Browse Items (3064 total)

• 
  Annexstad family papers, circa 1884-1972

  Biography/History: 
  Martin Annexstad (1882-1982) was born to John and Gulina Tollefson Annexstad at Norseland, Lake Prairie Township, Minnesota. John Annexstad (1851-1930) was born in Toten, Norway, and immigrated to the United States in 1871. Gulina Tollefson (1853-1947) immigrated to Norseland, Minnesota, as an infant with her parents, Johan and Nikoline Olsdatter Overn, in 1854. John and Gulina were married in 1877 and became the parents of Jens, Martin, Adolph, and Gustaf. They later adopted Grace and Eloise.

  On June 12, 1912, Martin married Hattie Eldora Hanson (1890-1985), born at Norseland to Christian and Lena Tostenson Hanson. Christian (1864-1948) was born in Norseland to Norwegian immigrants Hans Christian and Johanna Hovland Hanson. Lena (1867-1942) was born at New Sweden, New Sweden Township, Minnesota, to Norwegian immigrants Erik and Kari Slettemoen Tostenson.

  Martin and Hattie built Lake Park Farm, Section 29, just across the field from his parents' farm. They were the parents of three children: Martin John Christian (1914-1997); Estelle Geneva Leone (1917-1964); and Pearl Katherine (1920-2015).  In 1949, Martin John Christian married Eleanor Ann Schwartau (1925-1966) of Goodhue County.  Martin (who became known as Marney) and Eleanor raised the third generation on Lake Park Farm: Karen Ann (1950-), Mark Martin (1954-), and Grant Martin (1955-).

  Scope and Content: 
  Photographs, scrapbooks, and correspondence related to the Annexstad family of Norseland, Minnesota. Most correspondence is sent to Karen Annexstad Humphrey. Three scrapbooks: 2 scrapbooks with cartoons about "Han Ola og Han Per" from the 1940s, in the Decorah-Posten, 1 scrapbook with political cards, mid-20th century and earlier. All compiled by Markin T. Annexstad Sr., Lake Park Farm, Norseland, Rte. 3, St. Peter, MN.

• Ansten Anstensen papers, 1916-1977

  The papers consist of a "Sjøfartsbok," recording his terms as a merchant seaman, with notations for 1916-1918; a handwritten notebook entitled "Norske Stiler av Ansten Anstensen," with marks and corrections, perhaps from his study at St. Olaf College; and clippings by and about Anstensen, 1925-1942. Anstensen graduated from St. Olaf College in 1925, received a Ph. D. from Columbia University and studied in Germany, and founded the German Department at the University of Saskatchewan.
  
  The papers were found in the attic of Old Ytterboe Hall, a men's dormitory at St. Olaf College, in March 1977.
  
• Georg B. Anthonisen papers, 1935-1940

  Abstract
  Papers of a Norwegian-born inventor and engineer who emigrated in 1910 and worked for the Great Northern Railway and the Minnesota Highway Department. Correspondence and blueprints of his spring spikes and variable twisted track spikes. See "Norwegian American Technical Journal," 10:8 (Feb. 1937) and Kenneth Bjork, "Saga in Steel and Concrete" (1947), p. 379.
  
  Contents
  

  • Correspondence and blue prints

  
  Location: 
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• Carl Anthonsen papers, 1923-1975

  Excerpts from the Journal of Carl Anthonsen, together with a tribute to Anthonsen from Russell S. Page, and a letter from Cynthia Anthonsen Foster, his widow, which includes biographical data about a Norwegian-American who came to Boston, Massachusetts, around 1900.
• Arlington Times papers, 1944 Aug 17-1946 Aug 15

  Abstract
  A Washington (Snohomish Co.) newspaper that carried stories concerning pioneer dairying, logging, settlers, and politics.
  
  Contents
  

  • Pioneer Issues
    • August 17, 1944
    • August 15, 1946

  
  Location: 
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• Olaus Arneng letters, 1942-1959

  A 15-page compilation of excerpts from letters (1942-1959) written by a native of Kirkenes, Norway, to his daughter Solveig, who married Rudolph Johnson and emigrated to Duluth, Minnesota. The letters depict a warm, loving interest in the life of his daughter and her family in America. Rudolph Johnson, a librarian at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, was instrumental in compiling the letters.
• Axel Arneson papers, circa 1911-1941

  Abstract
  Notes on Norwegian Settlements in Texas telling of pioneer life, frontier hospitality, relations with the American Indians, church and school life.
  
  Contents
  

  • "Notes on Norwegian Settlements in Texas," undated
    • Arneson emigrated in 1872 from the little town of Hamar on the shores of Lake Mjosen in Eastern Norway. He lived in Fort Worth, Texas. According to his letter of Nov. 28, 1911 (included in folder) the article focused on the Bosque settlement. It was published in "Southwestern Historical Quarterly," v. 45 (1941). Pgs. 12-135. (Copy of article is included in folder).
  • Nordmands-Forbundet, 2.hefte, 1912
    • First Norwegian to homestead in Texas was Johan Nordboe from Gudbrandsdal who took up land in section now occupied by the City of Dallas. Norwegian Nicalai Hanson told early Norwegian explorers about the hill country beyond the Bosque River. First comers included Anders Bretta and Ole Ween; Karl Questad, Jens Ringness, Hendrik Dahl, Berge Rogstad, Johan Bronstad, Anders Huse (all from Hedmark). Next arrived Salve Knutson, Terje Nystel, Jens Halvorson, Ole Burreson, Knut Salveson, Knut Olson, Paul Paulson, Aslak Nilson, all with families, also Lars Olson and Peder Spandberg from Mjøsen. Also Jens Jenson and Ole Person from Arendal, Ketil Grimland from Aamli and Gleng Peerson with Ole and Knut Canuteson, coming from the Illinois settlements. In 1858 came Bersvend Swenson, Omund Omundson, Joseph Olson and Ove Colwick. In 1866, sailing directly from Galveston came Ole Sinderud, Jens Jenson and the Paulsons of Waco all from Stange. In 1872 Hendrik Dahl returned to Norway to visit his mother and a description of his return trip with a number of others, including Axel Arneson is related. Ole Ringness fashioned a plow based on his experience with a badly dished wheel, but died while en route to Washington to patent his design. Karl Questad is noted for his unusual intelligence. The Hendrik Dahl family was noted for the exceptional hospitality. Gustaf Wilhem Belfrage, Swedish and Scotch was foremost entomologist of the time.

  
  Location: 
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• Arnt Artzen papers, 1977

  Copy of a 54-page account of a Norwegian immigrant fisherman and sailor from Narvik, Norway, who came to New Orleans in 1908. After trying various kinds of work and living in many different places in the United States and Canada, he finally settled in British Columbia. The story is Chapter 1 of a book "Stump Ranch Chronicles and Other Narratives," edited by Rolf Knight, 1977. Table of contents and introduction to this book are included.
  
  Also included is "A Tribute to Einar on his 80th Birthday from Johann." Arntzen is mentioned as the 84-year-old brother of Einar and Johann.
• Lee Asjerd correspondence, 1931-1937

  Eight letters sent to Lee (in Madison, Wis.) from her brothers Gregar and Guttorm Minnesjord in Flatdal, Telemark. They apparently were written for them by a teacher and family friend, Olav Ulvaas. News is exchanged about family and friends (both in Flatdal and those who had emigrated to America) and about changes in the home community since Lee left many years before, including the founding of a free church congregation which influenced may alterations in customs.
  
  A filigree brooch (solje?) is sent to Lee at her request: she sends pbnotgraphs of her children. Guttorm asks Asjerd to send money to tide him over until his pension begins when he turns 70. Comments on hard times in America, and about crops and road construction in Norway. Includes translations by Lee's niece, Ingeborg Minnesjord Nordahl of Bergen, Norway.
• Hjemkomst history, 1980-2007

  A Dream is a Dream 1980 (revised edition), the story of a replica of a Viking ship, as told by the builder, Robert Asp. Building of the ship took place in an old potato warehouse in Hawley, Minnesota. Robert Asp died before the work was finished, but his family readied the ship and sailed the Hjemkomst across the Atlantic, arriving in Bergen, Norway, July 19th, 1982. A Minneapolis Tribune Picture Section (August 29th, 1982) and clippings tell the final story. The ship is now housed at the Red River Valley Heritage Society's Museum at Moorhead, Minnesota. (Heritage-Hjemkomst Interpretive Center) Beginning 1997 a replica of the Hopperstad stave church in Vik is being built in connection with the center. Clippings about this church are included, as well as those about the annual Scandinavian Hjemkomst festival held in Fargo-Moorhead. The Clay County Historical Society Archives are also in the center.
  
  
  Includes programs, invitations, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and advertisements for the Hjemkomst festivals.