Stjørdal 25-10-45

Kjære Alma og dere alle i hopa.

Tak for brevet jeg fik 23 denes.  Tak og for di to pakkene jeg fik nu netop  Tusin tak for alt  Vi har nu foet 4 pakker fra Dere.  Du siger at jeg må si fra vad jeg ønsker men vi må prøve og greie os selv så di slipper alt dette strev for os, det var fint med et par sko  jeg bruker nr 44 norsk mål  de sko jeg fik fra Johan var fin men for små men dem skal blir benyttet av di som trenger dem.

Min kone ligger fremdeles på Hegra pleiehjem med 38 i feber.  Jeg har nu snart kjørt 250 mil og besøkt hende så du forstår at den Norske kjerlighed er sterk og varm  den trodser både regn og varm, kulde og storm.  Vi har nu lite Tyskere her og snart så drager Engelsmennerne og så er vi fri alt dette militære foreløbig  her er nu stille  det er en periode med lite arbeide og ingen arbeids glæde, for det vi for av vor myndigheder er nye skatter og avgifter.

Så for di lev vel alle og ver hilset fra os alle.  Skal hilse fra Laura  hun sidder nu her på stuen og strikker.  Mindor har veret i Oslo nu. med Ola er de bra  Olava likeså.  Hun venter nu Odd hjem til jul (han kunne ikke komme hjem før våren 1946).  Her er et fint veir  jeg arbeider ute hele eftermiddagen.

14 November blir jeg 60 år lils bane hendes mor, du må tag med dig Johan og kom så skal di få Får i Kål.

Einar vor yngste søn er i militære  er nu sykepermiteret  han skal til Oslo og bli oppereret for et maveonde.

Helga  Axel

Stjørdal 25-10-45

Dear Alma and you all.

Thank you for the letter I received on the 23^rd of this month.  Thank you for the two packages I received just now  A thousand thanks for everything  We have now received 4 packages from You.  You say I must let you know what I want but we must try and manage on our own so that you wont have all this hassle for our sake, a pair of shoes would be nice  I use Norwegian size 44  the shoes I received from Johan were nice but too small but they will be used by someone who needs them.

My wife is still at Hegra Nursing Home with a fever of 38 (Centigrades).  I have now driven almost 250 miles (Norwegian miles) to see her so you see that Norwegian love is strong and warm  it braves rain and heat, cold and storms.  We have few Germans here now and soon the English will leave and then we’ll be rid of all this military stuff for a while  it’s quiet here now  we have a period of little work and no pleasure in work, because what we receive from our authorities are new taxes and fees.

Keep well all of you and be greeted from us all.  Laura says hello  she’s sitting here in the living room knitting.  Mindor has been to Oslo now.  Ola is fine  so is Olava.  She’s expecting Odd home for Christmas (he didn’t come home until the spring of 1946).  We’re having  nice weather  I work outside all afternoon.

On November 14 I turn 60 mom’s little boy, get Johan and come and I’ll give you “Får i Kål” (Norwegian dish which means “lamb in cabbage” – consists of slow boiled layers of lamb and cabbage, sprinkled with peppercorns and a little flour for thickening).

Einar our youngest son is in the military  he’s now on sick leave  he’s going to Oslo for an operation because of a stomach ailment.

Helga Axel

Trondheim 1/9-45

Kjære Svoger!

Hjertelig takk for jakken, kjolen, skoene og alt sammen.  Du kan tro det var kjærkomment.  Vi blev så glade over, at dere alle er friske og kjekke efter disse fem årene.  Her er alle også friske, og det hele blir vel bra nu, krigen er slutt.  Det har vært noen vanskelige 5 år, men en får være glad, over at alle lever og er friske.  Jeg håper vi slipper å opleve flere kriger, og at det må bli fred over jorden.  Hils alle dine, og ha det riktig bra selv.  Hilsen fra oss alle.

Beste hilsen fra Berith.

4. Sept.

Kjære Broder.

Ja nu må jeg igjen atter takke for 2 pakker, den ene var Jakken til kona.  Du kan tro hun blev glad og begeistret, og det var sandelig også et gott Plagg.  varm og god.  Hun er nu i “Meraker” på en liten Ferie “vacation” en tid, og hviler sig lit.  Hun begynder og bli træt, har mye og gjøre bestandig.  Og så må jeg takke for den 5te Pakke, jeg fik igår, det var mange gode ting, såsom denne deilige “Blanket” og så de herlige Bjørneskin Hansker.  Jeg slipper og fryse på hænderne i vinter.  Ja du er enestående snil.  Det er sa bra alt.  Denne såpen hvor deilig, vi som ikke har sikkelig Såpe enda.  Tak også for tangen og wrenchen alt er så bra, og nyttig.

Tyskerne reiser stadig så vi blir vel fri dem om et par Måneder, ligedan det Engelske, og det er bare bra, det er ikke mors beste børn, alle.  De amerikanske reiser disse dage, men det har ikke vært mange amerikanske Soldater her heller, men dem er mere Gentlemen.  Jeg har lyst til og skrive med Hilda Judd engang (Anna [Holm] Wold’s datter), hvordan har hun det siden Harry døde?  Kan jeg få hennes Adrs.  Alma vet den vel.  Jeg skulle ønske jeg kunne gjøre dig noget igjen for alt du spanderer på os, men vet ikke hvad.  Kona sender en liten takkesedel med, hun er så inderlig glad for at du husker os og hjelper os slig.  Så må jeg slutte denne gang igjen, med min hjerteligste takk til dere alle for alle gode ting.

Hilses fra os alle.  Hils dine fra os

Din bror Olav

Trondheim 1/9-45

Dear Brother in law!

Thank you so much for the jacket, the dress, the shoes and everything.  It was all most welcome.  We were so glad to hear, that you are all healthy and well after these five years.  Everyone here is healthy too, and I guess everything will be ok now, that the war is over.  It has been 5 difficult years, but one has to be glad that everyone is alive and healthy.  I hope we wont have to experience any more wars, and that there will be peace on earth.  Say hello to all yours, and all the best to you too.  Greetings from us all.

Best wishes from Berith.

Sept. 4

Dear Brother.

Once again I must thank you for 2 packages, one of them was the Jacket for the wife.  She was so glad and happy with it, and it was indeed a good piece of Clothing.  nice and warm.  She is in “Meraker” right now on a little “vacation” for a while, resting up a little.  She’s starting to get weary, always has a lot to do.  I must also thank you for the 5^th Package, which I got yesterday, lots of good things, like that wonderful “Blanket” and those great Bearskin Gloves.  I wont get cold hands this winter.  Yes, you’re extremely kind.  Everything is so nice.  This soap how wonderful, for us who don’t have decent soap yet.  Thank you also for the pliers and the wrench everything is so good, and useful.

The Germans are leaving all the time so we might be rid of them in a couple of Months, the English too, and that’s good, they are not mom’s best children (Norwegian expression) all of them.  The American ones are leaving these days, but then there hasn’t been many American Soldiers here, but they are more like Gentlemen.  I would like to write to Hilda Judd some time (Anna [Holm] Wold’s daughter), how is she since Harry’s death.  Could I have her Addrs.  Alma will have it.  I wish I could do something for you in return for everything you’re treating us to, but don’t know what.  The wife encloses a little thank you note, she is so deeply glad that you remember us and help us like you do.  So I’ll close again for now, with my most heartfelt thanks to you all for all good things.

Greeted from us all.  Greet yours from us

Your brother Olav  

Tr.heim 13-8-45

Kjære broder

Tusind tak for det intresante brev, jeg fik igår.  Du er sandelig gutten i røiken enda.  Det er virkelig hyggelig og se at du og fruen er så rask og rørig enda.  Her er deilig og varm sommer nu, og Tyskerne som tramper og går herifra svetter også særlig de feite officerer som har gjødd sig op, ja good=bye med dem, håper vi er helt fri alle innen oktober måned, foresten de andre Soldater også, så vi for bli for os sjøl igjen.  Du kan tro jeg er intresert i og få pakker, mange her får pakker derfra nu, fra sine slægt og venner og det trænges men hvordan skal vi kunne få betale det, håper at også vores penger for sin værdi snart igjen også, men da blir det mindre av dem.  Vi har ingen pakker fået enda men det tar sin tid de som sendes med Baater ser du, vi for nok alt som blir sent, vær ikke rædd for det.  Jeg nævnte til kona mi at du skulle sende henne noget, så du kan tro hun er spent.  Hun er lit sliten og træt, men arbeider, og passer sine saker enda.  Jeg håper Alma og du har fået mine brev og hvor jeg skrev om vores søsken, dem har det rigtig bra, Hanna i Narvik, Laura på Stjørdalen, og Axel har det rigtig bra mangler vist ingen ting.  Han har nu solgt Bakeriet til sin elste søn, så nu kan han (Axel) ta det med ro.  Hans kone er syk og blir nok ikke bra mere.  Håper du ikke blev fornærmet over alt jeg nævnte som vi trænger, så du må ikke tro at jeg vil være patrængende heller, men vi har jo ikke hat anledning til og få kjøpe såpas som en tøy bit eller sko eller undertøy plagg, hverken for Mand eller kvinne.  Silkestrømper for Middelstore damer, er det frygtelig spørgsmål, samt Silke blussetøyer, for damer.  Håper det må bli noget og få kjøpe her også igjen.  Ser at krigen snart er slut med “Japan”, og da blir det vel bedre med vært, men det tar lang tid til vi får klæder og sko.  Spør Alma om hun kan sende mig en “Dame Journal” “Mote Blad for Damer”.  Du kan skjønne jeg kommer til og skrive strax jeg får nogen pakker fra dig.  Jeg forstår at dere er spent på og se om vi for dem.  Axel fikk kort (card) fra dig, samtidig som jeg.  Jeg har hilset alle vores Slægt her fra dere og forteller at du er “still going just as strong as ever”, and that you are the same “infant terrible”.  Ja alt er bra, og vi skylder og takke Gud for det gode vi har.  Husker ikke mere denne gang, skal snart skrive igjen.  Ha det så inderlig bra da.  Hils alle og tak på forhånd, for at du er så snill.

Din Olav

Nonnegt. 4, Trondheim

Hils Alma og alle hennes fra mig

Yours Ole

Tr,heim 13-8-45

Dear brother

Thank you very much (a thousand thanks) for your interesting letter, which I received yesterday.  You are still quite the boy in the smoke (Norwegian expression).  It’s really nice to see that you and the missus are still fit as fiddles.  Here we’re having a wonderful and warm summer now, and the Germans who are stomping away from here are sweating too especially the fat officers who’ve been fattening themselves up, well goodbye to them, hope we’ll be completely free of them all by October, the other Soldiers too by the way, so that we can be by ourselves again.  You can’t imagine how interested I am in getting parcels, many people here are getting packages from there now, from their relatives and friends and it’s needed but how are we going to be able to pay for it, hope that our money too will regain its value soon, but then there will less of it.  We haven’t received any packages yet but those who have been sent by Boat will take their time you see, we’ll get everything that has been sent, don’t worry.  I mentioned to the wife that you were going to send her something, so you can imagine how excited she is.  She’s a little weary and tired, but is working, and sees to her duties still.  I hope you and Alma have received my letters where I wrote about our sisters and brothers, they are doing real well, Hanna in Narvik, Laura at Stjørdalen, and Axel is doing real well seems like he lacks nothing.  He has now sold his Bakery to his oldest son, so now he (Axel) can take it easy.  His wife is sick and will probably not get well again.  Hope you didn’t get offended because of everything I mentioned that we need, so you mustn’t think I’m being pushy either, but we haven’t been able to buy as much as a piece of fabric or shoes or underwear items, neither for Men nor women.  Silk stockings for Medium sized women is terribly hard to find, and silk undershirts, for women.  Hope there will be something available to buy here again too.  I see that the war with “Japan” is over soon, so a lot of things may improve, but it will be a long time before we get clothes and shoes.  Ask Alma if she can send me a “Ladies Journal” “Fashion Journal for Ladies”.  Of course I will write as soon as I get any parcels from you.  I understand you’re anxious to see if we get them.  Axel received a card from you, the same time as I did.  I have said hello to all our relatives here from you and tell them that you are “still going just as strong as ever”, and that you are the same “infant terrible”.  Well all is well, and we owe thanks to God for what we have.  Can’t remember any more this time, will write again soon.  Keep really well then.  Say hello to all and thanks in advance, for being so kind.

Yours Olav

Nonnegt. 4, Trondheim

Say hello to Alma and all of hers from me

Yours 0le

Dear Alma.

A 1000 thanks for the wellcom letter.  Are glad to see that you are all well.  How nice it is that John & Mother moved so as you live so close by each other.  It was nice to hear all the news about friends and relations.  How could Halvor happen to go west?  and stay?  I thougth Betsina & husband started farming?  Tell Betsina with greetings from me, thats she must remember me with something  I am in very need off f.ex. Shirts, Night shirts, Pyjamas, Neckties etc.  I hope she remember the size (15 and a half shirts)  tell I am just as high, tall and alittle heavier then when I was there, but still going, strong, and just as sporty as ever, hope the same with herself.  Inregard to our relation here they are all fairly well.  Sis Laura is at Stjørdalen and her Son.  she is the same irritated, and unsatisfied as she always been, she has alittle Pension after her Swedish husband, så shes alright off.  her Son is not good for any work (lacy) and pretty folish.  Axel has sold the “Bakery” to his oldest son, so Axel is taken it easy now  his wife is still at the Hospital  never gets well anymore, but she is well satisfied.  Sis Hanna up in Narvik is fairly well too.  no news about’em.  Mrs Krogstad (Klara, Markus’ daughter), and their folks are keeping on as usual, all well with ‘em too,  So I have no real news of intrest.  We have a good deal Enlish soildeirs her now  supose to help geting free of the Germans but it takes time.  We don’t like us real well (he means: we don’t like it the way things are. His English is just translated directly from Norwegian, word by word, with the result that Norwegian expressions don’t come out right in English), before we get ready of all strangers so we are all by ourselves again.  I can’t hardly write you because I hav’nt a decent Pen and none to buy.  wish I had a Fountain.  Thanks for the pictures  they are fine houses you have.  Ill certainly try the best I can to get a “National custom” for your daughter, but at present is impossible, because it is’nt a pieace of cloth to get her now.  I am glad that Mother and John is so healthy yet they are geting pretty old now.  I am waiting so much to hear from John, if he possible can do anything for me, it will take along time before we can get to buy any clothing or lots other things, we comenes to get more food after while.  Ill certainly pay you for what ever you could send, as soon as aur money is established.  What I am in worst need off is Stoff for Overcoat, & Suits, and same as dress(?not sure what it says here) stoff for the Women folks.  Hope you excuse my asking, but what is to do any else.

I got letter from Florence, Iam glad of that  she says she is going visiting you soon.  This paper is from your letter, we have not such thin paper here yet, for the Airmail

I can’t think of anything else of intrest.  Hope this letter too will reach you healthy and well.  And I thanks the God that we are saved, with good heath all of us, which is the greatest Blessing we ever have.

Wish you then, dear Alma, happines and wellfare, and so you must greet my dear brother and wife from everyone of mine, and ours relation.

Yours whit love

Olav

Nonnegt. 4

(It is’nt no need telling you I am awaiting to hear very soon)

Tr.heim Juli 8th-45

My dearest brother John.

I been waiting to hear from you because its at last open passage for the mail.  I hear that they are a few that allready has received letters for over there I hope that you & wife are still well, so are all of us too, even it has been a hard time, but it commence to get better, but still we have eat dark bread.  Well many thing has change in the Worlds situation since we wrote its others.  I wonder so how it is with you, because you are geting old hope you are alive.  I wrote Alma awhile ago.  I dont like to beg for anything, but you know we are in need of so many things especially in clothing.  I am in such need of Overcoat, tell me the price of such as clothings &  clothes.  Do you think it is any possibility of geting an Radio (Broad-caster) from there and what prices, or “Typewriter” or Sawingmachin, all secondhanded of course but useable.  We have a whole lot of British soliers here now, and some Norwegians too those that was escape to Swiden and England.  The Germans are prisineers nothing to say anymore.  But we are all tired of all this soliers, we hope we soon be left alone, so we can start to build up by our self all the damaged property, until now the been mostly keept on with Feasting and Dancing on the “Marketplaces” besides all the horror by aresting and digging up graves of the poor offers for those Nazist terribles, of course I cant write about all the horrible things.  I am thanking my “God” that all of mine are saved, but we been anzease many time.  Will you please great Florence Winters and send me her Adrs.

Well this is just a few words so as you see we are all well and healthy, hope the same to you & the Mrs.  I write in English for its easier for the Censure “Controll” of the letters yet.  Hope to hear from you very soon, and tell me if you can help me with any thing.  Is there anything you wish for form here, so let me know, if I can. Shall great you from all of mine, and from the rest of our relation.  As you know Conrad is dead a year and a half ago.  All well with the rest of us.  My hearty love and greatings

Yours Ole

Nonnegt. 4. Tr.heim, Norway

Tr.heim, June 4, 1945

Mrs. Wilson.  Dear Niece

Keep cold, I am no a Ghost.  I am the same gay fellow your uncle Ole, still going strong.

I thought I must write you first because I were sure of your adrs.  Certainly I,ll write to you all over there, have something to ask for to anyone.  I been thinking so much of John, been wondering wheter he lives or not, because his geting old, 77 years the 30^th of June.  I be now 67 the 10^th of June still a boy, and I am sick for to take a trip over there.  As you know, so are also we relief from the German Demons that pretty near have starved us to death and punished and murdered a whole lot of our folks for nothing.  I have been runned down so badly.  My nerves been bad before of & on, but the last 2 years I been terrible many times, but I hope it will be little better after awhile with food but not much better yet, because its such a lots of Soldiers yet, from many land.  400.000 Germans yet, and all must have something to eat.  We are in need of everything, but its the worst about clothing.  I wonder how it is about geting anything from there.  I am in such need of an overcoat, soon have we winter again, and nothing to were.  Would you do me the favor and send me a “measure blank” and state price of an good solid “overcoat” this is something that could be sent by mail, also shirts and Suits even shoes we are lack of (nr. 8) even if it was worn some wouldnt make any diferent.  It will take a long time yet before we get anything, by ordinary way.  Well, my wife is fairly well, but tired and geting old.  My 5 daughters all well the 3 oldest are married the 2 youngest are engaged with some very fine fellows, so all of mine is well off and happy.  We have had much of work to those enimies, and made some money too, but the money isnt worth much and nothing to buy, and now after the capitulation, its all stoped up and no materials to get.  I been running my little “Electrical workshop” all by my self, and no one of mine, have had any trouble with them.  I attend to send this by airmail so I can not write to much at once.  Do please send Florence Winters adrs. soon.  Greet John & mother so very very much and don’t forget your whole bunch of your own, also Halvor, Gertie & Betsy, and all good timers, tell’em I am the same “enfant terrible”, only I had some new cloths on my atlatick body.  Well Alma come and se us, and the daylight summernights, is delightful.  While I remember, a young “Dressmaker” (Sydame) wished for an “Fashion Plate(?)” (latest style) (Mote Journal) this for Lady clothings, hope you understand, I commence to forget all your names, but I love to write English but very seldom I have a chance.

Must close for this time with

My hearty greetings to you all.

Write soon please.  Your uncle O. Holm, Nonnegt. 4, Tr.heim.