A big Thank You
DebraI just wanted to let everyone on this list that has helped me find my family in Norway know how much I appreciated it. I have some exciting news and I wanted you to know about it since this list is who figured out for me who my family was and where they came from etc. I got the address of a second cousin once removed (actually I wrote first to the second cousin but he didn't speak or read English). I sent a letter and some pictures to make it more personal. A while later someone from Norway actually called him for me and since then he has emailed me and said he wants to learn all about the family who came to America. I am so very excited and wanted to let you all know. I should be able to find out more about the family now and I know Mom would be so thrilled. Thanks again for helping me find this family and even figure out who they were! Deb
BriningHi Debra, How exciting for you. Now you have to plan a trip to Norway to meet your relatives and see the country. It is a wonderfull experiance and a beautiful country and the people are great. Carla
DebraI have thought about that and I know my husband would take me as he loves to travel and he has been to many countries before we were married. My cousin from here who did genealogy on my father's side has gone to Norway many times and is going again this coming September. He has met many of those relatives (I have the book LOL). I doubt I will ever get there because of my health. I mentioned it before but it is not good. Besides my handicaps which make life interesting (complications of the long-term diabetes), I am now being tested for a kidney transplant. My doctor wanted both the kidney and pancreas but Mayo in Rochester won't do that because of my many health problems. I am just so happy I have found the family and may get to know more about them. I knew nothing, as you all know, when I started so this should give hope to many other people out there trying to find their families. I basically got started on the Norway family with a death certificate that didn't even have the right names on it to go on but all of you figured it out and went from there! Wow, I still read those emails and can't believe how it all turned out. The problem is that the relative in Norway is a farmer and very busy with that and his family so he doesn't have the time like I do to write. I am dying to learn things and he is busy lol. It would have been neat if his older father, who would have had more time, could have written back too. Oh well, patience is a virtue (but one that I don't possess!!). Deb
caflehartyDebra: I keep leaving messages for you everywhere! I am so excited about discovering this site and finding information about Severin and Mary Olson and their daughter Martha and John. I visited Norway and found out the info about Severin's illegitimate birth, etc. His father was Ole Wiig. I would love to have your contact in Norway. My friend Liv was not able to find any relative of mine there, but I feel with Severin's illegitimate birth there are relatives there. I was told that Ole had several daughters. Now I am going to have to get my paperwork out again. My family is planning a trip to Malvik in 2007 for an immigration celebration being held there. The Olson's gave the property for Malvik Lutheran Church in the Nary/Guthrie area of Minnesota (near Bemidji). Severin, Mary, Martha and John are all buried there. My grandmother Martha Jensine (everyone called her Josie) married Nels O. Rude in Bemidji. My grandfather and 2 of my uncles are buried at Malvik Lutheran Church cemetary. When I picked up my daughter from her first year at Concordia, we went to Bemidji and went to church at Malvik. I met a man who my great grandmother Marit delivered (as a midwife). I also have a history of the church. Nora Stevens has done a fabulous job on that! Marit (Mary) died at the age of 98. I remember visiting her as a little girl. I do have a picture of her, too. I hope we will be able to talk. Carol
DebraWe have finally made contact by email and I hope to hear from you soon. I am very excited--and especially excited to get pictures as I don't have many from Mom's side of the family. My mom talked about Mary and Sarah and on a video I have of her talking some about them said they both lived to be quite old, one died of cancer and I cant remember what the other one died from if she said. I asn't interested at the time I was videoing her. Now I could kick myself for not asking more questions. I am very excited to talk with you. Deb