Since 1911 May, 2005 Volume 25, Issue 2 Sigdalslag Saga

Serving Norwegian-Americans of , Eggedal & Krødsherad ancestry

Inside this issue: Fra Presidenten 2 BUNADS and BUNAD RESEARCH in

2005 7 Lag Stevne 6 SIGDAL, EGGEDAL, and KRØDSHERAD The Joys of Researching 8 by the late Randi Ramstad The Lost Years Members Surveys 9 This article appeared in the historical maga- zine, UNDER NOREFJELL, No 1 – 2005 Centennial Schedule 11 2003. It was translated by Marilyn Somdahl of Events with illustrations by Andreas Mørch or Håvard Støvern.

At the end of the 1700s, the women’s drakt (garment) used in Sigdal had a mid- Velkommen, nye length bodice with high skjælinger (stiff lag medlemmer! protruding ruffles) in center back and a x BETTY RO DI narrow, rounded (ring) cut-out in the front. Spicer MN A few of this bodice are preserved in x GLORIA JOYCE different materials, but not the rest of these JOHNSON Photo by Tor Kornstad Glen wo od, I llino is garments. x GARY ENGER Randi Ramstad in April, 2004 The men’s garment had white shirts Wa te rto wn SD with embroidered kvardlinger (trimmed x CATHARINE DAVIS edges), red vest, knee length pants of homespun or leather and white trøye (jacket). A Hopkins, MN Rococo-inspired garment. Where did this influence originate? x MARCI & RANDY PIKOP We don’t know, but might we guess that the cultural people at the silver mine at Kongs- Saugus, CA berg may have brought the latest fashion to Sigdal via Flesberg? It’s only a guess, but x MA RSHA GUNDERSON these greatly resemble the garments found there. Such garments in Flå and Krødsherad Grand Fo rk s, ND were found more recently. x CAROL SCHROEDER But the fashions out in Europe made an impression on bygdedraktene (rural dressing Grand Rapids, MN traditions) also, and in the beginning of the 1800s the Empire fashion came to our little corner of the world. There was a drakt with the liv (bodice) up under the breasts and the stakk (skirt) from Gifts and Memoria ls the armholes down to the shoes. The front opening in the bodice became larger so there $5 from was room for a perleduk (a beaded motif cloth insert), to be worn there. The stiff ruffles or Nelder & Mary Medrud waves in bodice back (made by many skilled stitches) were retained but(C were o nti nue smaller. d on page 3 ) Page 2 Sigdalslag Saga V olume 25, Issue 2

2004-2005 Sigdalslag Fra Presidenten: Officers EARL O. KNUTSON President 722 Second Street SW Willmar, MN 56201 (320) 222-1613 [email protected]

GARTH ULRICH VP 1/ I got to say... I'm more relaxed this year than I was a Membership year ago. Then I was getting ready for the stevne here in Box 28, Spalding SK Willmar. Now I can relax while Karen Christiansen of Toten SOK 4CO, CANADA Lag lays similar groundwork for the stevne at Whitewater, (306) 633-2274 WI. (See the registration information printed elsewhere in [email protected] this newsletter.) I've used some of the spare time to write pieces about my ancestors for the new Sigdalslag JUDY SOSTED VP 2/Heritage book. Have you done this? treasurer 1118 Lia Court Northfield, MN 55057 We are in urgent need of a person to serve as [email protected] of Sigdalslag. Don Skadeland is retiring after doing this job for 7 years. With extensive help from his charming RODNEY PLETAN VP 3/ Lynn, Don has developed a very nice bookkeeping system Technology based on Quicken software. If you know of any member who 7414 W Broadway might be willing to serve, yourself included, please notify Forest Lake, MN 55025-8474 our nominating committee co-chairs, Carol Meade (612-243- (651) 464-6636 3924) or Twila Halvorson (218- 847-5313), and they will [email protected] follow up. Sigdalslag trip to DON SKADELAND Treasurer A little news now about the possible 10642 “O” Street in 2006. We have learned from our contacts in Nor- Omaha, NE 68127 way that the best time for this trip is early August. So (402) 331-5906 far I have heard from 6 who are very interested in taking [email protected] part, and 8 that are somewhat interested. We need about 25 to make this trip a success. AMY MICHELSEN Secretary Member Section 18730 Roanoke St. NW I would like to see more people use the Anoka, MN 55303-8971 of our web site. To do so, you need to have your username (763) 753-5484 and password at hand; if you have misplaced yours, contact [email protected] me, Garth Ulrich, or Amy Michelsen. While there, please make any needed corrections in your own information, such LEE ROKKE Genealogist as your e-mail address. 13465 Garden View Drive message board found in the web Apple Valley, MN 55124 Please also check the (952) 432-9767 site member section. You'll see some interesting messages, [email protected] such as one asking for people to help our historian by translating pieces from Norwegian. There's also a I'm also DIANNE SNELL Historian looking for used copies of our translated books, available 31646 110th Pl. SE for purchase. Auburn, WA 98092 I've often wondered who traveled with my great grandfa- In fact, it would be fun to 253-351-0926 sail ship Sjofna. [email protected] ther on the mentioned in have an index of all the ship's names that are MARILYN MOEN Co-Editor the Sigdalslag books, to complement the index of people's 32557 Clay Bank Road names. Let me know if you'd like to help do this indexing. Erhard, MN 56534 Ha det bra, [email protected] Earl O. Knutson CINDY PETERSON Co-Editor President, Sigdalslag 3520 Banyan Street Santa Rosa, CA 95403 707-573-1504 [email protected] Sigdalslag Saga V olume 25, Issue 2 Page 3

(Continued from page 1) the foot in length. The skirt was high in sleeves, was worn. The men’s garment became dark the back and high up under the arm. A Those who worked caring for cattle with the high, stand-up krage (collar) belt or momseband was worn over the had both leather (skinform) and leather on both the vest and the jacket, but the bodice at the waist. Various aprons jackets which reached to the bodice. three gores in the back and underarm could be used on the outside of the The long sleeve jacket could be gussets were preserved from the 1700- skirt. There was a drawstring in the sk innfora (lined leather). The reason I era garment. apron, but never jewelry. write about general customs is because A closer description is shown for Underneath was the shift or . The there is seen so much in use that is not Sigdal-Eggedal, Krødsherad, and Flå long sleeve shift was in . It in the krylling dress tradition in these in the written letters from (among reached down on the leg and was tight later times by those who have hung on others): Gunhild Teige, Eggedal; and at the throat and trimmed at the arm. themselves an article of clothing Gunhild Snersrud and Helga Granum, Pieces of fullness (fell from the stand without reference to accepted usage. Krødsherad, which follow. up collar) and underarm gussets The ’bunad of the heart’s remem- (k aure) were used. One could work or brance’ is thereby changed completely: Kvardagsklær are everyday clothes. walk about in just the sleeved shift a little corruption here and a little The busserullsbluse (the work shirt) is during the summer. there. of blue material, never decorated or This account was written August 1981 trimmed, but striped or checked by Reidun Eken, listening to her Wedding clothes pattern. It could a lso be black with grandmother, Helga Granum, Krød- some small “roses”. Tucks, shirring, The groom. sheard, born at Finnerud, (Sigdal). Embroidered knee folds, or gathers were used at the throat pants with silver and arm, as in the men’s shirt. Cro- Next, is a letter from buttons in the sides, cheted stitches at the base of the front Gunhild Snersrud. embroidered stock- opening. Set-in pieces of fullness, but Mr. Bjørke: ings, silver buckled not a set-in sleeve. The sleeve reached It shall be a pleasure to give you a shoes and braided down the length of the arm from a description of kryllingklederne (the garters. Red vest, dropped shoulder seam. clothes of Krødsherad), as well as I white jacket, red The black skirt is held up with can. But this is on the condition that throat scarf, white home-knit or woven bands. Trimmed they are completely authentic and long sewn shirt and at lower border with ruching or finger- genuine. close fitting red hat. crocheted bands, it goes completely to First, let me tell a little about the The bride with traditions in general. It has never been bridal crown wears appropriate for women to walk about a red skirt with in white sleeves. If they went to church tangled bands in the on a hot summer day and they had to back, a silk scarf under the arms, white remove the trøye (jacket) on the road, apron (with optional), embroi- they must put it on again at Olberg- dered stockings, and silver-buckled moen or in Olbergdal ( in the meadow shoes. Two silver belts or valley closer to the church). They over the skirt folds, must also look each other over to be black jacket with red sure that all appeared properly dressed. bows tied on the shoul- The “church-skirt” was to the foot in ders and the arms. Red length even though the everyday skirt beads, red cap hung with could be a little shorter, but not short, a large brooch, red in any case: That was ugly. For every- scarves and the crown. day use the work shirt and bodice were In all haste I scribbled used. During the winter the knappeliv, (C o nti nue d on page 4 ) the button bodice, often with long Page 4 Sigdalslag Saga V olume 25, Issue 2

(Continued from page 3) into the 1900s. this down. There could be so much to The younger drakt had belonged to Several people, especially those say about the krylling clothes tradition. Gunhild Teige’s mother, Anne Gjel- connected with the organizations of With greetings, Gunhild Snersrud lum, born about 1823 and died about farm women (Bondekvinnelaga), The postmark on the envelope is 3 1870. wanted to keep the older traditions. March 1937. The present tradition of this munici- During the 1900s bunad committees pality separates itself from the oldest came into existence many places. Here Information about Eggedal’s dressing drakt in that the jacket has in 1937 was Sigdal Bondekvinnelag tradition is found at Sigdal Museum. bands and a silk bodice with silver lace with Helga Aabye as leader for both border and the head covering is a hat the lag and the bunad committee. They The oldest drakt originally belonged with neck ribbons, hat band and scarf. gathered in examples of bunad articles to Gunhild Teige’s grandmother, The silver brooches here is two skål- and registered many pieces. The school Gunhild Gjellum, Eggedal, who died søljer and two melringer. principal Carsten Lien was hired as about 1840, and the period of the drakt consultant. After discussions, the was written about is 1810-1830. Written down by Randi Ramstad, committee determined to take into use Gunhild Teige wrote: using Gunhild Teige’s information: the long 1700s bodice and keep the The undershirt, the top part, was of hat, pocketbook, and both woven and fine linen with coarser linen further Though the entire 1800s the dressing embroidered borders from the empire- down. The arms are trimmed at the tradition in Sigdal, Eggedal and drakt. They eliminated ribbons in the cuffs, and the collar at the throat was Krødsherad were alike, and together hat and took away the silk scarves fine and embroidered with fine wool with parts of , this was one around the throat and the head. As a . As new, it was stitched drakt-distrikt. There have basis for the rest of embroidered with cross stitch and back been only slight variations aprons, Carsten Lien sketched a wool stitch in white thread. In the in each municipality when it apron with tiny patterns from the old breast was a beaded cloth comes to borders, decora- hats. with a geometric tion, jewelry etc. while the Some years later some women in “sylvtaggar” design. cut of the garments have Krødsherad, among them Marthe Bye, The top portion of the been one and the same. So contacted “Heimen” Husflidsbutikk in drakt featured a silk bodice long as everyone in a . Their consultant was the same with a velvet jacket and district used the same way Carsten Lien, and they then worked embroidered skirt. It had of dressing both for every- out a bunad nearly the same as Sig- “rukkur,” a piece in front Halsring. day and for festivals, all dalsbunad, with and colors without skirt folds, for here By Andreas Mørch knew which were the in local farm patterns. These models the apron was placed, and important elements to adhere with the long bodice and embroidered made the skirt easier to walk in. to, even with variations in material, aprons were universal in both Krød- In general, the underskirt was used, colors, borders etc. Those come, of sherad and Sigdal til about 1980. Flå usually with or had a border. The course, with good advice regarding (in ) never went over to this socks were called “hosur” either blue available materials and individual drakt, but held on to the empiredrakt or black. Shoes had buckles that were taste. (short bodice) style. cast in Eggedal. During the winter At the conclusion of the 1800s, the When Bondekvinnelag women also used long boots. For head fashion in clothes from the cities more planned to give out brochures of all covering the pannepute, a silk scarf, and more influenced the dressing bunads in the entire county of Busk- covered the forehead and was tied on customs, and little by little the artistry erud, a new committee was founded the head along with ribbons and a silk concerning the bygdedrakt began to be about 1977. Many had long been scarf was used also at the throat. forgotten, even if a few elders would dissatisfied that our bunads had Her jewelry as placed, beginning at not change to the new town-clothes. become a kind of uniform that did not the top, included skålsølje, sølvspenne, Instead they walked about in old style give room for deviation.(C o nti nue They d on pagemeant 5 ) and ringsølje. fjellklærne (mountain clothes) well Sigdalslag Saga V olume 25, Issue 2 Page 5

(Continued from page 4) used side by side. It takes a line from Sigdal, brochures are sold at Sigdal that was crazy when we had so many the rococo-inspired mid-length bodice Museum, Bunadstua Folkemusikksen- and such rich traditions to show off. of the 1700s, through the 1800s tret in Prestfoss and also at Eggedal Work again was taken up to bring in empiredrakt with the short bodice to Turistinformajon og Aslebua, Prest- and photograph the old bunad pieces, today's bunader. In return, we have foss.. The Folkemusikksentret in partly with local enthusiasts, and obtained many-fold what our fore- Prestfoss has in additon video cassettes finally to register findings with the mothers had with the sensible form, and DVD about Folkedrakter and help of the Bunad and Folkedrakt plus the fantasy and joy of creation bunader in Sigdal, Eggedal and Krød- Council. Central in this work were bursting forth. And we preserve that sherad. Turid Gislerud Liodden, Flå, Eva tradition with this hope that we con- Wolmo and Agnes Werring, Krød- tinue to care about on into the future. All information from bunad registra- sherad, and Helga Aabye tions is preserved in each respective and Randi Ramstad, Concluding with a huge municipality or kommune. Sigda l. This writer also thank you to all who gathered articles, served helped along the way, I as secretary and part-time find it imposs ible to photographer for the mention everyone by Just For Fun… committee in Sigdal. name since there are so Sven and Ole went into Many others deserve many. Thanks also to the garbage hauling large thanks for work with those who opened trunks business. All they had the brochures that were Melring: Andreas Mørch fo r a truc k was Sve n's and cupboards in the loft ’3 8 Fo rd pick-up with the published in 1984-85. and stabbur and loaned out grain sides on it. They Sigdal-Eggedal and Krødsherad parts and pieces of old garments, had just it filled to the top, when they were printed their own editions, while Flå is embroidery and jewelry. We are stopped by the police. along in the brochure for the lower thankful that all of you have taken care The Po lice man said that Hallingdal valley. The committees of these things so that we had some- garbage was blowing off the top o f the ir load and dissolved as the brochures were ready, thing to build upon! if they didn't find a way but some continued the work, includ- Friendly greetings, Randi Ramstad to hold it down, he was ing arranging the teaching of courses Prestfoss, 25 November 2002. going to give them a ticket. So, Ole climbed in bunad patterns and construction. up o n top and lay down The first course was held in Krød- Bunads can be ordered from the spre ad eagle on top o f sherad in 1983, and later in Sigdal with following: the garbage. the writer as teacher. There were three x Bunadstua, Folkemusikksentret, or four courses a year with about eight 3350 Prestfoss, Norway students in each one. x Hallingdal Husflid, 3550 Gol, From 1998 the course leaders were Norway x Husflisutsalget Heimen, Rosenk- Ellen Støvern in Sigdal and Annie As they drove alo ng, Hagen in Krødsherad. Turid G. Liod- rantzgate 8, 0159 Oslo, Norway they went under a den has conducted classes in Flå from (In the this firm also bridge. Two Swedes offers authentic bunad materials and were standing on the the mid-1960s. b ridge and saw th is After the courses began, interest construction, shoes and accessories: sight. One of them greatly increased for the bunad with Sue Sutherland, Bunad Butikken, 410 remarked, "Vell vould you look at dat. Some- the short bodice (empiredrakt). Very Roosevelt Ave, Fall Creek, WI 54742) body th rew away a many have also wanted the everyday/ Sigdal Lag library has bunad perfectly good Norwe- Sunday skirt, which can be built upon brochures from these areas with color gian." with embroidered shirts, bodice, apron, photos. Bunad brochures for Flå are jewelry etc to be a festival garment. sold in Gol; for Krødsherad, brochures Now the two types of bunad are are sold in Prestfoss or in Gol; for Page 6 Sigdalslag Saga V olume 25, Issue 2

most successful of The 2005 7-Lag the early colonies mentioned here was Stevne Koshkonog.

Seven Lag Stevne time is coming STEVNE RESERVA- c loser and closer. Many of your fel- TION FORM low lag members, along with mem- Your registration form bers of the other six participating is located Page 7 of lags, are already making plans to this newsletter. Your attend this year’s stevne which will stevne registration be held at UW - Whitewater in fee, banquet fee and southeastern Wisconsin from July campus housing costs 13 to 16. As always, the stevne is are provided in the not only for members of our seven registration form. The lags, it is also open to all who have February newsletter listed informa- The following three motels are lo- an interest in Norwegian immi- tion on local motels and camp- cated in Janesville about a half hour grants in Americ a. grounds. If you are not planning on west and south of Whitewater. staying on campus and haven’t al- x Baymont Inn and Suites – 616 This year’s theme is “A Century of ready made reservations for your Norwegian Independence”. It stay, NOW is the time to do it. Midland Road. Cost $62-70. was chosen because 100 years ago (608)758-4345 or 877-BAYMONT Norway became an independent Other Places to Stay The follow- x Ramada Inn 3431 Milton Ave- nation. It would no longer be ruled ing locations were not listed in the nue Cost $48 – 210; (608)756- by the king of as it had stevne information provided earlier 2341 or (800)433-7787 been from the late 1300’s until this year. The first two loc ations are x Redwood Motel 3912 N. Hack- 1814, nor ruled by the king of Bed & Breakfasts located in White- barth Road; Cost $45-85. (608) as it had been from 1814 water. 756-4501 until 1905. On June 7, 1905 Nor- x Hamilton House Bed & Break- way formally ended its forced union fast 328 W. Main St., Whitewa- Starting your 2005 stevne ex- with Sweden and restored its own ter. 262-473-1900. All its guest perience - Everyone should head monarchy. The Storting offered rooms offer a private bath, queen first to the campus Visitor Center Denmark’s Prince Carl the throne bed and down pillows and com- on Starin Road. See the map lo- on November 18 and he accepted forters. Guest rooms feature cated on Page 8. There you will announcing that he would be known whirlpool and/or fireplac e. Morn- need to register your vehicle, pay th as Haakon the 7 . He took the oath ing coffee bar; full breakfast. your parking fee and pick up a th of office on November 27 , 1905. Cost unknown campus map. The University has a x Victoria-On-Main Bed & Break- $1 per day parking fee for week- Whitewater is located in Walworth fast 622 W. Main St., Whitewa- days. If you are going on the County, in southeastern Wisconsin. ter (262) 473-8400 It is fur- Wednesday tour, you can park in It is loc ated almost equidistant from nished with fine line-dried c otton that parking lot (#7) and get on the two of the earliest Norwegian set- bedding and down comforters to tour bus there. Participants staying tlements in Wisc onsin; Muskego in the full home-cooked breakfast. off campus c an also park there. southeastern Waukesha County and Cost unknown. Participants staying on campus will northwestern Racine County want to park in Lot #4 just south of (1839), and Koshkonong in south- Other accommodations not listed Knilans Hall where you will be stay- eastern Dane County (1840) and before include two located in Ft. ing. You will find it on the campus southwestern Jefferson County. The Atkinson which is about 12 miles map you will be given at the Visitor first Norwegian settlement on Wis- north of Whitewater on Hwy. 12. Center. consin soil was on the Jefferson x Best Western Courtyard Inn STEVNE SCHEDULE Prairie in Rock County (fall of 1838- 1225 Janesville Ave. They have T he sc hedule for the 2005 Stevne is 39). Another Norwegian settlement 55 rooms costing between $50 a little different from previous was established west of Jefferson and $99. (800) 992-6789 or years. The Friday tour has been Prairie in an area known as Rock (920) 563-6444 moved to Wednesday afternoon and Prairie. As a result, the sector be- x Holiday Inn Express Hotel and is being led by Michael Bovre, a came a c luster of Norwegian settle- Suites 1680 Madison Ave. Cost is member of Toten Lag. The tour will ments, eventually expanding over $78 – 199. (920) 563-3600 both sides of the state line. The leave from the Visitor Center at

(C o nti nue d on page 9 ) Sigdalslag Saga V olume 25, Issue 2 Page 7

7 LAG STEVNE REGISTRATION—BANQUET—HOUSING FORM July 13 – 16, 2003 UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI

______Phone______E-Mail ______PRINT FULL NAME/s for badges Address______City______State______Zip ______

7 LAG REGISTRATION FEE, $23 per person (for one or all three days) X ____ people $______(All programs, entertainment, genealogy classes & research time, facilities fee, NOT TOURS)

FRIDAY B ANQUET $21 per person X ____ people $______Please indicate choice(s) ___Chicken Florentine or ___Stout & Brown Sugar Roast Pork Loin “SIX” MEAL DEAL TICKET $34.05 (includes tax) X ____ tickets $______This ticket to be used for the six (6) cafeteria meals indicated below. No refund for unused portion. 1 person/ticket

If you do not choose the SIX DEAL MEAL TICKET, you may still purchase meals at the cafeteria. DO NOT SEND MONE Y FOR INDIVIDUAL MEALS! For planning purposes, please indicate below how many meals you plan to eat in the cafeteria if not on the six meal deal plan. Prices include beverage & tax Breakfast $4.65 Thursday____ Friday____ Saturday____ Lunch Thursday____ Friday____ Dinner $7.00 Thursday____

HOUSING RESERVATION Knilans Hall Not Air Conditioned. Bring Fan ____$18/night Single ____$24/ night Double (2 people) *Cost does not include I will be staying the following nights ___WED. ___T HURS. ___F RI. ___SAT $______One time charge for Linen Package -- $9.50 X _____ packets $______Also one time charge for Pillows - $0.50 each & blankets - $0.50 each ______Pillows + _____ Blankets Total ______X $0.50 $______

Special Needs:______

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON TOUR & DINNER 12:30 – 6:30 pm $28 X ____ PEOPLE $______

I ______want to attend the Hardanger Class

TOTAL ENCLOS ED P AYAB LE TO: Sigdalslag

MAIL THIS FORM and PAYMENT NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2005 To: EARL O. KNUTSON 722 Second Street SW Willmar, MN 56201 No Refunds after July 5, 2003 Page 8 Sigdalslag Saga V olume 25, Issue 2

A better campus map will be provided for you when you check in. I f you want to use this map, do n’t forget to copy it be fore mailing in your registration - wh ich is on the bac kside o f this page !

Dane County Grieg Men's Chorus Sigdalslag Saga V olume 25, Issue 2 Page 9

(Continued from page 6) Norwegian Immigrant Series and 12:30 pm and return there after STEVNE CLASSES 1850- 1860 Immigrant research dinner. The tour will center on the A partial list of c lasses that will be by Blain Hedberg Koshkonong area. Before the bus given at the stevne can be found Astri, My Astri: Norwegian Heritage returns to the UW-Whitewater cam- below. In addition to those c lasses, Stories pus the tour group will stop at the an informal Hardanger embroidery by Deb Nelson Gourley West Koshkonong Church for din- workshop is planned for Thursday. Finding Those Elusive Norskies at ner. The menu inc ludes pork loin Space is limited to 16; if too many the Wisc onsin Historical Soc iety medallions, cheesy potato casse- people sign up, we will either use a by Dee Grimsrud role, apple sauce, green beans with lottery to select the 16 or take the slic ed almonds, cole slaw, dinner first 16 who sign up for the work- Desc endants of t he Norwegian Con- roll, desert, coffee, milk. shop. Cost will be $4 at the door stitution Signers in the United for cloth, floss and instructor. Bring States by Mike Bovre Brief Outline of Koshkonong embroidery and needles. Tour The bus will leave UW- Please indicate on the registration ENTERTAINMENT Whitewater promptly at 12:30 pm form if you intend to attend the After our Friday evening’s banquet and head to Koshkonong Prairie. Hardanger embroidery workshop. the Edvard Grieg Men's Choir of The first stop will be at the 1840 The instructor for this year’s work- Madison will provide our evening Anderson Farm where Pastor shop is Betty Knutson. program. According to the c hoir’s Dietric hson held the first Norwegian Beginning Genealogy mission statement, their purpose is Church service in 1844. The group by Barbara Horn to carry on their Scandinavian will then go on to the East Koshko- (Norwegian) heritage through song Vesterheim Genealogical Center by nong Churches, the Koshkonong singing music of Edvard Grieg and Jerry Paulson Parsonage at Utica, and then on to other Scandinavian composers. The West Koshkonong Churches. The Norwegian Silver choir sings at the Saengerfest every tour will then precede to St. Paul's by Carol Hasvold two years, the Norwegian American Liberty Church (the 3d church of Preserving Historical Items Fest every year, and participates in the Koshonong Prairie) which even- by Linda Herrick a joint conc ert in Arlington Heights. tually became five c hurches. The Early Norwegian communities in The group was established in 1926 tour bus will then pass through southern Wisc onsin and is a member of the Midwest Cambridge & Rockdale on its the by Jerry Paulson Norwegian Singers Association. way back to Whitewater, through historic farms and spec ific areas settled by groups from Sogndal, Numedal, Hardanger, Voss, Tele- mark and Toten Norway.

DORM KEYS - Tour participants staying on campus can pick up their room keys between 11 am and 12 noon or after the tour at Knilans (pronounced Nylons) Hall. NOTE: Those arriving on Thursday should pickup their dorm keys at the Reg- istration Area in the University Cen- ter when they sign in.

All stevne activities will take place in the University Center on Thurs- day and on Friday morning. The Genealogy Room will open at 8:30 am on Thursday and stay open until 9:00 pm. It will open again at 8 am on Friday and stay open until noon. All genealogy classes, except com- puter c lasses, will take place in the same building. The Vendors’ area will be located next door to the Ge- nealogy Room. Page 10 Sigdalslag Saga V olume 25, Issue 2

The Joys of Researching The Lost Years by Dianne Snell

After accepting the posi- further research. By dropping tions of Lag Historian last the Theodore and just typing summer, my question to in the surname of Bjorka, a President Earl was “Where report of the 1951 Stevne in do I start?” His answer: Fergus Falls came up. Stated there appeared to be a 30- therein, in an excerpt from year gap in the Lag’s histori- “History of the Lag cal records which spanned in America, 1910-1989,” was from 1950-1980, and he this statement: “Thomas asked if I would direct my Bjorka, president of Sigdal- research toward filling in slag, met with the group.” So that gap as much as possi- our lag president at that time ble. was a Bjorka, but not Theo- He suggested that I start dore. By scanning the “The with Odd Lovoll’s book Sigdalslag 1949” I learned entitled “A Folk Epic: The that Thomas Bjorka was actu- Bygdelag in America,” pub- ally Orville Thomas Bjorka, a lished in 1975 for the Nor- nephew of Theodore, from wegian American Historical Los Angeles, California. Association, which chroni- Sigdalslag officers in 1948: Top, from left: Historian, A. S. Aasand; According to The Sigdalslag, cles the history of all of the President, Theodore Bjorka; Secretary, Gunder Jacobson; Treasurer, Thomas was born April 24, Norwegian bygdelags in Knute Juvet. Bottom, from left: Vice presidents: Sigdal, Tollef Bagaas; 1920, the only son of Carl and America. It is an interesting Eggedal, Hans C. Bergerud; Krodsherad; Tom Bjorka. Mary Bjorka. He lived with and well-researched journal, his parents on a farm near and there on page 258 is a Minnewaukan, North Dakota (Immigrants fro m Bjorka in Krødsherad list of the officers of Sigdalslag from the until 1937 when the family moved to Los in 1880.) He was married to Bella Olson beginning through 1971. Presidents were Angeles. Tom Bjorka was also listed as of Vining January 31, 1910 in , N. given as follows: Sigdalslag president in an article in the D. They had one son, Orville, who died Anders B. Pedersen (1911-12); G. T. Grant County Herald about the 1953 at the age of 2-1/2. They farmed near Braatelien (1912-28); Carl O. Hagen Sigdalslaget celebration in Elbow Lake. Ruso, N. D. until 1918 when they moved (1928-35); Theodore Bjorka (1935-68); (article sent to me by Lee Rokke— to the Bjorka homestead where he Lars N Mohagen, (1968-). I immediately Thanks Lee!). This same Tom Bjorka, farmed until h is retire ment. Besides his logged into “cyberspace” to see what I then, is most likely the one who served as wife he is survived by a sister, Mrs. could find out about Theodore Bjorka, our president from 1950-1968. Not ex- Caroline Thoreson of Ruso, N. D, and a who would have been the lag president actly! brother Carl of Santa Barbara, Calif. Mr. through the 1950’s and most the 1960’s. Some of my assumptions were cor- Bjorka always took a very active interest Imagine my surprise when the first hit roborated from the minutes and informa- in community affairs and church activi- that popped up was the obituary of Theo- tion included in the lag’s historical re- ties. He was for many years a member of dore Bjorka from the Fergus Falls Daily cords which I recently received. (Mange the Aastad band. He held offices in vari- Journal, of July 28, 1955. Tusen Tak to Don & Lynn Skadeland ous township and community organiza- (Ancestry.com). Hmmm. If he died in who sent me the materials obtained from tions. He was deeply interested in Nor- 1955, it was highly unlikely that he could past historian Deb Shortino.) One prob- wegian culture and was president for 15 have been the lag president until 1968! lem I have is most of the earlier minutes years of the Sigdalslag.” His obituary states, as follows: “The and records are in Norwegian so I am This meant that if Theodore became third of a family of eight children, Mr. now in the process of finding a transla- president of the lag in 1935 and served Bjorka was born in Aastad township tor.) I was able to decipher, from the 15 years, his term would have ended in (Otter Tail County, ) April 23, Sigdalslag minutes of 1950, (held in 1950. This, as usually happens, led to 1884. the son of Ole and Kari Bjorka. Grand Forks, N. D.) that Tom Bjorka of Sigdalslag Saga V olume 25, Issue 2 Page 11

(Continued from page 10) Los Angeles was elected “Formand” Sigdalslag Members Send in Surveys that year. Also a synopsis of the lag meet- Sigdalslag Surveys have been received from: ings from 1911 to 1981 states as fol- x Keith Tronson, Sacremento, CA, on the Descendants of TROND KNUDSEN FOSS. lows: “1968: Lars Mohagen became Lag president, succeeding Tom Bjorka who served this time 9 years, These have been added to the Sigdalslag library: and 4 before.” So—there was appar- x Gift from Audrey Erber, Oak Park, IL, Norwegian Family Histories 1585-1850. A Peek ently a gap in his presidency. Look- At The Lives Of Our Ancestors Of Our Families Who Settled In Columbia County, ing further I found the following: Dane County, and Green County, Wisconsin In The 19th Century. Published by Aud- “1959 – June 12-13, Mayville, N. D. rey Erber 2004. 2038 pages, spiral bound. She has additional copies available for Tom Bjorka, Los Angeles, was $20.00. This book is a follow up to the one she gave the lag in 1993: Brita Edwin- elected president again after Knut son, Elling Thompson, and Endre Anderson, Family History Vol 1. The new book is nearly equally divided between people from parishes in Buskerud and Hordaland. Olson served for 4 years.” Audrey has extracted information from the bygdebøker of those parishes. The trans- There we have it! Tom Bjorka lations of that information fill most of her book. Sigdalslag members should check was elected president in 1950 and the index, because there will be many who find English descriptions of their ances- served from 1951-1954; then was tors. We thank Audrey for her gift. elected again in 1959 and served from x Gift from DonnaLee and Charles Wheeler, Farmington, NM. Who's The You in the 1960-1968 with Knut Olson serving Mirror? How to research your family History, by DonnaLee Wheeler. DonnaLee's the four years between the two terms. experience as a genealogy librarian and teacher of classe s on how to do genealogical research is very evident in this book. She has put together one of the best and most One mystery solved! The next re- complete guides that I have seen. From "Where to start" through over 40 sections of search: Who was Knut Olson? Just explanation Donnalee gives clear, concise, well illustrated explanations. She has as in genealogy, researching the lag used her book as a text for the classes she teaches and the fact that it is in the sec- history is a never-ending job. ond printing is evidence of its popularity. I urge you to check it out at the stevne. You will find it worthwhile. It is over 275 pages, spiral bound. You may buy a copy See you in Whitewater! for $22.00 from: Kinfolk Trails, 5706 Plaza Drive , Farmington NM 87402.

From the Saga Mail up with Bypass surgery. She had 3 b locked ve ins and one 90% blocke d From Portland, Oregon… Bag: plus they also replaced aortic valve. “...I have really enjoyed the Sigdal- So she didn't get b ack he re to Mayv ille From Sigdal, Norway… slag Saga and would like to express until end of July. She was gone from my sincere appreciation for all the home the whole month o f July . good work by you and others in keep- “Hei! So my Willmar trip ended at Elbow ing it going and making it so relevant Lake. Don Skadeland is my second I just received Sigdalslag Saga in and interesting. my postbox - I m ust say you are cleve r cousin, his dad and my mother were to produce news that feel interesting Vennlig Hilsen,” half brother and sister. Don's dad fo r many both in USA and Norway . Paul Akre from Grandpa's first marriage and my mother from second. ...Here in Sigdal today (Feb. 22.) there is plus degrees and sun - but it From Mayville, ND… We have a son Mark that lives at Montevideo, Minn. That's only 40 should re ally bee n winte r with snow - “Dear ... Sigdalslag: the snow hasn't h ardly shown th is m iles o r so away we had planne d to winte r - ne ithe r in the lower parts o f I had every plan to come to your stay the re and Mark and I would come Sigdal. meeting at Willm ar b ut things got to meeting. changed in our plans. Mange hilsener” So so rry I m issed, but A rle ne was I was all pac ked, and was to pic k more important. Birger Moen up Arlene (wife) at Elbow Lake. Her I enjoy your m agazine. Bygdeposten and her sister went to a wedding of a ne phew at Ind. wh ich went fine b ut on May see you sometime in the fu- E d. note: Birger works at the Bygdeposten, the return to Elbow Lake Arlene ended up ture. Do n stops b y when he's clo se by. local newspaper for Sigdal. He accompanied the 2000 Emigrant Jubilee when in Sigdal and cov- in the Hospital there with which So Long. “ ered our vis it there. He is looking forward to turned out to be a Heart attack. So, Herald and A rlene Tastad the possibility of s eeing us again in 2006! when all was said and done , she e nded Page 12 Sigdalslag Saga V olume 25, Issue 2

The Krødsherad Books are here! by Lee Rokke The Krødsherad kommune gave the lag a set of the new Krødsherad bygdebøker, volumes 4 & 5, and the Sigdalslag purchased another set. The new books are re-prints of the old volume one, with updates and a new layout that lists the children in columns. Therefore Hallerdallen, the first farm listed, goes from 4 pages in the old book to 6 pages in the new one and one volume has became two. Colored pic- tures of the farms add interest and a very good map is added to each book. I am happy to see that some corrections have been made to mistakes that we found in the old book. I have not used the new issues very much as yet, but Charles Wheeler has, so I asked him to give you his reactions to the books.

New Volumes IV & V for Krødsherad By Charles Wheeler, with help from DonnaLee I should pay somebody for letting me have so much fun! person and his/her spouse. While searching for DonnaLee Wheeler's Norske rela- Once I have found a person in Vol IV or V and have en- tives in Volumes II & III of Andreas Mørch's Sigdal og tered all the data about him/her and his/her spouse, plus Eggedal, I ran across a number of connections in Krød- their children and the children's spouses, I do the same for sherad. We obtained a copy of Lee Rokke's Index to Vol I the listed parents, siblings, grandparents, etc. Then I high- Krødsherad. When I came across a person from Krødsherad light the index entry and enter in it the Vol IV and/or V page I looked him/her up in Lee's index and put that person's Re- number(s) pertaining to that family. I also do the same for cord Identification Number (RIN) next to him/her. During the entries of the children, parents, siblings, etc. By the time the last 3 years I made about 125 such entries. I have done this for the people linked to a person listed in Now we have the new Volumes IV & V Krødsherad! On the index, I usually will have entered at least 15 people into 6 March 2005 I started on page 1 of Lee's index, where the our database. In a couple of cases, tracking down an indi- first of DonnaLee's identified relatives was Alv Bjørnsen vidual and his associated families has resulted in the entry from Rime, who was born in Runn, Krødsherad in 1625. He of between 35 and 40 people. married Gunhild Bjørnsdatter from Båsum, and they lived in The 271 people I entered between the 6th and the 22nd Veggesrud in Eggedal and Bergan in Sigdal. By the 22nd of of March started with 8 entries which were on the first 12 March I had found, confirmed and entered 270 more people. pages of Lee's index. With 114 more entries in the index to Since Lee's index was for the original Vol I. Volumes IV trackdown and enter, that could mean there are up to 3800 & V cover the same territory and people but the page num- people yet to be entered. bers don't match. A bit of searching is required to find a Since DonnaLee started this project in 1963, when she person. After finding a person and his/her sub-farm in the first got Sigdal Volumes II & III, and then got acquainted index, I look for the sub-farm in the Alfabetisk Register in with Gerhard Naeseth "the Norwegian Genealogist", we the back of either volume IV or V. Then I start with the have found and entered approximately 11,000 Norskes, plus lowest page number listed for that sub-farm and look for the a few Swedes and Danes, into our database. The last phase of this project will be to tie all these people, and our other clans, together into a history of Sigdalslaget 1949 yearbook still available our two families. Most of this history/book, which The new hardcover English translation of the 1949 book is still avail- we plan to publish on a CD, will be the names, dates, able for $25 each plus $6.00 shipping and handling ($31 US) by mail order or online at www.sigdalslag.org places and accompanying notes in our database. Be- yond this will be stories DonnaLee and I have col- Order form for: Sigdalslaget - 1949 yearbook lected from each of our families over nearly 50 years. Included in this will be when and how our immigrant Name ______ancestors came to Amerika, where they settled first, Street ______and subsequent moves, their successes and maybe a City ______St.______ZIP______few failures, etc. So far we have over 130 pages of descriptions and stories, and a lot more to go. Make check payable to Sigdalslag Qty. Price each Total Send to: Don Skadeland Translated books are available at these College libraries: @ $31.00 10642 O Street Augsburg, Augustana, Concordia, Luther, St. Olaf, and Omaha, NE 68127 Univ. Of ND. They may be available for interlibrary loan. Sigdalslag Saga V olume 25, Issue 2 Page 13

In Memory Schedule of Events

ART HUR KOPS ENG Sharpe of Appling, GA, three MAY States: 1905-2005 sons: Arthur (Kathy) Kopseng M a y 4 - 1 3 A Friendship and its Dec. 3, 1926 - Dec. 13, 2003 of Northfield, MN, Jeff Kop- LEIF OVE ANDSNES Future Carnegie Hall, NY St. O laf C ollege, MN REMEMBERING ARTHUR… seng, special friend, Alan Bloemke of Albert Lea, MN, Doug May 2-5 Sept. 26 Arthur died at his home on Friday, De- (Karen) Kopseng of Minneapolis, MN; OI L TECHNOLOGY CON- Geir Lundes tad pres en- cember 12, 2003, after a brief and coura- eight grandchildren: Elizabeth Jane Kop- FERENCE tation at the James geous struggle with cancer. He was 77 seng, Amanda Kate Kopseng Wright, Al- Hous ton Baker Inst. Houston years old. As a special gift to science, he ison Jill Kopseng and Daniel Arthur Kop- donated his body to the Department of seng, Jennifer Nicole Bock, Tyler Thomas May 9 - September 9 Sept. Anatomy, Mayo Foundation. Buck, Carson Truman Sharpe and Daryon "NØRWÅY"-Nationality Nordic Roots M inneapo- Parker; step-grandson, Hal Sharpe, Jr.; half and Identity Centennial lis Art was born December 3, 1926, to Tho- brother: Brian (Sheryl) Kopseng of Albert Anniversary exhibit mas and Anna (Kloster) Kopseng in rural Lea, MN; aunts: Inga Waite of Paulsbo, Trygve Lie Gallery, NYC Sept. - Dec . Lake Mills, IA. He was baptized in North WA, and Ruth Fisher of Lake Mills, IA; Edvard Grieg exhibit many cousins, and special canine pal, May 21 DC , MD , NY , SF . Prairie Lutheran Church and confirmed at Norwegian gal a Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills. He M ax. Houston OCTOBER attended school in Lake Mills and gradu- Oct. 2 ated from Lake Mills High School in 1945. His mother, Anna Dahlen, father, Tom May 29 Norwegian F es tival He served in the U.S. Army with the Kopseng, stepfather, Melferd Dahlen, Concert with Annar in C entral Park NY 709tth military police in Frankfurt, Ger- mother and father-in-law, Harriet and Follesø and Christian many from 1945 – 46. He later attended Lowell Ihde and aunts, uncles and cousins, I hle Hadland Oct. 10 - 15 school at St. Olaf College in Northfield, preceded him in death. Scandinavian Living Norsk Høstfest MN where he majored in economics. He Center, Bos ton, MA Minot, North Dakota graduated in 1952. He was an active member of Sigdalslag and enjoyed visits to the family area of May 31 Oct. 17 - 19 Art was united in marriage with Dolores Norway in 1993 and 2000. Concert with Annar Den N ors ke Oper a: Ihde on June 18, 1949, at First Presbyte- Follesø and Christian "Peer Gynt" with Toralv rian Church, Albert Lea, MN. He worked (source: Dolores Kopseng) I hle Hadland Maurs tad, Lis a Fj elds tad Dolores also included this note: Mindekirken, Minneapo- and mor e. as a salesman at J.C. Penney’s in Owa- lis, MN Ordway Theatre, MN tonna, MN. Art and Dolores moved to “...our granddaughter, Amanda Kopseng Albert Lea in 1955. There he began his was married last May to Daniel Wright JU NE Oct. 24 career with St. Paul Clothing House. He (that’s Mrs. Right). June 2 Grieg concert by the worked as a salesman and manager with Annar Follesø: A Cen- Shepherd School of the company until his retirement in 1992 When the Sigdalslag met in 2000, our tennial Concert S c a n- Music`s Symponic Or- and continued to help part time until the family group met the group at the time for dinavia House, NYC ches tra. R ic e U nivers ity, store’s closing in 1995. some of the get-togethers, especially at the Houston Borgerstue Inn in Eggedal where we June 6 Art was a member of First Lutheran Nordic Voices in Conc ert Oct. stayed. No doubt some of the group re- The acclaimed 6-voice a Lecture by profes s or Per Church, American Legion, Lions, and members Art. served as President of Kiwanis K – 2 and capella ensemble will Solvang, University of perform at Scandinavia Bergen . Sons of Norway. He enjoyed reading, He is a descendant of Asle Kopseng who House, NYC Exhibit and performance visiting with friends and family, and trav- came from a large farm near Eggedal by Jon L øvøen . eling to both coasts, Hawaii, Norway, which is still in the family today.” J u n e 7 - A u g . 2 5 North Park University, France, and Germany. He collected auto- Breakable Art: Contem- Chicago. graphs of famous people. Note from the editors: Our sincere condolences to porary Glas s and Ce- Dolores and her family, and our sincere apolo- gies for the delay in publishing this sad news. ramics from Norway Oct. Art is survived by his wife, Dolores of The notice did not make it to the editors until Scandinavia House, NYC Lecture by I ngeborg Albert Lea, one daughter, Diane (Hal, Sr.) recently. Kongs lien, Univers ity of JULY O slo. C hic a go July 13-16 7 LAG STEVNE NOVEMB ER NOW AVAILABLE! Whitewater, WI N ov. 6 “Astri, My Astri: Gala c oncert: "A Cen - Astri, My Astri: Norwegian J u ly 1 4 -O c to b e r 3 tury of Norwegian Inde- The Nobel Centennial pendence" Norwegian Heritage Stories Heritage Exhibition in San Fran- Lincoln Center, NYC Stories is a cis co, CA To order send $24.90 The Exploratorium Nov. 10 - 13 delightful b i- Conc erts with Baltimore (includes S/H) to: J uly Symphony Astri My Astri Publishing lingual account Sk ogf j orden Language Orchestra and pianist 602 3rd Ave SW of a search for Village MN Håvard Gims e + Bj arte Engeset as guest con- Waukon, IA 52172 Norwegian SEPTEMBER ductor. roots . . . an inspi- Sept. 16 - Nov. 6 R oc kville, MD Deb Nelson Gourley, Exhibit of Norwegian ration to anyone.” porcelain dolls DECEMBER Author/Publisher Galveston, TX Dec. Phone: 563-568-6229 – Professor Norwegian Christmas Sept. 23 - 25 Houston E-mail: [email protected] Odd S. Lovoll Norway and the United www.astrimyastri.com Sigdalslag Saga FIRST CLASS MAIL

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City______State______ZIP______Residents of CANADA may mail application and check E-Mail ______Phone ______payable to Garth Ulrich to: GARTH ULRICH BUSKERUD Family Origin in (circle one) - SIGDAL EGGEDAL KRØDSHERAD Box 28, Spalding SK Ancestor’s name ______SOK 4CO, CANADA Farm name ______Year Emigrated______Write “Sigdalslag dues (3 yr or 1 yr)” on the memo line of the check. 2004 Dues: US/CANADA $10/YR or $25/3 YR, in US dollars Dues in Canadian dollars should be made in the amount equivalent to ELSEWHERE $12/YR or $30/3 YR, in US dollars $10 US (1 year) or $25 US (3 years) on the date written.