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| Nils Gundersen @1898 |
My Great Grandfather Nils Gundersen Øvald was the father of my maternal grandmother Dagmar Gundersen Sevald. On the parish record of his marriage he is noted to be a sailor. My grandmother spoke of him being away from home for long periods of time but always returning with gifts from foreign places.
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| Skipper Nils Gundersen @1930 |
He later was the ship captain on the Union III. A steam powered smaller ship that traveled with goods, from Skien, at the head of the Telemark Canal, through the canal and on to Oslo and back again. These next pictures were sent to me from a 5th cousin in Norway. He was in contact with another cousin of mine who I believe would be a second or third cousin. They appear to be from a book or newsprint. I have searched but am unable to find the origin of these photos. It appears from the photos that some of his crew were his sons and sons in law.
The Telemark Canal was relatively recent at this time. It was used not only for delivering goods but sending logs downstream. Cut out of mountainous Norway it had 18 locks. The difference in elevation from Skien to Dalen was 236 feet. You can read more about the Telemark Canal HERE.
my Great Grandfather
Nils Gundersen Øvald
b: 13 September 1875 Eidanger, Telemark, Norway
d: 02 February 1961 Skien, Telemark, Norway
**click on pictures to enlarge for easier viewing**
