Berglund, Marie

Berglund, Marie

• 1978-06-27 (Creation)

2 file folders
2 sound cassettes
2 compact discs

The interview was conducted with Marie Berglund on June 27, 1978 in Tacoma, Washington. The interview contains information on her family background, emigration, work, marriage and family, Norwegian clubs, organizations, and activities, Norwegian heritage, language, foods, and Christmas. The interview was conducted in English with Norwegian towards the end of the interview.

Also see Inger Gregersen.

Folder Contents

Box 1, File 14 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Tape Index, and Family Background

Box 1, File 14A Correspondence and Forms
Checklist and Release Form
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

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

Inger Gregersen oral history interview

Biographical Note

Biographical Information Marie Berglund was born on January 22, 1891 in the village of Torheim, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. Her parents were Rasmus Torheim and Anne Marie Myklebust. She had nine siblings. On September 9, 1911, Marie emigrated to Vancouver, B.C. because her brother, Henry was here. She did housework in Vancouver until she moved to Tacoma on May 17, 1914 where she worked in a coffee shop.

After moving to Tacoma, Marie met Henry Berglund, whom she married in January 1917. They had one daughter, Ruth, who was born in December 1917. Marie got her citizenship in 1922. Marie spent her adult life as a 'professional Norwegian' devoted to maintaining the Norwegian culture, language, and heritage by organizing a children's choir, string band, radio program, scholarship fund, Norwegian language class in public high schools, and a 'barnetog'.

Marie was a member of several organizations, Good Templar Lodge, Daughters of Norway, and the Nordsfjordslaget. Marie received the St. Olaf medal because Mrs. Gunnar Lund nominated her for her leadership in the Daughters of Norway. In 1939, Marie and Henry were part of the group that met meet Crown Prince Olav and Princess Martha. In 1946, Marie spoke with King Haakon for twenty-five minutes. Also in the 1940s, Marie became acquainted with Betzy Alexandra Kjelsberg, a prominent Norwegian feminist.

Lineage

Full Name: Marie Louise Berglund
Maiden Name: Marie Louise Torheim
Father: Rasmus Torheim
Mother: Anne Marie Myklebust
Paternal Grandfather: Lars Torheim
Paternal Step-Grandfather: Hans Forsheim
Spouse: Henry Berglund
Brothers and Sisters: Henry and eight other siblings
Children: Ruth Berglund