Hello! Here's an interesting immigrant story:
My paternal Grandfather; Hans Simon Wold immigrated from Trondheim, Norway sometime in the late 1800's- probably 1870's - 1880's. The family were fishermen by trade, and when Grandpa was 17, he was given money to buy a fishing boat with which to make his living on. He decided, instead, to buy a boat TICKET to America! An act of astonishing bravery, sheer adolescent stupidity, or pure Viking Wanderlust? Maybe all three. He spoke nary a word of English, and was virtually penniless; NONETHELESS, Hans Simon Wold MADE IT! At one point, he worked on a wheat thrashing crew in Nebraska, and converted from Lutheran to Baptist denomination around that time. As we Baptists are prone to say, "He got Saved" and underwent adult baptism. He then taught himself to read, write, and speak perfect English, as well as Greek, and became an ordained Baptist Minister. In fact, Grandpa was the FIRST ORDAINED BAPTIST MINISTER in Rapid City, South Dakota and is listed in some historical register there as such. Strange as it sounds to put it this way, it is interesting to note that his wife, Pearl O. Putnam (decended from George Washington's General Putnam) was the FIRST 'white' child born in the same township.
Anyway, back to the 17 year old young man immigrating BY HIMSELF to AMERICA.... Needless to say, the family were none too pleased with this impulsive act. However, he must have relayed the virtues of his life here well enough, because, as I understand it, after a time, all the immediate family immigrated! Grandpa died in Portland, OREGON, in 1941, or 1944 I think, a fair number of years before I was born, therefore, I never got to know him in person. However, his sister, Elise Magdalene Wold; (also of Portland, Oregon) my Aunt Lizzy, was very sweet and dear to me. I never heard the slightest accent in her voice, though, and did not know she actually was from Norway untill long after she had died! They were all like that, no accent! They were fiercely proud to be American, and were all too eager to rid themselves of any trace of foreignness. A sign of their times, I reckon. Being different was not always to one's advantage back then.
ANYWAY, I've posted this little mini history up in the wild hope that MAYBE I might just link up with a Norwegian relative, or relatives, or just anyone in or from Norway, and/or Trondheim who thinks they might know about this family story....
succintly:
Hans Simon Wold, came to America in the late 1880's.
Sister, Elise Magdalene Wold immigrated sometime later.
There were other syblings....
Have to look up their father and mother's names... I forget them offhand.
Hans Simon Wold married Pearl O. Putnam- not sure when...
They had 7 or so children... Some of the names are: My namesake- Mary Wold, Margaret Wold, Ruth Wold, Hans Wold, John Wold, Emmet Wold, Roland Hanson Wold {My Dad)
Apparently there are 'Hansons' and 'Johnsons'{Swedish) in that part of my family tree, as well. Hence my Dad's middle name: Hanson.
I long to see the city and landscape of my grandfather's place of birth, It sure would be a kick and a half to ACTUALLY find some long lost cousins or something. You've GOT to be out there somewhere! Thanks for your time, at any rate; I appreciate you reading all this yackity-yack.
Mary Marlene Wold Valentine