sigdal Lag as an NSIplanner for the 7 Lag Stevne. Sigdal'sresponsibility to all lag is having enoughvolunteers as ticket takers and ushers.

New NSI officers are Oscar Lund, chairman;Chet Habberstad, vice chair and stevnecoordinator; Marie Brown, secretary, andNorma Gilbertson, treasurer. Marilyn Sorensencontinues to coordinate genealogy.

Board members invite those planning to attendto volunteer. The board tentatively pianned itsSaturday AM program. If you are called, pleasesay, "Yes"l

Residence hall housing and registration blankswill be in Sigdalslag SAGA in May along withdetails about the entire event to be held at theNO State College of Science, Wahpeton, NO.Banquet tickets will be ordered on theregistration blank as well.

Volunteers for Sigdal's genealogy needs maycontact Lee Rokke. Needed: volunteers atgenealogy registration, helpers at machines, andassistants with resource materials andtranslation. Or offer Don Skadeland help atSigdal's registration table.

Everyone needs to be registered with a badge tobe admitted to any part of the program:genealogy research & classes, entertainment,and Saturday daytime lag meetings.

Three of the seven lag--Hadeland, Land. andSigdal-- will be in Norway in June. This meansthat many of the details, including registration,need to be done well in advance since so manymembers and officers will be away from home.Each group has a financial stake in making thestevne a good one. Last year's income is beinginvested in new microfisch readers. See page 2.

LAG BOUND FOR NORWAY TOUR

Larry and Linda Rolfstad, our tour coordinators,report 49 current lag members bound for theEmigrant 2000 Celebration in Sigdal, Eggedaland Krl1ldsheradin June. This excellent responseconstitutes a fully subscribed motorcoach.

Therefore, a first come, first served waiting listwill begin to fill any cancellations. Beforecontacting the tour leaders, they will want toknow: are you a current Sigdalslag member?

and is your passport is valid?Please contact Rolfstads as soon as possible,11-0 Glendale Lane, Rapid City, SO 57702, bye-mail Their home phone is605-348-2302.

The Norwegian 2000 Host Committee. chairedby Kari Ask, has received requests for homestays for 24 people, another 16 have made theirown arrangements for housing, and a few arestaying at the Folkmusikksenter in Prestfoss anda few at the Sole Hotel in Noresund,

A delightful tour is planned June 11-26 and thedays in our beautiful home districts will be June19-25. (Extended stay delays return date.)

NABC genealogy volunteers at Decorah July 29. 1999: DickHolter. lseated. right to left), Lee Rokke. Rosella Goettelman.and l ?}. Gordon StrandlB.Fellesraad photo

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The Christmas Tree in Sigdalby Andreas Msrch

Published in Norway in Under Noref"j8/J,No 2, 7999, a magazine of local history for Krsdsherad and Sigdalfor the past 15 years. this article. translated by Marilyn Somdahl, looks back over a custom taken for grantednow. Illustrations are by H6vard Stsvern. Prestfoss. During his lifetime, Msrch was a teacher as well asSigdal's historian, genealogist, and author. If one has ever watched burning candles on a fragrant, freshlycut tree at Christmas. one may consider this living light as a fitting thought also for Epiphany.

The Christmas tree is usual now. There aren'tmany homes where it is missing. but thiscustom came her to Krildsherad and Sigdalabout 1900.

It was the schools thatintroduced Christmastrees and it was usualto have parties aroundthe tree everywhere afterthe turn of the century.For those first fests thetree was decorated withkorger og prestesekker(heart baskets and cone-shaped receptacles) ofcolored, shiny paper.candles in holders clippedto the branch, and

oranges or apples hanging up with twineagainst the tree's trunk. In additon. there were"gifts" on the trees.

There were small things such as combs.capguns, pocketbooks, mirrors and trifles downto a thoroughly cheap price of about 25 ilre,(about three cents today; 100 me = 1 kroner).The children had. before the party, eachchipped in 25 ilre. During the juletrefest itwas possible to claim the numbered "gifts" bypulling a paper chance out of a hat. Afterwardthere could be reasons for a little fun of tradingor swapping these gifts.

From the schools the Christmas tree came intothe homes, but 60-70 years ago it was notcustomary to have them, even if some hadtaken up this custom. There were manyelderly that looked at the Christmas tree withglitter, baskets, and finery (or trash, dependingon one's view). as an unnecessary expense.

The chosen tree was often a bushy little

spruce, but it reached from floor to ceilingthose first years trees were used. Little bylittle the trees became smaller so that theydidn't take up so much space in the room.Now they stand willingly upon a table, or whenthey must, reach to the roof. Otherwise it canonly be a little pip of a tree with a few candleson it, especially if no children are in the house.

Fewer paper decorations are used now than 25years ago. and glitter and fake snow haveincreased. Rows of colored glass balls wereusual previously, but they are almost "out"now. Thereare alwayscandles,butsome aren'tburned,which ispreferablewhere oneis alore witha tiny tree.In later yearselectricChristmaslights havecome intothe homes. ~but noteverybodylikes "cold"lights. They want living, flickering candles.

Who should decorate the tree? That changedfrom home to home and from grownups at firstand then to the children in most homes. Therewere few places where the children were keptaway from the room where the tree stood untilall the candles had been lighted. That mighthave been done in the homes of the doctor orthe priest. (continued to the next page)

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Christmas Tree in Sigdal - -It was usual that the candles be lighted duringChristmas Eve, New Year's Eve. and when thedecorations came off and the goodies were tobe harvested from the tree. It was certainly

not usual tohonor day 13of Christmaswith a lightedtree, as faras I can verifynow.

Where peoplesang a littleand hadchildren in thehouse, theywalked aroundthe tree onChristmas Eveand sang themost loved

THEY WILL NEVER GET THROUGH HAVERSTINGby Elling M. Solheim

This article appeared in RingtHike, No. 65. 1993-94 and is used here with the permission of translator, LieselKessler. It was first published in Ringerike Orammen Districts .BREV in October 1999.

This account from the 1920s gives the flavor of made huge, even tracks in the snow.the challenges faced by both the people and therailroad of that time. Brekkebygda in Ringerikewould. not be far from fjrgenvika in the upperreaches of Kredsherad, and people would share thesame kinds of mountain terrain. - Editor's note

It was already very dark when the trainstopped at Rallerud station. Not much traffic,only two persons got off--an older man and hisson. The station master accepted a fewpackages, before giving the all-clear signal.With a cloud of smoke after it, the traindisappeared up over the valley. The man andhis son stood a while and watched it; thenthey took the road northward.

Let us follow these two as they tramp awayin the misty February evening. The older manwas my father and I am the young boy whofollowed him. This all happened back in thebeginning of the 1920s. Much has takenplace since then, but that evening is very clearin my memory. We were on an unusualerrand; at the age of sixteen I was to start asschool teacher in Brekkebygda and we werenow on the way to the place where I was tolive. I will not deny I was unsure and anxious.

"Well, here you see the community," saidFather as he pointed up over the valley. I didnot see anything but black forest whichblended into the dark evening sky. When Iasked where people lived, Father said I wouldfind out later.

"You will have to remember they do not haveelectricity up here. They use paraffin lampsyet." I winced at the thought and mumbledsomething about hopefully not growing oldhere.

"What foolishness," said Father and hisexpression was indignant. "You will have tostart being an adult here. People in theseparts do not give up because the road gets alittle crooked now and then. You will see howbeautiful it is when spring comes."

The last part was supposed to comfort a littleboy who was afraid of the dark. I felt shameburn within me and clenched my teeth. Itwould be all right. Father's leather boots

It was late when we got there. The name ofthe place was Braaten and was at the foot ofHaversting Mountain. When we reached thefarm yard, a train rushed out of the mountainand headed southward with sparks flying."That was the eastbound Bergen train," saidFather. "The tunnel is right up there. You willhear more about it, I think. But now we haveto go in."

Two elkhounds flashed their teeth at us at theentrance. A man hushed them. Then the dooropened and an old woman came out. It wasAunt Rilnnaug, mother's sister, whom wetherefore called "Moster".

"Well, so this is the new schoolmaster! He isnot very big, either." A workworn hand tookmine and a wonderful smile lit up her wrinkledface.

What my first day as teacher was like does notbelong to this story, but I can say it went quitewell. I did not get beat up by my pupils as myolder brother had teased me would happen.The children sat quietly in their places andwere so shy I could hardly get a word out ofthem. We became the best friends in theworld.

I started to orient myself in the community andsurroundings. Homes were far apart withforests in every direction, and this had itsinfluence on the people who lived there. Theywere curious, hospitable, and helpful. Whatreally intrigued me was the Haversting tunnel.It had such a mystical attraction for me. Oneday I took a trip up there.

A train had just gone west so it would besome time before another could be expected.I carefully crawled up the steep incline andthen forward to the tunnel opening. There wasa pungent smell of coal smoke and a gust ofice cold mountain. I carefully worked myselfinto the chill, forbidding darkness. Every stepI took made a hollow sound. The trappedsmoke closed in around me, shutting out theopening and light. I was alone in a primevaldarkness (continued on the next page)

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Getting Through Haversting - -which had been there since the time ofcreation. A paralyzing fear gripped me.Unseen hands moved everywhere, wanting tokeep me there forever. Mysterious figuresyawned and laughed. Now the whole flockcame to throw themselves on me. I started torun --run for my life to the tunnel opening,

,stumbling, drawing blood from my falls on thecrushed stone, then running again. Plungedalmost unconscious into daylight.

The mountain night had broken my spirit.Shamefully, I walked down to the Braatenhouses again. What a pitiful creature I was!

The next time I spoke with Moster I asked herif it had not been hard for them up herewithout the railroad. She replied that they gotalong all right but back and legs suffered--alsothe nag. She added they had always hadexcellent horses at Braaten.

When I asked her if she remembered thebuilding of the tunnel, she said there was quitean uproar when the idea was first mentionedand some people were angry.

The first public discussion was held in theschoolhouse where I am now teaching.Newspapers were rare at that time; newstravelled from person to person. There hadlong been talk about construction of a railroadto Bergen straight through the mountainHaversting. But no one took the rumorsseriously. Only the schoolmaster kept himselfinformed. At the proper time he called peoplein the community together for a meeting at theschool to explain the undertaking. And peoplecameo-from homes far into the forest and onpoor roads. The old people wore their burialclothes as this was, of course, a solemnoccasion.

The little school house was soon packed andpeople listened reverently to what the teacherhad to say. He showed them on a chart wherethe railroad would go and drew a sketch withchalk on the blackboard. It was a realadventure! But when he finally asked thegathering to give three cheers for the blastingof Haversting, Moster could no longer hide heranger and stood up to say in a loud voice,"They will never get through Haversting!"

There was both surprise and laughter in theschoolhouse about Moster's outburst and theteacher was unable to pick up the thread ofhis talk again.

What was this foolishness the youngwhippersnapper tried to get people to believe?Moster had lived in Brekkebygda all her life andworked harder than many. And now thisyoung squirt was telling them there would bea hole right through the mountain. It wasshameful to listen to such nonsense--almostlike making fun of God. Moster felt she hadevery reason to be upset.

Remarkably enough, when people were on theirway home from the meeting and gazed up atmajestic Haversting, they also felt Moster wasright. It probably would be difficult to breakright through it. But they did not worry aboutit as they knew time would tell.

And it did.

A road was made along the ridge and strangepeople wearing funny clothes came with allkinds of weird instruments for sighting,measuring and climbing. Then the dynamitingbegan and the people knew this was serious.

A new life began in the town and Moster saidthis was good and bad--with snus, brandy, andawful fighting. And then there was girlchasing on Saturday night, too. She thoughtsome of the men quite interesting, even if theywere dark.

"Did you think it was strange when the trainwent through Haversting, Moster?"

"You know, I thought the whole thing wasamazing but I had to adjust to it. One drearyNovember day the king's train raced through.We stood up by the tunnel to watch theshow."

Moster straightened up and smiled. Thedevelopment had won, but she was in somemiraculous way not conquered. I could notquite explain it. But there was no doubt; theperson within had not been defeated.

Program Books for SaleFROMTHE 1999 ..

Norwegian-American Bygdelag CentennialAT DECORAH. IOWA

One book $5.50 llostpaid to US al!dresS\lSextra copies $4 each

Checks in US funds to .. ..NABC BOOK. 10129 Goodrich Cir,MpIB,MN5S4:n

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booksbooksbooksbooksbooksA BOOK REVIEW by Earl O. Knutson

The Cotter's Son, A Story from Sigdal byH.A.Foss, 1884, English translation byJ.G.Winkjer, 1962. Re-published by SmokyWaters Press,Bismarck,ND, 1998

The opening lines of this book were enough tohook me. "In the innermost parish of SigdalValley, Norway, (is) nestled the well knownfarm of Hovland. Its beautiful location upon agentle slope by a mountain stream, with alarge white home and red barns, surroundedby birches and fruit trees, made an appearanceso impressive that it was considered the mostbeautiful farm in the whole valley."

Hovland! Great-great-grandfather NarveKnutsen was born on a farm called Hovland!This farm still exists and, as it says in thebook, it is very impressive.

The coincidences continue. In the book, theparish church is called Holum, while the real·life church in Prestfoss is Holmen. The timeframe of the story is also of great interest.From information on the last pages, we canjudge that all the action in the book takesplace from about 1830 to 1853. NarveKnutsen emigrated in 1850, so the book fits innicely with his time in Sigdal.

The book's plot line is rather thin, much likean old western movie. Ole Haugen, son of thedirt-poor cotter or husmann who lived atHovland, is the main hero. After a deprivedchildhood (described in detail), Ole emigratedto America. He worked on construction inIllinois and was a farmhand in Wisconsin.Later he started a business in Chicago.

Ole was big, strong, industrious, handsome,and had a good head on his shoulders. Hebecame wealthy after just a few years inAmerica, then returned to Sigdal where hebought Hovland. Then he married hischildhood sweetheart, the daughter of theformer owner.

For me, the best-written part of the book isthe episode where Ole got caught in a blizzardwhile walking from town back to the farm. Iwas greatly relieved when he survived thatone!

The book was a most popular one of its time.But, with its white-hat, black-hat characters, itsurely is not great literature. So why was itso widely read by Norwegians and Norwegian-

Americans? It is suggested in the back of thebook that, although life could not have beenso sharply black-and-white as depicted byFoss, there is probably enough truth in thestory that readers could readily identify with. it,cheering for the success of someone from thelowest class in Norwegian society, the cotter'sson.

IN MEMORYSIGMUND BENJAMIN BERGRUD (Aug 18,1911-Dec 21, 1999), a lifelong resident ofSpring Grove, MN, was baptized, confirmed,and bidden farewell December 24 at TrinityLutheran Church there with burial in thechurch cemetery.

He graduated from Spring Grove HighSchool in 1930 and married Inga C. PetersonJune 11, 1942, at Winona, MN. Like hisparents, Peder S. and Hannah (Henderson)Bergrud, he farmed but also ran the movietheatre several years. For the past three yearshe lived at Tweeten Health Center.

Survivors include two sons, Steven andwife Joyce, Spring Grove; and Dennis andwife Karen, Stewartville, MN; grandchildren,Katie, Andy, Angela, and Peter. His wife, agranddaughter, and sisters, Ruth and Minerva,preceded him in death.

"Sig" was named a Houston CountyOutstanding Citizen of the Year, a member ofthe historical society in the county and anowner of a centennial farm. He served severalASDS county (agricultural) committees and theDFL State Central Committee. Mayor HubertH. Humphrey and Minnesota Governor OrvilleFreemanwere guests in his home.

He was a member of the FarmersUnion, Vesterheim Norwegian-AmericanMuseum, Sons of Norway, Flying FarmerAssociation, Spring Grove Commercial Club,FHA board member and Tweeten HospitalBoard. He was awarded "King of Trolls"designation and he was a cast member of Yeaide Opera House.

During his years as a Sigdalslagmember, he translated Norwegian writings andperformed in an ala og Per skit at the 1991stevne in River Falls, WI.THE YEAR AFTER YOUR NAME ON THE LABEL SHOULD BE2000 UP TO 2006 lOR lIFEl. THIS IS THE CASE FOR498ADULT MEMBERSLIVING IN 283 PAID HOUSEHOLDS. ABOUT35 HOUSEHOLDS/LIBRARIES FAILED TO RENEW AFTER 1999.

SAGA WOULD LIKE HEAD/SHOULDER PICTURES OF 1 OR 2ADULTS (may include minor children) WHO ARE NOWMEMBERS. CURRENTLY 133 HH PAID THROUGH 2000; 63 HHPAID THROUGH 2001; 69 HH PAID THROUGH 2002; AND 11HH ARE 2003-04-05 AND LIFE. REMINDER CARDS WERE SENTIN NOVEMBER, BUT JOINING FOR 3 YEARS SAVES MONEYAND HASSLE. REQUEST 1 FREESAGA TO INTEREST KINFOLK.

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IN MEMORYOLE M. FOSS (Sept 29, 1917-Jan 5, 2000)died at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls,MN. Services were held January 10 at RockPrairie Lutheran Church, Elbow Lake, where hewas a lifelong member. His grandchildrenwere casketbearers and burial was at NessCemetery.

Two months earlier, Ole and Hazel BordsonFoss celebrated the 50th anniversary of theirmarriage at Ness Church, October 30, 1949.Besides his wife, he is survived by children:Gordon (Beth) Foss, Round Rock, TX; Sandra(Tom) Hendrickson, Lakeville; Harriet (Barret)Wicklund, Fergus Falls; Tom (DeLores) Foss,Ramsey; and Betty (Jay) Johnson, Elbow Lake;16 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter;four sisters, Elvira Dahlen, Erdahl; GudrunFoss, San Diego, CA; Sue Foss, Chatsworth,CA; Barbara Foss, Spring Lake Park, CA; andaunt Myrtle Foss, Fergus Falls.

He was preceded in death by his parentsand brothers Louis, Kermit, and Nobel.

Ole was born to Oluf and Kjeresti (Sund)Foss at home in Stony Brook Township, GrantCounty, MN. After completing school andworking for areas farmers, he had employmentat Hammond Redwood Company, Eureka, CA.

Enlisting in the US Coast Guard in 1941,he was stationed at Cape Arago lighthousenear Coos Bay, OR and also served asboatswain's mate on a fireboat at Seattle.

After their marriage, Ole and Hazel farmednear Melby for two years before moving totheir N. Ottawa Twp. farm which theyoperated until 1968. They then moved toElbow Lake and Ole was employed until hisretirement at Christianson's, Inc. He mostrecently lived at Broen Home, Fergus Falls.

Sigdalslag members will remember Ole'ssister Gudrun from stevner. Also in 1986 threeyoung grandkids took the Norway trip--Heather, Eric, and Nicholas Hendricksonn andmom Sandy, who actively participates inseveral lag as her parents have done. Oleserved as Numedalslag treasurer and translatormany years.

He reportedly enjoyed his role of Grandpa,tending bonfires, untangling fishing lines andproviding contraband chewing gum as he sawfit.

In the fall there were other traditions.Even though he didn't always bag a deer, Oleeagerly awaited the camaraderie of huntingseason for more than 50 Novembers nearBlackduck, MN.

RALPH JORGENSEN, age 87, died December13, 1999, according to his son, Roy, who

accompanied him to the Forest City stevne in1996 and to Wahpeton in 1998. Roy kindlytelephoned the editor early in January.

Ralph himself called for registrationinformation immediately after being in touchwith relatives working on family history inNorway. And nobody will forget the Canadianhospitality he brought with him to share withthe entire group at his first lag meetingngravlaks (salmon), flatbreads, and a beverage!

He treasured travels to Norway.Ralph's Sigdal ancestor was IngeborgAslesdatter Hoffart, a relative to the eightReistad relatives from Vikersund, Sigdal, andEggedal, Norway, who also attended in 1998.

Ralph, who had resided in Burnaby, BC,Canada, is survived by two sons, Derek, PalmSprings, CA, and Roy (Ginny) Surrey, BC, anda daughter, Ruth Ann Walters, St. Petersburg,FL, all recent members. Sigdal membersHarold and Gordon Thompson and MarthaNelson are also relatives.

ART BROWN (Sept 12, 1896-Nov 1, 1999)died at age 103 at the Green Lea ManorNursing Home, Mabel, MN. Services were atFirst Lutheran Church, where he was amember, with burial in the Lutheran Cemeteryat Mabel.

Art is survived by son Arland, Mabel,and a granddaughter, Michelle K. Brown, St.Cloud, MN. Preceding him in death were iswife, brothers Elmer and Hjalmer, and hisparents Anton and Christina (Halstenrud)Brown (Broen).

Born at Garvin, MN, Art moved toMabel with his parents and attended RicefordSchool.

He married Ada Knudson at WalnutGrove, MN, JUly 9, 1931. He was engaged infarming near Revere and Mabel, MN, beforemoving to the nearby Tawney area where hefarmed from 1950 until he retired in 1970.Then they lived in Mabel since.

Ada Knutson Brown died Nov 11,1984. She had ancestry in Nerdalen, Eggedal,and Art's Halstenrud/Grllnhovd ancestry wasfrom Sigdal, according to member Paul Larsonwho sent the information to SAGA. Paul'smother was a cousin of Art Brown.

•Readers are invited to share obituary information;Sigdal Lag's by-laws specify that this is how thelag will honor those who have passed the Norsecultural legacy ro the next generations. Besidesrhose mentioned, the editor thanks friendsRosella Goetrelman. Georgia Rosendahl andHenry Berg for sending information.

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1999 - 2000 Sigdalslag Officers

CAROL MEADE, President/NSf Rep612-827-6139; 122530@msn.com

4133 LymJale Ave SouthMinneapolis, MN 55409

RUTH MANNING, Vice President402-455-7221

4816 Ruggles StreetOmaha, NE 68104

EARL 0 KNUTSON, V. President973-426-0308

7N Village GreenBudd Lake, NJ 07828

LARRY ROLFSTAD, V. President605-348-2302 reltd@enetis.net

11-D GlemJale LaneRapid City, SD 57702

TWlL4. HALVORSON, Secretary218-847-5313

1005 North Shore DriveDetroit Lakes, MN 56501

Welcome, New Members

T. Gershon Blackmore, Fargo, NDMary & R.B. Carnes, San Diego, CAMarlenlj Engstrom, Edina, MNEdgar & Charlotte Espe, Bemidji, MNInga Hammer, Fairdale, ND.Harland & Darlene Hanson, Hoffman, MNDavid Hardy, Palatine, ILCalvin Jokstad, Fargo, NDMarguerite Meade, Mounds View, MNKirsten & John Peterson, London, EnglandTone Nress & Kjell Reistad,

3020 Krogstadelva, NorwayHelen Ellefson Roddick, Portage, WINorma Lien Swanson, Maddock, NDKjell & Turid Varsla, 1580 Rygge, Norway

DON SKADELAND, Treasurer402-331-5906; dIskod@aol.com

10642 "0" StreetOmaha, NE 68127

MARILYN SOMDAHL, Editor612-831-4409; nmsomdahl@juno.com

10129 Goodrich CircleBloomington} MN 55437

LEE ROKKE, Genealogist612-432-9767; ieerokke@aol.com

13465 Garden View DriveApple VaUey, MN 55124

DEBBIE SHORT/NO, Historian402-293-5498

2804 Jack Pine StreetBeUevue, NE 68123

CORRINE L. JOHNSON, Past Pres612-831-8637

4575 - 80th St Circle #202BWamington, MN 55437

Thelma Johnson end Sigdal member ArvinHalvorson serve as NABC genealogy volunteers lastJuly. Aaron HansonlBygdelagenes Fellesraadphoto ~..rv"J'~.E"--,",-

r , ... _, ~. -... _. _.

mailto:122530@msn.commailto:reltd@enetis.netmailto:dIskod@aol.commailto:nmsomdahl@juno.commailto:ieerokke@aol.com

Page 1Titles• VOL XX NO 1 FEBRUARY 2CXXJ Serving Norwegian-Americans of Sigdal, Eggedal and Kredsherad Ancestry COMING EVENTS Festivals Honor Vikings, Emigrants ~ ...... -

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Page 2TitlesCalendars Arrive FRA PRESIDENTEN

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Page 3TitlesHELGE INGSTAD TURNS 100 BYGDELAGENES FELLESRAAD TO MEET

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Page 1TitlesGenealogy Views and News GENEALOGY QUERIES

Page 2TitlesNSI Plans 7 Lag Stevne July 13-15 at Wahpeton, ND LAG BOUND FOR NORWAY TOUR

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Page 3TitlesThe Christmas Tree in Sigdal ..

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Page 4TitlesChristmas Tree in Sigdal - - Jacob Fjelde's Ibsen Returns

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Page 5TitlesTHEY WILL NEVER GET THROUGH HAVERSTING

Page 1TitlesGetting Through Haversting - - Program Books for Sale

Page 2Titlesbooksbooksbooksbooksbooks IN MEMORY --

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Page 3TitlesIN MEMORY •

Page 4TitlesWelcome, New Members

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