VOLUME 41 | NUMBER 1 | FALL 2017

Exciting News from the Norwegian American In this issue: Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library • The Remarkable Story of Norwegian Immigrants to the United States, A Biographical Directory, 1825-1850 Diderikke Brandt's Sewing Kit volumes one through five – now available online via www.nagcnl.org • Notes from the Naeseth Including corrections and new entries added to the five volumes Library since publication and a new database, Norwegian Immigrants to the U.S., 1850 and Later • New Board Member for NAGC & NL The Norwegian American Genealogical Center • Chronicle and Coincidence: & Naeseth Library, Madison, Wisconsin, is pleased to announce newly-accessible online Fjell databases of great interest to those researching their Norwegian roots. • Connecting Cousins One of NAGC & NL’s most important • Celebrating Centenarians publications is the five-volume work entitled “Norwegian Immigrants to the United States, A Biographical Directory, 1825-1850.” Beginning as the dream of our founder, Gerhard Naeseth, the five volumes were published between 1993 and 2009. This massive project is now recognized as an important scholarly contribution to the field of immigration history. When the Family History Library, Salt Lake Save The Date! City, scanned the volumes as pdf files, an NAGC & NL committee of board, staff, and Plans are underway for our volunteers then arranged the online availability annual benefit dinner, organized contained in these volumes, along with new, by the Madison-area Friends of searchable indexes, as well as new databases for NAGC & NL, to be held at the the many additions and corrections that have Blackhawk Country Club been gathered in the years since the volumes Norwegian Immigrants to the U.S., as published in were published. The volumes are now available In Madison on five volumes on our website via www.nagcnl.org. Sunday, 22 April 2018 With this information now available online, we will pursue a wiki-like future for these databases, inviting and processing information contributed by researchers worldwide. This online database will be one of the most useful records for all those who are seeking information about Norwegian ancestors who came to the U.S. between 1825 and 1850. New Database Online The NAGC & NL committee has also placed online a new database containing records for Norwegians arriving in 1850 and later. These records already contain over 25,000 entries on 1,258 pages. Ongoing research additions, as well as wiki contributions, will also make this database extremely helpful to researchers. New Webinar Will Guide Users To accompany these new records, we have added a new webinar to our website, researched and narrated by NAGC staff member Jenna Schultz. This instructive and user-friendly guide to the new five-volumes database (as well as to the new 1850 and later database) also contains tips on how to access the additions and corrections databases. Continued on page 3 Greeting from the Board of Directors When the Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library became Published two times a year by independent ten years ago, the by-laws of the new organization required that no board Norwegian American Genealogical Center member could serve more than three, three-year terms -- without having at least one year & Naeseth Library (NAGC & NL) off before being elected to the board again. This clause was written into the by-laws so that 415 W. Main Street new people and new ideas would keep NAGC current and vibrant. At the end of this Madison, WI 53703-3116 608-255-2224 www.nagcnl.org calendar year, my nine years of service will come to an end. After serving as a board member, secretary, vice-chair, and board chair for the last six years, it is time for me to take a break. Sent to members of NAGC & NL For membership, contact: Serving on the board has been an enjoyable experience and has given me the Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library (NAGC & NL) opportunity to meet and work with many interesting and talented people. These, 415 W. Main Street of course, include my colleagues on the board, the volunteers and staff, and also Madison, WI 53703-3116 many supporters of NAGC. I have met members and advocates of NAGC not only 608-255-2224 www.nagcnl.org from Wisconsin, but also from across the country, and even many from Norway. [email protected] ______The staff at NAGC has always been very enthusiastic and willing to help; the current staff and The purpose of this publication is to assist and volunteers work well together. For the future, I am certain the board and staff will continue encourage genealogists with Norwegian and Norwegian-American genealogical questions. to evolve, with new members added to keep our organization on track to support all facets of research involving Norwegian and Norwegian-American genealogy and family history. Norwegian Tracks is the sole possession of NAGC & NL. All rights are reserved. No reproduction There have been many changes and improvements at NAGC since I first joined its board in by mechanical or other means without written permission from the editor. We endeavor to 2008. There have been important additions and changes to both the staff and the board. Our respect copyright in a manner consistent with our endowment has more than doubled, and important repairs to the Naeseth Library building nonprofit educational mission. have been completed. Our website has been completely reworked and modernized, making it more informative, up-to-date, interesting, and useful. With its recently augmented database, Letters concerning genealogical inquiries for Norwegian Tracks should be sent to Norwegian webinar, and video content, the NAGC website is now one we can all be proud of. Based on usage American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library statistics, we know that the site is widely consulted, not only from researchers in the U.S., but also (NAGC & NL) 415 W. Main Street, Madison, WI by many in Canada, the U.K., and Europe. The updating of the website by a joint committee of 53703-3116 board, staff, and volunteer members, under the guidance of board vice chair Paul Larson, was a Norwegian Tracks occasionally solicits or accepts most successful model of creative and cooperative work . This group was able to make exciting unsolicited copy and artwork for publication. changes and improvements while maintaining critical expense control and audit requirements. Written material is subject to editing for length, grammar, and accuracy of content. As a rule, no NAGC & NL serves an important role in the Norwegian-American community nationwide as compensation will be given for any accepted material. NAGC & NL reserves first serial publication the premier genealogy research center for Norwegian heritage and family history, assisting all those and reprint rights, but releases all other rights of Norwegian ancestry who are searching for their roots.With the continuing contributions of for subsequent publication back to the author or staff, volunteers, and board members, as well as the generous support from members and patrons artists. across the country, our treasured organization will continue to be one of the leading genealogical The Norwegian American Genealogical Center research centers, serving new generations of Norwegian Americans for many years into the future. & Naeseth Library is an educational non-profit research center with national and international Although I will rotate off the board, Helen and I will continue to be involved with scope. The Center collects, preserves, shares, and NAGC as supporters and as attendees at the annual Madison-area Friends’ dinners. interprets resources for the study of Norwegian heritage. It has been a pleasure to serve and I wish NAGC’s new board chair, who will be elected later this year, all the best for the continued success of this vital resource. To carry out this mission, the Center provides: • 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 research by trained staff to members, patrons, and correspondents; • Continuing education and outreach for genealogists and the public worldwide through cooperative information exchanges, .publications, tours, displays, seminars, and merchandise sales. Helen and Lowell Olberg

NAGC & NL is open to the public Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please telephone This issue of Norwegian Tracks is made possible by generous support from ahead, 608-255-2224. An appointment is needed to ensure staff availability and record accessibility. The Edwin E. and Janet L. Bryant Foundation

2 NORWEGIAN TRACKS • VOLUME 41 • NO. 1 • FALL 2017 Continued from page 1 How to Access All Databases These NAGC & NL Proprietary Databases are accessible to Supporter and Life Members of our organization. (We no longer offer Life Memberships; annual Supporter Memberships are available via www.nagcnl.org/membership.) All NAGC & NL webinars and videos are freely available on our website to the public. Acknowledgments These important advances have been made possible by generous support to NAGC & NL from the Edwin E. and Janet L. Bryant Foundation, Stoughton, Wisconsin; and by the assistance of the Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. Additional support was provided by Dianne and Paul Larson. Many thanks are due to the NAGC website committee members who carried out the work for this online access: Paul Larson, Diane Maurer, Helen Olberg, Jerry Paulson, and Jeanne Wright (from left) Dan Huebner, Blaine Hedberg, and Erik Anundsen celebrate the publication of volume 5, Norwegian Immigrants to the U.S.," 2009. An Important Accomplishment The wider circumstances of ancestral immigration are The research behind these impressive volumes began as gleaned from this information and the format in which it the work of Gerhard B. Naeseth (1913-1994), founder of is arranged. Settlement patterns, immigration conditions our organization, for whom our headquarters building is and locales, and relationships of contemporaries in named. As early as the 1940’s, Naeseth began collecting Norway, in transit, and in America can all be studied in primary resource information and documents relating to depth. Many insights can be gained from placing side by Norwegians in the U.S. During his lifetime, in an era side various records for persons coming to America in the before wide-spread computer use, Naeseth completed same year. and published the first volume in the series, a directory of Norwegians who came to America between 1825 and The original publication of the volumes from 1993 to 1843. 2009 was made possible by grants to NAGC & NL from Milma P. Naeseth (1914-2006), the bequest of Harriet After Naeseth’s death in 1994, this ambitious research Hustvedt (1922-2005), and the Gerhard and Milma and publication project was carried forward by Naeseth’s Naeseth Charitable Trust. protégé, Blaine Hedberg, who was associated with our organization for thirty years. (Hedberg was the first occupant of the Gerhard B. Naeseth Chair at NAGC & Join in the wiki… NL.) Inspiring a team of volunteers, Hedberg pressed on, publishing volume two (1844-1846) in 1997; volume three Share Your Ancestral Records and Build a Greater (1847-1848) in 2000; volume four (1849) in 2004; and Resource for Norwegian American Genealogy volume five (1850) in 2009. The online databases of these Worldwide volumes contain the prose introductory comments written NAGC invites you to share additions, corrections, and new by Gerhard Naeseth in 1993 and by Blaine Hedberg information that you have uncovered about your Norwegian in 2008. An additional preface, describing Hedberg’s ancestors. Whether your ancestor arrived in the U.S. before important contribution to this work, written by board or after 1850, we would like to include this information in chair Dan Huebner in 2008, is also included. our growing databases. When you send your family history These databases are of enduring value, not only for to us via [email protected] – we will eliminate amateur genealogists, but also for advanced researchers and duplicate information, confirm accuracy, and add your scholars, as they contain the basic information concerning ancestral records to the appropriate database.…and consider each emigrant from Norway and provide a grand synthesis volunteer work on this exciting project. from many sources. Arranged by order of arrival, entries Whether working remotely from your home computer, or include names, parents’ identities, date and place of birth, on site at our Naeseth Library in Madison, you can help occupation, place of settlement in America, death date this project along by volunteering your time in handling the and burial place, and basic information on marriages and information that will result from many wiki contributions. children. These databases provide a context for the arrival For further information, contact Jerry Paulson via www. of each immigrant, supplying information on his or her [email protected] accompanying passengers, their place of origin and settlement.

NORWEGIAN TRACKS • VOLUME 41 • NO. 1 • FALL 2017 3 Women in History: "Det Grønne Skrin" Seven Generations Come to Life in a Treasured Family Heirloom, Diderikke Brandt's Sewing Kit

Embroidered exterior of Diderikke Brandt's sewing kit, courtesy of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah, Iowa Solving a Genealogical Puzzle and was much appreciated by them. She was also an early advocate for co-education for girls. When she died in 1885, During the summer of 2017, the Norwegian American students and others raised the money to erect a monument on Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library received a most her grave. On commencement morning that year, and for fascinating enquiry from a Massachusetts researcher in some years thereafter, the graduating seniors went to her grave possession of a treasured heirloom, a handsome sewing and decorated it with flowers… box or ‘skrin’ that contained tantalizing clues about her distinguished family, going back to the 17th century My father was given the kit by his cousin once removed (my in Norway. This correspondent was Beverly Brandt second cousin) Margaret L. Reque Soreide, Nils and Diderikke’s Bachelder, who has deep roots in the Norwegian-American great-granddaughter, who lived and taught elementary school community in the Upper Midwest and a family connection in Decorah for many years… to our founder, Gerhard Brandt Naeseth. Beverly sent additional information with photographs: Beverly wrote to Carol Culbertson, NAGC’s senior researcher: On the cover of the kit is a series of initials stitched by the various owners, down through the generations, with five I was thrilled to inherit this sewing kit from my father, legible dates: 1653, 1685, 1709, 1729, and 1768. Two other the Rev. Olaf O. Brandt. This kit was once owned by his monograms unfortunately have become worn and illegible. grandmother (my great-grandmother) Diderikke Ottesen Brandt. Her husband (my great-grandfather), the Rev. Nils A typed note was written by my father, the Rev. Olaf O. O. Brandt, was one of Luther College’s founders. This was Brandt, the grandson of Diderikke Ottesen Brandt. The note the kit used when she mended the clothes of Luther College reads as follows: boys. Diderikke also used this kit when leading sewing circles in town, made up of women who sewed and raised money for “Mrs. Diderikke (Nils) Brandt’s sewing kit. She carried this scholarships for the students. Diderikke served as “mother” to all sewing circle meetings where the women patched to the many Luther boys when they were away from home, and repaired the clothes of the Luther College Boys.”

4 NORWEGIAN TRACKS • VOLUME 41 • NO. 1 • FALL 2017 My father told me that the kit was passed down from one eldest in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1885. Diderikke married Nils O. daughter to the next in the family, and that Diderikke Ottesen Brandt in 1856, and immigrated with him to Wisconsin Brandt inherited this kit from her mother, Edel Margrethe later the same year. Aall Ottesen (1797-1861). Inside the kit, along with various sewing tools, is a note written in Norwegian…” ______

With all this information in hand, at Bev’s request, *See Lassen-Bleging, page 9; also page from Slekt og Data Carol Culbertson began to decipher the embroidered Norge, formerly Dis-Norge initials, researching and identifying the women to whom ** See Lassen-Kleen, page 8; also page from Slekt og Data the sewing box had belonged. Working back through Norge, formerly Dis-Norge Diderikke Brandt’s maternal ancestors, Carol discovered ***See Lassen-Klein, page 7; Lassen-Böcher, page 5, also the following information that fit with the initials on the page from Dis Norge. kit: ****See Lassen-Klein, page 7; Lassen-Aall, page 1; Lassen- Bocher, page 5; Ording family history…pages 22, 34, and Sewing Kit Genealogy 35. *****See Lassen-Aall, page 1; Ording…pages 67, 68, and 1653 monogram H K E E K H: The kit was first owned 70. by Elsebet Knutsdatter Hammer, who had married Bernt ******See Lassen-Aall, page 2; Ording…page 70. Bleging, parish priest in Hof, Vestfold, Norway.* She was Diderikke Brandt’s 4th great-grandmother and passed the A Chain of Tradition Broken by Emigration? kit on to her first and only daughter, Maren. Since the dates associated with each of the clearly-surviving 1685 monogram initials refers to the birth year of the associated person, H B M M B H: Maren Bentsdatter Bleging who died Carol began to contemplate the two latest monogram in 1763. She had married Johan Henriksen Kleen, parish embroideries, which are partially obliterated, presumably priest in Hof.** She was Diderikke Brandt’s 3rd great- by wear-and-tear. The remnants of the embroidery and grandmother and passed the sewing kit on to her first oral tradition within the family allowed Carol to detect daughter, Benedicta. that these initials and dates fit both Diderikke Brandt (born 1827) and her mother (born 1797). 1709 monogram K E B B E K: Benedicta Elisabeth Johannesdatter Kleen, who was baptized 19 April 1709 Yet an enduring mystery persists. Since the sewing kit in Hof, Vestfold, Norway. Benedicta married Christen had been handed down from mother to eldest daughter Bödtker, parish priest in Hoff. *** She was Diderikke for six generations, why was this treasure not given to one Brandt’s great, great-grandmother and passed the sewing of Diderikke’s four elder sisters? Her sisters were Trine kit on to her only child, Gjertrud. (1820-1902), Elise (1822-1898), Jacobine (1823-1840), and Didricha (1825-1825). Both sisters Trine and Elise 1729 monogram B M G G M B: Gjertrud Marie remained in Norway and lived longer than Diderikke, who Christiansdatter Bødtker, born 12 August 1729, on the died in 1885. Why was this chain of tradition broken? Solberg farm in Hof, and died in 1803. Gjertrud was the 3rd wife of Realf Böyesen.**** She was Diderikke Brandt’s We suspect that the compelling fact of Diderikke’s great-grandmother and passed the sewing kit on to her departure from Norway in 1856 was the reason for breaking first daughter, Kristen. this honored family tradition. Diderikke’s mother (who died in 1861) and her living sisters must have entrusted 1768 monogram B E E K: Kristen (Christiane) Elisabeth this treasure to accompany Diderikke into her new life in Böyesen, born 17 July 1768 in Skien, Telemark, Norway, America. As her family must have known, Diderikke put and died in 1833. Kristen was the 2nd wife of Jacob the sewing kit to very good use in her new life across the Aall (1754-1826).***** She was Diderikke Brandt’s ocean, far away from her family in Vestfold. grandmother and passed the sewing kit on to their first daughter, Edel. Distinguished Families in America

1797 monogram (partial) probably some combination With Diderikke Ottesen’s marriage to Nils Brandt, and of E M A: Edel Margrethe Aall, born 23 May 1797 in their departure for America, this young couple began an Gjerpen, Telemark, Norway, and died in 1861. Edel amazing life of service at the heart of the Norwegian- married Realf Ottesen, parish priest in Sande.****** She American community. First in Pine Lake, not far from was Diderikke Brandt’s mother and passed the sewing kit Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and, after 1865, in Decorah, on to her daughter, Diderikke. Iowa, Nils and Diderikke became teachers, mentors, and friends to generations of Norwegian Americans. Their 1827 monogram (partial) probably some combination of descendants married into some of the region’s most D S M B O: Diderikke Sophie Mariane Benedicta Ottesen, prominent and accomplished families. born 9 March 1827 in Sande, Vestfold, Norway, and died

NORWEGIAN TRACKS • VOLUME 41 • NO. 1 • FALL 2017 5 Reque once removed: two brothers (sons of Nils and Diderikke) Their eldest daughter, Edel (1857-1925), married married two sisters – Realf Brandt married Thalette Galby Lars Reque (1848-1916), a Luther undergraduate and and Olaf Elias Brandt married Emma Galby. Olaf Elias and University of Iowa law graduate who was appointed U.S. Emma were the parents of my father, and Realf and Thalette Consul to Holland by President Cleveland in 1893. Lars were the grandparents of Gerhard. My dad spoke fondly of Reque also taught Latin, English, and French at Luther the many family reunions they all enjoyed over the years at the College, and became an important member of its faculty Spring Prairie (Wisconsin) parsonage, where Gerhard grew and administration from 1899 until his death. up.

Bothne In 1994, shortly before his death, Gerhard Naeseth donated Another daughter, Katherine Elise (1867-1949) one of his family heirlooms to Vesterheim Museum. The married Professor Gisle Bothne (1860-1934), a Luther donation, a Norwegian silver spoon dating from 1786, had undergraduate and Luther faculty member who became the been a wedding gift to Christiane Elisabeth Böyesen and longtime head of Scandinavian Studies at the University of her first husband, Didrik von Cappelen, at their marriage Minnesota, and president of the Norse-America centennial in Skien in September 1786. The spoon is believed to have celebration in 1925. been brought to America by Gerhard’s great-grandmother, Diderikke Brandt. This silver not only connects Gerhard Ottesen, Preus, and Naeseth to owners of the sewing kit, but also confirms Diderikke’s One of Diderikke and Nils Brandt’s granddaughters, Emma interest in bringing treasured family heirlooms with her to Louise Brandt (1890-1954), married Carelius Gunnarson America. Naeseth (1881-1960), A Look Inside the father of Gerhard Brandt Naeseth (1913- The kit’s interior reveals 1994), the founder several fascinating elements. of the Norwegian Each of its compartments is American Genealogical covered by tooled and gilded Center and its Naeseth leather pieces, which have a Library. Diderikke great deal in common with was also a cousin of Continental bookbindings Jacob Aall Ottesen of the 17th century. Upon (1825-1904), who examining the photographs, helped organize the Vesterheim’s Curator, Norwegian Evangelical Laurann Gilbertson, wrote: Lutheran Church in America. Through the …[the figures look like] Ottesen family, one of Adam and Eve…there are Diderikke’s relatives, double-headed eagles, so Lulla Hjort (1856- maybe German? The 17th 1931) married C. K. century date is completely Preus (1852-1921), possible – this looks very the second president old. And the clothing worn Interior of Diderikke Brandt's sewing kit of Luther College; their Courtesy of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, Decorah, Iowa by the figures is typical for son, Jakob Aall Ottesen that century...the word in Preus (1883-1961) became the governor of Minnesota. Norwegian for a sewing box is “syskrin,” though this box was almost certainly imported from elsewhere in Europe. It’s quite The Brandt Family Connection to Gerhard B. Naeseth amazing that it survived to be used in Decorah by Diderikke. Many credit her work in organizing women to sew for the Diderikke Brandt was Gerhard Brandt Naeseth’s great- Luther College students as the start of the 'Kvindeforening,' grandmother. Beverly Brandt Bachelder, owner of the later called ‘Ladies’ Aid,’ which was such an important part sewing kit, knew of her cousin’s role as one of the leading of the work of the Norwegian Lutheran church in America in Norwegian-American genealogists in the country. She the 20th century… wrote to us: Around the edges of the interior, and inside the covered I have such nice memories of Gerhard and Milma Naeseth compartments, there is a beautifully-preserved and boldly and their children Charles and Olivia coming to visit us out patterned red-and-white textile lining. The sewing kit’s at Glenwood Lutheran Parsonage near Decorah when I was a interior also contains several treasures: two pairs of scissors, young girl. My father was pastor there from 1964 to 1977. I a small spool with gold thread and another spool, needle remember my father thought highly of Gerhard and I believe holders, a small brush, a piece of yellow textile, a small knife they roomed together at Luther College. My father, the Rev. and sheath, and a difficult-to-read, hand-written note. Olaf O. Brandt, and Gerhard Naeseth were double cousins

6 NORWEGIAN TRACKS • VOLUME 41 • NO. 1 • FALL 2017 Front and back of hand-written note found in kit, courtesy of Beverly Brandt Bachelder Deciphering the Indecipherable: An Exciting Discovery The back side of the note in translation reads:

Generations of the Brandt family have tried to read the The names of the oldest daughters who have owned the small contents of this note. In 2012, the family asked the Rev. green chest and their names on the lid. The small chest is Donald Berg of Decorah if he could help translate its covered with green material embroidered with real gold thread contents. He was able to read and translate the text of one and gold clusters. side of the note; the reverse side also contained writing that was almost impossible to read since the ink from the front Kristina Ottesen born Bøyesen did the embroidery. It was had obscured the legibility of the back. sewn in 1820.

When Bev Bachelder asked if the NAGC staff could help A Mystery Solved with this translation, Carol turned to Solveig Schavland Quinney, NAGC’s translator and library services specialist. When Laurann Gilbertson had a chance to examine Solveig has much experience in deciphering difficult hand- the sewing kit itself, she quickly noted the discrepancy written and early printed Norwegian texts. Her translation between the style and date of its exterior embroidery and of the note confirmed what the Rev. Berg had provided, the box’s interior decorations. The interior is probably 17th and went further. With her ability to decipher the back of century and Continental, but the exterior embroidery’s the note, Solveig came upon the exciting information -- not style and state of preservation appears to date from the previously known -- about who made the kit’s embroidery 19th century. Solveig’s translation provided the evidence and when. Solveig’s translation, with her newly-discovered needed to confirm this: the box’s sewn cover was created text from the back of the note is provided below. in 1820 by Diderikke Brandt’s grandmother. In addition to the difficulty of translation and legibility, the note needs The front side of the note in translation reads: further clarification. In the note, the reference to “C. O.” is Diderikke’s grandmother. Her name is variously recorded as: The oldest daughters in the same line in the family who have Christiane Ording owned this and sewn their name on it and who made an item Christiane Elisabeth Realfsdatter Ording (in their time) (also) sewing items within are the following: Christiane Elisabeth Bøyesen Kristen Elizabeth Bøyesen My name, no. 1, C. O. No. 2 Edel Margareth Aall (gave the Kristine Elisabeth Bøyesen Realfsdatter Ottesen (born knife and sheath) No. 3 Christiane Elisabeth Realfsdatter Ording) Böyesen No. 4 Gjertrude Marie Christiansdatter Bödker No.5 Benedicte Elisabeth Johannesdatter Kleen (or Klein) The Bøyesen name was connected to her mother’s marriage as the third wife of Realf Bøyesen. Her various names are Christiane Elisabeth gave scissors and bonnet ribbon, I definitely identified by her dates, 1768-1833 – confirming have also given many things both mother and I received it. that it was she alone of all the ancestors who had the initials (a fiber brush) C. O. and was capable of sewing the box’s lid in 1820. And it

NORWEGIAN TRACKS • VOLUME 41 • NO. 1 • FALL 2017 7 was she who had possessed the spoon that Gerhard Naeseth Diderikke grew up at the Sande parsonage in Vestfold, near presented to Vesterheim, a spoon from the time of her Christiania, and had the advantage of attending boarding marriage in 1786. It is interesting that the note contains no school at Christiansfeld in Denmark where she became reference to the two women from the 17th century whose adept at German, music, drawing, and fine sewing. After initials Christiane embroidered along with the later ones. turning 18, she travelled widely in Germany, Holland, Denmark, and England.

When Diderikke married Nils Brandt, she joined her life with the first Norwegian pastor who had ventured west of the Mississippi. Brandt had helped the “Little Iowa” parish in its 1852 call of the Rev. U. V. Koren, who became the first Norwegian pastor to settle west of the Mississippi. Nils and Diderikke immigrated to Wisconsin, where they spent the years between 1856 to 1865. Together with their children, the couple moved to Decorah in 1865 when the Rev. Brandt was called as minister and professor at Luther College. In 1867, the family moved into the newly constructed parsonage, now called “Campus House,” which stands on the college campus.

In a 1995 article*, Professor J. R. Christianson best Painted image of Christiane Elisabeth Bøyesen (1768-1833) describes Diderikke’s accomplishments: “She recognized the potential of a sewing circle organized Diderikke Sophie Marianne Benedicte Ottesen Brandt by Elisabeth Lomen and three other women around (1827-1885) 1861, and she transformed it into a society of Norwegian women in town, meeting regularly to mend the clothing of college students, many of whom were on incredibly tight budgets. This was the first formal women’s organization

Diderikke Brandt photograph circa 1880 Courtesy of Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa Diderikke Brandt, the woman who brought the sewing kit to America in 1856, is Bev Bachelder’s great-grandmother, and one of the most charismatic people among the 19th century Norwegian settlers of the Upper Midwest. Known as “the mother of the Luther College boys,” Diderikke Photograph of Nils and Diderikke Brandt with their family and her legendary energy and enthusiasm became famous by Andreas Dahl, 1876. Courtesy of Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa during her life in Decorah from 1865 to 1882. Much in town, a charitable Kvindeforening on the model of one of her fame was derived from her sewing, the circle she first organized in Norway by Gustava Kielland, a pastor’s organized around sewing, and her advocacy of higher wife and former tutor to Diderikke Brandt’s sisters. The education for women. To examine the sewing kit that she Decorah society darned, mended, and sewed whole suits treasured and used during this time brings this important of clothing for the students, rather than making things to history to life. sell at bazaars to benefit foreign missions. Through this organization, Diderikke Brandt integrated women of the town into an active role in college life. She also acted as

8 NORWEGIAN TRACKS • VOLUME 41 • NO. 1 • FALL 2017 Generous Donation and a New Future Diderikke Brandt’s descendants continue this tradition of honoring her memory. On 6 September 2017, 190 years after Diderikke’s birth in 1827, her great-granddaughter and her great, great-granddaughter donated the sewing kit to Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum. Beverly Brandt Bachelder and her daughter, Elizabeth Bachelder, travelled to Decorah to hand over this treasured heirloom in person to Vesterheim Curator Laurann Grave marker of Dikerikke Brandt, Lutheran Portrait of Diderikke Brandt Gilbertson. Earlier, in August, Bev and her Cemetery, Decorah, Iowa oil on canvas by Herbjørn Gausta, 1883 spouse, Robert Bachelder, had visited the Courtesy of Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa Naeseth Library in Madison to thank the staff at the Norwegian American Genealogical advisor to women who were unfamiliar with urban ways Center for the research that had uncovered the identities of and helped them to perform social tasks like entertaining the women who had owned the sewing kit. Bev graciously the Kvindeforening in their homes. Her leadership helped to shared some of her thoughts with us: integrate many young people, men and women alike, into the culture of the urban Norwegian-American community.” These beautiful objects must have reminded Diderikke of her dear family, and served as a source of joy and comfort. It Professor Gracia Grindal, in her 2016 publication,** is all such a testament to the power of love and deep bonds writes with insight into Diderikke’s advocacy for women’s that bind family members together, from one generation to education: “…Diderikke’s education at Christiansfeld was the next…I’ve been thinking, too, how much this would all a model for the future education of their daughters in the have pleased Gerhard. He would have been so happy to see New Land.” Professor Grindal also concludes: the wonderful work done by NAGC to solve the genealogical mystery and translate with such skill the note left in his “Her education, and her breeding perhaps, made her and great-grandmother’s kit. He would have also loved to see the her cousin Christiane among the first of the pastors’ wives in excellent collaboration and expertise shared between NAGC the Synod on record who appear to have chafed somewhat and Vesterheim in caring for, preserving, and sharing this object that represents Diderikke’s contributions and legacy at the restrictions of the role. These stirrings clearly did not in such a meaningful way, and that will serve as a source of endear Diderikke to the other pastors’ wives, who found inspiration and scholarship for generations to come. her bossy, unfeminine, and wearisome, because she did not fulfill the role they expected of her. These were transgressions typical of the early feminists who wanted an education like their brothers and a more public role.” Diderikke was not happy that women were not admitted to the college. In 1873 and 1874, she gathered nine girls in her home where she taught music, German, and fine needlework, and invited faculty members to offer instruction as well. Her popularity never waned with the Luther students: the alumni association commissioned her portrait from the artist Herbjørn Gausta in 1883 and, after her death, students and friends raised funds for her cemetery monument in Decorah.

*J. R. Christianson, “Shaping the Culture of an Immigrant College Town: Decorah, Iowa, 1850-1890” in: Scandinavian Immigrants and Education in North America, edited by Philip J. Anderson, et al. Chicago, Swedish- Beverly Bachelder (right) with Carol Culbertson at NAGC American Historical Society, 1995. Photo by Diane Maurer **Gracia Grindal, Unstoppable: The Norwegian Pioneers Special thanks to all those who helped make this article possible, Educate Their Daughters. Minneapolis, Lutheran especially Beverly Brandt Bachelder, Elizabeth Bachelder, Robert University Press, 2016. S. Bachelder, Carol C. Culbertson, Vesterheim Curator Laurann Gilbertson, and Luther College Associate Professor of Art History Kate Elliott and College Archivist Hayley Jackson.

NORWEGIAN TRACKS • VOLUME 41 • NO. 1 • FALL 2017 9 Recent Acquisitions Notes from the Naeseth Library We offer our sincere thanks to the donors listed below who gave research materials for the Naeseth Library New Staff Member for Naeseth Library during the period from March through October 2017. New Family Histories Beginning his duties in January 2017, Stephen J. Drake has • Norman Holen, Minneapolis, Minnesota become our new library services • Phyllis Berget Johnson, Darlington, specialist. At the time of Kathleen Wisconsin • John Kaldahl, Fredericksburg, Virginia Olson’s retirement from this • Jonathan A. Shaw, Sandwich, Massachusetts position at the end of 2016, Steve had been serving as an active New Norwegian Local Histories & Reference volunteer here. He brings some great experience to his part-time • Trine Marie Berg and the Berg Family, Snåsa, work in the Naeseth Library. Norway • Lorraine Hawkinson, Oregon, Wisconsin Stephen J. Drake, NAGC's new library services specialist, proudly Born in Edgerton, near Madison, • Anne Marie Steenberg Jonassen, Steve grew up in Verona and Solbergmoen, Norway displays the bygdebok from Ullen- • Arnfinn Kjelland, Volda, Møre og Romsdal, saker, which includes information attended the University of Norway about his ancestors. Wisconsin-Madison where he • Jonny Lyngstad, Lyngstad, Norway studied anthropology, with a minor • Monroe Miller, Madison, Wisconsin in German language. He enjoyed a long career in bookselling, • Odal Slekshistorielag, Nord-Odal, Norway book publishing, and art gallery management, all in the Madison • Halvor Skurtveit, Fjell, Hordaland, Norway area where he has been living since 1978. Steve is also a book collector with several thousand volumes in his personal library, New Family Histories including many genealogy reference works. • Gail Bushman, Appleton, Wisconsin • Kathy and Kenneth Larson, Batavia, Illinois Steve’s interest in his Norwegian family genealogy began in his • Ann Marie Olson, Black River Falls, twenties after an interview with his aging Norwegian grandparents, Wisconsin and was recently reinvigorated after his DNA findings revealed • Kris Lienke Sanderson, South Beloit, Illinois that he is 49 percent Scandinavian and 28 percent northern • Barbara Scottston, Eitzen, Minnesota and western European. On his maternal side, Steve’s great- Other Research Materials grandparents emigrated in 1883 from Ullensaker in Akershus, and settled in Rock County in the Koshkonong area of Wisconsin. • Sharon Bowen, Neenah, Wisconsin • Robert M. Fossum and Trønderlag of Steve’s work at the Naeseth Library is closely coordinated with America, Chetek, Wisconsin Jerry Paulson, the Naeseth Chair for Genealogical Research and • Patricia Hampton, Spokane, Washington Publication. Together, Steve and Jerry continue to build the • Stephen Heimerle, San Francisco, California library research collections through gift and purchase, with Steve • Ordell G. Hill, Richmond, Kentucky accessioning and cataloguing a wide range of materials. Steve • Roger Jacobson, Madison, Wisconsin • Eugene J. Nordby, Madison, Wisconsin has already made great progress in sorting through uncatalogued • Liv Paulson Norderhaug, Eden Prairie, holdings, and in helping plan for the rearrangement of the Minnesota library collection, making space for additions and organizing the • Stella Olson Rainey, Tuscaloosa, Alabama collection in a more logical and user-friendly way. When you visit • Vaughn Simon, Palm Springs, California the Naeseth Library, please take a moment to meet Steve and help • Patricia Sorteberg, Franklin, Tennessee us thank him for his important work. • Ginny White, Madison, Wisconsin We are also grateful for the two acquisitions funds Connecting Cousins that continue to support additions to the library collections at NAGC, the William Helgeson Fund and the Loper Fund for North Norway acquisitions. For a complete listing of authors, titles, and subjects of these new acquisitions, please consult our website, www.nagcnl.org in our “Research” section, and follow its drop-down box to select: “Recent Acquisitions.” If you do not have Internet access, please phone us at 608-255-2224 to request a copy of this new acquisitions list. We thank our many generous donors for helping build the research collections at Cousins Todd Johnson and Judy Moriarty meet for the first time the Naeseth Library. at our annual event, 2017

10 NORWEGIAN TRACKS • VOLUME 41 • NO. 1 • FALL 2017 Chronicle and Coincidence: Fjell Bygdebøker and NAGC The five volumes of local history the series for the that have been produced by the NAGC collection. Fjell Kommune are among the We thank them most thoroughly researched and for their impressive beautifully produced of all the work and for Norwegian bygdebøker. Halvor donating these Skurtveit, historian of Fjell and one handsome and of the authors of this series, recently useful books. contacted Madison resident Carolyn Love, who is a volunteer here at Halvor Skurtveit Halvor Skurtveit, Fjell NAGC. will be the author Historian of Fjell Bygdebok, Connecting through volume 6, and it will The Brig "Favoriten," courtesy of Carolyn Love Ancestry.com, Halvor include the general history of the Fjell community from 1700 asked Carolyn for to 1910. It covers a wide range of themes: farming, fishing, information about her demography, political development, and emigration to the great, great grandfather, U.S. Hans Rasmussen (1822- 1869), who was Captain The fascinating history of Captain Rasmussen and his ship will of the Brig “Favoriten” be included in the sixth volume of the Fjell series. It is a tragic when it sank in 1869 story: Carolyn’s ancestor and his son died in the shipwreck of the near the island of Løno “Favoriten,” while other members of his family were rescued. in the fylke of Fjell. And, although Captain Rasmussen had a long career with Halvor was seeking this sailing the world, this information for the ill-fated trip was the upcoming sixth volume first on which he had of Fjell Bygdebok that been accompanied will be appear shortly. by members of his family. During their exchanges, Nearly 150 years later, Carolyn told Halvor Captain Rasmussen’s all about NAGC & descendant, Carolyn NL, and how we have Love, honors his life admired and shared the and accomplishments first three volumes of the with her contributions Fjell histories. Halvor to family history and the Fjell Kommune online and with her Hans Rasmussen, Captain of the "Favoriten" then donated the fourth research work here at Courtesy of Carolyn Love and fifth volumes in NAGC & NL. Fjell Bygdebøker, five volumes

New Board Member At their meeting in June 2017, the Board of Directors unanimously elected Ellen Smithback to join them in their work for NAGC & NL. We extend a hearty welcome to the new Board member.

Ellen Smithback The Smithbacks are charter members of NAGC and long-time Ellen is the daughter of Audrey and Phil Dybdahl, who both served supporters of our annual benefit dinner. They are active members as founding board members when NAGC became an independent of the Madison-area Friends of NAGC & NL, the event’s organizing non-profit in 2007. Phil Dybdahl, who died in 2016, was closely committee. Over the years, Ellen has volunteered her help to make associated with his Norwegian heritage. On learning of her election certain the annual event is a success. to the Board, Ellen wrote: “I would be honored to join the board of NAGC and carry on my dad’s legacy.” Honoring her family’s musical heritage, Ellen is a concert pianist and also teaches Ellen was raised in Stoughton and attended St. Olaf College. After piano. She and Gary have three children two years there, Ellen transferred to the University of Wisconsin- and two grandchildren. We extend a Madison and graduated with a degree in art history. Ellen and her hearty welcome as Ellen joins the board, spouse Gary are residents in Stoughton, and support the Stoughton continuing her family’s long connection Village Players, the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and the Wisconsin to NAGC & NL. Youth Symphony. Ellen Dybdahl Smithback, 2017 NORWEGIAN TRACKS • VOLUME 41 • NO. 1 • FALL 2017 11 PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID MADISON, WI Norwegian American Genealogical Center & PERMIT #1069 Naeseth Library (NAGC & NL) 415 W. Main Street Madison, WI 53703-3116

Celebrating Centenarians

There must be something to be said for an interest in ancestry birthday. Louise’s lifelong passion has been to promote, and history contributing to longevity. We salute three conserve, and better the environment; she has a wonderful remarkable NAGC members who continue to lead fascinating affinity for the outdoors. Her generosity has benefitted many lives of accomplishment, doing their ancestors proud. organizations, including NAGC, where she made a major donation in 2009 that made it possible to scan and digitize Nels Gerhard Glesne our entire correspondence collection, including many records Nels marked his 100th birthday in April 2016 by ziplining contributed by her brother, Gerhard Naeseth. and kiteboarding in Hawaii. He was the oldest ever zipline participant and he was joined in this outing by a wide circle Irene O’Connor Navarre of his family. A retired forester and World War II vet, Nels Last August, Irene Navarre reached her 100th birthday, and the was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and moved to Maui festivities of her day included a visit and celebration from the in 2013. His ancestor, Lars Davidson Reque, emigrated Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque, part of the Model T Ford Club of from Voss in 1839, and became one of the first landowners America. (Irene’s husband Harry had been one of the club’s in the Koshkonong settlement, having walked to the area founding members.) Long interested in her family history, from Chicago. Our long-time member and supporter, John Irene has supported many organizations with her expertise as a Glesne, who is Nels’s nephew, honored his uncle’s first century Parliamentarian, with her time and her financial donations. A by giving him a special membership in NAGC. pioneer in the field of dental hygiene, Irene helped establish the University of New Mexico’s dental hygiene program over 50 Louise Naeseth Hubbard years ago, and has been a leading expert in dental hygiene science NAGC life member, and sister of our founder Gerhard and integration for her entire career. A generous patron and life Naeseth, Louise Hubbard turned 101 last March. In honor member of NAGC, Irene created NAGC’s Navarre Fund for of this milestone, her village of Hastings-on-Hudson, New Student Internships with her important donations from 2010 to York, organized a volunteer day in which many residents 2014. volunteered 101 minutes of their time in honor of Louise’s

12 NORWEGIAN TRACKS • VOLUME 41 • NO. 1 • FALL 2017