Narvik 13/1-1946.

Kjære svoger J. Holm m familie.

Takk for brev og Julehilsen.  Og hjertelig takk for Aaret som svant.  Vi ønsker eder alle tillykke med De nye Aar.  Og at Guds rike velsignelse må mere end nogen gang før, få fylle oss alle både i hjerte og hjerte og hjem.  Vi har De som almindeligt.  Hanna min hustru er nu kommet hjem ijen.  Hun er ganske bra.  Hun går alene uten Stav, men har lidt smerter i bena.  Og De er intet å undres over.  Forresten så går Der nu en dag ad gangen.  Vi vil nu håpe at Varerne må snart komme på Butikkerne ijen, så vi kan få kjøpe lidt av hvert.  Ser at Du også har vært syk.  Men de er godt at Du er bra ijen.  Din hustru har også vært syk.  Ja slik er De.  Men bibelen sier at alle ting tjener Dem tilgode, som elsker Gud.  Og da har vi bare, å takke Gud for alt.  Jesus var prøvet i alt i likhed med oss, Dog uten synd.  La oss lære av ham, å ikke klage.  Har nylig fått brev fra Din bror Axel.  Han har De bra.  Men hans hustru Helga er syk.  Hun er på et hospital i Hegra, og har vist Tæring og Sukkersyke.  Hun får vist snart flytte hjem til far i Himlen.  Din bror Olav har De bra.  De er stor forandring oppe i Hegra nu i De siste.  Alle av Di ældre er døde på hver en Gard.  Men de store Balsamtræet som stod i haven hos Dine forældre De står Der ennu, og venter på at du ennu engang skal komme og hilse på De.  Du er heldig når Du har Alma Wilson så nære.  De er vist en meget flink og snill Dame.  Hadde jeg vært henne så nære, som jeg er langt fra hende, så ville jeg ha takket hende for at hun er så snill og hjelpsom som hun er.  Men lø0  nnen kommer vell engang.  Hanna undres på hvor gammel bror Johan er nu.  Du er vell en 75 a 77 år nu?  Hanna er 69 eller blir 70 nu i Mai om hun får leve.  Vi har nu vært i Narvik i snart 33 år.  Alle vare 10 barn lever og er frisk alle.  Tænk at vi alle kom vel igjennom Denne krig.  Et stort Guds under.  Vi kunne ha Død alle mellem bomber og Granater.  Men lovet være herren.  Ikke en spurv faller til Jorden uden var himmelske far vil.  Og De har vi fått se.  Vi vil så snart vi kan senne Dere noen billeder.  Men ennu kan vi ingenting få.  Ja så må Di alle leve vell og ha De godt.  Matte vi alle i De nye Aar lægge bort alt som hindrer oss og hver dage leve, som om De var Den siste, Da skal vi en dag, når Gud kaller oss ind til hvile få Nåde til, i barnslig tro få lukke vare øine, og si Far, Jeg overlater min Aand i Dine hender.  Så må Di leve godt alle.  Alle her ber mig hilse Dere.  Hanna ber mig hilse sin kjære bror.  Vi har også fått letters brev fra mine Søstre Der i Amerika.  Dem har De bare bra alle.  Bergljot og hendes Mand har begge omvent sig til Gud og har De godt.  Søster Marie ber også til Gud.  Ja De er veien.  Gud velsigne Dem alle.

Hermed en kjærlig hilsen til Dere alle, og glem ikke Alma.  God natt.

Hanna og E. Eidum

 

Narvik 13/1-1946

Dear brother in law J. Holm w family.

Thank you for your letter and Christmas greetings.  And thank you for the year that has passed.   We wish you good luck with The new Year.  And that God’s rich blessings will more than ever before, fill our hearts as well as our hearts and home.  We’re as usual.  Hanna my wife has come home again now.  She’s fairly well.  She walks by herself without a Stick, but has some pain in her legs.  And no wonder.  As for the rest we take one Day at a time.  We hope that the goods will start arriving in the stores again, so that we can buy different things.  See that you too have been sick.  But good that You’re well again.  Your wife has also been sick.  That’s how it goes.  But the bible says that all things benefit Those, who love God.  So all we can do, is thank God for everything.  Jesus was tested in everything same as us, Though without sin.  Let us learn from him, and not complain.  Have recently received a letter from Your brother Axel.  He’s doing fine.  But his wife Helga is sick.  She’s in a hospital in Hegra, and has Tuberculosis and Diabetes.  Looks like she’ll get to move home to our father in Heaven soon.  Your brother Olav is fine.  There are a lot of changes up in Hegra here lately.  All the old people are dead on every Farm.  But the large Balsatree which stood in Your parents’ garden is still there, waiting for you to come and visit it once again.  You’re lucky to have Alma Wilson so close.  She seems to be a clever and kind Lady.  If I had been as close to her as I am far away from her, I would have thanked her for being so kind and helpful.  But the reward will come one day.  Hanna is wondering how old brother Johan is now.  Aren’t you about 75 or 77 years old now?  Hanna is 69 or will turn 70 this May if she gets to live.  We have now been in Narvik for almost 33 years.  All our 10 children are living and all are healthy.  Imagine us coming through This war so well.  A great miracle of God.  We could have Died among bombs and Grenades.  But praise be to the lord.  Not a sparrow falls to the Ground without the will of our heavenly father.  And that we have seen.  As soon as we can we’ll send You some pictures.  But we can’t get anything yet.  Wishing You all the best.  May we all in The new Year put aside all that which prevents us from living each day as if it were our last, Then one day, when God calls us in to rest we’ll receive the grace to close our eyes in childish faith and say Father, I leave my Spirit in Your hands.  So keep well all of you.  Everybody here asks me to greet You.  Hanna asks me to greet her dear brother.  We have also received letters from my Sisters There in America.  They are all doing fine.  Bergljot and her Husband have both received God and are well.  Sister Marie also prays to God.  Yes that is the road.  God bless Them all.

With this a loving greeting to You all, and don’t forget Alma.  Good night.

Hanna and E. Eidum.

Bartlesville, OK November 5 2000

Dear cousins, and future readers of these letters.

Here's the last batch of letters. Again, I've tried to stay as true to the originals as possible as far as style and use of –language–. Letters written by the generation after John are fairly easy to understand, but the ones written by his generation are something else! I'd really wish I could copy the spelling in some of these letters, but that would be next to impossible to do. As you can see, Laura continues to put her commas, periods and capital letters all over the place. Axel gets carried away sometimes, and his sentences tend to keep running on and on, so at times it has taken some in depth studying of them on my part to figure out exactly what he means. Edvard capitalises all his D's, among others, and I've decided to capitalise the corresponding word in my translations. Also, he never (or very rarely) uses paragraphs in his letters, presumably to save on paper, and I've kept the translations the same.

Again, I've inserted an extra space in sentences where there are no periods, just to make it a little easier to see that a new sentence is starting.

You'll notice that on most of the letters I've copied the way the addresses were actually written on the envelopes, and also the way the dates were written on the letters themselves. It may seem unnecessary to include the address on each and every letter, as it stays the same for years, but I did that in case the letters should get separated at one point; that way the information will always be on the individual letter, even if they all get scattered later on. I've repeated the information on the stamps for the same reason.

I wanted to comment on one of the very earliest letters, written by Mrs. A.H. Voler on April 4, 1916 (in the first folder I sent). I mentioned there that she spells Jesus with a Y, but I've since noticed that many people wrote their J to look more like a Y at that time, so in the Norwegian version of that letter all the words that I have written up with a Y should most probably start with a J. No big deal, but still–¦

I was rather touched by a line in one of Axel's last letters. He says that pretty soon the communication across the ocean will be a thing of the past. Well, here I am, 50 years later, translating all these letters! Communication has been reestablished between the Norwegian side and the American side of the two families. Axel would have been pleased!


Enjoy!

Best wishes

Åse Siri (Holm) Lawson
The granddaughter of John Holm's (and Axel's) brother Conrad Lauritz.

Dear, newly found cousins,

Thank you so much for entrusting me with these letters, what a treasure they are!

I wanted to explain a few things to you regarding my translations. I wasn't quite sure how to do it, whether to write them up in correct English, or try to translate them more or less in a way that reflects the grammar and spelling of the originals. The ones that are written by John's sisters and brothers are written in the old Danish style, but the next generation seems to have learnt a different spelling and grammar, and a less formal style. I decided to translate them in such a way that they reflect the original style as far as possible. This results in a somewhat clumsy language here and there, especially where no commas or periods are used, and capital letters will often be in the –wrong– place. At other times there will be lower case letters where capitals should be used, commas where periods should be used etc. (especially in Laura Karlson's letters, she places her commas and periods all over the place!). But I felt it was important to stay true to the language of the originals in order to at least get a –feeling– of the way they were written. In other words, I have copied the punctuation and capital/lower case letters of the originals, but otherwise I've tried to keep the spelling correct, even though it's not always correct in the original Norwegian version (it's kind of hard to translate bad spelling!). Herborg Holm's letters have the most correct spelling and punctuation of them all. In cases where no punctuation is used at all in the originals, I've tried to make them easier to read by adding an extra space to indicate the end of a sentence and the beginning of another. I hope you agree with this method, and that you are able to understand them.

The italic text in parenthesis in some of the letters indicates my own comments and/or explanations.

Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have! I feel as if I've gotten to know them all, though I never met most of them.

Best wishes
Åse Siri (Holm) Lawson

WAR TIME STAMPS:
German censorship was instigated in April of 1940 administered by –Befehlshaber der Ordnungspolizei–. All stamps carrying the king's or queen's portraits were forbidden as of September 30-1940. On Oct. 4-1940 the first altered stamp came out, with a lion on the 1 kr., 1,50 kr., 2 kr., and 5 kr. stamps, from an idea by bureau manager S. Hennum. A total of 102 editions then followed up until February 3-1945.

Censorship continued even after the war, until the spring of 1946.

Hei Siri

Jeg fikk for 2 dager siden tilsendt fotokopiene.

Jeg gir deg et raskt svar her så følger jeg opp noe senere.

1.
Samtlige brev sendt fra Norge til USA i perioden 1917-1919 med sensur er
sensurert i Storbritannia.
Jeg skal sende deg en artikkel på engelsk som sier noe mer om britisk
sensur av post til/fra nøytrale land under WWI.

2.
Brevet fra Trondheim 9.7.45 med stum sirkel og sensurremse venstre side
Brevet er kontrollert av den norske postkontrollen i Trondheim og påsatt en
passeringsstempel - stum sirkel (altsaa ikke det lille stempelet som ble
brukt av postkontrollkontoret i Oslo,som jeg har omtalt i en artikkel på
nettet)
Sensurremsen i venstre side er amerikansk og brevet er sensurert av
sensurmyndighetene i New York. NY-sensuren brukte nr. fra bl.a. 5001 til
10.000
Sensuren ble opphevet i USA 15.aug. 45

3.
De øvrige tre brevene med kontrollør-remser er alle påsatt av den norske
kontrollen i Trondheim. ( 886, 830 og 838)
Postoblatten er påsatt av avsender. Disse kunne kjøpes på postkontorene
for å –forsegle– konvoluttene når limet på klaffen var dårlig.
Går ut fra at den er i blå farge. De finnes også i rød farge, men disse
ble brukt av posten selv på verdibrev.

4.
Brevet datert 28.2.41 med avrevet frimerke er sensurert i Berlin. Det
tyske sensurkontoret i Berlin sensurerte mye amerikapost - spesielt post
som ikke ble sendt med fly. Dette brevet har nok godt med båt fra Italia .
Liten b under ørna står for Berlin. Hver by i Tyskland som hadde
sensurering av post, hadde sin egen kjenningsbokstav. Jeg skal sende deg
en oversikt senere.

5.
Brevene fra Marokko.
Begge brevene er med fransk sensur gjort i Marokka - nærmere bestemt i
Rabat. bokstavene YB er kjennetegnet for sensurkontoret i Rabat.
Det ene brevet er i tillegg sensurert av britiske myndigheter på Bermuda.
Brevet har gått til Lisboa og derfra med Clipper-flyruten til USA via
Bermuda, der all post ble sensurert. 10-tallet på baksiden av begge
konvoluttene er sannsynligvis fra den franske sensuren.
Det andre brevet har unngått sensuren på Bermuda - det er kjent flere
tilfeller av clipper-flyvninger der post ikke ble sensurert av de britiske
myndigheter.

6.
Brevet fra Navik 2.2.49
fimerket har teksten VI VIL VINNE. Motivet er fra et fotografi tatt i 1941
fra Ringeriksveien i Nes i Hole kommune. Bildet er et kjent norsk
–motstandsbilde–.

7.
Frimerkeserien som du liker så godt ble utgitt 15.april 1947 ifm
Postjubileumet og består av 11 merker i valørene 5 til 80 øre.
Du har ti av disse og mangler 55 øren. Merkene har et opplag på 2,5
millioner (60 øren) til 71 millioner (25 øren) og er forholdsvis
alminelige.
Katalogpris fra kr ,- til kr 8,- brukte - noe mer ubrukte og på brev.

John Torstad
Prosjektleder
Høgskolen i Lillehammer
Senter for livslang læring

[Telephone number and email signature not included]

John Torstad

Siri Lawson

Narvik 23/11-1945

Kjære svoger John Holm.

På egen og min hustrus vegne vil jeg herved rette Dere en hjertelig takk, for Den pakke vi fik igår.  De var godt å se at Di ikke har glemt oss her oppe i Norden.  Og Denne gave kom helt uventenes.  Teppet var veldig vakkert.  Hanskerne og Strømperne kom godt med.  Ligeså knivene og Sæpen.  Hjertelig takk for alt.  Hanna min hustru ligger for tiden på Sykehuset.  Hun brak De Venstre ben i fjor på Denne tid.  Og nu iår brak hun De høire ijen.  Så hun har vært svært uheldig.  Men alle ting tjener Dem tilgode, som elsker Gud.  Ja vi har nu hadt en hår tid over Den hele verden i Di siste 5 Aar.  Den 9de April 1940 kom Tyskerne hid til Narvik klokken 4 og en halv morgen.  Og Da var De i 6 uker som vi ikke hadde klærne av os.  38 Skip blev sænket på havnen her inden 3 dage.  Og Dertil blev De sænket 15 Tyske Krigsskip.  Vi lå i kjelleren nat som dag, medens husene runt om oss blev beskudt både fra Sjøen og fra luften.  Alle hus omkring oss blev beskudt, og stod i brand flere av Dem.  Men Gud sje lov, vort hjem blev spart.  Men flere bomber falt bare 6 a 7 meter fra Væggen hvor vi sat.  Den 2den Juni måtte vi flytte fra byen.  Da stod halve byen i brand.  Flere Seville personer blev Dræpt.  Vi kom da 40 Norske mil længere Nordover.  Til en øi som hedte Vandøia.  Der var vi i 3 og en halv Måned.  Da vi kom tilbake Derfra var al maten borte, og en masse andre ting.  Deriblant Symaskinen til Hanna.  Og siden har De gått slag i slag.  Men vi klager ikke.  Gud har vært god.  Vi har ofte hadt lite, men sultet har vi ikke.  Klærne har vi Delt mellem oss så langt vi har formåd.  Alle vare 10 barn lever.  En del er her i byen, og en del er flyttet fra byen.  Alle er gifte, så nær som en datter Gusta.  Hun er nu hjemme.  De er lenge nu siden Du var her i Narvik.  De var i 1914 tror jeg.  Du har vel fått brev fra broder Olav og Laura, så Du ved hvorledes Dem har De.  Ja nu er krigen slut.  Men alikevel fortsetter ufreden.  Nu vet Dem ikke hvorledes Dem skal få hevne sig, på alt og alle.  Aa nei.  Fred blir De aldrig tale om før Fredsfyrsten selv kommer, og tar roret i sin hånd.  Og Den tid er nu nermere end vi aner.  Jeg har nylig fått 3 brev fra Amerika fra mine Søsken.  Min bror Iver Døde for et Aar siden.  Han levet i Galesburg N. Dakota.  Mine 3 søstre lever, 2 er i Calefornia og en i S. Dak.  Men Gud sje lov, Iver døde i troen på sin frelser.  Og to av mine søstre er Omvent til Gud, og har De godt.  Ja min kjære Svoger.  Håber at Du også lever med Din herre og frelser.

For Gud so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  Joh. Ev. 3-16.

Så må Dere ha De bare godt og vell.  Hanna ba mig hilse Dig og alle i hjemmet så hjertelig.  Hun minnes sine kjære søsken alle fra far og mors hjem.  Lad oss alle møtes hos Gud i Himlen tilslut.

Mange hilsener

E. Eidum, box 68 Narvik Norge

 

 

Narvik 23/11-1945

Dear brother in law John Holm.

On behalf of myself and my wife I hereby want to thank You very much, for The package we received yesterday.  It’s nice to see that you haven’t forgotten us up here in the North.  And This gift was completely unexpected.  The blanket was very beautiful.  The gloves and Socks were very welcome.  So also the knives and the Soap.  Thank you so much for everything.  Hanna my wife is presently in the Hospital.  She broke her Left leg this time last year.  And now this year she broke The right one.  So she has been very unlucky.  But all things will benefit those, who love God.  Well The whole world has had a hard time These past 5 Years.  On the 9^th of April 1940 the Germans came here to Narvik at half past 4 morning.  And Then for 6 weeks we didn’t undress.  38 Ships were sunk in the harbor here within 3 days.  And in Addition 15 German War Ships were sunk.  We were in the basement night and day, while the houses around us were shot at from the Sea as well as from the air.  All the houses around us were shot at, and several of Them were ablaze.  But thank God, our home was saved.  But several bombs fell only 6 to 7 meters from the Wall where we sat.  One June 2^nd we had to move out of town.  Half of the town was on fire then.  Several Civilians were Killed.  We went 40 Norwegian miles further North.  To an island called Vandøia.  We were there 3 and a half Months.  When we returned from There all our food was gone, and lots of other things.  Among other things Hanna’s Sewing machine.  And since then it’s been one thing after another.  But we’re not complaining.  God has been good.  We’ve often had little, but have not starved.  We’ve shared the clothes between us as far as we’ve been able.  All our 10 children are alive.  Some are here in town, and some have moved away from town.  All of them are married, except our daughter Gusta.  She’s at home now.  It’s been a long time now since You were here in Narvik.  I believe it was in 1914.  I assume you’ve had letters from brother Olav and Laura, so that You know how They are.  Yes the war is over now.  But still the unrest continues.  Now they don’t know how to get revenge, on everything and everybody.  Oh no.  There will be no peace until the King of peace himself arrives, and takes over the helm.  And that time is closer now than we can imagine.  I have recently had 3 letters from America from my siblings.  My brother Iver Died a Year ago.  He lived in Galesburg N. Dakota.  My 3 sisters are alive, 2 are in Calefornia and one in S. Dak.  But thank God, Iver died believing in his Savior.  And two of my sisters have been Saved. And are Doing well.  Yes my dear Brother in law.  Hope that You too are living with Your lord and savior.

For God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  Joh Ev. 3-16.

So keep well and healthy.  Hanna asked me to give You and everybody in your home her warmest greetings.  She remembers all her dear siblings from father and mother’s home.  Let us all meet with God in Heaven in the end.

Many good wishes

E. Eidum, box 68 Narvik Norway  

 

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

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year is wished to you all from us.

Yours Ole

Stjørdal 10/10-1945

Kjere Broderdatter Alma og alle sammen.

Tusen takk for brev, foto, og en serdeles Takk for den, kjerkommen pakke, du kann tro vi blev glad, og den Solide Kaapen og Kjolen og strømper, og saa kjerkommet med Sytraad du kan tro, folk er opraad for traa, jeg kann ikke si dig, hvor vi har manglet saadanne sager.  Gummistrik til Benkleder det fins, ikke, en faar vist snart gaa og holde i Buksa.  Ja litt moro.  Det er godt saa lenge en har humøret.  Men det har mange gange gaat hart paa det ogsaa, det gaar ikke an og skrive om hvor daarlig mange har havt det.  vi har ikke havt raad til og kjøpe paa Børsen  det har gaat an, for de som har havt nokk Penger, dem har havt det bedre.  det var mange gange baade 7 og 8 uger som vi ikke eide smør eller noget andet, paa det svarte brødet, og Melk saa vi ikke paa lange lange tider  om en jikk til en Bonde og spurt om en liter melk, saa maa du ikke tro en fikk det, det var bare Bytting og den som ikke havde noget og bytte med, saa fikk en vere uten alt.  Aksel har havt det meget bra, han har saa mange bekjentskaper med Bønder og andre, og han har veret meget snild mot os ogsaa, men jeg synes ikke jeg kann gaa til ham, bestandig heller, men nu er det meget bedre med Maten.  Ola har ogsaa veret snild, naar vi kommer did, han har kjent godt, i denne tiden.  Og Beret hans Kone er meget snild, og barna ligedan. Vor Svoger E Eidum fra Narvik har veret her paa besøg nylig.  Søster Hanna er nesten Blind.  En av dem sine Sønner bor her i Stjørdal, Erling Eidum. han er paa Jernbanen, han er Jift har et pent Jem, saa vi har mange av vore slegt runt os, og det er mange gange hygelig.  Bare Mindor kund faa noget arbeide, saa jik det an nu, det blir da mere og kjøpe nu.  Mindor er en ordntlig gutt, han er meget Musikalsk, han Spiller Trekspil, han havde et meget fint Spill, men han Solte det  han manglet penger, saa nu har han ikke noget, og det var synd, havde han havt det nu, saa kunde han nesten levet med det han som er svak av sig, og ikke taaler og arbeid med noget utearbeide, men det maa vere noget, kjedeligheter men det maa vel blive en raad, men en sørger mest for vinteren men aligevel, sjønt at Krigen er slutt, vi føler os som frie mennesker og at alt maa rette sig med vert (?).  Som jeg forstod i ditt brev saa havde du sent mig Sko, dem var ikke i Pakken.  jeg skulde vel ikke tro de var taget. du spørger om min størelse i Sko, nu skal du høre. disse Saalene, var lite for lang.  og da sjønner du det, efter norsk nummer saa bruger jeg nr 40. da er dem i største laget det er bedre end for smaa.  Jeg havde det koselig paa min 62 aarsdag, det var da en del hos mig, jeg fikk en del sager, og blomster, og deilig hvit Kake hos Aksel. og saa havde jeg egte Kaffe, og vi koset os saa godt vi kunne, men vi snakket om dere i Amerika hvor moro det skulde vere og treffes.  Ditt brev fikk jeg, akkurat den dagen, var ikke det godt truffet. og Pakken fikk jeg nu Lørdag. altsaa 8 dage efter.  Nu Søndag altsaa den 7 i 10ende var det 38 aar siden han Aksel blev gift. vi var alle der, vi og barna.  men Helga stakkal hu fikk ikke vere med, hun er syg.  Aksel er 60 aar, nu den 14 November.  Hils alle dine barn og til Anna sine.  det skulde vere moro og høre fra nogen av dem og saa men dem kan vel ikke skrive norsk.  Hils Johan og Mor saa meget

Skrevet forskjellige steder på brevarket: Jeg sender en bok av Konrads.  Kjolen meget pen, pent stoff, atter tusen takk.  Kaapen litte grann for trang men jeg skal jøre litt med den, meget pen til mig.

Jeg maa nu slutte mine rader  Tusen kjere hilsen fra Mindor og Laura og alle i Stjørdal.

Idag er jeg kry over mit Amerikanske penn, og skaft. God natt

 

Kjere alle sammen ijen.

Nu da jeg skulde gaa paa Posten med brevet, saa fikk jeg, den andre Pakken, Atter tusen takk, dere kann ikke tro, hvor takknemmelig vi er, for det vi for, du maa tro jeg er den som, jør mig nytte av det jeg faar.  Tusen takk faa Kaapen, Strømperne Dukene, og Haanduk.  Skuld det være noget, som dere ønsket et minde fra Norge, saa skriv og si det, saa skulde jeg jøre hvad jeg kunde, for og faa tak i det.  Nu begynder vi og merker Vinteren, vi har faatt sne for første gang i dag, men vi haaper at den forsvinder ijen, ellers blir det, lang Vinter.  Mindor beder mig, om du ved en anden, gang sende, ham en Tobakspipe. nu maa du ikke tro, at vi venter at du skall holde paa sende Pakker, det er mer end storartet det vi har faat men hann mente om det var, en anledning.  Nu for jeg slutte ijen da, og gaa paa Posten med brevet. Lev inderlig vell og hils din Datter tusen takk.

Tusen kjere hilsen fra Mindor og Laura

Stjørdal

Norge

Stjørdal 10/10-1945

Dear brother’s daughter Alma and everybody.

Thanks a lot for your letter, photo, and a special Thanks for the, welcome package, you can’t imagine how happy we were, and the Sturdy Coat and the Dress and socks, and how welcome the Sewing thread was  you can’t imagine, how needy people are of thread, I can’t tell you, how we’ve lacked such things.  Elastic for Pants is not to be had, soon we’ll have to walk around holding on to our Pants.  Well, a little joking.  A sense of humor goes a long way.  But a lot of times that has been worn down too, it’s not possible to write about how bad things have been for many.  we haven’t been able to afford buying things on the Black market  it’s been ok for those who have had enough Money, they’ve been better off.  many a time we had no butter or anything else to put on the black bread for 7 or 8 weeks, and we didn’t see Milk for ages  if you went to a Farmer and asked for a liter of milk, don’t think you’d get it, it was based on Exchanging and those who had nothing to exchange, had to go without everything.  Axel has done very well, he has so many aquaintances among Farmers and others, and he has been very kind to us as well, but I don’t feel I can go to him always either, but now things are better as far as food.  Ola has also been kind, when we go there, his earnings have been good, during this time.  And Beret his Wife is very kind, as are the children.  Our Brother in law E Eidum from Narvik has recently been here for a visit.  Sister Hanna is almost blind.  One of their Sons lives here in Stjørdal, Erling Eidum.  he works at the Railroad station, he’s married and has a nice home, so we have many of our relatives around us, and that’s nice.  If only Mindor could get a job, things would be good now, there are more things to buy now.  Mindor is a good boy, he’s very Musical, he Plays the Accordion, he had a very nice one, but he Sold it  he needed money, so now he doesn’t have one, and that’s too bad, if he had had it now, he could almost have lived from it since he’s weak, and can’t handle working with outside work, but things can’t be perfect but we’ll be ok, but we dread the winter the most but still, wonderful that the War is over, we feel like free people and that everything is bound to get better.  As I understood it from your letter you had sent me Shoes, they were not in the Package.  I don’t suppose they had been taken.  you ask about my shoe size, and this will explain it.  these Soles (I’m not sure but I think soles in this case is a Trøndelag expression fo slippers), were a little too long.  so from that you’ll see that, according to Norwegian sizes I use No. 40.  That is a little too big that’s better than too small.  I had a nice time on my 62^nd birthday, had a few people at my place, I received a few things, and flowers, and delicious white Cake from Axel.  and then I had real Coffee, and we enjoyed ourselves as best we could, but we talked about you all in America how fun it would be to meet.  I received your letter on that very day, wasn’t that good timing.  and I received the Package this Saturday.  in other words 8 days later.  This Sunday which was Oct. 7 it was 38 years since Axel got married.  all of us were there, we and the children.  but Helga poor thing couldn’t take part, she’s sick.  Axel is 60 years old, this Nov. 14.  Greet all your children and Anna and hers.  it would be fun to hear from some of them too but I guess they can’t write Norwegian.  Greet Johan and Mother.

The following is written in various places on the letter:  I’m sending a book of Konrad’s.  The Dress is very pretty, again a thousand thanks.  The coat is a little too tight but I’ll alter it a little bit, it looks very nice on me.

I must end my rows  A thousand dear greetings from Mindor and Laura and everybody in Stjørdal.  Today I’m proud of my American pen, and handle.  Good night.

Dear all of you again

Just as I was about to go to the Post Office with the letter, I received, the other Package, Again a thousand thanks, you can’t imagine, how grateful we are, for what we get, believe me when I say, I’m one to make use of what I get.  Thank you so much for the Coat, Stockings Table cloths, and Towel.  If there should be anything, that you would like as a souvenir from Norway, write and tell me, and I would do what I can, to get it.  We are now starting to feel the Winter coming on, we had our first snow today, but we hope it’ll disappear again, if not, it’ll be a long Winter.  Mindor asks me, if you could another time, send him a Tobacco pipe.  Now you mustn’t think, that we expect you to keep sending Packages, what we’ve received is more than splendid but he meant if there was, an opportunity. Now I must end this again, and go to the Post Office with the letter.  Live very well and greet your daughter thanks a lot.

A thousand dear greetings from Mindor and Laura

Stjørdal

Norge          

Sluppen den 29 okt

Godeste kusine Alma.

Skulde for længe siden ha skrevet men jeg har været saa uvel en tid men nu har jeg faat mig medisin og da haaber jeg at jeg blir bedre   det er overgangs alderen sa doktoren.  Du maa ha hjertelig tusen tak for pakkene  det blir brukt all sammen.  Svenn tok paa sig den blaa buksen og den gaar han i hver dag, og Mary bruker blusen og jeg holder paa og syr meg forklær av noget saa det kom godt med alt sammen Alma.  Tusen tak.  Jeg var hos Laura den dagen hun fik brev fra dig, og da snakket vi om at du og vi skulde ha bodd i nærheten av hver andre  bor onkel John i samme hus som dig?  jeg forsto tante Laura slik.  Nu lakker det mot vinter her og jeg gruer for den.  Min datter Mary skal gifte sig den 29 december og flytte et stykke i fra mig og det er min store sorg, men Alma baade du og jeg vet at vi har ingen andre end dem og holde os til, men slik er livet  det var vores tur engang ogsaa.  Onkel Aksel er 60 aar den 14 november, hans frue ligger bare og jeg tror ikke hun kommer op noget mer, hun er paa Hegra sykehjem.  Hans yngste søn som er 19 aar blev gift i sommer, og en søn som har været arrestert er løslat og har faat baade bakeri og gaarden av Aksel.  Han er i godt humør og har et spøkens ord til alle.

Har du faat mit brev og foto.  Skal hilse dig og dine fra mor, jeg har snakket med onkel Ole  han har hat brev fra onkel Johan da hørte jeg.  Min søster Maja har været uheldig  hun har brukket armen, og vi deler paa arbeide hennes.  Mor synes hun er skyld i det for hun var der og vasket rundt naar hun gjorde det.  Her er det godt i mat nu, men ingen klæder å faa kjøpt enda, jeg er buden paa en stilig fest den 25 november.  der vor jeg vasker har jubileum, i dag fik jeg innbydelse men kan ikke gaa for jeg har ikke klæder og strømper, men derfor ingen sure miner.  Jeg er gla for det er fred og ingen fly alarm mere.

Jeg skal kjøpe dig en bok og sende dig av Norge saa du faar se hvordan vi har det, som en jule-gave til dig fra mig.  Nu er klokken så mange og jeg maa slutte for jeg er saa trætt.  Jeg venter brev fra dig  haaber snart det kommer.

Hils dine barn fra os alle, og ha det rigtig bra.  Hils onkel Johan med det at han må huske sin brordatter med nogen ord.

God nat.  Lev godt.

Deres Klara

 

 

Sluppen the 29^th of Oct.

My best cousin Alma.

Should have written a long time ago but I’ve been so unwell for a while  But now I have some medication so I hope I’ll get better  the doctor said it was Menopause.  Thank you so very much for the packages  everything is in use.  Svenn put on the blue pants and wears them every day, and Mary wears the blouse and I’m making myself aprons out of some of the things so everything was useful Alma.  Thank you so much.  I was at Laura’s the day she received a letter from you, and we talked about how nice it would be if you and we lived near eachother  does uncle John live in the same house as you?  that’s how I understood it from Laura.  Winter is approaching here now and I’m dreading that.  My daughter Mary is getting married on Dec. 29 and will move a ways away from me and that’s my great sorrow, but Alma you and I both know that we have nobody but them to lean on, but that’s life  it was our turn once too.  Uncle Axel turns 60 on November 14, his wife is bedridden and I don’t think she’ll be able to get up ever again, she’s at Hegra Nursing Home.  His youngest son who’s 19 years old got married this summer, and a son who was arrested has been set free and has taken over both the bakery and property from Axel.  He’s in good spirits and has a joking word for everyone.

Have you received my letter and photo.  I have greetings to you and yours from mother, I have talked with uncle Ole  he’s had a letter from uncle Johan then I heard.  My sister Maja has been unfortunate and broken her arm, and we take turns doing her work.  Mother feels it’s her fault because she was there cleaning her house from top to bottom when she did it.  We have a good supply of foods now, but no clothes to be had yet, I’ve been invited to a formal party on November 25.  The place where I work has an anniversary, I received the invitation today but can’t go because I don’t have clothes or stockings, but no sour face over that.  I’m happy we’re at peace and no more air raid sirens.  I’m going to buy you a book on Norway and send it to you so you can see how it looks here, as a Christmas present to you from me.  It’s very late now so I’ll have to quit because I’m so sleepy.  I’m expecting a letter from you  hope it gets here soon.

Greet your children from us all, and keep well.  Greet uncle Johan and say that he must remember his brother’s daughter with a few words.

Good night.  Live well.

Yours Klara

Tr heim 8-10-45

Kjære Broder

Ja så må jeg atter takke for siste Pakke, med Overall Sjorter og Strømper, dette var meget Kjærkommen varer, foresten alt er meget bra, og du skal ha tusind tak for alt du gjør for os.  Jeg sender særskilt et par Billeder “Fotos” se om du kjenner dem, hvis du ikke har før så trodde jeg det var intresant for dig, ja årene går fort og vi blir snart gamle.  Hørte “sis” Laura hadde skrevet til Alma, å ja, men tro ikke alt, det er bra alt hos henne, men vil ikke si mere om det, må heller intet sies om at jeg nævner noget det er så snart til misnøie, men bådde hun og den voxne sønnen, burde arbeide, heller end og slænge i husene og intet gjøre.  Alle vores søskende har det bra, men det begynder, blir litet arbeide, og lite om penger, så vi går en trist tid imøte.  Jeg har ikke hørt fra Mrs Winters på længe (dette er et søskenbarn av Holm-brødrene, men jeg vet ikke helt sammenhengen enda).  Tro om Alma kunne sende mig Halvor Øiens Adrs.?  samt Hilda Judd (Anna [Holm] Wold’s datter)  lever hennes datter Fanny?

Jeg har ingen nyheter av intresse  Jeg glær mig så på og høre fra dere.  Jeg ser det er lov og sende store pakker nu.  Finnes det nogen brukte “Radio apperater”, og hvad vil et slik koste  Mine døttre er så glad i lit musik iblant, så jeg lovte dem og spørre.  Håper alt er fremdeles bra med alle dere.  Så også med os.  Lev da rigtig vel.  Hils Alma og hennes.  og kjære dig skriv snart.

Deres Ole

Nonnegt. 4 Tr. heim

 

 

Tr heim 8-10-45

Dear brother.

Once again I have to say thank you for the last package, with Overalls Shirts and Socks, these were very welcome items, all of it very good by the way, and thank you very much for everything you do for us.  I’m sending separately a couple of Pictures  see if you know them, if you don’t already have them I thought it would be intereting for you, yes the years go by fast and we’ll soon be old.  Heard that “sis” Laura had written to Alma, oh well, but don’t believe everything, they are all doing fine, but I’ll say no more, and nothing must be said about me mentioning it displeasure is quickly caused, but both she and her grown up son, ought to work, instead of hanging around people’s houses and doing nothing.  All our siblings are fine, but we’re starting to, see a shortage of jobs, and little money, so we are approaching a sad time.  I haven’t heard from Mrs Winters for a long time (a 1st cousin of the Holm brothers, but I don’t know exactly how).  I wonder if Alma could send me Halvor Øien’s Adrs.?  also Hilda Judd.  is her daughter Fanny still alive?

I have no news of interest.  I so much look forward to hearing from you.  I see that sending large packages is allowed now.  Are there any used Radioes, and what would one of those cost.  My daughters are so fond of a little music now and then, so I promised them I would ask.  Hope everything is still fine with all of you.  The same with us.  Live very well then.  Greet Alma and hers.  And please write soon.

Your Ole

Nonnegt. 4 Tr. heim

Trondheim 28-9-45

Kjære Grace!

Du blir vel forbauset nu når det kommer brev fra mig.  Det er nu mange ord siden sist.  Du er vel antagelig gift nu, og har en flokk med små-barn.

Da er det andeledes med mig.  Jeg er hverken gift eller har barn, men så har nu alt vært rasjonert her også (ha-ha)

Ring på finger har jeg nu fått for to år siden, men det har blitt med forlovelsen også.  Det har jo ikke vært slike tider her akkurat at man har fått tak i det man trenger for å sette bo.  Min forlovede blev også syk for vel 1 år siden  fikk plauritt og får ennu ikke arbeide. Så det er vel best at vi tok det med når det gjalt ekteskapet.

Jeg er nu 27 år så min ungdoms tid er nu snart forbi.  De siste 5 år vet man i grunnen ikke noget av, dem er bortkastet  I 1940 var jeg i Stockholm og lærte barnepleie, men var dum nok og reise til Norge igjen enda tyskerne var i landet  Jeg har nu arbeidet på sykehus i 5 år, men skal jeg være ærlig er det et slitsomt arbeidet, men intresant.  Måtte nu slutte en tid fordi jeg blev så tynn og var overandstrengt.  Holder nu og strever med å få reise over til Sverige igjen, men det lar seg hvis ikke gjøre  Det er så mangel på sykesøstre her i landet også, så det blir vel så jeg begynner på igjen der jeg slutter.  Hvis jeg ikke tar mig en Amerika-tur.  Jeg har så lyst til å reise.  Det kan vel ha sin grund i dag da.  Du vet vi kvinner er så forfengelig, og her er det jo intet og få tak i, og det blir vel lenge til.  Jeg har så lyst til å pynte mig op fra topp til tå.  Men selvfølge skulde man ikke tenke på luksus.  Vi har jo vært heldige som slapp fra det med livet.  Du vet det er jo ikke så hyggelig når alt i ens garderobe begynner og bli bare fillet og stoppet.  Vi har jo intet fått kjøpt på fem år.  Det skulde være rart å kommet over der og fått gått i forretninger og kjøpt forskjellig.  Men vi får vel smøre oss med tolmodighet.  Nu må du inderlig skrive nogen ord til mig, og fortelle mig hvordan dere lever.  Det er ingen i vår familie som har vært med hverken i det ene eller andre så vi har vært heldige.

Min adr. er Evelyn Holm, Rosenborgsgt 14, Trondheim, Norge.

 

Trondheim 28-9-45

Dear Grace!

I guess you’re surprised now at getting a letter from me.  It’s been many years since last time.  You’re probably married now, and have a bunch of little children.

Not so with me.  I’m neither married nor do I have children, but then again everything has been rationed here (ha-ha).

I got a ring on my finger two years ago, but the engagement is all there was too. The times here haven’t exactly been such that we’ve been able to get what we needed to establish a home.  Also my fiancee got sick about a year ago  came down with pleuricy and is still not allowed to work.  So I guess taking it slowly as far as the marriage was all for the best.

I’m now 27 years old and my days of youth are almost over.  The last 5 years don’t really count much, they’re wasted  In 1940 I was in Stockholm (Sweden) studying to be a children’s nurse, but was stupid enough to go back to Norway even though the Germans were in the country.  I’ve now been working at a hospital for 5 years, but to be honest it’s a strenuous job, but interesting.  I have had to quit for a while because I became so thin and was overworked.  I’m now trying to get over to Sweden again, but it looks like it wont happen.  There’s a lack of nurses in this country too, so I’ll probably end up starting again where I left off.  Unless I take a trip to Amerca.  I really would like to.  There’s a special reason for that these days though.  You know us women are quite vain, and there’s nothing to be had here, and probably wont be for a long time.  I’d so much like to spruce myself up from top to toe.  But of course, one shouldn’t think about luxuries.  We’ve been very lucky to escape with our lives.  You know it’s not very nice when everything in one’s wardrobe is starting to look like mended rags.  We haven’t been able to buy anything for 5 years.  It would be strange to come over there and be able to go to the stores and buy various things.  But we’ll have to be patient.  Please write a few words to me, and tell me how you are living.  Noone in our family has been involved in anything so we’ve been lucky.

My addr. is Evelyn Holm, Rosenborgsgt. 14, Trondheim, Norway

Stjørdal 10/9-1945

Kjere Broder og Fru.

Ja nu er det lenge siden, vi skrev og mange ting, har vi jennemlevet siden.  Og vi er meget taknemmelig og glad for, at det er virkelig slutt paa Krigen, det er nesten ikke til og tro. men vi har havt det frygtelig trasi ogsaa.  Men nu er det, litt bedre med Mat i det senere, men kleder og andre ting som en trenger, det er det helt haabløst, med, jeg for min del har ikke, verken Sko eller stromper, og mange andre ting som jeg ikke har.  Og min siste Mand døde for 3 aar siden, og jeg selv er saa plaget av Jikt, saa jeg orker ikke og gaa ut og arbeide, jeg er nu den 29. 62 aar og da er en ikke, noget til og arbeide for andre Og Mindor har gaat nesten et Aar og veret Syk. og gaar fremdeles uden arbeide.  han har havt Vand i Lungen, og det er saa langvarig. saa det ser ikke, noget lyst ud for oss, men det maa vell blive en raad.  Jeg har nu, Flyttet hit til Stjørdal. for godt, jeg havde lyst til og vere der hvor min Slegt er, det er saa at en lengter efter sine, og der en er fra.  Aksels har det meget bra. men trist at Helga er Syk, ja hunn, kommer nu ikke jem mer, hun er paa et Jem i Hegra.  hun har Tuberkulose  Axel havde det, meget pløvsomt en tid, hans 3 Sønner, har veret borte men nu er dem kommet jem med livet, den Elste har veret paa alle Fangeleir, her, og sist i Tyskland.  Ola har det bra. alle hans Døttre er voksen, og meget flinke kjekke Damer, 3 er gifte og har det meget bra.  Konrad sine ligedan.  Hos Søster Hanna, har det ogsaa bra. hunn har veret meget, Syk, og er nesten Blind.  Edevart var her nylig, han er Kjekk.  to av hennes Sønner, bor her i Stjørdal.  Saa jeg er vist den, av os alle som har veret mest, uheldig i livet, men alle kann ikke vere heldig, bare Mindor kunde faa vere frisk og faa, arbeide, men en maa haabe paa det, beste.  Hvordan har du det, jeg har mange gange tenkt, paa dere, i Amerika disse aar, naar en ikke har havt nogen forbindelse med hver andre.  Har du nogen greie paa Søster Annas Slekt.  Jeg har også skrevet til Alma Kristine idag.  Ver snild og skrive til mig engang. de er moro og høre hvordan de har det.  Du må komme hit ogsaa du, og blive her.  Jeg maa nu til og slutte, i haab om at jeg snart for brev fra dere. saa jeg for høre hvordan dere har det  hils til alle vore slegt som du.treffer. Lev inderlig vell.

Tusen kjere hilsen fra Søster Laura Karlson

Stjørdal

Og Mindor

Stjørdal 10/9-1945

Dear Brother and Wife.

It has been a long time since, we wrote and we have endured many things since.  And we are very thankful and glad that, the War is really over, it’s almost impossible to believe. but we’ve had a terribly hard time too.  But now it is, a little better as far as food lately, but as far as clothes and other things we need it’s hopeless, as for me I have neither shoes nor stockings, nor many other things.  And my last husband died 3 years ago, and I myself am so bothered with Arthritis, that I can’t go out and work, I’ll be 62 years old on the 29^th and at that age you’re not fit to work for others And Mindor has been Sick for almost a Year, and is still without work.  he has had Water in his Lung, and it’s so long-lasting. so it doesn’t look very bright for us, but I guess we’ll manage.  I have now, moved to Stjørdal. for good, I wanted to be where my kin is, you get to where you long for them and where you come from.  Aksel’s are doing very well. but sad that Helga is Sick, yes she, probably wont come home again, she’s at a Home in Hegra.  she has Tuberculosis  Axel had, a very trying time for a while, his 3 Sons, have been gone but have now come home alive, the Oldest has been to all the Prison camps, here, and lastly in Germany.  Ola is doing fine.  all his daughters are grown up, and very clever nice Ladies, 3 are married and are doing very well.  Konrad’s as well. At Sister Hanna’s, also well. she has been very, Sick, and is almost Blind.  Edevart has been here recently, he’s Fine.  two of her Sons, are living here at Stjørdal.  So it looks like I’m the one, among us all who has been the most, unlucky in life, but not everyone can be lucky, if only Mindor could get well and get, a job, but we’ll have to hope for the, best.  How are you, I have thought about you many times, in Americ

a these years, when we haven’t been in touch with eachother.  Do you know anything about Sister Anna’s people.  I have also written to Alma Kristine today.  Please write to me sometime.  it’s nice to hear how you are.  You must come here too, and stay here.  I’ll have to close now, in the hope that I’ll soon get a letter from you, so that I’ll hear how you are  say hello to all our kin that you meet.  Live very well.

A thousand loving greetings from Sister Laura Karlson

Stjørdal

and Mindor

 

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

Mon eve

Dear Alma

I had a letter from Ole a couple days before rec'd yours, says they are badly in need of clothes – says his shirt size is 15 and a half but he did not say if he wants work shirts or for dress, do you know? Want to send him 4 shirts & other things how about underwear & for his wife how about her? If you know send me sizes etc so get it by Sat want to send some things. What did John send? some people are sending coffee tea rice dried fruits etc over how about it, write at once. Will ans your letter soon.

Love Florence

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

Dearest Grace:

Thank you very much for your letter dated Dell Rapids May the 7^th  Sorry to hear that you have not got my letter.  I got your letter (dated nov 7^th last year) just before we started on a voyage to the Mediterranean.  We where in some different places in Italy and North Africa.  I wrote you, your mother and uncle John from the Italian town Brindizi.  The letters may have been taken by the censore, since you have not got them.

We left Mediterranean the 23^rd of December, so we had Christmas at sea.  Have not had any real Christmas since 1936 together with my parents.  Hope to have the next one at home (it would be almost another year before he could go home).

V-E day we were in the Atlantic in convoy as usual, so the day passed by very quiete, exept some depth-charges.  It is the best way to celebrate such a great day, quiete and in thankfulness to those who losed their lives in the terrific struggle for freedom..  I’m very thankfull that we got our country back, without total destruction as we feared.  Among all others, the Norwegian people are very thankfull indeed.  The country is of course much ruined, but it will soon be what it was before the war, and still better I hope.  It may seams difficult, but it is not if the people do their very best.

Have not heard anything from home since I got twentyfive words through Red Cross for about a year ago.  Hope they all are getting along allright.

Thank you a lot for the pictures you sent me. I should like to visit you.  Haven’t time to do so yet.  I suppose it is very lovely in Dell Rapids, especially in sommertime.  I will call you long distance tomorrow night.  It is difficult to get through I guess.  Will write your mother soon.

I better sign of and go to bed, it is late.  Hoping you are in the best of health, and to have the pleasure to hear from you soon.

Your affectionate friend

Odd Conrad

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)

Sluppen den 23 Juli.

Min godeste kusine.

Jeg er saa full av jubel over at jeg fik brev fra dig i for gaars, en hjertelig tak for brevet skal du ha, jeg var saa kry saa jeg fortalte det til hele slekten dem jeg traff.  Ser av det at du og dine har det bra  du maa tro jeg har snakket meget om dig og vi har set paa de bilder vi har og undres om dine gutter var ute i krigen.  Ja Alma det har været nogen tussie aar for os, men Guds ske lov vi har da faat beholdt livet, og hjemmet vores.  Om end vi har været sulten for vi har ikke hat smør og ikke sukker og ikke paalæg men heldigvis vi har da hat brød for min datter er paa brødforretning.  Nu er det over og ingen flyalarm men du aner ikke hvor rædd jeg har været flyalarmen for vi bor under et veldig stort apparat som hører tyskerne til det sies og være Nordens største kanoner oppå der.  Du skal tro det var jubel den dagen, flaggene tiltops og graat og glæde og sang vekselvis i flere uker og dager.  Nu er det rolig, men meget frygtelig og se og høre om alt som er foregaat paa denne tid.  Her hos mig er det bra nu, Svenn min minste gut som var 12 aar 12 juli har nettop lagt syk i knut-ros en kjedelig sykdom, men er nu bra, men han ligger og hviler i 3 timer midt paa dagen enda for det er saa farlig for eftersykdom. (Knut-ros er en sykdom som gir smertefulle sår på kroppen, med feber og leddsmerter).  Min største gutt skal bli mekaniker  gaar nu i lære i 4 aar  det er tussi saa dyrt som alting er men faar det vel igjen det vet jeg.  Han er saa sparsom, har arbeidet paa fabrik i ferien sin.  Mary min ældste datter er paa ferie.

Jeg har nu hatt 50 aars dag like før jul 18 december  da hadde jeg min family hos os  23 mennesker var vi  skal senne dig sangen min, det var en koselig kvell  fik en 500 kr og presanger.  Nu har nettop mor (Gjertine) hat 70 aars dag, vi var samlet hele slekten  skal ogsaa sende dig hennes sang, hun er bare bra.  Onkel Aksel er det stor forandring  hans frue er syk og paa hjem i 2 aar snart og den ælste søn arrestert (han var i konsentrasjonsleir en tid) men nu har han tat over forretningen til onkel for han har git i fra sig den og andre 2 guttene rømte til Sverige men er nu kommet hit.

Det er saa meget rart nu at jeg husker ikke halvparten for øieblikket.  Laura er flyttet til Stjørdal, hennes søn er på sykehus.  Vet du at onkel Konrad er død, jeg var i begravelsen, skal senne dig begravelses sangen som han diktet selv i sammen med de andre sangene saa fort jeg vinner det.  Det er stygt og spørge, men har du nogen gamle klær efter dere saa send mig for vi er helt opraad  vi faar ikke kjøpt en traad for her finnes ikke en bite tøi, jeg for min del kan ikke gaa ut og ikke min ælste gut heller snart. Skal snart skrive igjen, hils dine barn saa hjertelig fra os, ha det bra alle sammen.

Deres Klara.

På baksiden av arket:

Jeg har satt huset dit i ramme jeg hadde, du er heldig som har et hjem  det ser koslig ut, det skulde ha været morsomt og besøkt dig, hjertelig tak for bildene, de var festlige.  Mary min datter skal sende dig bilde av sig sier hun.

Idag skal jeg vaske klær for en engelskmann som heter Jackson  jeg har vasket mange ganger men faar bare en liten kjøtboks for alle klærne, de er svært skitten, men det er no engelskmann saa jeg gjør det gjerne.

Sluppen July 23.

My best cousin.

I’m so full of jubilation at having receved a letter from you the day before yesterday, thank you so much for the letter, I was so proud I told all the relatives I met.  I see from it that you and yours are doing well  I have talked about you so often and we’ve looked at the pictures we have and wondered if your boys were out in the war.  Yes Alma we’ve had some rough years, but thank God we’ve kept our lives, and our home. Though we’ve been hungry because we haven’t had butter and not sugar and no sandwich meats but fortunately we’ve had bread ‘cause my daughter works at a bakery.  Now it’s over and no air raid sirens but you can’t imagine how scared I’ve been of the air raid sirens because we live below a very large apparatus which belongs to the Germans  it’s been said that the largest cannons of the Northern countries are up there.  Imagine the jubilation that day, the flags were raised and crying and joy and singing for several weeks and days.  It’s calm now, but horrible to see and hear about everything that has been going on during this time.  With us everything is fine now, Svenn my youngest boy who turned 12 on July 12 has just been sick with “knut-ros” a tiresome disease, but is well now, but he still lies down for a 3 hour’s rest in the middle of the day because there’s a risk of contracting other diseases.  (Knut-ros is a disease that causes painful sores over the body, along with fever and joint pain).  My oldest boy is going to be a mechanic  is in an apprenticeship for 4 years  that’s hard now that everything is so expensive but I know it will be rewarded.  He’s so thrifty, has been working at a factory during his vacation.  Mary my oldest daughter is on vacation.

I have now had my 50^th birthday just before Christmas Dec. 18  I had my family here  there were 23 of us  I’ll send you my song, it was a pleasant evening  got about 500 kr and gifts.  Mother (Gjertine) has recently had her 70^th birthday, all the relatives were gathered  I’ll send you her song too, she’s doing fine.  At Aksel’s there are a lot of changes  his wife is sick and in a home for close to 2 years and the oldest boy arrested (he was in a concentration camp for a while) but now he has taken over uncle’s shop because he has given it up and the other 2 boys escaped to Sweden but are here now.

There are so many things now that I can’t remember half of them at the moment.  Laura has moved to Stjørdal, her son is in the hospital.  Did you know that uncle Konrad is dead, I was at the funeral, will send you the funeral song which he wrote himself along with the other songs as soon as I have time.  It’s not nice to ask, but if you have some old clothes please send me some because we are in such a bind  We can’t buy as much as a thread (of clothing) because there isn’t even a piece of fabric to be had,  as for me I can’t go out and not my oldest boy either soon. Will write again soon, give our warmest regards to your children, keep well all of you.

Yours Klara.

On the back of the last page:

I’ve put your house in a frame I had, you are lucky to have a home  it looks cosy, it would be fun to visit you, thanks a lot for the pictures, they were fun.  Mary my daughter will send you a picture of herself she says.

Today I’m going to wash clothes for an Englishman called Jackson  I have washed many times but only get a small tin of meat for all the clothes, they are very dirty, but he’s an Englishman so I do it gladly.