Volume 36 | Number 2 | WINTER 2012

In this issue: Online Catalog Goes Live! Battle of Kringen - 400 Years Later! Visit to with Monroe By C. Marvin Lang Miller Sunday, August 26, 2012, was bright and sunny along ploys. Rather than use the well trod paths, Klungnes the northern stretches of the River Lågen in central took them through swamps, up heavily wooded sloops, Olive Nordby Woodblock Print Norway. Church bells peeled from the ancient church and even over mountainous terrain. Of course, his Card of Sell, several kilometers north of the City of Otta tactics were “delaying” - allowing the signal fires to be Norse Valley Lodge Work Day located deep within the Gudbrandsdal. A four day set and the “budstikke” passed the word – “Enemy in festival was being concluded with an ecumenical service, County send out message.” Civil War Website Update bringing together for worship Norwegians, Scots, and Summer Classes Americans. Such was not the case 400 years ago! The night of August 25th was spent in the shadow On that date (a Sunday by the Gregorian Calendar, of the stavkirke, Nord – known as the church Svein Ludvigsen Visit a Wednesday by the Julian Calendar), a group of of Kristen Lavransdatter in Sigrid Undset’s famous Recent Acquisitions Norwegian farmers trilogy. A large – men, women, and farm is across the Norwegian Visitors perhaps children road from the – ambushed and church, known Destination Stoughton Weekend annihilated an as Romundgård, Publications of Note invading troop neighbor to of Scottish Jorundgård, mercenaries. That Kristen’s home. It event has become was at Romund- known as the gård that the Scots Family History Battle of Kringen spent their last and the victory has evening. Legend Library Tour been celebrated by claims “the Scots the locals and the ate, drank, and Salt Lake City, Utah nation ever since. made merry” after October 27 -November 3, 2013 Much has been written, legends borne, songs created, an arduous six days of marching, pillaging, and wanton and history embellished about this momentous event destruction of the Norwegian countryside and farms. Full details available soon. in Norwegian history. Visit nagcnl.org, or call While the Scots were marching, the Norwegian bønder for a brochure. The facts seem to indicate that three to 400 were preparing to ambush them … somewhere! Not mercenaries from the northern-most portions of knowing the Scots’ plans, not even knowing where Scotland (County Caithness and the cities of Thurso they were headed, caused great confusion amongst and Wick) were “engaged” by the Swedish government the leadership. Finally a plan was put into place that to invade Norway and work their way down the Lågen assumed the Scots would follow the River Lågen into the Norwegian modern county of . along its easterly side and that they would have to Led by a Scottish , Lord Alexander Ramsey, pass through a narrow point where the river makes three companies of warriors came into Norway at a sharp bend under a rather high cliff. The farm Romsdalfjorden near the city of Åndelsness. One above the river at the point was called Bredebygd company was headed up by a Captain George Sinclair, and the area in that neighborhood was known as the other two by Captains Sir Robert Kerr and William “Kringen.” The major players from the Norwegians Hayes. The entire troupe made landfall on August 19th were Lars Haga of , Peder Randklæv and Berdon and proceeded to march inland. Commandeering a Sejelstad of Ringebu, Audun Skjenna of Sel, many local Norwegian sheriff (Peder Klungnes) to lead them, men of Vågå, and a maiden known today as “Pillar the invading force was taken through some of the most Guri.” Apparently, for several days and nights, the difficult places to traverse, due to their guide’s cunning Norwegians busily prepared an ambush. Legend Article continues on page2 3

Norwegian Tracks • Volume 33 • NO. 1 • September 2008 Greeting from the Board of Directors 2012 has been a milestone year for the Norwegian director and executive director. Jeanne Wright, our American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library. current executive director, is a part-time consultant Published two times a year by We would like to salute our members, patrons, who is experienced at keeping the Center running Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library (NAGC & NL) volunteers, and staff for their important support in the efficiently. Diane Mauer is our part-time member 415 W. Main Street continuing success of the Center’s mission for the services coordinator, and helps with our extensive Madison, WI 53703-3116 discovery, preservation, and sharing of family history membership program that reaches nearly 2,000 608-255-2224 www.nagcnl.org and heritage. This has been a year in which we have households. David Wright, our part-time fundraising seen an outpouring of volunteer work, donations of and marketing consultant, continues his work here for Sent to members of NAGC & NL. gifts-in-kind for the Naeseth Library research individual, corporate, and foundation donations, and For membership, contact: collection, and important financial support from our Norwegian American Genealogical Center & also serves as our grant writer. My board colleagues Naeseth Library (NAGC & NL) members and patrons. This year has also witnessed and I are confident that these professionals put us in a 415 W. Main Street the birth of a special, new collaborative relationship great position to advance our mission in the coming Madison, WI 53703-3116 between our organization and an anonymous years. 608-255-2224 foundation that is interested in our work. And, during [email protected] late 2012, access to the Naeseth Library collection This issue of “Norwegian Tracks” is made possible by The purpose of this publication is to assist and catalogue records became available to the public for a generous donation from Betty and Robert Sande of encourage genealogists with Norwegian and the first time Online. Rochester, Minnesota. They joined Blaine Hedberg, Norwegian-American genealogical questions. who also made a thoughtful donation for this issue. Norwegian Tracks is the sole possession of NAGC This has also been a year of staff change and continuity. The Sandes have been among the Center’s most & NL. All rights are reserved. No reproduction Blaine Hedberg, who has worked here since 1982, important advocates; Betty Sande is a member of our by mechanical or other means without written announced in October that he would be leaving us to Honorary Advisory Council, and the Sandes’ permission from the editor. pursue other interests. Blaine has been one link connection to our organization dates back over thirty Letters concerning genealogical inquiries for between our founder, the late Gerhard Naeseth (who years! We thank Blaine and the Sandes for their Norwegian Tracks should be sent to Norwegian was his mentor), and the staff here at the Center. generosity in supporting this issue that contains American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library Fortunately, we are well-equipped with our dedicated exciting articles from two special contributors, (NAGC & NL) 415 W. Main Street Madison, WI staff for our future work. Jerry Paulson, who began his Professor C. Marvin Lang and Mr. Monroe Miller. 53703-3116 work here with Gerhard Naeseth in the early 1990’s, Each of them shares some interesting insights into Norwegian Tracks occasionally solicits or accepts continues his role as director of genealogical research. recent experiences in Norway. We know you will find unsolicited copy and artwork for publication. Solveig Quinney, a native of Stavanger who has their stories fascinating. Written material is subject to editing for length, grammar, and accuracy of contents. As a rule, worked here since 2002, is our secret weapon for no compensation will be given for any accepted translation services, and especially research in On behalf of the Board and Staff, I send our special material. NAGC & NL reserves first serial Norwegian-languages resources. Kathleen Olson, our thanks to all our NAGC & NL members and friends publication and reprint rights, but releases all librarian, continues her work on the busy acquisitions who continue to provide the interest and support that other rights for subsequent publication back to the and cataloguing of our library collection that is the guide us into the future. Together, we are building author or artists. best of its kind in North America. We also enjoy the this organization into the finest resource for The Norwegian American Genealogical Center contributions of several dedicated volunteers, and the Norwegian-American genealogy serving the growing & Naeseth Library is an educational non-profit work-study presence of two talented graduate students audience interested in family history and heritage. research center with national and international from the University of Wisconsin – Madison history scope. The Center collects, preserves, shares and department. Carol Culbertson, involved with the With many thanks, interprets resources for the study of Norwegian heritage. organization since 1983, is an expert genealogical Lowell E. Olberg researcher who helps us on a part-time basis. Carol Chairman, Board of Directors To carry out this mission, the Center provides: retired in 2003, after having served as our assistant • The Naeseth Library, located in Madison, Wisconsin, where resources devoted to Norwegian and Norwegian-American genealogy are collected, preserved, shared, and interpreted; • Assistance, interpretation, education, and Blaine Hedberg research by trained staff to members, patrons, and correspondents; Blaine Hedberg, the Gerhard B. Naeseth Chair, Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library are • Continuing education and outreach for resigned this position on November 15, 2012 after 30 committed to building upon the legacy of Gerhard genealogists and the public worldwide through years of being associated with the Genealogical Center. Naeseth and Blaine Hedberg by providing assistance, cooperative information exchanges, publications, Blaine is recognized both in North America and in interpretation, education, and research to members, tours, displays, seminars, resource lending Norway as one of the world’s leading authorities on patrons, and correspondents; and by providing programs and merchandise sales. Norwegian genealogy. While at NAGC, Blaine continuing education and outreach for genealogists Through its collections, research, outreach and traveled extensively doing research, giving seminars on and the public worldwide through cooperative publication, the Center strives to maintain and Norwegian Genealogy, and assisting countless information exchanges, publications, tours, displays, enhance its role as the most comprehensive source individuals in developing personal family histories. seminars, resource lending programs, and merchandise for information about the history of Norwegian For all his work on Norwegian genealogy, culture, and sales. Blaine’s connection to the Center remains strong immigration. heritage, Blaine received the St Olav Medal in August through his continuing service on our Board of NAGC & NL is open to the public Monday – 2010. The staff and board of the Norwegian American Directors. Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Please telephone ahead, 608-255-2224. An appointment is needed to ensure staff This issue of Norwegian Tracks is made possible by availability and record accessibility. A.Elizabeth Sande and Robert L. Sande with additional support from Blaine Hedberg 2 Norwegian Tracks • Volume 36 • NO. 2 • Winter 2012 Battle of Kringen Continued... suggests a cavalcade made up of rocks, boulders, tree trunks, and now located along the east side of route E6 near the bridge that logs was used. Whether this cavalcade was propped up or placed crosses over to the city of Otta. in numerous sledges is a point of debate today. The important point is that, when a signal was given, the Scots were overcome by And, in 2012, on the occasion of the 400th Anniversary, a new a man-made avalanche. contingent of members of Gudbrandsdalslaget gathered to celebrate the four day Kringen Festival. Forty-six lag members Audun Skjenna is purported to have ridden his white horse registered and were “feted” as honored guests at all the events. backward on the west side of the Lågen, firing his musket into These events included a parade (where Gudbrandsdalslaget had the air. By being out of range of the Scots, his actions were a prominent place), the three-hour program held at Ottahallen diversionary. Pillar Guri was also on the west side, high up on a where Norway’s Princess Astrid was in attendance, and the place today known as Pillarguriselford where she observed the Scots aforementioned ecumenical religious service. An integral part of progress as they marched south along the east bank. She taunted this festival was the presence of 46 Scots representing Clan Sinclair. the Scots by playing her “goat horn” or “lur,” which also served as The Right Rev. Malcolm Sinclaire was their spokesman and there a distraction. were presentations by their Drums and Bagpipes marching band. George Sinclair’s grave is located near E6 a bit south of the village of The vanguard, headed by George Sinclair, passed by the Kringen Kvam. Here, Gudbrandsdalslaget and Clan Sinclair were part of a Dip and continued to march south followed by the main force. wreath laying ceremony. While much of the 2012 Kringen Festival Legend claims that, at the precise moment the main body was was focused on the stunning defeat of the Scottish mercenaries, “in place,” Berdon Sejelstad of Ringebu jumped from behind his there was also a definite sense of reconciliation. There was even hiding place and shot George Sinclair in the heart (with a silver a friendly competitive soccer game between Norwegian youths of bullet, of course) and Pillar Guri changed tune on her lur as a Otta and the Scottish youth. signal to release the avalanche! Apparently, an old ballad sums it up best when it says “The River Lågen ran red with the Highlanders And what is my interest in the Kringen Festival? Well, several blood.” years ago, I became aware of an ancestor named Walther Aakesen who is my 8th great-grandfather. Allegedly born 1605 and living Accounts vary, but between 300 and 400 Scots were involved in his entire adult life in Rissa/Stadsbygd parishes of Sør-Trøndelag, this battle. There were probably 500 Norwegians involved. Of he is known to have died in 1686 at the age of 81. There is the names mentioned above, only George Sinclair was killed. All further speculation that he came to Norway with his father, Aake the blame was placed on him for organizing the mercenaries and Walthersen (ca. 1580 – 1620), as a child and as part of the ill- bringing them to Norway. In various documents, he is referred to fated Scottish invasion of 1612. Apparently, Aake was part of the as a “Colonel” with Ramsey as “Captain.” In gratitude for their mercenary force that came to Norway that fateful August. The heroic actions, Danish King Christian IV gave large tracts of land evidence uncovered for these connections came from both sources or farms to the leaders in Ringebu, Vågå, Dovre, , and even in modern-day Norway and the wonderful resources found at the to Pillar Guri. There is much more to the story, but this is enough Norwegian-American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library. It to whet your appetite. is absolutely amazing the information one can find in those old records if one only takes the time to look! Have you looked lately? In 1912, the newly formed Norwegian-American organization called Gudbrandsdalslaget determined to help celebrate the 300th anniversary of this event. Those early members of the lag C. Marvin Lang is Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the were mostly immigrants or descendants whose ties were to the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and a long time member Gudbrandsdal. They collected money, organized events, and of the Norwegian American Genealogical Center and Naeseth eventually sent a delegation to Otta as part of the 300th Year Library. He is currently serves on the NAGC&NL Board of Celebration. The Rev. Lars P. Thorkveen of Minnesota and Directors. His father was born on Langørgen Gård in Rissa Parish, Chairman of Gudbrandsdalslaget was instrumental in having a Sør-Trøndelag, Norway. group of Norwegian Americans travel to Norway for the celebration and providing funds for a suitable memorial. That memorial is

3 Norwegian Tracks • Volume 36 • NO. 2 • Winter 2012 15th Wisconsin Civil War Website Update In 1862, Civil War Colonel Hans Christian Heg, an 1840 allow for easier input and cross-reference to all of the Meeker emigrant from Lier in , formed a group of 906 archives. NAGC & NL volunteer Dee Grimsrud is uploading soldiers, the majority Norwegian-born or Norwegian American, “soldier profile” materials to the development part of our into the 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Last winter, Civil website. We anticipate the launch of this material will take War historian, Scott Meeker’s archives of materials from the place in the spring of 2013, in conjunction with our annual 15th Wisconsin Infantry were transferred to the Norwegian Madison-area Friends’ event. Please consult our website, www. American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library. nagcnl.org, for future updates on the progress of this project. We have been working diligently to develop a new platform We are grateful to the Gerhard and Milma Naeseth Charitable on our website for hosting the information collected by Mr. Foundation for their financial support for this project. Meeker. The new platform has been completed, and will now

Naeseth Library catalog launch A selection of the Norwegian American Genealogical Center indexing will also allow users outside the NAGC & NL website & Naeseth Library’s book and pamphlet collection, now to learn about our research collection. numbering over 9,000 items, has now been cataloged into our While the launch on November 15th did not include all library program, PastPerfect-Online, and was launched on the items in the Naeseth Library collection, it does contain the Internet on November 15th. We invite you to view this new most popular and heavily used items, including our extensive database available on our website. bygdebok and portions of our family history collections. A PastPerfect-Online comes with easy-to-navigate and selection of the Norwegian-American related microfilmed straightforward research tools and browsing features. Visitors Lutheran Church records is also included. Additional materials to our website can easily link to this database through a button from the collection will be uploaded as the online cataloging on our website’s home page or from the Naeseth Library process is completed. website page. Users will be able to learn of items now cataloged, We are grateful to Eric and Barbara Greenfeldt, and the John and those still in the cataloging process. Email forms will also A. Johnson Foundation, a component fund of the Madison be available to solicit feedback on items in the collection and Community Foundation, for their financial support enabling provide our Web visitors the opportunity to request further the release of our online catalog. information. Web visitors may also email links to friends directly from the online record. Free submissions to Google

Destination Stoughton On Saturday, October 27th, Jerry Paulson and Solveig at the Center for Norwegian genealogical research. As part of Quinney represented NAGC & NL as a participant in the the 30-minute presentations on a variety of Norwegian topics, Destination Stoughton weekend activities. Hosted in the Sons Jerry gave an informative and entertaining talk on the secrets of of Norway Mandt Lodge, Jerry and Solveig were available to Norwegian genealogy. share information about the resources and material available

4 Norwegian Tracks • Volume 36 • NO. 2 • Winter 2012 15th Wisconsin Civil War Website Update Norse Valley Lodge Work Day Recent NAGC & NL staff members were delighted when thirteen eager volunteers from the Sons of Norway Norse Valley Lodge #491 from Acquisitions Appleton, Wisconsin, made their annual appearance at 415 West Main Street. This hard working group spent the day taking care of Donors for the Naeseth Library Collection maintenance both inside and out; organized files; learned to digitize from May 2012 through September 2012 books; assisted with mailings; and proofed records. At the end of the day, Lodge and staff members attended a Concert on the Square. Dave Bakken, Gary & Claire Merrill, Mange tusen takk to the Norse Valley Lodge! Middleton, Wisconsin Valparaiso, Indiana Bardu Kommune, Margaret & Robert Miller, Bardu, Norway Apple Valley, Minnesota Janna Doney, Gerald Myhre, Naeseth Library catalog launch Madison, Wisconsin Jefferson, Wisconsin Deb Nelson Gourley, Målselv Kommune, Waukon, Iowa Målselv, Norway Lag of America Nancy Nelson, Robert A. Halvorsen, Sr., Spring Grove, Minnesota Cape May Court House, Thomas John Nimlos, New Jersey Tucson, Arizona Blaine Hedberg, Nord-Troms Museum, Reedsburg, Wisconsin Troms, Norway Rebecca J. Henderson, Marjorie & Fred Olson, Santa Fe, New Mexico Silver Spring, Maryland Derwood Johnson, Raymond Olson, Waco, Minneapolis, Minnesota Gary T. Johnson, Sharon Petersen, Chicago, Illinois Rock Springs, Wisconsin Laura Kresowski, Marie Schroeder, Yucca Valley, Willmar, Minnesota Roland Krogstad, Donald & Carol Schwarz, Madison, Wisconsin New Berlin, Wisconsin Destination Stoughton C. Marvin Lang, David Sveum, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Arvada, Colorado Lars Erik Larson, Sørreisa Kommune, Whitewater, Wisconsin Sørreisa, Norway Ted Laws, Darrel Waters, Radnor, Pennsylvania Rochester, Minnesota Lenvik Historielag, Beverly Ann Lanning Lenvik, Norway Webster, Nancy Madson, Willmar, Minnesota Thousand Palms, California

For the complete listing of these new acquisitions, please consult our website, www.nagcnl.org, in our “Genealogy” section, and follow the path to “Naeseth Library.” If you do not have Internet access, please telephone us at 608-255-2224 to request a copy of this list. We thank our many generous donors for helping build the research collections of the Naeseth Library.

5 Norwegian Tracks • Volume 36 • NO. 2 • Winter 2012 With a Little Help From My (New) Friends by Monroe S. Miller Sometimes, it takes almost a lifetime for a dream to come true; across the farmland in the valley to the limestone rock church in my case, it was over fifty years in becoming a reality. Thanks with its white steeple, still neat and tidy and well maintained. to dreaming, planning, and a whole lot of help from NAGC, I In those days, the church was always open, and we would visited Norway this past summer to see where – exactly where – occasionally go in and sit for a while. My youngest sister was my ancestors came from. married there, and my great, great grandparents – Martha and Ansten – are buried in the church cemetery. The church was Like most Americans, I am a mongrel. Cornish, Scottish, the subject of an artist’s rendition on the cover of the December German, and Norwegian genes are found in my DNA. Even my 2000 issue of Hoard’s Dairyman. name reflects that – Monroe (Scottish clan) Stephen (Cornish) and Miller (German). I knew the most about those ancestors My great uncle lived and farmed the Peterson place, and we and the least about the Petersons, my Norwegian antecedents. It visited frequently. Despite these childhood events, I don’t recall has been only natural that I have wondered about them for years. much conversation about Martha and Ansten. My grandfather was only one year old when they died, so he never knew them. When you put all these experiences together, it is no wonder my curiosity about Norway was piqued.

But life goes on. I left for college, military service, family, and career. Time, it always seemed, was at a premium. And my career never allowed for a summer absence. But, with some hard work and some luck along the way, I was able to retire at a reasonable age and begin work on a lengthy list of things to do while I could. Genealogy was near the top of that list.

If you have an interest in Norway and family ties that go back to Norway some generations, Wisconsin is a good place to be. We are home to the Norwegian American Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library. It is an incredible resource.

I don’t remember exactly how or when I became aware of I certainly felt their presence while growing up. The big trunk the NAGC, but it most likely was by word-of-mouth, probably that held all their possessions during the long sailing ship trip because Professor Naeseth was a member of Bethel Lutheran from Norway to the United States sat at the end of the bed in Church in Madison, our church for decades. It is a church my Grandpa and Grandma Miller’s guest bedroom. It is black, founded by Norwegian immigrants nearly 160 years ago. with a high, domed lid and is held together with oversized steel straps. There is some vivid rosemaling inside, and the outside My first exploratory trip to the Center led to another. I met has initials and a date and some rural scenes. My grandfather Solveig Quinney and, in her polite and friendly way, she told rescued it from the barn on the Peterson farm near Castle Rock, me about the Wisconsin. resources and services they Martha and Ansten Peterson – my Grandpa Miller’s grandparents offer. The next – came to Grant County, Wisconsin, in 1854, and settled in the visit, with her hilly, driftless area near Fennimore. Their farm wasn’t far from experience and the Castle Rock Lutheran Church. This church hadn’t been familiarity with built when the Peterson kids were confirmation age, so they had the resources to attend catechism at the Homer Lutheran Church. It always at hand, and seemed impossible when we were told stories about how the her first-hand Peterson children walked to the Homer Church. To drive from knowledge of their farm to the church is no small trip – around the hills and Norway (she was through the valleys on crooked roads behind a team of horses. born there!), I But, as my dad pointed out, it wasn’t so far “as the crow flies.” learned the bulk But we were still impressed. of what I needed to know to continue my research. In my adult years, about every trip back home included a ride through Castle Rock and up the hill on a ridge road across the Much of what I heard about the Petersons when I was young valley from the church. It was absolutely beautiful, looking was wrong! It took Solveig to assemble the pieces from the

6 Norwegian Tracks • Volume 36 • NO. 2 • Winter 2012 appropriate bygdeboks (local histories), immigrant records, headed to the final family site. We found it easily, and I went census data, and other sources – to see the story emerge. When to the first house to introduce myself. The farmer spoke she was done, I knew the location of the three family farms that broken English, but Solveig had sent me off with a copy of the were part of my Norwegian history. appropriate pages from the Rollag Bygdebok. I showed him who my relatives were and, after a moment of contemplation, Blaine Hedberg, the Naeseth Chair for Genealogical Research he said, “We are related.” and Publication, pitched in. When he was done, he discovered that Martha and Ansten brought Ansten’s parents with them to We all climbed into his farm vehicle and he drove us through Wisconsin. Blaine was even able to locate the cemetery in Iowa the oats and barley County where they rest. and potato fields on a narrow field road. I also had the extreme pleasure of attending Jerry Paulson’s We stopped rather two-day class on genealogy research. He is the Director of suddenly and he Genealogical Research and an excellent instructor, who helped said, “Your family’s move me from ignorance to some basic competence in doing barn was here, the my own study of family history. granary was next to it, and near that So, armed with ample information for such a trip, my wife, large pile of stones my oldest daughter, and I went to Norway last summer. We behind us is where were our own trip planners, and we could operate on the the house was. ultimate flexible schedule. We spent as much time as we That is where the wanted wherever we wanted. We flew to , rented a car, stones came from.” and stayed downtown. The three family farms were in close proximity to one another, and they weren’t too far northwest I cannot imagine of Oslo. We had brought with us detailed maps that we were anyone not feeling able to purchase from NAGC, and we had studied the areas huge emotion at from the views on Google Earth. In two hours, we pulled into such a moment. a farmyard with several houses and numerous farm buildings. We also exchanged I went to the door, knocked, and was greeted by a lady about addresses, hugged, my age. She spoke English, as do most Norwegians. I told her and we then what I was hoping to find, and she said I’d found it! Details headed back to don’t matter much, but – suffice to say – we had a great visit Oslo. Frankly, I and tour. I was literally light-headed from it all. Her aunt lived don’t expect I’ll ever in the adjacent house, and she was able to tell me that my great, live a more exciting great grandmother Martha was born and raised in that house! day than that one. She also pointed out how we were related. We exchanged home It will also be and email addresses, and we left for our next destination. impossible to forget Norway for her They have some serious mountains in Norway, and the farm stunning landscape, I wanted to see was high in one of those mountains. There well-maintained was a toll road – “honor system” – and we headed up a skinny, farmsteads with almost treacherous road. Higher and higher we went, seeing their bright red little sign of activity. From Google Earth, I knew about where barns, and the the farm was and, when we arrived, there was a chain across the friendly and helpful path to the buildings. With no place to park and no interest people. The reality in trespassing, we stopped and soaked up the scenery, knowing also is that I could we were a short distance from the farm the Petersons left when never have contemplated anything other than a travel tour they moved to Wisconsin. without the help and encouragement of Solveig, Jerry, and Blaine. If you don’t already know them, I hope you will soon. After a slow and careful decline back to the main road, we

MONROE S. MILLER is a new member of NAGC & NL. Widely recognized as a writer and editor/publisher of the official publication of the Wisconsin Golf Course Superintendents’ Association, Mr. Miller was associated with Blackhawk Country Club in Madison for thirty years. In 2004, he was awarded the Green Section Award from the United States Golf Association, cited for distinguished contributions to golf through turfgrass. He served on the board and as president of both the WGCSA and the Wisconsin Turfgrass Association, an organization that recognized his distinguished service with an award in 1989. Mr. Miller’s most important contribution to the turf industry has been in fundraising; he spearheaded a campaign to raise funds for the University of Wisconsin field turfgrass research facility where he also worked with many students in the area of soil science. 7 Norwegian Tracks • Volume 36 • NO. 2 • Winter 2012 Svein Ludvigsen visit

On Sunday, August 19th, Anne and Scott Lindblom hosted an informal gathering with JoAnn Six, in honor of Svein Ludvigsen, Governor of Troms. A number of local board members joined with NAGC patrons, including former Ambassador and Mrs. Tom Loftus, in welcoming Svein. Those gathered enjoyed talking with Svein about his work in Norway. . Threatening weather did not dampen the spirits of those attending. Special thanks to Anne and Scott Lindblom, their children, and JoAnn Six for sponsoring this special event, and to Lowell and Helen Olberg and Don Hoganson for providing transportation and hosting Svein during his travels.

Mary Paulson, Paul Larson, Helen Olberg, Svein Ludvigsen, and Linda Harvey

Scott Lindblom, Anne Lindblom, JoAnn Six, Don Hoganson, Paul and Mary Berge and Svein Ludvigsen

Svein Ludvigsen with NAGC & NL Chair Lowell Olberg

Rockne and Joanne Flowers, JoAnn Six, Janet Nelson Reilley, Audrey and Phil Dybdahl

Jerry Paulson and Ron Halverson

JoAnn Loftus and Eric Solem 8 Norwegian Tracks • Volume 36 • NO. 2 • Winter 2012 Norwegians Visit the Naeseth Library

A lively group of thirty Norwegians visited the Naeseth Library last July during their tour of Norwegian-American sites in the Upper Midwest. For some, it was their first trip to North America. The group was led by Rasmus and Arne Sunde. Rasmus and Arne are both professors from the Sogne og Fjord by Balestrand, and avid historians and authors of books on immigration.

These special visitors had a chance to trace some of their relatives who immigrated to America, and to have a tour of the Naeseth Library. Following their visit to the Library, the group enjoyed an authentic American picnic dinner, hosted by Solveig and Richard Quinney at their house in Madison. Rasmus and Arne Sunde have for many years included a visit to NAGC & NL as a part of their itinerary for all tour groups they bring from Norway.

9 Norwegian Tracks • Volume 36 • NO. 2 • Winter 2012 Publications of Note Available from NAGC & NL Visit the NAGC website (nagcnl.org), or call the Center (608-255-2224) to place an order.

Norwegian Im m igrants to the United States: A Biograp hical Directory, 1825 – 1850 Norwegians in Am erica, Som e Volum e 1- 1825-1843, includes Records of the Norwegian 3,800 Norwegian immigrants, Em igration to Am erica: published 1993 A transcrib ed and translated ve rs i on of the 1888 olum e V 2- 1844-1846, includes Nordm ændene i Am erika, 4,600 Norwegian immigrants, Nogle Op tegnelser om De published 1997 Norskes Udvandring til Am erika Volum e 3- 1847-1848, includes 3,100 Norwegian Written by Knud Langeland immigrants, published 2000 Translated into English by Odd- Steinar Dybvad Raneng. Volum e 4- 1849, includes 3.450 Norwegian immigrants, Transcribed from Dano-Norwegian Gothic script by published 2004 Benjamin Keith Huntrods. Edited by Odd S. Lovoll. Volum e 5- 1850, includes nearly 4,000 Norwegian Foreword, biographical sketch, and back cover written immigrants, published 2009 by Odd S. Lovell. Indexed and published by Deb Nelson $50 each or $225 for the 5- volum e set Gourley, Astri My Astri Publishing $24.95 each

List of Online Resources

Compiled by NAGC & NL staff, edited Celeb rating Our Norwegian-Minnesotan and published by NAGC & NL. Contains Heritage: 1858-2008 more than 300 sites related to Norwegian Sesquicentennial Heritage Book - American culture, history and society, by the Norwegian Statehood Pioneer Project general genealogy, and the Scandinavian $29.95 each countries. $15.00 each

Norwegians in Am erica, their History and Record, Volum es 1, 2 and 3 Written by Martin Ulvestad Translated into English by Olaf Tronsen They Cam e from Hadeland A Centennial Kringhaug (Vol 1) and Odd-Steinar History of the Hadeland Lag of Am erica Dybvad Raneng (Vol 1, 2, 3) With em p hasis on the p eriod from 1910- Transcribed from Gothic script by 2010 Benjamin Keith Huntrods The book not only documents the history of Edited by Margit Nysetvold Bakke (Vol the Hadeland Lag, but it also provides a great 1) and Deb Nelson Gourley (Vol 2, 3) introduction to the history and culture of our Published by Deb Nelson Gourley, Astri My Astri Publishing ancestral homeland. $39.95 each or $109.95 for the 3-volum e set $30.00 each These volumes recently won the Heritage Education Commission 24th Annual G. K. Haukebo Heritage Resource Award

10 Norwegian Tracks • Volume 36 • NO. 2 • Winter 2012 11 Norwegian Tracks • Volume 36 • NO. 2 • Winter 2012 PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE Norwegian American Genealogical Center & PAID Naeseth Library (NAGC & NL) MADISON WI 415 W. Main Street Madison, WI 53703-3116 PERMIT #2944

2013 Class Schedule Beginning Norwegian Genealogy June 12 - 13, 2013 If you are just beginning your family history project, or have some experience with family research, but have not worked with Norwegian records, this popular class is designed for you. (Enrollment deadline: June 4, 2013.)

Writing Your Family History July 10 - 11, 2013 This class is offered to those who would like to write their family histories in a way that is clear, enjoyable, and permanent. (Enrollment deadline: July 2, 2013.) Cost is $120 per class for NAGC m em bers or $140 for non- m em bers Jerry Paulson, Director of Genealogical Research at NAGC, will be the instructor for the classes.

Personalized Advanced Genealogy Beginning Norwegian Genealogy Class Participants: Call the Center to m ake arrangem ents Monday - Friday Front Row: Hope Bulger, Carrie Bellissimo, Cathy Baumbach. Individual assistance is offered for two six-hour days of Back Row: Judy Moriarty, Linda Clauder, Jane Pederson, Class intensive sessions with NAGC & NL researchers. This is for Instructor Jerry Paulson anyone who has hit a brick wall in research in family history Naeseth Library in Madison, June 2012 and needs additional help. NAGC & NL Members: $240 – Non-members: $275

Classes are held in the Ostby Education Center on the second floor of the Genealogical Center. Please note: there is no elevator. For additional information, please contact Jerry Paulson at gpaulson@ nagcnl.org, or (608) 255-2224.