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)

2/12-48

Til John Holm.

Har idag mottatt Deres adresse fra en god venninde av mig.  Og jeg tar mig den frihet å sende Dem dette brev, får å høre om De har noe tøi som De kan avstå, om det er brukt gjør det ikke noe.  Her i Norge er det vanskelig om klævarer, og metervarer eksisterer ikke mere.  Og da vi under krigen blev helt ribbet har det hittil vært svært vanskelig å skaffet sig det nødvendige.  Ville derfår være Dem meget takknemelig om De kunne hjelpe oss med noe klær.  Jeg er gift og vi har 2 gutter  min mann driver fiske.  alder på barna er 11 og 12 år.  Min mann bruker nr 52 i dressnummer og jeg bruker nr 42 i kjole å kåpe.

Ønsker Dem en god jul!

Ærbødigst

Anna Pettersen

Båtsfjord

Finnmark

Norge

2/12-48 (December 2)

To John Holm.

Today I have received Your address from a good friend of mine.  And I take the liberty of sending you this letter, to ask if You have some clothes that You can spare, if they are used it doesn’t matter.  Here in Norway it’s hard to find clothing, and fabrics by the meter don’t exist anymore.  And as we lost everything during the war it has so far been very difficult to provide the necessities.  Therefore I would be very grateful to You if you could help us with some clothes.  I’m married and we have 2 boys  my husband is a fisherman.  the children are 11 and 12 years old.  My husband wears size 52 in suits and I wear size 42 in dresses and coats.

Wishing You a Merry Christmas!

Sincerely

Anna Pettersen

Båtsfjord

Finnmark

Norway