Aamot, Sigurda

3 file folders
1 photograph
1 sound cassette

This interview was conducted with Sigurda Aamot on August 7, 1981 in Tacoma, Washington. It contains information on family background, emigration, work, marriage, community activities, personal hobbies, and Norwegian heritage. The interview also contains a poem entitled 'A Prayer for America' by Sigurda, a song entitled 'The Emigrant Women' by Sigurda, and a photograph of Sigurda at Normanna Hall's 17th of May celebration, 1981. The interview was conducted in English with some Norwegian towards the end of the interview.

Also see Magdalena Haug Krokenes.

Folder Contents

Box 3, File 19 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background, and Tape Index

Box 3, File 19A Correspondence and Forms
Release Form
Letters from Janet Rasmussen regarding Mrs. Aamot’s participation.
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Box 3, File 19B Photographs and Personal Papers
One photograph
“A Prayer for America”
“The Emigrant Women”

Interviewed by Morrene Nesvig
Transcribed by Mary Sue Gee, Julie Peterson and Becky Husby
Encoded by Kerstin Ringdahl & Amity Smetzler
Recording Quality: Good

Magdalena Haug Krokenes (sister) oral history interview

Biographical Note

Sigurda Aamot was born on July 16, 1908 in Samnanger, Norway to Ragneel Haug and Magdelee Ranghilda Englesdotter Drogheda. She had two sisters: Magdalena and Marget. Sigurda's father died when she was one year old, and the family moved to Osøyro, where her mother began working at a fish cannery. At the age of thirteen, Sigurda began working at a restaurant, and later worked in a factory. Her first husband was Mr. Nordström, with whom she had her son Robert, but they were divorced prior to Sigurda's emigration to America.

Sigurda and Robert left for America in December 1929, and upon arrival to the country, they went to Tacoma, Washington, where Magdalena and her husband lived. During her first six years in Tacoma, Sigurda did housework for various families, but was unhappy with this line of employment as it kept her away from her son. In 1935, she found janitorial work, which provided her with better pay and hours. Soon after that, she met Olaf Amot during a dinner party at her sister's house.

Olaf was a logger and had changed his name from the original Norwegian spelling of Aamot to Amot upon arrival to the United States (Sigurda herself later returned to the original spelling). Olaf and Sigurda were married in 1936 and had two children: Lynn and Arthur.

In 1962, Sigurda joined the Daughters of Norway, and she also took part in Leikaring dance, which was previously involved with in Norway as well. In Tacoma, Sigurda served as a Leikaring instructor and danced at various Norwegian events, including May 17th and June 23rd. Other activities she enjoyed were oil painting and writing poetry. Sigurda returned to Norway on several occasions and was very proud to be of Viking descent. Nevertheless, she loved America and declared that she would stick with the country under any circumstances, including war with Norway.

Lineage

Full Name: Sigurda Haug Aamot
Maiden Name: Sigurda Haug
Father: Ragneel Haug
Mother: Magdelee Ranghilda Englesdotter Drogheda
Paternal Grandfather: Per Haug
Paternal Grandmother: Magdelee Haug
Maternal Grandfather: Angel Drogheda
Brothers and Sisters: Magdalena Krokenes, Marget Lepsø
Spouse: (?) Nordström, Olaf Amot
Children: Lynn Julian, Robert Nordström, Art Amot