Stjørdal 5/4-1948

Kjere Alma og alle sammen.

Tusen takk, for Foto av John. de var meget pene.  Saa har hann Stridd fra sig her i verden, vi har vores tur ijen, vi vet ikke hvordan vi skal ende vore dager, kanske, de blir en ny Krig, saa det bliver paa den maate, at det ikke kann, blive fred mellom Menneskene, Stakkars det er mange som lider.  Jeg er taknemmelig, ver kveld, at vi faar legge os i fred, og er mette.  Jeg er meget skral, men jeg er glad for ver dag jeg kann klare det lille jeg har og stelle med.  Mindor har havt arbeide hos en Slakter i Vinter, han har 60 kr uken, paa egen Kost, men jeg er glad for ver dag han klarer det, han er ikke saa sterk av Helsen.  Og han er, orntlig med sine penger  han har Kjøpt sig meget kleder, som han manglet, og saa faar jeg til Mat og Brensel, og Husleie, og litt gamle kleder, har jeg, som jeg faar stelt paa, noget Nytt, det blir det ikke tale om, alle ting er saa Dyrt.  Jeg blev saa overrasket, efter Johns Død, Aksel havde faat sent, nogen, Penger, som han har satt, i Banken her, og som hann, skulde dele ud til oss Søsken, efter hans Død, saa jeg har ingen ting, vist, om det før, det skulde vere en hemmelighet, til hann var Død.  Det er saa synd at jeg ikke fikk takket ham, men jeg vil faa takke din Moder, mange tusen gange, om hun er saa snild, og jiver os, en saa kjerkommen gave, og likedan dig.  Du maa tro det kommer vel med, for os alle, og mest for mig, for jeg har, bestandig havt det meget vanskelig, og prøvsamt, og Trasigt.  Jeg orker ikke, tage arbeide ute, men jeg skal forsøke og faa mig, Jemme, og stoppe Strømper, for Soldaten, her paa Ekserplassen.  dem betaler, 0.35 øre paret, det blir da litt, dem skaffer Stoppingsgarn, selv.  Hvordan har du og dine det, jeg haaper bare bra, og din Moder er hun frisk, vi bliver alle gamle, vår reise jennem verden er snart slutt.  Treffer du nogen av Søster Annas Barn saa hils dem, og ji dem min, adr og bede dem skrive til mig, det skulde vere moro, og høre fra dem ogsaa, du maa hilse din Moder og alle dine barn, et meget pent foto av dine sønner. tusen Takk.  Lev inderlig vell alle sammen,

Tusen kjere hilsen fra Laura og Mindor, Stjørdal.

Stjørdal 5/4-1948

Dear Alma and everybody.

Thank you so much, for the Photos of John. they were very nice.  So now he has finished his Toil in this world, our turn is to come, we don’t know how we will end our days, maybe, there will be a new War, so it might be in that way, too bad there can’t, be peace among Humankind.  Poor people so many are suffering.  I’m grateful, every night, that we can go to bed in peace, and are full.  I’m very unwell, but I’m glad for every day that I can manage what little I have to do.  Mindor has had a job at a Butcher’s this Winter, he has 60 kr a week, with his own Food, but I’m glad of every day he can manage, he’s not so strong Healthwise.  And he’s, decent with his money  he has Bought himself lots of clothes, which he lacked, and then he gives me money for Food and Fuel, and Rent, and some old clothes, I do have, that I can fix up, anything New, is out of the question, everything is so Expensive.  I was so surprised, after John’s Death, Axel had received, some, Money, which he had put, in the Bank here, and which he, was to distribute to us Siblings, after his Death, so I’ve known, nothing, about it before, it was to be a secret, until he had Dead.  It’s too bad I didn’t get to thank him, but I’ll be able to thank your Mother, many thousand times, if she’s so kind, as to give us, such a welcome gift, and likewise you.  You can’t imagine how useful it’ll be, for all of us, and mostly for me, because I’ve, always had a difficult time of it, and trying, and Hard.  I can’t handle, outside work, but I’ll try to get myself, work at Home, darning Socks, for the Soldiers, here on the Drill grounds. they pay, 0.35 øre a pair, it’s something, they supply the Darning yarn, themselves.  How are you and yours, just fine I hope, and your Mother is she well, we’re all getting old, our travel through the world will soon be over.  If you meet any of Sister Anna’s Children give them my regards, and give them my, addr and ask them to write to me, it would be fun, to hear from them too, you must give my regards to your Mother and all your children, a very nice photo of your sons. Thanks a lot.  Keep very well all of you.

A thousand dear wishes from Laura and Mindor, Stjørdal.

823 – 16^th Wilmette Ill.  May 15

Dear old Pal’s Alma & Grace

I am thouroughly ashamed of myself, but oh boy are we ever going round in circles in this house hold – but they are getting along fine towards getting ready  they have the birth Certificates the pictures for pass ports and the pass ports are ordered  now they are taking the preperation shots and selling the furnature  it will take a month or 6 wks yet – then I am going to go see all the folks and then home to get the little home fixed up to be a realy comfy home for me  Dick was in Hong Kong last time he wrote  was going on to Shanghi then on to ports he has not been in before  he is surly getting around, and Jack wrote me  he was at wold?-Chamberlin at Minneapolis  run on to 2 of the fellows he was in service with  they had re-enlisted and of course wanted him to  he said now mom don’t be surprised if I do.  I told him I would be praying for him and what ever he does decide to do I am sure would be right, altho he is making good with the Soo? Lines Rail Road one can never tell when they will call a strike and throw him out of work and he thinks he can’t afford that  Well any way Im sure of one thing  he will have to make up his mind before June 30 if he wants to get back in on his old rank, and of course he will will if he goes back.  Well Ive still not heard what they did at the Easter meeting  no one has wrote me any thing so I guess I never did get anything – Well I’m so thankful you let them come to your house for the March meet.  I sure did hate it I couldn’t get there – but well anyway Ill be wherever?  Can come some of these days.  I had nice card from grandma Shieve? for Easter  enjoyed it a lot.  I get the Tribune but I know there is a lot of gossip they don’t dare print so you must write me all the news of that sort ha, ha, Hank I suspect your school days are about over, then for the fight with the big bad world all the rest of your life – Well I do wish you a lot of success as you go along the road of life and may God bless you abondantly in all you do – and don’t ever forget to thank mother for you owe it all to her – and God, for giving you such a grand mom.

Erma Blow(?) is still around here  she is in a beautiful home in Winnetka  gets $ 35.00 a week  they send the laundry out  she gets Thur after breakfast and Sunday after dinner off  the home she is in is a lovely big dutch Colonal and georgous  she said she never dreamed there were places like this out side of a story book.  I told her I tried to tell her the kind of place I had worked in but she say mom? well, it was hard to believe but it isent now for she is in one  Im glad for her  she wants to be here another 3 or 4 wks then will go on to Ky to Merritts (next word missing from page) but she hates to leave as long as Im here  she is so lost by herself  we go out a good bit togather and she just dont know straight up she is so turned around  says she would be afraid to start out alone if she hadent been there before.  I get a bang out of her  she is like a little kid at a circus  we do have fun.  She says why aint you afraid of getting lost  I told her as long as I could talk and ask questions I’d not get lost – I took her down in the loop and it just did me good to see how she did enjoy every minuet of it.  I am wondering how your mom has gotten  do hope able to get around by herself by now – its sure raining again now  it was (next word missing) Eastern? stor? – (could be: I was at Estern star, or store,  and they gave me etc.) and they gave me a red American beauty rose bud  I brought it home put it in the ground and its beging (beginning) to grow  Im so glad  hope I can keep it.  Well I sure hated it I could not get Windy the white pants but I seen where Sears have them now  maby if they would order them they might get them or better yet if they still want them I can order them to come here  they deliver out here  then I could send them on  maby I’d better do that as they may not have them in stock very long  I may even be to late now but I’ll try  Well I must get to my little bed so Ill say night to all and you too miss Grace  I love you so hope you dont for get the old pest  tell Inez Im still waiting to hear from her  loads of love your Pal Miranda  

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  

TRONDHEIM SEPT. 1-1945

Kjære Broder

Ja du kan tro jeg blev glad da jeg fik Pakken “med Frakken” (Overcoat) Så Solid som den er og tænk den passer akurat.  Jeg synes det er for mye og takke for, men hva andet kan jeg gjøre, Så du må ha så mange tusind tak, og jeg ønsker du må bli “lønnet” for dine gode gjerninger, av ham, som ser, og som vet om alt.  Jeg det er herlig og få noget derfra nu, her går det sent med og få orden på noget, men det begynder og blir bedre med mat.  Det er bare bra med vores  Søster Laura var hos os en par dage nu igjen, med sin Søn han er over 30 år, har ikke arbeidet en skikkelig dagsarbeide enda, er bortskjæmt av henne og så er han lit fjollet (Folish) og hun liker best, og løpe i Husene og tøise.  Hun får lit Pension, efter hennes Mand fra Sverige.  Ja det er mye rart men dette må ikke snakkes om.  Krigen har fordrævet Moralen og alt især iblant unge folk.  Det er helst Dans drik, kortspil, dem intreserer sig for.  Jeg er så glad for jeg har mine så vel off.

Jeg fik brev fra Florence Winters forleden.  Hun lover og sende noget, og det er så bra hvadsomhelst.  Det er så ont at jeg ikke kan gjengjælde på noget vis, for hvad jeg får.  Her begynder og bli høstlig nu surt og kalt.  Tyskerne reiser herfra fort væk men mange igjen enda  håper, vi blir fri alle Fremmede Soldater, det blir ikke bra her før alle er reist, ihvertfal blir en del unge damer utskjæmt, bare til forargelse, og mye misnøie, og Politisk split, og strid er det også.

Håper det er fortsat bare bra med alle dere da.  For slutte for denne gang igjen, jeg husker ingen ting av intresse.  Jeg skal se om jeg kan sende dig en par Billeder som du vistnok har intresse av snart se om du kjenner dem igjen.  Så tilslut min hjerteligste tak for “Coaten” igjen, og jeg glær mig til snart og begynde bruke den.  Hils da Alma og hennes folk. samt din kone

Din hengivne Broder Olav

Trondheim Sept. 1-1945

Dear brother

I was so happy to receive the Packet “with the Jacket” (Overcoat) How solid it is and it actually fits perfectly.  I feel it’s too much to have to thank you for, but what else can I do, So many thanks to you, and may you be “rewarded” for your good deeds, by him, who sees, and knows everything.  Yes getting something from there is wonderful now, getting things back to normal is slow going here, but it’s starting to get better as far as food.  Everything is just fine with ours  Sister Laura was here at our place for a couple of days again, with her Son  he’s over 30 years old, hasn’t worked a decent day of work yet, is spoilt by her and is also a little Folish (Ola’s term) and her favourite thing is running around to people.  She gets a little Pension, after her Husband from Sweden.  Yes there’s all kinds but this must not be repeated.  The war has chased away Morals and everything especially among young people.  It’s mostly Dancing drinking, playing cards, they’re interested in.  I’m so glad I’ve got mine so well off (“vel off” are Ola’s own words).

I had a letter from Florence Winters the other day.  She promises to send something, and anything at all is fine.  It feels so bad that I can’t return the favours in any way.  It’s starting to get fall like here now  cold and miserable.  The Germans are continuing to leave but many are still left.  hope, we’ll be rid of all Foreign Soldiers, things wont be right here until they have all gone, also a few young ladies will be spoilt, only a cause of annoyance and a lot of displeasure, and there’s Political discord and conflict too.

Hope everything is still ok with all of you.  Will close for now, I can’t remember anything of interest.  I’ll see if I can send you a couple of Pictures soon which I understand you’d be interested in  see if you recognize them.  In closing I thank you again so much for “Coaten” (this means the coat – Ola has taken the English word for coat and added the Norwegian singular definate ending en, making it coat’en) and I’m looking forward to wearing it soon.  Say hello to Alma and her people. as well as your wife

Your devoted Brother Olav

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.