Announcement: Moving North!

Announcing Lana's retirement May 24..2013 and moving date  June 1

New Address:  2902 Autumn Gold Drive.  Caldwell, Idaho  83605

Now I will be so much closer to my children, grandchildren and cousins!  

Most of all-  I will have the time I want to spend on returning to blogging and family history research.  I have so much to share..so little time, but wanted everyone to know that I will
be devoting time now to the Christopher Camp Blog Site.  As soon as my computer is set up in Idaho, I will be sending another blog post.  To keep in touch, use:  lana.rankin@yahoo.com and plan to stop by and visit whenever you are in the Boise area.  

A LETTER FROM THE PAST: INGA AND CARL 1931

HAPPY NEW YEAR COUSINS!!!

To begin the new year I want to share with you a long letter written in 1931 by our grandmother Inga and grandfather Carl.  I  have the original, now on yellowed binder paper, in their own handwriting.  Although I can't remember who gave it to me, it is a treasure that might soon fade with age.  So I am rewriting it as best I can, interpreting where I can, words I am unsure of.  I am not correcting the spelling or punctuation errors to best portray the actual letter. (I made a few spelling correcttions where it was necessary to understand the intention)  I have chosen two different fonts as close as I could come to the original handwriting style of each of them.  I hope you enjoy the letter as I am sure it was part of the original round robin letters started, I think by Thelma  Olsen.  The letter shares information about each of the Christopher kids in 1931. If anyone out there has other letters in this series, that  could be shared with all of us, let me know and I can put those on the blog as well.  If you want to see the orginal, I can try to scan it, but its very hard to read.  You can come visit me though and see the orginal plus other artifacts I have, pictures, etc. you might also enjoy.

Medina, North Dakota,  March 29, 1931

Dear Mother, Sisters, and Brothers,

Received the letters Friday.  Enjoyed them very much, sorry to hear you been sick Gus hope you soon will be well again, your being lucky to get along with out a doctor’s care for so long.  You have a nice little store. The snaps were so good, but you sure look different then when I seen you last  and Bessie is nearly as fat as I am     I think  she must eat to much ice cream.  Thank you Thelma for writing.  it was just as good as getting a letter from you.  It must be a pleasant place to live out there in winter.  ..may be hot in the summer.  Ive been having a very nice winter till last week had a real old time blizzard.  it is warming up a little now.  We had a lot of snow in November there never was so much snow in Medina that I now of, we had to do some skraping hear too.  Jan and Feb were nice so the winter did not seam so long.

Well, Mary, I was sure glad to see the picture of you and William.  You both look happy.  Your letter was very interesting.  I wish I could write letters like the rest.  Well I must write about the children.  I have not any pictures that was taken lately, but will have some next round.

Glen Arthur was 27 last Jan 7   had 1 ½ high school.  He did not want to teach so did not finish He is a farmer  has farmed Mrs Gleason’s a few years.  Has his own Ford and a partnership tractor with Carl.  He has worked in a garage, run tractors etc.  Now he has landed that carrier job  Will carry the mail on Monday Wednesday and Friday’s. a Star Route west of town.  Will commence April 1^st so I don’t think he will farm this year. 

Alfred Clifford was 24 March 24 born on Palm Sunday.  He finished the 8^th grade when he was 14 been working in farm mostly also training horses.  He worken now the Equity Creamery at Jamestown from June 1 till Dec 19 when he got sick with Rheumatism abut the same as he had twice before  he was in bed two weeks this time so it was not so bad as before  anyway he has gone out west again now .  had a chance to work in the creamery this spring   he think it is to damp there   likes to be out doors in the sunshine so he is trying something els again  he is at Buffalo, S. Dak now.

Roy Willard is nex was 20 last Aug  He finished Medina High School in 1928 also had 3 months at the A.C. at Fargo worked for the Bell Telephone Co about 3 months, was out in the storm last fall…..they had the crew tied together with a long rope. Ther truck got staled and they had to walk three miles back to town  that was near Lamore(?) N. Dak.  He has work on farm and out threshing in the fall, was to Edgar Neb last year. He want to go to small colage as soon as he can. Should have before but been rambling around to much.

Ruth Lillian was 18, August 10^th so you see Roy and her are twins but 2 years apart.  Ruth will finish high school this spring. She is going to take up nursing   is going to train in Bismark N. Dak.  May not till next fall. 

The twins, Lauren Ivan and Lester Carl were 16 last Aug they are healthy and strong  have worked out some.  They should go to high school but I guess they will be just plain farmers.

Kenneth Orvin was 14 last Sept 7  I think Bessie remembers that when she was trying to be at two places at once   Kenneth finished the 8^th grade at xmas time had  had just one study History  so just went  1 day   he is the only one in the family that got black hair.

Otto Vernon was 12 Dec. 19 and is an all around big help where he is needed the most. When Ruth is not home, he helps me peel spuds, etc.  he is in 6^th grade.

Robert Norman is 10 years old today  is not much for work  yet can do quite a few things anyway  he is the 4^th at school.

Doris Esther will be 8 years June 10 is growing tall and slim  she is in 3^rd grade at school.

Donald Edwin will be 6  Sept 10 and then he starts to school.  He is a healthy boy and quite large for his age.  Was sick a week or so this winter with kind of a flu  the rest of us had it to 

(Well that is the bunch) Hear is some news  George Kapp was married to Mrs. Albert Bast two weeks ago.  Gus and Mary remembers him  he lived south of town near his brother Willis. And now his wife has a nice farm too and he is happier still   she is a real jolly woman  so they should get along just fine.  Kletts store burned this winter  he has started a store again in BucksWater Hotel on the south side where she had the restaurant.

Well I started to write news and forgot to tell my age.  I am 48(born June 28, 1882)  Carl was 55 on March 20.

 I hope mother gets this for Mother’s Day    think it would please her more than anything else we could send. 

I guess I did not write down the year the children were born so here it is:

Glen Arthur  Jan 7, 1904

Alfred Clifford March24, 1907

Roy Willard  August 10, 1910

Ruth Lillian  August 10, 1912

Lauren Ivan  August 5, 1914

Lester Carl   August 5, 1914

Kenneth Orvin   Sept 7, 1916

Robert Norman  March 29, 1921

Doris Esther  June 10, 1923

Donald Edwin  Sept 10, 1925

I hope this will find everybody well and that we all will write a letter even if there is so many blots as I made.  I think I will have to get a new pen 

Love to all from Inga and Carl

I will write a few lines   I own big farm in N.D. doing a small business at a loss    mostly the depression has hit us right and I think I will have to get a jack and see if I can jack up the price of farm produce  have enjoyed this letter from all of you  I will say that it is a good idea  sorry to hear that your health is not so good, Gus and hope that you will be OK by the time (this) gets to you.  I also hope that I will be able to get out in that country some day altho it does not look much like it at this time  My little wife has told you about everything here so I will stop right here.      Yours     Carl

CHRISTOPHER REUNION 2012

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2012   Many Christopher Families enjoyed family reunion at Goldie Indreland's Place up Grant Creek in Missoula.  The following pictures show some of the people that were there.  Hope you enjoy looking at these and look forward to coming next time.

Libby, Charlotte, Donna

Mike, Chris, Becca, Sara, Tina, Emma, Eva

Travis Dawn, Michael, Autumn, Riley

Resena and Samara

Faye and Chuck

Emma, Aaron, Amy, Timothy, David

Ely and Owen

Those attending were: Goldie Indreland, Owen Indreland, Ely Indreland; Donna Chambers; Libby and Charlotte Newman; Travis, Dawn, Riley, Michael, and Autumn Wahl; Heather and  Patrick Stiles; Resena Christopher, Anthony, Samara and Marri; Blondie Rasmussen; Faye and Chuck Gibson; Bill, Lana, Mike and Chris Rankin; Eva Wruck; Aaron, Emma, David, Timothy, and Amy Grigg; John, Tina, Lizzy and James Cheney; TJ, Sara, Hannah, and Troy Bingham; Aaaron, Becca,Hali, Colby and Liam Bell.

Goldie, Lana and Dawn displayed their Christopher photo albums.  A pedigree chart with Christopher/Olsen families back to the 1700's was hung on the wall for all to see. Heather brought Roy Christopher's Purple Heart Medal that her grandfather Ken(Roy's brother)  had been awarded after World War II.  Dawn brought her computer to show us on Ancestry.com, how we are all descendants from Scandinavian Kings!

Pot Luck, wading in the creek,  picture taking and visiting was enjoyed by all.

ALL CHRISTOPHER/OLSEN FAMILIES INVITED:   Family reunion, Sunday July 8, 2012 at Goldie's place10965 Grant Crek Road





WHEN: ANYTIME BETWEEN 2:00 pm to 10:00
               We'll eat around 4 and have snacks around the campfire.
WHAT:  POT LUCK AND BBQ (bring a dish to share and your own meat to BBQ )      
Paper plates/cutlery, water/lemonade/ soft drinks provided..no alcoholic beverages please (family event)
Also bring your family pictures.


Goldie's place is in a spectacular area surrounded by breathtaking tall forest trees,  a sparkling creek running through it, a giant size fire pit with cut stumps for sitting around it, and wilderness hiking trails near by making  this a beautiful panorama to view while enjoying visiting, eating and playing.  Go 5 miles up Grant Creek Road from the freeway, past Snow Bowl Road.  Stay to the right when you come to the fork in the road where the mailboxes are placed.  Watch for balloons at Goldie's place on your left.

Here are some pictures of Goldie's Place..YOU will want to be there!

             

REUNION TIME!!

Know what's happening on SUNDAY July 8th?.....CHRISTOPHER/OLSEN REUNION!
THIS IS YOUR INVITATION..PLEASE COME!

Now that the time is so close, hopefully we can get a response of all of you if you are coming!

WHEN: ANYTIME BETWEEN 2:00 pm to 10:00
               We'll eat around 4 and have snacks around the campfire.
WHAT:  POT LUCK AND BBQ (bring a dish to share and your own meat to BBQ )      
Paper plates/cutlery, water/lemonade/ soft drinks provided..no alcoholic beverages please (family event)
Also bring your family pictures.
             
WHERE: Goldie's Place: 10965  Grant Creek Road, Missoula. 

RSVP: Goldie's phone number is 406-721-3014.

             Goldie's email:  goldieindreland@q.com

             Lana's phone number is 209-986-1681

             Lana's email:  lana.rankin@yahoo.com

We are looking for volunteers to help set up the reunion activities in the following areas:


Family History Display (bring your pictures or DVD's)

BBQ cooking

Pot luck set up/clean up

Volley ball set up 
Horseshoe Pit set up
Sports activities

Kid's activities (Gold Rush)
Face painting..kids
Bon fire pit set up
Sing -a-long/music/dance
Smores 




We would love to have you call or email with an RSVP so we can be well prepared. Mention where you can help and we will be glad to sign you up for that area.

Goldie's place is in a spectacular area surrounded by breathtaking tall forest trees,  a sparkling creek running through it, a giant size fire pit with cut stumps for sitting around it, and wilderness hiking trails near by making  this a beautiful panorama to view while enjoying visiting, eating and playing.  Go 5 miles up Grant Creek Road from the freeway, past Snow Bowl Road.  Stay to the right when you come to the fork in the road where the mailboxes are placed.  Watch for balloons at Goldie's place on your left.

SEE YOU THERE!

Christopher reunion announcement

BIG CHRISTOPHER-OLSEN REUNION IN JULY--"SAVE THE DATE."

We are planning a reunion for July 8th, 2012 in Missoula  at Goldie's place and we are hoping many Christopher/Olsens can come. Details to follow:

If you would like to help with the planning we will meet on March 18th at 10:00 am at Goldie's place
10965 Grant Creek Road, Missoula.  Goldie's phone number is 406-721-3014.

If you know already that you are coming, please email me at lana.rankin@yahoo.com so we can start counting!

Inga's Father: Ole Kristian Olsen and Mother: Mina Olsdatter

Ole Kristian Olsen was born in Norway, probably near Nannestad on June 16, 1854.

He was a shoemaker ("Skomager") and is told that he traveled from farm to farm, 
living at each place and making shoes for all the family from hides prepared on
that farm. Then on to the next farm. He no doubt was a farmer as well and 
skilled at many trades. In a document date June 6 1883, which was probably 
a passport application for his son Karl, it is clear that the surname was spelled 
"OLSEN." Even so,  Ole Kristian spelled the name sometimes with an "0". 
He often used Krist  or Christ as his first name. There is evidence that his 
sister Mina and his brother Gustav used the letter "E".

On January 2, 1874 he married Mina Kristine Olsdatter at Nannestad, 

Norway.She was born January 6, 1855 at Hurdals, Norway. She was 

confirmed in 1867.She spoke of a brother living in Iowa with the family

name of Gulbransen. So we may speculate that her father was Ole 

Gulbransen. She also spoke of two other brothers, Gunvold Olsen

and Olaf Rustad. In the early days it was a common thing for

immigrants to change their names when coming to America.

Ole and Mina came to America in 1883. They came first to St. Ansgar,
Mitchell County, Iowa;then to High Lake Township, Emmet County, Iowa;
then to Graettinger, Palo Alto County, Iowa; then to Pequot, Crow Wing 
County, Minnesota.

Their children born in Norway:
 1) Oscar Marinus whose wife's name is Hannah have at least two 

children :Earl and Stella.

2) Karl Gustav (Gustav, Carl), born March 26, 1876 on a farm

called Bjerke Sogn near Nannestad. He married Britha Louise Christopher,

Oct. 5, 1898 and died August 9, 1931. They had nine children.

3) Hjalmer Laurentius (Elmer) came with the family in 1883  married Emma
 Christensen


4) Inga Lydia, born June 28 1882. She was one year old in mid-Atlantic. She
 married Carl Christopher, brother of Britha Louise Christopher. They had
 eleven children. She died July 13, 1949 in Missoula, Montana ..

Their children born in America:

5) Klara Naomi (Clara), born near St. Ansgar, Iowa. She married Everett

 Evans in Minnesota and she died in Pine River, Minnesota. They had at least 

six children some of who were raised in Pequot, Minnesota.

 6) Ragna Marie (Mary), born at St. Ansgar, Iowa. She married Frank McCready 

there and had three children. They moved to Canada where Frank died in 1918. 

She remarried a man by the name of Artindale. He was killed but they had one 

child, Lillian. All Lillian's children live in Canada. Mary died in a rest home near Calgary 

in 1967.

7)  John Alfred was born on the Gulbransen farm near St. Ansgar.

Ole's parents were said to be Ole Gulbransen and Berthe Maria Sonsdatter. 
Ole had one brother, Gustav born Sept 7, 1844 and died August 21, 1911, 
in Oslo, Norway. Gustav was a military man with the Norwegian Field Artillery.
He attained the rank of "Stukjunker and was awarded the "Oscar II" silver 
medal in 1901. He is buried at Krist Kirkegaard in Oslo with military honors. 
(This cemetery, in the heart of Oslo, has now been moved.) He was married, 
but wife's name is unknown at this time.  They had one son and three daughters.  
One of these daughters had a son born in 1940 who served in the Norwegian 
Air Force and a daughter born in 1942 who was an airline pilot. 

Ole had five sisters: Karen, Julie, Bergithe, Mathea and Mina.

Karen married Otto Solberg and they had two girls.
Julie died very young at Nannestad, Norway.

 Bergithe married and had four children.
 Mathea married and had one girl.

Mina was born in 1862 and died in 1947. 
She never married but kept the family history 
and kept the correspondence between the Olsens.


WATCH FOR A NEW BLOG ABOUT THE OLSENS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION
TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!