The 1920 Norwegian Census is the latest that is released to the public. Here I find my grandmother Dagmar working as househelp in the home of Thorvald Richardt the "director of the research council". I am not sure what that title entails but it sounds impressive doesn't it? She is working in Kristiania (now known as Oslo). The story Grandma told me was that a friend of hers from her home town was working in Oslo and told her she could get her a good job there if she wished. She had had a fight with her boyfriend Harald and stomped off to Oslo in defiance. Harald's friend, my future grandfather Paul, followed her there and the rest is history.
Welcome to Ranae's Norwegian Family Heritage
My maternal grandparents, Paul and Dagmar Sevald were Ellis Island immigrants coming from Norway and settling in Chicago, Illinois in the early 1920's. In this blog I post photos, documents, stories, memories and thoughts about my Norwegian ancestry, heritage, family and my life growing up Scandinavian-American in Chicago. WELCOME!
Nov 6, 2024
Aug 10, 2024
1937 Visit to Skien, Telemark, Norway
Jun 21, 2024
Johannes Johannesen signs a contract to go to Chicago.
Emigrating from Norway to America was a fairly involved process. The Norwegian emigrant would sign a contract with an agent. That agent would, for a price, arrange the trip every step of the way, from Norway to England to the U.S. and to the final destination. They would meet the emigrant at the takeoff point giving them instructions and tickets for each step of the journey. An additional agent would meet the emigrant at each stop along the way insuring a safe and correct journey to the final destination.
This is the contract signed by my cousins grandfather, Johannes Johannesen, 22 years old. He was known in Chicago as John Johnson. As kids I remember him as "Old Man Johnson".
between
and passengers listed below regarding Carriage
to Chicago (Cook) Illinois for Kr. 199.00
and Johannes Johannesen age 22
I, Ivar Grotte, Chief Agent for Cunard Linien, hereby undertake to convey the persons mentioned herein to the Determining Office for the above-mentioned Sum, which I acknowledge to have received as full payment.
The journey must take place as follows:
1. From Bergen on 6/3 1907 on or about with Midship Steamer in Mellemdæk to Hull.
2. By rail from there to Liverpool.
3. By Midship Steamer from Liverpool to New York.
4. By Rail from New York to Place of Destination.
Bergen on 5/3 1907
signed Ivar Grotte
Official stamp and signature of the Police Chamber
Jun 13, 2024
Norway Timeline: A Journey Through Norwegian History
I am always interested to know a bit more of the history of Norway to perhaps understand better the lives of my Norwegian ancestors.
I follow and highly recommend his informative and interesting blog.
Jun 10, 2024
Happy Birthday Grandma Dagmar!
Today I remember my grandmother with love. One hundred and twenty four years ago today Dagmar was born. She was the second child of Nils Gundersen and Gunhild Marie Olsdatter. In the earliest photo I have of her, she is pictured here with her mother Gunhild Marie and her older sister Gudrun.
b. 10 June 1900 Eidanger, Telemark, Norway
d. 12 June 1991 Skien, Telemark, Norway
Jun 4, 2024
Smallpox Vaccination of Nilia Josephine Gundersdatter
This certificate was to confirm the vaccine of my great grandfather's oldest sister Nilia.
Nilia Josephine has then participated in this vaccine-campaign for children smallpox hereby on honor and conscience witnessed by K. Olsen and presented to me on the 30th august 1866'
signed: Johs Flood vicar
In December 1801, the first vaccination against smallpox in Norway took place. Vaccine material came from Denmark, England, Ireland, and other countries; it was also obtained from a few local cowpox cases. The Church of Norway (Lutheran) required that the date of innoculation be presented on confirmation.
Here is the record of Nilia's confirmation on 3 October 1880. It lists her date of birth and baptism, her parents, where born and now live and the date of her innoculation 19th August 1866. It is also noted that she finished with a grade of Excellent!